Citing the end of their lease, Community Kids Annerley gave parents a two-week notice of its closure, sending mums and dads scrambling to look for alternatives from facilities that have been booked out months or years in advance.
The childcare centre announced on its official site that it will be “closing its door permanently on 15 July 2022.” The facility has also sent parents the notice of its impending closure, citing the end of its lease.
Community Kids Annerley has around 80 to 100 children, between the ages of six months to 5 years old, under their care. The facility, which has been open for 25 years and managed by Gold Coast-based G8 Education Centres, has recommended The Learning Sanctuary Yeronga, The Learning Sanctuary Tarragindi, and The Learning Sanctuary Camp Hill as alternatives.
Parents, however, want more answers as they have paid fees in advance. They also want to know why they were advised just two weeks if the centre had known its lease was ending months earlier.
Many of the parents are healthcare workers who now need to take a time off to look for new childcare centres. They regret losing Community Kids Annerley because its workers have been attentive to their children.
“We have contacted other local daycares who are full. We are stressed and heartbroken. We are working families and if we cannot find our children an alternative. We have no idea what we are going to do,” the parents wrote in the petition on Change.Org.
“The daycare has been part of the community for more than 25 years and is a safe and fun place for our children. The daycare holds a special place in our hearts and in the community. We have been told that despite numerous efforts from the daycare the landlord would not renew the lease. We are also devastated for the educators who we consider to be part of our community. We are angry at G8 for poorly managing this situation.”
A spokesperson for G8 Education Centres, said that they had been negotiating the lease and were hoping to continue operating. However, after failing to forge a new agreement with the landlords, the centre immediately notified the families.
G8 Education Centres is one of Australia’s biggest childcare providers. In April, the company said that its earnings were affected by COVID and the February 2022 flooding.
In a property market once dominated by its neighbouring suburbs, Annerley has become a market to watch as the median house price hit the double digits for the 12-month period ending September 2021, nearly doubling its performance year-on-year for the same period in 2020.
Highlights
Annerley has been undergoing an urban renewal phase over the last few years, favourably impacting its property market and attracting new home buyer interest.
The median house price has risen to $880,000 — up by 11.82 per cent from October 2020 to September 2021.
However, the unit market is down by 9.28 per cent with a median unit price of $425,000, with buyers opting for smaller, more affordable, two-bedroom builds.
House Price Growth
Times have been changing for Annerley, as the median home price continues its upward trajectory over the past few years. The last 12 months have seen continued urban renewal, low vacancy rates, and brisk house sales.
Invigorated by a growing interest from young professionals and families who have taken a closer look at this suburb which has very good access to schools, employment opportunities, and hospitals.
Amidst a number of rebuilding and restoration projects in the suburb, Annerley’s property market grew by 11.82 per cent from October 2020 to September 2021, pulling the median house price up to $880,000, per figures from Property Market Update.
This southeast suburb, found four kilometres away from the city, has been attracting second home buyers and high-income earners from interstate, who are getting into the market with only the benefit of an online inspection via Facetime because of the border lockdowns. The eagerness and excitement, however, have resulted in the sale of 128 properties during this period with an average market listing of 32 days.
In July, a five-bedroom renovated beauty with brick and white picket fences, spotted gum floors, high ceilings, and a timeless interior, received multiple offers as it went under the hammer. It closed with the highest price for the period at $2,360,000. Boasting of a spacious open plan, the property on Cavan Street is in the school catchment areas and close to numerous parks and reserves.
Unit Price Growth
On the other hand, Annerley’s unit market shows a strong buyer preference for the more affordable two-bedroom builds, with 99 units sold over a total sales of 183 units. As a result, the median unit price dropped by 9.28 per cent down to $425,000. Turnover remained healthy, however, with units spending just an average of 45 days on market before being snapped up by buyers.
Most of the buyers are first-home buyers wanting to get their foot in the door, attracted by Annerley’s convenient public transport and a short commute to the CBD. Apartments in Annerley are largely under low- to medium-zoning areas, giving new owners some wiggle room for home improvements.
About Annerley
Over the years, Annerley has transformed from a “rundown“ suburb into one of the most liveable places in Brisbane, offering an eclectic mix of refurbished colonial homes and modern apartments. Emerging from this vibrant community are a new generation of satisfied residents who know the true value of their homes. The outlook is also positive for this suburb.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Detached housing is more commonly found in this suburb but apartment dwelling options are slowly catching up as more than 50 per cent of Annerley residents are renters. With a diverse selection of local businesses, this area is perfect for those who want easy access to essentials like schools (Mary Immaculate Primary School or Yeronga State School), parks and sports club (Souths Rugby Union Club), restaurants and cafes, banks, bakeries, post office, and hospitals (Princess Alexandra, Greenslopes Private Hospital).
Ipswich Road is the main shopping or dining strip but all around the suburb are a range of activity hubs for kids and families. Regardless of their interests, they are bound to find something fun to do, and it’s all accessible via a number of road and rail transport options.
“Wonderful location and close to everything from Southbank, CBD and all the restaurants around the area. Great medical hubs around also including PA hospital, Greenslopes hospital and the Qld Children’s Hospital.”
Mayb2
“The food in Annerley is amazing. There’s a good mix of people, from families to students. I definitely recommend this suburb for students, it is well connected to public transport and not as pricey as suburbs closer to the CBD. Live anywhere but Ipswich Rd and you wont have a problem with parking. Plenty of shopping options plus cute cafes. Nice and quiet, a couple of cute parks around.”
TC
“We absolutely love living in Annerley. It was not an area we had previously considered because of distance from family but it is so convenient to everything. We can access Indooroopilly, Carindale and Garden City shopping centre in 15 minutes. We can access the city in 10 minutes and have excellent public transport. We are very close to the PA Hospital and the Mater and so many health/medical professionals are moving into the area.”
Did you know that a new cafe and ice creamery, along with some office spaces, will soon occupy the former Jones Corner Shop along Stephens and Waldheim Streets in Annerley? Whilst the shop has been closed for years, a development application seeking to revive the business site has been filed on behalf of the current landowner.
Per DA A005834241, sections of the property, which has a house on the back and the shop on the front, will be knocked down to make way for the new cafe and ice cream shop. The proposal includes plans to expand the floor space with a second level whilst the backside will be redeveloped as a two-storey commercial occupancy. A parking space for 13 vehicles will also be set up on Waldheim Street.
Prior to the lodging of the application, the developers met with Brisbane City Council in March to discuss the size and bulk of the building. The initial plan exceeded the allowed conditions under the Commercial Character Building Activity Overlay, which has been amended in the DA.
Jones Corner Shop was an old family-run store, owned by William Bond Jones and Winifred Nancy Ethel Jones, whose main customers were the students of the Junction Park State School right across the street.
Per Mapping Brisbane History, the store, established in the 1920s, was the “unofficial off-site school tuckshop” where the students could find many basic needs, and food favourites like toffee apples, doughnuts and meat pies.
The property was sold to the new owners in early 2021.
Annerley House, created by accomplished architectural practice ZUZANA&NICHOLAS, has won one of the six major categories in House Magazine’s 2021 House Awards.
ZUZANA&NICHOLAS took on a renovation project of the Annerley House, which has been recognised for its effective use of space and design for a dwelling under 200 square metres.
The team turned a small timbre cottage into a family home that also incorporated the homeowner’s love for gardening and outdoor play with the children. The work entailed extending the back of the house to create a bespoke space with a reconfigured kitchen, a lovely garden view, and a playroom that doubles as a guest bedroom.
Photo Credit: Christopher Frederick Jones/ArchDailyPhoto Credit: Christopher Frederick Jones/ArchDaily
ZUZANA&NICHOLAS opened up the small house with interconnecting spaces between the indoors and the outdoor garden, with plenty of hidden storage and large windows. Prior to the renovation, the Annerley House was a dark and compartmentalized home that didn’t look inviting for a young family.
“Annerley House is a renovation and extension to an existing cottage that suffered from a poor connection to the backyard and introverted public rooms. The new extension was conceived as an outdoor room that when open, would become part of the garden and connect the house to its setting.”
Winners of the 2021 House Awards were announced in July 2021 and received cash prizes. Meanwhile, Zuzana and Nicholas also worked on the Bardon House, which was shortlisted for New House of the Year over 200sqm Category in 2012, and the Royal Adelaide Hospital Site, which was recognised at an International Design Competition.
Mimsy and Pony Gleeson, the husband and wife duo running Trailer Trash Tattoo in Annerley since 2008, are hosting a Flash Day with eight resident artists and three guest artists for a special fundraiser for the Brisbane City Rollers (BCR).
A Flash Day is similar to flash sales at fashion stores with huge discounts and promotions available for a limited period. Except with tattoos, you will have to wear what you choose for the rest of your life!
The Annerley tattoo establishment has evolved as a bustling hub of art and creativity where the artists are known for their great attention to detail and excellent customer service.
Mimsy, who started doing tattoos inside a 1959 trailer (hence the name!), will lead the following artists covering various styles for Flash Day:
Photo Credit: Mimsy GleesonPhoto Credit: Swasthik Iyengar Photo Credit: Adam Smith
The artists’ stalls will be set at the back of Mimsy’s place, where visitors may also chill out and have fun with some lawn games that will be prepared for the event.
Sausage Sizzle, drinks, and a bake sale with vegan options will also be hosted at the back by the Brisbane City Roller Roller Derby League. The BCR was invited to run the sausage sizzle fundraiser for their travel teams.
“Our Shop Manager, Stevie, skates with BCR and knows how heavily the league relies on these opportunities to help support their competitive teams with travel expenses. Brisbane City Rollers are an inclusive all-gender league whose core values we respect and appreciate.”
Photo Credit: Stevie/Supplied
“Come along and support our small business, get a fun tattoo, enjoy the sausage sizzle, buy some art, and have a good time!” Mimsy said.
Trailer Trash Tattoo Flash Day will be a COVID safe event with social distancing, sanitation and face mask. Booking for a tattoo will be on a first-in, first-served basis. Payment is cash only.
“We’re super excited to open the doors to our first Flash Day of 2021. We’re keeping a close eye on the ever-evolving Covid-19 recommendations from the government and will be monitoring the event to ensure it’s Covid-19 safe & enjoyable for everyone!” Stevie said.
Ipswich Road, Annerley is named as the fourth worst crash hotspot in Brisbane, mostly due to phone use whilst driving. To help detect mobile phone usage and other traffic violations, cameras will be permanently rolled out on Queensland roads starting 26 July 2021.
It’s a key part of the Palaszczuk Government’s record $1.69 billion road safety plan which aims to reduce the burden of road trauma on communities.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey likened distracted driving to drunk driving as silent killers on the state’s roads.
“Our message has always been direct and very simple: just put your phone away,” Mr Bailey said.
Mr Bailey added: “Using a mobile phone while driving has the same impact as getting behind the wheel with a blood alcohol reading between 0.07 and 0.10.”
The trial for the cameras has been going on since last year and during the trial, where 15,000 people were detected illegally using a mobile phone and more than 2,200 were not wearing a seat belt.
Interestingly, Mr Alex Jannink, founder of Acusensus who developed the algorithm that made the camera detection possible, had a biker friend who was killed by an impaired and distracted driver. Since then, he sought to develop solutions to try and reduce this problem
How Does It Work
Artificial Intelligence (AI) software makes it possible to detect actions such as distracted driving and not wearing a seatbelt. The cameras take high-resolution images of the front seat of the car and scan them through AI.
These cameras are capable of operating in all weather conditions and any time of the day. It can watch vehicles across multi-traffic lanes, regardless if installed on overpasses and bridges, or operating from trailers by the roadside.
In Queensland, those who have an open or P2 licence can use a phone hands-free, for example, in a cradle attached to the vehicle. However, the driver should have proper control of the vehicle and drive with due care and attention at all times.
Learners and P1 drivers under 25 years old are not allowed to use a phone in any way whilst driving, including using maps, Bluetooth, and handsfree. Passengers of these drivers also cannot use phones on loudspeakers. Likewise, it is illegal for bike riders to use a phone in their hand when riding or when stopped at the traffic lights.
No seatbelts and other violations
The camera does not only detect who’s using their phone whilst driving. It can also detect if motorists are not wearing a seatbelt. Currently, the penalty for this violation is $413 and three demerit points.
Demerit points are points added to a motorist’s traffic record when they commit certain offences. The fine and demerit points apply to all drivers who use their phone illegally including car, truck drivers and motorcycle riders.
Starting 1 November 2021, any driver caught by the cameras can expect to receive a $1033 fine and lose four demerit points. a three-month period where warning notices will be given to offenders before fines start being issued. The penalties are tough, but Mr Bailey said they are necessary to stamp out driver distraction.
Another popular Brisbane stomping ground has folded up. Leticia Cowburn, the owner of Dudley Street Espresso in Annerley, has said goodbye to the little cafe corner she called “home” for the last 12 years.
The go-to breakfast spot for many south Brisbane locals has shut down operations in the first week of May 2021 as Ms Cowburn said that they could not cope with the economic impact of the pandemic.
In a post on Facebook, Ms Cowburn said that her decision to close Dudley Street Espresso permanently was not made lightly.
“I know this will be a shock to most of you. And I want to apologise for not being able to say goodbye in person,” the shop owner said. “But after some back and forth with our landlords, we’ve decided to call it a day.”
“Times have been tough, for everyone. But for your little local cafe, it’s been extremely tough,” Ms Cowburn said further. “The struggle is real and only getting tougher, which is why we had to make the gut-wrenching decision to permanently close our doors.”
Mr Cowburn will spend the next few months mapping her “next possible venture” but for now, she will take time out and spend it with her loved ones.
Photo Credit: Facebook
The shabby-chic facade of this corner cafe contributed to the value of Dudley Street Espresso as a local treasure. Behind this unassuming facade was one of the friendliest places to hang out in Annerley, whilst enjoying reasonably-priced coffee with a generous order of the best-toasted paninis.
Annerley locals said they are sorry and sad to see the cafe fold up but they understood the business decision.
“I lived in Annerley for nearly 20 years and when the boys opened Dudley it was stand out the best thing ever. You should be so proud of all you’ve achieved because you’re a superstar. You will be so so missed.”
Abby Mollie
“Big congrats to you guys on an amazing cafe that is leaving on a high note. A big chunk will be missing from Annerley for all that you guys brought to the area. Very excited for everyone’s new chapter ahead. And you all have definitely earnt some R&R.”
Emily Clare
“So sad to read this but at the same time and so incredibly proud of you and the team. Like so many others, I’m grateful to have met you and your beautiful team. Always will be hands down the best piccolo and savory muffins in Brisbane!”
Kasia O’Shea
No word yet on will take over the lease of the former cafe.
The proposed Coles supermarket in Annerley may have been given the green light, but construction could still be delayed as locals hope to stop the development due to various concerns.
In March 2021, Hopgoodganim Lawyers lodged a notice of appeal to the Planning and Environment Court for the refusal of the development application citing its incompatibility to the area.
“The proposed development will have a function more than that of a local neighbourhood service provider and is of a scale which is not consistent with surrounding detached housing,” the notice of appeal reads.
Plans submitted by Capital Transactions Pty Ltd described that the proposed development involves a new neighbourhood centre, which will consist of a supermarket with liquor store and offices at 776 – 792 Ipswich Rd, Annerley.
Before Council approved the development on 12 February 2021, it received a total of 105 submissions. Located on one of the busiest roads in Brisbane, the biggest issue raised by the community is traffic, especially around the intersection of Ipswich and School roads, which is a T-intersection. Traffic congestion will be created on the already-busy road, residents say, once construction of the new supermarket starts.
The developers are also seeking the creation of two additional pedestrian crossings, one on the northern leg of Ipswich Rd parallel to the existing southern leg crossing and one across the new entrance to the basement carpark.
Lambert & Rehbein noted that a right turn lane from Ipswich Road into the development site at the Ipswich Road /School Road intersection does not form part of the application. In an email sent by Council to traffic engineering consultants reads: “Council does not intend to accommodate a right turn (north bound) for this site as part of Ipswich Rd corridor upgrade.”
“This four-way intersection was not considered in the long term plan, with this intersection planned as a T-intersection,” L&R wrote.
In line with this, an alternative location for right turning vehicles has been proposed as part of this application from the initial traffic impact assessment onwards.
Engineers at L&R said the existing right turn lane at Aubigny Street has been shown to have sufficient capacity to adequately meet the demands of both the background and design traffic volumes in the 10-year design horizon.
“A revised Traffic Engineering Report endorsed by an RPEQ engineer is to be provided which addresses these issues and demonstrates the proposed mitigation of this increased crash risk and satisfactory operation of the right turn from Ipswich Road into Aubigny Street,” L&R wrote in response to Council’s advice.
The quality of life in Brisbane is still one of the best in Australia, according to 82 percent of survey respondents who said that they would rather live in the River City than anywhere else.
Despite the year of the pandemic, respondents who preferred life in Brisbane rose from 78 percent in 2019 to 82 percent in 2020, whilst 93 percent said that their quality of life remained consistently positive amidst a horrible public health crisis.
Council released the results of the yearly survey in December 2020, which also showed that 91 percent of residents said that they would recommend living in Brisbane.
Some 69 percent of survey respondents expressed that Brisbane’s livability fared better than Sydney, Melbourne and its other Queensland neighours in the last five years. Nearly half of the respondents also believe that their quality of life will only get better in 10 to 20 years in the River City.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The survey had 2,473 respondents above 18 years old who answered the interviews online from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and neighbouring Queensland regions.
The news comes as median house prices in Brisbane hit a new all-time record in 2020, amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Data from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) revealed that Annerley had the third best performing suburb median unit price change at $419,000 or a 19.9 percent jump from the year to September, after Bardon (31.7 percent) and Enoggera (25.9 percent).
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercolla said that “affordability and lifestyle advantages” in these locations have attracted interstate buyers. Property experts said that they expect this trend to be sustained in 2021.
Meanwhile, Brisbane also landed in the Top 10 spot of the World Happiness Report 2020 as the most efficient city in Australia. Melbourne, Perth and Sydney are in 14th, 15th and 20th place.
A petition has been lodged for the inclusion of safety upgrades on Cornwall Street and Kent Street in Annerley in preparation for the increase in truck movements due to the revised Cross River Rail plan.
The trucks could potentially endanger the lives of the residents. Thus, Councillor Nicole Johnston set up the petition as Council is set to do roadworks to widen the said streets.
As of press time, the petition has 177 signatures.
Apparently, the road widening and truck rerouting proposal do not include any pedestrian or cycling facilities to provide a safe crossway for children, cyclists and commuters accessing the Dutton Park Rail Station.
“We need to keep pedestrians safe at the corner of Annerley Rd and Cornwall St near Dutton Park Rail Station,” Ms Johnston said. “With a new high school opening next year, even more people (especially children) will be on foot through this busy area that has no safe crossing point.”
