Major police stations including Annerley and Dutton Park on Brisbane’s southside are set to consolidate and phase out operations, with hundreds of police officers reportedly moving to a Stones Corner facility.
The plan calls for the Coorparoo, Annerley, Dutton Park, and Camp Hill Vulnerable Persons Unit stations to scale back to just front counter services. General duty first-responders currently stationed at these locations would transfer to the Stones Corner facility under the reported plans.
At this time, very few details have been released regarding the proposed new police facility at Stones Corner, but it’s expected to provide a modern working environment, consolidating officers from current stations which are known as cramped, outdated, and deteriorating.
Annerley police station (Photo credit: Google Street View)
The Adelaide Street police beat may also close down, with consideration being given to replacing it with a mobile van unit to respond to incidents. This would follow the earlier pandemic-related closure of the Gabba police beat. The station consolidations are underway as Queensland police grapple with a youth crime wave.
Police station in Dutton Park (Photo credit: Ron L/Google Maps)
Although reluctant to confirm full closures, senior police acknowledged that some of the stations sit on valuable real estate parcels worth millions. Brisbane Region Assistant Commissioner Brian Connors assured that the public should not worry about the changes, though final decisions on the stations’ fates are still pending.
According to the Queensland Police Union, the Stones Corner location would modernise operations now conducted out of the outdated facilities. The union spokesman said that Sergeant Treasure, the officer most familiar with the area, has spent over a year planning the consolidation and supports the proposal along with other officers in the Brisbane South District.
The incident took place on Tuesday, 14 Nov 2023, on Caroline Street, with the suspect approaching a woman sitting in her white Toyota Prius. The man grabbed the keys from the woman and, after a brief struggle, forced her out of the vehicle. He then narrowly avoided hitting her as he sped away towards Denham Street.
Police have released CCTV footage of the man, who is described as having a fair complexion and proportionate build. He was seen wearing a black baseball cap, sunglasses, a black singlet, and black shorts with a distinctive black sport-style armband on his right arm.
Anyone who recognizes the man or has seen the stolen Prius, which was last seen heading towards the Go-Between Bridge on the morning of 14 November, is urged to contact police immediately.
Deck the halls and break out the popcorn – the annual Community Christmas Movie Night is just around the corner! On Saturday, November 18, neighbours are invited to Dutton Park State School for a jolly good time under the stars.
As the sun sets at 5:00 p.m., comfy blankets and chairs can be rolled out on the school field to get cosy. The Dutton Park P&C will be firing up the grills for a delicious barbecue dinner, with cold drinks, sweets, and movie snacks available for purchase. Proceeds support projects at the school.
When the clock strikes 6:30 p.m., the feel-good holiday classic “Cool Runnings” will start rolling.
The movie follows four Jamaican bobsledders who dream of competing in the Winter Olympics, despite never having seen snow. With the help of a disgraced former champion desperate to redeem himself, the Jamaicans set out to become worthy of Olympic selection, and go all out for glory.
Laughs are sure to come along with the hilarious underdog story of the team pursuing their Olympic dreams. It’s sure to get everyone into the festive spirit!
Photo credit: Dutton Park State School/Facebook
The whole community is looking forward to celebrating the season together at this free, family-friendly event. Holiday cheer and appetites can be brought, it’s going to be a jolly evening under the stars at Dutton Park State School.
The upcoming event is brought by the Cross River Rail Tunnel & Stations team, as a way of thanking the community for their ongoing patience throughout 2023 as the construction of the new Boggo Road station continues.
Those who are planning to attend the movie night may register their interest via Dutton Park State School’s P&C website.
In a significant stride for academic and research advancement, the University of Queensland has announced the designation of its fourth campus, UQ Dutton Park, near the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
The new campus represents UQ’s growing strategic and operational significance, particularly in the realms of health, biomedical, and environmental sciences.
Located at the corner of Cornwall and Kent streets, the new Dutton Park campus is strategically positioned next to the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Translational Research Institute (TRI). This proximity is set to foster deeper collaborations in health and medical research, benefiting students, staff, and the broader community.
An $80 million TRI manufacturing facility, a landmark development in biomedical research and local vaccine production, will be a part of this new campus. The site is already serving as the primary location for the UQ School of Pharmacy, with nearly 300 staff and around 700 students.
Photo Credit: UQ Dutton Park
Its closeness to the Boggo Road Cross River Rail development enhances accessibility, while its location near the Mater Research Institute promotes collaboration.
The name UQ Dutton Park aligns with the convention followed for other UQ campuses and anticipates the completion of the Cross River Rail project. The campus currently hosts over 300 staff and 700 students, with no significant immediate changes expected for the staff. The official campus designation will take effect from 1 Jan 2024.
A Unified Vision for Biomedical Advancements
The establishment of the Dutton Park campus is more than just an expansion; it represents a unifying force for various biomedical institutes. According to TRI chief executive Professor Scott Bell, this new campus will play a pivotal role in advancing health and medical research in Queensland.
The location has been significant for UQ since 2009 with the establishment of the Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE). It houses the UQ School of Pharmacy, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), a branch of the UQ library, and UQ Health Care
The area’s importance has been amplified with the establishment of the Translational Research Institute (TRI) in 2013, and it will further increase with the upcoming Translational Manufacturing@TRI (TM@TRI) facility.
Highlighted Benefits
Educational Excellence: The campus will significantly enhance the learning experience for undergraduate medical, nursing, and allied health students.
Innovation Hub: The TRI manufacturing facility will act as a hub for developing and scaling up groundbreaking research discoveries into viable companies.
Clinical Research Support: The facility will also support the development and manufacturing processes for clinical trials, furthering medical innovations.
Government and Industry Partnership: A Synergy for Success
The Queensland Government, recognizing the potential of this initiative, has invested $60 million in the TRI manufacturing facility. Deputy Premier Steven Miles emphasised the importance of partnerships between industry, researchers, and the government in establishing Queensland as a centre for world-class research and innovation.
Collaborative Milestones
Translational Science Hub: This world-first research centre, involving Sanofi, the Palaszczuk Government, UQ, and Griffith University, signifies the commitment to cutting-edge mRNA research.
UQ’s Continued Commitment to Excellence
With existing campuses at St Lucia, Herston, and Gatton, UQ’s expansion into Dutton Park reaffirms its dedication to providing top-tier education and research opportunities. Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry highlighted this commitment, stating that the Dutton Park campus solidifies UQ’s role in positioning Queensland as a global research and innovation hub.
As the University of Queensland gears up to welcome a new era of academic excellence and innovative research in Dutton Park, the community eagerly anticipates the manifold benefits this development will bring.
The Dutton Park State School P&C association is holding its biggest fundraising event of the year, to raise funds for the installation of a fixed sound system in the school hall.
The P&C has worked tirelessly gathering an impressive $7,000 worth of prizes and are aiming to raise $5,000 towards upgrading the school hall’s sound system and acoustics.
The school hall is in dire need of improved acoustics and audio capabilities, which will benefit school assemblies, performances, and presentations. The P&C hopes the community will come together to support the fundraiser and help the school reach its goal.
Photo credit: Dutton Park State School/Facebook
“The planned upgrade will cover a fixed installed audio system, designed to suit the space including speakers for the outside area, amplification inside the hall and two wireless microphones. Fibreglass panels to improve the acoustic landscape in the hall will address reflections, flutter echo, standing waves and resonances in what is a very echoey space,” the P&C wrote.
Dutton Park State School P&C Association (Photo credit: Dutton Park State School/Facebook)
The current portable sound system needs to be set up each time it is used, which is a major inconvenience. A modern built-in system would be designed specifically for the space and enable students to easily operate it themselves.
In the past two years, voluntary contributions of $6,000-$10,000 helped fund the school’s literacy and numeracy training, art and design programs, social-emotional support, online learning, music lessons, and educational excursions like glass making.
The P&C understands that voluntary contributions may be a financial burden for some families. Hence, any amount that families can contribute is appreciated. Whether families can give generously or cannot afford to contribute financially at this time, all forms of support for students’ education are valued equally by the P&C.
Yeronga’s eWaste Connection, a community-driven initiative has been nominated for the 2023 WasteSMART People’s Choice Award. This award recognises the remarkable efforts of individuals, community groups, and businesses in Brisbane who have made significant contributions to making the city cleaner, greener, and more sustainable.
eWaste Connection stands out as an exceptional nominee, providing a safe and inclusive environment for individuals with disabilities to actively reduce e-waste and promote sustainability. Their workshop program operates six days a week, involving around 160 people with disabilities and 69 dedicated volunteers in the recycling, repair, and refurbishment of electronic and electrical waste. Refurbished items are then donated to domestic violence refuges and other charities, offering affordable solutions to those in need.
In the previous financial year, eWaste Connection’s dedicated community volunteered an impressive total of 4,914 hours, resulting in the diversion of a remarkable 114,642 kilograms of e-waste from ending up in landfills. Their commitment to sustainability and community service has earned them the prestigious WasteSMART Community Award in 2020 and the WasteSMART Business Award in 2022.
Recognizing Waste Reduction Champions
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner highlighted the importance of such initiatives.
“Brisbane is recognised as Australia’s cleanest and greenest capital city, and I want to make sure it gets even better for future generations,” he said.
The WasteSMART People’s Choice Award is a commendable initiative by the Brisbane City Council to acknowledge the relentless efforts of individuals, community groups, and businesses committed to waste reduction and sustainability. This accolade not only serves as recognition but also provides a platform for these unsung heroes to inspire others.
Among this year’s finalists are not just eWaste Connection but also charity and not-for-profit groups tirelessly working to divert various types of waste from landfills, including food, clothing, textiles, and medical waste. Furthermore, innovative businesses have been nominated for utilising practices such as worm farms, establishing their produce gardens, and creating dedicated in-house sustainability teams.
This initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Brisbane City Council to foster sustainability and environmental consciousness within the community. Measures like food waste recycling trials, compost and worm farm rebates, and affordable green waste disposal options are already in place to support these objectives.
The WasteSMART Awards are administered by the Brisbane Sustainability Agency on behalf of the Brisbane City Council and are proudly sponsored by Containers for Change Queensland, Cleanaway, and The University of Queensland.
The much-anticipated award ceremony will be held at Brisbane City Hall in November to announce the winners across 12 WasteSMART Award categories, which boast a combined prize pool exceeding $4,000.
Happening on Saturday, 14 Oct 2023, the FREE and highly anticipated event is back for another exciting year, running from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This year’s festival promises to bring back all the favourite activities that festival-goers have come to love, along with some thrilling new additions. The theme for 2023 is “Around Annerley,” and to make sure you have all the details for a fantastic family-friendly day out, be sure to visit the newly launched website at www.junctionfest.com.au and follow their social media pages.
Tennyson Ward Councillor Nicole Johnston, who represents Annerley alongside Moorooka Ward Councillor Steve Griffiths, notes the significance of Junction Fest to the Annerley community.
“We are closing Dudley St East once again and we are transforming the area into a hub of music, market stalls, food, fashion, art and games,” per the organisers.
“The traders in the historic Annerley Arcade are on board, with the Arcade carpark set to play host to local musicians and performers.”
“We have introduced a new Short Film Competition, a midday Parade and Bike Decorating alongside our Junction Fest favourites, such as the popular Annerley Stephens History Group talks, Model Train Exhibit and the third annual Annerley Junction Fest Art Exhibition.”
“Every year, Junction Fest goes from strength to strength, as more members of our community gather together in a spirit of inclusivity and fun each year to celebrate what we most love about living here,” Junction Fest Committee Chair Jeff Brunne said as he welcomes the festival’s growth.
The centre already welcomed retailers such as Woolworths, Priceline Pharmacy, and BWS last month, but now specialty retailers are lining up to join the neighbourhood hub.
Around 11 retailers like Massage Inn, One in a Million Specialty Coffee, Mista Boo Sushi, and luxury nail salon Lux Lash and Co are in the pipeline.
Photo credit: Yeerongpilly Green Riverside/Facebook
The 11,600 sqm Woolworths kicked things off during the soft launch last August, bringing a full-service grocery store to the area. Goodlife Health Clubs followed soon after, announcing plans to open a large, purpose-built fitness centre with group classes and strength training.
Rob Clifton, national manager for retail leasing at Consolidated Properties Group, said Woolies was a welcome addition to Yeerongpilly.
It’s part of YG Riverside Village, an $850 million mixed-use development, which is a joint venture between Consolidated Properties Group and CVS Lane Capital Partners with support from the State Government.
The centre is part of the vision for Yeerongpilly Green to be a true mixed-use village. Together with the existing commercial and residential components, this retail precinct aims to create a dynamic, urban lifestyle destination for residents and visitors alike.
Photo credit: Yeerongpilly Green Riverside/Facebook
With the exterior of the centre now complete, Consolidated Properties Group expects demand for the remaining retail and commercial spaces to accelerate. So far, approximately 85 percent of the retail area has been leased, confirming the developer’s optimism.
The influx of new stores signals a vote of confidence in Yeerongpilly and anticipation for the centre’s continued growth and success. As the retail revival picks up steam, locals can expect an expanding selection of shopping, dining and entertainment hotspots right in their own backyard.
Almost a year after shutting down its store due to the closure of Toombul Shopping Centre, popular restaurant and bar Dapple and Waver is staging a comeback at YG Riverside Village in Yeerongpilly Green.
“We will be bringing the Dapple + Waver you all know and love back, including some of our most popular dishes, drinks, and a few familiar faces too,” the restaurant announced via social media.
Diners can look forward to the return of popular menu items like juicy steak, battered fish tacos and shareable appetisers that made Dapple and Waver a go-to spot in Toombul.
Photo credit: Dapple and Waver/Facebook
In addition to mouthwatering food, the restaurant prides itself on a drinks menu packed with a rotating selection of craft beers on tap, handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list featuring domestic and imported bottles to please every palate.
The new, 160-seat Yeerongpilly Green location will allow the restaurant to serve more customers. The reopening comes after the business faced numerous challenges over the past few years, including operating during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns.
Photo credit: Dapple and Waver/Facebook
Although Dapple and Waver was undamaged, the catastrophic 2022 Brisbane floods also affected the Toombul Shopping Centre. In July 2023, Brisbane City Council approved the demolition of the flood-damaged Toombul site 14 months after the floods forced permanent closure of the centre.
The closure directly impacted the restaurant along with many other retailers. However, they have persevered through the challenges and found a new home in Yeerongpilly Green.
The restaurant’s former location in Toombul (Photo credit: Dapple and Waver/Facebook)
The new urban village development Yeerongpilly Green is home to the large, modern mixed-use retail, dining and entertainment centre YG Riverside Village. Major tenants slated to open soon include a Woolworths supermarket, BWS liquor store and Priceline Pharmacy. Dapple and Waver will join the village’s offerings when it reopens this month.
After waiting almost a year, loyal customers will certainly be thrilled to once again enjoy Dapple and Waver’s menu offerings, drinks and ambiance when it reopens this September at YG Riverside Village.
A fierce early morning blaze erupted in Woolloongabba, engulfing multiple homes and prompting an evacuation of the area. Firefighters battled the flames as they rapidly spread through four properties on Heaslop Street.
Whilst no injuries or casualties have been reported, the extent of property damage has left residents and authorities concerned.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) received the initial emergency call at approximately 2:30 a.m. on 24 Aug 2023.
Upon arrival, they encountered a devastating scene with two homes already in flames and ultimately collapsing due to the intensity of the blaze.
QFES Superintendent Tim Watkins expressed the challenges they faced, stating that it had been around 25 years since he’d witnessed a fire of such magnitude.
Queensland Police invoked the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) and authorities on-site swiftly implemented an exclusion zone around the affected area, encompassing Heaslop Street, Merton Road, Catherine Street, and Annerley Road.
This safety measure aimed to protect both residents and emergency responders from the hazardous conditions caused by the fire’s aftermath.
The PSPA is declared in instances that necessitate “… protection for members of the public in terrorist, chemical, biological, radiological or other emergencies that create or may create danger of death, injury or distress to any person, loss of or damage to any property or pollution of the environment and for related purposes.”
Whilst the PSPA was eventually revoked, members of the emergency crew remained on the scene to ensure the utmost safety of the residents.
Luke Wormwal, the proprietor of the neighbouring VHS Cafe, generously unlocked the doors of his establishment, offering a haven for evacuated neighbours. He distributed food, ensured warmth, and provided shelter, all whilst harbouring concerns for his own business due to the proximity of the fire.
Although the fire had been extinguished by 6:00 a.m., the aftermath was distressing.
Two homes were razed to the ground, including a 123-year-old heritage home; whilst two other homes suffered significant damage.
Police detectives are treating the incident as suspicious and have initiated an investigation. Witness accounts from multiple individuals are being collected to piece together the events leading up to the fire.
