Queensland engineers building Australia’s first robotic moon rover and scientists tracking microscopic pollution will show how neighbourhood projects solve massive global issues at a community showcase in Hamilton.
What does the future of local business look like? The Science Week Business Showcase aims to answer exactly that on Thursday, 13 August. Hosted at The Hamilton Hotel, this free evening strips away the academic jargon to connect everyday residents with high-level technology. It is a rare chance to see how science, technology, engineering and maths drive the Brisbane economy.
Far beyond the city limits, Australian technology is preparing for a lunar journey. Representatives from EPE Engineers will break down the mechanics behind the Roo-ver, an artificial intelligence project commissioned for national space efforts. Their work proves that cutting-edge robotics are being developed right in the suburbs. It is a massive leap for local industry.
How do microscopic pollutants impact everyday health? Dr. Cassandra Rauert, a senior research fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, plans to address this invisible threat. She will explain her efforts to track microplastics and detail how collaborations with nearby industries are helping to manage the crisis.
Meanwhile, Queensland Chief Scientist Prof. Kerrie Wilson will outline strategies for sustainable economic growth. Her focus remains strictly on balancing conservation science with long-term financial stability for the state.
Connecting ordinary citizens to world-class research is the primary goal of the night. Backed by Inspiring Australia – QLD, the gathering invites students and business owners to explore future careers and real-world problem-solving at 442 Kingsford Smith Drive. Attendees can speak directly with the experts driving these projects. It promises to be an eye-opening look at the diverse sides of the STEM sector.
An Albion development proposal lodged for 60 Kingsford Smith Drive would provide 166 apartments across three connected tower elements rising to 28, 19 and 17 storeys, above retail, hospitality and recreation uses.
Named Avela, the mixed-use project is proposed for an amalgamated riverfront site near the junction of Kingsford Smith Drive and Amy Street, beside the Breakfast Creek Road bridge and the Breakfast Creek Hotel.
The approximately 2,433-square-metre site combines 60 Kingsford Smith Drive with 9 and 11 Amy Street. The application also lists 1 Amy Street and 4 Agnes Street as associated properties.
Frank Developments is advancing the project through applicant 60 KSD Pty Ltd as trustee for the 60 KSD Property Trust. Kennon is the architect, while Town Planning Alliance is the planning consultant.
Albion Development Proposal Steps Across Three Heights
The building would be divided into three connected elements rather than one continuous slab. Its highest section would rise to 28 storeys, followed by sections of 19 storeys to the east and 17 storeys to the north.
At its highest point, the development would reach approximately 98 metres above street level. Projecting balconies, setbacks and landscaped sections would divide the overall form into narrower components.
The site has an acceptable height of 10 storeys under the Albion neighbourhood plan. The application seeks approval for the greater height through a performance-based assessment and is being assessed at the impact level.
The 166 proposed residences would comprise 105 two-bedroom apartments, 16 two-bedroom apartments with multipurpose rooms, 44 three-bedroom apartments and one four-bedroom penthouse.
The penthouse would be positioned within the highest tower element and include a private rooftop garden on Level 26.
Photo Credit: DA/A007058743
Public Uses Planned Within Podium
A publicly accessible podium would contain retail, hospitality and indoor recreation uses.
The plans identify a 290-square-metre shop intended for a boutique grocer and a separate 74-square-metre cafe tenancy. The podium and ground-level uses would be oriented towards Amy Street.
Level 1 would contain a 437-square-metre indoor pickleball court available to both residents and the public. Other facilities on the level would include a gym, yoga room, sauna, spa, cold plunge, hydrotherapy pool, therapy rooms and a resident co-working area.
Communal recreation facilities would cover approximately 1,945 square metres across Levels 1, 16 and 18. North-facing terraces on Levels 16 and 18 would each provide a swimming pool, pool lounge, outdoor seating and landscaping.
Rooftop gardens with soft landscaping and feature trees are also proposed across Levels 16, 18 and 26.
Photo Credit: DA/A007058743
Parking and Access From Amy Street
Vehicle access would be provided through one consolidated crossover on Amy Street, replacing four existing crossovers across the assembled properties.
Parking would be located at ground level and across four basement levels. The proposal includes 252 car spaces, comprising 226 resident spaces and 26 visitor spaces, as well as four motorcycle spaces.
A further 108 bicycle spaces are planned. New 1.8-metre-wide footpaths would be constructed along each frontage.
The location is near the Lores Bonney Riverwalk and Yowoggera Green Bridge. The planned Golden Glider bus service is also intended to operate along Kingsford Smith Drive.
Four lifts are shown in the architectural plans. Three would serve the main residential core, including one combined passenger and loading lift, while a separate lift would serve the northern lobby.
Photo Credit: DA/A007058743
Natural Ventilation and Landscaping Included
The building would use single-loaded circulation, with apartments positioned along one side of open-air corridors to support natural ventilation.
Solar-responsive shading, building orientation and deep western eaves are intended to reduce reliance on mechanical cooling. Landscaped areas would extend through ground-level planting, podium planters and rooftop gardens.
Waste hoppers on each residential floor would accept general waste and recycling. A diverter at ground level would separate recyclable material from general waste.
The basement plans also indicate provision for electric vehicle charging through a dedicated electrical board.
Application Remains in Progress
Application A007058743 was submitted on 1 July 2026 for building work and a material change of use covering multiple dwellings, a shop, a food and drink outlet, and indoor sport and recreation.
The application was recorded as properly made on 17 July, followed by a confirmation notice on 24 July. It remains in progress, with public notification and decision dates yet to be recorded.
Brisbane has launched its first-ever Olympic-inspired CityCat, with the KangaCat officially joining the city’s ferry fleet ahead of the six-year countdown to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The KangaCat is a special vessel operating on Brisbane’s standard CityCat ferry route, which travels along the Brisbane River between the University of Queensland (UQ) at St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton.
Inspired by the Australian Olympic Team’s iconic Boxing Kangaroo mascot, known as BK, the KangaCat has officially joined Brisbane’s CityCat fleet. As it travels along the river, the ferry celebrates Australia’s Olympic heroes while inspiring young Australians dreaming of representing the country at the 2032 Games.
The Australian Olympic Committee summed up that ambition with a simple message: “We hope every kid who sees the KangaCat dreams of one day representing the green and gold.”
Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Anna Meares said it was exciting to see one of Australian sport’s most recognisable symbols travelling along the Brisbane River. She said the Boxing Kangaroo is recognised around the world and that its presence on the river would remind athletes, residents and visitors alike of the excitement ahead as preparations continue for Brisbane 2032.
Australian Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Mark Arbib said the KangaCat reflects Brisbane’s growing identity as Australia’s next Olympic host. He noted that once the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games conclude, international attention will increasingly turn towards Brisbane, making initiatives such as the KangaCat an important way to build community enthusiasm for the Games and support for the Australian Olympic Team.
Mr Arbib also said the Boxing Kangaroo represents the resilience and determination shown by Australian Olympians, adding that the partnership behind the KangaCat would help support Brisbane’s Olympic legacy initiatives in the years ahead.
For Hamilton residents and visitors, Northshore is among the major stops where passengers can experience the KangaCat as part of Brisbane’s regular ferry network.
Already a growing waterfront precinct, Northshore now becomes one of the locations where passengers can experience the Olympic-themed ferry while travelling on the Brisbane River. Whether commuting into the city or exploring Hamilton’s riverside attractions, passengers may encounter the KangaCat on regular CityCat services.
The themed CityCat also joins other distinctive Brisbane ferries, including the Bluey and Bingo CityDogs. Those hoping to ride the vessel can track it through the AnyTrip app under its vessel name, “Mahreel”.
The KangaCat also forms part of wider efforts to build public engagement ahead of Brisbane 2032. Local officials say it reflects a broader vision for the city’s Olympic legacy that extends beyond the sporting competition itself.
Brisbane’s ferry network continues to be one of the city’s most popular transport options, recording a record 6.8 million passenger trips during the last financial year. Combined with Brisbane’s 50 cent public transport fares, the KangaCat provides another way for residents and visitors to experience the city ahead of Brisbane 2032.
Cr Adrian Schrinner said the themed ferry brings the Olympic spirit to the Brisbane River ahead of the official six-year countdown. He said Brisbane is preparing to welcome the world in 2032 while investing in improved transport, stronger communities and opportunities that will leave a lasting legacy beyond the Games.
For Hamilton, where Northshore is one of the KangaCat’s major stops, the themed ferry is one of the first visible signs of Brisbane embracing its role as host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Brisbane Airport’s iconic new plane spotting location, Fellowship Place, has officially opened, offering aviation enthusiasts, families and photographers a purpose-built space to watch aircraft arrive and depart while celebrating the airport’s 100-year history.
The new public viewing area, located at the end of Acacia Street within the Brisbane Airport precinct, welcomed its first visitors on Sunday, 19 July. Created as a centenary gift to Brisbane, Fellowship Place offers closer, less obstructed views of aircraft while featuring the tail of a retired Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft that celebrates Queensland’s aviation history.
A New Home for Plane Spotters
Photo credit: Facebook/Brisbane Airport
Plane spotting has long been part of Brisbane Airport’s culture, and Fellowship Place provides a purpose-built setting with accessible features for the aviation community and the wider public.
The precinct features an elevated viewing platform that provides closer, less obstructed views of aircraft operations. Shaded seating and an accessible pathway make the space welcoming for photographers, aviation enthusiasts and families alike.
Photo credit: Facebook/Brisbane Airport
Brisbane Airport Chief Executive Officer Gert-Jan de Graaff said the project was created as a gift to the city to mark the airport’s centenary. He said Fellowship Place was designed to bring people closer to aviation while providing a place where enthusiasts could share their passion and inspire future generations of pilots, engineers and aviation professionals.
The project also involved changing the site’s land classification. The land was reclassified from restricted airfield space into an area the public can access, giving visitors a front row view of aircraft movements within the airport precinct.
A Landmark with Aviation History
Photo credit: Facebook/Brisbane Airport
Standing at the heart of Fellowship Place is the tail of a retired Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft, creating what Brisbane Airport says is Australia’s first plane spotting area to incorporate a historic jet tail as a permanent feature.
The aircraft component was donated by Aviation Australia, where it had previously helped train more than 3,000 aircraft engineers.
Photo credit: Facebook/Brisbane Airport
Moving and installing the 50-year-old Dutch-built aircraft tail presented its own engineering challenge. Mr de Graaff said there were no handbooks explaining how best to crane and fix the ageing aircraft structure into position.
Construction of the precinct also involved placing more than 900 cubic metres of fill to create the elevated viewing platform.
Celebrating Brisbane’s Aviation Legacy
Photo credit: Facebook/Brisbane Airport
Among those welcoming Fellowship Place was long-time Brisbane plane spotter Lloyd Fox, who has spent more than 60 years documenting aircraft movements at the airport.
Mr Fox said the opening was something he never expected to see after more than six decades of plane spotting. He also said the new location brings visitors closer to the action than ever before while creating a place where families, photographers and aviation enthusiasts can enjoy the experience together.
Visitors to Fellowship Place can also explore another piece of aviation history nearby. Adjacent to the International Terminal stands the Sir Kingsford Smith Memorial, home to the historic Southern Cross aircraft. In 2028, the aircraft will mark 100 years since completing the first trans-Pacific flight linking the United States and Australia.
Brisbane Airport said the project celebrates its history while aiming to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. Today, the airport precinct supports around 25,000 jobs, with employment expected to double over the next two decades.
In a feat of endurance that has captivated the state, seven-year-old pacer Leap to Fame is currently pushing for a historic third Inter Dominion title at the Albion track.
Could there be a more intimidating sight in sport than this seven-year-old pacer, known affectionately as Larry, pinning his ears back and surging through the home stretch? Under the steady hands of trainer and driver Grant Dixon, the gelding has transformed from a mere competitor into an industrial-grade winning machine.
He doesn’t just win; he demoralises his rivals by thriving in the most punishing positions on the track, often grinding out victories while parked wide. It is a rare brand of brilliance that turns a routine night at the stables into a masterclass of pure, unadulterated grit.
Chasing the Pantheon
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Winning two Inter Dominion crowns was an achievement in itself, but the quest for a third title elevates the stakes to legendary proportions. A successful campaign at The Creek would place him in the company of immortals like Our Sir Vancelot and Im Themightyquinn, edging him ever closer to the record four held by the legendary Blacks A Fake.
The air around the grandstand vibrates with a different frequency these days, as every race feels like a chapter in a biography that fans feel privileged to read in real-time.
Why rush a masterpiece? Owner Kevin Seymour has resisted the industry trend of early retirement, choosing instead to showcase this rare talent to the public for as long as possible. This decision has sparked immense gratitude among the faithful who pack the fences, all while the team keeps one eye on the future. Once the dust settles at Albion, the focus shifts to the final hurdle in his illustrious career: the elusive New Zealand Cup. It remains the only major mountain left for this Queensland hero to climb.
On the lawn of a church that has served Hamilton and Ascot since 1895, a much newer local tradition will return this August. The Rotary Club of Hamilton is preparing to hold its third annual Craft Beer Festival at St Augustine’s Anglican Church, bringing craft brewers, food and live music together for an afternoon of community fundraising.
More than 300 guests attended the October 2025 festival. Funds generated that year were distributed to three local charities, with Immediate Past President Victor Gado crediting the patrons, sponsors and donors who contributed to the event.
The festival will return to the Racecourse Road church on Saturday, 22 August, running from 11 am to 4:30 pm.
Three Beneficiaries for the Third Festival
This year’s proceeds will support Peggy’s Place, St Augustine’s Church and Brothers Support Network.
Peggy’s Place provides a safe place for families affected by domestic and family violence.
Brothers Support Network helps males with disability live independently through trained male support workers. Its services extend across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
For St Augustine’s, the festival serves two roles. The church is again providing its grounds as the venue while also receiving support for the restoration of its existing facilities and future improvement plans.
Father David Ruthven said the funding would contribute to that work as the Racecourse Road precinct continued to develop.
The 2026 program will feature a selection of craft beers from artisan brewers, along with barbecue food and music.
Wine and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available. Grazing boxes supplied by The Grazing Italians can be purchased as a ticket add-on, but they must be ordered before the festival and collected on the day.
Raffles will be drawn during the event, with the Rotary Club of Hamilton also accepting donated prizes and sponsorship enquiries. Harcourts Local is sponsoring the festival.
VIP tables offering food, drinks and maître d’ service will be available alongside general admission.
For patrons aged 18 and over, entry includes a voucher for the first drink and a keepsake glass. Responsible service of alcohol requirements will apply, and identification may be requested.
People under 18 can attend when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Adult and under-18 guests will receive separate wristbands.
Early-bird entry costs $30, while two tickets cost $60. The early-bird rates are limited to the first 100 bookings, with tickets and grazing box pre-orders available through Eventbrite.
Bluey’s World will remain in Northshore Hamilton, extending Brisbane’s exclusive run as the home of the family experience inspired by the locally made series.
Bluey’s World will continue operating exclusively in Brisbane until 3 February 2028, keeping the attraction at Northshore Hamilton after strong demand since its opening.
The experience, based on the television series Bluey, opened in November 2024 and has welcomed more than half a million visitors. It remains located at 281 Macarthur Drive, Northshore Hamilton, where families and fans can take part in a guided experience shaped around the world of Bluey.
The extension keeps Bluey’s World in the city where the series was created, written, animated and post-produced. The show follows Bluey, a blue heeler dog, with her mum, dad and younger sister Bingo, using play and family life as the centre of its stories.
Photo Credit: Supplied
At Northshore Hamilton, the experience brings elements of the series into a physical setting through set designs, interactive games and activities for children and adults. It is designed as a guided visit rather than a general exhibition, giving visitors a structured way to move through the world connected to the Brisbane-made program.
Since opening, Bluey’s World has drawn visitors from across Australia and overseas. More than a quarter of visitors have travelled from interstate, adding to the attraction’s visitor base beyond Brisbane.
Research covering 7 November 2024 to 17 March 2026 recorded 501,107 direct visitor nights linked to the attraction. Total direct and incremental expenditure across Queensland was placed at $156.9 million over the same period.
The extension also means tickets are now available through to 2028, with prices starting from AUD$44.90 plus booking fee.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Bluey’s World Remains Connected To Brisbane
The continued Hamilton run keeps Bluey’s World closely tied to the place where the series was made. Bluey is produced by Ludo Studio for ABC KIDS Australia and co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios.
The series has been produced in association with Screen Australia and Screen Queensland. BBC Studios Kids & Family holds global distribution and merchandise rights, while the show airs in Australia on ABC.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Bluey’s World is produced by BBC Studios and HVK World. The attraction extends the screen world of Bluey into a visitor experience while keeping its exclusive location in Brisbane.
The social media announcement from official Bluey and Bluey’s World Brisbane accounts also confirmed that tickets were available through to 2028. Responses to the announcement included fans asking whether the Brisbane experience would remain open until then, alongside positive reactions to the extended run.
For Hamilton, the extension keeps a major Bluey-linked visitor attraction at Northshore for the next phase of its Brisbane run. Bookings for Bluey’s World Brisbane are available through Ticketek.
Families visiting Brisbane Airport will soon swap traditional shopping for giant ninja courses and high ropes as a massive 7,000-square-metre space-themed playground touches down at the Skygate precinct.
The enormous Area 51 indoor entertainment facility is scheduled to welcome visitors in late 2027. Taking up a massive footprint, this space will become the largest of its kind for the company and marks the seventh location built across Queensland. Rather than just offering standard shops, the precinct is expanding to include climbing arenas, huge inflatables, trampolines, and sports courts.
The site is designed to cater to everyone, featuring a dedicated toddler zone for younger children and a cafe for parents to relax in, alongside spaces reserved for corporate gatherings and birthday parties.
This project is part of a broader plan to change how locals and tourists use the space. Scott Norris, the commercial executive general manager for Brisbane Airport, noted that the new playground adds to a growing mix of dining and leisure options at the location.
He explained that the goal is to build an experience-driven destination where visitors stay to play and explore all day, rather than just doing a quick grocery shop at Woolworths or picking up clothes at the discount outlets.
The developers want the site to be more than just a standard fun park. Michael Affleck, the chief operating officer for Area 51 World, stated that the massive new centre is designed to be a community meeting place that provides energy and adventure for groups of all sizes. He added that the team is excited to bring people of all ages together to connect and make memories. This shift toward interactive entertainment is already underway, as the precinct recently hosted a popular dinosaur exhibition created by the major live-events company Fever.
Brisbane Airport has become the first major airport in Australia to trial a fleet of autonomous robot mowers, deploying four machines across its 919-hectare airside precinct in a move that will save more than 60,000 litres of diesel fuel every year.
The robot mowers, now operating on the airfield adjacent to the Hamilton and Eagle Farm precinct, run day and night on a mix of solar energy and the airport’s renewables-backed electrical network. They maintain grassed areas continuously rather than in scheduled bursts, a fundamental shift in how airside vegetation management is handled at one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs.
For Brisbane Airport, which processes more than 23 million passenger movements per year and sits across a land footprint equivalent to 54 South Bank Parklands, keeping the grass cut is not a cosmetic concern. It is a safety requirement.
Overgrown grass attracts wildlife, and wildlife on or near runways is one of the most persistent hazards in civil aviation. The robot fleet addresses that risk around the clock, significantly reducing the amount of time staff need to spend working in active airside zones.
The machines and how they stay in bounds
Each robot mower operates within a defined zone maintained by a combination of onboard sensors, geofencing and a physical barrier. The system keeps the machines away from active runways and taxiways, and they navigate autonomously without manual intervention once deployed. If something unexpected enters their path, they stop or redirect.
The continuous mowing cycle produces a secondary benefit that is less obvious but genuinely useful. Because the grass is cut little and often rather than in periodic heavy passes, the process selectively encourages healthier grass species to establish and allows the airport to reduce its use of herbicides across the airfield. The result, in the airport’s own assessment, is greener and more resilient grass than conventional mowing produces.
“These robot mowers might be small, but their impact is significant,” said Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff. “Unlike conventional mowing, which must be scheduled around air traffic and staff availability, these robotic mowers can operate day and night. This reduces disruption to flights and the need for manual mowing, helping to maintain our airfield while keeping safety front and centre.”
Part of a longer sustainability journey
The robot mower trial is the latest in a series of technology-driven sustainability initiatives at Brisbane Airport stretching back several years. The airport deployed Australia’s first all-electric aircraft refueller through Air BP in 2022 and introduced Oscar, an AI-powered smart recycling assistant, into its terminals the same year.
Brisbane Airport Head of Sustainability Jess Rudd said the autonomous mowers align directly with that longer-term commitment. The 60,000-plus litres of diesel saved annually represent a meaningful reduction in operational emissions from ground maintenance alone, replacing fuel-heavy machinery that has historically run for long hours across the airfield.
“Our innovation programme is about trialling and scaling technology that delivers real results,” said Oscar Maan, Brisbane Airport’s Innovation Lead. “These autonomous mowers show how that approach is already making a difference on the ground.”
What comes next
The current pilot covers a growing portion of the airside land area, with the fleet expected to expand into additional zones over time. How quickly that expansion happens will depend on the programme’s ongoing performance assessments, but the airport has signalled clearly that scaling the technology is the intention rather than keeping it confined to a trial footprint.
Brisbane Airport sits within the City of Moreton Bay and Brisbane City boundary near Hamilton, Pinkenba and Eagle Farm, and its operations connect the region to more than 50 domestic and international destinations.
Further information on Brisbane Airport’s sustainability programme is available here.
