A devastating fire in Riverhills has left a single mother and her family facing up to six months in temporary housing. The blaze on the afternoon of August 25 partially destroyed their home of over two decades, gutting three of the four bedrooms on the upper level.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) reported that five crews responded to the incident at Cottage Crescent at 1:50 PM. Upon arrival, they found the top floor of the home engulfed in flames. Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control within 10 minutes, but significant damage had already occurred.
The family, including a 60-year-old grandmother, escaped the fire without injury. However, the emotional toll is evident. Selena, the 16-year-old eldest daughter, expressed the family’s state of shock: “Our family is definitely still quite shaken and just still letting everything sink in since it’s so surreal as our family home that my mother was raised in and that we as a family have created so many memories in has been terribly damaged.”
According to Selena, the fire is believed to have started in her sister’s room due to an electrical issue. Fortunately, her sister was at a birthday party at the time, and her younger brother’s late bus meant he was not home when the fire broke out.
The family managed to evacuate with their pets, including a dog and fish. Selena praised the immediate response from neighbors, saying, “I can’t even express how abundantly compassionate and helpful our community has been from the moment I dashed out the door while dialling triple-0.”
The local community has rallied around the family, offering financial support and donations of essential items such as clothes and school uniforms. Local schools have also stepped in to provide new uniforms and supplies for the children.
As the family comes to terms with their loss, Selena reflected on the experience: “Life is so precious and we shouldn’t put our faith in what we own, any materialistic things in homes can burn to ashes in a matter of seconds, we can’t rely on such things.”
The Fire Investigation Unit has been notified and may conduct a thorough examination of the scene today to determine the exact cause of the fire.
A new report by the Climate Council has analysed public transport systems in Australia’s major cities, with findings indicating that Brisbane faces significant challenges in providing widespread access to frequent services.
Riverhills, located approximately 19 kilometres southwest of Brisbane’s CBD, has been specifically named as one of the areas with the poorest access to public transport. This revelation comes as part of a broader finding that about two-thirds of residents in the greater Brisbane region lack access to frequent, all-day public transport services.
The situation in Riverhills exemplifies a wider problem across Brisbane and other Australian capitals. According to the report, a staggering 66.4 percent of Brisbane residents miss out on all-day, frequent services.
This figure is the highest among major Australian cities, followed by Perth (59.5 percent), Adelaide (52.4 percent), Melbourne (47.5 percent), and Sydney (32.8 percent).
For Riverhills residents, this lack of reliable public transport translates to increased dependence on private vehicles, contributing to higher living costs and increased pollution.
According to the report, the majority of Brisbane residents living beyond an 8-kilometre radius from the city centre experience a significant decline in access to reliable and frequent public transport options.
Climate Council councillor Greg Bourne highlighted that the infrequency of services is a major deterrent for potential public transport users. The organisation advocates for services to run at least every 15 minutes between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m, and to be within 800 metres of every home in Australia’s capital cities – a far cry from the current situation in some suburbs.
In response to these findings, Queensland’s Transport Minister Bart Mellish defended the state government’s record, claiming unprecedented investment in public and active transport. He promised ongoing collaboration with Brisbane City Council to enhance bus services, particularly for those living far from ferry stops or train stations.
The Climate Council’s report serves as a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead in creating equitable, accessible public transport systems that truly serve all urban dwellers, not just those close to the CBD.
Following the devastation caused by the storms in South East Queensland, residents of Riverhills find themselves grappling with the reality of a beloved local bakery’s prolonged closure.
For more than two decades, Riverhills Bakery has held a special place in the hearts of its patrons but on 2 Feb 2024, the store appeared to be cleared of its items, leaving some locals to wonder if it will open again.
As concerns grew among the bakery’s patrons about its prolonged closure, social media platforms such as Facebook became a forum for discussion. Questions were raised about why the beloved Riverhills Bakery had not yet reopened.
A resident provided insight into the situation, explaining that the complex’s owners had refused to repair the damaged roof, leading to persistent leaks during rainy weather. These leaks, in turn, caused significant harm to the bakery’s equipment.
Adding to the adversity, the bakery lacked insurance coverage, which further complicated the recovery process. Some tenants within the complex grew weary of the ongoing battle, resulting in the unfortunate closure of the cherished establishment.
Whilst Riverhills Bakery had been a source of joy and comfort for the 4074 community, the storm that swept through the area left a trail of destruction in its wake. The powerful flooding inflicted considerable damage on the bakery’s valuable equipment, rendering it inoperable.
The most significant losses included an aging bread slicer and other specialised tools, the replacement costs of which proved to be exorbitant. To compound the challenge, finding the necessary parts for repair became an arduous endeavour.
In the spirit of solidarity, Stephanie Liley took the initiative to create a GoFundMe page aimed at helping the bakery owners cover the costs associated with repairing the damaged equipment.
Liley expressed her deep appreciation for Riverhills Bakery, describing it as a “wonderful fixture in the 4074 community.” Carol and her family, who have managed the bakery on Bogong Street for over two decades, have been instrumental in creating countless cherished memories and delicious meals for the residents.
However, it’s worth noting that Ms Liley’s GoFundMe campaign, initially launched to support the bakery, has now been closed without any clear indication of whether it has reached the fundraising goals.
Riverhills Bakery was renowned not only for its longevity but also for its commitment to providing affordable and high-quality baked goods. Customers were drawn to the bakery’s welcoming atmosphere and the freshness of its products.
With a remarkable four-star rating on Google, the bakery received praise and glowing reviews from its loyal patrons. Their testimonials exemplify the bakery’s reputation for excellence.
“A Brisbane with more street trees is a cleaner, greener and more liveable Brisbane!” Fighting words from Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner who has pledged a massive $9.1 million tree planting drive across Brisbane, with Riverhills as one of the first round of beneficiaries.
Mr Schrinner has long dreamed of doing the “largest tree planting drive in our city’s history.”
“We did grow-up with a real appreciation for nature, wildlife and Brisbane’s incredible outdoor lifestyle,” Mr Schrinner said. “It’s one of the reasons why I am 100% committed to making the largest investment in greenspace and parks our city has ever seen.”
Apart from Riverhills, suburbs like Algester, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, Kelvin Grove, Manly West, Milton and Petrie Terrace are also included in the first tree planting project, if the Lord Mayor is re-elected at the end of the month.
Mr Schrinner envisions that the investment will deliver a greener and cooler suburb that will appeal to both humans and animals. Trees, plants and gardens in the neighbourhoods can also improve Brisbane as one of the great places to visit.
This planned project is already on top of the 13,000 street trees that the current council’s standard tree planting program. Under Greener Suburbs, Greenslopes, Murrarie, Zillmere and Lutwyche are all set more plants, trees and gardens this year.
According to a new housing index, 18 suburbs, including Riverhills, emerged as the least “downsizeable” Brisbane suburbs. The report was released as the Council’s ongoing public consultation on the proposal to ban townhouses in single-home areas is set to wrap up in 26 August 2019.
The DORIS Index or “Downsizer Opportunity to Remain in Suburb” by Place Design Group, ranks Brisbane suburbs according to how easy or difficult it is to downsize into.
The housing index underscores downsizing as “an important piece of the housing market puzzle” and why people, especially the ageing population, should have the option to live “in their residence of choice, for as long as they are able to, as they age,” or what it referred to as “aging in place.”
By measuring the number of new non-single house development approvals and the population of people aged 55-64 in each suburb, the analysis brings to light the possible challenges that the ageing population would face in finding age-specific housing to move into that is in the same suburb or somewhere closer to where they live in.
“DORIS was presented as an accurate representation of a typical +55 year old who in hindsight realises she didn’t do herself any favours all those years ago, when she joined the campaign against townhouses and low-medium density development in the inner city suburb that she’s lived in her whole life,” Analyst Chris Isles of Place Design Group said.
The 18 Most “Downsizeable” Brisbane Suburbs according to the Place Design Group’s DORIS Index:
South Brisbane
Fortitude Valley
Woolloongabba
West End
Kangaroo Point
Newstead
Cannon Hill
Greenslopes
Upper Mount Gravatt
Brisbane City
Albion
Ascot
Toowong
Nundah
Chermside
Sherwood
Windsor
Bulimba
The 18 Least “Downsizeable” Brisbane Suburbs according to the Place Design Group’s DORIS Index:
Wishart
Ferny Grove
Bellbowrie – Moggill
Belmont – Gumdale
Middle Park – Jamboree Heights
Jindalee – Mount Ommaney
Mansfield
Chelmer – Graceville
Bald Hills
Wakerley
Westlake
Pullenvale
Tarragindi
Riverhills
Deagon
Fig Tree Pocket
Geebung
Robertson
Recent findings of Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) on the housing aspirations of older Australians over the age of 55, stated that the demand for attached dwellings, such as terraces and townhouses, increases with age whilst preference for detached houses decreases as people get older.
“Older Australians aspire to live in a variety of different locations, with the most popular choices being the middle to outer suburbs of capital cities (around 35%) and small regional towns (around 20%). Generally, they would like to own a detached dwelling (69%) with three bedrooms (50%) although there is an appetite for two-bedroom apartments, particularly in the 75+ age group,” the AHURI report said.
The research said that there is an unmet demand for smaller dwellings and that current patterns of housing supply focus on large separate dwellings and too many apartments but not enough mid-sized product.
The DORIS Index report suggests policy makers to undertake a targeted review of the suburbs named as having low downsizeability, as well as review the amount of land that are appropriately zoned for the delivery of missing middle typologies — a compromise between larger, single detached homes and higher density apartments.
“There needs to be a way to deliver the “gentle” density which could be a mix of sporadic smaller lots, single unit dwellings, granny flats, or dual occupancies,” the DORIS Index report said.
“These dwellings need to be designed with older Australians in mind, which includes being easily adaptable when required,” the AHURI report said.
Land values in the Brisbane City Council area increased by 6.8 percent overall since the last valuation in 2017. This overall land value increase is also reflected on Centenary suburbs, notably Jindalee and Sinnamon Park, according to the latest land valuation report published by the State of Queensland.
The latest land valuations report shows median land value in Jindalee increased 20.7 percent to $350,000 and Sinnamon Park’s climbed 20 percent to $420,000. Other Centenary suburbs also recorded moderate median land value increase: Mount Ommaney – $590,000 (9.3%), Middle Park – $365,000 (10.6%), Jamboree Heights – $350,000 (9.4%), Westlake – $410,000 (5.1%), Riverhills – 305,000 (10.9%), Sumner – $255,000 (10.9%), and Seventeen Mile Rocks – $340,000 (9.7%).
Queensland property is showing continued signs of strength in some areas, according to the recently released Valuer-General’s 2019 Property Market Movement Report. Based on the economic indicators, Queensland Treasury advise “dwelling investment in Queensland is entering a ‘recovery phase.’” This follows a 4.8 percent decline in 2017-2018, Queensland’s Valuer-General Neil Bray said.
“While approvals and construction have declined, the substantial amount of work remaining in the pipeline indicates dwelling investment is headed for a ‘soft landing’ compared with previous housing cycles,” he said
A total of 18 local government areas, representing 1.03 million properties, received new valuations this year: Brisbane, Burdekin, Cairns, Etheridge, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Longreach, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland, Somerset, South Burnett, Sunshine Coast, Weipa, and Western Downs.
Of the 18 local government areas that have been valued, 16 recorded an overall increase ranging between 4.9 (South Burnett) and 42.5 percent (Etheridge). There were nine LGAs with increases of 0-10 percent, five areas with increases of 10-20 percent, and two areas with more than 20 percent increases. Burdekin and Longreach, on the other hand, recorded overall decreases of 2.9 percent and 14.8 percent, respectively.
Majority of suburbs across Brisbane have recorded increase in residential land values, with most showing increases between five and 15 percent. Residential sector is the largest market sector in Brisbane, about 304,000 valuation. The median residential value has risen 7.1 percent as the overall median value increased to $455,000 from $425,000.
Thirty-seven residential suburbs remained unchanged, whilst 126 increased by up to 15 percent and 16 suburbs increased by more than 15 percent. Inner-city suburbs Woolloongabba (26.1%), Auchenflower (19.6%), Paddington (19.4%), and Milton (19.2%) have the largest median valuation increases.
The new valuations will become effective 30 June, however, landowners who have additional or new evidence to justify the need to alter the new valuations should provide such information through the online objections process via www.qld.gov.au/landvaluation or at the address shown at the top of their valuation notice, by 7 May 2019.
The proposal seeks to develop a two-storey childcare development centre at a low-density residential zone. The developer will remove two houses on-site as part of their development plans.
The proposed childcare centre will cater to 104 children and includes three outdoor play areas as well as 21 car park spaces. It also aims to open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
The proposal is already making a few residents unhappy since the childcare centre’s location raises traffic and safety issues.
Residents claimed that the development application’s traffic report is somehow inaccurate since there are multiple errors in the document including the speed limits on the intersection.
One resident is particularly concerned about the underground carpark’s access to Sumner’s Road. In the submission, the local resident said that the location considered dangerous. This is due to the fact that there have been many accidents in the area and in some cases, cars have landed in the front yard of 1 Hazelton Street, Riverhills.
“This area is a well-known trouble spot to council. The front yard of 1 Hazelton Street is earmarked as an outdoor play area. I certainly would feel uncomfortable placing my children there knowing the history of the traffic incidents.”
Another Riverhills resident cited that the childcare centre is not necessary for the area since there are already several childcare facilities in the area.
With these reactions, it seems that the childcare centre will not be supported by the local community.
Centenary, as it is known today, consists of several suburbs namely, Jindalee, Mount Ommaney, Jamboree Heights, Middle Park, Westlake, Riverhills, Sumner, Sinnamon Park, and Seventeen Mile Rocks.
Do you know how and why Centenary was formed? Let’s take a look back at the historic past of Centenary and the origins of the names of its suburbs.
In 1959, Queensland’s Centenary Year, a land developer named Hooker Rex planned the Centenary project. The project was a suburban development proposal that included a number of neighbourhoods with their own services and facilities that are capable of providing for all the needs of its residents.
The development started with the purchase of farmland in 1960. The contract for 1,416 hectare-development was agreed upon by the Council in 1961.
The Centenary Bridge and Highway were among the most important parts of the development as it provided access to and from the city and the northern suburbs. Officially opened on 14 October 1964, the Centenary Bridge was financed by the developers while the Centenary Highway was built by the Brisbane City Council still at the developers’ expense.
The suburbs and industrial estates that were planned to be a part of the Centenary project were Jindalee, Jamboree Heights, Mount Ommaney, Riverhills, Westlake, Middle Park, and Sumner. Meanwhile, Seventeen Mile Rocks and Sinnamon Park were developed separately.
The development was under the management of a public company called the Centenary Estates Limited for six years. In October 1967, the private shareholders were bought out by the Hooker Corporation Limited and the entire project was once again owned by the corporation.
The Establishment of the Centenary Suburbs
Jindalee
Jindalee is an Aboriginal word which means “bare hills”. The establishment of the suburb in September 1962 brought the first public transport in the area, a bus going to and from Oxley Station.
Among the earliest establishments in the district were the Jindalee Golf Course, Swimming Pool, Bowls Club and the Looranah St. shopping centre. With its well-established golf course, swimming pool, and sporting facilities, it wasn’t long before Jindalee became a centre for sporting activities.
Jamboree Heights
Jamboree Heights was initially a part of Jindalee. When the Boy Scout held it’s Eighth Australian Pan-Pacific Scout Jamboree in Brisbane, Hooker Centenary provided the site. Later on, the place came to be called Jamboree Heights.
The 50th Anniversary of that historic Jamboree was celebrated in Jamboree Heights in January 2018. During that time, the participants learned more about the first Queensland Jamboree in 1967-1968.
Mount Ommaney is considerably larger than Jindalee and Jamboree Heights. Despite the sloping nature of the terrain in the area, Hooker Centenary was able to develop a number of “Private Courts” in Mount Ommaney in January 1970, a feat considered a first in Australia.
Each private court contains approximately seven homes, each with their own private entrance and shared private ownership of internal roads and nature strips.
Mount Ommaney became a prestige homesite that offers excellent views of the mountains and the city.
The suburb is also home to the first women’s golf club in Australia, the McLeod Country Golf Club, which was completed in 1969. The original golf club was comprised of 9 holes and a clubhouse. It was later extended to a full complement of 18 holes in 1971.
Riverhills
Riverhills is named for its ideal location offering sweeping panoramic views of the Brisbane River. In January 1973, it was mainly marketed by the developer as a suburb for young people with young families, designed with a cul-de-sac concept that focuses on having a quiet environment with lots of privacy. Many of its streets were named after rivers, lakes, and other waterways of the world.
Westlake
Westlake was named by the developers in June 1973 for its nine-hectare freshwater lake. The developers maximised the landscape to give most of its homesites a view of the vast lake.
Sumner
Sumner was named after the Sumner family who had been farmers and landholders in the area. Though the name was originally given to a road, the suburb later adapted the name in 1969.
Seventeen Mile Rocks
The Seventeen Mile Rocks suburb used to include Sinnamon Park in 1975 as it extended farther west. With the development of Sinnamon Park, the boundaries of the suburb changed and currently, part of the Edenbrooke Estate is in Seventeen Mile Rocks and part in Sinnamon Park.
Seventeen Mile Rocks have gone through several developments under different estate developers namely ECOSSE Investments Pty Ltd, BMD Constructions, Baldwin-Riverlands, and Verandah.
Middle Park
Middle Park was strategically named by the developers in July 1976 to reflect its location in the middle of the Centenary Suburbs. The area offers northerly views of the McLeod Country Golf Club.
Sinnamon Park
In 1989, Sinnamon Park was developed originating from the suburb Seventeen Mile Rocks. The new suburb was named after the family of James Sinnamon and Margaret, who were the pioneer European settlers in the area.
Today, Sinnamon Park houses a memorial dedicated to Thomas Macleod to celebrate his historic flights on 22 December 1910.
These are the historical origins of the names of the Centenary Suburbs. To have a deeper grasp on the history of Centenary, visit Centenary Suburbs Historical Society Inc.
The worst bus routes in Brisbane have been revealed and the ones that are perennially late in the west use the Centenary Motorway, such as the Riverhills to Spring Hill route and the Mount Ommaney to Queen St, CBD route.
The council realises that one of the main reasons why these routes arrive late is because of the traffic congestion on the Centenary Motorway. The motorway has long been the topic of discussion and there have been plenty of proposals for its upgrade, yet the peak hours remain horrible.
In April of this year, RACQ named it the slowest motorway during the morning and afternoon journeys. Their findings showed that speed in the am is approximately at 22km/h and 26km/h in the afternoon.
Because the said motorway is under the State Government, the Department of Main Roads and Transport responded to this and said that the Master Plan for Centenary Motorway (Toowong to Ipswich) is already being prepared and will be ready early next year. It will include all recommendations to improve the traffic flow on the motorway.
As of now, the council redirects buses through the Legacy Way and has been providing bus upgrades on the Inner City Bypass to improve bus services on key peak hour routes here in the west.
Last month, RACQ launched a survey regarding the bridges that must be built around Brisbane. They proposed 12 new direct river crossings, three-stage projects and duplication of existing bridge crossings. Should these be accepted, there will be new links between suburbs such as West End, Moggill, the CBD, New Farm, Kangaroo Point, and Hawthorne.
Ten More Bridges
The results of the survey have been released and it shows residents want ten more bridges to be built. One of them is a bridge connecting Bellbowrie and Riverhills. Talks between residents about this bridge have been going around since 2013 and it seems like they still want the bridge to happen.
Green Bridge or Road Bridge?
The bridge links Sumners Road at Riverhills and Birkin Road at Bellbowrie. This was originally planned in the mid-1970s but it did not push through because officials thought that the city was not developed enough for such a project, at the time. By 2009, the plan was to make that bridge a pedestrian or cycling link only. In 2013, a debate about turning it into a road bridge took place.
The plan to turn it into a road bridge is for Moggill and Bellbowrie residents to avoid traffic congestion on Moggill Road and to have access to a faster route on the way to their destination.
Sumners Road Ready For a Bridge
In Riverhills, the location of the proposed bridge is at the end of Sumners Road, which is currently a dead end now. However, it has a rich flora or large trees. It is quite far from the water. Should a bridge be approved, the road has to be widened and surfaced properly.
The Brisbane City Council had prepared the road already for a possible bridge due to the previous plans. Wider road lanes and cycling planes on Sumners Road can be observed to accommodate the possible increase in cars once a bridge is built.
The Struggle
The lack of a bridge between these two suburbs has greatly impacted the lives of the residents. Belbowrie residents traveling to Riverhills and other nearby suburbs complain about the long travel time. This also includes the amount of fuel that they consume and car emissions that pollute the atmosphere. Hence, a bridge between the suburbs will significantly cut travel time shorter and also prevent residents from getting stuck in traffic at the Centenary Motorway during peak hours.
Memories of the 2011 floods have underscored the need for a bridge to Riverhills. In 2011, Bellbowrie residents suffered from a lack of electricity and had limited food supplies for at least a week. A bridge to Riverhills would make it easier to evacuate to other areas during natural calamities.
Two bridge proposals were made, a green bridge and a road bridge. Residents seemed to favour a road bridge more than a green bridge. In 2016, an online petition was launched for a road bridge to be built between the two suburbs.
Taken Into Consideration
The RACQ Survey also recorded majority support for bridges to be built from West End to Toowong, Bulimba to Teneriffe, Balmoral to Hamilton, and Moggill Ferry Road to Riverview.
Paul Turner, the RACQ Spokesman said that these results only show that people are rooting for better infrastructure to battle Brisbane’s congestion problem. They also assured the community that they will be highlighting these results to the council and the state government to guarantee that feedback is included in future planning.