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Partner Sought for Old Bishopsbourne Redevelopment in Milton

The Old Bishopsbourne site in Milton, one of the last largest green spaces in the inner city, may be up for a massive redevelopment if Anglican Church Southern Queensland succeeds in finding a partner or investor.

The Church has listed the landmark property with Knight Frank to attract proposals that may be adopted as a master-planned solution to “realise the maximum potential” of the property. However, the Church will still retain ownership of the site even as it will be redeveloped for other uses.

The site, also known as the St Francis Theological College, is under the “Community Purpose” zone but the real estate agents tout the property for future development as a “residential, retail, medical, educational, community services, and commercial precinct.” This has raised some concerns about the future of the heritage site as it might be compromised if there will be new constructions.

Old Bishopsbourne has been established in 1868 and stands in an extremely rare green space when most areas in Milton no longer have large trees older than 100 years. Experts from the University of Queensland said that Milton’s loss of greenspace has made it vulnerable to the urban heat sink.

Some residents, however, believe that the government should step in and help with the restoration.

“I understand the financial challenge of the good-hearted and not-for-profit church (which does a lot for charity) maintaining heritage buildings but if this is the argument they are using to develop (note, not sell) the site, then the government should be stepping in and providing support so that inner city greenspace is not lost and heritage is not compromised by new building work,” Jesse Taylor said. “It is very sad the church is forced into this position and a massive loss for Brisbane.”

“The State Government heritage register identifies the site as having ‘garden setting ambience.’ Will they step up to help the owners maintain the buildings and retain such an important site in original condition?”

Despite the property listing, the Church has prepared a video with Archbishop Phillip Aspinall who explained the need for the Expression of Interest process.

“Any proposal must consider the existing vegetation and heritage of the site,” Luke Chippendale said.

“The Church values the site and wants to see it put to better community use. Education and community housing uses are among the suggestions from the community we have already received.”

The Church has also hosted a community consultation to receive more feedback from the residents on Wednesday, 11 May 2022.

Residents Express Dismay Over a Plan to Demolish a Rundown Pre-1911 House in Milton

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Concerned residents oppose the plan to knock down a pre-1911 house on Sackville St, Milton to make way for a new development despite it being “structurally unsound”.

Brisbane City Council gave the green light to demolish the rundown dwelling at 8 Sackville St, Milton which was sold for $890,000 in November 2021. The heritage house shows extensive mould and termite damage with vegetation growth around its walls extending to the roof. The owners said that it would cost almost $350,000 to restore the house and make it safe to live in.

A community group, however, expressed opposition to the plan stating that heritage homes fall into a state of disrepair because of neglect and owners use its derelict state and the high cost of fixing the damage to convince the council to allow its demolition. The group said that Brisbane is losing heritage homes one by one through demolition and that laws protecting pre-1911 homes are “weak”.

The cost to restore the home, they say, may not be that “excessive” after all considering that fixing it and even raising it to add a new build underneath could help increase its value. And many similar homes in the neighbourhood, they say, were actually successfully restored and the same could be done for the pre-1911 house on Sackville Street.

Meanwhile, a social researcher said such a case is an example of the increasing problem in Brisbane where more and more people are coming in but many lots have heritage homes on them that are not built for subdivision to accommodate such growth.

He said that whilst it would be more convenient, especially for owners who couldn’t afford the cost of restoration, to knock down a rundown post-war home, it might be wise to at least keep “some key aspects of the home” because more and more investors are “looking for history” and older-style homes are very appealing to them.

Most of all, there is greater value in keeping these heritage homes for the next generation to appreciate, he said.

Is It Time to Consider Relocating Milton State School to Higher Ground?

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Milton State School and five other state schools that were heavily damaged by recent severe weather events have reopened but some quarters believe these schools may need to be relocated because of the high likelihood of a similar scenario in the future.

Milton State School is one of the six state schools that were severely impacted by recent floods. Forced to close for several weeks, the school diverted its students to surrounding schools that took them in for the remainder of Term 1.

Except for the new buildings, the school’s facilities that were designed before the 2011 flood were badly damaged. The flood-damaged areas include six classrooms.

So far, the Queensland Government has spent $50 million to bring flood-damaged Milton State School, Rocklea State School, St Helens State School, One Mile State School, Milpera State High School, and Aviation State High School back up in time for Term 2.

Prior to the schools’ reopening, the Teachers’ Professional Association of Queensland (TPAQ) suggested that instead of throwing “good money after bad”, State should instead consider permanently closing and relocating these severely impacted schools.

TPAQ said that these same schools are the ones that are constantly hit by floods. They cited Milton State School as an example of these schools that should be considered transferring to another site.

Working with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, the Education Department is currently focusing on flood mitigation proposals. These proposals would involve raising school buildings and may include other infrastructures including roads that will still allow access to schools in case of a flood event.

The Education Department said that flood mitigation efforts at these schools could cost around $200 million. Also, whilst relocation to higher ground is a possibility, this option is often difficult; however, they don’t want to rule anything in or out at this time.

Bicentennial Bikeway To Reopen Once Damaged Drift Restaurant Structure Moved

Although the process could still take weeks, the Bicentennial Bikeway is another step closer to reopening, with the mandated removal of the damaged structure of the Drift Restaurant, which was pushed onto the bikeway during the recent flooding, leaving a section closed for cyclists.

Read: Bicentennial Bikeway Closed: Bikers Call For Temporary Bikeway On Coronation Drive

Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) will use its powers under the QRA Act to stabilise and make the damaged Drift Restaurant structure safe for the public.

The QRA directive comes after an independent engineering report highlighted serious safety issues and stated that ‘in its current state, the pontoon is considered to be at risk of immediate and sudden collapse.’

Mr Steven Miles said he was concerned by the findings of an engineering report, as the stabilisation of the structure was critical to restore the safety of not only the bikeway, but the Brisbane River.

“Most people have seen images of Drift impaled on river pilings at Milton during the unprecedented rain event,” Mr Miles said.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the structure posed a risk to safety and caused an exclusion zone to be issued on the Brisbane River by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Maritime Safety Queensland Branch (MSQ).

“The independent report recommended immediate actions to secure the site and return safe access to the waterway and bikeway,” Mr Bailey said.

As of April 2022, cranes are already in place to remove the former Drift restaurant, but authorities believe it may take weeks or more before the derelict restaurant could be completely moved.

The restaurant is around 200 tonnes and there are only a few marine salvage companies in the country equipped with cranes big enough to lift the restaurant off the bikeway.

bicentennial — Photo credit: Space4cyclingbne/Facebook

With works underway, pedestrians have diverted into the cycle lane side, making it a shared path. To give cyclists a safe path to travel., one of the westbound lanes of Coronation Drive between Lang Parade and Graham Street will be closed.

Prior to the severe weather that damaged the floating restaurant, Ken Allsop, the site’s leaseholder, planned to reopen and operate the restaurant in 2022.

However, this wasn’t the first time that the Drift restaurant has been recommended for removal. During the 2011 flood in Brisbane, a large part of the restaurant ripped from its moorings in the Brisbane River before it smashed against the Go Between Bridge.

Milton House, One of Brisbane’s Oldest Homes, Undergoes Restoration Work

The historic Milton House, one of Brisbane’s oldest homes, is undergoing restoration work as part of a projected $350-million investment to transform Kings Row Office Park on McDougall Street as a mixed-use precinct.

Shayher Group, which owns Kings Row Office Park, has been granted approval in September 2021 (DA A005719414) to carry out building work and reconfigurations that will see the site as a business centre with multiple unit dwellings, indoor sports facilities, restaurant, and community facilities.

The revamp begins with Milton House, which has now been wrapped in scaffolding since mid-February 2022.

The heritage-listed Milton House has largely been vacant but tenants of the neighbouring buildings occasionally use the property, which is next to the tennis court, as a meeting or workshop area. Its restoration will include improved interiors, kitchen, and new toilets for men and women.

Milton House was constructed between 1852 to 1853 as the home of Sydney chemist Ambrose Eldridge. It was one of the first significant residential landmarks in the early years of Brisbane’s growth as a city. A respected resident, Mr Eldrige was active in Brisbane’s political, civic, economic, and social scenes.

His family resided in Milton House until 1855. Pastoralist John Frederick McDougall bought the mansion a year later as Mr Eldridge moved to Ipswich, where he died in 1860.

Mr McDougall, on the other hand, expanded Milton House’s estate and opened leaseholds for the property. Some of its tenants were Arthur Manning, the Colonial Under-Secretary, Henry Walsh, MLC and speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and James Crombie.

By 1885, the estate was sold to Queensland Investment and Land Mortgage Co. Ltd and its lands were subdivided for residential development.

But the original Milton House stood the test of time and also housed The Commissioner of Police, David Thompson Seymour, noted Brisbane General Hospital physician Dr Hugh Bell, and grain merchant William Siemon.

The Siemon family donated the property to the Presbyterian Church in the 1950s and became a hostel for female students.

Eventually, the precinct was redeveloped as Kings Row Park, which Shayher Group group purchased for $98 million in 2016.

Bicentennial Bikeway Closed: Bikers Call For Temporary Bikeway On Coronation Drive

A community of bikers is urging Brisbane City Council to install a temporary protected bikeway on Coronation Drive in Milton, whilst the Bicentennial Bikeway is out of service due to upgrades and clearing operations following the flood.

Read: XXXX Brewery Underwater Once Again as Extreme Weather Continue to Batter SE Qld

The Bicentennial Bikeway closed in January 2022, whilst a redecking project is being carried out at the Regatta Ferry Terminal. Besides the works currently underway, the former Drift restaurant was also pushed onto the bikeway during the recent flooding, leaving a section of the bikeway closed for cyclists.

With works also underway, pedestrians have diverted into the cycle lane side, making it a shared path.

Brisbane West BUG (Bicycle User Group) and Space4Cycling believe the footpaths are not enough to accommodate bicycles and scooters.

“We STRONGLY urge Council to install a temporary on road cycleway between Lang Parade and Cribb Street. We are sure Queensland Walks agrees that the footpaths are inadequate to accommodate bicycles and scooters,” Brisbane West BUG stated.

Aside from a temporary protected bikeway on Coronation Dr, Space4Cycling said speed limit should be lowered, as happens during roadworks, whilst so many additional pedestrians and bike and scooter riders are forced to use skinny footpaths or ride on the road.

During Council’s Transport Committee meeting in March 2022, Cr Ryan Murphy confirmed the Bicentennial Bikeway is the top priority bikeway for repair, recognising its importance as critical and essential transport infrastructure.

Mud has been cleared to the side on the bikeway between the Go Between Bridge and Ann Street whilst the Cribb Street ramp to Coronation Drive, and tunnel to Milton Green have also been cleared.

Photo credit: Michael Berkman – Greens MP for Maiwar/Facebook

Pontoon was fenced off beyond Herschel Street whilst Maritime Safety Queensland were clearing the pontoons, jet skis and boats out from the bikeway near the Milton CityCat terminal.

Meanwhile, local Greens state MP Michael Berkman supports the calls from bike user groups, adding that the detour must be of a high standard, including diversion signs, physical protection and appropriate traffic control on Coronation Drive.

“An on-road bikeway diversion which is protected from motor traffic is required as a short-term safety measure given that many cyclists are exercising their legitimate right to ride on the road on Coronation Drive instead of the very narrow footpath. This is a recipe for disaster, and many of my constituents have contacted me in the last couple of days with stories of near misses,” said Mr Berkman.

Milton, Other Flood-Affected Suburbs: How to Access Assistance and Grants

Photo Credit: Milton Community Garden, Brisbane QLD / Facebook s

As floodwaters subside, the devastation of the severe weather event that hit Southeast Queensland, including Milton, Rosalie and Auchenflower, has become more pronounced. What forms of assistance can residents in flood-affected suburbs get to help them recover from the effects of this disaster?

Among the most affected areas in Brisbane include Milton where low-lying streets and homes were inundated with floodwaters from the swollen Brisbane River. The floods affected Coronation Drive that heavily impacted traffic flow for days. Milton State School was submerged as well and remained closed for several days along with 1,000 plus other state schools.

Inundation at Milton State School | Photo Credit: Milton State School / Facebook

Nearby Rosalie was also not spared with floodwaters reaching chest high entering restaurants, destroying equipment and machines and leaving owners with the laborious task of cleaning up after the flood.

Auchenflower too took a beating from the torrential rains and flooding as helpless residents could only watch as their homes got inundated with floodwaters. And to make the situation more frustrating, water comes flowing back after they have already finished cleaning up.

The total damage caused by the floods is estimated to reach $1 billion as flood and storm damage insurance claims rose in the aftermath of the inundation with about 31,000 claims already being made.

Access to grants and support for flood-impacted residents

On 1 March, the State Government unveiled grants and support for flood-impacted areas including Emergency Hardship Assistance grants of up to $180 per person and $900 for a family of five or more. As assessments in other affected areas are still ongoing, these grants are open for people in the following LGAs only:

Ipswich LGA
Somerset LGA
Moreton Bay LGA
Lockyer Valley LGA
Gympie LGA
Dallarnil locality – North Burnett LGA

However, there are other grants available to eligible residents who are uninsured and have experienced certain losses or damage to their property including the Essential Household Contents Grant which provides up to 1,765 for single adults and up to $5,300 for couples/families.

Photo Credit: Rosalie Village Community / Facebook

Also available are the Structural Assistance Grant – to go towards repairs to make the home secure and safe – and the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant which is a two-part grant aimed at helping affected homeowners get reconnected with essential services including electricity, gas, water and sewerage.

The State Government is also rolling out a “rapid housing response” in flood-affected areas, including the establishment of a $600,000 Rapid Response Fund, to tackle housing challenges and homelessness brought about by the recent flooding.

“Record interstate migration, rising house prices, very low vacancy rates, COVID-19 and severe weather has created a perfect storm.

“Every Queenslander deserves a roof over their head, and I have been looking at all available options to assist people who might require short-term accommodation and longer-term housing,” Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said.

“We are doing this in a way that considers the individual and the diverse needs of households.

“This includes providing accommodation solutions with appropriate support for people with disability, and people experiencing homelessness or domestic and family violence.”

Those needing housing help are encouraged to call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit the nearest Housing Service Centre.

Meanwhile, the Australian Government is also offering support through its Disaster Recovery Payment program which provides eligible families who have been significantly affected by the recent disaster with a lump sum payment of $1,000 per adult and $400 for each child younger than 16.

Families have until 3 September 2022 to make a claim. The LGAs included in the program include:

Brisbane
Bundaberg
Cherbourg
Fraser Coast
Gladstone
Gold Coast
Goondiwindi
Gympie
Ipswich
Lockyer Valley
Logan
Moreton Bay
Noosa
North Burnett
Redland
Scenic Rim
Somerset
South Burnett
Southern Downs
Sunshine Coast
Toowoomba
Western Downs

XXXX Brewery Underwater Once Again as Extreme Weather Continue to Batter SE Qld

Photo Credit: XXXX Brewery / Facebook

As the relentless downpour wreaked havoc across Southeast Queensland, XXXX Brewery was once again submerged in flood waters, a situation that it also faced back in 2011.

The Milton-based brewery said that The Alehouse and Tours have been closed as a result of the deluge and will remain shut until damages have been completely assessed.

The XXXX Brewery is under water at the back. @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/j2UZq0Xhx3
— Pippa Bradshaw (@pippabradshaw) February 27, 2022

“All booked tours for the weekend have been cancelled and refunded. We will announce when we reopen through our social media as soon as we can.”

Reacting quickly during the 2011 Brisbane floods

XXXX Brewery suffered damage when it was inundated by 2.5m of water during the peak of Brisbane floods in 2011 with parts of its brewing room and office remaining underwater for about three days. The cost of the damage to the Castlemaine Perkins building amounted to $12 million.

Led by Paul Woods, who was the Operations Director at the time, the team made preemptive actions to ensure that equipment critical to the plant’s operation would be put right back up again as soon as possible. And in just about three days, everything was back online.

A bad case of Deja Vu

“It’s hard to believe that it’s happening again already, isn’t it?” Paul Woods told The Rush Hour about the latest flooding, “it’s only like yesterday for myself and the team.”

He said that there’s 1.5 m in at the lower level of the site which is causing them a few problems at the moment. The good news, however, is that the brewery has quite a number of elevated sections, so they managed to put the beer and tanks out of the water. Mr Woods said that they only need to get the packaging side of the operation to be back online and everything would be “good to go.”

As far as quickly turning things around like what they did in 2011, he said that he is hopeful that they could once again do that considering that the flood water has already receded and a team has already been dispatched to assess the damage.

Mr Woods admits that supply would be tight in the coming days but thankfully, all their finished products are held in an offsite warehouse so there is ample supply with no foreseen impact in the immediate future.

Asked if XXX Brewery might come out with a Mud Army 2.0 commemorative ale, he replied, “How do you think that Mud Ale might taste?”

Rod Bellars Collection: Largest Historic Militaria Collection in Australia Up for Auction

The Rod Bellars Collection, the largest collection of militaria items from Australia and across the world, including thousands of rare items, is up for an online auction for the first time in public.

Consisting of militaria pieces curated over 60 years, the Rod Bellars Collection comes from a man who was passionate about preserving the history of World War I and World War II.

Mr Bellars died in 2021 but Mr Lee Hames, the CEO of Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers, was able to visit him and hear his stories about the war and his collection before he passed on.

Following his death, Mr Hames said that the collection needed new custodians who will preserve, display, and pass on the stories behind these pieces for future generations.

Holden Gun Holstered for Export

Some of the pieces for auction are under the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986, which are subject to export control outlined in the National Cultural Heritage Control List, Schedule 1, as flagged by the Federal Government.

These items will need a valid permit from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications before they are brought out of the country.

“One of the items that the government specifically flagged was an Australian 2 Pounder Anti-Tank Gun built by General Motors Holden in 1942 in South Australia, where only 892 were manufactured locally and used by Australian Forces during World War II,” said Mr Hames.

“The bid on this piece alone is already over $25,000 so who knows what it could sell for come auction day, it could be set to fetch 6 figures as we are still a couple days out from it going under the hammer.”

“We commend the government for preserving and keeping history within Australia and we really hope that Australian museums and libraries perhaps purchase some of these items to display and preserve these significant pieces of history and honour them with educational purposes for many years to come.”

The Rarest Collection

“We were actually in complete disbelief when we first arrived to inspect the collection as it featured some of the rarest militaria collectables from WWI and WWII that we have ever seen, there is everything from military tanks to firearms, swords, military uniforms, helmets, boots and heavy artillery,” Mr Hames said.

The Rod Bellars Collection has over 10,000 military pieces, including “one-off” items that could be worth “significant amounts of money,” according to Mr Hames.

“We have had enquiry all over Europe and Asia on these items all from passionate collectors and militaria enthusiasts just like Rod was, so we are sure that there will be many custodians that will treasure his collectables just as he did throughout his lifetime.”

“We really hope that museums and libraries and passionate collectors from across the world are successful in securing some of these important pieces of history.”

A total of 14 separate online auctions are now for this collection, with the first set to end on Saturday, 19 February 2022. The collection includes tanks, artillery, swords, firearms, helmets, radios, boots, parachutes, military uniforms and much more.

Bid on the Rod Bellars Collection at Lloyds

Wednesdays Will Find You Back at Brisbane City Markets in Reddacliff Palace!

Do you want something new to do on hump day Wednesdays? Why don’t you check out Reddacliff Palace, where the regular Brisbane City Markets has come back in full swing for 2022!

Brisbane City Markets, Brisbane’s premium foodie haven and produce paradise, will open every Wednesday beginning 9 Feb 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This market brings the best street eats around Brisbane, Queensland’s freshest farm produce, artisan provisions, trawler-direct seafood, fresh-cut flowers, handcrafted homewares, and so much more wonderful finds from providers and crafters in the region.

Some of the stalls featured at this regular market include This Little Light Creation, a maker of soy wax candles, beeswax candles, and diffusers. This Little Light Creation is from a young entrepreneur, Mea, who restarted making candles during the lockdowns to help with her mental health. She turned her passion into a business.

Photo Credit: This Little Light Creation

Brat Haus, proud to be Australia’s biggest and best Bratwurst wholesaler and retailer, will also be at the Brisbane City Markets.

“We’re famous for those big bratwursts at the markets, festivals and footy games but the big fun doesn’t have to end there! You can cook up Queensland’s best bratwursts at home! Perfect for when you want a quick and tasty snag or add use them in a favourite dish for something a bit extra!”

For lovers of paellas and tapas, don’t forget to check out the stall of the Spanish Paellaman. With chefs from Valencia, the food at this stall offers the best flavours of traditional Spanish cuisine. They also cater to private parties and corporate events for up to 200 people.

Meanwhile, about 85 new and returning stall owners are going to be at the OG inner city markets. The Brisbane City Markets in Reddacliff Place is a favourite for city workers, local residents and tourists alike. Follow the Facebook page for updates.