Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 6 of 27

What’s Next for Lady Marmalade? Stones Corner Cafe Ends 15-Year Run

Stones Corner’s Lady Marmalade cafe has officially closed its doors after 15 years of serving the local community.

Read: Lady Marmalade in Stones Corner Now Under New Management

Established in 2010 by My Kitchen Rules contestants Bec Saul and Malcolm Gill, the cafe quickly became a beloved gathering spot known for its creative menu and welcoming atmosphere.

In 2015, the cafe underwent its first major transition when Sonja and Howard Searle took over ownership. Under their management, Lady Marmalade flourished, undergoing significant transformations that helped it navigate the challenges of the pandemic. The couple’s stewardship saw the cafe evolve into a vibrant hub for locals, with its unique charm and historical setting playing a key role in its popularity.

The cafe is housed in a 1930s heritage-listed building that carries its own rich history. Before becoming Lady Marmalade, the site served a variety of purposes, including a canary house, bird hospital, and later a record shop. This blend of vintage character and modern cafe culture made this cafe a standout destination in Stones Corner.

In 2022, new owners took over the business, marking another chapter in the cafe’s story. However, as of this week, operations have come to an end. A brief and cryptic message on the cafe’s website simply reads, “Something is happening!” This has sparked curiosity among regulars, with many speculating about what might come next for the iconic site.

Read: Why Lady Marmalade Cafe and Bar is a Favourite Hangout in Greenslopes and Stones Corner

While the closure marks the end of an era for Lady Marmalade, the cafe’s legacy as a cornerstone of the Stones Corner community will not be forgotten. Its unique setting and long-standing connection to locals leave open the possibility for exciting new developments. For now, the community waits eagerly to see what the future holds for this storied location.

Published 13-January-2025

Australia Day at Hanlon Park Offers Free Fun for Families

Photo Credit: St Paul's Antiochian Orthodox Church Brisbane/Facebook

Hanlon Park in Stones Corner will transform into a lively community hub on Australia Day, featuring free rides, cultural activities, and live entertainment for the whole family.

A Day for Community Connection

Organised by St Paul’s Antiochian Orthodox Church Brisbane, with assistance from the National Australia Day Council, the event promises a full day of activities to celebrate Australian culture and heritage.

Scheduled for 26 January, the festivities will take place at Hanlon Park and offer free entry.

Families attending can enjoy attractions such as free rides, an animal farm, competitions, food stalls, and face painting.

The event also honours Australia’s rich cultural diversity, with First Nations cultural performances featured as part of the program. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, picnic mats, and umbrellas to enjoy the day comfortably.

Australia Day — *Photo Credit: St Paul’s Antiochian Orthodox Church Brisbane*

A Church with Deep Roots

St Paul’s Antiochian Orthodox Church Brisbane, the event organiser, has long been a cornerstone of its community. Founded in 1989 under the leadership of Archbishop Gibran Ramlawey, the Church has grown to serve approximately 200 families across regions like Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Toowoomba.

The Church’s journey has been marked by a dedication to fostering faith and community. In its early years, services were held in various borrowed spaces before the Church established its permanent home at 66 Junction Street in 2002. Along the way, the Church built initiatives such as Sunday School and youth programs, which remain active today.

Bringing People Together

The Australia Day event highlights the Church’s ongoing mission to strengthen community ties and celebrate shared values. With various activities and entertainment, the event allows people of all backgrounds to come together.

The festivities reflect the spirit of collaboration and cultural respect, which are central to both the Church’s work and the broader significance of Australia Day. The organisers have ensured the event is accessible and enjoyable for all, making Hanlon Park the perfect setting for a memorable celebration.

Published 10-January-2025

Stones Corner: A Rising Star for Downsizers and Rightsizers in Brisbane

Did you know that Stones Corner is being seen as one of Brisbane’s most sought-after suburbs for both downsizers and rightsizers in 2025?

Read: First Look: Brisbane Releases Stones Corner Suburban Renewal Precinct Plans

Downsizing involves moving to a smaller property, while rightsizing focuses on finding a home that aligns perfectly with current life circumstances—whether that’s a different suburb, a single-storey house, or a more suitable layout.

According to property site Urban, Stones Corner has emerged as a top choice in Brisbane for both downsizers and rightsizers.

The suburb’s rise in popularity is no surprise. Its proximity to Brisbane’s CBD, combined with its rejuvenated public spaces, makes it an attractive choice for those seeking a lifestyle change.

The Allure of Hanlon Park and Infrastructure Growth

Hanlon Park (Photo credit: iTraveller (Thomas)/Google Maps)

Officially recognised as a standalone suburb in 2017—previously part of Greenslopes—this neighbourhood offers a unique mix of urban convenience and suburban charm.

Hanlon Park, for example, has undergone a complete transformation, now featuring scenic walking and cycling paths alongside a natural waterway. Named one of Australia’s best parks, it’s a key drawcard for residents and visitors alike.

It’s also set to benefit from the broader infrastructure boom around Woolloongabba, driven by preparations for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. These developments are creating a vibrant community atmosphere while enhancing local amenities.

Stones Corner is also catching the eye of developers keen to cater to this growing demand. Gardner Vaughan Group is leading the way with Stonebrook, a nine-storey, owner-occupier-focused apartment building that directly connects to Hanlon Park.

Meanwhile, Huon Property Group has plans to launch a 114-apartment development at 22 Cleveland Street, ensuring a steady stream of high-quality housing options for the suburb’s growing population.

Read: Stones Corner Readies for Sky-High Transformation with New Apartment Approval

Whether you’re downsizing to a smaller home or rightsizing to a space that better fits your lifestyle, Stones Corner offers an unmatched blend of convenience, community, and modern living.

Published 26-December-2024

First Gidget House in Queensland Launches in Greenslopes to Aid Parents

Gidget House Greenslopes, Brisbane’s first dedicated perinatal mental health facility, has opened at Greenslopes Private Hospital, offering free, specialist counselling for Queensland parents dealing with perinatal depression and anxiety (PNDA).

A Needed Service for Queensland Families

On Thursday, 5 December 2024, Gidget House Greenslopes officially launched as the first of its kind in Queensland and part of a growing national network of 32 locations. This new service responds to alarming statistics showing that over one-quarter of Queensland parents have experienced symptoms of perinatal mental health issues but did not seek help. The service aims to close gaps in access, providing no-cost, GP-referred counselling sessions either in person or via telehealth.

According to Gidget Foundation Australia, affordability and awareness remain critical barriers, with 25 per cent of Queensland parents unable to afford support and 16 per cent unaware of how to access it. The Foundation’s CEO, Arabella Gibson, said this expansion to Queensland marks a significant step in providing parents with access to much-needed professional care.

Arabella Gibson founder of Gibson House — Arabella Gibson, Founder
Photo Credit: Supplied

Support Tailored to Early Parenthood

Perinatal depression and anxiety affect one in five mothers and one in ten fathers in Australia during the perinatal period, which spans pregnancy and the first year of a child’s life. These challenges, while widespread, often go unaddressed, leaving many parents without the tools they need to manage their emotional health during early parenthood.

Greenslopes Private Hospital CEO, Justin Greenwell, highlighted the partnership with Gidget Foundation Australia as an extension of the hospital’s commitment to the health of the local community. He emphasised that services like Gidget House Greenslopes are crucial for addressing the mental health needs of parents as they navigate the challenges of parenthood.

A National Effort with Local Impact

The creation of Gidget House Greenslopes is part of a broader national mission by Gidget Foundation Australia to address perinatal mental health on a larger scale. By offering year-long, specialist mental health counselling, the organisation hopes to ensure more families feel supported during the crucial perinatal period. The Foundation also provides training and mentoring for its network of clinicians to enhance care quality across its locations.

Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, The Hon Emma McBride MP, who officiated the launch, reiterated the Albanese Government’s commitment to mental health services. She emphasised that the new facility will provide parents in Brisbane with essential support that is accessible, affordable, and tailored to their needs.

With services now available, Gidget House Greenslopes is poised to support parents across Brisbane and the broader Queensland region. For more information, families can visit the Gidget Foundation Australia website or consult their GP for a referral.

The facility’s team is optimistic that this step will reduce barriers to accessing care and improve the mental health outcomes for many parents in the community.

Published 5-Dec-2024

Greenslopes Residents Stunned by Sudden Flash Flooding

Photo Credit: Facebook / Higgins Storm Chasing

Greenslopes experienced sudden flash flooding on Sunday, December 1, 2024 as intense rainfall transformed local streets and parks into raging waterways, with some areas receiving up to 88 mm of rain in just two hours.

The suburb was among the hardest-hit areas in Brisbane’s inner south, with AJ Hanlon Park turning into what locals described as a “raging torrent” in a matter of minutes.

Photo Credit: Facebook / Higgins Storm Chasing

Sarah and Jake Barros, local residents, described the unprecedented flooding in their neighbourhood. “It is pretty scary,” Sarah Barros said.

“Our backyard and garage have been flooded, though our house itself remains okay. We see the park flood regularly, but it hasn’t been this bad in a while. It just happened so quickly – only ten minutes from the first raindrops to full flash flooding.”

Emergency services were active in the area, with multiple cars on Lincoln Street submerged up to their roofs. The speed and intensity of the water rise caught many residents off guard, highlighting the sudden and unpredictable nature of the storm.

The flooding was part of a broader severe weather event across southeast Queensland, characterised by the Bureau of Meteorology as a result of a “humid and unstable” air mass causing slow-moving storms.

Local authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.

Published 1-December-2024

Plans for Greenslopes Medical Precinct Greenlit Despite Neighbouring Hospital’s Legal Opposition

A proposed medical center near Greenslopes Private Hospital, known as the “Greenslopes Medical Precinct,” has been granted approval to proceed, despite facing a legal challenge from the neighbouring hospital.

Read: Community Staple Press and Brew Closes Down, Makes Way For Planned Community Health Care Centre

Plans

Artist’s impression of Greenslopes Medical Precinct (Photo credit: greenslopesmedicalprecinct.com.au)

The Council-approved development at 68-72 Hunter Street in Greenslopes will transform the current site, which currently housed a cafe and three residential dwellings. The existing dwellings are currently being torn down to make way for the new medical facility.

The new medical precinct promises significant infrastructure improvements, including:

– Parking capacity for approximately 123 vehicles

– Two-hour free patient parking

– Secured parking for medical specialists

– An on-site ambulance bay to facilitate rapid emergency responses

The building, designed by architecture firm Gray Puksand, features a comprehensive and thoughtful layout across multiple levels. The ground floor will include a welcoming lobby, various tenancy spaces, practical store rooms, essential amenities, and a dedicated loading bay to facilitate service deliveries.

On the first and second levels, the design incorporates additional tenancy spaces and medical amenities, aiming to provide flexible and functional areas for healthcare professionals and patients.

“The proposal maintains a health focused precinct along Headfort Street which will serve the local community and is complementary to the Greenslopes Private Hospital. The proposed Community care centre and Health care service uses are consistent with the expectations of the zoning and the surrounding locality,” planners stated in the approved plans.

Local Opposition

The project faced opposition from Ramsay Health Care, which operates Greenslopes Private Hospital. However, it appears that the legal challenge by Ramsay Health Care was ultimately unsuccessful.

The company took its concerns to the Planning and Environment Court, arguing that the new development might not be complementary to the existing hospital.

However, Judge Amanda McDonnell rejected Ramsay’s claims, finding that complementary development does not necessarily mean avoiding competition or duplication of medical services.

Read: Greenslopes Doctors Return from Lifesaving Mission in Uganda

Construction is expected to commence sometime next year, marking a significant expansion of medical infrastructure in the Greenslopes area.

Published 27-November-2024

Three Months After Baby Luka’s Hanlon Park Coffee Incident

Photo Credit: Facebook / True Crime Trending

A mother has revealed her baby’s challenging recovery journey, three months after he was doused with scalding coffee at Hanlon Park.

Baby Luka, now one-year old, has undergone seven operations at Queensland Children’s Hospital since the August 27 attack, which left him with serious burns to 60 percent of his body, including his face, upper body, and arms.

Photo Credit: Facebook / True Crime Trending

“In those first few weeks, we had no idea what his future was going to look like, especially because the burns were so significant,” his mother told The Courier Mail.

While Luka’s skin has “healed really well” since receiving synthetic skin grafts, his father indicated it could take years for the scars to settle. The infant remains wary around people and becomes shy in group settings, often hiding behind his mother’s legs before gradually warming up to others.

The 33-year-old suspect, captured on CCTV leaving the park, fled overseas via Sydney Airport three days after the attack, just hours before police confirmed his identity. Queensland Police and the Australian Federal Police have issued an arrest warrant for acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm.

**The police are searching for this man who poured a thermos of scalding coffee over the infant.**
Photo Credit: Facebook / True Crime Trending

According to extradition expert Jasmina Ceic from Nyman Gibson Miralis law firm, the process to bring the suspect back to Australia could take between three to five years due to the complexity of international extradition procedures.

Published 16-November-2024

Ricco Falaniko Earns Cowboys Pre-season Trial After Stint with Brisbane Tigers

Powerful winger Ricco Falaniko has earned a pre-season trial with the North Queensland Cowboys after his stint with the Brisbane Tigers in the 2024 QLD Cup competition.

Read: Greenslopes Residents Face Bus Route Overhaul in Brisbane’s Public Transport Shake-Up

Rugby union background

Standing at 195 centimetres, the 24-year-old outside back began his rugby career in New Zealand’s Taranaki region as a rugby union player. His successful transition to rugby league has showcased a natural athletic ability required to thrive in the thirteen-man code.

Falaniko established himself as a consistent performer with the Ipswich Jets across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, demonstrating his try-scoring prowess with 17 tries in 32 appearances—maintaining an impressive strike rate of better than one try every two games.

Ricco Falaniko with the Brisbane Tigers

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brisbane Tigers (@brisbane_tigers)

The powerful winger’s progression continued with the Brisbane Tigers, where he made an immediate impact with six tries in just four appearances. Falaniko’s development was evident as his try-scoring tally increased with each full game, highlighted by a memorable hat-trick in his final full-length match. His statistical impact was equally impressive, averaging 143 running metres per game while recording ten tackle busts and six line breaks.

Read: First Look: Brisbane Releases Stones Corner Suburban Renewal Precinct Plans

The Cowboys’ pre-season invitation, as Zero Tackle reveals, provides Falaniko with an opportunity to train in an NRL environment and further develop his game. Following this opportunity, he will join the Northern Pride for their 2025 campaign, where he aims to continue his impressive trajectory.

Published 09-November-2024

Greenslopes Residents Face Bus Route Overhaul in Brisbane’s Public Transport Shake-Up

Brisbane’s bus network is undergoing a significant overhaul, and residents of Greenslopes will be among those who will feel the effects.

The changes, spearheaded by the Brisbane City Council, aim to streamline the network, improve travel times, and reduce congestion in the city centre. The plan, incorporating customer data, travel patterns, and community feedback, will add five new routes and redesign twelve existing routes.

Highlights of the Proposed Changes

Faster Travel Times: The review found that 85 per cent of routes would be faster or maintain similar travel times during peak periods.

Increased Frequency: The changes will result in an extra 160,000 bus services annually.

New Routes: Five new routes will be added to the network, including connections to key transport hubs like Upper Mt Gravatt station and RBWH station.

Route Redesigns: Twelve routes will be redesigned to terminate at metro and busway stations for improved connectivity.

Reduced City Congestion: Fewer buses will travel over Victoria Bridge to alleviate city centre and cultural precinct congestion.

Split Routes: Three existing routes will be divided into shorter routes to increase reliability and minimise delays. These include routes servicing Bardon, Stafford, Ashgrove, Toowong, and Teneriffe.

Bus Stop Relocation: Bus stops in the CBD will be moved, and several peak-hour services will be rerouted along Elizabeth Street, Edward Street, and Alice Street.

While the changes promise a more efficient network, some commuters must adjust to new routes and potentially make transfers to reach their destinations. Three routes with low patronage—the 28, 145, and P151—will be discontinued altogether.

The council has indicated that the changes are timed to coincide with the launch of the fully electric Brisbane Metro services. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner expressed his enthusiasm for the project and his hope to collaborate with the new state government on its implementation.

He believes the improvements will incentivise public transport use, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute to a more efficient transport system for Brisbane.

No specific date has been announced for the rollout of these changes.

Published Date 30-October-2024

Photo Credit: TransLink/ Facebook

First Look: Brisbane Releases Stones Corner Suburban Renewal Precinct Plans

Brisbane has released detailed plans for the Stones Corner Suburban Renewal Precinct, marking a significant milestone in the city’s Sustainable Growth Strategy. The precinct plan outlines a comprehensive vision to transform the suburb into a vibrant urban village with increased housing options and enhanced community spaces.

Read: Stones Corner Set to Undergo Suburban Renewal Project

The precinct plan aims to breathe new life into this well-connected suburb while preserving its distinctive character. Located along the Eastern Busway and home to the award-winning Hanlon Park, Stones Corner is positioned as an ideal candidate for sustainable urban development.

A Blueprint for Modern Urban Living

The renewal strategy centres on four key themes: housing choice, vibrant village atmosphere, subtropical lifestyle, and connected communities. At its heart, the plan seeks to address Brisbane’s growing housing needs while creating a more dynamic and liveable neighbourhood.

The focus area encompasses the core sections of Cleveland Street and Logan Road, extending to include Gladys Street, Hanlon Park, the local library, and the busway precinct.

Key Development Features

Stones Corner Suburban Renewal — Artist’s impression of plans for Cleveland St (Photo credit: brisbane.qld.gov.au)

The precinct plan outlines several transformative elements:

Diverse housing options catering to various demographics, with a particular focus on essential workers and older residents
Enhanced streetscapes featuring improved landscaping, lighting, and public art
New public spaces including arcades and laneways
Expanded retail and commercial opportunities along street frontages
Innovative parking solutions that promote active transport
Preservation of character and heritage build

Smart Growth for a Connected Community

What sets this renewal approach apart is its targeted nature. Unlike broad-scale neighbourhood plans, the suburban renewal precinct model focuses on maximising opportunities in smaller, strategically located areas. The plan emphasises creating walkable neighbourhoods with comfortable, shaded connections between local destinations.

The selection of Stones Corner as the first suburban renewal precinct reflects its unique potential. With its historic main street, established public transport links, and strong community foundation, it offers an ideal testing ground for Brisbane’s sustainable growth principles.

Community Engagement

Residents and stakeholders have until 19 November 2024, to provide feedback on the proposed changes. The consultation period offers an important opportunity for the community to shape the future of their neighbourhood while ensuring the renewal process aligns with local needs and aspirations.

The precinct plan aims to provide clear guidance to both the local community and building industry, ensuring that opportunities for new homes and jobs are maximised in appropriate areas while maintaining the suburb’s character and enhancing its appeal.

Read: Stones Corner Readies for Sky-High Transformation with New Apartment Approval

As Brisbane continues to grow, the Stones Corner Suburban Renewal Precinct may serve as a model for how established suburbs can evolve to meet contemporary needs while preserving their unique identity and improving quality of life for residents. Residents can provide their feedback on these plans by visiting BCC’s website.

Published 29-October-2024