Main Street Archives - Kangaroo Point News

Salvation Army Acquires Land for Social Housing in Kangaroo Point

The Salvation Army has taken a significant step towards addressing homelessness in Brisbane, acquiring land at Kangaroo Point for future social housing development.

Read: High Vacancy Rate in Kangaroo Point Amid Queensland’s Housing Crisis

The property, located at 619-633 Main Street, marks the organisation’s first investment in inner-Brisbane social housing since the sale of its “Pindari” property in Spring Hill in 2022.

Aaron Pimlott, State Manager for Homelessness at The Salvation Army, emphasised the importance of this acquisition. “People who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless need sustainable housing that is affordable, inclusive of support to sustain their tenancies. That’s how we end homelessness,” Mr Pimlott stated.

The purchase aligns with The Salvation Army’s post-pandemic shift towards a “Housing First” approach. This strategy focuses on long-term and permanent social housing solutions with tailored support, moving away from crisis and short-term accommodation options.

Housing First is an approach aimed at individuals with a history of chronic or repeated homelessness who haven’t succeeded in traditional supported housing programs. It offers tailored assistance to those requiring more specialized interventions.

While the land has been secured, the project still requires additional funding. “Further capital funding still needs to be sought to construct at least 60 social dwellings,” Mr Pimlott explained, expressing confidence in securing the necessary resources to begin construction in the near future.

This development is part of a larger initiative by The Salvation Army to increase social housing across Queensland. The organisation has ambitious plans to build hundreds of new social housing units statewide, with projects underway or in planning stages in Cairns, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Toowoomba, and the Gold Coast.

Read: Landmark Queenslander Fetches $6.6 Million at Auction

The Kangaroo Point project represents a crucial step in The Salvation Army’s mission to provide sustainable housing solutions for vulnerable individuals and families in Brisbane’s inner city, addressing the ongoing challenge of homelessness in the region.

Published 25-July-2024

Progress Continues on Kangaroo Point Underpass Beneath Story Bridge

Work on the new Kangaroo Point underpass is progressing well, providing a critical link for pedestrians and cyclists travelling beneath the iconic Story Bridge from Main Street to Deakin Street.

Read: New Kangaroo Point Green Bridge: A Feat of Engineering

The project involves creating a dedicated pedestrian and bike path running beneath the Story Bridge, linking Main Street to Deakin Street in Kangaroo Point.

Construction crews have carefully cut openings in the bridge’s sidewalls, allowing natural light to stream into the previously inaccessible space underneath. The next phase involves levelling the floor, installing drainage, relocating utility services, and building a separating wall from the adjacent council depot.

When completed in 2024, the underpass will feature separated paths for pedestrians and cyclists, an accessible viewing area, and illustrative wall panels highlighting the rich history of the Story Bridge itself.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says the underpass represents an important connection between an iconic piece of Brisbane’s heritage and its future green transport network.

“This Story Bridge is not only part of Brisbane’s heritage but its future, so it’s fitting that 95 per cent of the concrete sections removed from the bridge will be recycled and could be given a new life in other parts of the city,” Cr Schrinner stated.

Kangaroo Point underpass — Photo credit: Brisbane City Council

The underpass is a critical link in extending the Kangaroo Point Peninsula’s active transport network to the city centre via the new green bridge. It will provide a safe, level pathway avoiding stairs and roads.

“With the Olympics and Paralympic Games on the horizon there is a need for a convenient ongoing connection that would be able to link walkers and riders heading from The Gabba to the CBD,” Cr Schrinner explained.

Travel projections estimate the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge could generate over 6,100 active transport trips per day by 2036, reducing car trips across the river by up to 84,000 annually. Approximately 2,800 of those green bridge trips are expected to flow through the new underpass each day in 2041.

Read: Iconic Mast Makes Kangaroo Point Green Bridge Brisbane’s Tallest Bridge

For locals and visitors alike, the underpass will offer a unique way to experience Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge from a new perspective when it opens this year.

Published 19-April-2024

New Residential Development Proposed For Main Street in Kangaroo Point

Did you know that plans have been lodged for the construction of a 50-unit residential block on Main Street in Kangaroo Point?

Read: Duke Street, Kangaroo Point Soon to Be Home of New 86-Unit Apartment Development

The proposed residential building is expected to have a height ranging between five to eight storeys. The units will consist of 21 one-bedroom and 29 two-bedroom apartments.

The proposed development at 619 Main Street, Kangaroo Point is considered a challenging undertaking due to the presence of several protected buildings on the site. As a result, the project has been split into two separate applications.

Artist’s impression of proposed residential building (Photo credit: Red Door Architecture)

At present, the site comprises five lots, each featuring a residential building. Among these buildings, one has been recognised as a commercial building with significant historical value, and will be preserved and restored as part of the development plan.

Additionally, two of the buildings were constructed prior to 1911, further adding to their historical significance.

“It is proposed to retain the pre-1911 components of these buildings as part of the development, with each of the buildings to be marginally shifted with respect to their setback from Main Street,” planners at Urban Strategies stated.

The proposed works for the existing character building on the site include:

Removal of non-original and unsympathetic extensions,
Installation of extra windows on the ground level of the Bell Street façade to improve casual surveillance of the street,
Creation of a more visually appealing extension on the building’s southern side to blend in with the rest of the development,
Restoration of external features, and
Demolition of internal walls to allow for a flexible fit-out of the interior by a future tenant.

Designed by Red Door Architecture, the project aims to utilise the western part of the site for residential purposes, featuring a design that is considered to be of meritorious quality, and provides a strong response to the relevant planning objectives for the site.

Read: Eagle Street Pier Complex Nearing Demolition After Court Allows Waterfront Brisbane

The plan includes a podium and basement level car park, offering a total of 62 car spaces and 58 bike spaces. In addition, there will be communal open spaces located on both the podium and rooftop levels of the building.

Published 19-April-2023

Getting Ready for Bridge to Brisbane 2018

Preparation is key to success. That’s what some of the runners of Bridge to Brisbane have in mind as they begin warming up for the fun run that will happen on Sunday, 26 August 2018. Whether you are joining a team or running solo, it is never too early to get yourself ready for the event.

This year, the Sunday Mail Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run is celebrating its 22nd year of running this event. Following the success of the event last year, the fun run will have the same course which involves some of Brisbane’s most iconic landmarks such as the Story Bridge and the picturesque South Bank Parklands.

Photo credit: Facebook/Bridge to Brisbane

Bridge to Brisbane has teamed up with Everyday Hero so you can choose to support any of the hundreds of charities that are already available on their website. You can also create your own fundraising page through Everyday Hero if you already have a charity close to heart.

Course

Runners can choose to run or walk a 5-km or 10-km distance upon completing the entry online. They can also choose to join a team or create one of their own.

The 10km race starts at 6:10 a.m. near the top of Roma Street Parklands in Spring Hill. The route will cover three iconic Brisbane bridges namely, the Go Between Bridge, Victoria Bridge, and Story Bridge then finish at South Bank.

After the race, runners can select from any of ‘Bib-ileges’ on Little Stanley Street. The race bib entitles the holder to special offers and discounts exclusive to Bridge to Brisbane Day racegoers. Offers can be redeemed from participating retailers.

On the other hand, the 5km race starts at 9:20 a.m. with the starting point at Captain Burke Park by the end of Main Street, Kangaroo Point. Runners will cross the iconic Story Bridge twice, looping back through Kangaroo Point, and then cross the finish line at South Bank.

Pre-run Preparation

Not everyone has the time to fit a race-day preparation routine into their busy schedule, however, there are a few things that you can do to get yourself warmed up and ready for the race.

Instead of getting stuck in traffic for hours, take a scenic route and walk or jog to work in your comfortable running shoes. Brisbane has several walking paths and bike lanes which makes the city safe for running or cycling.
Take your meetings outdoors, perhaps getting some coffee to go and going for a walk. Aside from staying active, this simple exercise can help spark creativity to help you generate ideas for work.
Do some simple stretches and workouts while watching your favourite show instead of just sitting down while watching tv after work.

Check out the Bridge to Brisbane 2018 page to get the latest updates on the fun run.