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This Morningside Eatery Has the Best and Hottest Curry

Are you crazy enough to try Australia’s hottest curry dish? Then ring up Curryville in Morningside, order a serving of their Chicken Hai Hai — described as a dish with “live grenades” — and then say your prayers before eating.

That’s what Curryville actually advises its diners if they choose this particular dish from their take away menu. Incidentally, Curryville has been around for 15 years, which only means that the chef knows how to whip authentic Indian dishes that truly satisfy your spicy cravings and need for some chilli heat!

Many locals say that Curryville has the best curries in town and they do have quite a selection — from red meats (lambs and beef), chicken, seafood and vegetables.

Visitors to Morningside also frequent this Indian restaurant to satiate their hankering for classics like tikka masala, samosas, and panir with naan.

This diner also offers vegan options and a few items made especially for children who are still developing their taste for rich and flavourful curry dishes.

You’ll likely get a kick out of picking food from their dine-in menu, as each food description has a dash of humour to it.

“We make a lot of our stuff fresh. Yes, we know you’ve heard this mantra before, but it’s the truth. Nothing beats freshness,” the owners Pervez & Ambreen Burney claim. “Next up is our blend of spices and sauces. Our curries contain an average of 18 – 27 spices.”

“We tend to focus more on lighter spices and use a very light hand in the heavier, stronger spices. This is where the magic comes in…knowing how much to use and when is key – a bit complicated and a huge headache.

“THIS is THE difference. Finally, the ‘ balance.’ That’s the magic.”

Curryville is open for dinner time daily. To check their store hours, visit their Facebook Page.

“After many visits we decided to try the vegan options. Similar offering to the Tiffin, trio of curries with rice. The food was stunning, great flavours, we practically licked the plates clean. An added bonus, the food was lite on our stomachs. Even as a meat eater I think you would be pleasantly surprised.”
Mark Randall Jones, Facebook

“Possibly the best Indian restaurant I’ve ever been to. Amazing and delicious food. Would recommend trying everything. Fantastic and highly recommend for a truly authentic Indian dinner experience.”
Michael Monaco, Google Reviews

“This curry shop has been our must visit restaurant everytime we come to Brisbane for the past 5 years & it will continue to be. The flavours are so good. We are regular curry eaters & this has been our favorite. We had lamb korma & beef madras, yummo.The waiter who I think was newish was very good & friendly. The only fault I had this visit was the plates & cups they were metal & I kind of felt like I was camping not eating at a restaurant but apart from that it was absolutely great!”
UdontnomeBBB, Trip Advisor

Two Thumbs Up for Great Meals at Norman Park’s Jacu Espresso

What makes a great meal? Individual preference matters but in general, a great meal goes beyond taste and flavour. Sometimes, it’s nice to enjoy food when you’re with company or amidst an idyllic and pleasant ambience like Jacu Espresso in Norman Park.

This cafe in a quiet suburban neighbourhood is a convenient breakfast place for early risers and busy workers. It’s usual to see groups of people starting their day here before heading to work or school.

Locals also come to Jacu Espresso with their four-legged family, as the eatery has cosy and spacious outdoor seating. You and your pup won’t feel intimated by its set up and design. The cafe has such an inviting vibe!

Beyond breakfast gatherings, its all-day brunch menu is the perfect meal for diners who like to have both breakfast and lunch options at any time of the day. The restaurant serves a balanced blend of traditional and homemade meals with unique gourmet creations.

French toast for a mid-morning meal? Jacu Espresso will let you indulge with a serving of “whipped cream cheese, grilled banana, berry compote, fresh fruit and lots of maple syrup!”

A bagel for breakfast? Jacu Espresso’s current special is a tasty but healthy delight made with avo and smoked salmon.

The cafe got its name from a South American herbivore bird, Jacu, which is known for its excellent coffee cherry diet. The partially digested beans are then picked off, dried, cleaned and then sold as one of the world’s most coveted coffee beans.

Hence, this restaurant also has great coffee choices, along with an ample selection of chai tea and other specialty drinks.

This Norman Park foodie spot trades daily. Check their Facebook Page for the store hours.

“Love the menu and food at this cafe and the cosy vibes. The staff are super kind and friendly. The coffee is top quality and I can’t fault anything about this place. Highly recommend for brunch dates.”
Amity Evans, Google Reviews

“Just my favourite place to catch up with friends and family…plus my pup is always welcome. Must not forget the Staff are so friendly.”
Maggie Kelsey, Facebook

“Lovely, good clean crisp setting inside and out, good vibes with some African music going off and making everyone happy. Latte was smooth and the barista gave me tasting of a filter and a cold drip which were lovely. Definitely worth a visit.”
AdamN, Beanhunter

Support Small Business Owners at the Exclusive African House Market

The African House at Jean Howie Drive kicked off its very first Market Day to showcase small business owners and local African-run enterprises in January 2020. It’s back for a second time on Saturday, the 29th of February 2020, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Sponsored by the Queensland African Communities Council (QACC), this market is where you could discover some impressive African-inspired items produced by artists and crafters with an African background. Did you know that there are over 63,000 African-Australian individuals residing in many communities across Queensland?

The African House Market is also an opportunity for small business owners to showcase their work or products. If you’re interested in becoming a stallholder, you may apply by filling out the online form. Stalls are for $25 per table and chair.

For enquiries about the market, phone William at 0435 805 665 or email enterprise.qacc@gmail.com.

Established since 2003, the QACC provides opportunities for skilled immigrants and refugees to flourish and thrive in Australia. The organisation won the 2013 Queensland Multicultural Award in the Not-for-Profit Community Organisation-Greater Brisbane.

Morningside is Among Best Performing Suburbs for House Price Growth

Morningside has made the list of top ten Brisbane suburbs in terms of year-on-year house price growth, the latest Domain report said.

The Domain House Price Report, December 2019 quarter report showed mixed results for the Greater Brisbane market. Houses showed steady price growth over the last seven years whilst the units market continued to slump, dropping annually over the past two-and-a-half years.

Whilst house prices grew a respectable 1.3 percent over the last quarter and 0.4 percent overall growth in 2019, a few suburbs managed to perform better, recording double-digit growth. Leading the pack is Fig Tree Pocket which soared 30 percent year-on-year to $1,150,000.

Morningside also managed to register an 8.2 percent year-on-year price growth to $763,000, the Doman report said. Whilst REA Group’s realestate.com.au also reported a median house price growth in Morningside, rising to $800,000 in 2019 from $735,000 in 2018.

Other suburbs that registered double-digit median house price growth are Windsor, Yamanto, and Newmarket. Rounding out the top ten are Balmoral Woodridge Coorparoo Morningside Bridgeman Downs.

Top 10 Brisbane suburbs for median house price growth:

Fig Tree Pocket	$1,150,000	30.2%
Windsor	$980,000	22.1%
Wilston	$1,060,000	17.5%
Yamanto	$415,000	15.6%
Newmarket	$870,000	10.1%
Balmoral	$1,050,000	9.8%
Woodridge	$327,000	9%
Coorparoo	$900,000	8.4%
Morningside	$763,000	8.2%
Bridgeman Downs	$775,000	7.3%

Note: According to the Domain House Price Report, December 2019 quarter and based on year-on-year growth.

The units market continues to soften, dropping to 3.4 percent quarter-on-quarter in December 2019. Analysts are still optimistic that excess in supply will ultimately be absorbed as the number of new constructions continue to fall.

House prices in Brisbane appear to be taking its cue from other markets, particularly Sydney and Melbourne, which are showing stronger price growth and will likely to continue to perform well in 2020.

Spice It Up with Authentic Thai Food at This Morningside Restaurant

Photo Credit: Morningsidethai/Facebook

There’s so much to love about Thai food. Besides the aroma and the rich combination of flavours, dishes are usually nutritious, thanks to the fresh fruits, herbs and veggies in them. If you’re craving for places offering authentic and wholesome Thai food across Brisbane, one of your best choices is Morningside Thai.

Located on the corner of Lawson Street and Wynnum Road, this restaurant is best for families and large groups because of the spacious setup and outdoor seating. Locals cite the relaxed atmosphere, reasonably priced tasty food, and friendly staff as their reasons for coming back.

The food here is kept as original as in Thailand. Fried rice, for instance, has that smoky, “burnt” flavour achieved by cooking the rice in a blazing hot wok and whilst their pad thai does not have dry shrimp and pickled radish, the sauce is homemade and boasts original thai flavour.

The most popular dish here is gourmet chicken, which is stir-fried chicken served with onion, capsicum, cashew nuts, and dried chilli. Other favourites on the menu are the green curry, vegetable curry puff, grilled prawns, and Spicy Basil Eggplant.

Some items, like duck broccoli and deep-fried tofu, can also be cooked gluten-free if preferred. For dessert, one of the must-tries is lychee sorbet and coconut ice cream.

Morningside Thai is open seven days a week, though they only serve dinner on Sundays. They are at 3/6 Thynne Rd, opposite Morningside Train Station.

For more information about them, check out their Facebook page. Aside from the dine-in option, they offer both takeaway and delivery. They accept orders through their website and even offers a discount for every first order.

This Murrarie Brewery is Giving ‘Pawternity’ Leave to Employees

Pet parenting is no longer a fad. It’s a lifestyle embraced by those who consider pets as family and recently opened BrewDog in Murrarie is recognising the importance of pets as it extends Pawternity Leave benefits to its employees.

The Scottish brewery and pub chain, which opened its first site in Australia in Murrarie in late November 2019, has been implementing its Puppy Parental Leave since 2017. BrewDog Murrarie workers may also avail of the same benefit and get an extra week of paid leave if they adopt or have a new puppy at home.

New furry family members need some time to settle in its new home and BrewDog sees the value of having pet parents around for a puppy’s first few days in a new place.

“We know that welcoming a four-legged arrival to the family is a big commitment,” BrewDog’s pawternity leave policy stated. “Gaining trust, housetraining and working out routines take time so we have decided to make things easy by offering Puppy Leave.”

When the pups are well-adjusted, employees may also bring their furry kids to the brewery.

Per reports, RSPCA Queensland praised BrewDog for this initiative. However, the brewery is not the first company in Australia to offer the perk to its staff. Australia’s largest online pet store, Pet Circle, also has a similar pawternity leave in place.

Pet parental leave is increasingly becoming part of the Australian work culture. Although, some companies might not provide paid provisions. Instead, working hours and leave accommodations may be negotiated with staff superiors but this still ensures the worker a job when they come back from raising and training their furry family members.

Murarrie-Based Ship Builder Wins Contract to Supply Double-Decker CityCats

Council has awarded a long-term contract to construct double-decker CityCats to Aus Ships, a Murarrie-based ship builder.

The new supplier will be replacing another Murarrie-based supplier, Norman R. Wright and Sons, Brisbane City Council’s supplier since 2003. Norman R. Wright and Sons delivered six Second Generation and 7 Third Generation CityCat vessels.

Aus Ships has been named the preferred supplier of Council’s future vessels after winning the two-year tender to build the next-generation double-decker CityCats. The two-year contract can be extended to a maximum of ten years, with a total budget of $60 million spread over the ten-year term.

Murarrie-Based Ship Builder Wins Contract to Supply Double-Decker CityCats — *Generation II CityCats launched 2004-2010*
*Photo credit:Norman R. Wright & Sons / wrightsons.com.au*

Headquartered within the Rivergate Marina & Shipyard precinct, Aus Ships has delivered the first of the seven double-decker CityCat vessels, CityCat 22 or “Yoogera,” which was launched in 26 November 2019. The $3.7-million CityCat 22 can carry a total of 170 passengers with an upper deck seating of 20 passengers and rear deck seating for 16 passengers and space for 10 bikes.

The Council currently operates a fleet of 21 CityCats (8 First Generation vessels, 6 Second Generation vessels, and 7 Third Generation vessels), along with nine monohull ferries, within a network of 25 terminals from Northshore Hamilton to St Lucia. Transdev Brisbane Ferries currently operates the Council’s ferry network, which contract is also due to expire in November 2020.

Aus Ships is expected to begin building the second double decker next year with a price tag of almost $4 million.

Morningside-Based Charity Kitchen Receives $100,000 Donation From State Government

Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) extends its partnership with Morningside-based charity kitchen via a $100,000 donation.

“Every day of the year, vulnerable Queenslanders benefit from the free, nutritious meals cooked by FareShare and distributed by Foodbank,” Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said during her announcement.

FareShare started its operations in Queensland just over a year ago, Ms Trad said, and it has already turned half a million tonnes of surplus food supplied by Foodbank into more than one million nutritious meals.

“QTC’s relationship with FareShare started with a corporate volunteering day earlier this year.

“QTC has also helped FareShare tackle some of their logistical challenges, including providing advice on sustainable funding streams to meet its operational expenditure needs, ensuring a sustainable supply of key ingredients and developing a ‘no-cost’ framework to transport meals to Thursday Island’s pre-natal centre.

The $100,000 donation will allow FareShare to employ another full-time chef, “enabling them to provide an additional 250,000 meals for vulnerable Queenslanders every year.”

Whether it’s those affected by the recent fires, flood victims earlier this year in Townsville, or vulnerable Queenslanders facing a Christmas alone, FareShare exists on the generosity, time and ingenuity of so many supporters,” Minister for Child Safety and Member for Bulimba Di Farmer said.

One in five Queenslanders have experienced food insecurity in the last year, Ms Farmer said referring to the Foodbank Hunger Report 2019 report; food waste cost the Australian economy an estimated $20 billion every year..

She said that in Morningside, 430 volunteers come together to create meals from donated food from major food retailers, that would otherwise have ended up in landfills.

FareShare opened its state-of-the-art Brisbane facility in October 2018 as part of its collaboration with Foodbank. In 2020 Fareshare aims to double its output in Brisbane to two million meals.

“FareShare is one of the most effective charitable organisations I’ve encountered that makes a significant, tangible outcome for vulnerable people,” said Queensland Treasury Corporation CEO Philip Noble said.

“It costs FareShare just 50 cents to cook a nutritious meal for someone in need in Queensland and I would encourage individuals and local businesses to consider supporting them, either by donating or volunteering their time.”

“QTC came on board at a critical time when FareShare had just arrived in Brisbane and was trying to establish a community here,” said Marcus Godinho, FareShare CEO.

“QTC’s collaborative approach to solving the problems we face has been highly valuable and resulted in real solutions put on the table for our business challenges.”

Murarrie Recreation Hub Is Now Open for Public Use

The Murarrie Recreation Hub, located near Metroplex Avenue Park, is now complete and open for the public to use and enjoy.

The Murarrie Recreation Hub will serve as a link in the River Access Network as well as an access point for river users to use local amenities. Residents and visitors will be allowed to fish on the pontoon, however, boating and craft activities will have priority.

The new facility will be able to accommodate vessels up to 75 tonnes for a range of uses including launching and short-term use of passive crafts such as kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards; short-term use for motorised recreational vessels; potential future water taxi pick-up and drop-off point; and pick-up and drop-off for commercial vessels; and a rest point or destination within a network of other public pontoons.

Video credit: Brisbane City Council / YouTube

The Murarrie Recreation Hub is among the Council’s projects intended to improve access to Brisbane River for residents and visitors; promote an active and healthy lifestyle by encouraging greater use of the city’s recreational facilities; and enhance the attraction offered by the Brisbane River as a recreational and tourist destination.

Access to the new facility is via a shared path through Metroplex Avenue Park, behind the recently opened Brewdog complex.

Murarrie Recreation Hub Is Now Open for Public Use — *Video Still Credit: Brisbane City Council / YouTube*

Usage of the pontoon will be monitored over the next 12 months, and along with the community feedback, and where possible, update on the usage may be implemented.

Users may provide feedback regarding the operational aspects of the facility including duration of stay, signage, and usage here.

Cannon Hill Community Links Project is Back on Track

Cannon Hill Community Links Project gets back on track with a series of construction applications for the proposed golf course and residential precinct already awaiting Council approval.

Brisbane City Council is working with developer BMD Properties Pty Ltd (BMD) to transform 125 hectares of land bounded by Creek Road, Fursden Road, and Bulimba Creek in the former Cannon Hill tip into a public golf course and residential precinct.

*Photo credit: Brisbane City Council /* *pdonline.brisbane.qld.gov.au*

The international-standard 18-hole public golf course will be Brisbane’s first in 70 years and the only such golf course located south of the Brisbane River. The construction of the public golf course was to start in 2017 and should have been completed in 2018, but several design changes were needed to meet State Government requirements.

*Minnippi Golf Course Master Plan*
*Photo credit: Urbex / minnippi.com.au*

Remediation works were started in May 2015 and completed in July 2016, prior to the construction of the Minnippi residential precinct and the golf course. Around 12.5 hectares of the total site area was allocated for the residential development with Stages 2, 3, and 4 of the housing development now complete.

The Cannon Hill Community Links Project is being guided by the Council to ensure that all measures, along with appropriate rehabilitation works, are undertaken to minimise environmental impacts, manage its habitats, and preserve its ecological features.

The project will also involve enhancement, revegetation, and landscaping of over 100 hectares of the site, including the squirrel glider habitat remediation works involving the establishment of grasslands and wetlands, as well as the planting of new trees.

Council expects the construction of the public golf course to commence in early 2020 and completed in mid-2021 whilst Stage 5 of the residential development is expected to commence in 2020 and completed in 2021.