Former Queensland leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, who grew up in Inala, saw her official portrait unveiled this week, with the artwork featuring an Olympic rings pin commemorating her role in securing the 2032 Brisbane Games.
Brisbane artist Bronwyn Hill painted the portrait, which depicts a smiling Palaszczuk sitting in a reading room surrounded by books. The Olympic pin attached to her jacket in the painting was a gift from former International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach and former Australian Olympic Committee chief John Coates.
Palaszczuk, who led Queensland for nearly nine years between 2015 and 2023, said she loved the portrait and felt it captured her essence. The artist conducted multiple sittings to get to know her subject, aiming to create a relaxed, approachable image.
Olympic Legacy Takes Centre Stage
The Olympics pin illustrated in the painting holds special meaning for the Inala native, who played a central role in bringing the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games to Brisbane. She said getting the Games was a very big task and predicts the event will transform Queensland.
Hill said she wanted to depict Palaszczuk with both warmth and confidence, creating somebody who appears ready to listen and inviting discussion. The setting in the reading room reflected Palaszczuk’s love of reading and her appreciation for finding quiet moments away from the daily demands of leadership.
Palaszczuk predicted her official portrait would be one of the last featuring books in the background, noting that future portraits will probably feature computers and phones instead. During her time in office, she treasured the books and documents that surrounded her workspace.
The unveiling attracted a range of guests including current Queensland leader David Crisafulli, her successor Steven Miles, Governor Jeannette Young, and several former ministers and advisers. Palaszczuk’s parents Lorelle and Henry, who himself served as a minister during the Beattie era, attended the ceremony.
Rare Female Representation in Leadership Portraits
The official portrait joins a small collection of artworks depicting women in leadership roles. Palaszczuk acknowledged being struck by the small number of portraits featuring women during her years as an elected representative, with her artwork now standing as one of only a few depicting female Queensland leaders.
The Inala local said she never dreamed she would become premier and described it as the greatest honour of her life to serve the Queensland people. She is enjoying her post-political life and does not want to make a comeback, though she misses the friendships and interactions from her years in public service.
A Richlands Tesla superfan has reached 417,000 kilometres in his Model 3 while maintaining 88 per cent battery health, providing real-world evidence that electric vehicles can handle intensive commercial use.
Nathan Merritt operates his rideshare business from the Forest Lake and Richlands area, using his 2021 Tesla Model 3 for full-time Uber and private transfer services. The vehicle, nicknamed Mr Sparkle, has completed more than 38,000 trips since Merritt purchased it in late 2020 with help from a $20,000 loan from his grandfather.
The Tesla superfan also administers the Tesla Owners Australia Facebook group, which has grown to over 116,000 members. Through his rideshare work and online community involvement, he has introduced Tesla technology to tens of thousands of passengers across Brisbane’s south-west.
Breakdown Sparks Fundraising Response
On January 30, while charging in Brisbane, Mr Sparkle suffered a sudden shutdown that locked Merritt out of the vehicle. Tesla Roadside Assistance replaced the low-voltage battery on site, but further diagnostics revealed high-voltage battery issues requiring the car to be towed to the Mount Gravatt service centre.
Repair costs are expected to be under $1,000, significantly less than comparable repairs for a petrol vehicle with similar mileage. Following the breakdown, Merritt launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover repair costs and lost income. As a sole trader, the unexpected breakdown meant immediate loss of his primary income source.
The campaign attracted both support and criticism within the Tesla community. Some questioned whether business repair expenses should be crowdfunded, while others argued the high mileage justified community support. As of early February, the campaign had raised approximately $1,427 toward an $1,800 goal.
Real-World Performance Data
Over more than four years of operation, the vehicle has required minimal maintenance, with early costs limited to a tyre rotation of about $50 and a new set of tyres before reaching 50,000 kilometres. The 88 per cent battery retention after 417,000 kilometres places Mr Sparkle among the highest-mileage Tesla Model 3 vehicles documented globally, with the car still achieving approximately 375 kilometres of range on a full charge.
Merritt has documented fuel savings of approximately $900 per month compared to operating a petrol vehicle for rideshare work. His Richlands home solar system and two Tesla Powerwall batteries enable him to charge predominantly from renewable energy, with electricity bills averaging around $72.50 per month including household consumption.
The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus uses Lithium Iron Phosphate battery chemistry, engineered for high cycle counts and durability. The 88 per cent capacity retention after an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 full charge cycles demonstrates the technology’s resilience under intensive commercial conditions.
What This Means for Local EV Adoption
Merritt’s operation demonstrates electric vehicle viability for commercial transport in Brisbane’s south-west corridor including Forest Lake, Richlands, Springfield and surrounding suburbs. The extensive road network connecting these areas to Brisbane CBD, airports and major employment centres suits electric vehicle range capabilities.
For Forest Lake and surrounding suburbs, where many residents own homes with suitable roof space for solar installation, the combination of electric vehicles and home renewable energy systems offers significant potential for household cost savings on both transport and energy.
High-mileage success stories like Mr Sparkle help address battery longevity concerns that remain barriers to electric vehicle adoption. For potential buyers in the area, real-world data from intensive commercial operations provides more relevant information than manufacturer claims.
Merritt has indicated intentions to continue operating Mr Sparkle well beyond 500,000 kilometres, potentially demonstrating whether electric vehicles can achieve the durability seen in commercial diesel applications.
Work crews have moved in at Woodvale Village—bringing the promise of more homes to Forest Lake, and a fresh wave of questions about roads, services, and suburban character.
Construction has started on a $100-million infill project along Woodvale Crescent, which the developer consortium says will deliver 151 new homes for first-home buyers and families.
Photo Credit: Supplied
The local conversation: housing need and neighbourhood fit
It’s a familiar local balancing act: the need for more housing in Brisbane’s south, and the desire to protect what residents value about how Forest Lake functions day to day.
With work now underway, much of the conversation will likely focus on practical impacts—how construction is staged, what congestion looks like during peak hours, and whether infrastructure upgrades can accommodate the extra demand.
Supporters describe the project as a housing-supply boost, while some residents have raised concerns about how additional homes may change the area and whether local infrastructure will keep pace.
“While we are seeing incredible demand for affordable homes in the area, I am intrigued to see how the developer goes with designing a master planned community within another well-designed master planned community. I can only hope that the government also looks to improve the infrastructure to deal with the extra demand.”
What’s being built—and who’s behind it
Photo Credit: Supplied
The consortium, Marquee, Cohere and LHPP, held a sod-turning ceremony at the site. Those attending included Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Queensland chief executive Kirsty Chessher-Brown and consortium representatives.
The homes are described as a mix of three- and four-bedroom terrace-style designs, with the developers saying that smaller lot sizes could reduce prices for incoming buyers. The building partner is Urbane Homes.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Why this project is moving quickly
A key part of the announcement is the approval pathway used. The consortium says the development received support through the Queensland Government’s State Facilitated Development (SFD) process, along with an Incentivising Infill Development Fund (IIFD) grant to help cover infrastructure charges and speed up delivery.
Cohere director Claire O’Rourke says the project is “the only residential subdivision approved under the SFD process” and that the streamlined pathway, combined with the IIDF grant, has accelerated delivery “by 18 months.”
For context, the state describes SFD as an alternative assessment route intended to help deliver projects considered priorities for Queensland, while the IIDF supports well-located housing and can include relief from infrastructure charges.
The consortium says it expects to launch the project to market in March and “welcome our first residents in mid-2027.” Woodville Crescent is close to local amenities, including schools, parks, childcare, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, and public transport links to the Brisbane CBD.
Two Forest Lake schools will be monitored under a school-zone parking compliance program, with regular patrols planned to address parking behaviour and improve safety around school areas.
Forest Lake State School and Western Suburbs State Special School have been selected for monitoring under the BCC Safer Schools Parking Program during Term 1, 2026.
The program focuses on parking compliance around school zones, with an emphasis on safe parking practices and adherence to local traffic regulations. Child safety has been identified as a key concern, particularly during school drop-off and pick-up periods.
How Monitoring Will Occur
Authorised officers will carry out regular patrols in streets surrounding the two Forest Lake schools throughout the school term. These patrols will monitor compliance with existing parking and traffic rules.
Where breaches are observed, compliance action may be taken. Parents, guardians and visitors are expected to follow all posted parking restrictions when accessing school precincts.
The two Forest Lake schools were identified as priority locations after recording the highest number of parking-related complaints during the previous school term.
Community discussion has acknowledged that parking issues are not limited to these sites. Residents were encouraged to report parking concerns through the call centre, with complaint levels described as influencing where compliance patrols are directed.
Road safety information outlines wider efforts aimed at improving safety around schools across Brisbane. These include precinct-based planning designed to improve pedestrian connectivity, ease congestion and support safer travel options for students and families.
Initial precinct activity has been identified in Kedron and Mansfield, with future precincts planned for Wynnum Manly and Indooroopilly. These initiatives sit alongside parking compliance measures but operate as distinct programs.
Community Response
Community reaction has been mixed. Some residents have supported stronger compliance action, citing recurring parking issues near Forest Lake State School.
Others have expressed concern that naming only two schools could create confusion, suggesting clearer messaging that parking rules and enforcement apply across school areas more broadly.
Parking patrols are scheduled to continue around Forest Lake State School and Western Suburbs State Special School for the duration of Term 1, 2026. Monitoring and compliance activity will remain focused on these locations during that period.
Forest Lake is new to conversations about multi-million-dollar property markets, which is why the results recorded in 2025 deserve closer attention. While top-end sales remain the exception rather than the rule, the year delivered a clear signal that the suburb’s upper ceiling has shifted — with a small number of standout transactions redefining what buyers are now prepared to pay for the right home, in the right street.
2026 will be a massive year for real estate in Forest Lake.
First Home Owner Grants are pushing anything below $1m to $1m and above.
We recently sold 32 Milliken Court for $1.29m, a 4-Bedroom, 2-Bathroom house.
We had previously sold the vendor’s investment unit, and they liked our family-owned business approach so they asked us to sell 32 Milliken. They were fantastic clients as they followed every detail of the advice I gave them to renovate their 1999 built property, including landscaping, adding ducted air-con, tiling, painting and a new kitchen among other changes.
In neighbouring Ellen Grove, there is a demographic change happening before our eyes. It is moving from a market dominated by investors to owner-occupiers.
We have sold 2 properties off market in the last few weeks (and in the process of selling a third), because we have so much pent-up buyer demand, as well as set a new suburb record for a 3 Bedroom Townhouse when we sold 74/8 Milan Street.
Townhouses in Ellen Grove have risen by as much as $200,000 in the last 12 months, there is so much entry-level buyer demand in the Forest Lake and surrounding area.
A Record-Setting Year at the Top End
At the very top of the market, 57 Rudyard Street set a clear benchmark when it sold for $2.27 million in August 2025. It was the only residential sale in Forest Lake to exceed $2 million during the year, sitting well above the suburb’s long-term norms and establishing a new upper ceiling.
Below that standout result, a small but clearly defined upper tier emerged. Five further homes sold between $1.5 million and $1.83 million, including sales at Camberwell Place, Alexandrina Circuit, Boudin Place, Claremont Parade and Peppermint Lane.
These transactions were overwhelmingly large family homes with four or more bedrooms, reinforcing the premium buyers continue to place on space, layout and established residential streets within the suburb.
Zooming out, the broader context is just as telling. The top 19 confirmed house sales in Forest Lake during 2025 all exceeded $1.25 million, highlighting how far the suburb’s upper end has lifted compared with previous cycles — even if those higher results remain selective rather than widespread.
Looking ahead, January 2026 has already delivered two confirmed seven-figure house sales, with 5 Bellthorpe Place selling for $1.46 million and 32 Milliken Circuit settling at $1.29 million.
While both sit below the exceptional peak reached in 2025, they indicate continued depth at the upper end of Forest Lake’s market as the new year begins.
Forest Lake – Top Residential Sales (2025: Rank 1–10)
Address
Beds / Bath
Price
57 Rudyard Street Sold 27 Aug 2025
Beds: 6 Bath: 3
$2,270,000
11 Camberwell Place Sold 02 Nov 2025
Beds: 4 Bath: 2
$1,825,000
25 Alexandrina Circuit Sold 21 Aug 2025
Beds: 5 Bath: 3
$1,521,000
17 Boudin Place Sold 05 Dec 2025
Beds: 4 Bath: 2
$1,520,000
84 Claremont Parade Sold 19 Dec 2025
Beds: 5 Bath: 3
$1,520,000
6 Peppermint Lane Sold 06 Nov 2025
Beds: 5 Bath: 2
$1,500,000
14 Manet Crescent Sold 04 Aug 2025
Beds: 6 Bath: 3
$1,430,000
14 Mauritius Parade Sold 05 Nov 2025
Beds: 5 Bath: 2
$1,407,000
8 Malvern Place Sold 26 Nov 2025
Beds: 5 Bath: 2
$1,402,000
6 Birkenhead Crescent Sold 14 Oct 2025
Beds: 4 Bath: 2
$1,350,000
Forest Lake – Top Residential Sales (2025: Rank 11–19)
Address
Beds / Bath
Price
33 Brighton Parade Sold 18 Nov 2025
Beds: 4 Bath: 2
$1,342,000
12 Renoir Crescent Sold 16 Oct 2025
Beds: 4 Bath: 2
$1,300,000
18 Montserrat Place Sold 15 Nov 2025
Beds: 3 Bath: 2
$1,300,000
48 Carisbrook Circuit Sold 04 Jun 2025
Beds: 5 Bath: 2
$1,300,000
8 Grevillea Place Sold 24 Jun 2025
Beds: 5 Bath: 2
$1,300,000
8 Battersea Close Sold 25 Nov 2025
Beds: 4 Bath: 2
$1,280,888
17 Purdie Place Sold 31 Aug 2025
Beds: 5 Bath: 2
$1,280,000
66 Laricina Circuit Sold 26 Nov 2025
Beds: 4 Bath: 2
$1,260,000
10 Boudin Place Sold 25 Aug 2025
Beds: 5 Bath: 2
$1,260,000
The above lists are based on publicly disclosed prices that could be independently verified at the address level. It excludes off-market transactions and sales that are withheld, agent-estimated, or not formally disclosed, to maintain accuracy and consistency in the ranking.
A Comparison of Recent Sales
As of press time, the 10 most recent sales in Forest Lake show consistent pricing patterns when comparing similar family homes. 32 Milliken Circuit, a four-bedroom home on a generous 861sqm allotment with a renovated kitchen, alfresco area and pool, sold for $1,290,000, demonstrating the premium buyers are prepared to pay for larger land components and updated presentation.
Further evidence is provided by 5 Bellthorpe Place, also offering four bedrooms and positioned on an expansive 1,125sqm block with high-quality outdoor entertaining features, which achieved $1,460,000. This sale reflects strong demand for larger, well-appointed family homes with lifestyle appeal.
Lower in the market, three-bedroom homes provide useful contrast. 27 Central Street, a more modest cottage-style dwelling on a compact 253sqm allotment, sold for $844,000, while the superior three-bedroom home at 1 Blue Lake Court, offering renovation appeal and direct parkland access, achieved $1,175,000. This comparison illustrates the overlap between high-quality three-bedroom homes and entry-level four-bedroom properties, reinforcing that condition, land size and overall appeal significantly influence value beyond bedroom count alone.
How Features and Presentation Are Shaping Sale Prices
The recent Forest Lake sales shown above illustrate how price outcomes are being shaped by a combination of land size, renovation level and lifestyle features, rather than bedroom count alone.
Among four-bedroom homes, results span a wide range. At the upper end, 5 Bellthorpe Place ($1.46 million) and 32 Milliken Circuit ($1.29 million) both demonstrate the premium attached to larger blocks and substantial upgrades. Bellthorpe Place, set on a 1,125sqm allotment with multiple outdoor entertaining features and a pool, achieved a clear step up from Milliken Circuit, which also benefited from a renovated kitchen, alfresco area and pool but sat on a smaller 861sqm block. Together, these sales highlight how land size and outdoor amenity can materially influence price even when bedroom and bathroom counts are similar.
Further down the four-bedroom bracket, 15 Mannix Place ($1.18 million) and 26 Gippsland Circuit ($1.05 million) show how pricing adjusts where block sizes are smaller or renovations are more selective. Mannix Place achieved a stronger result through inclusions such as a home theatre, pool and powered shed, while Gippsland Circuit, closer to the shopping centre and offering a flexible layout with media room, traded at a lower level consistent with its more compact land holding and standard presentation.
Three-bedroom homes in the infographic provide a useful contrast. 1 Blue Lake Court ($1.175 million) sits at the upper end of this segment, reflecting its renovation appeal and direct parkland access, allowing it to compete with entry-level four-bedroom homes. By comparison, 28 Prospect Crescent ($1.0 million) and 16 Hampstead Street ($941,000) illustrate how quieter streets, modest block sizes and fewer standout features temper price outcomes, even where homes are well presented. At the lower end, 27 Central Street ($844,000) demonstrates the pricing impact of a compact 253sqm allotment, despite refreshed interiors and proximity to parks and schools.
Larger homes continue to attract premiums where they offer flexibility and multiple living options. 84 Claremont Parade ($1.52 million), with five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a dual-living layout supported by extensive indoor and outdoor kitchen facilities, sits at the top of the examples shown, underscoring the value buyers place on adaptability for extended families or multi-generational living.
Across the sales illustrated, certain features recur in the stronger results: renovated kitchens, multiple bathrooms, covered alfresco areas, pools, solar systems and usable outdoor space. Properties such as 9 Norfolk Street ($1.215 million), which combined solar, spa and a large alfresco area, further reinforce how lifestyle inclusions can lift values within comparable bedroom brackets.
Viewed together, the examples in the infographic suggest that buyers in Forest Lake are increasingly weighing overall functionality, land size and presentation alongside bedroom count. For homeowners assessing their own property’s position, the most relevant comparisons are those that align not just in size, but in level of finish, outdoor amenity and street context.
Recent Development Applications in Forest Lake and Surrounds
Disclaimer: The list of properties appearing in this article is provided for illustrative purposes only and is listed as Sold as of press time. Since listing status is dynamic and subject to change, readers are encouraged to verify updated status independently.
Brisbane GP clinics are reporting vaccine shortages after deliveries were disrupted following an incident at a healthcare distribution centre in Richlands.
Some Brisbane parents have been turned away from GP clinics due to shortages of several childhood vaccines. Clinics have reported delays in receiving orders supplied through the National Immunisation Program.
A Brisbane GP, Dr Maria Boulton, said her clinic was still waiting on several vaccine deliveries at the time of reporting.
Dr Boulton said shortages were affecting vaccines scheduled for 18-month-old and four-year-old children. She also said there were concerns about potential future shortages for vaccines scheduled at two, four, six and eight months, depending on delivery timing.
She said her clinic still had sufficient vaccine supplies for infants aged six to eight weeks, which is considered a critical immunisation stage.
Richlands Incident Behind Delivery Disruption
The supply disruption followed the collapse of a retaining wall at a healthcare distribution centre in Richlands earlier this month. The incident resulted in the temporary closure of the facility, affecting outbound vaccine deliveries to clinics.
The Richlands site is operated by Toll Group, which manages healthcare logistics and vaccine distribution.
Queensland Health said it worked with Toll following the incident to ensure vaccine deliveries could continue. It said interim arrangements were established to avoid disruption and that sufficient vaccine stock exists and is available through those arrangements.
Clinics continue to monitor vaccine availability while awaiting outstanding deliveries.
Other Vaccines Also Affected
Dr Boulton said some adult vaccines were also in limited supply, including influenza vaccines for people aged over 65. She also reported shortages of meningococcal B and rabies vaccines.
She said elderly patients and those with chronic illness should exercise caution if unable to access influenza vaccination during the current period.
The Richlands distribution centre opened in April 2023 as a purpose-built healthcare warehouse with specialised cold-storage capabilities, including infrastructure designed for vaccine storage and distribution.
The lake has once again become the focus of community action, with residents launching a fresh petition calling for long-term solutions to persistent water quality issues.
Local florist Debra Page has submitted a petition through Brisbane’s official e-petitions platform, requesting the establishment of a dedicated taskforce and formal action plan to address the lake’s ongoing challenges. As of January 21, the petition has attracted 233 signatures and will remain open until April 2026.
The petition marks the latest chapter in a more than decade-long effort by residents to see meaningful improvements to the lake’s condition. In 2018, a Change.org petition gathered over 3,000 signatures, leading to the formation of the Lake Action Group.
Photo credit: Desleigh Monaghan/Google Maps
“For more than a decade, residents of Forest Lake have been frustrated with the poor condition of the Lake,” the current petition states, emphasising that the waterway serves as “the centrepiece of our suburb” and that “residents need a long term solution.”
The petition outlines specific requests for council action, including maintenance scheduled according to seasonal changes, implementation of research-backed practices proven successful in similar waterways, continued water testing, pest species management, and wildlife protection. Central to the request is the formation of an ongoing taskforce bringing together local community members, council representatives, universities and environmental experts to develop an agreed, written, formal action plan.
Cr Charles Strunk, who represents the Forest Lake Ward, has acknowledged the community’s concerns whilst outlining current council initiatives. In a public statement, he described the complexity of managing the lake’s ecosystem.
“The lake is a complex catchment,” Cr Strunk said. “Things like stormwater run-off, garden fertilisers and bird droppings can build up in the water, and combined with Brisbane’s hot weather, can lead to algae growth and blue-green algae blooms.”
Photo credit: Wesley Tang/Google Maps
According to Cr Strunk’s update, Brisbane has partnered with Monash University to conduct a 12-month trial of Diatomix, a natural treatment designed to boost beneficial algae whilst limiting harmful varieties. The treatment is part of the city’s approach to addressing algae issues in the lake.
Brisbane’s officials also highlighted the role residents can play in protecting the lake’s water quality. Educational campaigns have emphasised that stormwater runoff carries pollutants including pet waste, leaves, fertilisers, motor oil, detergents and rubbish directly into waterways. The message “When it rains, it drains and it has to go somewhere” underscores the connection between everyday activities and lake health.
The petition reflects residents’ desire for measures that go beyond current initiatives. Whilst the Diatomix trial represents one approach, the community is calling for a more comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy backed by formal commitments and regular accountability.
The petition emphasises the lake’s role as “the centrepiece of our suburb” and its importance to local residents. The gap between community expectations and the pace of change remains a point of tension. Residents have demonstrated persistence in advocating for their lake, returning to the issue repeatedly over more than a decade.
As the petition period continues through early April, both council and community await the outcome of this latest effort alongside results from the Diatomix trial. With results from the Monash University Diatomix trial expected later this year, 2026 may prove to be a pivotal year in determining the lake’s future.
The petition remains open for signatures on Brisbane’s e-petitions website until 9 April 2026.
A development application for a substantial new childcare facility has been lodged for Nottingham Road in Calamvale, with capacity to accommodate 119 children in a two-storey purpose-built centre.
The proposal (A006895884) for 49 Nottingham Road would establish a modern early education facility on a 2,000 square metre site, designed to serve the childcare needs of families across Calamvale and surrounding suburbs.
Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006895884
Raunik Design Group has created architectural plans for the centre that prioritise integration with the existing residential neighbourhood. The building would rise to a maximum height of 9.5 metres across two levels, deliberately styled to echo residential design rather than presenting a commercial appearance that might feel out of place among surrounding homes.
Facility Features and Capacity
The proposed centre would operate Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Inside, eight playrooms would serve children across various age groups, while four outdoor play areas totalling 866sqm would provide space for outdoor activities.
The development would occupy just over half the site, with a 52 per cent site coverage translating to 1,044sqm of built area. The gross floor area totals 1,001 sqm spread across the two storeys.
Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006895884
Landscaping features prominently in the design approach, with 200sqm dedicated to gardens and plantings. Deep planting zones would create green buffers between the centre and neighbouring properties, softening the visual impact of the building while enhancing the local streetscape character.
Twenty-four on-site car parking spaces would be provided, including one disability-accessible bay. This dedicated parking would serve families during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up periods.
Design Approach
Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006895884
The site is located within an established residential area. Planning documents indicate the development has been designed with sensitivity to the surrounding context, emphasising a built form that respects the residential setting while delivering community infrastructure. The design seeks to balance community service provision with integration into the residential neighbourhood.
Planning documents note that the proposal aims to establish a service where demand for childcare is evident in the local area. The design approach includes high-quality landscaping and maintains clear sight lines for safety purposes.
Residents wishing to examine the full architectural plans, site layouts, and planning reports can access the development application through Brisbane’s online development assessment portal. The public notification period provides an opportunity for community members to review the proposal and make formal submissions.
For Calamvale families seeking childcare options, the proposed Nottingham Road centre represents a potential addition to local early education infrastructure, should the application receive approval.
The application reference is A006831357 and was submitted on 6 August 2025. The application type is listed as Material Change of Use and Reconfigure a Lot, with the use described as childcare centre and subdivision of land.
The site is identified within the Doolandella neighbourhood plan area and is zoned Emerging Community.
Photo Credit: DA/A006831357
Proposed Childcare Centre In Doolandella
The proposal includes a new single-storey childcare centre with capacity for 165 children and a maximum height of approximately 7.64 metres.
Plans list 35 on-site car parking spaces, including one PWD space. The childcare building area is listed with a gross floor area of 1,159.6 square metres, and site cover of 29 per cent.
The centre layout includes 11 playrooms and an office, along with two outdoor play areas. The indoor play area is listed as 541.8 square metres, and the outdoor play area as 1,208.5 square metres. Proposed operating hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Photo Credit: DA/A006831357
Subdivision And Lot Reconfiguration
The development application also seeks a reconfiguration that includes 10 residential small lots, one drainage lot, and a road reserve, alongside the childcare lot.
The site area is listed as 10,185 square metres. The proposed new residential lots range from 312 square metres to 368 square metres, with a stated proposed density of 16 dwellings per hectare.
Photo Credit: DA/A006831357
Assessment And Notification Dates
The application is listed as impact assessment and remains in progress.
Public notification is recorded as commencing on 25 November 2025 and concluding on 16 December 2025, with submissions received. Several earlier assessment steps are recorded as completed, including an information request sent on 19 September 2025.
A Final Response Received Date is not listed, and a Decision Notice Date is not listed in the provided information.
In golf, the course stays the same, but the way you play it changes. Distance, terrain and timing all call for different choices as the round unfolds. That idea sits neatly behind The Evelyn, a new retirement community taking shape beside the McLeod Country Golf Club in Mt Ommaney, at a time when many Australians are quietly rethinking what home should look like later in life.
Residents live independently in private apartments and townhouses, while maintenance across homes and shared spaces is handled within the village. An on-site Village Manager and a 24-hour response system provide support when needed, without intruding on daily routines.
Photo Credit: Aura Holdings
Shared facilities are designed to be used naturally rather than formally programmed. Residents can join activities, socialise casually or simply keep their own rhythm. Like a clubhouse, the spaces are there to support connection without obligation.
Photo Credit: Aura Holdings
The development comprises 126 residences, including apartments and townhouses, delivered in stages.
Photo Credit: Aura Holdings
Designed by Marchese Partners | Life 3A, the community includes landscaped outdoor areas, a pool, gym, library, wine room and billiards room, all set within the grounds of the golf course.
Photo Credit: Aura Holdings
Shared facilities and communal areas are designed to be used naturally rather than programmed heavily. They offer a place to gather, linger or pass through, depending on the day. Connection is available, not compulsory.
The Role of Golf Beyond the Game
Golf’s presence here is not incidental. Golf courses, by their nature, act as large, stable green buffers within suburban environments. They offer visual openness, reduced noise and opportunities for restoration that are increasingly recognised as important for mental health.
While not everyone plays, research increasingly points to golf environments as supportive of healthy ageing in broader ways. Studies examining golf participation among older adults have found that the activity often delivers moderate-intensity physical movement, particularly walking, alongside cardiovascular and musculoskeletal benefits. Even when played at a lower intensity, golf has been shown to produce short-term improvements in cardiovascular profiles among older participants.
Photo Credit: Aura Holdings
What matters just as much is the social and environmental context. Golf courses function as ready-made walking networks and social landscapes. People walk the fairways, meet others at the clubhouse, or simply move through open green space as part of daily routines. The Evelyn’s location within the McLeod Country Golf Club places residents adjacent to that ecosystem, whether they play the game or not.
The benefits of this setting extend beyond activity alone. A growing body of research, including Australian longitudinal studies, has linked exposure to green space with better mental health outcomes. More recent research focusing on mid-to-older adults has strengthened the evidence, showing associations between access to public green space and improved mental wellbeing over time.
The Evelyn’s proximity to the McLeod Country Golf Club taps into that reality, embedding the community within an active, established setting rather than isolating it from the surrounding suburb.
That everyday rhythm matters as people get older. Familiar places, regular movement and casual interaction are often what sustain wellbeing over time.
Infographic from Meaningful Aging Australia
McLeod Country Golf Club President Diane Lally said the partnership was about more than development. “The Evelyn represents more than a new retirement community — it represents the long-term sustainability of the McLeod Country Golf Club. This partnership allows us to strengthen our future, maintain a premier course, and continue to serve our members and the wider community.”
Housing That Supports How People Live
Research into retirement living models suggests that where and how people live can influence how active and socially engaged they remain. Communities designed around accessibility and shared space tend to support regular movement and interaction, while reducing some of the practical pressures of home ownership.
By reducing barriers to physical activity and providing access to fitness and recreational facilities, retirement communities help residents remain approximately 15 per cent more frequently active than those living independently in the community. Residents are also 20 per cent less likely to be hospitalised after entry.
Mt Ommaney itself offers a balance many retirees value. Established parklands, river views and shopping centres sit alongside strong transport links to the Brisbane CBD. For long-term locals, staying close to familiar places often matters as much as changing how they live.
The Evelyn allows for that continuity. It offers an option to remain within the same neighbourhood while adapting housing to better suit changing needs. It is a shift in position rather than a change of course.
Who Is Behind The Evelyn?
Photo Credit: Aura Holdings
The Evelyn is owned and operated by Aura Holdings, a Brisbane-based retirement living company founded by Tim Russell and Mark Taylor. The company’s approach is informed by professional experience and personal perspective, with both founders having parents living in communities they operate.
“The Evelyn will set the benchmark for retirement living in Brisbane, delivering modern apartments, strong community connections, and a premier golf club setting, unlike anything else in the Centenary suburbs,” Aura Holdings Chief Executive Officer Sean Graham said.
“We are pleased to see … the community’s confidence in both the project and Aura’s commitment to the ongoing partnership with the McLeod Country Golf Club,” he added.
Playing the Long Game
Not everyone will choose this path, and many Australians will continue to age in place. What is changing is the range of options available and the way people think about them.
Photo Credit: Aura Holdings
The Evelyn reflects a broader shift in mindset. Life does not narrow as priorities change. It simply calls for a different approach. And sometimes, staying in the game means recognising when it is time to change clubs, not courses.
The Evelyn has emerged within that moment, amidst a gradual shift rather than a rush. People are not abandoning the course, they are choosing a different club to use.
Published 2-January-2026.
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