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Craft’d Ground: New 2,600sqm Lifestyle Precinct to Bring Changes to Albion

Craft’d Ground, a new and massive lifestyle precinct, spanning 2,600 square metres, will change the way Albion residents shop, dine and enjoy their downtime once it opens.

Set for an unveiling in May, the site on Collingwood Street is the brainchild of the co-owners of Collingwood Black Espresso & Bar and The Black Market in Brisbane’s northside.

Craft’d Ground (DA A005675120) is built around a former craft brewery at the 100-year-old timber mill and will take up 500 square metres. The rest of the property will include a bottle shop, coffee shops, a national coffee roaster, an espresso bar and cocktail bar, a handful of restaurants, and a patisserie and fromagerie.

Plans for a live music and special events venue will also make up the lifestyle precinct. There will be a laneway lined with works of street artists and a section for hosting farmers’ markets.

Photo Credit: PD Online/Brisbane City Council

Co-owner James Rennell said that this foodie and entertainment area will be locally focused and offer a more authentic experience. Mr Rennell and his partners thought long and hard on the concept of Craft’d Ground, especially after several businesses in retail and the food industry closed due to the pandemic.

With renewing connections in mind, Craft’d Ground will be a place for people to savour great food and enjoy their coffee in an expansive space where there will be little partitions and more chances to connect.

Visitors to this new lifestyle precinct can dine, wine or meet up and celebrate with friends, families and even their pets. Mr Rennell said that they looked up to Sydney’s The Grounds of Alexandria for the inspiration to Craft’d Ground.

The site is expected to finish construction in late May 2021 and will be ready for domestic tourism once the borders are completely gone.

Onedin: Prestige Hamilton House with a Murderous Past Up for Auction

Onedin, a Spanish-style house on Grays Road with a dark and scandalous past, has been put up for auction. In the 1950s, this Hamilton house was the scene of a murder-scandal involving a socialite couple.

With unobstructed views of the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge, this stately and elevated house thrives as a multimillion-dollar property within a bluechip suburb despite its history. Realtors expect Onedin, the house’s name, to fetch a substantial price when it goes on the market on Saturday, 20 March 2021.

Onedin house has a master suite on the top floor with its own living room and balcony. The living space on the ground floor faces towards the city views, whilst the kitchen and three bedrooms with bathrooms are set at the back of the house, where there is privacy. This Hamilton house also has a lower level with a secure garage, laundry room and bathroom.

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

Sitting on a 607 square metre block with garden hedges, Onedin was once the site of socialite parties. It was owned by Sylvia Joyce Clare Ferguson and Roy Ferguson.

What happened inside Onedin?

According to reports, Roy co-owned pubs, breweries and hotels around Forbes and Newcastle, as well as a poultry farm in Charleston with his brother, Jack Ferguson. A wealthy bachelor, Roy met his wife in the 1940s whilst she was working as a barmaid. They moved from New South Wales to settle into this Hamilton house when they got married.

Sylvia, however, had a lover, Albert Eric Murphy, who worked for Roy and he discovered that the Fergusons were not legally married. Soon, Sylvia and Eric met in secret and she convinced him that Roy was a violent and dangerous man, who won’t hesitate to use a gun.

They continued the affair even as the Fergusons moved to Brisbane. Despite telling Eric that she was in an unhappy marriage with a man she feared, Sylvia agreed to finally legally wed Roy in 1953.

But Sylvia and Eric were still in contact and soon decided to plan Roy’s murder so they could run away together and she could have her husband’s fortune. They sought the help of Ernie Hamilton, a friend of Roy’s who knew Sylvia’s affair. Ernie agreed to the plan for 1,000 pounds.

On the night of the murder, Sylvia gave Eric and Ernie access to the Hamilton house, while Roy had been sleeping. Their home companions Thelma and Wally Gray woke up at 1:30 a.m. to Sylvia screaming for help as Roy had been hit.

However, Sylvia, who had never been discreet with her affair, admitted to the murder plan during the investigation. She told the police Ernie was blackmailing her but the judge would hand a guilty verdict for all three attackers.

Sylvia was sentenced to 10 years whilst Eric and Ernie were in prison for three years.

Hamilton House Auction Details

Meanwhile, Onedin went up the market more than 15 years ago before the current owners decided to sell. Place Ascot is conducting the auction at its headquarters on James Street at 10:00 a.m. on 20 March.

Hamilton Northshore Seen as Ideal Site For Olympics Athletes’ Village

Did you know that Northshore Hamilton has been identified as an ideal site for building the Athletes’ Village for the 2032 Olympics? While the international sports event is still a decade away, planning discussions have begun between Brisbane City Council and the International Olympics Committee (IOC).

Documents released by IOC showed that Hamilton’s Northshore could be the site of a new 14,000-bed facility, which the athletes will call their temporary home in Brisbane.

For the next few years, Hamilton Northshore’s 50-hectare riverfront land will be boosted with heaps of commercial and residential developments to prepare the precinct once the international guests arrive.

The athletes’ village could be turned into public housing after the Olympics.

However, the committee also said that other location options around Brisbane are still under evaluation and the details will be provided with due diligence.

IOC said that they decided the host in advance because of “the uncertainty the world is facing right now” and they would like to seize the momentum presented by Brisbane and its many project developments.

IOC also said that about 80 to 90 percent of the “advanced Games concept” venues needed in the Olympics are already existing in Brisbane or will be completed by 2032.

“The hard work is not over yet as we embark on an 11 year journey, working closely with all three levels of government, to deliver the transport infrastructure our growing region needs for many decades to come,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

Brisbane will be the third Australian location to host the Olympics after Sydney in 2000 and Melbourne in 1956.

Granddad Jack to Open New Distillery and Tasting Room in Albion

Gin lovers, you’ll raise your glass to this exciting news! Granddad Jack, the very first craft, spirits and liqueurs distillery in the Gold Coast, is branching out to Brisbane. The family-owned business named after their patriarch, David “Granddad Jack” Goulding, will have its second outpost in Albion.

Granddad Jack boss Dave Ridden hopes that the new distillery and tasting room in Albion will start serving customers by May 2021. Construction has been heavily underway since the company announced plans to open the second shop in January.

“The Gold Coast’s favourite neighbourhood craft distillery is bringing their small-batch, award-winning spirits & liqueurs to Brisbane,” Granddad Jack’s operators said in a Facebook post.

“The family-owned business is passionate about creating the ultimate experience and are excited to join Brissy’s thriving craft culture.”

The $1.2 million-store in Albion might be smaller than its Miami facility but it will be equipped with a 300-litre still for on-site small-batch productions, allowing Grandad Jack to increase its yearly production to 250,000 litres. It’s also bringing much-needed jobs to Brisbane during the construction stage and when it starts trading.

Meanwhile, Granddad Jack’s taproom will be fitted and decorated with reclaimed construction materials and pre-loved items. Here’s where eastern Brisbane locals could get a sip of the distillery’s award-winning drinks, such as the Greenhouse gin, 65 Miles, Barbershop coffee liqueur, and the Penny vodka.

As with the Gold Coast site, this Albion facility is preparing plans for make-your-own gin classes, tastes test and tours as well.

Mr Ridden started Granddad Jack in 2018 with his son Luke Ridden. They have been using a 90-year-old secret family recipe for the drinks.

Portside Wharf: $141 Million Brookfield Residential Tower Approved

Brookfield Residential Properties is ramping up its next construction at the Portside Wharf in Northshore Hamilton following the approval of a $141 million residential tower development.

The new building, designed by Cottee Parker, will be the ninth Portside Wharf project by Brookfield and the 1000th apartment in the company’s portfolio.

Economic Development Queensland approved the tower for development in December 2020 (DEV2019/1073). It will stand next to Brookfield’s completed Gallery House One and Two on Wharf Street and will feature 150-units with a retail section on the ground floor and a fantastic view of the riverfront.

Among the key features of this development include the following:

151 apartments in total
50 one-bedroom apartments
73 two-bedroom apartments
25 three-bedroom apartments
3 four-bedroom apartments
penthouses with 270-degrees view of the riverfront
Four-level podium with decks for common and recreational facilities
infinity-edge pool
private function room
resident’s lounge
outdoor gardens with barbecue areas
Ground floor retail tenancies for 8 shops
230 onsite car spaces

Photo Credit: Brookfield Residential Properties

Brookfield managing director Lee Butterworth describes this tower as an “urban sub-tropical character that embraces and celebrates the riverfront address.” Most of the apartments will have unrestrained views of the river as well.

The company plans to launch the new apartments by the end of the year.

Portside Wharf is the $5-billion urban renewal project of the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area.

Northshore School Holiday 2021 Program Brings Fun for Children of All Ages

Thinking of ways to get your kids away from the screen or off the couch this school holiday? Planning to get your family active outdoors? Bring everyone to Hamilton’s Northshore precinct from today till 21 Jan 2021 for heaps of things to do and enjoy together!

Bicycle Queensland and RiverLife are mounting exciting events for all ages at The Deck and at the Northshore Riverside Park. These activities are meant for everyone to learn, socialise and have a great time with their peers.

A. Learn to cycle, games and crafts
Location: Lawn next to The Deck, 257 Macarthur Avenue, Northshore Hamilton

There’s no prior booking needed but you will have to register when you arrive. Don’t forget to bring your bike!

DAY	DATE	TIME
Saturday	9th January	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday	13th January	8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Thursday	14th January	8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Friday	15th January	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday	17th January	8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday	20th January	8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Thursday	21st January	8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

B. Bike maintenance workshop
Location: Lawn next to The Deck, 257 Macarthur Avenue, Northshore Hamilton

Pre-registration required but this is still a free event for all ages. Bring your bike as well.

Saturday 9th January	Beginners workshop	8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
	Intermediate workshop	10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

C. Adventure day: rollerblading, kayaking, laser tag and a mystery activity
Location: Northshore Riverside Park (next to Northshore Harbour Café and Northshore CityCat stop)

Pre-registration and payment required for this event.

DAY	DATE	TIME
Friday	15th January	11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday	17th January	11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Encourage your kids to learn to love the outdoors by making them participate in these events. The children will not only learn or improve their skills but make lifelong friends and wonderful memories of their great times during the school holidays.

Excessive Aircraft Noise Over Hamilton May Persist for Two Years

Photo Credit: dmncwndrlch / Pixabay

Excessive aircraft noise over Hamilton and other suburbs under the flight path may persist for the next couple of years, BAC says.

It may take about two years before Hamilton, New Farm, Hamilton, Teneriffe, Hawthorne, Balmoral, and Bulimba residents could breathe a sigh of relief. Complaints from residents of these suburbs have risen after the Brisbane Airport’s new runway opened last July due to excessive noise from low-flying aircraft.

According to BAC, suburbs under the flight path may experience the same number and frequency of flights for the next couple of years. The border closures contributed to the higher volume of aircraft on the new runway where a majority of the state’s domestic flights were being routed.

However, more flights leaving and arriving would instead use the old runway, once border restrictions are lifted. When everything is back to “normal,” about 60 per cent of the flights will arrive or depart from the legacy runway and 40 per cent from the new runway.

Two online petitions have been launched by residents who have been affected by the aircraft noise with more than 3,000 people who have signed so far. One of the petitions said that low-level flights over their suburbs are unnecessary and that noise mitigation strategies, which were required as part of the approval process, were not being used.

The group already met with Brisbane MP Trevor Evans who agreed that the noise volume and footprint of the BAC’s new runway flight path is “a significant issue that must be addressed.” He also said that he will discuss the issues raised with the airports and the relevant commonwealth agencies and will seek a review of the situation.

Meanwhile, the other petition said that BAC should address issues that aggravate the noise impact of its operations to the community including:

ensure that departures over the bay are maximised when conditions are suitable (instead of over residential areas); and
require all jet aircraft to utilise the full length of the runway (instead of using “intersection departures”).

Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade Completed, $30 Rebate Announced

Brisbane City Council / YouTube

The $650-million Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade has been completed and features six lanes of traffic between Cooksley Street and Theodore Street in Hamilton.

The upgraded Kingsford Smith Drive was officially opened last 27 October 2020. The speed limit along this arterial road was also restored to 60km/h from 40km/h.

$15 million project savings to result in $30 rebate

The council also announced the project was delivered $15 million under budget, hence, rate payers will be provided with a one-off rate rebate of almost $30 to be applied to rate notices issued 1 January 2021. The rebate effectively extends the six-month freeze on new rates for an additional quarter.

The massive project was first announced in 2013 which involved the widening of the road to six lanes allowing it to accommodate 70,000 vehicles each day. Expected to be delivered in 2019, the project was delayed for a year due to geotechnical issues.

Last year, the company contracted to deliver the upgrade project, Lendlease, reported a $47 million project cost blowout due to issues with the river’s retaining wall. Lendlease shouldered the additional cost of the project. Then-lord mayor Graham Quirk said that he was expecting very little of the contingency fund to be saved.

Cr Schrinner described the project as an engineering marvel which has employed more than 5,000 people who have, over the life of the project, undertaken more than 4.1 million work hours.

The now six-lane Kingsford Smith Drive links the CBD to the Airport, Port of Brisbane, Northshore Hamilton and Australia TradeCoast area. The upgraded road features two built out over the Brisbane River, intersection upgrades, and enhanced safety for road users.

The Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade project involved the addition of two new lanes and 7 kilometres of revitalised outdoor space with pedestrian and cycle lanes, 10 intersection modifications and 11 upgraded bus stops.

Kingsford Smith Drive Officially Opens, Tax Rebates Expected in 2021

The five-year Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade in Hamilton and Albion is finally done following the official reopening of the busy arterial road on Tuesday, the 27th of Oct 2020.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Councillor David McLachlan celebrated the upgrade’s completion with the installation of the speed limit sign from 40km/h to 60km/h for over 70,000 vehicles travelling through this road.

Mr Schrinner also announced that the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade’s completion was under budget for $15 million. As a result, ratepayers will receive a $30 rebate beginning 1 Jan 2021.

“Kingsford Smith Drive is officially complete and delivered under budget, with Brisbane ratepayers to pocket $15 million in savings from this transformational road project – that’s a rates rebate of almost $30 for all Brisbane ratepayers this January which will see the average residential rates bill go down for the first time in living memory,” Team Schrinner stated on Facebook.

Dubbed the “largest and most complex road projects” of the Brisbane City Council, the upgrade will deliver the following benefits:

33% increase in traffic carrying capacity
5,000 jobs supported
New Lores Bonney Riverwalk
7km of new & improved paths
8 intersections upgraded to improve safety
Upgraded public parks & spaces
134,000 plants & trees put in
Indented bus stop bays to improve traffic flow

This is welcome news for many residents and business owners in Hamilton who were severely impacted by the road closures. Originally aimed for a 2019 opening, geotechnical and engineering issues delayed the completion of the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrades for nearly a year.

Hamilton to House Facility for Needle-Free Vaccines Production

Hamilton will become the homebase of a medical facility that will create needle-free vaccines for COVID-19. The proposed site at the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area is expected to bring 139 jobs and $497 million to the Queensland economy, with active production spanning 10 years.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the partnership with Vaxxas, the manufacturer of the High-Density Micro-projection Array Patch (MAP) vaccine. A building from the Economic Development Queensland will be prepared for the medical company before the vaccine manufacture of 300 million patches every year beginning in 2022.

“For every parent worried about the anxiousness that comes with the delivery of a vaccine to a child through a shot, this technology has the potential to eliminate that anxiety,” Treasurer and Infrastructure and Planning Minister Cameron Dick said in a press statement.

Mr Dick also said that this facility will be significant to the economic recovery of the state from the pandemic as Queensland will attract highly-skilled jobs and advanced technology manufacturers.

The advanced technology entails a dry-coated vaccine patch to be applied to the skin. The vaccine deposits into the skin’s immune cells, which will create an efficient immune response. A doctor or a nurse won’t have to administer the patch.

Clinical trials at Australia’s Translational Research Institute in Woolloongabba show that the needle-free vaccines produce six times more antibodies within a short period compared to vaccines administered through the needle.

Photo Credit: Translational Research Institute/Facebook

Vaxxas’ new vaccine has the support of the World Health Organisation, the pharmaceutical company Merck and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.