Brisbane has a new flood information online tool that will help people find and verify information easier, including the history of past floodings that devastatingly impacted suburbs like Oxley, Graceville, Chelmer and Sherwood.
The new online tool aims to help Brisbane residents become more flood-resilient and better prepared for severe weather disturbances. The tool was developed after over a thousand ground surveys and hydrology or hydraulic models to generate updated maps. Inspections were also undertaken at 550 sites across 90 vital locations.
The map has shown that flood-prone sites over the Walter Taylor Bridge were far more impacted during the 2011 flooding compared to 2022 whilst the overland flow in the northern suburbs was significantly bigger during the recent floods compared to a decade ago.
“We’ve rolled out new, interactive flood maps and updated our FloodWise Property Reports to help you better understand your flood risk and how it could impact your home and local area,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.
“We’ve used the best tools and technology available to create user-friendly maps, which display information with clearer navigation, simpler language, and improved functionality across devices.
We can’t stop severe weather, but we can be better prepared and the new Flood Information Online tool is available 24/7.”
To complement the online tool, Council is also encouraging residents to download the free Brisbane Severe Weather Alerts.
“More than 11,750 residents have signed up for the free alerts since the February flood event, but it remains important if you’re not registered to sign up so you can be prepared,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, for Oxley, Chelmer, Graceville and Sherwood residents who were affected by the February flooding, a series of community information sessions about the Resilient Homes Fund are still ongoing, per Cr Nicole Johnston of the Tennyson Ward.
Staverton Kindergarten, the only kindergarten in the Chelmer-Graceville-Sherwood area, has received the highest rating set by the National Quality Standard (NQS) for children’s education.
Following a rigorous assessment, the school has exceeded in all seven quality areas of the NQS, such as educational program and practice, children’s health and safety, physical environment, staffing arrangements, relationships with children, and collaborative partnerships with families and communities, and governance and leadership.
The NQF for early childhood education and care was agreed by all Australian governments to get better education and development outcomes for children using education and care services. Its implementation is guided by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
“An overall rating of Exceeding NQS is given to services that go above and beyond the requirements of the NQS in at least four of the seven quality areas,” President Anastasia Kostellar of Staverton Kindergarten said.
“To have received the exceeding standard in each of the seven quality areas is a wonderful achievement that reflects the commitment and capabilities of the educators and management, along with families and our local community, to provide an outstanding kindergarten experience to the children in our care,” she added.
“Our strong emphasis on child-led play-based learning, our genuinely caring staff, our attention to detail, our fantastic educational program, and our relationships with families and the community were highlighted as being exceptional,” Carrie Grassick, Nominated Supervisor at Staverton said.
The great news comes as Staverton Kindergarten is set to undergo major improvements to its outdoor play area in mid-2022.
“Staverton’s large, shaded and secure outdoor space is a fantastic resource for the children to play, learn and explore nature. We are so excited about the new playground and seeing the children enjoy their new environment,” said Kristy Coombs, Educational Leader at Staverton Kindergarten.
The Graceville property market exhibited a remarkable 36% growth, bringing the median house price up to over a million, whilst properties in Chelmer continued their steady upward trend, showing 10% growth and fast movement for the 12-month period ending September 2021.
Highlights
Chelmer’s property market rose by 10.42 per cent, setting the median house price at $1,325,000.
Graceville’s property market is up by an astonishing 35.50 per cent, pulling the median house price to the million-dollar mark at $1,255,000.
Buyer activity in both suburbs was steady and brisk, with average days on the market of 61 days for Chelmer and 32 days for Graceville.
House Price Growth in Chelmer
Over the Walter Taylor Bridge is Chelmer, the suburb seating on the south side of the river bend, where house price growth has scaled up by 10.42 per cent between October 2020 to September 2021. Per figures from Property Market Updates, the current median price for this period is now at a cushy $1,325,000.
Buyer activity in this lovely suburb 20 minutes away from the CBD has generated 76 sales within an average of 61 days on the market. Properties with four or five bedrooms were more favoured by established professionals with children, who are on to their second or third homes.
A luxury five-bedroom riverfront house on the Jacaranda-lined streets of Longman Terrace sold the highest price for $8,000,000. Just 600 metres away from the train station and a short walk to the Indooroopilly Shoppingtown, this house has easy access to Brisbane Boy’s College, St Aidan’s, and the University of Queensland.
House Price Growth in Graceville
Chelmer’s neighbour, Graceville, offers a similar vibe for families who want schools, parks, and shops so close to home. In the last decade, many Queenslanders in this suburb have been turned into dining spots with a mix of old and modern interiors. The increasing improvements have added to Graceville’s charm and appeal as a family-friendly location and it has also driven house prices up by an outstanding 35.50 per cent.
From October 2020 to September 2021, Graceville’s median house price has crossed over the million-dollar mark at $1,255,00 from $925,000 in the previous year, per figures from Property Market Updates. A total of 86 houses were sold during this period with an average listing of just 32 days on the market.
The historic Molonga estate along Molonga Terrace, which was built at the turn of the 20th century alongside Graceville’s very exclusive high side, sold the highest price at $3,680,000 for this period. The house, with plenty of spacious and elegant living spaces, is minutes away from some of the best schools in the state like the Graceville State School, St Peter’s Lutheran College, and St Aidan’s Girls’ School.
About Chelmer
The relaxing lifestyle in Chelmer has definitely risen up from the devastating 2011 Brisbane flooding that has had such a significant effect on the properties. However, in the last few years, buyers have seen value in the Chelmer property market as evidenced in the yearly increase of its house median prices.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Invariably, investors look to Chelmer because it has some of the most beautiful Queenslanders in the city, characterised by its verandahs and wide staircases, which could be rebuilt or renovated into their dream homes. In fact, some of the houses have been modernised into brick builts and other urban architecture but Chelmer is still primarily zoned as a low-density residential area.
The most appealing properties are on Laurel Avenue, which is lined by 100-year-old Camphor Laurel trees. Honour Avenue, on the other hand, is Chelmer’s busiest precinct since it is close to the train line. On the weekends, families can be seen spending their downtimes with nature at the Taylor Bridge Reserve or Gordon Thomson Park.
“A lovely leafy suburb with residents who take pride in maintaining their properties. It is perfect if you want to be close to town, with great transport, but not in the city itself. A mix of old Queenslanders and new builds. Lots of green park spaces, sporting facilities including netball courts, and close to Graceville shops and shopping centre of Indooroopilly. Great walking and biking too. We are new to Brisbane and were instantly attracted to the area, and purchased here. Loving it”
Melanie
About Graceville
A major drawcard for those who live in Graceville is its reliable transport system, with two train lines running through the suburb, which brings kids to school or their part-time jobs and parents to their place of work.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Since it is one of Brisbane’s oldest suburb, buyers can find plenty of Queenslanders and post-war homes in this area. However, Graceville has had some gentrification and renovation in the last decade with commercial centres and small businesses thriving near the transport hubs. Modern homes have also replaced some of the old houses, which have driven the house median house prices up.
Graceville is a quiet neighbourhood close to the CBD. In the mornings, it’s common to find early risers strolling along the river or the park or going for their coffee run on Honour Avenue.
“Situated under 8km from the Brisbane CBD, Graceville is a quiet, leafy residential suburb bordering the Brisbane River. One of the city’s older suburbs, Graceville has some fine old Colonials, Queenslanders, post-war, and grand modern homes with many opportunities for renovation and growth. With its own train station situated along the city line, along with a great bus system, transportation to the rest of Brisbane is fast and convenient.”
A Chelmer “doll house,” once an old and dingy property on Honour Avenue, has broken sales record when it sold for $2.265 million after going through a beautiful renovation.
The house, owned by the Finlayson family, was the first golf clubhouse in Brisbane, which was frequented by the city’s most prominent people in the 1890s. Standing on a 1,070 square metre site, the property is within walking distance to the Chelmer train station.
Anna and Michael Finlayson moved into this Chelmer doll house around 2013, buying the property for $613,000 with the knowledge that it will have to go through a major renovation due to structural concerns.
The couple was bent on making the house liveable again but for this project to be underway, they built a mini-house as their temporary dwelling next to the iconic property. The mini-house has since been incorporated into the main house.
After the renovation, the couple enjoyed their beautiful home in between two pregnancies and a serious health concern for their eldest child, Billie, who had to undergo surgery and chemotherapy in 2019. Their heritage-listed house became a haven for their children, especially with the addition of a heated pool in the backyard during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The couple said that even if the house was not heritage-listed, they had always planned on restoring it to its old character, especially with its historical significance to Chelmer. People who drive by their house have always admired it for its remarkable structure and design.
They have met many people who have their own stories about their character house. However, the Finlaysons had to say goodbye to the doll house as it was time to move on. Michael believes that they could give some love and devote their time to refurbish a new character house somewhere in Brisbane.
Did you know that 75 percent of car thefts happen because owners leave their vehicles unlocked? In recent weeks, residents of Corinda, Chelmer and Sherwood have had an unusual number of car thefts, which has alarmed law enforcers.
According to the Queensland Police, the risk of vehicles being singled out by opportunistic thieves is higher if the owner doesn’t secure their car. So, here are some useful tips to keep in mind to prevent becoming a target of car thefts:
1. Lock your vehicles.
Aside from the door, other points of access to the car include the window, the sunroof and the boot area. Be sure that these are locked or fully closed if you park your car in a public place. Make it a habit to check the locks and access points before you walk away from the parking area.
Resist the urge of leaving valuable items unattended inside your car. These could easily catch the eye of would-be thieves. If you need to bring valuable items, keep it out of sight. But don’t put these in the boot in full view of other people as thieves could also break into the trunk and take your stash because they saw you storing it there.
3. Take your keys with you.
If you’re going to be gone for just a few minutes, never leave your keys in the ignition. Turn this off and then take your keys with you. Also, never leave spare keys in your car’s glove box because thieves know where to look. The spare keys must be securely kept in your house.
4. Park in well-lit places.
Thieves may be deterred to target your vehicle if you park this in a well-lit area. If it’s also possible, choose a parking space that may be easily seen by passers-by. Be aware of where you park your car. If you’re wary of people loitering near the parking lot, it might be better to move your car somewhere else safer.
Chelmer Station Community Kindergarten
6 Halsbury Street
CHELMER Q 4068
3278 1327
Email: admin@chelmerstationkindy.com.au
Website: https://chelmerstationkindy.com.au
See map here
School Plus – Graceville OSHC
Before School Care / After School Care / Vacation Care
44 Park Road
GRACEVILLE Q 4075
3161 9904
Email: graceville@schoolplus.com.au
Website: https://www.schoolplus.com.au/
See map here
Sherwood State School Combined OSHC
Before School Care / After School Care / Vacation Care
Sherwood State School 464 Oxley Road
SHERWOOD Q 4075
3278 1658
Email: sherwoodoshc@gmail.com
Website: https://sherwoodoshc.com.au/
See map here
TLC Childcare Sherwood
Long Day Care
436 Oxley Road
SHERWOOD Q 4075
3278 2444
Email: sherwood@tlcchildcare.com.au
Website: https://sherwood.tlcchildcare.com.au/
See map here
Corinda Graceville Parish OSHC – Corinda
Before School Care / After School Care / Vacation Care
18 Clewley Street
CORINDA Q 4075
0488 785 606
Email: corindaoshc@bne.centacare.net.au
Website: https://centacarebrisbane.net.au/corinda-graceville-oshc/
See map here
St Aidan’s Outside School Hours Care
Before School Care / After School Care / Vacation Care
11 Ruthven Street
CORINDA Q 4075
3373 5960
Email: twilliams@staidans.qld.edu.au
Website: https://www.staidans.qld.edu.au/our-school/kindergarten
See map here
PCYC INALA – CORINDA SCHOOL AGE CARE
Before School Care / After School Care / Vacation Care
330 Lower Cliveden Avenue
CORINDA Q 4075
3379 3379
Email: corindasac@pcyc.org.au
Website: http://www.pcyc.org.au/School-Age-Care/Corinda.aspx
See map here
Bilby Family Day Care – Corinda
Family Day Care
Donaldson Street
CORINDA Q 4075
3278 0716
Email: info@bilbycare.com.au
Website: https://bilbycare.com.au/
See map here
C&K Yuingi Community Childcare Centre
Long Day Care
113 Cliveden Avenue
OXLEY Q 4075
3278 2092
Email: yuingi@candk.asn.au
Website: https://www.candk.asn.au/yuingi
See map here
Goodstart Early Learning Oxley – Oxley Road
Long Day Care
1106 Oxley Road
OXLEY Q 4075
3278 0111
Email: oxl@goodstart.org.au
Website: https://www.goodstart.org.au/centres/oxley
See map here
Little Ted’s Child Care Centre – Oxley
Long Day Care
Oxley Kindergarten 20 Ellen Street
OXLEY Q 4075
3379 2177
Email: oxley@littleteds.com.au
Website: http://www.littleteds.com.au/
See map here
PCYC Inala – Oxley School Age Care
Before School Care / After School Care / Vacation Care
Block B – Oxley State School Bannerman Street
OXLEY Q 4075
3372 2222
Email: oxleysac@pcyc.org.au
Website: http://www.pcyc.org.au/School-Age-Care/Oxley.aspx
See map here
Sunkids Children’s Centre Oxley
Long Day Care
Cnr Oakmont Avenue & Blunder Road
OXLEY Q 4075
3879 2799
Email: oxley@sunkids.com.au
Website: https://oxleychildcare.net.au/
See map here
Brisbane City Council’s Kerbside Collection is coming to Sherwood and its surrounding suburbs including Chelmer, Graceville, Sherwood, Corinda, and Oxley on Monday, 4 June 2018.
The Kerbside Collection may be an annual event, but it still pays to check some of the good old advice on getting ready for the collection day. You can even get the Council’s free Brisbane Bin and Recycling app to help you prepare for the event.
Scavengers are not new to Kerbside Collection since they have been “operational” for years now. As they say, one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure, so who wouldn’t want to get useful stuff for free?
Photo credit: CC-BY/sergejf/Flickr
For creative scavengers, some of the stuff that is thrown out the kerb can easily be repurposed or upcycled into something new. Like this old television that has been upcycled into a fish tank.
Photo credit: CC-BY/Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar/Flickr
Or this fridge that has been transformed into a chic dog house.
Other scavengers also scour piles on the kerbside for copper that they can get from the discarded electronics. This is where some things get really dirty.
Photo credit: CCO Public Domain / Alexas_Fotos / Pixabay
In the past, residents have been complaining about scavengers who pry their discarded electronics open in search for the money-making copper which can be sold for up to $7 per kilo. Whilst there is no problem with people trying to make money out of trash, the problems start when scavengers leave the pile of discarded metal they just opened scattered all over the place.
For scavengers who are ready to go out there for their loot, here are some friendly reminders for you before you hit the kerb.
Know when to go
Check the dates for the Kerbside Collection online so you can be updated with the collection dates for your area.
Come prepared
Take a ute or a truck so you can have room for the awesome stuff you might find.
Be considerate
Even if you’re only scavenging for copper from a pile of electronics and appliances, make sure to leave the pile as tidy as you can. There might be children running around the place and anything that’s broken can pose some serious hazard for them.
Keep other scavengers in mind
You might be inclined to only take what you need and break some stuff, but there are scavengers out there who might be able to repair those stuff and actually use them.
Scavenging can be helpful to a community since it is a great way to recycle unwanted things. Just remember to be mindful of your manners as you go about scavenging and have fun, you’ll never know what surprises could be out there.
Time plus investment paid off big time as a heritage home in Chelmer sold for $3.3 million. That’s a huge leap from the property’s price of $120,000 when it was bought back in 1990.
Known as ‘Arcadia,’ the property is a grand and majestic Queenslander built around 1905. It sits on a 2,704-square-metre lot and has its own tennis court and swimming pool.
Photo credit: www.realestate.com.au
The property is at a prime location at 56 Victoria Avenue in Chelmer and is one of the few large blocks of land that are left in the suburb. Many of the other large lots have either been sold or redeveloped.
The suburb also provides easy access to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre and the train station, plus a good number of restaurants, cafés and boutique grocers.
Sold in an auction on 19 January, the Arcadia sale was easily the biggest sale that week.
Queenslander with Modern Features
Not only is the Arcadia a large property with gorgeous amenities. The design is also something to be desired. It manages to effectively combine old, classic Queenslander style with modern convenience and comfort. The home boasts huge rooms with views of the outside. The dining area opens up right to the veranda, which surrounds the entire house.
Photo credit: www.realestate.com.au
The Arcadia offers several large spaces that have been well-maintained by the former owner. It has a second living room with an ornate fireplace that’s perfect for a relaxing retreat.
Photo credit: www.realestate.com.au
Downstairs are large air-conditioned areas that should be perfect to use as work-from-home office able to accommodate up to five workstations. The property also provides a garage for two cars and generous space for storage.
Swain House is a heritage-listed property in Chelmer and is owned by one of Australia’s foremost forestry and timber experts, Edward Harold Fulcher Swain.
The house was built in the 1920s. Mr Swain was born in Sydney in 1883 and at 17, he was the first cadet to be appointed to the Forestry Branch of the Department of Lands. What was special about him is that his knowledge and skills were mostly self-taught. He also funded his own trips to various areas to gain more knowledge about trees. Later on, he started to write about them and published several papers and books about them.
By 1916, he had moved to Queensland as a district forest inspector and then succeeded Norman Jolly as director of forests. In 1924, he became chairman of the Provisional Forestry Board.
However, due to his contradicting opinions on forestry with the government’s official position on certain matters, he had to take an early retirement. He retired to his home in Chelmer.
The house has an arboretum around it that contains various species of trees. It is a single-storey house that is made of timber. There is also a grass tennis court.
The house is a sight to behold. It looks like it came out of a storybook, which is one of the things that make it so special.
It has been planned for years, but the upgrade for Walter Taylor Bridge still needs to become a reality. As the bridge continues to cause bottlenecks during the peak hours of the day, some residents are putting pressure on the government to address worsening traffic situation in the area.
Photo credit: markbaileymp/Twitter
Protesters will be gathering on Saturday, 5 August at Nadine St Park in Graceville to call for action on people’s request to build a duplicate Walter Taylor Bridge.
Leading the rally is State MP for Yeerongpilly Mark Bailey. Mr Bailey has been vocal on social media, expressing his dismay at how Walter Taylor Bridge was ignored in the last budget.
Mr Bailey hit Brisbane City Council for allocating $650 million to expand Kingsford-Smith Drive from two lanes to three lanes, while not funding the upgrade of one-lane Walter Taylor Bridge.
A second Walter Taylor Bridge connecting Indooroopilly and Chelmer has been proposed for years ago. It involves the construction of a duplicate bridge immediately downstream of the pedestrian and bicycle bridge. The second bridge could provide one lane in both directions or focus on southbound traffic, while the existing bridge will be for northbound traffic.
According to the RACQ survey, 65 percent of respondents supported the plan to construct a duplicate Walter Taylor Bridge, while 24.2 percent were neutral about the idea and 10.8 percent were against the proposal.
Result of the RACQ survey which ended June 2017 showed strong support for a second Walter Taylor Bridge. (Source: live.racq.com.au)
