Queensland Police are calling on the local community to help identify the owners of a Ford SUV and several individuals who may have information about an alleged theft at a Darra business.
Mount Ommaney Police are investigating an incident that occurred on 13 January at a business along Ipswich Road. According to Sergeant Tony Maras, officers are working to locate people who were seen in the area between 8.57am and 9.02am that day, around the same time the business reported items missing.
The investigation has revealed that the vehicle and individuals in question may be connected to multiple alleged thefts across the region. Police have indicated that the number plates on the Ford SUV may be false.
Anyone who recognises the vehicle or the people pictured in the police appeal, or who has any information that could assist investigators, is encouraged to contact Mount Ommaney Police Station directly on (07) 3712 5222.
Members of the public can also provide information through Policelink using the online suspicious activity form, which is available 24 hours a day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
Minor pedestrian safety works are underway in Darra at the intersection of Lee Road and Darra Station Road, next to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School.
The works aim to improve safety and accessibility for all road users by providing dedicated crossing points for pedestrians, including school students, children attending the early learning centre and their families.
The project also aims to encourage slower vehicle movements in the area and improve visibility between pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
The project includes installing a pedestrian island on Lee Road at Darra Station Road, installing yellow no stopping lines at the new pedestrian crossing, and repainting general line marking on the road.
Timing And Work Hours
Construction is scheduled from mid-January to early February 2026, pending weather and site conditions.
Works are planned between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, subject to weather and site conditions.
People living in or travelling through the area may notice increased noise, dust, vibration and vehicles during construction.
Traffic conditions may change, including minor delays, lane closures, detours and reduced speed limits, with traffic controllers and signage onsite. On-street parking within the works area will not be available while construction is underway.
The Safe School Travel Infrastructure program delivers safety and accessibility improvements on roads near schools, with a focus on pedestrian access. Separately, Queensland’s SafeST program provides resources to help school communities identify and address local road safety concerns through agreed actions and monitoring over time.
We’ve combed Darra and Wacol for the best reviewed restaurants in the area where people waxed lyrical about their dining experience and what they love most about it. Here’s our list!
Tuitana 1990 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A little on the pricey side but the food is bomb & well worth it. Husband always gets the brekie wrap & the chicken burger. I can recommend their chicken Caesar pasta salad also. Will return to try other items on menu. It’s like a lunch bar for local workers in the area
Jagrit Sinha ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The big brekky is always great, and the hot box food is never too dry
John McNeill ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best value for money I’ve found in the wacol area so far. $10 fir a Turkish full of lots if chicken, avo, cheese, tomato and lettuce. Only slight negative was chicken was so thick it didn’t heat all the way through. Potato scallops are the best I’ve found in the area. Well most if Brisbane. Real home made, thin cut and battered.
B Jaleen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Visited the shop after lunch so there were no other customers. The food was great. The people there were very friendly and kind. The lady on the counter had a very nice aura and an overly sweet smile 😃. She asked me what I wanted. I asked for the menu, and she jokingly said, “Here’s the menu” (*pointing to herself*), then we both laughed. 😅. She said she could make all the vietnamese food, so I ordered their rice paper roll. It was delicious, especially with their hoisin sauce. I also tried the fried dimsim, and it was also good. The lady was super kind and gave me a piece of the pork crackle. It was tasty and crispy. I love this take-away shop and I will recommend this to my colleagues. There are plenty of parking spaces outside the shop and outside the gate of the compound. I just wish they had bigger and clearer sign boards that you can see even on a distance (this is for new customers 🥰). Overall experience was superb!
Curtis Faulkner ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great food choices. I like their spring rolls. Healthy and fresh. I pair them with coffee and I’m good for the day.
rob s ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great service fantastic food and friendly staff
Strogo Strogo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Couldn’t imagine any better place to have breakfast, – it’s just amazing having animals around, being around people that truly love and care for animals. The menu is fantastic, it has full breakfast options as well as quick bites. The coffee is beautiful, the atmosphere is fantastic and the staff are passionate and caring. Very clean place, fast service and the opportunity to get a furry friend for yourself or become a foster carer for an animal. Even coffee for the dogs is! available Highly recommended!!!!
Russell Egan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ As cat lovers, our family ventured to Black Cat Café in search of cute cats, pats and cuddles. Unfortunate BCC doesn’t offer any of this. It is part of the RSPCA which predominantly houses dogs. There is a cat play area which was not occupied on our on visit. Notwithstanding, the food is delicious, reasonably priced and staff friendly. A great cause to support.
Chantel Charchalis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Love coming here for vegan options, although they seem to have changed their menu (shown in pic) and now have a few less items (no big vegan breakie), but had the avo on GF toast, add hash browns, which was yummm. Vegan banana bread is delish too.
Morgan G ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Such yummy food and really delicious hot choccies 😍 The cafe is situated in a really lovely quiet spot. The cafe is a little dated, but there’s nothing wrong with that. The only feedback I really have is please update your serving boards, they look a little worse for wear.
Jacqui D ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Firstly the staff were really friendly,polite and helpful . There are lots of vegetarian options that were beautifully presented. The cakes looked genuinely home made and my lemon brownie tasted yummy. Excellent coffee art and a lovely big mug! I liked that organic coffee beans were for sale too! A few more plants in the outdoor area would be nice to screen the road. Will definitely return for the food and coffee.
Ganu k ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Friendly team and quick service. Pricey menu but lot of options to choose from Nice outdoor seating and heater is nice touch
Katie Golding ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Crispy honey chicken and special fried rice was really really good – no complaints. The chicken to batter ratio was perfect and so much chicken in the container. The fried rice had a nice ratio of meats/egg/etc. We ordered takeaway and it took less than 15minutes. The owner/worker was very friendly and happy. Brought our meal to our car. I’d recommend and will be back !
Shelley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My brother took my son and I to dinner to Kim Khan’s on Sunday, the food was just beautiful. I’ve been coming here since the 90s when I was a little girl, and the flavours are still just as good today. The meals are always fresh and tasty, The lady owner is always so kind and pretty flowers and the deep-fried ice cream is the best my boys love it now just like I did growing up.
The Guv’nor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Let’s talk about the service..how many places do you go where the staff see you,open the door for you and greet you as if they’ve known you for years,well this happened. First time visitor so took my time choosing(takeaway) placed my order,waited about 8 minutes then was on my way home..nearly went back to get more because it was that bloody good💯😁
The program was announced in early October 2025 and will be delivered across the 2025–26 financial year. Confirmed recipients include the Scouts Association – West Centenary site in Darra, the Western Districts Baseball Club at Atthows Park on Sumners Road in Darra, and the Taringa Rovers facility operating from a Wacol address on Grindle Road.
Photo Credit: Taringa Rovers/Google Maps
Each will receive new solar infrastructure ranging from around 6 kW to more than 18 kW in size. These upgrades are part of a wider rollout across 26 Brisbane community facilities in the current stage.
Program Aims To Lower Costs For Local Families
Brisbane City Council has stated the initiative is focused on easing cost pressures for families and volunteer-run community groups. Savings generated from lower power bills are expected to be redirected to programs, facility maintenance, and member services.
Photo Credit: Western Districts Baseball Club/Google Maps
Brisbane Sustainability Agency provided statements supporting the program, which aligns with Council’s emissions reduction strategy.
Part Of A Broader Clean Energy Rollout
Council has already installed more than seven megawatts of solar capacity across its facilities, with the total set to reach 7.5 megawatts after this stage is complete. The city has a target of cutting its carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2031–32.
Photo Credit: Canva / For Illustration Purpose Only
Council has framed the initiative as both an environmental and community cost-of-living measure rather than a political announcement.
Direct Local Relevance To Centenary Residents
With Darra and Wacol sites in the rollout, Centenary-area clubs such as Scouts and local sports will see neighbourhood-level benefits.
These organisations are expected to see immediate improvements in operating costs once the systems are switched on, reinforcing Council’s focus on helping grassroots clubs remain sustainable.
Australia Post has begun deploying citronella spray to Posties in Darra as part of a national response to the rising number of dog-related safety incidents.
Australia Post has recorded a surge in dog-related incidents across the country, with 1,150 incidents reported in just six months between November 2024 and May 2025. Darra, alongside Bundamba and Toowoomba, has been identified as one of the most impacted locations in Queensland, which recorded a total of 388 cases during this period.
Despite previous public appeals urging dog owners to contain their animals, these efforts have not led to a decline in aggressive encounters. Many incidents have required medical attention and have prompted internal reviews of current safety protocols.
To address the rising threat, Australia Post is issuing a water-based citronella spray to all delivery personnel as a defensive measure. The initiative began with a two-phase trial in high-risk areas, where the spray was found to be effective in 80% of trials, causing dogs to retreat and allowing the worker time to move to safety.
The rollout prioritises suburbs like Darra and will expand to all delivery staff by late July, including parcel delivery drivers. All staff will receive training on proper use, with a focus on deploying the spray only as a final line of defence.
Delivery-Related Risks Explained
Data shows that 40% of dog-related incidents occurred on private property, with half of those triggered when a front door was opened during parcel delivery. Street-based incidents made up 57% of cases, with roaming or escaped dogs accounting for the majority. Australia Post has also flagged 35,000 dog-related hazards in its digital systems, representing a 20% rise since late 2024.
Alternatives and Prevention Campaigns
Australia Post has reinforced its dog safety campaign through a prevention-based program called “PAWS for Delivery,” encouraging dog owners to contain their pets using a three-step process: sit, stay, and secure. The organisation also recommends the use of 24/7 Parcel Lockers or local Post Offices as safer alternatives when pet containment is not guaranteed.
Worker Feedback on Safety Tools
A Postie and former veterinarian nurse shared their experience of being bitten during a routine delivery, resulting in injury and prolonged physical impact. They stated the citronella spray offers added peace of mind, particularly when working in suburbs with high incident rates like Darra.
Following the full distribution of the citronella spray, Australia Post will monitor incident data and continue reviewing risk protocols. The goal is to balance safety measures with proactive engagement from the community to reduce hazards.
On April 3, 2024, emergency services were called to an Ashridge Road residence in Darra after reports that an infant was unconscious and not breathing. The baby was declared deceased at the scene.
The Inala Child Protection and Investigation Unit established Operation Whiskey Nocturne to investigate the death. After a year-long investigation, police have charged the Darra woman with manslaughter.
The accused is scheduled to appear before Richlands Magistrates Court on June 4, 2025.
A heritage-listed former cement factory at 16 Station Avenue, Darra, has been listed for sale, offering redevelopment potential in a key industrial corridor.
A prominent industrial property in Darra with strong historical significance is now on the market. The site at 16 Station Avenue, formerly home to the Queensland Cement and Lime Company, represents a rare opportunity for developers, with flexible zoning and substantial redevelopment potential.
Origins of the Darra Cement Works
The Queensland Cement and Lime Company was officially incorporated in 1914. The company began operations at the Darra plant in 1917. The site was selected for its strategic location as it was close to a railway line and local deposits of shale and clay. It was also accessible to the Ipswich coalfields and the Gore limestone supplies. This facility played a central role in Queensland’s industrial development throughout the 20th century.
Early infrastructure included a kiln, silos, mills, and a purpose-built power station, all with machinery imported from Britain. The powerhouse, still standing today, was vital at a time when Darra lacked access to the city’s electricity grid.
The company later connected to the City Electric Light Co. as Brisbane’s grid expanded. In 1939, further expansion included new office and laboratory buildings, with design input from noted architect Mervyn Rylance.
Later innovations saw the company transition from limestone to dead coral sourced from Moreton Bay, which was transported via the Oxley Wharf. A 3.5-kilometre conveyor belt linking the wharf to the factory was constructed in the 1960s, further streamlining operations.
Local Role and Employment
The company provided materials for major Queensland infrastructure, including Brisbane City Hall, William Jolly Bridge, the Hornibrook Highway, and multiple dam and bridge projects. The Darra factory also served as a major employer, especially for post-war immigrants resettling from nearby Wacol East Dependant Holding Camp.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Current Offering and Location Advantages
The 930 square metre facility sits on a site zoned for flexible commercial or retail use, with potential to increase the gross floor area to 1,240 square metres, subject to council approval.
The site is vacant and will require a full fitout. Located beside the BTP Westlink Green Business Park and the Darra Bowls Club, it is positioned 200 metres from Darra railway station and in proximity to Jindalee DFO, Monier Village, and key transport links including the Centenary Highway and Ipswich Motorway.
The property includes on-site parking and is expected to appeal to both weekday commercial users and weekend visitors due to its strategic position within an active mixed-use zone.
Two neighbouring shops in Darra, Darra Takeaway and Bun Bun Pork Roll, have become the centre of a heated debate among Brisbane food lovers, each claiming to serve the city’s best banh mi.
Railway Parade in Darra has become a culinary hotspot, with Darra Takeaway and Bun Bun Pork Roll attracting large crowds, particularly during lunchtime. A recent taste test revealed that while both shops offer quality banh mi, opinions on which is superior are strongly divided.
Pork Banh Mi at Darra Takeaway Photo Credit: Google Map
Pork Banh Mi at Bun Bun Pork Roll Photo Credit: Google Map
Findings noted that Darra Takeaway presented a lighter, fresher banh mi with shredded chicken and pickled vegetables, however, the bread lacked the desired crunch. Bun Bun Pork Roll, on the other hand, offered a larger portion with chunky chicken and crispier bread. Still, the strong butter and mayonnaise flavour was criticised for overpowering the fresh ingredients. The Bun Bun Pork Roll was ultimately given a slightly higher rating, but suggested that better banh mi can be found elsewhere in Brisbane.
Community Opinions and Online Discussions
Photo Credit: Google Map
The debate extends beyond online forums and community groups buzzing with opinions. Many residents strongly favour Darra Takeaway, with some claiming it is undeniably the best in Brisbane.
One online user, who used to work with Vietnamese pharmacists, stated that it was the preferred banh mi location for their colleagues. Others highlighted the pork and gravy rolls as a standout item. Online discussions also suggested that Fat Carrot and Kim Thanh in West End are acceptable alternatives for those unable to make the trip to Darra.
A general community inquiry was also made online, asking for the best Banh Mi locations in the Brisbane area. This shows a high level of community interest in the food.
The popularity of these banh mi shops has significantly impacted the local Darra community, drawing customers from across Brisbane. The cash-only policy at Darra Takeaway has been noted, requiring customers to plan ahead. The high volume of customers visiting these shops highlights their significance to the local economy.
The strong opinions and loyal customer bases of both establishments create a vibrant atmosphere in the area, contributing to Darra’s reputation as a destination for authentic and delicious food.
Charter Hall Group’s $13 billion Charter Hall Prime Industrial Fund (CPIF) has purchased a 17.5-hectare industrial site on Harcourt Road, Darra, for $80.55 million. The acquisition will pave the way for a $350 million logistics precinct, reinforcing the company’s investment in Brisbane’s southwest.
The newly acquired site is adjacent to Charter Hall’s existing $250 million ConnectWest Industrial Estate, which houses major tenants such as Australia Post, Goodman Fielder, and Cascade. With bulk earthworks already completed, CPIF is preparing to lease the site to tenants looking for large-scale logistics and industrial space.
The Darra site sits at a key transport junction, connecting the Ipswich and Centenary Motorways, making it an attractive option for third-party logistics providers, manufacturers, and direct-to-customer businesses. Charter Hall plans to develop approximately 100,000 square metres of gross lettable area (GLA) within the estate, offering flexible configurations to meet tenant demand.
Charter Hall Managing Director and CEO David Harrison highlighted the significance of the project, stating that the acquisition enhances the company’s capacity to cater to businesses requiring lettable areas ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 square metres.
Brisbane’s Industrial Market Outlook
The demand for high-quality industrial space in Brisbane remains strong. According to JLL’s Brisbane Industrial Market Report for Q3 2024, 227,500 square metres of new industrial developments were completed in the region—more than double the 10-year quarterly average. Prime net face rents in Brisbane’s southern precinct are forecast to rise to $152 per square metre annually, with steady growth projected through 2028.
Despite broader economic uncertainties, Brisbane’s industrial sector continues to attract investment, with Charter Hall divesting smaller assets worth $500 million over the past 18 months to focus on larger-scale developments like the Darra logistics estate.
With the site now in Charter Hall’s portfolio and ready for leasing, the company is set to commence development immediately. The project will provide modern, high-quality logistics infrastructure catering to evolving business needs, strengthening the role of Darra as a key industrial hub in Brisbane’s southwest.
Emergency services received a call just before 3:30 AM reporting a structure fire. Upon arrival, fire crews found the house engulfed in flames. The Queensland Fire Department dispatched six crews to combat the blaze.
According to a Queensland Fire Department spokesman, the fire was contained to its area of origin by 3:50 AM. However, it took until 5:30 AM for the fire to be fully extinguished. Despite the firefighters’ efforts, the house was gutted by the fire.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman reported that no patients were found at the scene, indicating no injuries resulted from the incident.
The circumstances of the fire have led police to declare a crime scene at the Pannard St address. Fire investigators are scheduled to examine the site to determine the cause of the blaze.
As the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not released any further details about potential causes or suspects. The incident has left the house severely damaged.
