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Big Change For Annerley: Our Lady’s College Going Co-Ed, Neighbouring Primary School To Close

After decades as an all-girls secondary school, Our Lady’s College in Annerley is set for a major transformation, with boys to be welcomed from Term 1 2030 while neighbouring Mary Immaculate Primary School closes at the end of 2026.

Read: Our Lady’s College Links with Annerley FC

Our Lady’s College: a new chapter

Photo credit: Facebook/Our Lady’s College, Annerley

In a recent announcement, Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) says the shift to co-education reflects strong community interest in mixed-gender Catholic schooling in the area.

The transition will be staged, with the first cohort of Year 7 boys expected to begin in Term 1, 2030, subject to relevant planning and approval processes. The college, which currently enrols around 350 students, is also set to expand as part of the move.

BCE’s acting executive director Ross Tarlinton OAM pointed to the success of Holy Spirit College at Fitzgibbon as a signal of where demand is heading. That school, which opened as a co-educational secondary in 2022, reached its full Year 7 intake capacity this year and is preparing for its first graduating cohort in 2027.

BCE also announced last year that a new co-ed secondary school would be built at Windsor on the site of the former St Mary of the Cross primary school. Expressions of interest for that school have already exceeded 600 enquiries.

Mr Tarlinton said BCE anticipated similar interest for Annerley from 2030. He described demand for co-educational schooling as a sign of the community’s appetite for quality Catholic education in inner-city Brisbane.

The Mary Immaculate buildings back directly onto the Our Lady’s College campus, and BCE has flagged they could potentially be absorbed into the expanded secondary school, though no formal decisions have been made about the land.

Mary Immaculate Primary School: end of an era

For families currently enrolled at Mary Immaculate Primary School, the closure marks the end of a long chapter in local Catholic education. The school adjoins the Our Lady’s College grounds and will close at the conclusion of Term 4, 2026.

BCE cited demographic shifts as the driving factor. Combined enrolments at Mary Immaculate and St Brendan’s Primary School in nearby Moorooka have fallen by roughly one third since 2021, with each school now enrolling fewer than 75 students.

Families at Mary Immaculate will be offered places at other BCE schools in the area. BCE has pointed to St Sebastian’s Catholic Primary School at Yeronga and St Pius X Catholic Primary School at Salisbury as nearby options. The organisation says it is working closely with affected families and staff to support them through the transition in the months ahead.

Read: Celebrating 100 years of Mary Immaculate School, Annerley

What it means for the community

The announcements mark a significant shift in how BCE delivers Catholic education on Brisbane’s inner southside. BCE runs 146 schools across south-east Queensland, serving around 80,000 students, and says the decisions reflect a commitment to maintaining a strong and sustainable Catholic education presence in inner-city Brisbane.

For the Annerley community, the co-education announcement points to a long-term future for Our Lady’s College in the suburb, while families and staff at Mary Immaculate navigate the months ahead.

BCE said student and staff wellbeing remains its priority as the organisation moves through the remainder of 2026 and begins planning for the changes ahead.

Published 15-May-2026

Annerley Case Offers a Look at Queensland’s Tree Dispute Process

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Tree disputes are a regular source of tension for Queensland neighbours, with complaints ranging from overhanging branches and falling debris to blocked sunlight, property damage and lost views. One recent Annerley case shows how a disagreement over a mature tree can move from neighbour talks to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

When an Annerley couple bought a townhouse on Villa Street in 2019, they could see Brisbane’s CBD skyline from the upper level. On New Year’s Eve and during Riverfire, the balcony gave them a direct line towards the city lights and fireworks.

Within a few years, that view had narrowed behind the branches of a large Moreton Bay chestnut tree growing on a neighbouring property.

What began as a discussion between neighbours later ended in QCAT, where tribunal member Chris Carrigan ordered regular pruning of the tree to regain and maintain the view described during the proceeding.

An Annerley Skyline Became the Centre of a Neighbour Dispute

The townhouse sits behind an older cottage on Villa Street, next to neighbouring flats on Waverley Street. At the centre of the case is a black bean tree, also known as a Moreton Bay chestnut, planted near the rear corner of the Waverley Street property.

According to material examined during the tribunal hearing, the townhouse owners first approached their neighbours in late 2021 with an offer to split the cost of pruning the tree. The following year, they offered to pay the full amount themselves.

The matter remained unresolved and was later taken to QCAT under Queensland’s Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011.

The tribunal heard that the tree had grown significantly over three years, reducing what was once a broad skyline outlook to a narrow glimpse visible only from part of the balcony.

An arborist report prepared for the case described the Moreton Bay chestnut as a fast-growing native species known for its broad canopy and extensive root system. The report also stated that city views can contribute to property value in elevated inner-Brisbane suburbs.

When Tree Complaints Reach QCAT

In suburbs such as Annerley, Holland Park and Camp Hill, older homes often sit beside newer multi-level housing. In many streets, residents share boundaries with neighbours whose homes overlook trees, fences and established backyards. Mature trees can also provide shade, cooling and habitat in built-up neighbourhoods, creating competing concerns between property use and tree retention.

QCAT provides a formal process when neighbours cannot resolve concerns about trees affecting land, including disputes over branches, roots, safety, damage and interference with the use of property.

Information published by the Queensland Government states that residents can apply to QCAT if a tree is seriously interfering with the use and enjoyment of their land. QCAT also maintains a public tree orders register, where residents can search orders made under Queensland’s neighbourhood dispute laws.

Queensland Law Does Not Guarantee a Protected View

Under Queensland law, property owners do not automatically have a legal right to preserve a scenic view. However, QCAT can intervene if it decides a tree has caused substantial, ongoing and unreasonable interference with a neighbour’s enjoyment of their property.

In the Annerley case, the tribunal found that the tree had substantially affected the townhouse owners’ enjoyment of their property and ordered the owners of the neighbouring flats to arrange pruning by 19 June this year.

The ruling also stated that maintenance pruning should continue at least once every year to preserve the restored view. If the work is not completed by the deadline, the townhouse owners can arrange the pruning themselves and recover the costs from the neighbouring property owners.

While the tribunal sided with the townhouse owners on the question of the blocked view, it stopped short of ordering the tree’s removal. The ruling recognised the environmental value of the mature native tree, including its role in providing shade and habitat for birds. The decision also noted that the tree contributes to local greenery.

Published 13-May-2026

Yeerongpilly Program Creates Space For Connection After Veteran Parent Loss

For Queenslanders living with disability who have lost a veteran parent, connection can be more than a social need. It can be a way to rebuild confidence, find companionship and take part in a community that understands the importance of long-term support.

In Yeerongpilly, the Legacy Club of Brisbane will deliver the Seasons program in 2026 with support from the Bupa Foundation, creating new opportunities for participants to take part in social activities, art workshops and music workshops.

A Local Program With A Personal Focus

The Legacy Club of Brisbane is based at 665 Fairfield Road, Yeerongpilly, placing the program within a local community setting while supporting people from across Queensland.

The Seasons program is aimed at Queenslanders living with disability who have lost a veteran parent. It is designed as a safe, stigma-free space where participants can connect with others, take part in group activities and develop new skills through creative workshops.

Rather than focusing only on formal assistance, the program centres on companionship and participation. Its activities are intended to help build community, confidence and friendships among people within veteran families.

Yeerongpilly Seasons program — *Photo Credit: Bupa Foundation*

Art, Music And Companionship In Yeerongpilly

Art and music workshops will form part of the Seasons program, alongside broader social activities. These sessions provide a structured way for participants to be involved, learn, create and spend time with others in a supported environment.

Legacy Brisbane’s broader work includes long-term social, emotional and financial assistance for families of Australian veterans. The Seasons program sits within that wider role, with a specific focus on people with disability who have experienced the loss of a veteran parent.

The Bupa Foundation has supported the Legacy Club of Brisbane since 2024, funding programs connected to families of Australian veterans. Its backing of the 2026 Seasons program continues that support.

Support That Extends Beyond One Activity

The partnership is part of broader support for Australian Defence Force members, active reservists, veterans and their families. Bupa has delivered health services for the Australian Defence Force since 2019 and works across more than 50 on-base health services around Australia.

Through social activities and creative workshops, the Seasons program gives Queenslanders living with disability after the loss of a veteran parent another way to find connection, confidence and companionship.

Published 11-May-2026

Brisbane Lions Doctor Trades Annerley Landmark for Granddaughter’s Equestrian Dreams

Photo Credit: Place Woolloongabba

The long-serving Brisbane Lions team doctor, who made some of the team’s toughest injury calls, is finally parting with his early 1900s Annerley residence to build a private horse sanctuary for his granddaughter.

The sprawling property at 98 Cracknell Road is scheduled to go under the hammer on-site at 11 am on 16 May.

Dr Paul McConnell and his wife, Natalie, have called the address home for more than 30 years, but they are now preparing to move to a 10-acre block of land. This relocation will allow them to create a specialised equestrian setup, featuring a riding arena and stables designed specifically for their granddaughter, Evie.

From Ruin to Family Retreat

Annerley — *Photo Credit: Place Woolloongabba*

The journey of the home began three decades ago when the couple purchased what was then considered the most dilapidated house on the street. Dr McConnell recalled that the structure was in such poor condition that he actually stepped through the floorboards during his very first walkthrough. Despite the state of the building, the pair recognized the potential of the site and began a series of renovations that would last for years.

Over time, the house underwent a massive transformation to accommodate a large blended family of eight. It eventually grew into a seven-bedroom estate with several different living areas. The property became known for its lively atmosphere, often filled with the sounds of a busy household. The doctor noted that while the home was often loud, it provided the perfect environment for his children to grow up.

A Training Ground for Sporting Stars

The estate served a purpose beyond just being a family home, as it played a minor role in the history of the Brisbane Lions. A separate guest house on the property frequently hosted young athletes. Dr McConnell explained that many fresh-faced draftees stayed in the cottage while they adjusted to the demands of professional football. He enjoyed watching these young men mature into seasoned players during their time at the residence.

While Dr McConnell spent much of his time travelling the world as a medical professional for the Hockeyroos and the Australian Olympic surfing team, the house remained his primary anchor.

A New Chapter on the Horizon

The decision to sell comes as the McConnell children have all grown up and moved out. The move to a larger acreage marks a significant shift in lifestyle for the couple. Their focus has shifted toward supporting Evie’s passion for horses, which requires more space than a suburban block can provide. The new property will be a dedicated space for the family to gather and enjoy outdoor activities together.

Listed under The James Curtain Group at Place Woolloongabba, the property is unique because it was built slowly to meet the changing needs of a family. This long-term history is something that cannot be easily found in newer developments.

Published Date 08-May-2026

Six Terrace Houses Proposed for a Villa Street Address That Knows Its Own History

DA A006982385

A development application to demolish a house at 15 Villa Street in Annerley and replace it with six three-storey terrace homes has put one of Brisbane’s most historically layered streets at the centre of a familiar inner-south tension between character and density.

The proposal, lodged with Brisbane City Plan authorities last March 2026 under reference A006982385, seeks approval for six three-bedroom townhouses, each with private outdoor space, a garage and a large balcony. The northern end of the terrace strip could offer city skyline views, given the property’s position about five kilometres from the CBD. The estimated construction cost is $5 million, with completion targeted for 2027.

The site is covered by a traditional building character overlay and zoned low-to-medium residential, making the development impact assessable. Demolition of the existing house was separately approved in a prior application, meaning the building itself is not a barrier to the proposal proceeding.

While the block can be cleared under a prior permit, the new design is not a done deal. Because the project is impact assessable, the community has a formal say, meaning every local objection must be weighed before the first brick is laid

A street that carries a lot of memory

Villa Street is not just any Annerley address. The Cilento family home sat on the corner of Villa Street and Ipswich Road, and was the family home from the 1930s to the 1960s. Lady Phyllis Cilento had a medical practice attached to the residence and was a respected gynaecologist, obstetrician and paediatrician.

Sir Raphael Cilento was an expert in tropical medicine who became the first Queensland Director-General of Health and Medical Services in September 1934. Their daughter, actor Diane Cilento, later married Sean Connery.

The street’s literary connection runs just as deep. Australian author Jessica Anderson, whose novel Tirra Lirra by the River won the Miles Franklin Award in 1978, grew up at 56 Villa Street in the 1920s and early 1930s, drawing on her Annerley childhood throughout her writing life.

In 1951, Kath Walker, later known as Oodgeroo Noonuccal and the first Aboriginal Australian to publish a book of poetry, became the housekeeper for the Cilento family at the corner of Villa Street and Ipswich Road.

It is a street that knows it matters. In 2025, the Annerley-Stephens History Group published Villa Street Revealed, a dedicated history of the strip. The group, which has been researching and publishing local history since 2013, meets monthly at the History Room in nearby Yeronga.

The design argument the developer is making

The developer describes Annerley as a growing area close to the CBD, the University of Queensland and the Princess Alexandra Hospital, framing the six terrace homes as providing much-needed family housing in an accessible inner-city location.

On the question of character compatibility, the application points to specific design elements, particularly the skillion roof, as evidence that the proposal is sympathetic to the traditional character of the area.

The terrace format itself is also relevant: the traditional building character overlay is intended to ensure that new development is appropriate in scale, character and design to the existing neighbourhood, and terrace housing has historical precedent in Brisbane’s inner suburbs.

The developer also notes the proposal is consistent with the direction of Brisbane’s residential planning framework. Low-to-medium residential areas, which account for around 14 per cent of the city, are flagged for an increase in allowable height from two storeys to at least three storeys. The developer says the Villa Street proposal lays the groundwork for construction ahead of those changes.

Where the community concern sits

The development has drawn concern from local residents focused on what would be lost rather than what would be gained. The worry is straightforward: Villa Street is not a generic inner-city street, and the removal of a character home from a block covered by a traditional building character overlay chips away at something that cannot easily be replaced.

Community voices have pointed to nearby examples where developers have kept the character home on the street frontage while building new units behind it, a layout that preserves the visual continuity of the streetscape while still achieving density.

That approach has been used elsewhere along Villa Street itself, and plans lodged earlier this year for 391 Ipswich Road, about a kilometre away, propose a similar configuration.

“The loss of character homes would be a hard blow to the community,” one resident said in response to the proposal. “It would be better if the character home on this block could be kept with townhouses to the rear, as has happened in other parts of the street.”

The application remains under assessment. Members of the public can view the full application documentation under reference A006982385.

Published 30-April-2026

“It Makes Life Easier”: The Hospital Bathroom Designed by a Patient Who Pushed for Change

Metro South Health/Facebook

Princess Alexandra Hospital has unveiled the first ostomy-friendly toilet in Metro South Health, a purpose-built accessible bathroom on the ground floor of the main building designed specifically for people living with a stoma, brought to life by a patient named Jordan who raised the idea after his own surgery last year.

The bathroom sits alongside the standard wheelchair accessible toilet symbol and carries a new Ostomy Friendly Bathroom sign. This makes the space immediately identifiable to the 50,000 Australians who manage an ileostomy, colostomy or urostomy every day. Jordan identified the gap himself during his own treatment at the PA.

After a cancer diagnosis led to surgery and an ileostomy last year, he took his observations directly to the clinical team to find a solution.

“Living with the ileostomy is actually not bad, I mean it saved my life,” Jordan said. “But using the bathrooms anywhere, not just at the hospital, was a struggle and it was messy.”

Designed for Real Life, Not Just Accessibility Boxes

The modifications are targeted and practical. Clinical Nurse Consultant Lucy Perovic from the PA’s Stomal Therapy team outlined exactly what the upgrade involved.

“This modification includes an Ostomy Friendly Bathroom sign alongside the wheelchair logo, accessible hand hygiene, a bench for people to place their ostomy products on for changes, and a clinical waste bin as well as the ability to use the mirrors for changes,” Perovic said.

Princess Alexandra Hospital has unveiled the first ostomy-friendly toilet in Metro South Health. — *Photo Credit: Metro South Health/Facebook*

Each of those details addresses a specific, real problem. The bench means a person changing their ostomy pouch has a clean surface to work from rather than balancing products precariously or placing them on the floor.

The clinical waste bin handles disposal correctly and discreetly. The accessible mirror positioning allows for changes that require visual guidance. The signage both identifies the space and, Jordan hopes, does something broader.

“I’m hoping even the sign itself will catch people’s attention as they walk past and create some curiosity or education,” he said.

The response when Jordan used the bathroom for the first time told him the design had landed exactly right.

“I used it last time I came for chemo and it’s awesome,” he said. “It’s exactly what I wanted it to be and makes me feel super proud to be at PAH. This is great for the community.”

A Daily Challenge Most People Never See

Thousands of Australians live with a stoma, an opening in the abdomen that allows bodily waste to exit into an external collection bag after surgery to the bowel or bladder. Stomas are created to treat conditions including colorectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and bladder cancer, among others.

Some are temporary; others are permanent. The Princess Alexandra Hospital, as Queensland’s principal academic and tertiary health centre for colorectal and bowel surgery, treats a significant proportion of the state’s ostomy patients.

*Photo Credit: Metro South Health/Facebook*

Managing an ostomy in a public bathroom has always been one of the more practically challenging aspects of living with the condition. Standard accessible toilets were not designed with ostomy care in mind, and the absence of a bench, appropriate waste disposal and usable mirror means people are often forced to manage a bag change in awkward and undignified conditions.

Those living with an ostomy long-term frequently describe scanning every public bathroom they encounter before committing to any outing.

The community voices that followed the announcement made clear just how widely this gap is felt. People who have lived with colostomies for decades said they often rely on parents’ rooms in shopping centres for the privacy and usable surfaces they need.

Others described the looks they receive when using accessible toilets, unsure whether their needs are seen as legitimate. One commenter said it had taken years of living with an ileostomy before they came across a space actually designed for them.

The facilities are common in parts of Europe and the United Kingdom, where dedicated ostomy-accessible bathrooms have been advocated for by patient groups and in some cases mandated in public buildings. Australia has lagged in this area, making the PA Hospital’s installation, and Jordan’s role in making it happen, genuinely pioneering for Metro South Health.

A Patient Advocate Who Made It Count

What is notable about this outcome is not just the facility itself but the path that produced it. Jordan raised the idea from lived experience, took it to the hospital’s clinical team, and the PA listened. Clinical Nurse Consultant Perovic and the Stomal Therapy team worked to make it a reality.

“Well done to everyone involved, and thank you to Jordan for being an incredible advocate for patients,” Metro South Health said in acknowledging the achievement.

For patients coming to the PA for treatment who live with an ostomy, the ground floor ostomy-friendly bathroom in the main building is now available. For more information about stomal therapy services at Princess Alexandra Hospital, call (07) 3176 2111 or visit metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au.

Published 29-April-2026

Dutton Park’s Newest School Hits Its Stride, but Brisbane’s South Still Hungers for More Secondary Places

Brisbane South State Secondary College/Facebook

Brisbane South State Secondary College has reached a milestone in 2026, with its first cohort of students completing Year 12, and enrolments growing faster this year than at any established school in the region. But the wider pressure on secondary education across Brisbane’s inner south remains unresolved.

The school, which opened in 2021 as one of Queensland’s most distinctive secondary campuses, recorded 1,444 students in February 2026, representing growth of 201 students in a single year, more than any established state high school in the area managed over the same period. It sits at 94.8 per cent of its current built capacity, with room to grow further as construction of its final stage completes.

For families like Ellen Rigbye’s, the school has become an increasingly compelling alternative to the private and selective options that have long dominated inner-south Brisbane’s educational conversation.

A School Built on Two Big Ideas

Ellen withdrew her daughter Charlotte from a western Brisbane private school in 2025, drawn across the river by something she hadn’t expected to find in a state school: a genuinely elite AFL pathway. Charlotte, a competitive AFL player, had won selective entry through the school’s AFL Academy, which operates in partnership with AFL Queensland and the Brisbane Lions, providing high-performance training alongside academic study. The combination of structured elite sport and a mainstream schooling environment was rare, and it showed.

“We went along to an AFL Academy open night, where they do a presentation about the school and about the academy, and it just sounded really good,” Ellen said.

Charlotte, now in Year 10, said the AFL program was a significant drawcard among her peer group too, including several students who had previously attended Brisbane State High School before making the switch.

The school’s second selective entry pathway, the Biomedical Science Academy, draws students aiming for careers in medicine and research. Developed in collaboration with the University of Queensland, the program sits within what planners have long called Brisbane’s knowledge corridor: the stretch of inner-south Brisbane that takes in UQ’s St Lucia campus, the Translational Research Institute, the PA Hospital and the CSIRO Ecosciences Precinct. For a school that only graduated its first Year 12 cohort this year, the calibre of its institutional partnerships is unusual by any measure.

What the School Was Built to Do, and What It Hasn’t

When the $140 million Dutton Park campus was announced in 2017, it was pitched as the primary solution to the overcrowding at Brisbane State High School (BSHS). Situated just over a kilometre away, BSHS remains the nation’s largest public high school and continues to warn families that local residency doesn’t guarantee a spot.

Brisbane South State Secondary College — *Photo Credit: BSSSC*

Five years later, community advocates argue that relief remains a mirage. Seleneah More, a member of the West End Community Alliance, notes that the college’s catchment was flawed from the start. By placing BSSSC outside the State High boundary and making only minor tweaks to neighbouring schools like Yeronga and Coorparoo, planners failed to tackle the core congestion.

Yet, raw data suggests BSSSC is serving as a critical pressure valve. By housing 1,444 students in its vertical campus, the college has mopped up demand that would have otherwise flooded the inner south. While these students might not be direct defectors from State High, the new school is undeniably doing the heavy lifting for a saturated region.

The 2026 figures highlight the ongoing struggle. BSHS enrolments dropped by only 19 students this year, missing the 100 student reduction predicted by official modelling. The school currently redlines at nearly 120 per cent capacity, operating 588 students above its intended design.

This creates a stark gap between nominal capacity and the reality of operational capacity. While BSSSC tracks toward its own limits, State High relies on aggressive split timetabling and staggered breaks to remain functional. With 92 per cent of local catchment students choosing BSHS alongside 1,000 selective entry places, the infrastructure remains under immense strain.

Filling Up, Tightening Up

Back at BSSSC, the path in for out-of-catchment students is narrowing. Charlotte noted that younger year levels at the school are already showing a lower proportion of out-of-catchment students, a shift that reflects the school’s own enrolment management plan as in-catchment demand grows year by year. Ellen confirmed the school is enforcing its catchment rules more strictly.

“Really, the way in is through the AFL Academy or the Biomedical Science Academy,” she said.

That tightening is by design. BSSSC’s enrolment management plan makes clear that selective entry places for out-of-catchment students are only available once in-catchment demand has been met and sufficient capacity has been reserved for future local growth. As the school’s first cohort moves through and the catchment population of the inner south continues to grow, those out-of-catchment selective entry windows will narrow further.

The school opened its 2027 selective entry application round for the Biomedical Science Academy in Term 2, 2026. Families interested in the AFL Academy or Biomedical Science Academy can find information at brisbanesouthssc.eq.edu.au.

Published 20-April-2026

Yeerongpilly Legacy Club of Brisbane Named in Veterans Grants Program

Photo Credit: Legacy Club of Brisbane

A Yeerongpilly-based organisation has been named among the first recipients of a new veterans grants program, with the Legacy Club of Brisbane included in the inaugural round.

Yeerongpilly Organisation Among First Recipients

The Legacy Club of Brisbane, based in Yeerongpilly, is among 33 organisations selected to receive funding in the program’s first round.

A total of $1.5 million has been allocated across the recipients, supporting projects connected to veterans and their communities.

The organisations named include schools, community groups and ex-service organisations across Queensland, reflecting a broad spread of recipients in the inaugural round.

veterans families — *Caption: Single mother and navy veteran Heidi receives support to manage financial pressures and care for her four children through Legacy services.*
*Photo Credit: Legacy Brisbane/Facebook*

Funding Supports Memorials And Community Projects

The grants are intended to support practical works such as building upgrades and refurbishments, along with the creation or restoration of war memorials, avenues of honour and memorial gardens.

Funding can also be used for activities and events that recognise the contribution of current and former service personnel while promoting community awareness.

The program includes both capital works funding and support for community-based initiatives, with further rounds expected as part of a four-year funding commitment.

veterans grants — *Caption: Vicki and her daughter Isabella received support from Legacy to navigate grief and access education assistance following the loss of a loved one.*
*Photo Credit: Legacy Brisbane/Facebook*

Families Behind The Work In Yeerongpilly

The inclusion of the Legacy Club of Brisbane links the program to the work of Legacy Australia, which supports the partners and children of veterans who have died or been injured during service.

Stories shared through Legacy’s community illustrate the impact of that support. One family described how a young child, who lost her father to a service-related illness, was able to maintain a sense of connection through Legacy’s ongoing assistance.

Another account highlights a single parent managing financial pressure while raising children, with support helping stabilise day-to-day living and access to essential needs.

Established in 1923, Legacy continues to provide services aimed at ensuring families are not left at a financial or social disadvantage following loss or injury linked to military service. Across Australia, the organisation supports more than 28,000 beneficiaries.

Legacy Club of Brisbane — *Caption: Isabella, who lost her father to a service-related illness at age four, remains connected to his memory through ongoing support provided by Legacy.*
*Photo Credit: Legacy Brisbane/Facebook*

Yeerongpilly Connection In Ongoing Program

The presence of a Yeerongpilly-based recipient places the suburb within the list of organisations selected in the inaugural funding round.

The program allocates $6 million over four years, with projects expected to begin by March 2026 and completion timelines extending over the following years depending on the type of grant.

Through funding for infrastructure and community initiatives, the program supports organisations that continue to recognise and commemorate the service of current and former personnel.

Published 15-Apr-2026

Annerley Residents Stranded as Major Rail Shutdown Paralyzes Travel Between Boggo Road and Varsity Lakes

Photo Credit: Translink

The massive transport bottleneck between Boggo Road (Dutton Park) and the Gold Coast’s Varsity Lakes will now stretch until at least the end of the month after a significant standoff with unions delayed essential safety and track upgrades.

A Morning of Gridlock

The disruption began on 10 April and has since grown into a significant challenge for people trying to get to work or school. On Monday morning, the situation reached a breaking point when commuters arriving at stations like Northgate and Geebung found themselves waiting in the heat for nearly an hour.

Instead of the usual quick transfer, people were met with lines that stretched across bridges and down suburban streets. Many residents found it impossible to even leave the stations to call for a ride-share service because the crowds were so thick.

The Math Behind the Mess

The main reason for the long wait times is a simple gap between train capacity and bus availability. While trains usually arrive every three minutes during the busy morning period, the replacement buses have only been arriving about every eight minutes. This difference caused a huge backlog of people on the platforms. Transport providers admitted that the number of people needing a ride was 50 per cent higher than they had originally planned for.

Even though 100 extra buses were brought in from other states and hundreds of drivers were hired to help, it was still not enough to move everyone quickly.

Local Business and Resident Impact

The chaos has spilled out of the stations and into the surrounding neighbourhoods. Local shop owners near the stations have seen their shopfronts blocked by hundreds of people waiting for a ride. Some business owners mentioned that they had never seen such large crowds in their area before.

Commuters who usually have a 35-minute trip reported that their travel time had tripled to over an hour and a half. Many people chose to get off at different stations hoping for a shorter line, only to find the same problems elsewhere.

Dates	Lines Impacted	Where Trains Stop Running	What Happens
3–10 April	Multiple lines (incl. Beenleigh)	Banoon ↔ Boggo Road	Buses replace trains (affects Moorooka, Salisbury, Rocklea, etc.)
11 April	Multiple lines	Varsity Lakes ↔ Boggo Road	Larger closure including Gold Coast line
12–19 April	Beenleigh + Gold Coast	Varsity Lakes ↔ Boggo Road	Continued full closure southside
20–26 April	Beenleigh + Gold Coast	Banoon ↔ Boggo Road	Southside closures continue (Moorooka still impacted)

Looking Toward the End of April

These disruptions are expected to continue through to 30 April. While some tracks north of the city are scheduled to reopen sooner, the lines connecting the city to the Gold Coast will see ongoing changes. Between 20 April and the end of the month, the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines will run as a combined service, but there will be no trains at all between Banoon and Boggo Road. Transport officials say they are looking for ways to add more services in high-demand areas, but for now, the community is being asked to prepare for longer travel times and more crowded platforms.

Published Date 14-April-2026

Dutton Park Recreation Hub in Focus as Brisbane Seeks New River Experiences

Gary Montagner/Google Maps

The Dutton Park Recreation Hub at 359 Gladstone Road is among eleven Brisbane River sites now open to commercial expressions of interest, giving operators the chance to pitch new river experiences to one of Brisbane’s most historically and culturally rich waterfront stretches.

The EOI process kicked off on 2nd April 2026, calling for everything from floating restaurants and wellness hubs to water sports and boutique river tours designed to offer something unique beyond the standard CityCat and ferry routes. Expressions of interest close at 12 noon on 15 May, with state government approval required before any commercial activities can begin.

For Dutton Park and Annerley residents, the announcement carries a particular resonance. This stretch of the river has a long and layered history of public leisure, and the question of what it could look like in the lead-up to 2032 is one worth taking seriously.

A Park That Has Always Drawn a Crowd

Dutton Park was reserved for recreation in 1884 and named after Charles Boydell Dutton, who was Minister for Lands in Queensland from 1883 to 1887. It has been a gathering place ever since. In the early 1900s, the Brisbane Tramways Company staged popular variety and film shows in the park known as the Continentals, drawing up to 5,000 people a night, luring tram riders south with electric lights strung through the trees. A river baths operated along the bank between 1916 and 1932. A ferry service has linked the park to the University of Queensland campus at St Lucia since 1967.

Dutton river — *Photo Credit: Marine Structures*

What the park has not had, until now, is a clear, modern commercial framework for bringing new river experiences to its waterfront. The recreation hub at Gladstone Road is currently suited to vessels up to 75 tonnes and primarily functions as a launch site for kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. The new process invites operators to imagine something more.

What Could Come to the Water

The River Access Network covers eleven sites across the city, from Northshore Hamilton to Riverhills, including six recreation hubs, two major hubs at New Farm Park and the City Botanic Gardens capable of handling larger vessels, and three operational inner-city pontoons. The original design of the eight recreation hubs, including Dutton Park, focused on short-term passive use, and they have since remained under-utilised.

Proposals must demonstrate strong environmental performance and accessibility, while successful operators will need to invest in or co-fund any infrastructure upgrades required to bring their concepts to life.

City leaders describe the river as one of Brisbane’s greatest assets and say it has too often served as a backdrop rather than an experience, with plans now aiming to change that.

Committee for Brisbane CEO Jen Williams pointed to the structural barriers that have historically stalled activation. “Opening up existing facilities to new experiences and tours removes major barriers to the delivery of much-needed activations,” she said. “Through working with state government to permit commercial operations, the plan will de-risk investment and facilitate the introduction of exciting new hospitality and lifestyle offerings for Brisbane.”

The 2032 Opportunity

Brisbane’s visitor economy reached a record $17 billion in 2025, according to Brisbane Economic Development Agency CEO Anthony Ryan. He said activating the river in the years before 2032 would give visitors more reasons to explore the city while creating new opportunities for local jobs and businesses. The plan draws a clear parallel with Barcelona’s waterfront transformation ahead of the 1992 Olympic Games, which turned the harbour into a global drawcard that endured long after the event.

For a suburb like Dutton Park, already well connected by bus, train and the Eleanor Schonell Bridge to the University of Queensland, a more active river edge could reshape how the inner south engages with the water.

State government approval is still required before any commercial activities can proceed across the eleven sites.

How to Submit a Proposal

Operators must register through the SAP Ariba supplier portal and request an invitation to participate via the River Access Network tender. Expressions of interest close at 12 noon on 15 May 2026. For full details, click here or call the Business Hotline on 133 263.

Published 10-April-2026