Forest Lake residents can automatically inject five dollars into essential neighbourhood programmes just by ordering a standard main meal at the nearby Blue Fin venue.
The new community initiative allows locals to support the Lions Club of Inala without needing to make any separate charitable donations. Diners simply need to purchase any main meal priced over $15.50. From that single purchase, a five-dollar portion goes straight toward funding local community initiatives.
Organisers arranged this community charity night to take place on Tuesday, 14 July, 2026. The charity dining window runs from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., giving people plenty of time to bring their family and friends down for an evening out.
The Lions Club plans to use the collected funds to support various essential projects around the local area. Community groups often rely heavily on these neighbourhood fundraising efforts to keep their everyday programmes running smoothly.
By choosing to eat out on this specific evening, locals can quickly fill the charity jars and ensure their own neighbourhood gets the financial support it desperately needs. Organisers encourage a massive turnout so the community can maximise the total donation amount while simply enjoying a shared dinner.
For one day this winter, a corner of Durack will become a meeting place for dozens of cultures, languages and traditions that help shape Brisbane’s south-west.
On Tuesday, 30 June, families from Forest Lake, Inala, Durack and surrounding suburbs will gather at Dogs Queensland on King Avenue for the Inala Multicultural Festival. This free community event brings together food, performances, rides and local organisations in a celebration of diversity.
Running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the festival is organised by Inala Community House and has grown into one of the region’s most recognised cultural events. While visitors will find plenty of entertainment throughout the day, the festival’s purpose reaches beyond music, food and family fun.
A festival shaped by the people who call Brisbane’s south-west home
The streets around Inala tell the story of generations of migration. Families from Vietnam, the Pacific Islands, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and many other parts of the world have helped build the community that exists today.
The Inala Multicultural Festival reflects that history.
Photo Credit: ICH.Org
According to Inala Community House, the event was created as a space where people from different backgrounds can come together, share their culture and strengthen community connections. It is designed to be welcoming and accessible, giving families a free opportunity to participate in a major community celebration regardless of their circumstances.
For residents of neighbouring suburbs such as Forest Lake and Durack, the festival also offers a chance to experience cultures that have become an important part of the wider area’s identity.
Food stalls and performances bring cultures to life
One of the biggest attractions each year is the variety of food available throughout the festival grounds.
Visitors can expect flavours from around the world as food vendors serve dishes that reflect the cultural diversity of Brisbane’s south-west. Alongside the food stalls, performers will take to the stage throughout the day, showcasing traditional music, dance and cultural displays from different communities.
Market stalls and community organisations will also be present, creating opportunities for residents to learn more about local services, cultural groups and community programs.
Families with children are expected to find plenty to keep them occupied, with free rides and activities included as part of the day’s program.
Creating a free day out when many families need it most
As household budgets remain under pressure, free community events have become increasingly important for many families.
Inala Community House has highlighted the role the festival plays in reducing barriers to participation, allowing families to enjoy a full day of activities without the cost that often comes with large-scale events.
Events of this scale rely heavily on community support, volunteers and partnerships. Brisbane City Council is a major sponsor of the festival, supporting an event that has become an established part of the local community calendar. The involvement of community organisations, performers, stallholders and volunteers also plays a significant role in delivering the day.
Whether someone arrives for the food, the performances or simply to spend time with family and friends, the festival offers a reminder that the area’s strength comes from the many cultures that continue to shape it.
The Inala Multicultural Festival will be held on Tuesday, 30 June, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Dogs Queensland, 247 King Avenue, Durack. Entry is free.
Forest Lake Boulevard has been named in Brisbane’s $110 million Operation Smooth resurfacing program, with The Lake Parklands also listed for upgrades in the 2026-27 Budget.
Operation Smooth will resurface nearly one million square metres of roads across Brisbane. Forest Lake Boulevard is the local road included in the works list.
No local closure timetable or detour plan has been released for Forest Lake Boulevard.
Boulevard Forms Forest Lake Link To Operation Smooth
Operation Smooth follows the Big Fill pothole blitz, which at its peak repaired one pothole every two minutes across Brisbane.
The resurfacing program is aimed at delivering smoother road surfaces across the city, with some of Brisbane’s busiest roads included.
Forest Lake Boulevard is listed with roads including Hamilton Road in Chermside and Wavell Heights, Ipswich Road in Annerley, Logan Road in Upper Mt Gravatt, Lutwyche Road in Lutwyche and Windsor, Moggill Road in Indooroopilly and South Pine Road in Enoggera.
The southern approach to the Story Bridge is the highest-profile resurfacing work named in the program.
Forest Lake has a second local entry in the budget through The Lake Parklands.
The Lake Parklands is listed among the parks receiving upgrades in 2026-27. Across Brisbane, more than $117 million is allocated for park upgrades, including picnic shelters, barbecues, sports parks, exercise equipment, playgrounds, landscaping, footpaths, lighting and toilets.
The wider parks, playgrounds and public areas program totals nearly $900 million.
Rates And Household Measures
Brisbane homeowners will also pay higher rates under the same budget.
Rates will rise by 3.97 per cent, with some suburbs facing increases of up to 7.5 per cent. The minimum rates cost for Brisbane residents will be $948.64.
A Forest Lake-specific rates figure has not been provided in the available budget details.
Residents who pay rates on time will receive a $60 annual discount. The maximum pensioner rates rebate will increase to $1,350, and first home buyers will receive a rates establishment fee exemption.
Credit and debit card surcharges will be removed from 1 July 2026.
Renters and owner-occupiers will receive 10 free 100kg waste vouchers. Residents will continue to receive two free native plants, while the annual kerbside collection service will continue.
More than $2 million is also listed for free off-peak transport for seniors.
Other Transport Spending
Operation Smooth is part of a $1.9 billion transport and infrastructure investment.
More than $400 million is listed for road upgrades, including the Beams Road corridor upgrade, intersection upgrades in Inala and Coorparoo, and a new crossing on Gympie Road at Bald Hills.
The budget also includes $213 million to subsidise bus, CityCat and Brisbane Metro services.
More than $63 million is allocated for footpaths and bikeways, while artificial intelligence technology is planned for trial within Brisbane’s traffic signal network.
The national championships ran from 5 to 8 June, bringing together the country’s best young judo athletes across shiai combat and kata disciplines. Kata competition was held on 5 June, with Under 13 competition on 7 June, meaning Ella competed across multiple days and across two fundamentally different aspects of the sport.
Winning both is no straightforward achievement. Shiai is judo’s competitive fighting format, contested by weight category against opponents from across the country. Kata is an entirely separate discipline: a precisely choreographed sequence of techniques performed with a partner, judged on accuracy, control and the quality of the movement.
Excelling in both on a national stage, as a Year 7 student, speaks to a level of commitment well beyond casual club participation.
Ella trains under Sensei Srdjan Andjelkovic at Shin Gi Tai Judo Club, with additional mentorship from his son Nick Andjelkovic. Nick’s connection to the Forest Lake community runs deep: a former Forest Lake State High School student, he now returns to the school regularly to share his experience with current students, passing on the knowledge and discipline he built through his own judo journey.
The name Shin Gi Tai is itself a statement of philosophy. It refers to three of judo’s foundational principles: body, spirit and technique. A club built around that framework tends to produce athletes who understand that physical skill alone is not the point.
What comes next
Ella’s next competitions include the Australian National School Championships in Queensland in September, which will be held in tandem with the Queensland International Open. Both events will put her back on the mat against national-level competition within months of her gold and bronze medal results.
For Forest Lake State High School, Ella’s achievements reflect what the school’s own framework of academic and personal excellence looks like in practice. Judo demands exactly what the classroom does: focused attention, the capacity to learn from failure, and the willingness to show up and go again.
A visit to two local parks in Brisbane’s south-west now reveals more than just open green space. Residents arriving at Durack Common and Grove Street Park will find a range of new additions designed to make these community spaces more welcoming, active and enjoyable for everyone.
At Durack Common on Durella Street, the most noticeable change is the installation of brand-new outdoor gym equipment. Positioned within the park’s open surroundings, the fitness stations provide an opportunity for residents to exercise in the fresh air, whether they are beginning a fitness journey, maintaining an active lifestyle or simply looking for a different way to enjoy the outdoors.
Not far away in Doolandella, Grove Street Park has also undergone a transformation. Families and visitors can now make use of a new picnic shelter and table, creating a comfortable place to gather, relax and enjoy the park.
A new pedestrian gate entrance, complete with a top-pull latch, has improved access, while a connecting pathway links visitors directly from the main footpath to the new shelter.
The improvements do not stop there. An upgraded water tap, along with fresh turf and landscaping works, has helped refresh the park’s appearance and functionality, creating a more inviting environment for regular visitors and newcomers alike.
Photo Credit: CrCharlesStrunk/Facebook
Together, these upgrades reflect an ongoing commitment to enhancing local recreational spaces and ensuring neighbourhood parks remain valued community hubs.
As communities continue to grow, these enhancements serve as a reminder of the important role public green spaces play in bringing people together, supporting healthy lifestyles and creating places where neighbours can connect and enjoy the outdoors.
According to Queensland Police, the incident occurred around 9.45 a.m. on 9 June when a man allegedly entered the store, jumped over the counter and smashed glass display cabinets with a hammer before stealing jewellery and fleeing on foot. No physical injuries were reported. Police say investigations remain ongoing.
The suspect is described as an Islander-appearing man aged in his 30s or 40s. He was reportedly wearing a yellow high-visibility shirt, beige pants and gloves at the time of the incident. Detectives are appealing for anyone with CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area to come forward.
What is an “Enter and Commit Offence”?
The term “enter and commit offence” is a Queensland criminal offence that generally refers to a person entering a building or premises and committing a crime inside. In this case, police allege the offender entered a business and then stole merchandise after damaging property within the store.
The offence can apply to a range of situations involving businesses, homes or other premises where a person unlawfully enters and then commits another crime such as stealing, wilful damage or assault.
Residents and business owners who were in the Forest Lake Shopping Village precinct on Tuesday morning are encouraged to check any CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage that may assist investigators.
Anyone with information can contact Policelink or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Forest Lake remains one of the busiest and most closely watched property markets in Brisbane’s south-west corridor, with strong activity continuing across surrounding suburbs including Pallara, Doolandella, Durack and Inala.
Local agent Matthew Groves shares his latest observations on investor sentiment, buyer activity, recent sales and the broader market conditions shaping the area in mid-2026.
So the Federal Budget has definitely created uncertainty across parts of the local property market. I’m speaking with many investors who are considering selling ahead of the proposed 2027 changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax arrangements.
Recent industry reporting also suggests investor participation across South-East Queensland has fallen by more than 20% since the start of 2026 amid uncertainty surrounding the proposed reforms.
At the same time, concerns around first home buyer negative equity are starting to emerge nationally, particularly in some Sydney markets. At this stage though, those pressures do not really appear to extend to Forest Lake, Doolandella, Pallara, Inala, Durack, Ellen Grove and surrounding areas, where conditions still seem comparatively stable.
From my perspective, the local market may come off the very top slightly, but not dramatically, which could create a solid buying opportunity before the next growth phase. There are still pre-qualified buyers active in the market despite broader economic headwinds.
I take 19 Centaurus Street, Inala to auction on June 20 if not sold prior. It’s a three-bedroom home on 633 square metres and, subject to approvals, has potential for a future granny flat thanks to the side access.
A lot of people don’t realise the now-closed Inala State School was actually located in neighbouring Durack. The school opened in 1962 and closed in 1995 when it merged with Glenala State High School, which remains in Durack today.
Another recent result we were pleased with was the sale of 21 Durundur Court, Durack, which settled at $1.45 million after selling under the hammer. We’re now also marketing 91 Hampton Street, Durack following its first open home last weekend — a three-bedroom, one-bathroom home on 622 square metres returning $600 per week in rent, with tenants in place until July.
And another piece of local history many newer residents may not know: Durack was officially named in 1976 after a community competition, with locals voting to honour Michael “Stumpy” Durack. The Durack family once owned the Archerfield Station, which covered around 56.7 square kilometres, with the original homestead located in what is now Homestead Park at Forest Lake.
Matthew Groves
Market Insights
Forest Lake is by far the busiest market in the area, so we have summarised the last 3 months of publicly available data below. For Pallara, Doolandella, Durack, and Inala we have summarised the last 6 months.
SW BrisbaneMarket Insights
Residential house sales analysis · Data to 31 May 2026 · Houses only
Last 3 Months
Forest Lake
Mar 1 – May 31, 2026 · 3-Month Report
Total Sales
51
House transactions
Median Price
$1.085M
All houses
Avg Days on Market
18
Very competitive
Price Range
$660k–$1.75M
Min–Max
Top Sale
$1.75M
6 Alexandrina Cct
3
Bedrooms
$995k
Median · 23 sales
4
Bedrooms
$1.1M
Median · 21 sales
5
Bedrooms
$1.208M
Median · 4 sales
Price Band Distribution
Days on Market Distribution
Monthly Sales Volume
🏆 Top 5 Sales
Swipe left to view all columns →
#
Address
Price
Beds
Land m²
1
6 Alexandrina Cct
$1,750,000
6 bed
766m²
2
10 Chatswood Cl
$1,635,000
4 bed
952m²
3
10 Dandenong St
$1,450,000
6 bed
720m²
4
12 Cassatt Pl
$1,420,000
4 bed
1005m²
5
5 Fitzroy Pl
$1,420,000
5 bed
704m²
Last 6 Months
Click on the suburb to view data
Durack
Dec 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 · 6-Month Report
Total Sales
19
House transactions
Median Price
$1.02M
All houses
Avg Days on Market
32
Moderate pace
Price Range
$880k–$1.45M
Min–Max
Top Sale
$1.45M
21 Durundur Crt
3
Bedrooms
$940k
Median · 7 sales
4
Bedrooms
$1.059M
Median · 11 sales
5
Bedrooms
$900k
Median · 1 sale
Price Band Distribution
Days on Market Distribution
Monthly Sales Volume
🏆 Top 5 Sales
Swipe left to view all columns →
#
Address
Price
Beds
Land m²
1
21 Durundur Crt
$1,450,000
4 bed
1680m²
2
5 Boulia Ct
$1,310,000
4 bed
1093m²
3
16 Emerson Cl
$1,260,000
4 bed
483m²
4
9 Kurrajong St
$1,130,000
3 bed
628m²
5
13 Chanel Pl
$1,100,000
4 bed
450m²
Pallara
Dec 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 · 6-Month Report
Total Sales
46
House transactions
Median Price
$1.20M
All houses
Avg Days on Market
37
Moderate pace
Price Range
$950k–$3.35M
Min–Max
Top Sale
$3.35M
168 Laxton Rd (acreage)
3
Bedrooms
N/A
No sales recorded
4
Bedrooms
$1.165M
Median · 37 sales
5
Bedrooms
$1.335M
Median · 5 sales
Price Band Distribution
Days on Market Distribution
Monthly Sales Volume
🏆 Top 5 Sales
Swipe left to view all columns →
#
Address
Price
Beds
Land m²
1
148 Botanical Circuit
$1,672,000
4 bed
400m²
2
46 Landel St
$1,636,000
2 bed
1.64ha
3
101 Ponting Circuit
$1,610,000
5 bed
360m²
4
4 Tambor Cres
$1,530,000
6 bed
416m²
5
29 Miami Pl
$1,499,000
5 bed
402m²
Doolandella
Dec 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 · 6-Month Report
Total Sales
23
House transactions
Median Price
$1.08M
All houses
Avg Days on Market
26
Active market
Price Range
$700k–$1.3M
Min–Max
Top Sale
$1.3M
Two properties
3
Bedrooms
$915k
Median · 2 sales
4
Bedrooms
$1.085M
Median · 19 sales
5
Bedrooms
$1.0M
Median · 2 sales
Price Band Distribution
Days on Market Distribution
Monthly Sales Volume
🏆 Top 5 Sales
Swipe left to view all columns →
#
Address
Price
Beds
Land m²
1
1 Hanley St
$1,300,000
5 bed
600m²
1
17 Rockfield Rd
$1,300,000
4 bed
404m²
3
23/53 Crossacres St
$1,225,000
4 bed
400m²
4
58 Fred Pham Cres
$1,235,000
4 bed
500m²
5
17 Muhammad St
$1,215,000
4 bed
529m²
Inala
Dec 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 · 6-Month Report
Total Sales
45
House transactions
Median Price
$900k
All houses
Avg Days on Market
36
Moderate pace
Price Range
$280k–$1.25M
Min–Max
Top Sale
$1.25M
Two properties
3
Bedrooms
$915k
Median · 28 sales
4
Bedrooms
$865k
Median · 8 sales
5
Bedrooms
$1.235M
Median · 3 sales
Price Band Distribution
Days on Market Distribution
Monthly Sales Volume
🏆 Top 5 Sales
Swipe left to view all columns →
#
Address
Price
Beds
Land m²
1
10 Cygnus St
$1,250,000
5 bed
675m²
1
107 Biota St
$1,250,000
6 bed
630m²
3
7 Japonica St
$1,235,000
5 bed
647m²
4
15 Grebe St
$1,200,000
5 bed
645m²
5
56 Azalea St
$1,128,000
3 bed
706m²
What’s Your Property Worth?
Forest Lake
Doolandella
Pallara
Durack
Some Development Applications
Recent development activity in Forest Lake and the surrounding suburbs is adding another layer to how the market is evolving. The map below highlights some key proposals and applications in the area.
Illegal dumping continues to leave its mark across Brisbane, especially in the suburbs around Forest Lake. With clean-up costs mounting, a network of more than 200 AI-assisted cameras is being used to monitor hotspots and help identify those responsible.
Additional motion-activated cameras are now operating at known dumping hotspots and high-risk locations, helping authorities identify vehicles, number plates, people and discarded items. This brings the total to more than 200 devices operating across the city.
A Growing Network of Cameras Across Brisbane
Illegal dumping often happens away from public view, with offenders leaving furniture, household rubbish, building materials and other waste in parks, roadside areas and industrial precincts.
To combat the problem, Brisbane City Council has steadily expanded its surveillance network. The technology forms part of a wider crackdown on illegal dumping, a problem that has been estimated to cost ratepayers about $500,000 each year in clean-up expenses alone.
The cameras are activated by movement and can capture footage that assists council officers during investigations. The latest figures show the effort is producing results. More than 850 infringement notices and warnings have been issued so far in 2026, with penalties exceeding $525,000.
The surveillance network is supported by new warning signs installed in multiple languages, including Arabic, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Hindi and Vietnamese.
South Brisbane Features Prominently in Complaint Data
While the crackdown is taking place across Brisbane, several South Brisbane suburbs featured prominently in Council’s latest hotspot rankings.
Moorooka recorded the highest number of illegal dumping complaints in Brisbane during 2026. Sunnybank Hills ranked second, while Forest Lake, Runcorn, Sunnybank and Annerley also appeared among the city’s top complaint locations.
This reflects the reports received from residents and community members who have alerted Council to dumped rubbish and abandoned items. The figures suggest illegal dumping remains a visible issue across parts of South Brisbane, particularly in areas where residential neighbourhoods sit alongside commercial, industrial or bushland corridors.
Richlands and Willawong Among Areas Where Offenders Were Caught
The list also highlights locations where infringement notices and warnings have been issued.
Richlands recorded 49 notices, placing it among Brisbane’s leading enforcement locations. Willawong also appeared on the list, while nearby Doolandella was linked to areas receiving increased enforcement attention.
In some cases, areas with fewer complaints may generate more notices if surveillance cameras capture evidence that leads to successful investigations.
2026
Most Illegal Dumping Complaints
Most Infringement & Warning Notices
Notices Issued
1
Moorooka
Mount Coot-tha
318
2
Sunnybank Hills
Mount Gravatt
125
3
New Farm
Richlands
49
4
Coorparoo
Bald Hills
45
5
Forest Lake
Cannon Hill
38
6
Morningside
Bulwer
35
7
Carina
Doolandella
25
8
Runcorn
Willawong
22
9
Sunnybank
Chandler
19
10
Annerley
Nathan
19
From Mattresses to Building Waste
Illegal dumping takes many forms. Council reports commonly involve mattresses, furniture, whitegoods, tyres, green waste and construction materials. Some incidents involve household items that residents no longer want, while others involve larger quantities of waste left in public spaces.
Apart from creating an eyesore, dumped materials can affect local waterways, damage vegetation and create hazards for people using parks, footpaths and public land. The environmental impacts can be particularly significant when hazardous materials or chemicals are involved.
Options Available for Residents
Council is encouraging residents to use legal disposal options rather than leaving unwanted items in public places. Regular household waste can be placed in standard collection bins, while larger items can be taken to resource recovery centres and transfer stations. Waste vouchers, hazardous waste drop-off events and other disposal programs are also available throughout the year.
Items that remain in good condition may be suitable for donation through charities, community groups or reuse organisations. Residents who witness illegal dumping can report incidents by phoning Council on 07 3403 8888. Information such as locations, photographs and descriptions of dumped materials can assist investigations.
With more cameras operating across the city and additional enforcement activity underway, authorities are hoping fewer mattresses, fridges, tyres and piles of rubbish end up where they should never have been left in the first place.
Locals have put together a wish list of projects for Forest Lake, Inala, Richlands, Doolandella, Durack, and Ellen Grove, ahead of the new budget for FY 2026-2027.
Footpaths with missing links. A sports complex described as well past its use-by date. A notorious intersection that has seen crashes and fatalities for a decade. Here’s a line-up of what residents could see funded, and what has been waiting years to be addressed.
Footpaths with missing links. A sports complex described as well past its use-by date. A notorious intersection that has seen crashes and fatalities for a decade. For residents across Brisbane’s southwest, these are not new problems. But with the city’s annual budget due in June, a detailed list of requested fixes has now been formally put on the table.
The submission for Forest Lake Ward covers more than 130 individual projects spanning Forest Lake, Inala, Richlands, Doolandella, Durack and Ellen Grove, ranging from minor path connections to multimillion-dollar sporting and aquatic facilities.
Getting around safely
Photo credit: Google Street View
Active transport and road safety account for a large share of the requests, with over 30 new or upgraded footpaths and shared path connections put forward. Many are small but critical missing links used daily by schoolchildren, commuters and residents travelling to bus stops.
One request flags that pedestrians on High Street, Forest Lake, including children and grandparents, are currently forced to walk on uneven dirt and grass due to a gap in the existing path network. A shared-path upgrade along Acanthus Street in Richlands is also sought, to give cyclists a safer route away from heavy industrial traffic.
New traffic signals are being requested at several locations, including Grand Avenue and Woogaroo Street, Government Road and Forest Lake Boulevard, and Woogaroo Street and Johnston Road.
The long-troubled Archerfield Road and Pine Road intersection in Inala is again among the priorities. Three designs have been proposed over the past decade without any construction proceeding, and multiple crashes and fatalities have occurred at the site in that time. The project recently received a boost, with the Federal Government committing $3 million towards fixing the intersection and a further $667,000 for nearby works on Azalea Street. The submission calls for construction to now get underway.
Parks, pools, and places to play
McEwan Park (Photo credit: Google Maps/J C)
An $8 million design and planning request has been put forward for a new aquatic complex for Forest Lake, a facility that has long been requested by local residents.
McEwan Sports Fields in Inala is listed for a $2.5 million full upgrade, with the submission noting the ovals and facilities are extremely old and in need of comprehensive renewal. Kev Hooper Park is also nominated for a potential $5 million investment, to include water playground equipment and free Wi-Fi.
A wide range of parks across the ward are put forward for smaller but practical improvements, including new or upgraded playgrounds, half-courts, fitness equipment, shade sails and BBQ facilities at Augusta Crescent, Forbes Park, Desoto Place Park and Jubilee Park, among others.
Sporting infrastructure requests include netball courts for Ellen Grove or Forest Lake ($200,000) and a BMX track for Ellen Grove ($250,000).
Roads and infrastructure
Photo credit: Google Street View
More than 20 roads across the ward are nominated for resurfacing, widening or kerb and channel upgrades, with many in Inala, Richlands and Doolandella where heavy vehicle use and ongoing development have accelerated wear on ageing road surfaces. The largest single resurfacing request covers Waterford Road in Ellen Grove, estimated at $500,000, and described as carrying large amounts of traffic including trucks, with persistent pothole problems.
The 2026–27 Brisbane City budget is expected to be handed down in June. With more than 130 projects on the list, residents across the ward will find out which of the requested improvements make the final cut.
