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

Past the park on the cliffs of Kangaroo Point, overlooking the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the CBD, is St Mary’s Anglican Church. Reminiscent of an old English village church, this impressive neo-gothic stone structure dates back to the late 1800s and is considered one of Brisbane treasures.

St Mary’s is Brisbane’s second oldest church and remains one of the most popular wedding venues in the city. A Kangaroo Point landmark, this church was built by Alfred Grant and designed by architect Richard George Suter in 1873 to replace a timber church erected three decades before.

Intimate, peaceful, and quiet despite the city’s traffic below the cliffs, both church members and visitors come to this sanctuary to reflect and relish in a serene surrounding, which is quite a rarity in Kangaroo Point.

Historical Claims to Fame

In 1876, a pipe organ built by H.C. Lincoln from the early 1800s, was transported from London to St. Mary’s, the organ’s main custodian. Believed to be the oldest pipe organ in Queensland, this instrument was damaged and repaired in a number of instances and has had a major rebuilt in the 1960s. At present, the instrument is in need of major refurbishments to further preserve its historical significance.

Photo Credit: Organ Historical Trust of Australia

St Mary’s was entered into the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992 as an important place of religious worship, especially for the naval community surrounding the area. In 1903, the HMQS Gayundah conducted its first ship-to-shore radio trials inside the church.

St Mary’s church grounds are filled with Navy memorials. In the 1950s, a Warrior’s Chapel was dedicated to the fallen heroes, including those who served the HMAS Voyager.

On the ceiling of the sanctuary are paintings by English Godfrey Rivers. Down the walls are three panels with his work. Mr Rivers is best known to Australians for his masterpiece, Under the Jaracanda, in 1903, which is on display at GOMA.

Lilian Cooper, the first female doctor in Queensland, was a frequent worshipper at St Mary’s along with her lifetime partner, Josephine Bedford. One of the church’s stained-glass windows is a memorial to the doctor’s legacy. They were the original residents of the St Mary’s rectory next to the church.

Photo Credit: Queensland Heritage Register

Visiting St Mary’s

Prior to the pandemic, guided and self-access tours took place at St Mary’s at least once a week. Currently, the site is open to the public for gardening sessions between 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m on Fridays. Choir rehearsals also take place on Thursday evening and slots are open for anyone who might want to join the group.

Follow St Mary’s on Facebook for updates on services and church activities.

Kangaroo Point Residents Petition to Bring Back the Ferries at Dockside

It has been a year since the suspension of the CityHopper services in Brisbane, and Kangaroo Point locals have renewed calls for the resumption of the ferries at the Dockside.

In a statement, members of the Bring Back Our Ferries Community Group said that they have asked Brisbane City Council “for an interim solution” to let the new KittyCat services use the Dockside wharf so Kangaroo Point locals could still have access to the ferry network.

However, residents were informed that the modern vessels are not compatible with the height of the old wharf thus the KittyCat ferries would not be able to dock at the Kangaroo Point terminal. The locals said they were not consulted about the Dockside’s closure.

Highlights

The Dockside in Kangaroo Point has been suspended since July 2020 as the CityHopper services were replaced with modern KittyCat vessels.
Bring Back Our Ferries Community Group wants Brisbane City Council to resume services.
Council has undertaken a Ferry Network community engagement for feedback on the improvement of the ferry network.

In the meantime, Council provided residents with Shuttle 27, free shuttle service on Main Street and Scott Street. Council also said that there are plans to refurbish and upgrade three inner-city terminals, including Dockside, within a three-year time frame.

But the group does not agree with the three-year wait as small modifications to the Dockside, done in a short period and with little cost, could make the terminal suitable for the modern ferries.

The group launched a petition to bring back the ferries. Nearly 400 have signed the petition so far.

“Dockside was a very heavily used stop and the only one I can walk to because of mobility issues,” said Jane Layton, who started the petition. “We have seen no works happening at the Dockside Ferry stop & have been given no timeline for the completion of these works.”

Photo Credit: Cr Vicki Howard/Brisbane City Council

They presented the petition to Councillor Ryan Murphy last 26 July 2021 during the Community Meeting on Public Transport.

Meanwhile, Council has opened a Ferry Network community engagement in July. Additional drop-in sessions will also open in September at the Brisbane Square Library, Bulimba Library, East Brisbane Croquet Club, Northshore Hamilton Ferry Terminal, New Farm Library, Toowong Library, Regatta Ferry Terminal, and Kurilpa Hall for locals to share their opinions and suggestions about the ferry services. Visit the Council’s site for more details.

LFL Stars Build Start-Up, Wakka Games, to Promote Pool Safety with Pool Angel

Wakka Games is a Kangaroo Point start-up founded by former US Legends Football League stars Quincy Hewitt, 34, and Jayne Caldwell, 29. Best friends and business partners, the two believe that the facial recognition app Pool Angel should be installed across public pools and beaches across the country.

Quincy and Jayne have partnered with Adam Wilson, a Sydney-based electrical engineer, who built Pool Angel, a camera with artificial intelligence capabilities specifically designed to prevent drowning. The product launched nationwide in May 2021.

The device has a system that can do facial recognition to warn parents or surf lifesavers when something is wrong in the pool area. Pool Angel works like an extra pair of eyes that alerts users of potential dangers in the pool on their mobile phones.

Highlights

Quincy Hewitt and Jayne Caldwell founded the start-up Wakka Games in Kangaroo Point to help app and content creators.
They are partners of Pool Angel, the app and device that works to prevent drowning.
Pool Angel launched nationwide in May 2021.

“By using the latest in camera technology, hardware, and our deep learning algorithm, we are able to define people, pets, objects, and areas. This allows us to create an early warning system, giving you time to respond to any possible situation such as child safety. Warnings will be relayed via the app on your mobile phone and by sounding an alarm.”

Quincy and Jayne said that Adam’s invention could bring peace of mind to parents and save many lives, especially when drowning is the leading cause of injury and death in kids below three years old. Wakka Games will also help Pool Angel improve its tech solutions and digital marketing.

Jayne, who is from Brisbane, has been passionate about technology all her life. She founded Wakka Games with Quincy, who is from New Zealand, after they both retired from the popular women’s tackle football games in the U.S.

Together, the pair has a vision to help creators make their app ideas a reality. Both former athletes are also working with other gaming and streaming content creators.

To learn more about Pool Angel, follow the company’s Facebook Page. For app developers and creators, check out Wakka Games.

New Building Proposed Near Two Heritage Sites in Kangaroo Point

Photo credit: developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au

A developer has submitted plans to build a contemporary, five-storey commercial building for 180 Main Street. The site is located near two heritage sites in Kangaroo Point — Carroll House and the Story Bridge.

Read: Design for New Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Includes Above-Water Restaurants

Plans (A005764320) lodged by Crete Investments Qld Pty Ltd ATF Raptis Property Trust No.2 indicates that the ground floor will be used to accommodate bar and centre activities whilst the remaining levels would be dedicated to commercial spaces.

The subject site is around 1.2 km away from the Story Bridge and a stone’s throw to a row of 1870s shops known collectively as “Carroll House.”

Highlights

The subject site is near two heritage-listed sites: the Carroll House and the famous Story Bridge
The five-storey building will house a cafe/bar and commercial spaces
Proposed development is for a 662sq m site at 180 Main Street at Kangaroo Point

Aerial view of the subject location (Photo credit: developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au)

Carroll House (Photo credit: heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au)

Carroll House has continued to operate on this corner block for more than 130 years. Between 1878 and 1930, it operated as a general store, a butcher’s shop, and a grocer’s shop, most likely with the owners or lessees living in the residences above. In the 1930s, the shop underwent some alterations which still characterise much of the present facade.

According to the pre-lodgement minutes held in December 2020, the initial plans were not sympathetic enough to the heritage-listed Carroll House.

However, a report prepared by VAULT Heritage Consulting states that the development will not generate any adverse impacts on the cultural heritage significance attributed to either this locally significant, Colonial era commercial / residential complex of buildings or the iconic piece of transport infrastructure extant on the sites adjoining the subject site.

Story Bridge (Photo credit: Kgbo/Wikimedia Commons)

Designed by Jackson Teece, the building would have two basement levels, a ground floor cafe or bar and retail tenancy, and four floors of commercial space. The elevation would be similar to that of Story Bridge and another adjacent property.

Architectural renderings prepared by Jackson Teece for the applicant (Photo credit: developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au)

Read: Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park Now Hosting Rock Climbing Sessions

“It is suggested that this redevelopment proposal for the subject site should be favourably reviewed by Council in relation to the relevant provisions of the Heritage overlay code within City Plan 2014 and/or State code 14: Queensland heritage,” the report says.

Currently, vehicular access to the subject site is provided through the existing access points, with one being located on Wharf Street and one on Main Street. The proposed development seeks to remove the existing crossovers and establish one new crossover on Wharf Street. The basement levels would also accommodate 23 car parking spaces, five motorbike spaces, and five bike spaces that would be accessible by the new crossover.

Design for New Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Includes Above-Water Restaurants

Did you know that plans for the $190-million Kangaroo Point green bridge include restaurants hovering over the Brisbane River?

Connect Brisbane, led by BESIX Watpac, has won the contract to construct the connection beginning late 2021.

The design for the pedestrian and cycling bridge, to improve connectivity between Kangaroo Point and the CBD and reduce car trips by 84,000 a year, has been described as a “game-changer” by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

Whilst it will be a sustainable travel option for the locals, the Kangaroo Point green bridge will also serve as a tourist spot and a recreational site with a platform to showcase the beautiful city views and above-water cafes, boutique bars and restaurants.

Mr Schrinner added that the location will be the first in Brisbane to have an above-water dining destination and one of the few bridges in the world to have such a special feature. The planned venue will cover 460 metres and will feature a plaza with heaps of food and drink outlets, as well as an event space.

The firm behind the concept has done various green bridges projects across the world, such as the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in the UAE and the Crown Princess Mary’s Bridge in Denmark. BESIX Watpac is responsible for the construction of the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.

Plans for the $60 million Breakfast Creek green bridge will also be unveiled in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Architectural Design students at Griffith University had similar ideas and visions for the Kangaroo Point green bridge when they presented their work to a panel of judges following the culmination of a 12-week design challenge. Some of their ideas included several above-water features such as a public lookout, an ampitheatre and spaces for commercial tenancies.

“Everyone had really strong ideas across the board and different ways of expressing it,” said Dominic Powell from Archipelago Architects, who was one of the judges. “They had a strong story to tell about their proposals and an underpinning idea of how their urban connector could be a real legacy for Brisbane.”

GoBoat Picnic Boats Now Available in Kangaroo Point

Did you know that GoBoat has finally launched its fleet of new eco-friendly picnic boats at Dockside Marina in Kangaroo Point? The best part? They’re pet-friendly!

GoBoat, a boating company from Denmark, has finally released its series of Scandinavian-designed picnic boats across the Brisbane River, and now that they’re open to the public, all of Brisbane is invited to come give them a spin — no licence required.

Though construction isn’t finished for their upcoming permanent venue along Breakfast Creek, the company has opened a limited-time pop-up venue at Dockside Marina in Kangaroo Point to give Queensland a taste of what the vessels this Danish company has to offer.

These boats have been designed to be eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable. Their German electric engines do not produce any smog, nor do they make loud and disruptive noises — a combination which makes for a peaceful cruise down the Brisbane River.

Each boat stands 18 feet long, fashioned from recycled materials such as reclaimed wood and PET bottles. Shading will be installed to shield those aboard from the elements.

Those interested in renting the boats can do so for the price of $109 an hour, $189 for two hours, and $229 for three hours. Food, beer, and other beverages from outside can all be brought aboard these boats, and customers are allowed to bring their pets along for the ride. Up to eight passengers will be able to fit in a single vessel which makes these boats ideal for group picnics.

Though the official launch of GoBoat Brisbane in their permanent site at Breakfast Creek has yet to be announced, their pop-up placeholder is located at Dockside Marina at 44 Ferry St, Kangaroo Point. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements concerning the upcoming picnic boats.

Empty But Completed Lotus Tower in Kangaroo Point Sold for $100+ Million

Lotus Tower, a 21-storey apartment building in Kangaroo Point, empty since its completion in 2019, has been sold for $100+ million. Its new owner plans to convert the building into a build-to-rent facility.

Blackstone, one of the biggest global equity firms, bought the Lotus Tower from the R&F Property Group in early May 20201 after it remained vacant since late 2019. At that time, R&F Property Group’s Australian operations suffered financial losses and had to be rescued by its parent company in Hong Kong.

But the Chinese-backed firm’s troubles didn’t end there as delays in the new building’s occupancy followed. The Lotus Tower, distinctive for it green-coloured hues, has 200 apartment units with a beautiful river view. However, R&F Property Group decided not to sell at least 10 percent of the units or appoint real estate agents during the construction phase.

The apartment’s marketing wasn’t done until the developer received its final certification in late 2019. By the time they were ready to unveil the building to investors, the sales process was hampered by COVID-19.

R&F Property Group said that they decided to sell the building in “one line” after large-scale investors expressed significant interest. Aside from Blackstone, Serenitas Group also had its eye on the building as a vertical retirement home.

Lotus Tower, located on Lambert Street, is considered a high-end apartment with its own sauna, private dining rooms, gaming and media rooms, gym with golf simulator and an infinity-edge pool. If sold per unit, however, the tower would have amassed over $150 million.

Lamb House: Famous Kangaroo Point Mansion Risks Being Sold

At 119 years old, the heritage-listed Lamb House in Kangaroo Point has been boarded up. As it falls further into disrepair, the likelihood of the property being put up for auction by Brisbane City Council increases with each passing day.

Lamb House was first constructed in 1902 for John Lamb, a prominent Brisbane draper. The property remained under the care of the Lamb family and is currently under the ownership of Joy Lamb — a widow in her 70s who lost her husband in that very same house back in 2013. She’d fled the home in 2015 after the building began to fall apart.

Despite the building’s rich history and status as a heritage-listed landmark, it has already been boarded up — a sign that no more efforts will be spared to maintain it. The building has fallen into a state of disrepair.

Payment for the building has been put on-hold for years now and Council’s tally now totals $321,000 as of the end of 2020. A deadline has been set for payment by December last year, however the rates have remained unpaid well into 2021.

All outstanding rates must be paid in order to prevent the claiming and auctioning of the historic site in Kangaroo Point. If that happens, proceeds obtained from selling the property would be used to pay off outstanding land tax, rates and fees, with the remainder going to Mrs Lamb and her family.

Lambert Street Development Appeal Worries Residents Over Council Backflip

Residents in Kangaroo Point are worried that Brisbane City Council could backflip on a rejected development application for a high-rise on Lambert Street, now on appeal at the Planning & Environment Court.

The group Say No to 108 Lambert St believes that despite Council’s commitment to fighting the appeal, there are concerns that it might enter into secret talks with the developer, Pikos Group.

There is a precedent for their concern as the Council entered into a resolution process with the development of TriCare’s retirement facility in Taringa. Say No to 108 Lambert St said that this process was not conducted in a court hearing thus there are no public records of the resolution. As a result, the Taringa facility’s development will adapt minor amendments only, despite a number of opposition from the residents.

Photo Credit: Say No to 108 Lambert St/Facebook

Residents also question the relationship of some Council members to Pedro Pikos, the head of Pikos Group, who was part of the Community Planning Team and served as the advisor for the Kangaroo Point Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan.

A spokesperson for the Council, however, said that the planning team consisted of “local residents, workers, property owners, business owners and students” who are familiar with the area and could best provide inputs during the mapping out of the neighbourhood plan in meetings between 2016 to 2017.

Meanwhile, new evidence has emerged that one of the three buildings in the planned 108 Lambert Street development is beyond the height limit. Independent surveyors assessed that the 15-storey building’s height could actually be for a 16-storey building. This suggested that Council could has stronger grounds to win the appeal at the Planning & Environment Court.

Check the Lambert Street development application at Developmenti Brisbane DA A005542190.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb Proposes New North Peak Route

Fancy an unforgettable climb up the northern peak of the Story Bridge, hanging 74 metres in the air above the Brisbane River? Check out the Story Bridge Adventure Climb!

Though the Story Bridge Adventure Climb was first opened to the public in 2005, this iconic Kangaroo Point tourist attraction remains as active as ever almost two decades later. As one of only three bridge climbs in the world, daredevils and thrill-seekers have flocked from inside Brisbane and out to experience the climb themselves. In fact, plans have been drawn to expand the facilities available at Story Bridge.

With this latest proposal, Story Bridge Adventure Climb intends to provide tourists and visitors with a wider range of activities and climbs to meet the demand brought about by the rapid growth of tourism in Brisbane — one of which includes a new route for adventurers to take.

A Development Application has already been submitted to the Brisbane City Council to create a second “north peak” route that co-exists with the current route available for daring thrill-seekers to climb. The proposal hopes to implement a viewing deck and a swing out to the Story Bridge.

The north peak route is set to run from Howard Smith Wharves all the way to the northern peak of the bridge, meaning the journey up the route would take an hour and a total of 550 steps to complete. It is expected that there is enough room for up to 14 climbers will be able to take on the route at any given time.

To book a trip up the Story Bridge in State Route 15, or to simply learn more about the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, check out their website. Follow them on their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.