A Gold Coast-based childcare centre operator is looking to expand its services across South East Queensland, with new centres planned for the region including one in Bardon.
Harmony Early Learning Journey, based at Hope Island in Gold Coast, is eyeing to invest $85 million across several locations in Australia.
Aside from Bardon, the organisation is planning to establish additional centres in Bulimba, East Brisbane, Griffin, Thornlands, Graceville and Yeerongpilly as well as the Broadbeach Waters and Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.
Photo credit: cottonbro/Pexels
Harmony has not announced much about the Bardon childcare centre, but three (Broadbeach Waters, Griffin, and East Brisbane) are expected to open in 2022 and all of them will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Harmony’s site selection was based on suburbs with the strongest population growth in Australia. Bardon’s population as of 2021 is estimated to be at around 10,723.
The organisation is eager to expand in Queensland, despite claims that the state’s childcare sector is facing an oversupply.
Photo credit: Yan Krukov/Pexels
In January 2022, the Australian Childcare Alliance revealed there’s an oversupply of childcare centres in Queensland since 2017, not to mention the additional 200 centres currently in planning stages.
Earlier this year, another developer was bombarded with objections from locals regarding its proposal for a childcare centre along Chiswick Road in Bardon. Residents worried that the centre will be built in a ‘dangerous intersection’ and the additional traffic it would bring, given that there are already three primary schools in the area.
Meanwhile, Bardon is among the suburbs in QLD with the highest childcare cost, averaging at $123.50/day as of May 2022.
The Freer’s Farm Action Group has outlined several issues concerning the proposed redevelopment of the Freer’s Farm farm site in Bardon into a sporting precinct for Stuartholme School.
The group cites that they are not opposed to the plans per se (MID-1021-0542 – Stuartholme School) but there are potential problems that the developers need to address before the redevelopment gets a green light.
Among the most concerning issue is the sports field’s impact on flood levels, especially on the properties downstream. The group said that the flood modelling used in the proposal “don’t reflect actual historical flows.”
Photo Credit: The State of Queensland (Planning) / planning.dsdmip.qld.gov.au
Additionally, the earthworks within the flood zone call for filling land that will raise its level higher than the neighbouring properties. Essentially, this will remove the flood plain and increase the risk of flooding onto the other sites.
Freer’s Farm is near Sir Samuel Griffiths Drive and picnic areas at Hoop Pine and Silky Oak within the Mt Coot-the Reserve. The sports field may also cause parking and traffic issues at these sites.
The residents are also concerned about light and noise pollution when there are games at night that will likely bring ecological impacts to the wildlife, parkland users, and the neighbourhood. For years, most of the area at Freer’s Farm is completely free of artificial light at night.
Photo Credit: The State of Queensland (Planning) / planning.dsdmip.qld.gov.au
Last week, some of the locals have met with representatives of the developer, Ethos Urban, Stuartholme School, and the consulting firm, Blight Tanner, to clearly discuss the concerns of the community. Cr Peter Matic was also in the said meeting.
According to the Freer’s Farm Action Group, the flood modelling used in the proposal is not accurate, thus they have asked for a revised model. The planners said they are willing to work with the community to deliver a final model that will be agreeable to all concerned.
The planners also acknowledged providing more information on the sports field lighting information. They have agreed to defer the start of construction to August 2022.
The MID submission, on the other hand, has been extended until 19 May 2022. Follow the guide on how to make a submission from this group.
Bardon is gearing up for the suburb’s annual kerbside collection on the 7th of February 2022 and here are some quick reminders and tips for items that may or may not make it to the kerb on that day.
What if some of the items cannot be collected? Remember, Brisbane City Council will not collect unacceptable items placed on the kerb and if they are not removed within seven days of the notified collection period, illegal dumping fines may apply.
Photo credit: Brisbane City Council
To avoid being charged for illegal dumping and to keep those unwanted items from going to landfill, consider taking them to recycling centres.
Photo credit: 652234/Pixabay
BCC has resource recovery centres where the items are taken for recycling. For instance, waste tyres can be used for manufacturing new rubber products such as soft fall surfaces, artificial turf and conveyor belts.
These centres accept almost any item you can’t put on the kerb for collection, including garden waste, batteries, paint and solvents, gas bottles, glass containers, and other metals.
Photo credit: stux/Pixabay
Did you know that most of these centres are already a Paintback site? This means they are part of Paintback, an industry-led initiative designed to divert unwanted paint and packaging from ending up in landfill and vital waterways.
Paintback finds new ways to repurpose unwanted paint materials and help develop a circular economy. Paintback accepts up to 100 litres per visit stowed in containers of up to 20 litres.
Photo credit: Efraimstochter/Pixabay
Garden waste, like other wastes, can have many more uses. If you’re not composting at home, you can bring them to recycling centres where they are recycled as a nutrient-rich soil conditioner for land reclamation sites and agriculture areas. However, make sure not to include garden wastes that have contaminants, such as grass cuttings with herbicides.
Those with recyclable donations can go directly to Brisbane’s resource and sort your items there. In Bardon, the nearest recycling centre is Ferny Grove Resource Recovery Centre, which is a 16-minute drive via Waterworks Rd.
You can drop off your items for free when you have the waste voucher, which is issued by Council annually to Brisbane households. For more information on how to use the centres, including waste vouchers, fees and charges, visit BCC’s website.
For a taste of authentic French cuisine, La Belle Vie, located in the beautiful hills of Bardon, lives up to the promise of a “Good Life.” Led by head chef Samuel Perrin, the revitalised restaurant, which changed hands in mid-2020, has found the right recipe for success despite a challenging time for the industry.
Committed to giving diners the ultimate French dining experience, La Belle Vie’s menu consists of classics like Ratatouille (roast vegetables), Haricot Verts (fried beans), escargot in butter, and a selection of sumptuous cured meats with Arnaud French rillette and pickles (charcuterie).
For the entrees, the foie gras and Saint-Jacques (pan-seared scallops, truffle oil, sweet potatoes purée, crispy serrano) essentially paired with French baguette with butter, come highly recommended especially if this is your first time at the restaurant.
Diners put a seal of approval for the Caille (quail coq au vin style with red wine sauce, bacon, mushrooms, onions and carrots) and the Margret (Aylesbury duck breast, honey & spice sauce, mushrooms, roast chat potatoes), showcasing Perrin’s exceptional cooking technique. The ingredients used at the La Belle Vie kitchen are all locally-sourced and the chef perfectly plays up the tastes and texture, with the right consistency and temperature, once served to the guests.
To cap the dining experience, La Belle Vie has a fantastic line-up of desserts, including the gorgeous tarte and crème brûlée with a smidge of the authentic hardtop. Meanwhile, Jean-Jacques Peyre’s brilliant wine selection perfectly complements the chef’s menu.
Photo Credit: LaBelleVieBistro&Bar/Facebook
Despite the lockdowns within the last 12 months, La Belle Vie has managed to host special COVID-safe events and private functions, which allowed the operations to thrive. Once the restrictions slowly eased off, the restaurant was also the premier choice for wine and lifestyle workshops.
Meanwhile, it has been indeed a great start for La Belle Vie as was it named as one of the top four French restaurants at the 2021 SEQ Awards for Excellence for the Restaurant and Catering category alongside Bisou Bisou in Fortitude Valley, Haig Rd Bistro in Auchenflower and the winner, Montrachet in Bowen Hills.
For the menu, opening hours, workshops, functions, and bookings, check out their Facebook page for the details.
“My husband and my second time here, our first time we knew we wanted to come back to celebrate our anniversary and we did just that. Such an amazing experience and a thoughtful, deliciously, wonderful dessert. Thank you to the team at La Belle Vie, we will have nothing but great things to tell everyone we know.”
BM
“Loved my food, view and staff here. We had the lunch time two course which I couldn’t believe the quality for the price it was delicious. Can’t wait to bring my girlfriends here. The vibe is just gorgeous.”
Amy Hughes
“Such a great dining experience … it was our first time and we both went with the steak and beans on the side. Both steaks were cooked perfectly to medium rare and the beans were delicious. Service was great as was the ambiance. lots of other happy faces around as well. We’ll be back for sure.”
Bardon, one of the more expensive property markets in Brisbane, continues to be highly desirable because it provides families a suburban dream home close to the city and within premier school catchments. Thus, it’s no surprise that houses in this west Brisbane suburb remain in high demand, continuing to deliver fairly high capital growth rates for homeowners.
Bardon is a family hotspot with desirable school zones that attract house hunters who prioritize education.
The median house price of Bardon rose to 25.06 per cent from July 2020 to June 2021, hitting $1,300,000, a sizeable leap from $1,039,500 from the previous 12-month period.
The median unit price dropped to 1.14 per cent due to low stocks despite high demand.
House Price Growth
As a family hotspot, Bardon remains at the top of the list of house hunters who prioritise education. Reports cite that houses in desirable school zones across Greater Brisbane have logged the fastest property growth amid the pandemic. In Bardon’s case, the median house price rose by 25.06 per cent from July 2020 to June 2021, hitting $1,300,000, a sizeable leap from $1,039,500 from the previous 12-month period, according to data from Property Market Updates.
Buyers and investors are competing strongly for highly-coveted Bardon houses which currently stay on market an average of 44 days, quite brisk for the price points involved. There were 212 house sales closed during this time period. Of the stocks sold, 70 were three-bedroom houses, which were wrapped up at a snappy pace of just 23 days on market, with an average asking price of $1,100,000.
A restored 150-year-old Colonial Queenslander on an acreage property on Moonya Street, with most of its original architectural facets intact, sold at $4,095,000, the highest price for the period. This house, which features a children’s play fort and a gorgeous botanic oasis for family games and celebrations, is within an easy walk to St Joseph’s School or Bardon State School, the Girls Guides Clubhouse, and Bardon Bowls Club.
Unit Price Growth
In recent years, attractive low-rise apartments and townhouses have popped up in Bardon with slightly bumped up prices compared to most unit markets in Brisbane. For the period ending June 2021, however, Bardon’s unit market dropped by 1.14 per cent, pulling the median price down from $703,000 to $695,000.
Though units were quickly bought at an average of 38 days on the market, there were not enough stocks to meet buyer demands. Just 48 properties were sold during this period with three-bedroom units selling the most stocks for downsizers who want to remain in the area.
About Bardon
It’s easy to forget that the city is just five or six kilometres away for those living in peaceful Bardon. Located at the foothills of Mount Coot-tha, this suburb connects the residents to 1,500 hectares of tranquil and gorgeous green space with heaps of parks and walking tracks.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The majority of homeowners in Bardon are owner-occupiers living in large blocks of free-standing colonial or modern houses, enjoying an enviable work-life balance. They spend their weekends unwinding at the local parks and community hubs or visiting the clusters of businesses at Macgregor Terrace, where most quaint cafes and restaurants operate.
Bardon is also close to the cafe culture of Paddington and Red Hill, its neighbouring suburbs. Residents can drive to the city within 20 minutes whilst bus services help the locals get around but quite a number do love to cycle in Bardon and take advantage of its natural beauty.
“We moved out from Paddington to Bardon because we needed more bedrooms and a larger garden. Bardon is a great mix of both inner-city charm and large blocks which are harder to find in Paddington. GREAT for family life. Lots of lovely cottages and Queenslanders. We live next to a park. Have been here a year and love it.
RightwingNuclearArmedAussie
“Bardon is a spectacular and quiet place which is close to the CBD. In my whole 20 years of living here, I have only ever been waiting at a traffic light for over one minute once and that was in Milton the neighbouring suburb. It is diverse and great for people with average incomes or those who are affluent. Very good public and private schools and there is a park entrance on almost every street!”
RileyN
“Bardon is a quaint, leafy suburb close to the city. The Queenslander houses and narrow streets give the suburban old-world charm, and there are plenty of trees and greenery to lend this suburb a peaceful vibe. I have lived in this suburb for 15 years (on the “Rainworth” side of Bardon) and have always found it to be quiet, clean and safe. It is also very close to the restaurants of Rosalie and a short drive to the city. However, I do not recommend this suburb for anyone without a car, as the public transport is limited to buses that are not very reliable.”
The developer of a planned childcare centre on Chiswick Road in Bardon has filed an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court months after the rejection of its original proposal. The controversial project received nearly 500 objections from locals who said there were too many childcare centres in the precinct.
Corella Property Investment Trust submitted plans to build a childcare centre on 56-60 Chiswick Road in mid-2020, gaining hundreds of submissions from the residents during the public notification. Council asked the developers to outline its plans to demonstrate the potential traffic impact as the property is adjacent to Cecil Road, a hilly but narrow street that has had a number of traffic incidents.
Those who object to the proposal pointed out that the junction on Cecil and Chiswick roads have had traffic buildups during the weekdays as cars access these areas to get to St Joseph’s Primary School.
Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC
Meanwhile, another childcare centre has been lodged by a different developer along Vimy Street nearby, whilst there are a couple of childcare centres proposed or has been in the middle of the construction along the busy Boundary Road where Rainworth State School stands.
Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC
“The significant number of public submissions already received for the application aligns with Council’s view that traffic impacts remain unresolved and the bulk and scale of the proposed development are not compatible with, nor integrate, with the built form intent of the character residential zone,” Council cited in its letter to Corella Property Investment Trust (DA A005563407).
Corella, however, has referred their proposal to the Planning and Environment Court in August 2021, citing that its application was properly made and compliant with the relevant assessment benchmarks. The developer said that their application did not trigger referral agencies.
A petition to protect and preserve the Sisters of Mercy site in Bardon has been set up, following an announcement that the sprawling property will be put up for sale. Local residents are concerned that a new residential development could destroy the surrounding areas of Mt Coot-tha.
Greens MP Michael Berkman said that Brisbane City Council could acquire the Sisters of Mercy property before it’s snapped up by developers. He said that Council may use the Bushland Acquisition Fund to save the site, where a potential new community hub can be established.
The Greens MP created the petition urging the Council to acquire the property. So far, the petition has gathered 2,000 signatures.
Because of its high ecological value, the Sisters of Mercy site is protected from tree clearing. However, residents want assurances that the protection will be strictly adhered to if a private developer buys the site.
Highlights
A petition has been set up to save the Sisters of Mercy site at the Mt Coot-tha hilltop in Bardon, which is up for sale.
Residents want Brisbane City Council to acquire the property instead of developers to preserve the bushlands.
City Planning Chair Krista Adams said that potential development for the site will be strictly assessed because of its high ecological value.
“After consulting broadly with the community, it’s clear to me that residents want the Sisters of Mercy site to be protected for generations to come,” Mr Berkman said.
“Unfortunately, the real estate agents are still claiming that buyers could build ‘multi-residential, retirement, gated community, health and wellness precincts or a major home site for a high-net-worth private investor.'”
Mr Berkman also wrote Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to ask for his public confirmation “that developers will not be allowed to circumvent the constraints imposed and the ecological significance recognised in the relevant planning instruments.”
Council City Planning Chair Krista Adams said that it cannot commit to the property’s purchase but stated that any proposed development on the site would be strictly assessed during the planning stages.
Photo Credit: realestate.com.au
Cushman & Wakefield Middle Markets is handling the sale of the Bardon property and the Expressions of Interest closed on 22 July. The outcome of the sale has not yet been revealed.
A developer has submitted an appeal to the Planning and Environment Court for approval of plans to build a Coles Local supermarket and bottleshop on Macgregor Terrace in Bardon. The proposal was initially rejected due to safety and traffic issues.
In May 2021, Brisbane City Council turned down DA A005505645 based on the recommendations by State Assessment Referral Agency (SARA).
SARA cited that a new supermarket in the area will increase the traffic congestion along the Latrobe and Macgregor Terrace roundabout by 100 to 154 more trips during peak hours. The roundabout already accommodates 23,000 vehicles a day.
Highlights
Council rejected the plan to build a Coles Local outlet in Bardon due to safety and traffic issues.
The developer filed an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court and it’s still under assessment.
Coles Local is a new concept store that will feature more local and high-end providers.
If the appeal is won, the Bardon site will be the third Coles Local in Queensland.
However, Connor O’Meara, the solicitor who represents CB (Qld) Pty Ltd, wrote in the appeal that the development will bring “measurable improvements” to Macgregor Terrace as the project will entail road widening, a “no right out” change to the traffic movement, and signs all over the strip.
Photo Credit: Developmenti/BCC
The proposal also includes relocating the bus stop adjacent to the eastern access point about 40-metres west, which will remove seven on-street parking spaces.
The developer filed the proposal in July 2020 and divided the opinion of the community. Whilst some locals said they don’t need another Coles, others welcomed the proposal as this will only be the third Coles Local in Queensland. Some residents also said that stores on the strip of Macgregor Terrace are partially tenanted and in need of more foot traffic.
Coles Local, a concept launched in 2018, features a tailored in-store experience with more high-quality products from local producers. The first outlet with this concept opened in Ascot in June 2021. The second store in Taringa/Indooroopilly area has started the groundwork for the construction. A fourth site is also eyed for the CBD but the developers have yet to file an application for it.
If the appeal is approved, Coles Local in Bardon will be a single storey structure with two levels of basement parking that can accommodate more than 100 cars.
Bardon Buddies, to be held starting 23 July 2021 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am, was created to support all ages with their transition to school. Activities include painting, playdough, games, and storytime.
Believing in the motto, “Learning and Growing,” Bardon State School seeks to maximise each child’s potential in a supportive, challenging and community focussed environment. Their curriculum is not only building the literacy and numeracy skills of our future citizens but embeds inquiry learning to develop curious thinkers and innovative problem solvers.
“We want to foster the artists, academics, musicians, sportspeople, digital whizzes and scientists of the future,” Bardon State School said about their curriculum.
Photo credit: Bardon State School/Facebook
Just last month, Bardon State School held its three-day Athletics Carnival, where kids had a blast participating in sports activities. The upcoming Bardon Buddies is just one of the many activities lined up for this school year.
The 15-hectare hilltop property of the Sisters of Mercy in Bardon is for sale. However, residents have expressed their concerns about any potential development at the massive bushland site and its effect on the area.
The landmark estate in one of Brisbane’s most affluent suburbs spans 14.8 hectares and bears the valuable green backdrop of Mt Coot-tha. Found some five kilometres away from Brisbane CBD’s northwest, the property on 371 Simpsons Road offers an unrivalled view of the city and Moreton Bay.
Cushman & Wakefield is handling the sale of the Sisters of Mercy property, which is expected to fetch multimillion-dollar bids. The site is going up the market for the first time since the congregation had the property in the 1950s.
Photo Credit: Realestate.com.au
Following the sale, Sisters of Mercy will be moving to Nudgee, where the renovation of St Vincent’s Convent has been underway. The congregation planned the move due to the reduction of the number of its members.
The Bardon building has been used as the congregation’s administration offices and the dormitory for the novices. Until 2020, the quiet location was also a conference facility and temporary accommodation.
According to the realtors, the Bardon property could be developed into a “multi-residential, retirement, gated community, health and wellness precincts or a major home site for a high-net-worth private investor.” About 13,090 square metres of the property is not covered by the Vegetation Protection Order.
The realtor’s statement has prompted residents to reach out to Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman to express their worries that a new owner could potentially ruin “the high ecological significance of the land.”
Mr Berkman is hosting a community meeting on 30 June 2021 at 9:00 a.m. outside the Simpsons Road location to discuss these concerns. Meanwhile, interested investors have until 22 July 2021 to submit their Expression of Interest.
