bardon brisbane Archives - Page 2 of 2

LNP Candidate Pushes For Upgrades To Jubilee Terrace in Bardon

Bardon residents have long been complaining about Metroad 5 and the traffic delays on the corridor. The biggest culprits are the intersections of Jubilee Tce and Coopers Camp Road and Jubilee Tce and Waterworks Rd. This corridor is known as the slowest stretch of road in southeast Queensland, something that an LNP candidate is keen to help change.

Robert Shearman, LNP candidate for Cooper has said that if he wins the election, fixing this Bardon road would be his top priority. He also said that upgrades to the road are strongly supported by LNP transport spokesman Andrew Powell, adding that he will make sure that this also becomes his top priority in the LNP budget.

Mr Shearman has also uploaded a video on his Facebook page showing the congestion on the road.

Mr Shearman also said that the State Government has all the requirements already to pursue road upgrades. Cr Steve Toomey for The Gap supports the upgrade as well.

Morning commutes on Metroad 5 are the worst, and in the evenings, the road is the second slowest road corridor in Brisbane.

Despite the obvious congestion on this road, RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Ritchie said that although Metroad 5 obviously needs an upgrade, prioritising the South Pine Rd/Stafford Rd intersection seems to be more significant as of now.

For the residents of all the affected areas, hopes run high that whatever improvements happen sooner, rather than later.

Are Bardon Roads Getting More Dangerous Due To Speeding Motorists? Locals Call For Safety Improvements

It seems that some roads in Bardon that require the attention of the Brisbane City Council. A local is requesting that the council reduce the speed limit on Simpsons Road to 50km/h for pedestrian safety.

This isn’t the first time that residents have called for a drop in speed on that road. In 2015, a former Mt Coot-tha councillor Ms Saxon Rice has already written a proposal to reduce the speed limit on the road following feedback from the public.

Councillor Adrian Schrinner responded to Ms. Rice’s successor, Labor MP Steven Miles that an independent review was made and the council thinks that a 60km/h speed is deemed appropriate.

However, residents aren’t satisfied with the speed limit as there have been numerous accidents on the road. According to the residents, the street isn’t designed for such speed hence reducing it to 50km/h is more ideal. The council responds that it is up to the Queensland Police Service to enforce correct drive behaviour. It seems that the council remains firm in their decision of a 60km/h speed on the road.

A pedestrian crossing on Rouen Rd near the roundabout on Boundary Road has also called for improvement in the suburb when a local spoke up about her observations of speeding motorists making it unsafe for pedestrian crossing. The Department of Transport and Main Roads has reviewed the road and said that only one incident was recorded on the road hence there is no need yet for additional safety improvement plans.

Local Mum Calls For Improvements on Boundary Road in Bardon

A pedestrian crossing in Bardon may cause accidents in the future, according to a local mum who expressed her concern over the crossing saying that it should be more visible. The crossing is on Rouen Rd near the roundabout on Boundary Rd.

According to Georgine Hristovska-Gofton, she has noticed motorists speeding up on the road. She claims that because of the obscure crossing, it would be easily missed by motorist, and even by passersby.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads, on the other hand, reviewed the road and said that the accident history on the road from 2011 to 2017 only shows one incident. Hence, there are no additional safety improvement plans yet for the road.

Mrs Gofton compares the crossing to the ones in Sydney where she came from, and she said that the crossings there were raised so that motorists won’t have a hard time seeing them.

For now, it is important to remain alert on this road and review the guidelines by the TMR to ensure safety whilst crossing the streets. You can view the guidelines here.

Bardon’s Charming Miss Audrey Cafe Brings the Community Together

Donna and Nic Condon came up with a brilliant idea to expand their hair salon in Bardon by building a cafe just outside. If you think about it, it’s just the perfect pair.

Their business first started out as a hair styling salon. Known as Miss Audrey Hair, it soon became one of the suburb’s go-to place for their hair fixes. One day, Mr Condon, wanting to give more to the community, decided to build a cafe just outside of the salon, and Miss Audrey Coffee was born.

Mr Condon himself serves as the barista of the cafe, something which he enjoys very much. His presence provides such a warm welcome to the community.

Every morning, Mr Condon chats with the customers as if they’re old friends (and most of them are), “It’s a really supportive community. Very locally minded,” he says.

The quaint cafe sits at the entrance of the salon adorned with fresh flowers, hanging baskets, and lush green plants. Customers can enjoy their morning coffee on the timber tables and chairs surrounded by plants, overlooking the street.

They source their coffee beans from Padre Coffee Roastery in Noosaville whilst their teas are from Larsen and Thompson. For those who want to have a refreshing drink during those hot summer days will be delighted with the available juices from Noah’s.

Aside from their caffeine fixes, they also serve tasty treats from Outlook Catering. They have an assortment of muffins, brownies, and cakes.

Just around the corner lies the Bardon State School, which makes the cafe a popular spot for parents and their children as well as cyclists and joggers who need some energy boost to start their journeys. Pets are also welcome.

Bardon Climbs the Top as The Most Popular Suburb for Renovations

Did you know that Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that nearly sixty percent of the $1-billion worth of state renovation approvals for the 2016-2017 financial year is in Brisbane? Last year, Paddington/Milton topped the list of Brisbane’s suburbs with the highest number of home renovations. This year, the number one suburb in terms of home renovation is leafy Bardon, with Paddington/Milton in second place. Bardon has recorded $17.375 million in renovation spending.

According to LocalAgentFinder chief executive Matt McCann, these renovation projects allow homeowners to get closer to their dream homes especially now that the property prices are increasing significantly, urging Australians to turn to homes that need a modern update and renovating them.

In 2016, buyers of renovated properties went up in Bardon, with 70% of interested home buyers rooting for renovated homes. Although renovations can take a lot of time and stress, it looks like home buyers nowadays would pay a premium for a renovated home instead of doing it on their own, particularly for suburbs with a demographic that strongly leans towards young, working professionals and families whose circumstances allow them little time to focus on home alterations and conversions.

A Queenslander Home with a Twist

Photo credit: https://www.realestate.com.au

Last year, one pre-war Queenslander home at 167 Simpsons Road in the suburb caught the attention of the public when the 70-year-old home was transformed into a Hamptons-style property within just 18 months of renovation. The owners, Sueanne and Chris McCahon, originally planned to knock the house down. Instead, the couple decided to preserve the street appeal and the character of the home. They transformed the house into a five-bedroom, three-bathroom, two-car space property, along with sprawling entertaining spaces and a swimming pool.

An Award-Winning Renovated Home at Hebe St.

Photo credit: http://www.realestate.com.au/

Another eye-catching home renovation in Bardon can be found at 28 Hebe St. The Bardon home won the National Master Builder’s award for the best renovation in Australia. It also won an award for the Best Pool in the State and a renovation award at the Queensland Master Builder’s Awards in 2016.

Owned and built by builder Craig Brown and his wife Ella of Corella Construction, the house was completely rundown before they decided to do a makeover. Again, this couple decided to keep the house’s its street presence. Today, the house clearly represents Queensland living with features such as the pool and an open floor design.

With the way that house prices are increasing in many parts of Australia, many homeowners are resorting to renovating their homes to keep up with growing or changing requirements, instead of moving or purchasing property. Renovating is certainly a good way to increase their property values. It has also become good fodder for the “fix and flip” market.

Bardon Mayfair Event 2017 Raises Funds for Local State School’s Facilities Through Entertainment

Every year, Bardon State School holds an annual fair called The Bardon Mayfair. Now in its 37th year, this much-anticipated event will be on the 28th May. Plenty of stalls with great food and awesome entertainment will be around, along with exciting auctions that will transform the school into a action-packed wonderland.

The Bardon Mayfair is held to raise money for the school. Funds go directly toward the improvement of the school’s facilities. For the auction, the school reaches out to business and organisations in the community to donate an item or vouchers for services. The school also offers sponsorship for the rides, equipment or services used for the fair. They also accept cash.

In return, the sponsors and donations are featured on the Mayfair’s website, blog, and Facebook pages in the months leading up to event, and up to the entire year. They are also featured in the school’s eNewsletters and in the Mayfair flyers that are delivered to over 5,000 people.

Have fun on the amazing rides. Treat yourself to delicious homemade treats. Get creative at the arts and crafts stalls, which cater to both adults and children. Don’t miss out on the auctions because items like luxury hotel accommodation, and even children’s tuition, are up for grabs.

Admission to the fair is free.

Photo credit: Bardon Mayfair/ Facebook

Terrier Brutally Attacked in Bardon, Owners In Shock

A terrier was found dead by his owners at their house in Northam Avenue on 21 April in Bardon. The dog, it seems, was brutally strangled using a towel from the owners’ clothes line. The dog was found dead, with a towel tied around his neck, and then bound to a plant at the rear of the dwelling.

The 17-year-old dog Scruffy, a West Highland terrier who has been a beloved member of Cath and Liam Proberts’ family since their daughter was six, was believed to be attacked some time between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Friday. The Proberts were at a wedding when they got the phone call from their son saying that Scruffy was attacked.

Mr Proberts recalled how distraught his son was when he rang. Mr Proberts described their initial reaction as disbelief, which later grew to anger at the “unfathomable” crime. The family couldn’t help but wonder how and who could do such a horrible thing to a helpless dog. Blood was also found at the scene and the Proberts are hoping that the blood could be from the attacker.

Detectives have announced an animal cruelty investigation on Monday, seeking assistance from anyone who may have seen what happened in the Bardon residence. Police are now looking for the person responsible for the dog’s cruel death. Any related information may be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or to Policelink on 13 14 44.

Photo credit: myPolice Brisbane North

Bardon’s Logical Unsanity Proves Honesty Still the Best Policy

Yarran Jenkins, owner of 24-hour book shed Logical Unsanity, sells books in Bardon the way his family used to sell fruit at his childhood home in Mt. Tamborine. People come in and select what they want, and then just pay whatever they can.

Customers who pass by this book shed along Morgan Terrace will see an eclectic collection of books in a shop that lets them browse freely, and then just put their payment in the store’s cashbox before they leave.

The shop runs on an honesty system that, while risky, seems to be turning out well for them. Mr Jenkins said that he’s been running the system for a year already and he sees money in the box everyday. However, he does know that there are some people who just take the books and don’t pay. Still, he has faith that there are more people who actually pay for the books than those who take advantage and just leave with a book in hand without putting cash in the till.

“They come in at night, browse through the books and nobody disturbs them, nobody asks if they need a hand. They can just get whatever they want, put a few dollars in the box and be on their way without having to talk to anyone,” Mr Jenkins said. No frills. No fuss. No questions asked.

Mr Jenkins has been collecting books for nine years now and he said that he really doesn’t put expensive books in the book shed. He said that he can only recall one incident when someone pried open the cash box with the intention of stealing the day’s earnings. Fortunately, there was no cash inside the box at the time. After that incident, he decided to move the cash box to a different location, making it a bit harder to access and open. Since then, there have been no untoward incidents.

Yarra Jenkins (owner) with Neil Gaiman Photo credit: Logical Unsanity / Facebook

Mr Jenkins also sells books in music festivals up and down the East Coast. His unique selling method is a tribute to the “honesty system” that he experienced as a child. “We had avocados at the end of the gate that we used to sell like that. I knew how that worked – driving in the country, you see it all the time – and with the books it was just a natural progression,” he said.

Indeed, faith in the system and a belief that people are inherently good are the secrets to Logical Unsanity’s success.

Photo credit: The Weekend Notes

Bustling Sundays at The Bardon Community Market

Sundays at the Bardon Community Market bustles with organic food, fresh produce, and bread and pastries. Aside from food, the market also caters to artists, hobbyists, and photographers. Choose from many handmade, unique or quaint finds, such as a line of beautiful coffee mugs for your home. Your children will marvel at the massive selection of toys on sale.

Reserve your Sundays and make sure you’re up before the sun rises. As early as 6:00 a.m., stall owners have already set up their areas, ready to welcome the early-bird shoppers with their fresh produce and other wares. The market closes at 12 p.m.

Start your Sunday morning with a strong cup of joe. Wiley Fox Coffee currently offers two blends of coffee to give you that much-needed caffeine boost.

Photo credit: Wiley Fox Coffee / Facebook

If you are looking for something fresh and nutritious, check out these delicious looking fruits offered by some of the market’s regulars.

Photo credit: Bardon Community Market / Facebook

If you have a green thumb, check out George’s collection of indoor plants and succulents.

The Bardon Community Market is also a great place to enjoy a beautiful Sunday morning with your loved ones. Go on, grab a sausage roll, enjoy a cup of coffee, people watch or just simply immerse yourself in what it has to offer. Enjoy the weekly performances that entertain the crowd whilst selling and shopping.

This growing market still has room for more stalls. If you’re thinking of setting up your stall every Sunday at the market, whether you plan to sell some of your old stuff, or market your business products, you are welcome to join the growing community of stall owners in the market.

If Sunday is market day in your household, then the Bardon Community Market is exactly where you should be every Sunday morning.

Market information

Photo credit: Bardon Community Market / Facebook

Bardon Residents Can Now Own a Home Through a Simple Parish Program

Creativity is one of the strongest traits of the Jubilee Parish in West Brisbane. Recognising the challenge that young families, in particular, go through with first-time home ownership, a West Brisbane Catholic came up with a brilliant solution to help them acquire their own house. In 2008, they launched the Head Start Program. By 2017, the parish has already helped three families and aspires to help more in the coming years.

A Fateful Donation

The Head Start Program is all about giving people a head start in home ownership. It all started with Mrs Quinn, a Bardon parishioner who endowed her house to the parish in 2008. The eponymously named Quinn house has since become a haven for families seeking living assistance, as they struggle to find a place to stay, while saving up to find a home within their means.

How Does it Work?

The Head Start Program allows a family to move into Quinn house for a certain period of time, paying rent within their means. There may be an optional rent increase, depending on the family’s budget. Once the rent is up, the family gets back everything they paid for, which they can use as a deposit to buy their own house.

The Catch

While in the program, the family must nurture and preserve a relationship with the parish community. The parish covers Bardon and other nearby suburbs such as Ashgrove, Paddington, Newmarket, Petrie Terrace, Red Hill and Herston.

Alex and Yenny Malaver with 4-year-old son, Alex, are grateful to finally have a home of their own. Photo Credit: Emilie Ng / catholicleader.com.au

Alex and Yenny Malaver plus Gabriel, their son, are the third family from Colombia who has taken advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Alex, who is still studying, really thought at first that it would be impossible for them to get their own house right away. All of that changed when they came across the parish newsletter that contained details about the Quinn House. They spent three years in the house and finally, last month, they were able to pay the downpayment for a house in Herston.

The Malavers with Fr Peter Brannelly. Photo Credit: Emilie Ng / catholicleader.com.au

Fr Peter Brannelly, the Jubilee parish priest stresses that they do not only accommodate young families. Refugees, pensioners, overseas students, and asylum seekers are welcome.

“The most valuable asset we have as a parish in this part of Brisbane is accommodation and we have consciously tried to be creative with what we have and how we use it,” Fr Brannelly said.

Next month, the parish will start the process of looking for a new family again, to use the Quinn House. Fr Brannelly said that while they honour Mrs Quinn’s generosity, they see the use of her house as an act done “in services of the Gospel.” Mrs Quinn would definitely agree.

Photo credit: TripleThree/Wikipedia