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Pop-Up Alert: Birria Boy Taqueria Serving Slow-Cooked Birria In Woolloongabba

Photo Credit: Birria Boy Taqueria/Facebook

Birria Boy Taqueria has officially launched in Woolloongabba, drawing locals for its slow-cooked birria tacos and agave-led drinks menu in a heritage building on Stanley Street.

A Pop-Up Built Around Birria Culture

The taqueria is trading for the spring and summer season at 617 Stanley Street, operating for dinner from Thursday to Monday and lunch from Friday to Sunday. The venue sits at Clarence Corner near The Princess Theatre and serves as an easy pre-show or late-night stop.

*Photo Credit: Birria Boy Taqueria/Facebook*

Birria Boy Taqueria centres its menu around traditional birria, a Mexican dish known for meat slow-cooked in rich consommé. They serve a signature 15-hour braised wagyu beef cheek taco on an in-house pressed yellow corn tortilla, paired with jalapeño salsa and consommé for dipping.

The menu also includes a goat birria variation, roasted corn ribs, prawn tacos, tuna belly tostada and wood-fired mushroom birria with Oaxaca cheese.

Agave Spirits and Frozen Margaritas

The drinks menu places focus on agave-based spirits such as tequila, mezcal and Queensland-made Beudi Agave. Frozen margaritas and slushie cocktails are offered, along with a Mexican-style lager created with Frenchies Brewery and Sea Legs Brewing Co.

The drinks list is built around agave spirits with frozen margaritas and a collaborative Mexican lager.

Refreshed Heritage Space With Open Kitchen

The taqueria occupies the former Vespas Pizza site and retains its woodfire oven. The refreshed space features terracotta tones, cacti accents and an open kitchen where diners see fresh tortillas pressed to order.

Brisbane food reviewers have already described the venue as relaxed but polished, with strong feedback for both food quality and service team.

Strong Community Interest Early On

Early response on social media has been positive, with diners calling the wagyu birria the standout item.

book a table

Locals have highlighted the venue as a strong new addition to the inner-south dining circuit, appealing to those seeking flavour-driven, casual dining without formality.

The team has confirmed week-two trading is in full swing and directed customers to birriaboy.com.au for bookings and menu access.

Published 23-October-2025

Calls Grow to Lower Annerley Road’s 60 km/h Speed Limit After Dozens of Crashes

Annerley Road has a posted 60 km/h speed limit, despite a string of crashes recorded over the past five years. Between 2019 and 2024 there were 43 reported crashes along the route, which runs between Dutton Park through Annerley towards Fairfield.

Read: Annerley Road Speed Limit Review Sought by Residents

In some sections the road narrows to a single lane in each direction and is lined with driveways, bus stops and shops. Many residents and parents say the speed feels out of step with the area’s suburban character and local pedestrian and cycle traffic.

Traffic monitoring data from Brisbane in March 2024 showed average weekday speeds along parts of the road ranged between 37.8 km/h and 45.4 km/h—well below the 60 km/h speed limit. Yet despite the crash history and observed driver behaviour, there is no formal speed-limit review currently under way for Annerley Road.

By comparison, Ipswich Road, which connects to Annerley Road, had its limit reduced to 50 km/h in 2020–21 after community requests and a formal review. Gladstone Road was also reduced to 50 km/h after a speed-limit review prompted by local concerns. Annerley Road, however, remains an exception.

BCC is conducting a study to investigate potential future active-travel design options for the corridor, but this project is not a formal speed-limit review. Any change to the posted limit would require further assessment and sign-off by Council, the Queensland Government and the police.

Residents Push for Safer Design

As part of the study, community feedback gathered via an online interactive map revealed strong local concern. Residents called for more pedestrian crossings, removal of slip lanes, protected bike lanes and traffic-calming measures to prevent rat-running through side streets.

Several noted that crossing between Ipswich Road and Annerley Road can take multiple traffic-light cycles and is difficult for older pedestrians or those with mobility challenges. Some reported cars preparing to turn queue across crossings at the Fanny Street intersection when pedestrian lights turn green.

Parents participating in local “bike-bus” programs, which help children ride safely to Yeronga, Junction Park and Dutton Park state schools, say the current road design and high speed limit make independent cycling impossible for younger riders. Organisers say the community-led rides have helped build children’s confidence on bikes, but they stress infrastructure and lower speeds are key to long-term safety.

Broader Push for Lower Urban Speeds

Queensland’s default urban speed limit was reduced to 50 km/h in 1999, a change shown by research to reduce crash severity. Studies by RMIT University and Bicycle Queensland indicate that lowering limits further to 30 km/h on residential streets could significantly improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians while adding only minimal time to car trips. Some Australian cities and local areas, including parts of Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast (Cotton Tree), are trialling or implementing lower-speed zones.

For advocates in Annerley the examples provide a roadmap. They argue that aligning Annerley Road with neighbouring corridors would not only save lives but also encourage more people to walk or cycle.

Read: Confusing Annerley Road Sign to Be Rectified After 2 Years

A Road Waiting for Change

While Brisbane continues to gather data and community feedback, residents say they hope Annerley Road’s future will reflect its changing character, prioritising safety over speed. Until any change is approved, the 60 km/h signs remain in place on a road that residents say is not yet designed to comfortably accommodate prams, school groups and cyclists.

Published 24-October-2025

Arcadia Retirement Expansion Progresses in Yeronga

Photo Credit: Marchese Partners

Construction of RetireAustralia’s Arcadia Retirement Living in Yeronga continues to advance, with new apartments and community facilities expanding the existing development within Parkside Yeronga.

Expanding Arcadia at Parkside Yeronga

Construction at Parkside Yeronga has been progressing steadily, with the first townhomes by JGL Properties recently completed and occupied. Building on this momentum, RetireAustralia has begun marketing and selling premium independent living apartments in its Arcadia Retirement Living community. The marketing is operating from a temporary sales suite located at the corner of Park Road and Villa Street, near the Yeronga–Annerley boundary.

The development currently includes 159 independent living apartments and a 10-suite care hub. Plans have been lodged for an expansion to deliver an additional 58 apartments, following RetireAustralia’s acquisition of the final available lot in the precinct from Economic Development Queensland.

Former Health Facility Site Repurposed

The newly acquired site was initially approved for a large commercial or health facility intended for Children’s Health Queensland. The organisation has since opted to redevelop its existing facility on the corner of Park Road and Dublin Street, opening the opportunity for Arcadia’s expansion.

This decision allows RetireAustralia to consolidate the final portion of Parkside Yeronga, continuing the broader transformation of the former TAFE site into an integrated, intergenerational precinct.

Features and Facilities for Future Residents

Arcadia Retirement Living, designed by Marchese Partners | Life3A and constructed by Hutchinson Builders, forms part of the Yeronga Priority Development Area. The 3.1-hectare precinct will feature a combination of townhouses, affordable housing, and community amenities surrounded by 4,000 square metres of open green space.

Arcadia will offer a selection of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with prices starting from $835,000 for one-bedroom homes and reaching $1.6 million for three-bedroom residences. Apartments feature open-plan designs, generous storage, and age-friendly layouts.

Amenities include a cinema, gymnasium, yoga studio, rooftop recreation area, wine room, and billiards room. The community also provides a 24-hour emergency call system, concierge and wellness services, and an innovative Care Hub for short or long-term support.

Community Connection and Open Spaces

RetireAustralia will continue delivering the Parkside Yeronga Green Spine parkland, a publicly accessible garden designed to link the Arcadia community to the Yeronga Community Centre and Villa Street. This landscaped corridor will promote walkability and provide residents and locals with an additional open green area.

Arcadia is scheduled to welcome its first residents from early 2026. The village aims to provide a balance between independence and connection, offering a lifestyle that blends privacy, wellbeing, and community engagement.

Published 20-Oct-2025

Award-Winning Tukka Project Teams Up With Our Lady’s College to Tackle Hunger

Our Lady's College teams up with Tukka Project | Photo Credit: Kim Playle/Facebook

In the heart of Annerley, the hum of a busy school morning now carries the aroma of toast, fresh fruit, and warm blueberry muffins. It’s more than just breakfast — it’s the sound and scent of a community coming together to make sure no child learns on an empty stomach. This is the story of The Tukka Project, a 2025 Westfield Local Heroes award winner, and its inspiring partnership with Our Lady’s College. Together, they’re proving that when schools, students, and local organisations unite, they can do more than feed bellies — they can fuel futures.

A Breakfast Table With a Bigger Purpose

It started with a simple idea: if children arrive at school hungry, they can’t focus, learn, or reach their potential. So when The Tukka Project and Our Lady’s College launched the OLC Breakfast Club, the goal wasn’t just to serve food — it was to set students up for success. On its first morning, more than 70 students shared toast, fruit, muffins, and turkey salad sandwiches, turning an ordinary Wednesday into something extraordinary.

But this isn’t just about what’s on the table. It’s about what’s being built around it — community, connection, and care.

For the girls of Our Lady’s College, the program is also a hands-on lesson in empathy and action. They are serving meals and learning the value of service, teamwork, and leadership in ways textbooks can’t teach.

A Network of Helping Hands

What makes this initiative powerful is how far its impact reaches beyond the school gates. Over just one term, OLC students helped prepare and deliver around 250 nutritious lunches to local children, many of whom rely on these meals as their main source of nourishment.

Their work even extends to neighbouring schools like Mary Immaculate, where lunch deliveries and baked treats have become a welcome reminder that their community cares.

Behind the scenes, partnerships keep the momentum going. Training Direct Australia has equipped volunteers with vital food safety skills, while support from Brisbane Heat has helped raise awareness and rally the community around the cause. A collaboration with SCIPS, launched in 2024, ensures even more children have access to healthy meals, while also reducing isolation and easing the burden on families doing it tough.

More Than a Meal: A Movement

The Tukka Project’s recognition as a Westfield Local Heroes award recipient is more than a milestone. It’s a sign of what’s possible when people work together. The $20,000 grant it received will help expand its reach, ensuring more children receive the nourishment they need to learn and grow.

But perhaps the most important part of the story is what it says about Annerley itself: a community where schools, organisations, and volunteers don’t wait for change. They create it.

For Darren Playle, who founded The Tukka Project out of his own experience with childhood hunger, the partnership with Our Lady’s College shows what’s possible when young people are empowered to make a difference. And for the students, it’s a lesson that will stay with them long after they leave the classroom — that small actions, like preparing a sandwich or baking a muffin, can ripple outward and change lives.

And this is only the beginning. As The Tukka Project grows, so too will the stories it tells — stories of teamwork, kindness, and community action. For Annerley, it’s proof that when people come together, even the simplest acts can spark lasting change.

Our Lady of Aparecida Visit Leaves Lasting Impression in Dutton Park

Photo Credit: Archdiocese of Brisbane/Facebook

Families in Dutton Park experienced moments of peace and answered prayers when a statue of Our Lady of Aparecida made its rounds through their homes in the weeks leading up to 12 October, culminating in an annual community celebration that left local parishioners feeling spiritually renewed.

Background of the devotion

The devotion to Our Lady of Aparecida began on 12 October 1717, when three fishermen in Brazil — after hours of fruitless work — found a headless statue of the Virgin Mary in their net.

Casting again, they recovered the missing head, and on a third attempt their nets filled with fish. The statue became known as Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida, or Our Lady of the Appeared Conception, and the story gave rise to growing veneration.

Over the following decades, increasingly larger chapels were built, and in 1904, Pope Pius X had the statue crowned. In 1930, Pope Pius XI declared her the Patroness of Brazil.

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Miracles and blessings shared in Dutton Park

The Dutton Park Parish on Grandston Rd introduced the practice of bringing the statue into different homes weekly. Drawn from Brazilian Catholic tradition, the practice was already underway before the feast day, and intensified community engagement in the days around 12 October.

Parish leaders say many families reported blessings and comfort during the statue’s stay. Its presence was seen not only as an invitation to prayer but also as a way to bring families closer together in shared devotion.

Community response and parish reflections

Leaders say the practice attracted families who had hosted the statue as well as others from the wider Brisbane Catholic community, including participants from Burleigh Parish on the Gold Coast.

The statue’s itinerary of visits has become a focal point for spiritual connection, and clergy reflect that the number of testimonies about blessings in homes suggests an ongoing commitment among locals to keep the devotion alive beyond the feast day.

Parish leaders hope to sustain the sense of unity and faith momentum that grew during the feast period. The story of Our Lady of Aparecida — born from fishermen’s perseverance centuries ago — now reaches across continents to leave its mark on Brisbane families.

Published 13-Oct-2025

Figtree Social Brings A Taste Of Modern Australia To Yeerongpilly’s Brunch Crowd

Photo Credit: figtree_social/instagram

Figtree Social is redefining the local café scene in Yeerongpilly with a menu that celebrates native ingredients, familiar classics, and a laid-back community spirit.

A Local Spot Built For Connection

Figtree Social has quickly become a favourite among Yeerongpilly locals for its honest, ingredient-focused food and relaxed atmosphere. Located at 25 Figtree Street in Yeerongpilly Green Riverside Village, the café was founded by hospitality veteran Tze-Huei “TH” Choo and chef Libbie Butler.

The pair aimed to create a space that feels both thoughtful and welcoming. Their menu shifts with the seasons while keeping to simple Australian flavours. Each dish highlights fresh produce and supports regional suppliers.

Simple Food With Native Flair

The menu combines classic breakfast dishes with native Australian ingredients. Highlights include the kangaroo pot pie, avocado toast with finger lime and whipped feta, and a mushroom damper cob with chimichurri butter.

*Photo Credit: figtree_social/instagram*

Seasonal specials, such as the Hot Smoked Trout Bagel, keep the offerings fresh. Each dish focuses on bold flavour and quality produce.

Seasonal Flavours And Local Pride

Recent social media updates reflect Figtree Social’s focus on freshness and community. Their “October line-up” features a yuzu matcha soda with elderflower, a housemade tiramisu paired with Passport Cold Brew, and the trout bagel special.

They also promote accessible offers, such as a $9.99 combo for any coffee with a bacon and egg roll, appealing to both weekday commuters and weekend diners. Each promotion strengthens the café’s reputation for quality, creativity, and inclusivity.

Community Dining Done Right

The venue seats around 55 guests and was designed with natural textures, soft light, and subtle country influences that make the space feel comfortable and local. Choo and Butler’s goal is for every visit to feel personal, whether someone stops in for a quick coffee or a slow Sunday brunch.

Their focus on Australian produce, local suppliers, and a grounded dining experience reflects a growing shift in Brisbane’s café culture, toward authenticity, value, and connection.

Published 9-October-2025

The Back Room in Annerley Hosts Concert for a Cause Close to Home

Music lovers are turning up the volume for a cause that hits close to home. A group of Brisbane bands will headline the Gimme Shelter Charity Concert in Annerley to raise funds for people experiencing homelessness in the city, transforming the suburb’s vibrant live music scene into a night of compassion and community action.

The event takes place on Saturday, 11 October 2025 at The Back Room, Chardons Corner Hotel.

Local Bands Unite for Change

Four homegrown acts — Kelly’s Heroes, Fried Okras, The Full Creams, and 2nd — will perform at The Back Room, a well-known live music venue in Brisbane’s south. The event’s organiser, musician Kevin Kelly, said he and his friends were inspired to act after noticing more people sleeping rough around the city. He explained that every ticket sold will help fund The Salvation Army’s Brisbane Homelessness Services, which provide crisis accommodation and support for those struggling to secure housing.

Kelly emphasised that the idea was born out of mateship and community spirit rather than any formal campaign. He noted that local musicians wanted to give back in the most practical way they could — through music and fundraising.

Gimme Shelter, The Back Room Annerley — *Photo Credit: Oztix*

Rising Need in Brisbane

According to The Salvation Army Queensland, demand for housing assistance has risen sharply due to the ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

Rendle Williams, External Communications Manager for The Salvation Army, said more individuals and families are seeking help, often with complex needs that go beyond shelter. Williams explained that their services rely heavily on community generosity and grassroots events like the Gimme Shelter concert to continue their work across the state.

The Salvation Army operates housing and homelessness services throughout Queensland, including Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Cairns, and Mount Isa, as well as longer-term housing through Salvos Housing.

Music With a Purpose

The Gimme Shelter Charity Concert serves as a poignant reminder of what local communities can achieve when creativity and compassion come together. The organisers hope the event will not only raise funds but also raise awareness about the increasing visibility of homelessness across Brisbane.

Kelly said the night would blend great music with a meaningful message: that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Community members are encouraged to bring friends, purchase tickets online, and enjoy a night that gives back to those who are doing it tough.

TICKETS

For more details, visit The Salvation Army Queensland Facebook page or check Live At Your Local.

Families Highlight Bike Use as Annerley Road Project Advances

Photo Credit: CrSteveGriffiths/Facebook

An average of 17 children and eight parents from Junction Park State School cycled as part of a bike bus along Annerley Road each week during the last school term, underscoring community interest in safer walking and cycling options. In a related update, the consultation period for the Annerley Road active travel investigations is now over and, the feedback gathered will help the grant-funded process investigate potential concepts to improve the active transport connections for residents, visitors and commuters.

The regular rides, organised by parents from Junction Park State School, have become a practical example of how families are already using the corridor in ways that the project is seeking to support.

On Sunday, 28 September 2025, the Annerley Road Active Travel Investigations public consultation concluded. Through online surveys and an interactive map tool, locals, businesses, and commuters were asked for their opinions for a few weeks. In addition to sharing their own road travel experiences, participants were able to pinpoint issues and offer solutions.

To direct the project’s next phase, the gathered data will now be integrated with technical evaluations of the corridor. Funding for building is not yet included in this phase.

Rather, the focus is on creating concept choices that can be later reviewed and analysed in more detail. It is anticipated that investigations will continue until early 2026, at which time concept designs might be made available for community evaluation and input.

Key corridor under review

Annerley Road, which runs from Dutton Park to Ipswich Road in Annerley, is a significant transportation route in the southern part of Brisbane. Every day, automobiles, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians use the road. Additionally, it has direct connections to several significant locations, such as nearby schools, medical facilities, retail areas, and municipal bridges.

Active Transport Annerley Road — *Photo Credit: BCC*

The corridor has long been the focus of requests for safety and accessibility improvements because of its twin function as a community centre and a commuter route. The goal of the consultation process was to determine the scope of these problems and the kinds of enhancements that the local population would most want to see.

Common feedback highlighted the importance of separated cycle lanes where space allows, wider and more continuous footpaths, and safer crossings at busy intersections. Other comments focused on improved lighting, landscaping, and general streetscape changes that would make the corridor more appealing for walking and cycling.

Community involvement

The Junction Park State School bike bus provided one of the clearest examples of active travel demand in the area. Each week, families gathered in the morning to ride together along Annerley Road. With children at the front and back of the group accompanied by adults, the bike bus has offered both safety in numbers and a social way to start the school day.

Parents have said the rides help children build confidence in cycling, while also easing traffic around the school by reducing the number of cars used for drop-off. For many, it is proof that with the right facilities, more families would choose to walk or cycle rather than drive.

Next steps

With the feedback stage now closed, planning teams will begin the process of reviewing submissions and combining them with technical data. The outcome will be a series of concept design options for the corridor. These designs will attempt to balance the competing needs of drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and businesses, while addressing the safety and access issues raised in submissions.

The project demonstrates that even without immediate changes, community involvement is crucial in shaping the evolution of neighbourhoods. Families, businesses and commuters have all had the chance to contribute to the vision for Annerley Road. The next step will be to see how those voices are reflected in the plans that emerge over the coming months.

Published 2-Oct-2025

New Private Hospital Approved In Buranda Health Hub

Photo Credit: PA Health Connect

A new eight-level private hospital has been approved in Buranda, with Barwon Investment Partners leading a $350 million development beside the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Expanding Barwon’s Healthcare Footprint

Barwon Investment Partners has been expanding its healthcare property portfolio in Queensland and interstate. In August 2023, the group acquired 87 Ipswich Road, Buranda, which included two day hospitals leased to the Queensland Eye Institute and another healthcare tenant. This move was closely linked to Barwon’s plans for PA Health Connect, a major project at 240 Ipswich Road.

The Buranda precinct is undergoing significant redevelopment. Alongside Barwon’s investment, the State Government has committed $750 million to upgrading the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Developers have also put forward plans to transform the nearby Buranda Village shopping centre into a new laneway-style retail and dining hub.

Details Of The $350m Development

Approval has now been granted for PA Health Connect, an eight-level private day hospital and medi-hotel in Buranda. The $350 million development will be constructed on top of an existing 10-level carpark with 700 spaces. The facility will include radiology, oncology, general practice clinics, pharmacies, medical suites, research offices and education spaces.

The design includes a pedestrian bridge connecting directly to the Princess Alexandra Hospital. At street level, a new main entrance and porte cochere will improve access. A medi-hotel for patients, doctors and researchers has been flagged as a possible addition in later stages.

Although the total height exceeds Brisbane City Council’s 15-level neighbourhood plan limit, Barwon has stated it is comparable with other nearby projects such as Buranda Village.

Buranda hospital — *Photo Credit: PA Health Connect*

Creating A Health And Research Hub

The project is expected to form part of one of Australia’s largest integrated health, education and research hubs. It will introduce services not currently available locally, supporting both private and public healthcare delivery. The new facility is also positioned to attract visiting specialists, researchers and students, strengthening Buranda’s role as a health precinct.

Next Steps For The Precinct

Barwon Investment Partners will refurbish the existing carpark before constructing the hospital above it. Once completed, PA Health Connect will be a major addition to Brisbane’s inner-south healthcare network, complementing public investment in the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the wider redevelopment of Buranda.

Published 25-Sep-2025

Yeronga State High’s ‘Student Voice’ Program Behind Dramatic Drop in Suspensions

Yeronga State High School recorded a dramatic drop in suspensions, a turnaround the school and officials credit to placing student voice at the centre of school life.

Read: Yeronga State High School Program Lauded for Empowering Young Women in Australian Education Awards 2025

Between 2022 and 2024, suspensions at the school fell by 45 per cent, despite enrolments rising by more than 150 students over the same period. According to the Education Department, the combined rate of long and short suspensions peaked in 2022 at about 30 per cent. Two years later, it had fallen to 11 per cent – well below the Brisbane state high school average.

The shift is linked to the school’s “student voice” program. Each year begins with an exercise that asks students what needs to change. Their responses are channelled into summits where young people raise concerns, explore solutions, and propose reforms.

Outcomes from these summits have varied. Some led to adjustments in school policies, such as more flexible uniform rules, while others introduced new initiatives to support student wellbeing. Teachers and external experts are also brought in to help address complex issues raised during discussions.

School leaders say the program helps ensure emerging problems are addressed constructively before they escalate. By giving students ownership in shaping solutions, the school reports suspensions have become less necessary; students also report feeling more involved.

The student voice approach has also been recognised by the State. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the program has instilled pride in students by involving them directly in decision-making.

One of the most notable initiatives to emerge is the Horizons Women’s Hub. Now in its third year, the hub provides a safe space for girls to discuss identity, family expectations, and friendships, and to connect with alumni who have gone on to pursue their goals after graduation. The program’s impact was acknowledged nationally when it won an Australian Education Award just recently.

The hub also invites guest speakers to address challenging topics such as assertive communication and understanding coercive control. The women’s group asked the school to create a similar program for boys.

Plans are now under way to launch a male students’ group, with input from community advocate Michael Jeh. The initiative will emphasise peer leadership, encouraging older students to act as role models for younger ones.

Yeronga State High says these efforts are part of a wider commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful school community. In a statement, the school noted: “We work with our young people to listen and respond to student voice with empathy to ensure we all feel safe, respected and valued members of our learning community.”

Read: Yeronga State High School Takes Action to #endcyberbullying

Student survey results indicate the school’s student-voice work is reflected in how students say they are treated. Around 62 per cent of Yeronga students report feeling that their opinions are taken seriously by teachers and staff, higher than the Brisbane state high school average of 57 per cent.

School staff and students say these changes have strengthened students’ sense of being valued and empowered.

Published 24-September-2025