Hanlon Park Archives - Greenslopes News

Hanlon Park Rejuvenation Pays Off: Park’s Quick Recovery After the March 2025 Floods

Last March, ex-tropical cyclone Alfred brought intense flash flooding to Brisbane, submerging roads and cars and bringing parts of the city to a standstill. Yet, just a week later, Hanlon Park in Stones Corner showed little sign of the disaster, standing as a proof to the success of its 2022 rejuvenation project.

Read: Stage 3 Of The Hanlon Park Rejuvenation Project Now Complete

A Test of Resilience

When ex-tropical cyclone Alfred dumped record-breaking rain across Brisbane in March 2025, Hanlon Park in Stones Corner faced a major test. Streets turned into rivers, storm drains overflowed, and flash flooding hit hard. But unlike many urban spaces that were left damaged or inaccessible, Hanlon Park emerged remarkably unscathed.

This resilience wasn’t an accident.

Hanlon Park during Cyclone Alfred, March 2025 (Photo credit: Imran Ahmed/Facebook)

A Decade of Vision and Planning

Back in 2022, the park underwent a major transformation. The goal was to turn sterile infrastructure into vibrant green space.

Once a concrete drain, Hanlon Park was transformed into a lush green corridor designed to work with nature rather than against it. The $21.5-million project replaced the artificial channel with a naturalised creek, introduced more than 460 trees and 43,000 plants, and created spaces for recreation and relaxation. This investment not only enhanced the park’s beauty but also strengthened its ability to endure extreme weather events.

Concrete channels were removed, and the creek was reshaped to follow a slower, meandering path that helped absorb floodwaters. This ecological redesign not only enhanced biodiversity, but also provided natural flood mitigation.

The recent flooding tested the resilience of this design. Water levels rose rapidly as stormwater poured in from surrounding urban areas, but the park absorbed the impact remarkably well. While some mud and debris remained, and a few plants were flattened, the park’s core structures and pathways remained intact.

The strategic selection of plant species played a crucial role in this recovery—deep-rooted vegetation stabilised the banks, preventing erosion, while water-tolerant plants allowed floodwaters to pass through without lasting damage.

Built for Climate Adaptation

One resident and cyclist observed that the water rose quickly during the flood but drained just as fast, noting that by the next day, it was difficult to tell a flood had even occurred.

Environmental engineer Alan Hoban, who worked on the rejuvenation, explained that the park had been intentionally designed for such events. He emphasised that the goal wasn’t only to prevent flooding, but to create a space that could recover quickly while continuing to serve the community.

Post-flood assessments showed minimal damage to the park’s core infrastructure. Paths remained intact. Playgrounds reopened within days. And unlike other areas of Brisbane, native birds and turtles were spotted in the creek within a week of the event.

Nature Returns to the City

Beyond its environmental benefits, Hanlon Park has become an essential part of the local community. Walkers, joggers, and cyclists quickly returned to its paths, families resumed playtime in its open spaces, and the park once again provided a refuge from the city’s hustle. The rapid recovery demonstrated not only the effectiveness of the restoration but also the importance of green spaces in urban resilience.

The transformation also turned the park into a thriving urban ecosystem. Fish populations in the creek have quadrupled since the redesign. Children are often seen playing in the water, engaging with nature more than ever before.

Designs from students, like Kuan U Chan from the University of Queensland, even envision the future of Hanlon Park to include a glasshouse and community learning spaces. These ideas reinforce the park’s potential as a hub for education, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.

Maintaining the Vision: A New Challenge for Brisbane

The rejuvenation of Hanlon Park/Bur’uda has transformed it into a vibrant urban oasis, but this transformation brings with it significant maintenance responsibilities for Brisbane City Council. As the project transitions from contractor maintenance to full council management, several challenges are emerging:

Infrastructure Upkeep: Eroding gravel paths and terraces require prompt attention to ensure safety and accessibility for park users.
Vegetation Management: The creekside vegetation currently exhibits limited diversity, and some plants are failing and need supplementation to maintain the park’s ecological balance.
Wildlife Interaction: Signs warning visitors about potential snake encounters highlight the complexities of managing a ‘wild’ space within an urban environment, balancing ecological authenticity with public safety.

These factors underscore the necessity for Council to adapt its management strategies to address the multifaceted demands of Hanlon Park. Coordinated efforts among various infrastructure services teams and active community engagement will be crucial in sustaining the park’s success and ensuring it remains a benchmark for urban waterway rejuvenation.

Read: Norman Creek Update After Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred Hits Brisbane

While ongoing maintenance remains a necessity, Hanlon Park’s ability to withstand and bounce back from extreme weather highlights the success of its redesign. It serves as a model for how cities can integrate nature into their infrastructure, creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also built to endure. As the climate continues to bring unpredictable challenges, Hanlon Park stands as a reassuring example of how thoughtful planning can lead to lasting resilience.

Published 2-April-2025

Stones Corner Residents Grapple with Flood Mitigation Amidst Sandbag Debate

Photo Credit: Reddit

Despite Hanlon Park in Stones Corner’s flood mitigation design, which allows the park to recover quickly from flooding, surrounding homes remain vulnerable. This necessitates using sandbags and sparks community discussion on the effectiveness of flood preparation.

Community Perspectives on Sandbagging

Online discussions revealed a range of community opinions regarding the effectiveness of sandbagging. One resident noted that “I think the issue was that – like toilet paper and water – people lost their minds and panic sand bagged,” adding that those in zero-risk areas who sandbagged and then complained of wasted time were misguided. Another commentator urged, “So will people please stop whining about how this cyclone didn’t destroy your house? Because some people are clearly doing it hard out there.”

Some residents expressed skepticism about the general effectiveness of sandbagging. One individual shared their experience from the 2011 floods, stating, “Our experience from the 2011 floods was that sandbagging was mostly useless. It kept anxious people busy though in the lead up to the flooding – I guess there is that.” They explained that residential sandbagging often fails to completely stop water, primarily acting as a filter for silt. However, others pointed out specific scenarios where sandbags can be highly effective. A resident noted, “For houses on properties with some fall towards the house and insufficient drainage, sandbags are very effective at redirecting the flow of water away from porous walls and doorways.”

Further online discussion revealed frustration with those who downplayed the severity of the weather event immediately after it occurred. One community member said, “It was actually alarming how many idiots were commenting on things right after the cyclone hit saying ‘iTZ wAs nOThinG, wE gOT LiEd tOo’ hopefully now they are sitting there thinking yeah maybe I should learn to just shut up.”

flood mitigation — *Photo Credit:* *Reddit*

The recent weather events prompted widespread sandbagging efforts. Some residents outside high-risk flood zones stockpiled sandbags, which led to subsequent frustration when their properties remained unaffected. Discussions within the community highlighted the importance of targeted sandbagging in flood-prone areas, contrasting the experience of those who prepared unnecessarily.

The design of Hanlon Park, with a creek running through it, allows the park to absorb and recover from floodwaters, but this design does not extend to protecting neighbouring residences.

The Science of Sandbagging

A study, conducted in collaboration with the Victorian State Emergency Services and the City of Port Phillip Council, examined the viability of sandbagging as a flood mitigation strategy. The research focused on the coastal suburb of Elwood, which experiences frequent flash flooding. It used a simulation tool to model the effectiveness of sandbagging depots. The study found that while sandbagging can be an effective method of flood defence, proper planning and execution are crucial.

The simulation tool allowed authorities to assess various factors, including the location of sandbagging depots, the time required to fill and distribute sandbags, and the community’s response. The research indicated that large-scale sandbagging depots may not always be the most efficient solution, especially in areas with short warning times.

Instead, the study emphasised the importance of individual preparedness and localised sandbagging efforts. The research also revealed that warning times are critical for sandbagging efforts to be successful.

Practical Sandbagging Advice

State Emergency Services provide practical guidance on the effective use of sandbags. Residents are advised to use sand to fill sandbags, as it is more effective than soil or gravel. Sandbags should be filled to two-thirds capacity and placed strategically, such as over floor drains and in front of doorways.

When building sandbag walls, plastic sheeting as a waterproof membrane is recommended. Self-inflating sandbags are also available as a lightweight alternative to traditional sandbags. Most homes built on a concrete slab can be protected with 25 sandbags or less.

Post-Flood Sandbag Disposal

Authorities urge residents to retain undamaged sandbags for potential future weather events, as catchments remain saturated. Before disposing of sandbags, residents should check local weather warnings for possible flash and storm surge flooding.

Sandbags that have come into contact with floodwater should be disposed of safely, following guidelines provided by local councils. Unused sand from sandbags can be scattered on lawns or used as garden topsoil, ensuring it does not wash into stormwater drains.

Over a million sandbags were distributed to southeast Queensland in preparation for recent flooding events, highlighting the scale of community preparation.

Published Date 11-March-2025

Parents of Baby Luka Announce Engagement

Photo Credit: Tiny Hearts

In a bittersweet turn of events, the parents of baby Luka, who suffered severe burns in an unprovoked coffee attack at Stones Corner’s Hanlon Park last August, have announced their engagement while the search for their son’s attacker continues to stall.

The couple celebrated their engagement on New Year’s Eve in their new home, where Luka’s father proposed in an intimate setting. “Starting 2025 with my best friend as my fiancé,” Luka’s mother shared on Instagram, accompanied by a photo showing her engagement ring.

The happy news comes amid ongoing frustration over the stalled investigation into the brutal attack that left then nine-month-old Luka with burns to 60% of his body. The incident occurred during a family picnic at Hanlon Park, a popular community space in Stones Corner.

Despite CCTV footage capturing the suspect fleeing the scene, police have been unable to apprehend the attacker, who is believed to have fled to China after travelling from Queensland to Victoria and departing from Sydney Airport on August 31. Detective Inspector Paul Dalton described the investigation as “one of the most complex and sometimes frustrating investigations” he’s had to lead, noting the suspect’s apparent knowledge of police methodologies.

The community rallied around the family following the attack, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over $230,000 to support Luka’s treatment and recovery. The family has since relocated to a new area for a fresh start.

However, Luka’s mother recently expressed her disappointment with the investigation’s lack of progress. “No progression on our case and at a standstill from what we have been told,” she posted on social media. “Super upsetting when you see others getting the justice they deserve… but then your boy isn’t receiving the same.”

Queensland Police confirmed this week that investigations remain ongoing, though no new updates are available. A warrant remains active for the suspect on charges of acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm, which carries a potential life sentence.

The motive for the attack remains unclear, though there has been speculation in China about a possible connection to a visa application refusal. Police have withheld the suspect’s identity and specific location to avoid compromising their investigation.

Published 3-February-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

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

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

New Electric Barbecue in Hanlon Park Amidst a Wood-Fired Barbecue Phase Out

Photo Credit: Susanne Jutzeler, Schweiz/Pixabay

Hanlon Park has a new electric barbecue for Stones Corner visitors to use and enjoy amidst the phase-out of wood-fired barbecues across many Brisbane parks.

The replacements, however, have drawn complaints from some councillors who said that the removal of wood-fired barbecues could spell the end of an Australian tradition.

Reports cited that at least 300 wood-fired barbecues have been removed from Brisbane parks and replaced with either gas or electric varieties. However, the replacements have not been enough to keep pace with losses.

Cr Nicole Johnston also said that sausage sizzles taste better when grilled on a wood-fired rather than an electric or gas barbecue. She has been waiting for new barbecue equipment for her ward in Fairfield and claimed the request has been on the list for 12 years.

The complaints also cited that barbecue equipment across the parks is down to 288 from 410 in nearly a decade. Whilst Council has been spending for park improvements, barbecue equipment is not a priority on some of the parks.

However, per the Council’s official site, the facilities are available at over 420 parks and reserves but some electric equipment could be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance.

Cr Tracy Davis, the parks chairperson, said that the removal of wood-fired barbecues was asked by the locals who didn’t want to carry logs to the parks or ensure that the fires don’t put out whilst they were still having a barbecue. She also said that some parks also have cooking plates.

Hanlon Park Development and Transformation Now Complete

After more than a year of development and transformation, Hanlon Park, considered to be the heart of Stones Corner, has finally been completed. Residents now have a beautiful, new, public green space to enjoy.

The new green space boasts the following:

a meandering natural waterway to support native plants and animals
more than 462 new trees and 43,000 shrubs and groundcover plants
a nature-themed play area with a climbing tower, sand pit, water pump, swing set, balancing play features and dry creek bed to encourage imaginative play
public artworks along the waterway representing local flora

Hanlon Park was formerly a massive concrete drain. After a $21.5-million redevelopment, it is now one of the best parks in the city “with Norman Creek flowing through the park once again,” Ms Cunningham said.

The park will also be known for its Aboriginal name, Bur’uda, which means Oak Tree Forest. This area around Norman Creek was the source of food and culture for the Aboriginal people.

On Saturday, 23 July 2022, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, alongside Councillor Fiona Cunningham, will lead the official opening of Hanlon Park along 56 Junction St, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

The weekend’s event will be free for all and will begin with a traditional custodian smoking ceremony. There will be family entertainment and information stalls in some of the areas, alongside a bake sale and BBQ.

“The opening event is a celebration inviting the local community to enjoy their new naturalised waterway, enhanced environment, recreation facilities, nature-themed play area and improved connectivity,” the Council stated.

Stage 3 Of The Hanlon Park Rejuvenation Project Now Complete

Once known for its massive concrete drain, Hanlon Park is now one of Brisbane’s best parks with Norman Creek flowing through the park once again, thanks to the recently completed Stage 3 of the Hanlon Park rejuvenation project.

Read: Proposed Towers Next To Stones Corner Roundabout Met With Opposition From Locals

The Hanlon Park rejuvenation project aims to transform Hanlon Park into an attractive and versatile public space to support the growing Stones Corner Precinct.

The major transformation has included a new nature-themed playground, flood resilient landscaping (which has held up incredibly well this year) and an underpass providing a safe connection under busy Logan Road for cyclists and pedestrians.

Logan Road underpass, which is now open, will allow continuous travel along the Norman Creek Bikeway without the need to cross a road from Tarragindi to Woolloongabba.

The nature-themed playground is close to the Stones Corner Community Kindergarten which provides natural play opportunities for children aged 0-12 years, including sliding and climbing equipment, sand play and swings, as well as shelter and seating areas for the community.

Aside from removing the concrete drain and returning Norman Creek to a natural waterway through the park, a new toilet block will also be constructed.

The toilet block will be located on the Junction Street side of Hanlon Park, between Myrtle and Oxford Streets, opposite the nature-themed play area located on the Lincoln Street side of the park.

Construction of the toilet block at Hanlon Park commenced in early March 2022 and is anticipated to be completed by mid-2022, weather and site conditions permitting. Council warned that ome areas will be temporarily fenced off for safety reasons whilst construction works take place.

Meanwhile, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said a public celebration of the major transformation will be held in the coming months.

To learn more about the Hanlon Park rejuvenation project, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Stage 2 Completed for Hanlon Park Revitalisation in Stones Corner

The second stage of the Hanlon Park development in Stones Corner is done and locals may now enjoy the public park. Work on Stage 3 has also commenced with a target opening sometime in early 2022.

Cr Fiona Cunningham led the opening of Hanlon Park Stage 2 on 4 Oct 2021 along with members of the N4C Norman Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee, the families and kids of Stones Corner Kindergarten, and some residents.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner graced the opening as well and said that this green space is “quickly becoming Brisbane’s best kept secret.”

Photo Credit: Cr Fiona Cunningham/Facebook

The Hanlon Park revitalisation between Cornwall Street and O’Keefe Street in Stones Corner was included in the Norman Creek 2012-2031 Master Plan. The project, which started in mid-2020, was designed to transform a 100-year-old concrete drain into “a thriving community greenspace with a natural waterway, adventure playground, shared pathways and public art.”

“Our revitalisation of this community greenspace is quickly taking shape, with a new nature themed playground and, for the first time in about 100 years, Norman Creek is flowing through the park once again,” Mr Schrinner said.

Meanwhile, Stage 3 of Hanlon Park will run along O’Keefe Street, which will include more vegetation, shaded areas, pathways, and additional facilities. It will set the groundwork for the Brisbane Metro’s construction beginning 2022, which will include an underpass over Gladys Street.