Corinda State High School students took part in their first mountain biking competition in Toowoomba, joining the Darling Downs Schools event hosted by Rocky Trail Academy.
For the first time, Corinda State High School participated in the Darling Downs Schools Competition held in Toowoomba on Friday, 8 August 2025. The event was hosted by Rocky Trail Academy at Jubilee Mountain Bike Park, Mount Lofty.
Photo Credit: Corinda State High School/Facebook
Competition Format and Tracks
The race involved three timed stages, with riders completing up to five runs per track. The fastest time on each stage counted toward individual results. Bonus points were awarded for top-four finishes. The points accumulated contributed to the Champion School title. Tracks were designed to test endurance, speed, and technical ability across junior, intermediate, and senior divisions.
Corinda’s Performance
Corinda was represented by six students who competed across the three tracks. In the Junior division, a Year 8 student, Ethan, secured fourth place overall, marking a strong debut for the school.
Photo Credit: Corinda State High School/Facebook
Support and Organisation
The school’s participation was supported by staff and parents, with roles including marshalling and course assistance during the day. The event also involved multiple schools from the region, with a focus on fostering participation and school spirit.
Event Operations
The Darling Downs Schools Competition ran from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The entire event included rider briefings, race rotations, and podium presentations, concluding the day. Food and coffee vendors were onsite. There were also volunteers engaged in safety and support roles. Weather conditions were partly cloudy during the event. The temperatures were ranging between 10–15°C.
The event formed part of Rocky Trail Academy’s 2025 series. The event aims to engage students in outdoor recreation while developing cycling skills. Corinda’s first appearance highlighted new opportunities for its riders in future school competitions.
Built in 1919 within the Magee Estate on Strong Avenue at Graceville, the home was constructed by the War Service Homes Commission and one of just six brick cottages built for servicemen returning from World War I.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Ray White Sherwood agent Doug May said the home, at 27 Strong Avenue, was known as ‘Digger’s Rest’ and has a plaque at the front of the cottage in honour of the war hero who once lived there.
Mr May said: “The property sold for a record price for a property of this kind within the Magee Estate”.
“Originally commissioned for Private Richard James Jones of the 16th Battalion, the home stands today as a living tribute to Queensland’s wartime legacy and architectural heritage.”
Photo Credit: Supplied
Mr May has now sold three properties on Strong Ave in just four weeks including 19 Strong Avenue for $1.375 million, and 172 Strong Avenue for $1.31 million.
He said the three-bedroom two-bathroom home was “steeped in history” and reimagined for contemporary living.
“Built in 1919 by renowned builder Sir Walter Taylor, this residence is one of only six original War Service Homes ever constructed in Queensland,” Mr May said.
Photo Credit: Supplied
‘Digger’s Rest’ is more than a home, it is a preserved piece of Queensland’s post-war heritage, lovingly renovated for 21st-century living, Mr May said.
New owners Angela and Malcolm Nutt (pictured above) said the history and traditional look of the property was a drawcard. “This house reminded me personally of a Melbourne-style home, which is where I lived in my earlier years,” Mrs Nutt said.
“I loved that it was low to the ground in a flat area and completely renovated, a garden to enjoy and grow for us and our grandchildren.”
The couple are relocating from their 1891 Queenslander in nearby Corinda which they described as a “very special family home”.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Once they settle into their new Graceville home, the couple will plant two rosemary bushes either side of their front gate to acknowledge the property’s ANZAC connection.
“My late father was in the Navy and service life was a big part of my history,” Mrs Nutt said.
“After we relocated my father from Canberra in his final years we always attended Graceville Memorial on ANZAC Day, so we liked that connection.
“We have been searching on and off for our next special home.
“This is our ‘right size’ home to enjoy for many years to come.”
A new generation of police dogs has officially joined the Queensland Police Service following a graduation ceremony held at the Dog Squad facility in Oxley.
The ceremony marked the end of a rigorous 12-week training program for 23 canine recruits and their handlers—eight general purpose dogs and 15 detection dogs trained in sniffing out drugs, firearms, and explosives, as well as tracking offenders. The graduating teams are set to be deployed across Queensland, including Brisbane, Townsville, and Bundaberg.
The event also honoured the legacy of former service dogs, with 47 memorial stones laid in remembrance of those that served in major investigations and high-risk incidents.
Photo credit: QPS
Officer in Charge of the Dog Squad, Acting Senior Sergeant Ash Purvey, said the day was about celebrating both achievement and legacy.
“Today we celebrate the future of canine policing in Queensland, while also recognising the dogs who paved the way with their service,” he said. “Each of the stones represents our partners and protectors—who have become part of our family.”
Photo credit: QPS
Police and Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie described the graduation as a significant milestone for the Service and a strong reflection of ongoing efforts to support frontline safety.
Superintendent David French from Operations Support Command praised the graduating teams and highlighted the need for continued support and resources for specialist policing roles.
“These teams represent our commitment to innovative, adaptable and effective frontline policing,” Superintendent French said.
“By continuing to invest in our Dog Squad, we are equipping our officers, both human and canine, with the tools to meet the complex demands of modern policing.”
The Queensland Police Dog Squad, established in 1972, has significantly expanded over the decades and now includes 71 general purpose dogs and 20 specialist detection teams.
The graduation comes amid wider efforts to strengthen frontline policing across the state, with new equipment and technology being rolled out to support officers and improve community safety.
The State has awarded more than $14 million in funding to almost 600 not-for-profit organisations through the latest round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. Among the recipients is Guides Queensland Sherwood, which will receive $23,500 to construct storage space and repaint its facility.
The Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF), now in its 123rd round, offers grants of up to $35,000. Since its inception over 30 years ago, the program has distributed more than $1.25 billion in funding to grassroots organisations across Queensland. The latest round attracted over 1,100 applications.
The GCBF provides financial support for projects that promote community wellbeing, including sport, volunteer initiatives, accessibility improvements, and local events. All funding is directed to eligible community-based organisations.
Role of Girl Guides Queensland
Guides Queensland Sherwood is a local unit of Girl Guides Queensland, which is the largest youth organisation for girls and women in the state. The organisation includes approximately 3,000 youth members and 1,000 adult volunteers and delivers a non-formal educational program aimed at skill development and leadership. Programs are led by trained volunteers and are tailored to individual member goals.
Funding Focus Only
The official announcement did not mention whether alternative projects in Sherwood were considered or if selection criteria changed in this round. The grant was one of nearly 600 awarded, based on applications submitted to Round 123.
Photo Credit: Girl Guides Queensland/Facebook
Community and Program Context
While the announcement did not provide direct public feedback, Guides Queensland is an established organisation with an ongoing presence in local communities. The grant to the Sherwood unit supports facility works in line with the group’s operational activities.
Applications for the next GCBF round — a $100,000 “Super Round” — close on 18 July 2025. Eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply through the Department of Justice website.
A $50-million overhaul is on the way for the Oxley Police Academy, promising state-of-the-art classrooms, new scenario-training spaces and upgraded accommodation for recruits who will one day patrol their areas of assignment.
Opened in 1972, the academy has long been the heart of police training for Brisbane’s south-west. The forthcoming project will be its biggest facelift yet, replacing ageing lecture rooms with tech-rich learning suites and adding an indoor tactical village that can mimic everything from suburban homes to convenience stores.
Local residents stand to benefit directly: the expanded campus is expected to train up to 1,600 new officers over the next four years, increasing the pool of frontline police available to the western suburbs. Additional driver-training facilities and refreshed fitness centres will ensure recruits graduate job-ready and fit for duty.
Plans also include a digital-forensics lab and upgraded firearms simulation ranges, equipping future officers to tackle cybercrime, youth offending and vehicle-related crime more effectively. Early site works are slated to begin within the 2025-26 financial year, with completion targeted ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
The academy revamp forms part of a $290.3-million program earmarked for new and improved police facilities across Queensland. Budget papers outline further spending on modern equipment for frontline officers, including 6,500 Taser 10s, upgraded body-worn cameras and tactical first-aid kits.
An additional $147.9 million has been set aside for these tools, while long-range planning documents confirm a dedicated $50 million line item to “upgrade and relocate functions of the Oxley Police Academy”.
Brisbane South’s regional brief also lists new CitySafe CCTV installations, extra POLAIR flight hours and continued funding for early-intervention youth-crime programs—all designed to bolster community safety alongside the academy upgrade.
For residents eagerly waiting for updates, the redevelopment means more locally trained officers, faster response times and a police cohort versed in the specific challenges of Brisbane’s south-west.
Training staff say the new facilities will allow recruits to practise real-world scenarios drawn from local call-outs, making on-the-job transitions smoother once graduates hit the beat in Oxley and other western suburbs.
Budget Relief and Infrastructure Upgrade for Tennyson
Tennyson is among just three suburbs in Brisbane set to receive a decrease in owner-occupier rates as part of BCC’s 2025–26 budget. Additionally, nearby infrastructure used by Tennyson residents—the Walter Taylor Bridge between Chelmer and Indooroopilly—has been allocated funding for continued restoration.
The $4.1 billion budget directs 85 per cent of spending into suburban areas. Tennyson residents will benefit from a 0.93 per cent decrease in their average residential rates due to changes in land valuations. By contrast, other suburbs will see rate rises of up to 7.5 per cent.
Walter Taylor Bridge Works Progressing
Although not located within Tennyson, the Walter Taylor Bridge serves as a key access point for the suburb. The bridge will undergo continued restoration works funded in this year’s budget. Planned works include structural repairs, rendering, and repainting, with completion expected ahead of the bridge’s 90th anniversary in February 2026.
Previous structural maintenance was undertaken last year, and this latest funding phase was confirmed following community concerns about the bridge’s condition.
Broader Budget Measures
Across Brisbane, owner-occupier rates will rise by an average of 3.87 per cent, with increases capped at 7.5 per cent. A new $100 annual surcharge will apply to inner-city unit owners purchasing after October 1. Meanwhile, a waste levy of $49.52 will be introduced citywide for green bins, even for those opting out of the service.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Community Response and Implications
Residents in affected suburbs have raised affordability concerns due to increased rates and charges. In contrast, Tennyson’s combination of rate reduction and access to improved transport infrastructure has been regarded by some as a favourable outcome under this year’s budget.
With residential rates set to fall and improved connectivity through planned bridge restoration, Tennyson is one of the few suburbs positioned to benefit from the BCC’s 2025–26 budget. While most areas brace for increased costs, the Tennyson community will see both financial relief and infrastructure investment in the year ahead.
Kianga Street in Graceville represents a unique chapter in Brisbane’s suburban development story. While the surrounding Graceville neighbourhood was well-established, Kianga Street itself is a relatively recent addition to the area’s streetscape, carved out as the suburb evolved to accommodate growing residential demand.
With 100% of properties being owner-occupied and residents staying an average of 13 years and 7 months, the street demonstrates exceptional commitment to homeownership despite its shorter history. This dedication to the area is reflected in the fact that 50% of residents have called Kianga Street home for more than a decade. The street’s property transaction history provides fascinating insights into Brisbane’s early 2000s property boom, with notable sales including 15 Kianga Street selling for $1.8 million in March 2004 and 10 Kianga Street achieving $1.6 million in May 2005 – figures that showcase the premium nature of this exclusive pocket of Graceville from its early days.
Kianga St, Graceville Residents
NUMBER OF PROPERTIES: 11 % OF OWNER OCCUPIERS ON STREET: 100% AVERAGE TIME FOR OWNER OCCUPIERS: 13 years, 7 months % OF PEOPLE 10+ YEARS: 50%
Kianga St, Graceville – As It Looked in 1936
SOME TYPICAL PROPERTY SALES ON KIANGA ST FROM YESTERYEAR
Property Address
Sale Price
Sale Date
15 Kianga Street, Graceville
$1,800,000
Mar 2004
10 Kianga Street, Graceville
$1,600,000
May 2005
9 Kianga Street, Graceville
$800,000
Aug 2004
SUBURB PROFILE
The median price of a 3 Bedroom House in Graceville in 2025 was $1,175,000 The median price of a 3 Bedroom House in Graceville in 2021 was $763,000 TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 3-BEDROOM HOUSE IN GRACEVILLE SINCE 2021: $412,000
The median price of a 4 Bedroom House in Graceville in 2025 was $1,375,000 The median price of a 4 Bedroom House in Graceville in 2021 was $1,110,000 TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 4-BEDROOM HOUSE IN GRACEVILLE SINCE 2021: $265,000
Botellón, located on Honour Avenue in Graceville, is bringing back its Paella Sunday event. Scheduled for 8 June, the offering will include a live cooking demonstration of chicken and chorizo paella by head chef Matt Woodhouse. For $35 per person, guests will receive a freshly cooked paella serving along with a seasonal salad sourced from Romarro Farm, charred sourdough, and house-made churros to share.
The event runs from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is designed to offer a casual, social atmosphere that reflects the venue’s Mediterranean inspiration. Bookings are available through the restaurant’s website, though walk-ins are also welcome.
Throughout the afternoon, live music will accompany the event. Guests can also enjoy sangria jugs in red, white, or rosé varieties, available at $60 each. These are intended for sharing among groups, in keeping with the Spanish tradition of communal dining.
Photo Credit: Botellón Brisbane/Instagram
Botellón’s Background
Established in 2019, Botellón was opened by local operator Maddison Walker. The restaurant has developed a steady following in the Graceville area and offers a Spanish-style menu focused on both imported and local ingredients. The kitchen is led by chef Matt Woodhouse.
Regular menu offerings include multiple paella varieties such as seafood (Mariscos), vegetarian (Verde), and meat-based options. These are served alongside tapas like garlic prawns, patatas bravas, and mains such as lamb shoulder.
Photo Credit: Botellón Brisbane/Instagram
Dining Style and Setting
Botellón draws design inspiration from Spanish laneways and plazas. The venue features bar seating, indoor booths, and alfresco tables under fairy lights. It operates from Wednesday to Sunday, with the kitchen closing at 8:30 p.m. daily. Happy hour runs from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day of operation.
Botellón’s Paella Sunday returns as part of the venue’s continued focus on Spanish cuisine and shared dining. The event reinforces the restaurant’s established presence in Graceville’s local dining scene.
Lama Street in Chelmer represents a perfect blend of established charm and evolving community character. Historical records from 1936 show the street already established in Brisbane’s prestigious riverside suburb, though the intervening decades have seen additional properties thoughtfully added to create today’s intimate streetscape.
With an impressive 95% of properties being owner-occupied, Lama Street demonstrates one of the highest levels of homeownership commitment in the area. While residents stay an average of 10 years, the street shows a balanced mix of established and newer residents, with 33% having called Lama Street home for more than a decade. The street’s property transaction history reflects Chelmer’s desirability as a blue-chip suburb, with early 2005 sales at 31 Lama Street reaching $670,000 and 23 Lama Street achieving $855,000 – figures that underscore the area’s long-standing appeal to discerning buyers. Below, an aerial image from 1936 captures this historic street in its original form, showcasing Chelmer’s established suburban character.
Lama St, Chelmer Residents
NUMBER OF PROPERTIES: 25 % OF OWNER OCCUPIERS ON STREET: 95% AVERAGE TIME FOR OWNER OCCUPIERS: 10 years % OF PEOPLE 10+ YEARS: 33%
Lama St, Chelmer – As It Looked in 1936
Lama St, Chelmer in 1936
SOME TYPICAL PROPERTY SALES ON LAMA ST FROM YESTERYEAR
Property Address
Sale Price
Sale Date
31 Lama Street, Chelmer
$670,000
Aug 2005
23 Lama Street, Chelmer
$855,000
Feb 2005
27 Lama Street, Chelmer
$460,000
May 1995
SUBURB PROFILE
The median price of a 3 Bedroom House in Chelmer in 2025 was $1,313,000 The median price of a 3 Bedroom House in Chelmer in 2021 was $825,000 TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 3-BEDROOM HOUSE IN CHELMER SINCE 2021: $488,000
The median price of a 4 Bedroom House in Chelmer in 2025 was $1,902,000 The median price of a 4 Bedroom House in Chelmer in 2021 was $1,213,000 TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 4-BEDROOM HOUSE IN CHELMER SINCE 2021: $689,000
Parts of Oxley, alongside 17 other Brisbane suburbs, are set to see buildings increase to five storeys in height from the current two or three, as authorities aim to tackle a severe housing affordability crisis by adding 6,000 new dwellings in the next five years.
The Lord Mayor announced the review on Wednesday, indicating that community consultation would begin soon, with the goal of implementing changes within a year.
Brisbane is currently ranked as the 13th least affordable city globally, a situation largely attributed to a significant lack of housing supply. In the low-to-medium residential (LMR) density zones, which cover 14 per cent of the city, dwelling approvals plummeted to just 445 two years ago, a sharp drop from the previous 10-year average of over 1,110 homes built annually in these areas.
Boosting Housing Supply
Photo Credit: Pexels
The proposed changes will allow for higher height limits and smaller lot sizes, potentially shrinking from a minimum of 400 square metres to 300 square metres. These adjustments are specifically targeting areas close to essential infrastructure, such as shopping centres, bus and train stations, and major roads.
Lord Mayor Schrinner stated that increasing housing supply is the most realistic solution to affordability issues, dismissing ideas like limiting short-stay accommodation or taxing vacant properties as overly simplistic and potentially harmful. He emphasised the need to “get more homes faster” and improve the feasibility of development to expand housing choices for residents, including first-home buyers.
Oxley’s Role in Development
Oxley, located approximately 11 kilometres southwest of the Brisbane CBD, is considered a prime location for increased density due to its proximity to the Oxley railway station and major transport corridors. The existing Darra—Oxley District Neighbourhood Plan already aims for growth in residential choice and multiple dwellings, especially around public transport.
Furthermore, the 19-hectare Oxley Priority Development Area (PDA), declared in 2018, is specifically designed to facilitate economic development and new homes. Projects like “Songbird” within this PDA align with the vision for a new residential community, including retirement living and community facilities.
The ongoing $100 million Oxley Creek Transformation project, which revitalises the creek corridor with green spaces, is also seen as supporting higher-density living by enhancing local amenity.
The announcement has been largely welcomed by the property development industry, including the Property Council, which called it a “welcome move” during the ongoing housing crisis. Urban design and planning experts also supported the initiative, stressing that thoughtful design is crucial to achieve positive outcomes while increasing housing supply. They believe that traditional Queenslander homes and character areas in suburbs like Paddington and Auchenflower are unlikely to be impacted.
However, concerns have been raised about the capacity of the construction sector to meet the demand for new homes. Master Builders Queensland stated that there is an insufficient number of qualified workers to build the required homes for Brisbane’s growing population, which added 73,000 people in 2023-2024 alone.
The Australian Institute of Architects also highlighted the importance of good design to avoid public pushback, ensuring new developments contribute to liveable communities with adequate privacy, safe streets, and appealing aesthetics.
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland noted a shift in public sentiment, suggesting a growing understanding and acceptance that higher density is necessary to address the housing problem. Council’s Labor Opposition Leader, Jared Cassidy, however, argued that the housing shortage is partly a result of the current administration’s decision to ban new townhouse developments in low-density zones in 2020.
For Oxley residents, the changes could bring increased housing diversity and a revitalisation of local centres with new shops and services. However, concerns remain about potential increases in traffic congestion, strain on existing infrastructure such as schools and utilities, and changes to the traditional neighbourhood character.
Council encourages residents to stay informed through official platforms and participate in upcoming consultation processes to provide their feedback on these important planning changes.
