Forest Lake Archives - Page 8 of 12

Forest Lake Shopping Centre Expansion Plans Changed

Plans to expand Forest Lake Shopping Centre to accommodate more retailers and food establishments will no longer push through despite an approved development application. However, the reconfiguration of the parking spaces and upgrades on the outdoor sites at the north section of the property will proceed.

Queensland Investment Corporation, the owner of the Forest Lake Shopping Centre, has ditched the original plan to extend the south section to include spaces for two more cafes and a discount store. Brisbane City Council approved the plans in late 2019.

Instead, in May 2021, the company applied for a new development plan (DA A005742977) to incorporate the following changes:

Removal of the mall extension and specialty store component;
Car parking layout within the southern part of the site maintained as per current site conditions;
Revised Aldi extension and amended landscape and servicing arrangement.

“The revised siting and design of the extension does not result in dramatic changes to the built form in terms of scale, bulk or appearance,” the developers noted. “The extension is small in scale, has a reduced floor area and is of bulk and appearance similar to the existing approval.”

“The revised Aldi tenancy extension comprises a building footprint and external appearance is consistent with outcomes regarding bulk, scale, articulation and variation in the Centre or Mixed Use Code.

“The proposed extension remains as a single storey and adopts materials and building form to maintain consistency with the existing building. The proposed change includes a new roof deck which includes appropriate screening of services to ensure the rooftop does not appear cluttered.”

According to the manager, Rebecca McKeown, the decision to slim down its redevelopment plans was based on the changing needs of consumers. The enhancements will also complement its new tenancies, Kmart and Magnifique Hair Salon.

Council approved the new plans in July.

Planned Aquatic Centre at St John’s Anglican College to Put Forest Lake On the Map

Following the completion of the St John’s Sports Centre in 2020, the Anglican school in Forest Lake has announced plans to build a new $16-million world-class aquatic centre that will put the suburb on the map.

Principal Mrs Maria McIvor confirmed the approval of the concept design for the facility, which will include a 50-metre outdoor swimming pool with 10 lanes, an indoor pool for swimming lessons, a strength and conditioning gymnasium, and a grandstand with 800 seats. BSPN Architecture created the concept design.

With Brisbane officially confirmed as the host of the 2032 Olympics, MsMcIvor envisions that St John’s Anglican College‘s upcoming aquatic centre, the first of its kind in Forest Lake, will be utilised as an Olympic training facility. The principal said that they look forward “to establishing key partnerships and programs” to support these Olympic programs, as well as the community’s needs.

Highlights

St John’s Anglican College in Forest Lake will build a $16-million aquatic centre.
The school plans to open the facility for other school’s use, swimming lessons, and for Olympic training programs.
The project is expected to be completed in 2025.

The centre will deliver swimming lessons for the students on campus and boost St John’s performance and interschool sports offering. However, it will also be open to other local schools and other public programs. The site will have its own community cafe.

Photo Credit: BSPN Architecture/St John’s Anglican College

St John’s Anglican College restructured its sports department to boost student enrollment and the $16-million aquatic centre will complete its College Sporting Centre of Excellence.

This project has been part of the Master Plan for the senior campus, which includes the delivery of six learning areas for the next five years, including a sporting precinct with swimming facilities.

The school intends to submit the BGA application in January 2022 and conduct a consultation with the wider community. Construction for the aquatic centre is projected to start in 2024 and competed by the end of 2025.

St John's gets behind #Brisbane2032 announcing approval of concept and planning for a world-class Aquatic Centre with an Olympic swimming facility!
This $16million project will be a one of a kind facility in the local area. Expected delivery 2025. @AnnastaciaMP #GreenGoldDay pic.twitter.com/MYPr4Wp3sF
— St John's Anglican (@stjohnsanglican) July 30, 2021

Relief from Forest Lake Illegal Dumping Complaints as Kerbside Collection Resumes

Did you know that Forest Lake has the third-highest illegal dumping complaints since kerbside collection was temporarily halted? Much to the relief of the residents, the service is due to resume soon.

In April 2020, kerbside collection was initially paused due to the pandemic, triggering an increase in illegal dumping reports across Brisbane. For the next 10 months, Forest Lake had 35 illegal dumping cases.

On the other hand, Inala (74 reports), Doolandella (36 reports), Calamvale (29 reports) and Zillmere (27 reports) were also in the top five suburbs with increasing illegal dumping cases, causing waste to scatter in footpaths, roads and parks. Tipshop trips increased by as much as 18.6 percent as residents were left to dispose of their large, unwanted items commonly collected during the regular kerbside run.

Photo Credit: Geebung Treasure Trove/Facebook

Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced in mid-2020 that kerbside collection will not resume until July 2022 as funds for the service would be used for COVID-19 recovery initiatives. To appease angry ratepayers, the Council launched an expanded free waste voucher program to allow residents to dispose of their household wastes at no cost.

Council said that 617,384 of these vouchers were redeemed in 2020, up from 520,468 in 2019. This suggested that many residents have been properly disposing of their unwanted items.

However, illegal dumping reports rose to 117 during the first three months of the kerbside collection pause whilst the complaints were less than 10 during the pre-COVID lockdowns. Meanwhile, residents kept rallying for Council to reinstate the service.

Following the release of the budget for 2021-2022, Mr Schrinner confirmed the resumption of kerbside collection beginning July 2021. Residents of Forest Lake Ward have to keep tabs on these kerbside collection dates.

DATE	SUBURBS
30 August 2021	Forest Lake, Ellen Grove, Richlands
6 Sept 2021	Inala, Doolandella, Durak

Bookmark Council’s Kerbside Collection page for updates or in case of changes to the dates.

Pallara State School Bus Adds New Forest Lake and Heathwood Stops

Did you know that the 803 school bus service to Pallara State School has expanded, extending to service areas such as Sanctuary Pocket and Chain of Ponds estates in Forest Lake and Heathwood?

The 803 school bus service to Pallara State School extended its services on the 12th of July 2021, utilising existing bus stops in Old Blunder Rd and Wadeville St as well as additional bus stops in Sanctuary Pocket and Chain of Ponds estates to expand the existing 803 route.

Councillor Angela Owen encourages parents to give their children the opportunity to use this school bus service as less cars on the road means reduced congestion around the school. The 803 school bus service brings children all the way from Heathwood Estate to Pallara State School and back.

Morning		Afternoon
7:55 a.m.	Parkwood Dr near Juniper Street	2.42 p.m.	Vied Rd near Landel St
7:55 a.m.	Parkwood Dr near Acacia St	2.44 p.m.	Esky Rd near Kraft Rd
7:55 a.m.	Parkwood Dr near Coolibah St	2.46 p.m.	Laxton Rd near Esky Rd
7:56 a.m.	Parkwood Dr near Laurel St	2.50 p.m.	Ritchie Rd near Wadeville St
7:58 a.m.	Ritchie Rd near De Vries Rd	2.53 p.m.	Parkwood Dr near Juniper St
7:59 a.m.	Ritchie Rd at Ritchie – Van Dieren	2.54 p.m.	Parkwood Dr near Coolibah St
8:00 a.m.	Laxton Rd near Ritchie Rd	2.55 p.m.	Parkwood Dr near Laurel St
8:05 a.m.	Vied Rd near Landel Rd
8:08 a.m.	Sweets Rd near Ritchie Rd
8:11 a.m.	Kraft Rd near Esky Rd
8:13 a.m.	Ritchie Rd at Palla

Pick-Up Rules and Regulations

Drop-off and pick-up areas have been marked with passenger loading zone signs, and passengers who wish to enter or leave the bus have a maximum of two minutes to do so. Parents are allowed to leave their vehicles to help their children enter safely, however they are not allowed to stray and walk too far from their vehicles.

Parents can also stay in the signed area for a maximum of two minutes, and taking any longer will result in a fine. In the event that a student is not ready to enter the vehicle, parents will have to drive around and queue once again. Children should only enter and leave vehicles at the signed area as it is unsafe to let them in or out while waiting in a queue.

It is also important to remember that parking and stopping across pedestrian crossings is a criminal offense that could lead to fines as it endangers the crossing supervisors, students and parents who make use of the crossing. The Pallara State School has a large parent car park next to the drop off/pickup areas, and parking on the road outside of the grounds is not permitted and could result in fines.

The Pallara State School can be found at 39 Ritchie Rd, Pallara. For more information, visit their website here.

Brisbane Broncos Program Brings Famous Athletes to Forest Lake

Indigenous Australian sporting legends came to visit the students at Forest Lake High School as part of a Brisbane Broncos event to inspire indigenous children.

On Tuesday the 11th of May 2021, roughly 30 indigenous students from Forest Lake High School were able to meet with Australian sporting legends at an event hosted by the Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy.

Justin Hodges and Beryl Friday, of the Brisbane Broncos and the Queensland Firebirds respectively, ran interactive workshops throughout the day to inspire and encourage indigenous students to work hard and aspire for greatness.

Justin Hodges and Beryl Friday.
Photo credit: CC BY/Anke/Wikimedia Commons.
CC BY-SA/Sheba_Also/Wikimedia Commons

The Brisbane Broncos program, which was created to assist indigenous girls in schools all over Australia by providing them with educational opportunities, was first launched in Forest Lake in 2020. Currently, the program is assisting over 1,700 girls across Queensland and New South Wales between Year 7 and Year 12.

Following the program’s launch in late 2020, the school has seen a sharp increase in the attendance rate of indigenous students, especially after they received visits from Australian sporting legends who endorse the program and its goals.

One such example includes the former ANZ champion and Beyond the Broncos ambassador Beryl Friday, who played for the Queensland Firebirds. Beryl, a proud Nyungkul woman, stated that education is “…one of the most important things women can have” as it allows them to make informed decisions which can benefit them now, as well as future generations.

“Through the Broncos Girls Academy, we have a unique opportunity to make Australia better for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and give them the tools to pave a successful path for their futures,” said Ms Friday.

The Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy was first established in 2016 and it has supported more than 4,000 students since then, inspiring children by recognising the vital role young indigenous women play in influencing future generations.

For more information, visit their website here. Follow their Facebook page for the latest updates and announcements concerning the program.

Stay in Shape at the New Goodlife Richlands

Ready to get back into the groove of things and return to that active, healthy lifestyle? Stay in shape at the newly-opened Goodlife Health Clubs outlet in Richlands.

Goodlife Richlands, which opened its doors to the public on the 8th of April 2021, had a significantly stronger start than anticipated as Australians rushed to return to an active and healthy lifestyle after the complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This location is one of the first five new branches lined up nationally in 2021, including an all-new club in West End.

Among the programs offered at the health club include Arena Fitness and Reform Pilates.

Arena Fitness, the health club’s own coach-led boxing program, focuses on burning fat, building strength, and improving fitness. Reform Pilates improves posture and flexibility whilst simultaneously toning muscles.

Goodlife Richlands provides dedicated group exercise studios, cycling areas, saunas, and a functional training zone with sled track, high-quality cardio equipment, strength and weights sections, and squat racks.

All facilities provided by the health club are available to Goodlife members 24/7, meaning those interested in getting into shape can drop by at any time on any day of the week and start exercising — whether it be before work, after, or even both.

Goodlife Health Clubs Richlands can be found at 144 Pine Rd, Richlands, open 24 hours a day for seven days a week. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and special announcements concerning the health club.

Forest Lake Housing Market Moving Closer to $500,000 Median Price

Did you know that Forest Lake is moving closer to the $500K mark after its latest median home prices came in at $455K?

Forest Lake’s housing market joins Durack, Ellen Grove and Fitzgibbon as the suburbs nearing the half a million club. Inala, Wacol and Richlands are still trailing behind with an average house price between $355,000 to $410,000.

In Forest Lake, it’s also cheaper to buy a house than to rent because of low interest rates and a first-home buyer’s grant. Some buyers could end up luckier than most because there are houses less than $500,00 that will not need heavy refurbishments or renovations.

However, some industry experts warn of the downsides amidst the property boom, record sales, and packed auctions and open houses as new investors, young and first-home buyers only have these suburbs as options based on the house price listing they could afford.

A robust Brisbane housing market, which has been projected to have a five to eight percent increase every quarter in 2021, could leave out just Inara and Wacol for new buyers considering to invest in Brisbane by the end of the year.

But life in Forest Lake may still be a worthy investment for young families despite a looming median price increase as it’s a quiet, green and clean town with many public parks. There are also fewer broken down or dilapidated houses compared to other suburbs nearby. First-time buyers could acquire a house with a spacious backyard compared to living in a shoebox in suburbs closer to the CBD, according to a longtime resident.

Turning the Screws on Crime with Forest Lake Men’s Shed’s New Event

A collaborative event between the police and members of the local Men’s Shed at Forest Lake, appropriately titled “Turning the Screws on Crime”, led to a total of 92 number plates being changed and secured with one-way screws.

Members and volunteers from the South Brisbane District Crime Prevention Unit worked alongside handymen from the Men’s Shed at Forest Lake on the 13th of February to secure a series of automobile number plates with one-way screws to prevent theft.

*Members of Forest Lake Men’s Shed* posing with handmade possum and bat boxes.
*Photo credit: Supplied*

“Turning the Screws on Crime” ran for a total of three hours, with 92 turnups all in all. Members of the Men’s Shed, in tandem with the police, worked hard under the sun to guarantee the safety of the Forest Lake populace. Fortunately, the event came with free food, as well as free coffee supplied by a coffee van from Cafe2U.

Cafe2U coffee van supplying attendants and volunteers
Photo credit: Facebook

What makes license plates a prime target for thieves is the fact that offenders can attach stolen plates to stolen cars, allowing them to drive through tolls, evade fines, and speed away after committing other crimes such as petrol drive-offs without being caught. All fines and offences will be traced to the victim, causing them a great deal of grief and difficulty.

With the installation of one-way screws, thieves are greatly deterred for they’ll have a significantly more difficult time trying to steal license plates from vehicles. With the event’s sizable turn-out, coupled with the presence of the police, many would-be offenders in Forest Lake would think twice.

8 Sites Visited by the Mobile Library, Including Forest Lake

Did you know that the Council has a mobile library that visits eight spots across Brisbane, including Forest Lake, regularly? The custom-built vehicle provides locals access to a collection of more than 1.4 million books or magazines to read and DVDs to watch.

The mobile library does not require a membership so interested individuals may simply come down and browse, show their ID, sign up and check out a book. A librarian and staff drive and set up at these locations during the fixed schedules below:

SUBURB	LOCATION	OPENING HOURS *excluding public holidays
Aspley	Corner Gayford and Albany Creek Roads, Aspley	Monday fortnightly from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Bellbowrie	Bellbowrie Shopping Plaza carpark, off Birkin Road, Bellbowrie	Thursday weekly – 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Brighton	Decker Park car park, 25th Avenue, Brighton	Monday fortnightly from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Ellen Grove	Carole Park State School, 260 Waterford Road, Carol Park	Wednesday fortnightly from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Forest Lake	Forest Lake Village Shopping Centre, Forest Lake – outside Australia Post	Tuesday weekly – 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Manly West	Mayfair Village Shopping Centre, Manly Road, Manly West	Friday fortnightly from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mt Crosby	outside Mt Crosby State School, Mt Crosby Road, Mt Crosby	Wednesday fortnightly from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Gap	Ashgrove Golf Course main car park, 863 Waterworks Road, The Gap	Friday fortnightly from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Visitors may stay for the duration of the service as the mobile library has a covered deck, extension pod, a lift for wheelchairs and prams, solar panels, internet computers and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The Council’s mobile library has been by around since the 1970s and has had several incarnations. As before, the custom-built vehicle is a single aisle with ample lighting and works just like a typical city library, albeit smaller.

Wakakirri: Grand Avenue State School in Forest Lake Wins Best Diversity Story

Grand Avenue State School impressed the judges at the annual Wakakirri, Australia’s largest performing arts festival for schools. The students won Best Diversity Story with their original, inspirational and well-executed dance routine.

The Wakakirri Head Panel said Grand Avenue State School‘s story-dance had “great performance energy balanced with moments of focus and stillness, to create effective dramatisation.” The routine was commended for its “excellent opening scenes to establish character, context,” and the dancers had “lovely expressive skills.”

The primary school’s presentation also had a fantastic story and a great soundtrack to deliver a strong emotional message: “Whether your disability is invisible like autism, or visible like a wheelchair, everyone needs to be valued for their differences, not seen as less.”

Established 28 years ago, the Wakakirri Challenge traditionally takes place in professional theatres across the country. However, the 2020 festival was restructured into an online-only format due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“In a year like this one, it’s incredible that students and teachers have created such solid stories and performances. Despite all of the unexpected obstacles this year, these Story-Dances are every bit as moving and inspiring as the ones performed in theatres at previous Wakakirri Festivals,” Kat Hoyos of the panel said.

Wakakirri helps the students develop their skills, wellbeing and confidence by participating in performing arts. Every year, schools across the country spend months on their routines to covet that prestigious National Story of the Year Award.

For more about this year’s winners, visit the Wakakirri official site.

Meanwhile, the Wakakirri has opened for 2021’s competition. Details are in the video below: