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Site Surveys Underway to Prepare Raymond Park for the Olympics

A group of locals has strongly opposed plans to use Raymond Park, the only green space in Kangaroo Point, as a warm-up field for Olympic athletes, as residents start receiving letters informing them of a two-week site survey on Raymond Park to potentially prepare the area for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

The letter was taken as an indication that the redevelopment of Raymond Park will forge ahead even with little public consultations, as some residents claim that attempts to raise their concerns with officials have fallen on deaf ears.

Friends of Raymond Park Page has a copy of the letter on a post saying that the potential Olympic-standard warm-up track could leave eight families homeless as their houses are at the front of the park. Changes to the green might also destroy the community garden, remove the dog park and the outdoor gym, and impact the 100-year-old soccer club.

Raymond Park letter — Photo Credit: Janita Dal Cin

Paul, one of the residents whose houses could be resumed for a temporary event, also spoke on the radio with Bill McDonald. He said they have been trying to get answers about the plans but no one from the government has replied to their emails.

Max Chandler-Mather, the Federal MP for Griffith, reacted to the letter.

“The first letter residents of Kangaroo Point have received from the Government about the Olympics isn’t to offer a consultation, or ask them if they would like to host an Olympics warm-up track in their backyard, it’s been to inform them that the decision has apparently been made, congratulations, say goodbye to your local park,” Mr Chandler-Mather posted.

“The Queensland Government is pretending like this decision has already been made, when the Federal Government won’t even confirm if they support building a new stadium, let alone demolishing the Gabba, East Brisbane State School and Raymond Park.

“The Government has told residents it’s an “enormous privilege” to host the Olympics. Well it’s not a privilege to lose a brilliant local green space with 100-year-old fig trees, a playground, a dog park, the Kangaroo Point Rovers soccer club, and a community garden.”

No designs nor details of the project scope for the Raymond Park warm-up fields have been released. Both State and Federal Governments have yet to finalise the funding arrangement that will pay for the construction and refurbishment of Olympic facilities.

Meanwhile, Kangaroo Point residents have started a campaign to save Raymond Park and proposed Giffin Park in Coorparoo as the alternative for the warm-up track.

Clinton McGoldrick Becomes First Aboriginal Deacon In Brisbane’s Archdiocese

Deacon Clinton McGoldrick has made history as the first Indigenous man to serve in the Brisbane diocese, after being ordained at St Stephen’s Cathedral in November 2022.

Read: Will the Story Bridge Fly the Aboriginal Flags Permanently?

Deacon McGoldrick’s wife, Karley and their two sons, came to support him at his ordination to the permanent diaconate on 26 November 2022, along with friends and fellow deacons and priests.

Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, who led the ordination, said that through Deacon McGoldrick, as an Aboriginal man, God might teach the rest of us, the Church and others, what it means to befriend and love the Indigenous peoples, the First Nations of this land.

Deacon Clinton McGoldrick found Archbishop Coleridge’s words moving and said it was an amazing day not just for him but for many Indigenous people who were in the congregation.

In his ordination, he brought a picture of St Oscar Romero, who was known as the “voice for the voiceless.” Just like St Oscar Romero, Deacon McGoldrick believes his call and mission was to use his voice on behalf of the voiceless.

“Certainly there’s a lot of Indigenous Catholics in Australia and even so in Brisbane and I hope they see (ordained ministry) as a new way to express their vocation or spirituality,” he said.

He believes this new role is a very rigorous and lengthy process and there are not too many Indigenous people who can meet the requirements and commit to that process for various reasons.

“To be somebody who has been able to successfully navigate that program, I want that to be a sign to other people to say, ‘I can do that as well,” he said.

Read: Meet Lilian Cooper And Josephine Bedford, Notable Women Who Once Lived In Kangaroo Point

Deacon McGoldrick’s ministry would centre on army chaplaincy. He will transition to Full Time Chaplaincy in the Australian Army in mid-January 2023 and will be based at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera.

New Japanese Restaurant Izakaya Publico Opens At Hotel Indigo

Brisbane’s Hotel Indigo, one of the closest hotels to Kangaroo Point, gets a stylish new spot for grilled meat, sashimi, and drinks with the opening of Japanese restaurant Izakaya Publico.

Read: Two Dining Destinations Planned for Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Site

Izakaya Publico, as the name suggests, is an izakaya-style restaurant. Izakaya is a Japanese word which translates to “stay-drink-place” and is comparable to casual places where people would drink after-work, much like a pub or a Spanish tapas bar.

Interestingly, its accompanying bar, Bar 1603 which is located upstairs, was named after the year ‘izakaya’ was born, which was 1603 or during the Edo period in the history of Japan.

Like most izakayas, they have nama (raw menu), kushiyaki (skewers), robata (coal-grilled), noodles, tempura, and fried dishes curated by Executive sous chef Chris Jang and executive chef Sumit Batra.

Raw dishes, which come from the freshest of daily catches, include warayaki tataki, a hay seared market fish; maguro, a tuna sashimi served with wasabi and ginger; and kaki which is oyster with Tosazu jelly and chives.

Selections for the coal grilled robata skewers include teriyaki salmon, fried tofu, and pork belly.

The beverage menu covers beers on tap including a few from Japan, plum wine, Japanese whisky, highballs, sake, shochu, traditional cocktails, as well as spirits and Australian wines that you can order by the glass or by the bottle.

Izakaya Publico can comfortably seat up to 80 guests and offers a visually inspiring interior, with a highlight on traditional Japanese elements that bring a level of warmth and authenticity. There are oversized lanterns all throughout to provide elevated mood lighting across two floors.

There’s also striking artwork throughout the restaurant, painted by Sydney-based artist and illustrator Blends.

Read: New Bubble Tea Shop In Brisbane CBD Will Leave You Wanting ‘Moo’-re

To further spice things up, the restaurant is planning to add Japanese whisky dinners, a collaboration with Japanese guest chefs and origami classes in the future.

Izakaya Publico is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. They are located inside Hotel Indigo, at 35 Turbot Street, Brisbane.

Holocaust Museum and Education Centre to Open in Brisbane

The first Queensland Holocaust Museum and Education Centre is set to open at the site of the Cathedral of St. Stephen Precinct in the Brisbane CBD.

Earmarked for an early 2023 opening, the museum aims to educate Queenslanders about the horrendous history and legacy of the Holocaust.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed that the Queensland Holocaust Museum and Education Centre will be built with funding coming from Federal and State Governments, as well as the Brisbane City Council.

“It will honour the legacy of those who faced awful atrocities and will also feature locally recorded stories and will be able to reach the regions through online and mobile exhibits,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“It will ensure future generations do not forget.

“It follows our election commitment to establish this centre, ensuring lessons of the Holocaust and the contributions that survivors have made to Queensland are heard for generations to come.”

The Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane is also pushing to deliver the Queensland Holocaust Museum and Education Centre, a uniquely mobile facility that will be located at the Old Archives Building and Penola Place at the Cathedral Precinct.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge said that they are honoured to be a partner of the centre where exhibitions, education and training resources will be held for all Queenslanders, especially students. These materials will be complemented by exhibitions focused on Australia’s First Nations people and other countries’ genocide histories.

“As a society, we need to work together towards a common goal that overcomes hatred and promotes peace. We need to build bridges, not walls,” the archbishop said.

“Inter-religious partnerships like this send a strong signal to the community that we are all sisters and brothers in a world where the other is not my enemy.”

November is All About Lobster at One Fish Two Fish

Photo credit: One Fish Two Fish / onefish-twofish.com.au

Prepare to be spoiled this lobster sea-son! If you missed International Lobster Day last September, you can more than make up for it as One Fish Two Fish introduces the ‘House of Lobster’ with its new November offerings.

Diners at One Fish Two Fish will enjoy four mouth-watering courses of delicious crustacean fare for dinner from Wednesdays to Fridays, and for lunch from Friday to Sunday, all for a price that’s hardly eye-watering at $95 pp.

The four-course meal starts with lobster mac & cheese bites followed by a choice between Lobster Ceviche Tacos made white corn tortillas, tomato salsa, avocado and coriander; and twice-baked Lobster Soufflé with shellfish beurre blanc.

Lobster Mornay with bechamel, grated cheese and served with a blood orange, green bean and fennel salad One Fish Two Fish — Lobster Mornay with bechamel, grated cheese and served with a blood orange, green bean and fennel salad | *Photo credit: Facebook /* One Fish Two Fish

Then taking the center stage is Queensland tropical half lobster which you can choose to be topped with bechamel, grated cheese and served with a blood orange, green bean and fennel salad; or with Chinese chilli sauce with wok tossed egg noodles, greens and shellfish stock.

Capping off the lobster feast is a dessert of your choice, a toss-up between Dark Chocolate Semifreddo with crushed walnut and vanilla biscuits; and Profiteroles filled lemon curd ice cream topped with pistachio praline.

Lobster rolls One Fish Two Fish — Lobster rolls | Photo credit: Facebook / One Fish Two Fish

A takeaway option is also available. Enjoy scrumptious lobster rolls served in a warm burnt buttered roll and generously topped with creamy saffron mayo for $28.

One Fish Two Fish is a seafood restaurant located on the corner of Mains and Baines Streets on Kangaroo Point.

Check out their website and their socials here and here for more updates.

Ready to book a House of Lobster session?

Click here

One Fish Two Fish | 708 Main St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169, Australia

Heavenly Hideaway: St Mary’s Rectory In Kangaroo Point For Rent

Did you know that for $1,300 per week, you can live at St Mary’s Rectory in Kangaroo Point, where two of the most notable women in Queensland’s history once lived?

Read: St Mary’s: Explore a Beloved Treasure in Kangaroo Point

The rectory, located next to St Mary’s Church, was once home to Lillian Cooper, the State’s first female doctor and her longtime partner, philanthropist Josephine Bedford. In fact, the stained-glass windows at the rectory are a memorial to Cooper’s legacy.

In its 150-year history, it’s been only three times that the rectory has been up for rent. The property, located at 447 Main St, Kangaroo Point, has remained vacant since Rector Gary Harsh retired in 2021.

St Mary’s Rectory — Photo credit: mcgrath.com.au

In the listing, real estate group McGrath described the property as a “classic and unique residence that offers some of Brisbane’s most expansive and unobstructed panoramic views of the city, river and surrounding suburbs that will remain a permanent fixture of the significant home.”

“This residence stands as one of Brisbane’s most prestigious and historic addresses and represents the final word in exquisite and stunning riverside living,” the listing reads.

The four-bedroom property features two bathrooms and two car spaces, an updated kitchen, formal dining room and living room, as well as an oversized master bedroom with updated ensuite.

About the Rectory

St Mary’s Rectory was constructed in 1889, after the completion of the church hall in the same year.

In 1926, it was purchased by Cooper and Bedford, who renovated it by including a consulting room for Cooper, and a study for Bedford which features a personal library well stocked with books.

The rectory is a large single-storeyed brick residence with verandahs on three sides. It stands on brick piers with honeycomb infill and the entry is through a gabled frontispiece. The verandah has timber posts and balusters. A number of bays on the rear verandah add to the complexity of the corrugated roof which is a series of hips and gables.

Read: Meet Lilian Cooper And Josephine Bedford, Notable Women Who Once Lived In Kangaroo Point

The rectory, along with the hall and grounds have been nominated for listing by the Trust and Heritage Commission.

Kangaroo Point Residential and Supermarket Development Plans

Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Plans to build a 10-storey residential tower and supermarket on Ferry St and Prospect St in Kangaroo Point have been revised, to allow for a 17-storey building instead, with the number of residential units increasing from 53 to 130 units.

Approved in December 2021, Fabcot Pty Ltd is now seeking approval to expand its approved development plan on a site located at 23-31 Ferry Street and 16-30 Prospect Street, Kangaroo Point.

Proposed site | Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

“Since the previous approval was obtained, there have been significant changes to the City Plan that are relevant to development on the site. Specifically, the height limitations within the Kangaroo Point Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan have increased. The current City Plan allows for a maximum of 15 storeys on the site, in comparison to the previous version of the City Plan which allowed for a maximum of 10 storeys,” Urbis’ wrote in their planning report.

The existing development approval allows for a 10-storey residential tower comprising 53 units of 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom dwellings with commercial components, including a Woolworths supermarket, situated on the podium levels. There are also 56 car parking spaces across three levels of basement parking, accessible for both residents and users of the commercial tenancies.

The revised plans include 130 high-density residential units across 17 storeys, or an additional seven residential storeys, plus a rooftop garden. The proposal also seeks to change the approved “Metro” store and be expanded to a full-line supermarket located on the ground floor.

Revised Plans for Kangaroo Point Residential and Supermarket Development Approved vs proposed overall height — Approved vs proposed overall height | Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Changes to the rooftop | | Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Revised Plans for Kangaroo Point Residential and Supermarket Development Ground Floor Layout Changes — Ground Floor Layout Changes | Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Revised Plans for Kangaroo Point Residential and Supermarket Development Changes to Level 1 — Changes to Level 1 | Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

The development is proposed to be constructed in two stages to enable the supermarket to be opened ahead of the completion of the residential apartment above it and provide “more certainty and flexibility in securing either a JV partnership or contract for a separate entity to construct the residential component of the development.”

Stage 1 will construct Basement Levels 01 – 04 and Ground Level, plus podium rooftop services (condenser deck and plant rooms and retail condenser). It will also deliver external roadworks and streetscape upgrades. Whilst Stage 2 will involve the construction of Levels 01 to 15 and the rooftop.

A total of 112 residential, 8 visitor car parking spaces and 56 retail car parking spaces are also proposed.

23-31 Ferry St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169, Australia

Will the Story Bridge Fly the Aboriginal Flags Permanently?

Photo Credit: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

An online petition is calling for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags to be permanently displayed on the Story Bridge. Currently, only the Australian Flag and Queensland Flag fly on the bridge.

The controversial petition, which runs until 15 November 2022, has attracted more than two thousand supporters.

“Only the Australian Flag and Queensland Flag currently fly on the Story Bridge. It is time for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to be proudly displayed on the bridge. That Council installs the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags on the Story Bridge,” the petition initiated by Morningside Ward Councillor Kara Cook said.

Upon launching in September, the e-petition quickly gained traction, collecting more than 200 signatures within two hours and more than 800 signatures the next day.

Indigenous leaders, such as Queensland Treaty Advancement Committee co-chair Mick Gooda and Commissioner for the Queensland Family and Child Commission Natalie Lewis, have also expressed support for the petition.

The petition comes after the NSW and Victorian governments began hoisting the Aboriginal Flag.

The Australian aboriginal flag flying in Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Australia — Photo Credit: Peripitus, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0> / Wikimedia Commons

In early July, the Victorian Government announced that the Aboriginal flag will permanently fly above the West Gate Bridge. Since 2019, the flag has been appearing on the West Gate Bridge on a rotational basis during Reconciliation and NAIDOC weeks.

Five years ago, a petition was launched to ask the Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews for the flag to fly on the West Gate Bridge, joining the Australian and Victorian flags. Almost 6,000 people signed the petition.

It didn’t take long for NSW to follow suit. Beginning 11 July 2022, the Aboriginal flag became a permanent feature of the Sydney Harbour Bridge alongside the Australian and the NSW State flags. The announcement was made in time for the conclusion of NAIDOC Week 2022.

In 2020, indigenous activist Cheree Toka from Kamilaroi launched a petition to fly the Aboriginal flag over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 365 days a year. More than 177,000 supported the campaign.

Have Your Say on the St Vincent’s Private Hospital Masterplan in Kangaroo Point

Residents of Kangaroo Point are being invited to have their say on the proposed 20-year masterplan of St Vincent’s Health Care for its Mt Olivet Private Hospital site.

Read: Brisbane Trials Bicycle Awareness Monitors in Kangaroo Point

Based on plans submitted to Brisbane City Council, St Vincent’s is seeking to develop large residential highrise towers at their hospital site, with the towers ranging 15 to 19 storeys in height.

The land on the Kangaroo Point site was donated to the Sisters of Charity in the 1950s and was used to build Mt Olivet.

The development was the first dedicated facility for the elderly that had been established by the Sisters in Australia and was also the first modern hospice in Queensland.

In the planning documents, it’s highlighted that the “redevelopment of St Vincent’s site offers an exciting opportunity to activate the river-front and add valuable shared green space to the Kangaroo Point community.”

The masterplan will be done in stages:

Stage 1- includes three levels of carparking to offset existing open air carparks that are lost during the construction of Stage 2.

Stage 2 – allows for residential aged care to be relocated from Marycrest; also includes a Health & Wellness area, freeing up space in the existing buildings to allow for future staged demolition and redevelopment.

Stages 3 & 4 – Residential Aged Care use is relocated from Marycrest into the new Stage 2 building, allowing progressive demolition and redevelopment of the western side of the site. Some health and administration uses are also relocated.

Stages 5 & 6 – could be developed as one for two stages, giving flexibility in decanting and demolition.

“The St Vincent’s Kangaroo Point site is well placed to service the changing needs for an increasingly ageing population within a vibrant inner-city catchment, whilst also expanding the service to continue to reach out to the broader Brisbane community,” planners at Gaskell Planning Consultants stated.

Vehicle access to the site will be via Main Street and Amesbury Street. Pedestrian access from Main St down to the River Walk at the northwest corner of the site can be achieved through an open space.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Sriranganathan, Councillor for The Gabba, expressed some of his concerns regarding the proposed masterplan, especially when it comes to traffic ramifications for Main St and the Story Bridge.

Cr Sriranganathan said the site has long been identified and zoned as being for ‘community facilities’ and that high-density private housing is not ordinarily permitted on ‘Community Facilities’ land.

“If some housing IS to be developed on this site, it should be public housing that’s affordable for people on low incomes, not luxury riverfront apartments targeted at wealthier residents,” said Cr Sriranganathan.

Read: Eight-Storey 81-Unit Residential Tower to Rise on Lytton Road

To make public submissions on this proposal and learn more about the plans, visit Council online’s portal and search for application A005844698.

Kangaroo Point Bikeway Now Has Bicycle Awareness Monitors

Bicycle Awareness Monitors have been installed at the Kangaroo Point Bikeway to remind cyclists and e-mobility riders to slow down.

Read: Two Dining Destinations Planned for Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Site

These new signs will alert approaching riders of their speed and indicate if their speed is below or above 15 km/h.

The Bicycle Awareness Monitors work just like the city’s Speed Awareness Monitors, which flashes a sign when drivers are over or under speeding.

kangaroo point bikeway — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Facebook

A thank you message flashes when vehicles are travelling at or below the speed limit, whilst a ‘slow down’ reminder will be displayed if a driver is overspeeding.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said they have turned on two signs designed to measure the speed of passing bicycles, as well as e-scooters and e-skateboards, along the bikeway.

Cr Schrinner said the two signs could be found near the Kangaroo Point Cliff stairs and near the Riverlife Adventure Centre along the shared Kangaroo Point Cliffs path.

The Kangaroo Point Bikeway is being used by about 3,000 people cycling, walking, or riding a day.

“Brisbane is an incredible city to walk and ride around, but it’s important everyone uses our shared paths considerately and safely and travelling at the correct speed is an important part of this,” Cr Schrinner said.

Cr Schrinner encourages everyone to keep an eye out for the new signs and know that if they are travelling at a safe speed they will be rewarded with a smile and a thank you message.

Read: 200-Million-Year-Old Tree Stump Unearthed During Cross River Rail Tunnelling At Kangaroo Point

The signs operate entirely via solar power,which means they are not only better for the environment but also helps reduce ongoing costs.

If proven successful in delivering positive change in drivers’ behaviour during the trial, Brisbane City Council will explore options to install them on other pathways across the city. The trial is expected to end by February 2023.