Corinda Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Over The Walter Taylor Bridge

Developer Seeks Amendment of Approved Retirement Facility in Corinda

A development application has been submitted for modifications to an already approved retirement facility in Corinda.

Read: Walter Taylor Bridge: Revisiting the History of Southern Hemisphere’s Only Habitable Bridge

The submitted proposal entails making slight revisions to the design of Buildings 2 and 4 within the approved Retirement Facility. Additionally, it involves reducing the number of dwelling units and adjusting the setbacks for a proposed car park exhaust.

The proposal aims to decrease the total Gross Floor Area for the ancillary uses of Building 2 from approximately 293 sqm to around 34 sqm. The tenancies are planned to be situated more internally within the building, accessible exclusively through the lounge and communal areas, with no direct access to the outdoor communal space.

Plans (Photo credit: O’Neill Architecture)

In 2017, the site, located at 260 Cliveden Avenue and 20 Menin Road, Corinda received an original approval for a retirement facility consisting of 264 units across five stages.

Proposed building, Level 2 plan (Photo credit: O’Neill Architecture)

The proposed amendments, designed by O’Neill Architecture, carefully maintain the visual aesthetics of the building, ensuring that there is no discernible increase in the overall size and scale of the structures.

According to planners at RPS, the proposal aims to enhance the building facade of Building 2 by introducing additional architectural features to the north and south elevations. Furthermore, the proposal seeks to incorporate balconies on all elevations, aiming to improve the overall livability and enjoyment for future residents.

The proposal also includes a redesign of the basement carpark in Building 2 to match the new building footprint. There is a plan to alter the carpark entrance by utilising a driveway that connects through the existing car park of Building 7.

Read: Get To Know The Lahey Family Who Built A Successful Sawmill In Corinda

Another amendment is being proposed for Building 4 (Stage 4) to enable optional screening for westward-facing balconies. This modification aims to enhance climate comfort for residents by providing additional protection from the sun.

Further information about the development can be viewed via Brisbane City Council’s PD Online, using the reference A006230954.

Published 12-May-2023

Corinda Heritage House Up for Extension

Photo Credit: HeritagePlaces/BrisbaneCityCouncil

Plans have been lodged to extend a heritage house located in a low-density residential zone in Corinda.

The property, located on Lynne Grove Avenue, is an old Victorian house set back from the streets of Corinda. Thus, the proposal to replace the existing carport with a larger residential car parking area (DA A006130271) was filed with Council.

According to the development application, the proposed extension will not impact the historical pattern of the dwelling. Views of the site will also not be impeded by the changes.

The DA, filed on the 20th of October 2022, is still under assessment.

The property was entered into the local heritage listing in 2005. It was estimated to have been built around 1887 to 1891 on a farmland owned by Joseph Grieve Young and his wife Eliza Maria Annie Young. The couple cultivated maize, potatoes, bananas, cotton, sugar cane, and arrowroot.

At that time, Brisbane was booming, following the construction and the opening of the Indooroopilly railway bridge. Yet many of the allotments were vacant for years and remained small farmlands, including the Lynne Grove Avenue house.

After Eliza’s death in 1931, the Public Curator of Queensland took hold of the property before it was transferred to Thomas Grieve Young a decade later. The land was subdivided in 1958.

Positive Changes Seen 3 Years After Corinda State High Banned Mobile Phones in School

The move to ban students from using their mobile phones on campus in 2019 has sparked positive changes at Corinda State High School, according to Executive Principal Helen Jamieson.

Ms Jamieson said that since adopting a proactive approach to students’ personal technologies use, the kids have become more engaged with their peers and are taking full advantage of the school’s programs and facilities. The students are busier than ever at the sports fields or at the library where they may also play chess and Lego.

Lunch times at school also have students talking and engaging. No one is looking down and fiddling on their phones whilst ignoring their schoolmates.

Ms Jamieson said that the social culture at Corinda State High School has shifted since the students have been required to keep their mobile phones, earphones, and smart watches inside a Yondr pouch provided upon enrolment.

The Yondr pouch has to be tapped to activate a mechanical lock before the students enter the school, and they tap this again to unlock the pouch when they go home.

HOW IT WORKS

Per the school’s policy, the students may only be allowed to take out their phones “under the strict supervision of a teacher if they are used for educational purposes.” Laptops and tablet computers, however, are not included in the ban.

Ms Jamieson said that one of the key factors in enforcing the ban, which received immense support from the parents, was to help curb mobile phone addiction among impressionable teenagers. They also wanted to protect curious students from the dangers of the internet.

The ban, however, was not without any incidents as there were teenagers who tried to slip their phones in between classes. However, students who were caught violating the ban have been dealt with stricter consequences such as being monitored for a month. Repeat offenders have been subjected to weekend community programs.

Cliveden Avenue Reserve, A ‘Secret Forest’ In Corinda

Located 30 minutes away from the city, the secluded Cliveden Avenue Reserve is known as the ‘secret forest’ of Corinda.

Read: New Solar-Powered Flood Warning Signs to be Installed along Roads Near Oxley Creek

In 1995, the Cliveden Avenue Reserve Bushcare Group was formed. It is one of the bushcare groups of the Oxley Creek Catchment Association, a not-for-profit community-based organisation whose mission is to protect and enhance the natural environment and resources of the catchment of Oxley Creek.

The Cliveden Avenue Reserve consists of bushland flora, with creepers and other invasive plants in the area, such as cat’s claw pepper trees, and climbing asparagus, that need to be controlled to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

The reserve is also home to other weeds, such as the coastal morning glory, Glycine, which have to be treated and reduced, so that the bushland can regenerate and be capable of repairing itself.

Photo credit: oxleycreekcatchment.org.au

Every month, volunteers would spend a couple of hours together, working on the restoration of the forest. They would visit every first Saturday of the month, usually at around 8:00 a.m. in summer months and 8:30 in winter.

The group, led by Carole Bristow, is responsible for searching for the native ground covers, weeding around them, and leaving them to increase.

They have to be careful in clearing the weedy grasses, though, because they provide protection for the soil whilst providing shelter to creatures like spiders, skinks, and insects. For them, it feels like a treasure hunt to discover what species occupy different areas.

“When you go for a walk through there, there is a refreshing feeling to the area that comes with a wild place, a natural place. These are core values we want to maintain,” the group stated.

The group encourages others to help maintain ecological integrity and local character of the remnant bushland, and to protect the values of wildness and naturalness.

For the volunteers, this section of Cliveden Ave is a special place and having a chance to work on its restoration felt like a privilege.

Those who would like to work with the group may call Ms Bristow at 3379 1453 or text 0409 495 017.

About the Cliveden Avenue Reserve

Located on the eastern part of Cliveden Avenue in Corinda, Cliveden Avenue Reserve is a pocket of bushland that will give you a hint of how Oxley Creek looked before it was colonised.

Ralph Fones, a historian, revealed that the first owners in early colonial days did not clear all the bushland but left it along the creek “so that people would know what it used to look like.”

Read: Look: Finalised Plans For Graceville Riverside Parklands Unveiled

The reserve is popular among those who are looking for easy walking trails around Brisbane. It’s close to Corinda Horse and Pony Club and Neata Street Park.

Over 1,200 Homes And Businesses In Corinda Still Without Power

Record-breaking rainfall and massive flooding have left thousands of residents without power, including households and businesses in several streets across Corinda.

Read: Saturday Fresh Markets Moving To New Rocklea Venue in 2022

As of 7:00 a.m. of 1 March 2022, around 1,212 residential areas and commercial establishments in Corinda are suffering from power outages because of the flood. Brisbane City had the highest number of outages in South East Queensland after the flooding, with over 28,900 customers affected according to Energex.

List of Areas with Power Outages

Following the torrential rain that caused Brisbane River to burst its banks, many streets have been flooded, including Pratten St, Cliveden Ave, Deniven St, Richmond St, and Oxley Tce in Corinda.

Businesses, including Coles, located on the corner of Oxley Rd and Clewley St, have also closed due to power outages, leaving some residents worried where to buy their much-needed supplies.

“This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint, ” stated Energex, describing the situation most of South East Queensland is facing as the flooding disaster grinds on.

“There’s no prospect of us being able to restore power to thousands of people until the waters recede and we can assess, clean, and repair electrical equipment across the area,” Energex shared in a social media post.

The company, which distributes power to 1.5 million homes and businesses in South East Queensland, has also provided safety tips to residents including what to and what not to do during and after power outages.

Energex has already assigned hundreds of staff out in the field todayans assured they will be working around the clock to repair and restore the network wherever and whenever they can.

“We know it’s frustrating not knowing when your power will be back on, but until the water drops, we can’t see what we’re dealing with. As soon as that happens, we’ll be able to give people a better idea of timeframes, which we will update in,” Energex posted.

As per Energex’s website, the next update for their customers in Corinda will be on 4 March 2022, 7:00 p.m. You can follow Energex’s official Facebook page for updates. If you’re affected, you’ll be able to see the outage and restoration time on Outage Finder.

Gift of Freedom For This Corinda Dad With Spinal Cord Injury

After an accident that left him with a severe spinal cord injury, Donny withdrew from interacting with other people for eight long years. Getting his very own mobility scooter has made a world of difference to this Corinda father.

Donny knew that he was missing out on life. Worse, he knew that his son, who would also just stay home to help him, was missing out on life too.

Things changed in February 2021 when through National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan, he was able to access a support worker who regularly took him to the gym and to his physiotherapist.

“Every few days I go to the gym and do weights for my legs, and afterwards I go for a swim at the pool as it helps relax my muscles in the water,” the dad said.

“I am always looking at anything that could help me; everything I have access to is what I need for now, but I am always asking my physio if there is any more extensive exercise.”

Shortly after working with NDIS support, Donny received his mobility scooter and it has changed his life in the best way possible.

“Now I can go for a walk with my son, go to the shops and to the local creek with the scooter, Donny said. “I can also go to Coles by myself – no need to wait for anybody, and pick up my son from school with my scooter.”

Donny on mobility scooter despite spinal cord injury — Photo Credit: Supplied

“What has happened to me in the last six to eight months – wow! My whole life has changed and I am so grateful.”

Donny reached out to Carers Queensland’s NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community Program for the Brisbane region. Those interested to receive similar benefits as Donny may contact 1300 999 636, or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au

Corinda Property Market Flourishes Amidst Brisbane Boom

House sales in the Corinda property market are flourishing, riding on the back of the Brisbane boom, as families flock to riverside homes near some of Brisbane’s elite schools.

Highlights

For the 12-month period from July 2020 to June 2021, Corinda’s property market showed a modest 4.87 per cent growth, with the median house price settling at $905,000.
For the same period, the median unit price went down by 10.11 per cent.
A flurry of sales activity in Q2 2021 resulted in a 53 per cent increase in median house price over the previous quarter.

House Price Growth

Between July 2020 to June 2021, Corinda’s median house price growth stayed just below the million-dollar mark at $905,000, ending the 12-month period with a modest 4.87 per cent increase. Houses stayed an average of 50 days on market with 84 properties sold for this time period, per figures from Property Market Updates.

In the first half of 2021, the median house price in Corinda hit an astounding 52.53 per cent growth, comparing Q2 to Q1 2021, putting the median house price at $1,205,000. Sales during this period closed shorter at just 30 days on the market with a higher concentration of four-bedroom properties sold compared to the first quarter, where cheaper two-bedroom homes dragged the median down.

A charming hilltop riverfront estate sold the highest at $4,200,000 for this period. Located at Dewar Terrace, this was one of the last remaining grand acreage estates in Brisbane’s southwest. Spanning two acres, this property has a beautiful cottage-style mansion built in the 1940s with a modern and updated layout.

The home has several living spaces for entertaining and lifestyle amenities like a gym, spa, and a pool surrounded by a stylish garden. The house also provides easy access to St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School, the cafes and shopping district in Corinda, and the railway to the CBD.

Unit Price Growth

The median price for unit properties in Corinda dropped by 10.11 per cent for July 2020 to June 2021. The movement of apartment property sales was at an average of 54 days on the market. Whilst there were 60 units sold during this time period, especially from the new apartment block developments near the railway precinct, the bulk of the sales were for small and more affordable two-bedroom apartments, thus pulling the unit median price at $413,500.

About Corinda

Corinda is a vibrant and green location in the southwest of Brisbane. Found some 14 kilometres away from the CBD, this tree-filled, family-friendly the neighborhood has some elevated streets, offering a beautiful view of the city. Here, families have stayed in their character homes for generations, with some homeowners deciding to sell or downsize only after two decades.

With good public transport, Corinda offers convenience for the residents who want to live in larger blocks of homes in a quiet suburb. There are plenty of good schools in the area, such as the Corinda State School or elite private institutions like St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School or St Peters Lutheran College.

Honour Avenue is a favourite outdoor hangout for many families during their weekend recreational activities, whilst Oxley Road thrives as the retail precinct for many small business owners who are still on a first-name basis with heaps of the locals. However, in recent years, the community has had a spate of younger families coming in.

“We love living in high side Corinda, plenty of great walking paths and a well maintained dog park. We are close to public transport and within walking distance to one of Brisbane’s most affluent schools, St Aidans. Prima Vera is great for breakfast and we look forward to future gentrification and growth of the cafe culture!”
KJH

“Offers luxury class living in high side Corinda along the river (west). Shops and restaurants are lively day and night. I recommend this suburb for those that like to escape the urban feel for a green, leafy feel yet so close to the CBD.”
Tom L3

Inspiring Corinda Boy with Cerebral Palsy Takes Up RaceRunning, Dreams About Paralympics

Max Bailey-Jensen, a resident of Corinda, is no ordinary 12-year-old. As someone with cerebral palsy, Max doesn’t let his limitations stop him from doing unexpected things, including competing in his dream sport: RaceRunning.

The young south western Brisbane local was hooked on RaceRunning when he saw the competition in Denmark, his birth country. Also known as Frame Running, this is an athletic discipline for Paralympians.

Back home in Australia, his family explored the possibility of their son joining the race with the help of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Even with no independent hand function, the determined 12-year-old participates in various sports activities, such as a triathlon, weekly Crossfit sessions and Judo training with the help of assistive technologies. He’s also quite adept in designing and drawing using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and like a lot of the kids his age, Max is a digital native, who loves the Xbox, iPad or Garage Band.

Max’s family applied for an NDIS grant when the special RaceRunning bikes were imported to Australia and he became the first RaceRunner participant to receive the first frame. He was also the first to receive a national classification in the sport after joining the University of Queensland’s PARASTART RaceRunning program for people with high needs cerebral palsy.

“Max is now training up to five days a week RaceRunning, swimming, and he’s in the weights room developing his physical skills and abilities,” his mum, Samantha, said.

“The benefits we are seeing from a physical, mental and emotional level are really positive, and it’s great to see Max so empowered and fitter.

“With the support of the NDIS, we are able to send Max to training with support workers, which is helping to create independence and providing him the opportunity to make more individual choices for his life.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Max Bailey-Jensen (@mbjv8)

Max recently secured his second plan with the NDIS, which opens more possibilities for the young athlete.

“Max’s first plan was very equipment-focused; it was incredible when he got his first power chair at 11 and to see him have independence in his mobility.

“When the NDIS approved his assisted speech technology equipment in just three weeks so he could start high school with a voice; that was another great day.”

In 2024, RaceRunning will debut at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

“Who knows, maybe Max will be on the track running for Australia,” his mum said with optimism.

For enquiries about NDIS funding, contact a Carers Queensland’s NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner at 1300 999 636, or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au.

Residents Oppose 3-Storey Development That Will Block Beloved Francis Lookout

A community in Corinda is opposing the planned development of a three-storey house that will stand directly on the west side of one of Brisbane’s oldest and most beloved park, Francis Lookout, essentially blocking its gorgeous views.

The neighbours are asking the Council to reject the development application for 9 Francis St, which has been waiting for approval since August 2019.

They are also asking the State Assessment and Referral Agency to recall its endorsement of the development, citing that the oversized house will affect the state of a heritage-listed site.

Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council/PD Online

Francis Lookout was a cemetery built in the 1860s for the pioneers, the Francis family, who used to own 21 acres of the land in the southwest suburb of Corinda.

In 1936, the family’s trustee gifted Francis Lookout to the Council. Since its last burial in 1966, Francis Lookout became a public parkland, offering a place of tranquility for the residents, with its pleasurable views of Mount Coot-tha, the D’Aguilar range and Brisbane CBD.

Photo Credit: Margaret Giebels/Google Maps

There are at least four empty lots next to the Francis Lookout, which was bought by the Mel Investment Group in 2018. The company then filed the development application the following year and made changes to the plans on 10 July 2020.

Meanwhile, the community has been submitting their objections to the development via the Council.

“Our concerns regard the height and bulk of the proposed dwelling, the lack of Traditional Building Character code in the design, and the effect it could have on significant heritage trees in the park,” one resident wrote.

“I believe the building of this development on 9 Francis St Corinda would be a total devastation to the Corinda community. There is history tied to that location, and that is something I value about having a property here,” another local said.

Photo Credit: Justin Giebels/Google Maps

“A 3 storey house would totally ruin a once very well protected view and the overall peaceful and tranquil aesthetic of Corinda. Furthermore, Francis lookout has been a place for friends and family to meet up and watch fireworks for a long time. It’s a very popular spot for disabled people, elderly people.”

Neighbours also said that some movement has been taking place in the lot on Francis St although they know that the Council has yet to make a decision.

Car Thefts Prevention: 4 Important Tips to Not Become a Target

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.

2. Don’t keep valuables in your car.

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.

Photo Credit: Public Domain Pictures/Pixabay

Help your community become a safer place. Report suspicious activities in your area to the Queensland Police’s 24-hour online tip line.