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Arts Village Redevelopment Approved in Yeronga

The former Taubmans paint factory site in Yeronga will be transformed into Australia’s first fully integrated arts village after receiving planning approval.

Background and Site History

The Taubmans paint manufacturing plant at 115 Hyde Road, Yeronga, ceased operations in 2015. Since then, the 34,000-square-metre site has remained unused until plans were lodged to repurpose the land into a mixed-use arts and residential precinct.

Yeronga arts village — *Photo Credit: The Paint Factory*

Masterplan Approval

On 27 August 2025, BCC approved the masterplan to redevelop the location into what is being described as Australia’s first integrated arts village. The redevelopment will feature buildings ranging from four storeys near Hyde Road to eight storeys within the centre of the precinct.

Planned Facilities and Features

The first stage will incorporate food and drink outlets, art spaces, a theatre, and an escape room. In total, the site’s transformation could include markets, community health services, a garden centre, hardware retail, and a mix of residential buildings. Five residential structures are proposed, paving the way for hundreds of new homes.

Parking facilities for the initial stage will include 64 formal spaces for visitors and staff, alongside an additional 200 informal spaces to cater for events.

Taubmans paint factory — *Photo Credit: The Paint Factory*

Creative and Community Focus

The development has been shaped through consultation with local communities and the arts sector. Proposed uses include artist-in-residence studios, visual art galleries, performance and event spaces, communal zones, street art displays, green spaces, cafés, a microbrewery, coffee roastery, and artisan markets. These elements aim to create a space where people can live, work, and participate in creative industries.

Next Steps

The project team has submitted a change-of-use application to rezone the site from industrial to mixed use. Once the process is finalised, work on the staged redevelopment will progress, marking a major step in the renewal of the Yeronga precinct, located about 8km south of the Brisbane CBD.

Published 27-Aug-2025

Officeworks Woolloongabba Car Park Named Among Brisbane’s Worst

Officeworks Woolloongabba has been singled out by locals as one of Brisbane’s most frustrating places to park, sparking debate over congestion and the lack of affordable options in the inner south.

Tight Spaces and Heavy Demand

The busy Ipswich Road site has become notorious for cramped bays, confusing access points and high demand during peak shopping hours.

Residents say drivers often circle the block multiple times before finding a park, with some giving up altogether and leaving the area.

“It feels like you need luck on your side just to get a spot — I’ve driven off more than once.” — Local shopper

Growth Adding to Pressure

The backlash comes as Woolloongabba braces for major change, with infrastructure projects such as the Cross River Rail station set to increase both foot traffic and competition for limited parking.

While public transport options are improving, many shoppers still rely on cars for everyday errands.

Calls for Immediate Fixes

Community members responding to recent surveys and online forums highlighted the Officeworks site alongside several other problem car parks across Brisbane.

Suggestions included clearer signage, better traffic flow design and stronger enforcement to stop non-customers from using the lot.

Business Concerns Rising

Some community members say ongoing frustrations could discourage customers from visiting Woolloongabba, a concern given the influx of new apartments and residents who will expect convenient services.

For now, the message from the community is clear: parking at Officeworks Woolloongabba remains a headache, and without improvements the problem will only worsen as the suburb continues to densify.

Published 25-August-2025

Breakthrough at Princess Alexandra Hospital TRI in Fight Against Resistant Melanoma

Researchers at the Translational Research Institute (TRI), based at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba, have discovered that peptides derived from a crab and a spider may offer a pathway to overcoming drug resistance in advanced melanoma.

Read: Princess Alexandra Hospital Celebrates 40 Years of Life-Saving Liver Transplants

The QUT-led team modified natural antimicrobial peptides from the Brazilian tarantula and the Japanese horseshoe crab and found they were able to kill resistant melanoma cells in both laboratory and mouse models. Crucially, the cancer cells did not develop resistance to the treatment, a significant breakthrough given that most cancers eventually adapt to existing therapies.

Published in the journal Pharmacological Research, the pre-clinical study revealed that peptides attack melanoma cell membranes without harming healthy cells. Associate Professor Sonia Henriques, the study’s senior author, said the results are exciting because the peptides worked against proliferative, dormant and therapy-resistant melanoma cells.

“Nature designed these peptides to fight bacterial infection by targeting the cell membranes of the bacteria. We have modified the peptides and applied them to cancer cells to act in a similar way and attack the cancer cell membrane without impacting non-cancerous cells,” A/Prof Henriques said.

The work represents ten years of research and is now focused on refining the molecules to make them more potent and capable of penetrating cells to block cancer progression pathways. Human clinical trials remain at least five years away, depending on funding and further pre-clinical testing.

Dr Aurelie Benfield, the study’s first author, said the discovery demonstrates how evolution in nature can inspire modern medical breakthroughs. “It is amazing because there are so many peptides in nature and they inspire us as scientists to modify them and make them even more potent and stable,” Dr Benfield said.

Read: Woolloongabba Centre Powers Queensland’s Landmark Count of Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients

The Translational Research Institute is a collaboration between Queensland Health, The University of Queensland, QUT and Mater Research. Supported by the Queensland Government, it will also open Australia’s first biomedical manufacturing facility for early-stage biotech companies in 2026, further strengthening the state’s capacity to advance new therapies from discovery to development.

Published 19-August-2025

Green Bin Rollout Announced for Annerley and Surrounding Suburbs

Brisbane has announced the next stage of its green waste recycling bin rollout, with suburbs including Annerley scheduled to receive green-lidded bins between 25 August and 5 September 2025.

Read: Annerley Residents Push for Safer Clive Street Crossing

The rollout is part of Brisbane’s citywide initiative to expand green waste recycling and reduce the amount of organic material sent to landfill. Eligible standalone houses in Annerley that do not already have a green waste bin will receive a 240-litre green-lidded bin during this period. Green waste collection will begin the fortnight after delivery and continue on a fortnightly basis, alternating with yellow lid recycling bin weeks.

As of 1 July 2025, green waste recycling has officially become a standard part of Brisbane’s household waste service. The move supports Council’s broader sustainability goals and helps reduce the cost of landfill levies by diverting compostable material into green processing streams.

Residents are encouraged to use the green bin for acceptable garden materials only. These include:
* flowers and foliage
* grass clippings
* leaves and loose bark
* palm fronds
* prunings from shrubs and trees
* weeds, ivy, creepers and vines (including noxious weeds — seeds are destroyed during composting)

Please note that all items must fit within the bin and the lid must close. To ensure safe and efficient processing, material should be no larger than 10 centimetres in diameter and 75 centimetres in length. Any other items, including food scraps, plastic, soil, and treated wood, are not accepted and must not be placed in the green waste bin.

The initiative is expected to bring environmental and economic benefits to communities like Annerley, where lush gardens and leafy streets produce significant green waste. Council reports that over 43,000 tonnes of green waste were diverted from landfill in the past year alone, saving nearly $1 million in waste levy costs.

Read: Historic Boggo Road Gaol in Dutton Park Faces Uncertain Future Amidst Major Transport Hub Transformation

Households that compost or manage their garden waste in other ways can opt out of the service. For more information on bin delivery schedules and accepted items, visit Council’s website.

Published 6-August-2025

Annerley Officer’s Courage Following January Shooting Leads to Major Police Safety Initiative

Photo Credit: Facebook / Shane Prior - QPUE General President

A police officer who survived a shooting in Annerley earlier this year has spoken candidly about how the incident changed his life and sparked a major safety initiative for Queensland police.

Acting Sergeant Liam Bailey and First Year Constable Boyd Harrington-Karaitiana were responding to reports of a disturbance on Tamar Street on 10 January when the situation escalated dramatically. The officers had been called to the scene after receiving reports of an agitated man in a backyard who was armed with a piece of timber.

During the confrontation, Acting Sergeant Bailey was shot in the leg with his own service weapon by the 26-year-old man, before Constable Harrington-Karaitiana shot the offender twice in response. The injured officer described the moment he heard the gunshot, initially hoping it had come from his partner’s weapon rather than his own.

Acting Sergeant Bailey credited his colleague’s quick thinking and preparedness with saving his life. Constable Harrington-Karaitiana immediately threw him a tourniquet, which proved crucial in stemming the bleeding from what turned out to be a severe wound.

The bullet travelled through the officer’s upper leg, continuing down behind his knee before lodging in bone behind his calf muscle. The injury damaged several muscles and bone, but Acting Sergeant Bailey has since returned to active duty, though he continues to experience daily pain and some loss of feeling in his leg.

Speaking about the incident in an interview with Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior, Acting Sergeant Bailey reflected on how routine the job had seemed initially. He described it as the type of call officers attend multiple times each week, highlighting how quickly such situations can become life-threatening.

The shooting has had far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate injuries. In February, the Queensland Government announced a $5.399 million investment to provide 12,500 tactical first aid kits to frontline police officers over the next five years. According to government statements, this initiative ensures all operational frontline officers will be supplied with personal-issue tactical first aid kits.

Acting Sergeant Bailey welcomed this development, comparing the importance of first aid equipment to other essential police gear. He noted that while first aid kits were available in police vehicles, officers don’t typically think to collect them before attending routine calls.

The 26-year-old Acacia Ridge man allegedly responsible for the shooting, identified as Tyson Daniel Athman, faces multiple serious charges. These include two counts each of attempted murder, trespass, and wilfully assaulting a police officer, as well as charges for serious assault by biting, unlawful entry, assault occasioning bodily harm, and railway trespass.

Despite the trauma and ongoing physical effects of the incident, Acting Sergeant Bailey expressed gratitude that he was the one injured rather than his younger colleague. His experience has become a catalyst for improving officer safety across Queensland, potentially preventing similar tragedies in the future.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers faced by police officers during what appear to be routine calls, while also highlighting the importance of proper training, equipment, and partnership between officers in critical situations.

Published 2-August-2025

Princess Alexandra Hospital Celebrates 40 Years of Life-Saving Liver Transplants

At the Princess Alexandra Hospital, a quiet moment of gratitude spoke volumes this week as hundreds gathered to celebrate 40 years since Australia’s first liver transplant, a medical milestone that has saved thousands of lives around the world.

Read: Community Art Donation Sparks Joy at Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Geriatric Unit

Among the guests was Iichurou Tsuruyama, who travelled from Japan to honour the pioneering surgeon whose bold vision and surgical innovation gave him a second chance at life nearly four decades ago. At just 17 months old, Mr Tsuruyama became the first person in the world to receive a liver transplant from a living donor — his mother — made possible by a breakthrough known as the “Brisbane technique”.

Surgeons performing a liver transplant in 1985 (Photo credit: Metro South Health/Facebook)

Developed by Queensland surgeon Professor Russell Strong, the Brisbane technique allowed adult livers to be safely reduced in size for transplantation into children. It addressed the critical shortage of paediatric-sized donor organs and opened the door to living donor procedures, saving countless young lives. Mr Tsuruyama is one of many who owe their survival to this innovation, which remains a cornerstone of paediatric liver transplants worldwide.

Professor Strong’s work was not always welcomed. In the 1980s, his determination to establish Australia’s first liver transplant unit met resistance, scepticism and even public condemnation. Despite the backlash, he performed the country’s first child liver transplant in 1985, and shortly after, developed the technique that would change transplant surgery globally.

Over time, the Brisbane technique evolved to enable split liver transplants, allowing one donor organ to save both a child and an adult. Today, this approach is used in three-quarters of child liver transplant operations across the globe.

Read: Construction Set for $350-M Vertical Expansion of Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba

At the anniversary function, guests paid tribute not only to Professor Strong and his team but also to the donors and families whose generosity underpins every transplant. For Mr Tsuruyama — now a father himself — the celebration was deeply personal. His life, and the life of his daughter, are testaments to how one revolutionary idea at Princess Alexandra Hospital continues to shape the future of medicine.

Published 31-July-2025

Yeronga Football Club Reflects Refugee Week Values

Photo Credit: Yeronga Eagles FC

A community football club in Yeronga, founded by Salvadoran refugees in the late 1980s, continues to promote inclusion and multicultural connection through sport.

Salvadoran Roots Behind Yeronga Eagles

Yeronga Eagles Football Club began in the late 1980s. It was formed by Salvadoran refugees who had fled civil war in El Salvador and resettled in Brisbane.

They started the club to stay connected to their culture and to build a sense of community in a new country. Resources were limited, but the club grew through shared effort and commitment. Its foundation was not built on wealth or status, but on values like family, service, and hard work. These continue to define the club today.

Refugee Week 2025 — *Photo Credit: Yeronga Eagles FC*

Growth Driven by Volunteers and Inclusion

The club joined the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL) system in 2022. Since then, it has earned three consecutive promotions.

This success has come through the efforts of dedicated volunteers. Many are children and grandchildren of the original founders. They continue to run programs, maintain facilities, and support players across all levels.

While the club honours its Salvadoran origins, it now welcomes members from many cultural backgrounds. Football has become a shared language. Players connect through teamwork, not through words or background.

Refugee Week Connection and Relevance

Refugee Week 2025 was held from 15 to 21 June. This year’s theme was Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community. It celebrated Australia’s history of welcoming refugees and the communities that support them.

Since the end of World War II, Australia has accepted over 985,000 refugees. Many have built new lives through local initiatives such as community sport.

Yeronga Eagles is one such example. It reflects how refugee-founded clubs can become long-standing, inclusive institutions.

Football Helping New Arrivals Settle

Yeronga Eagles offers structured football programs for men, women, and juniors. These programs support development and participation for all skill levels. For many new arrivals, clubs like Yeronga offer more than just sport. They provide routine, belonging, and a pathway to settle into Australian life.

The club has become multicultural but has stayed rooted in its Salvadoran identity. This balance sets an example for other migrant communities starting similar journeys.

Club’s Future Built on Community Effort

Yeronga Eagles continues to grow. Its rise in Queensland football is the result of decades of work from volunteers and supporters.

The club’s success is not just about matches or trophies. It represents the power of community, tradition, and sport working together.

As Refugee Week highlights contributions made by refugees, Yeronga Eagles stands out. It shows how local sport can bring people together and support long-term inclusion.

Published 29-July-2025

Moorooka Man Charged After Alleged Assault at Fairfield Shopping Centre

Photo Credit: myPolice Bayside

A 29-year-old Moorooka man has been charged with multiple offences following an alleged assault at Fairfield Shopping Centre last Friday morning.

Police from Dutton Park have accused the man of indecently assaulting a 22-year-old woman who was walking through the shopping centre around 10am on 25 July. The alleged offender reportedly attempted to leave the scene on foot but was stopped by members of the public who witnessed the incident.

The quick thinking of these community members allowed police to make an arrest at the scene. Investigators have also alleged the man stole groceries from a nearby store during the same incident.

The man now faces charges including sexual assault, stealing, and common assault. He was refused bail and remains in custody ahead of his scheduled court appearance at Brisbane Magistrates Court on 6 August.

The incident highlights the importance of community vigilance and the willingness of locals to step in when they witness concerning behaviour. The intervention by bystanders was crucial in preventing the alleged offender from leaving the area.

Queensland Police encourage anyone with information about this incident to come forward. Reports can be made through Policelink at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or by calling 131 444. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Police remind the community that support services are available for anyone who has experienced sexual assault. The Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline can be reached on 1800 010 120, while 1800 RESPECT provides 24-hour support. In emergencies, always call Triple Zero (000).

The case reference numbers are QP2501302435 and QP2501302865.

Published 28-July-2025

Annerley Residents Push for Safer Clive Street Crossing

Concerned residents in Annerley are pushing for urgent safety improvements at the Clive Street crossing, a notoriously dangerous intersection off Ipswich Road, where speeding vehicles and poor design put pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users at constant risk.

Read: Residents Raise Safety Concerns Over Slip Lane in Dutton Park

The street, which sits in the heart of the Annerley high street, spans up to 22 metres at its widest point, more than double the width of nearby crossings like Dudley Street. This excessive width allows cars to turn in and out at high speeds, making it difficult for drivers to notice and stop for pedestrians in time. A recent serious hit-and-run incident near the crossing has intensified calls for immediate action.

Community group Active Travel for Annerley is leading the campaign and urging Council to implement simple, cost-effective upgrades to make the area safer.

“Clive Street in Annerley is in the heart of the Ipswich Rd Annerley high street, but crossing it is absurdly dangerous for anyone walking, riding a bike or in a wheelchair,” the petition reads. “Almost all Annerley residents, including those who drive, ride or take public transport to the post office, shops or chemist need to cross Clive St at some point.

“Clive St is one of the most dangerous side streets on the Ipswich Rd high street. Pedestrians using the kerb ramps need to cross 16m of road, and it’s 22m at the widest point. The crossing at nearby Dudley St is just 9m, or 11m at the widest point.”

The group is calling for two main changes:

A raised “wombat” crossing to slow down traffic and improve visibility
Kerb extensions to narrow the intersection to 9 metres—matching nearby Dudley Street—while still allowing room for two-way traffic and cyclists

According to the group, these changes could be implemented quickly and cheaply without removing any traffic lanes or parking spaces.

To help make the project a reality, Active Travel for Annerley has launched a petition encouraging local support. Residents have until 2 November 2025 to sign and voice their backing.

Read: Annerley Aquarium Damaged in Shocking Hit-and-Run

For more details or to sign the petition, locals are encouraged to visit www.epetitions.brisbane.qld.gov.au/petition/view/pid/1467.

Published 21-July-2025

Annerley Aquarium Damaged in Shocking Hit-and-Run

Photo Credit: Annerley Aquarium/ Facebook

A beloved Annerley business faces a major clean-up after a driver in a white Holden ute lost control and smashed into the Annerley Aquarium, destroying a structural pole and bringing the building’s front awning crashing down before speeding away from the scene.

The shocking incident was captured on camera at 5:50 p.m. on Saturday. The footage shows the vehicle drifting across the front of the Ipswich Road store before colliding with the pole, which shattered on impact. The Holden, sustaining only a dent, was then seen driving off along Old Cleveland Road.

Sandra “Sandy” Ponting, who has co-owned the local aquarium with her husband Peter since 1983, said the damage will require a significant repair effort. “They’ll have to pull down the awning structurally rather than prop it up,” Ms Ponting explained. “It will be a building site, I guess.”

In a stroke of luck, the store was empty at the time of the crash, and the vehicle narrowly avoided the main display window, home to a 20-year-old Gourami fish valued at $1500.

Showing true community spirit, the Annerley Aquarium team opened for business on Sunday, directing loyal customers to use the back entrance while the front of the shop is assessed.

Police are now appealing to the public for help. They urge any witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of a white Holden ute in the area around the time of the crash to come forward.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Published Date 06-July-2025