Calamvale Archives - Forest Lake News

Calamvale Joins Million-Dollar Club as Working-Class Suburbs Gentrify in Brisbane

Brisbane’s once affordable housing landscape continues to shrink, with Calamvale becoming the latest suburb to join the million-dollar median club. Seven previously working-class suburbs have crossed this threshold in just three months, bringing the total number of seven-figure suburbs in the city to 73.

This surge is attributed to “unstoppable” demand and the gentrification of mid- to outer-ring suburbs. Experts predict the city’s overall median house price could hit $1 million within a year.

Domain’s chief of research and economics, Dr Nicola Powell, explained that Brisbane’s property market is showing no signs of slowing down and more suburbs are expected to reach the million-dollar median due to the ongoing effects of gentrification. She noted that even high-end buyers are being priced out of premium suburbs like New Farm, which is approaching a $3 million median and are subsequently moving into traditionally more affordable areas.

Scarborough and Salisbury are poised to be the next suburbs to reach the million-dollar mark, followed closely by Cornubia and Manly West.

In Stafford, rising prices for renovated workers’ cottages exemplify this trend. Coronis North agent Jackson Oram noted that before the COVID-19 pandemic, a typical three-bedroom home sold for $650,000, but now fetches $900,000 with intense buyer competition.

Oram observed that many older residents in the area, who were traditionally in the lower-middle-class demographic, have been able to sell their homes for significantly more than they were worth in the past, often around $850,000. This has led to extensive renovations throughout the suburb and a shift in demographics.

Sunnybank, driven by Chinese buyers seeking a thriving community and good schools, has surpassed the million-dollar mark, reaching a median of $1,199,500.

Wynnum has also seen significant growth, with its median reaching $1.05 million. Raine and Horne’s Margaret Vote attributes this to southern buyers and inner-city locals seeking larger properties and lifestyle benefits. However, she warns that prices are escalating rapidly.

Strong demand and shifting demographics are driving Brisbane’s property market upward. While this may benefit existing homeowners, it poses challenges for first-time buyers and those seeking affordable housing options.

Published Date 08-July-2024

Calamvale District Park Named One of Brisbane’s Most Popular Parks

Did you know that Calamvale District Park is the fifth most popular park in Brisbane? With over 200 bookings in the previous year, the beautiful green space has hosted heaps of activities for communities and families.

The well-planned park opened in 2012 and has been home to annual celebrations like Halloweens and Christmas in the Park, as well as the regular Calamvale Pakruns.

“This has been a project I embarked on with local students from Calamvale Community College, Algester State School and St Stephens School who helped me through our local workshops to design a park in a bushland setting to cater for all ages in our community,” Cr Angela Owens said.

“Soon, [we will] welcome a new addition of a Memorial to honour those who have served and continue to serve our Nation,” Ms Owen added.

Among the park’s unique features is the adventure playground, which has the most impressive play equipment for adventurous children called the Sky Walk, a steel-and-rope structure spanning 7.5 metre high and a flying fox of about 50 meters long.

Smaller kids, however, also have a fantastic interactive play area where they can play music or get some thrills at the swing.

Modern barbecue facilities and pavilions for picnics make this site a favourite spot for celebrating children’s birthdays or regular weekend get-togethers. Not far from the playground is the Calamvale District Park offleash dog park with plenty of benches and shade.

“Families from right across Brisbane go to Calamvale District Park because of the incredible playground,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

“The bush setting, shady trees and great range of other facilities also make it a great spot for an event, like a birthday party.”

Published 25 March 2023

Flavour Over Form! BurgerMe Aims for the Classics at New Calamvale Shop

Picture-perfect Instagrammable food from trendy restaurants sometimes don’t live up to the hype, so this newly-opened food joint on Kameruka Street in Calamvale has decided to prioritise flavour over form. BurgerMe has gone back to the delivious basics and promises to offer only classic burgers with the usual side of fries, wings and shakes.

Managed by the family that runs Sam’s Gourmet Pizza and led by Bilal Ghumra, BurgerMe brings just the basics to the table because it’s what they do best.

The Ghumras, who have been in Calamvale for 15 years, have had their eye on establishing a burger joint around the suburbs for years. However, it took them until mid-June 2021 to finally open a shop after finding the perfect location just a few minutes from their home.

Every food at BurgerMe is prepared fresh in-house, including their custom-blended beef patties. To slightly widen the burger joint’s appeal, BurgerMe has special Halal burger bacon, which their patrons have said tastes so close to the real thing.

Meanwhile, the Ghumras continue to run the rest of their Sam’s Gourmet Pizza restaurants together as a family enterprise since gaining its ownership in 2014. The boys learned how to run a restaurant from their patriarch Imtiyaz, who had a steak restaurant in Leicester in England. Imtiyaz, now retired, still helps out at the family’s Brisbane stores.

Check out BurgerMe’s menu, store hours and other updates on their Facebook page.

“Was going to take photos for a review but ate it before I had the chance because it smelt so good (also tasted incredible the smell didn’t lie). Great size portion for the price and the price is also good for the quality of food. We both ordered the MaconBurger and loved the caramelised onions, the fact the bacon was in small pieces not a large piece, and the patty was so juicy and not at all dry. I had mine with a gluten free bun that was one of the best buns I have eaten. My partner had a normal burger and loved how the bun was soft not crunchy. We tried both the curly fries and the normal fries and loved both, personally just wished they had more salt on the curly fries. My partner had the meal deal and ordered a shake instead of soda, it was a nice shake but we felt it was slightly expensive at $7 to upgrade from a soda. The other thing to note was staff were super friendly and helpful. Overall was amazing food and will definitely be going back.”
Sarah Brook, Facebook

“Macon MY DAYYYYY !!!
Indeed made my day.
Milkshakes & Burgers with curly fires, kids happily sorted.
Now other burgers joints have to either lift their game or leave the game, burgers war is ON !!!”
Yaseen Hairder

“Went in tonight for a little birthday feed and what can I say, I was amazed at the menu choices and hospitality of the owner. We had the Pops steak burger with the Nashville chutney, colonel Sanders burger, and mozzarella sticks. Unfortunately they had run out of the wings but hey there’s always next time! The steak was soft, the Nashville chutney was just the right amount spicy and the chicken in the colonel Sanders was juicy and cooked to perfection. Also a huge plus for us was that the burgers were not dripping sauce and falling apart. We will definitely be coming back and trying out the rest of the menu. Keep up the great work!”
Mohammed Shahim