Kangaroo Point Archives - Page 2 of 16

Kangaroo Point Bridge Celebrates First Anniversary

Kangaroo Point is marking one year since the opening of the Kangaroo Point Bridge, with the river crossing recording strong daily use and becoming a key link between the suburb and the central city.

A Long-Awaited River Crossing

The Kangaroo Point Bridge opened on 15 December 2024, delivering the first direct pedestrian and cycling connection between Kangaroo Point and the CBD. The link had been identified as a missing part of Brisbane’s river crossings as early as the 1860s, but remained unrealised for more than a century.

Early concepts for a central river crossing were prepared by the late 1800s and revisited several times during the 20th century. The project was revived in the 2010s as part of a renewed focus on active transport and public access across the river.

Design and Construction

Construction commenced in late 2021 and was temporarily paused during the 2022 floods. More than 1,800 workers contributed around 760,000 hours to complete the structure.

The 460-metre bridge features a four-legged mast rising 95 metres, making it the tallest bridge mast in Queensland. The deck sits 12.7 metres above the Brisbane River and is supported by 32 cables extending a combined length of 3.5 kilometres.

Key features include dedicated walking and cycling lanes, lifts, viewing platforms and seating areas positioned to take in river and city views.

active transport Brisbane — *Photo Credit: BCC/Facebook*

Usage Exceeds Early Forecasts

In its first year of operation, the Kangaroo Point Bridge recorded approximately 3.4 million crossings, averaging close to 10,000 trips per day. This exceeded early projections, which had anticipated significantly lower daily use by 2036.

The bridge experienced its highest single-day use during Riverfire 2025, when more than 27,000 trips were recorded. In the first month alone, more than 315,000 people crossed the bridge.

A Destination as Well as a Link

Beyond its transport role, the bridge has developed into a destination in its own right. Riverside dining venues located on the structure have attracted steady patronage, while the elevated platforms have become popular stopping points for walkers and cyclists.

Public comments shared online describe the bridge as visually appealing and practical, with many users noting its contribution to safer and more direct off-road travel.

Looking Ahead

One year on, the Kangaroo Point Bridge is now an established part of daily commuting and leisure activity. With continued high usage, it is expected to remain a central feature of movement and recreation in Kangaroo Point for years to come.

Published 21-Dec-2025

Kangaroo Point Guide to Proposed Short-Stay Accommodation Permit Changes

Photo Credit: Pexels

Proposed short-stay accommodation rules could affect operators and residents in Kangaroo Point, with a permit system and complaint-response requirements outlined in a draft local law.

Why The Proposal Is Being Considered

Brisbane’s rental market has faced low vacancy rates and rising prices, with short-stay rentals frequently raised in discussions about housing availability. A taskforce examining short-stay accommodation began work in 2023, and a local law approach was later identified as a key recommendation in 2024.

The proposal is framed as a way to improve oversight of short-stay rentals and reduce issues such as noise and disruption in neighbourhoods.

What The Proposed Permit System Covers

The Proposed Short Stay Accommodation Local Law 2025 would introduce a permit system for homes and apartments used for short stays, defined as stays of less than 90 days at a time.

Hotels, serviced apartments with on-site managers, and home-hosted stays where a resident remains on-site are listed among the exemptions set out in the proposal.

Operating Rules And Complaint Timeframes

Under the draft rules, permit holders would need to provide house rules to guests and display a permit number in advertisements. Public liability insurance would be required for the duration of each booking.

A nominated 24/7 contact person would be required to respond to complaints within 60 minutes and report actions taken within 24 hours. Serious incidents would continue to be handled by police.

Kangaroo Point short-stays — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Planning Approval And Other Requirements

Some properties may also require development approval under Brisbane City Plan 2014, depending on zoning and any overlays such as flooding. The proposal notes that other approvals, where relevant, would need to be in place before a permit application can proceed.

Penalties And Enforcement

The draft framework sets out a stepped compliance approach, ranging from education and warnings through to fines and, in serious cases, prosecution. Proposed penalties include on-the-spot fines and court-imposed penalties, with the maximum proposed total reaching $141,865.

The proposal also allows for permit revocation following three breaches, and operating without a permit may trigger immediate enforcement action.

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Consultation Dates And Commencement

Public consultation is open from 12 December 2025 to 16 February 2026. The proposal states the local law would commence on 1 July 2026, with permits required from that date.

Published 17-Dec-2025

Accommodation Pressure In Kangaroo Point As Pubs Identified For Hotel Rooms

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Two pubs in Kangaroo Point have been listed among suburban venues identified as potential contributors to Brisbane’s hotel room supply as the city prepares for increased accommodation demand ahead of the 2032 Games.

A Prolonged Slowdown In Hotel Development

Brisbane’s hotel supply has struggled to keep pace with demand, following a sharp decline in new developments over recent years. Industry research shows the number of hotel rooms delivered between 2019 and 2024 fell by around 90 per cent compared with the preceding five-year period.

Construction challenges, rising costs and reduced investment activity have all contributed to the slowdown. Over the same period, the cost of building a hotel room increased by almost 40 per cent, making many traditional projects harder to deliver.

Suburban Pubs Enter The Accommodation Conversation

To help address the shortfall, a suburban pub strategy has identified around 70 pubs across Brisbane located on sites of 2,000 square metres or more. Of these venues, only 15 currently provide accommodation.

Analysis suggests redeveloping just 20 suburban pubs could add more than 1,600 hotel rooms to the city’s supply, offering an alternative to large-scale inner-city hotel developments.

Kangaroo Point pubs — *Photo Credit: Google Maps*

Kangaroo Point Venues Listed

Within Kangaroo Point, the Story Bridge Hotel and the Shafston Hotel have been listed among suburban pubs without existing accommodation. Both venues are located on large sites and have been identified as part of the broader assessment of potential locations capable of supporting additional hotel rooms.

No redevelopment plans have been confirmed for either site, with the listings forming part of a wider city-wide review rather than site-specific proposals.

Smaller Projects, Faster Delivery

Smaller-scale suburban pub redevelopments have been highlighted as potentially quicker to deliver than major hotel towers. One recent suburban pub redevelopment elsewhere in Brisbane was completed in just over a year, demonstrating how modest projects can add capacity within shorter timeframes.

These developments are also considered more accessible for smaller construction firms, which face fewer capacity constraints than those delivering large infrastructure projects.

Brisbane accommodation — *Photo Credit: Google Maps*

Visitor Growth Intensifies Demand

More than nine million people visited Brisbane in 2024, contributing $13.7 billion to the south-east Queensland economy. Hotels recorded higher occupancy and stronger returns per room compared with pre-pandemic levels, further tightening availability.

Next Steps

Public consultation on the suburban pub strategy remains open until 28 February 2026. Feedback will inform future planning approaches aimed at increasing accommodation supply while maintaining long-term residential availability in surrounding suburbs.

Published 17-Dec-2025

QUT Team Supports Predictive Maintenance System for Story Bridge

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

A QUT research team is backing predictive structural monitoring for the Story Bridge in Kangaroo Point to help extend its service life and maintain safety for daily users.

Background on the Kangaroo Point Bridge

The Story Bridge in Kangaroo Point is 85 years old and remains a vital transport link for Brisbane. QUT researcher Professor Tommy Chan reports that the bridge carries more than 100,000 vehicles and about 4,000 pedestrians each day. Built with a 100-year design life, it now requires major restoration to ensure it continues operating safely, particularly with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching.

On Wednesday, 26 November, Professor Chan and his team submitted a proposal to the Australian Research Council seeking $5 million in funding to develop an advanced monitoring system. The submission is supported by $6 million in industry contributions.

Predictive System for Kangaroo Point

The QUT team is working on a data-led structural health monitoring system designed to detect, locate and assess damage across the Story Bridge. Strategically placed sensors would identify deterioration, monitor performance and estimate the structure’s remaining life. This approach aims to shift from fixed inspection cycles to predictive management of the bridge at Kangaroo Point.

The proposal highlights that elements of the bridge can be replaced as needed, allowing the structure to remain functional beyond its original design life.

How The Technology Operates

The system focuses on real-time data collection through sensors positioned at critical points on the bridge. These sensors are intended to provide engineers with detailed information on how the structure behaves, supporting decisions on when and where maintenance is required. The monitoring approach is expected to reduce costs, improve safety and extend asset life by enabling earlier intervention.

Professor Chan has seen similar technology used in Hong Kong. He notes that while Australia’s research capability in this area is advanced, the application of these systems to existing infrastructure has not kept pace with some other countries.

Kangaroo Point Story Bridge — *Photo Credit: Wikipedia*

Comparison With Traditional Inspections

Traditional bridge inspections occur on fixed intervals, such as every three months. According to Professor Chan, this method can miss deterioration that develops between inspection dates. Predictive maintenance using continuous or frequent monitoring allows engineers to assess the condition of the whole structure rather than reacting only when visible problems appear.

Expert Context from QUT

Professor Chan specialises in structural dynamics, bridge analysis, system identification, non-destructive damage detection and structural health monitoring, including the use of optical fibre sensors and fatigue analysis. According to his QUT profile, he has received more than $10 million in research funding for projects involving bridge monitoring, intelligent infrastructure systems and related technologies.

Outlook for the Story Bridge

The proposal is aimed at ensuring the Story Bridge can continue serving Kangaroo Point and the wider Brisbane community well beyond its original design life. If the project proceeds, the monitoring system is expected to modernise how the bridge is managed and support its role during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The next steps will depend on the outcome of the Australian Research Council funding process.

Published 4-Dec-2025

George Wegener: An Australian Drag Racing Icon, Born and Raised in Kangaroo Point

Photo Credit: Australian Muscle Car Magazine

George Wegener, a pioneer of Australian drag racing who spent his early childhood in the Brisbane suburb of Kangaroo Point, passed away in December 2024 at the age of 89. Over five decades of racing, Wegener earned more than 200 championship titles and cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s most celebrated figures.

Born on 26 October 1935, Mr Wegener spent the first 10 years of his life in Kangaroo Point before his family moved to Landsborough. While his time in the Brisbane suburb was brief, it marked the start of a remarkable journey that would take him from quiet streets to racetracks across Australia and beyond.

From Landsborough Garage to National Champion

Mr Wegener’s mechanical genius took root in Landsborough, where his father’s garage became a workshop for his early experiments. Leaving school at 14, he apprenticed under his father, learning the skills that would define his career as a mechanic and racer.

By the late 1950s, Mr Wegener was making a name for himself in go-kart racing, quickly rising to prominence as Queensland’s Champion of Champions. His success continued with a transition to TQ (Three Quarter) racing in the 1960s, culminating in a Queensland championship win in 1968.

The Shift to Drag Racing and Unparalleled Success

Mr Wegener entered the world of drag racing in 1969, trading circuit racing for the adrenaline-fuelled thrill of the quarter-mile track. His first drag car, a 350 GTS Bathurst Monaro, set the stage for a series of iconic builds, including ‘Mighty Mouse,’ ‘Lil’ Hot Stuff,’ and ‘Little Sprinter.’

Over his illustrious career, Mr Wegener set 15 Australian records across four racing classes and became the first racer to hold six national records simultaneously. His achievements earned him induction into the Australian National Fuel Association’s Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2014, recognising his innovative contributions to the sport.

Throughout his career, Mr Wegener achieved numerous milestones, including multiple national championships and record-breaking runs that solidified his status as a legend. He was also instrumental in promoting the sport across Australia, organising events and mentoring young racers.

Dedication to Family and Community

Despite his fame, Mr Wegener remained deeply committed to his family and the racing community. After meeting his long-term partner Gaylene in 1974, he enjoyed decades of happiness with her and their blended family, which included step-children Arun and Joanne. Mr Wegener was equally passionate about mentoring young drivers and improving safety standards, helping to elevate drag racing to a professional level in Australia.

Even in his late 80s, Mr Wegener was still active on the track, securing a runner-up position at Willowbank Raceway in August 2024. As Australia’s oldest active drag racer, he exemplified a lifelong dedication to the sport.

Remembering a Racing Icon

Mr Wegener’s passing has been met with tributes from across the motorsport community, highlighting his technical brilliance, sportsmanship, and influence on generations of racers.

Though his time in Kangaroo Point was brief, it remains a proud part of his legacy, serving as the starting point for a life that would inspire countless Australians.

Updated 29-November-2025

Silent Guardians in Kangaroo Point: Echoes of WWII Air Raid Shelters

Photo Credit: Australia at War

Amidst the lively atmosphere of Raymond Park lie two unassuming structures that whisper tales of a bygone era. Unbeknownst to many, these seemingly ordinary shelters hold a secret history, serving as vital lifelines during the tumultuous days of World War II.

Constructed as part of Brisbane City Council’s extensive air raid shelter network, these Kangaroo Point shelters are a testament to the city’s resilience and preparedness during WWII. Strategically placed throughout the city, these shelters provided safe havens for residents during times of crisis.

The Kangaroo Point shelters, one nestled near Baines Street behind the iconic Pineapple Hotel and the other situated towards Wellington Road, are among the few remaining examples of this wartime architecture. They are a poignant reminder of the challenges and sacrifices the community faces during global conflict.

Interestingly, the Brisbane City Council adopted an innovative design for its public air raid shelters, ensuring their continued usefulness even after the war. The brick walls surrounding the shelters could be easily removed, leaving behind a sturdy cantilevered roof structure that could be repurposed as bus shelters or general shade providers.

While many of Brisbane’s air raid shelters have been lost to time, those in Raymond Park have endured, their original purpose often overlooked by passersby. However, for those who know their history, these structures serve as a tangible link to the past, a silent tribute to the courage and resilience of those who lived through WWII.

Today, as residents and visitors enjoy the park’s amenities, these unassuming shelters stand as a quiet reminder of a time when the world was at war. They are a testament to the enduring spirit of Kangaroo Point and a tribute to the generations who came before.

Updated 13-November-2025

Kangaroo Point Home Spared by Story Bridge Works Thrives in Yeronga

As the 1930s brought a bridge that would redefine Brisbane’s skyline, a 1870s timber home quietly slipped away from demolition in Kangaroo Point.

Built decades earlier on the cliffs above the river, this house was one of several moved when the Story Bridge project reshaped Kangaroo Point’s landscape. Instead of being razed like many of its neighbours, it was relocated across the city to Yeronga, where it still stands today at 34 Stevens Street.

*Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland*

Kangaroo Point Before the Bridge

When the house was first built in the 1870s, Kangaroo Point was a busy pocket of early Brisbane—an industrial hub mixed with grand timber homes that overlooked the river. Sawmills, shipyards defined the suburb’s character, and the steep streets climbing away from the cliffs. Historical accounts show many families living in traditional Queenslander-style houses with wide verandas and timber fretwork, much like the one that would later be moved.

By the 1930s, a major change arrived. Work began on the Story Bridge, designed to link Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point. The construction required land resumptions and road realignments that cleared many older homes. Brisbane’s urban planners saw progress, but it also meant erasing parts of the suburb’s early architectural fabric.

The House That Moved

Unlike most, this particular home was spared by relocation. Contemporary reports and property archives describe it as having been dismantled and transported to Yeronga in the mid-1930s. Moving entire houses was not unusual in Brisbane at the time; according to the State Library of Queensland, it was common practice to save timber homes by lifting them onto trucks or timber sleds and hauling them to new sites. The move preserved the structure’s original blackbutt floorboards, silky oak doors and pine panelling—details still visible in the current residence.

While records confirm its origin in Kangaroo Point, the exact street and first owner remain unclear. Historians suggest the house likely stood near Main Street or the riverfront, where resumptions were most concentrated during the bridge’s construction. Its journey from those busy streets to the quieter neighbourhood of Yeronga mirrors the city’s own shift from industrial bustle to suburban growth.

Yeronga and the Home’s Second Life

At 34 Stevens Street, the house—known today as “Kingsley,” after the original owner—sits on a 744-sqm block. Current owners Brian and Elaine Egan purchased it in 1986 for A$52,000, maintaining much of its heritage character while updating it for modern living. It’s now listed for sale through a best offer campaign, giving new custodians the chance to preserve one of Brisbane’s few surviving pre-Story Bridge homes.

For the Yeronga community, the house is a link to a different Brisbane—when moving a building was sometimes the only way to save it.

Why It Still Matters

The story of this house is more than a property listing; it’s a thread in the city’s evolution. Kangaroo Point’s transformation into an inner-city enclave came at the cost of many such dwellings. That one of them endures, standing quietly in Yeronga, offers locals a tangible connection to Brisbane’s 19th-century past and the resilience of its timber-built heritage.

Preservation groups have long argued that such structures are key to understanding how Brisbane adapted to modernity without losing its wooden heart.

Published 6-Nov-2025

Virtual Reality Program in Kangaroo Point Transports Patients to Australia’s North-West

Photo Credit: Damien Thompson/LinkedIn

In Kangaroo Point, a virtual reality initiative developed by Brisbane-based charity founder Damien Thompson is helping hospital patients experience Australia’s north-west, including the Kimberley and Kakadu, without leaving their hospital beds.

From Hospital Bed to Outback Adventure

The Holiday from Hospital program was founded by Damien Thompson, who overcame leukaemia at the age of 23. During his long recovery, he discovered the calming effect of virtual reality after using a headset that transported him beyond his hospital room. The experience inspired him to create an initiative that could help others facing similar circumstances.

In 2019, Thompson established the Chimera Legacy Foundation, developing VR experiences to ease stress and isolation for hospital patients. The program first offered international escapes to Paris, Rome and London, providing a mental break from the daily challenges of treatment.

Bringing Australia’s North to the Bedside

After repeated requests from patients to “travel Australia,” Thompson embarked on a journey across the country’s north. He captured 15 new virtual destinations across Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, including Purnululu National Park, El Questro, and Kakadu National Park.

His travels not only fulfilled a personal dream of exploring remote regions but also gave patients the opportunity to virtually visit these landscapes from their hospital rooms in Brisbane and beyond.

Kangaroo Point virtual reality — *Photo Credit: Damien Thompson/LinkedIn*

Healing Through Immersive Experience

Patients participating in the program wear a VR headset that delivers 360-degree footage, creating the illusion of movement through natural or urban settings. The immersive visuals help reduce anxiety and boredom, providing comfort during long hospital stays.

Hospitals such as the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and Townsville University Hospital have already implemented the program. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with patients reporting feelings of calm and connection through the virtual journeys.

virtual reality therapy — *Photo Credit: Damien Thompson/LinkedIn*

Expanding Horizons for Patients

The Chimera Legacy Foundation plans to extend the initiative to more hospitals across Australia, including regional areas. Supported by donations and volunteers, the foundation continues to film and produce new virtual destinations to enhance accessibility.

Thompson remains committed to his goal of ensuring patients of all ages can experience the serenity of travel and nature—right from their hospital bed in Kangaroo Point.

Published 25-Oct-2025

Partners in Song to Fill St Mary’s at Kangaroo Point

Photo Credit: Katie Stenzel

Australian soprano Katie Stenzel will join pianist Stewart Kelly for an afternoon recital at St Mary’s Anglican Church in Kangaroo Point, celebrating their shared love of art song.

Partners in Song at St Mary’s

The historic St Mary’s Anglican Church at Kangaroo Point will host the next performance in its Recital Series on Saturday, 1 November 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The concert, titled Partners in Song, features soprano Katie Stenzel and pianist Stewart Kelly performing a program of art song from Germany, France, and America, including works by Strauss, Grieg, Poulenc, and Copland.

*Photo Credit:* *Marnya Rothe Photography* via *Katie Stenzel*

A Musical Reunion

Stenzel and Kelly, who first met while studying at the Queensland University of Technology, will perform together professionally for the first time. Their collaboration highlights years of friendship and shared dedication to chamber music and vocal performance.

Kelly, originally from the Gold Coast and now based in Melbourne, is a pianist, educator, and festival director. He founded Music by the Springs, a chamber music festival held annually in Victoria, and has worked extensively with leading musicians and singers across Australia and abroad.

*Photo Credit: Trish O’Brien via Stewart Kelly*

Stenzel’s Performance Journey

Stenzel is recognised for her versatility as a coloratura soprano, with experience across opera, operetta, and musical theatre. She has performed with Opera Australia, Opera Queensland, and State Opera South Australia, and appeared at the Brisbane Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, and Taipei Drama Festival.

She recently appeared in the Brisbane Festival production The Telephone, a comedic chamber opera that played to sold-out audiences at City Hall. Following her recital in Kangaroo Point, she will return as the featured artist for the 2026 Festival of Outback Opera.

St Mary’s and Its Musical Heritage

Located on Main Street, St Mary’s Anglican Church was designed by Richard George Suter, built in 1873 by Alfred Grant, and added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. The church’s recital series has grown into a respected community tradition, welcoming audiences of all backgrounds and celebrating Brisbane’s strong connection to classical music.

Published 22-Oct-2025

Kangaroo Point Riverfront Sub-Penthouse Achieves $8.5 Million Sale

Photo Credit: Place

A prestigious riverfront apartment in Kangaroo Point has sold for $8.5 million, claiming the top position amongst Brisbane’s luxury unit sales in the first full week of October.

The three-bedroom sub-penthouse at 18E/39 Castlebar Street commanded the highest price amongst apartment sales finalised during the week, according to property tracking data from Prestige Property AU. The sale represented one of four apartments featured in the top 10 recorded sales across Queensland, with the combined apartment sales totalling more than $20 million.

Real estate agents Simon and Courtney Caulfield from Place Estate Agents handled the sale, which concluded so swiftly that scheduled open homes were cancelled after a buyer made an offer the vendors accepted.

Located within the exclusive Castlebar Cove complex, the property spans 470 square metres of internal and external living space. The residence boasts a unique position as the only apartment on its floor, accessed by a private lift that opens directly into the home.

The sub-penthouse features commanding north-east river frontage stretching more than 20 metres, with panoramic views across the Brisbane River. The interiors showcase travertine and timber finishes throughout the expansive layout.

Inside, residents enjoy multiple living spaces including an open-plan area with a fireplace that extends to a covered balcony wrapping the entire river-facing side of the home. The outdoor entertainment area includes a built-in barbecue and servery, designed for year-round use.

The northern-positioned gourmet kitchen features stone benchtops, timber details and Miele appliances, with space for casual bench seating as well as a formal dining table accommodating more than 10 guests.

The primary bedroom suite opens onto the riverfront terrace and includes substantial wardrobe space and an ensuite bathroom fitted with a bath, walk-in shower, double basin and its own Juliet balcony. Two additional bedrooms, each with ensuites and built-in robes, provide accommodation for family or guests.

Additional spaces include two extra living areas, a library, full laundry, powder room and ducted air conditioning. The property includes secure basement car parking for multiple vehicles plus a lock-up garage totalling 85 square metres.

A notable inclusion is the exclusive-use 60-foot marina berth with three-phase power—an uncommon feature for inner-city riverfront apartments.

Castlebar Cove residents have access to resort-style facilities including a fully equipped gymnasium, lap pool, riverfront lawn, steam room, sauna, and hot and cold plunge pools. The complex’s grand foyer features a piano and entertainment spaces.

The substantial sale reflects continued demand for premium riverfront property in Kangaroo Point, where Castlebar Cove has established itself as one of the suburb’s most sought-after residential addresses.

Published 13-October-2025