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Morningside State School Fire: Community Gathers Together To Help the Historic Site Rise Again

Two months after the devastating fire that destroyed a large portion of Morningside State School, fundraising efforts have been getting an enormous amount of support from individuals, businesses, and community organizations.

The blaze that broke out in the early morning of 16 October, gutted a number of buildings of the 92-year-old school on Pashen Street; police investigators describing the blaze as “well-involved”.

Photo Credit: MORNINGSIDE STATE SCHOOL / give.everydayhero.com/au/mssbuildingfund

A teenage boy, who was on bail and well-known to police, has been arrested and charged with arson and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. The sixteen-year-old was arrested after police gathered evidences linking him with the Morningside State School fire and the carnapping of a white dual-cab Toyota HiLux.

The motive behind the alleged arson is still being investigated and authorities believes that there are more than one person involved. Six classrooms and facilities, including a music room, were destroyed by the fire along with its almost a century of history.

A fundraising drive was launched by the School P&C for the building fund to help with the reinstatement of the burnt down buildings and improvement of the security infrastructure on the site. The amount of support and offer of help has been overwhelming so far.

For the Fangtastic Fete event which was held on the Balmoral High School grounds, people and organisations gave donations from cash to memorabilias (intended for the auction), as well as volunteering work and talent.

*Photo Credit: Queensland Government / qld.gov.au*

Established in 1926, Morningside State School was entered into the State Heritage list in 24 April 2018 for its significance in “demonstrating the evolution of state education and its associated architecture in Queensland.”

“The Sectional School Buildings are good, intact examples of their type. Principal characteristics include: their timber-framed construction; highset form with play space underneath; Dutch-gable and gable roofs; blank end walls; connected northern verandahs with single skin verandah walls and double-hung windows; large banks of south-facing casement windows (replaced in Block D); projecting teachers rooms (Block C); hat rack enclosures; timber joinery; and coved ceilings, with metal tie rods and square lattice ceiling ventilation panels. The original classroom sizes are still readable, due to the surviving nibs and bulkheads,” citation said.

FareShare Brisbane Opens Super Kitchen in Morningside

Just in time for the holiday festivities, FareShare Brisbane has opened the doors of its super kitchen in Morningside.

Comparable to the size of a basketball court, FareShare Brisbane’s kitchen facilities is currently southern hemisphere’s largest charity kitchen. This massive kitchen is capable of cooking 5,000 meals per day with the help of local volunteers and experienced chefs.

FareShare Brisbane

Credit: FareShare/Facebook

FareShare Brisbane aims to cook more than one million free and nutritious meals in its first year of operation and further scale up to five million meals a year thereafter.

To help achieve this goal, around 400 Brisbane locals have already registered to be a volunteer in the charity kitchen since its official launch in October 2018. This number is still increasing as more individuals, schools, and groups of volunteers sign up to lend a hand.

FareShare is currently working with Foodbank Queensland, the largest food relief organisation in Queensland. Foodbank is the one supplying the kitchen with surplus meat and vegetables. They also distribute the cooked meals to vulnerable Queenslanders through their existing network of 280 registered charities.

The collaboration between the two organisations helps tackle both problems with food insecurity and food waste problem in Australia.

FareShare Brisbane is always open to more volunteers. Visit their website to register as a volunteer or to donate.

Seven Hills | Competitive Entry-Level Homes In The Suburb

Amongst Brisbane’s suburbs, Seven Hills has remained under the radar, but this quiet, leafy suburb has been steadily experiencing surprising price growth especially in the entry-level homes market.

Domain reported that Seven Hills has experienced an increase of 7.4 per cent in 12 months for a new median of $870,000. The report said that entry-level homes are in short supply, and buyers—who are mostly young couples or couples with one small child— had to compete for a handful of houses.

Such is the case of a property in Ferguson Road which had 16 written offers at its first open house. Its marketing agent described it as phenomenal given that the property has no garage, yet buyers were not put off. The house sits on a 549-sqm parcel of land and has three bedrooms and one bathroom. Buyers seemed to love it and the fact that it is located close to the city. This cute and charming cottage was sold for an undisclosed price last 24 October,

Another property in D’Arcy Road was said to have been sold for $749,000, which is already considered a bargain. The realistic entry-level price, the report said, is about $700,000 whilst a buyer may get one that is somewhere in the $500,000s or $600,000s, although, that could be a property which is a little less desirable like one that is sitting on a busy road, for example.

CoreLogic and homesales.com.au are also showing quite impressive numbers for Seven Hills. CoreLogic shows the median sale price for houses is at $940,000 with a one-year price change of 10.46 per cent, whilst homesales.com.au reports a three-year houses price growth of 4.74% and 1.88% from May last year with the median house value at $802,873.

So, what makes Seven Hills so desirable for home buyers?

Marketing agents believe that people who live here like that this place is unknown to many. There are no huge commercial precincts nearby which make this quiet suburb a desirable place to live in. The local Seven Hills State School, which boasts of impressive NAPLAN results, has also been attracting many home buyers to Seven Hills.

New $1-M QFES Appliance in Cannon Hill Improves Fire and Chemical Emergency Response Across the State

Brisbane’s Queensland Fire and Rescue Special Operations Centre in Cannon Hill received a new $1-million QFES appliance. The new vehicle is part of the $702 million QFES budget for this financial year.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the million-dollar Scientific Two appliance can respond to fires and chemical emergencies around the state more efficiently.

“Boasting flexible storage and specialist equipment, the new appliance features detectors that can find and identify liquids, solids and gases; as well as specialist mitigation equipment,” Mr Crawford said.

“It is one of 61 Fire and Rescue appliances to be delivered this financial year under our record $702 million QFES Budget, which will also supply 119 appliances to the Rural Fire Service,” he added.

Moreover, the government targets to deliver 180 new urban and rural fire appliances in 2018-2019. The new vehicles will further help boost firefighting efforts across Queensland.

QFES Research and Scientific Branch

The Fire and Rescue Special Operations Centre Research and Scientific Branch in Cannon Hill has already provided guidance and expertise at more than 200 incidents across Queensland and New Zealand in the past six months.

QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the RSB had seven permanent scientifically qualified staff. They have supported 53 volunteers across Queensland.

“The staff and volunteers have technical experience and operational expertise to provide support and advice to emergency responders for the effective management of unidentified hazardous materials, contamination incidents, fires and toxic emissions,” Ms Carroll said.

“Making sure QFES personnel have the best equipment for the job will help them respond to hazmat emergencies more efficiently.”

Although the QFES is now using a cutting-edge equipment, prevention will always be more effective in firefighting.

Morningside Median House Price Hits $766,000

The REIQ recently reported the latest housing market statistics which showed Morningside median house price at $766,000, sliding by -0.8% over the last 12 months but increasing by 32.1% over the last 5 years. Seventeen homes were sold during the 2nd quarter of 2018 in Morningside.

World Food Day Cocktail Fundraiser In Morningside

On 13 October 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Foodbank Warehouse in Morningside, be a part of the World Food Day Cocktail Fundraiser by Foodbank Queensland.

Foodbank Queensland is a not-for-profit organisation and the state’s biggest hunger relief program that serves as a pantry to charities and community groups who feed the hungry.

At this event, the city’s most iconic restaurants will be serving great food at the event such as:

Moda Restaurant

Offering popular Spanish staples — tapas and wine, Moda Restaurant is owned by Javier Codina. They are located on Petrie Terrace. Aside from tapas and wine, they also offer steaks and a delectable line-up of main dishes.

Click here for the menu

Enoteca

Situated in the heart of Woolloongabba’s antique quarter, the restaurant is renowned for its Italian cuisine. They offer traditional hand-made pasta served with authentic Italian wines.

Click here for the menu

Harvey’s

Located in Fortitude Valley, Harvey’s serves up bistro-style meals on James Street. Tapas and their popular breakfasts and well-known, making them a total must-try!

Click here for the menu

Other boutique brews will also be there from Newstead Brewing Company, MOET champagne, and a selection of fine wines.

The Havana Tropical Party Band will also be there to entertain you throughout the night. Get your dancing shoes on for some fun salsa dancing!

The funds raised at the event will be used to buy more food for Foodbank Queensland.

Tickets are priced at $150 each. You can get it here.

Proposed Morningside Development to Become Largest Independent Only Tap Garden in Australia

Following the approval of its $15-million Brewing Collaboration Centre, Brisbane Brew Partners’ proposed Morningside development is set to be the largest independent only tap garden in Australia.

Brisbane Brew Partners has acquired an additional 2,500 sqm site adjacent to their already approved brewing collaboration centre. They have already submitted a development application for the construction of the said project.

The current DA seeks the Council’s approval for a High Impact Industry, Shop, and Hotel. The development will serve as an extension of the previously approved application.

Plans for the Proposed Morningside Development

The existing approval for Brisbane Brew Partners involves a 200,000-litre capacity production for the facility.

In the current High Impact Industry application, Brisbane Brew Partners is hoping that the Council’s will allow the facility to produce more than 200 tonnes of products per annum.

Proposed Morningside Development — Photo credit: Brisbane Planning and Development Online

According to a town planning assessment report, the hotel part of the application is best described as a Taphouse that also serves meals to the general public. Such business is becoming more common in Brisbane’s burgeoning beer scene.

Although the DA involves an application for a hotel, the proposed development does not include any accommodation.

Plans for the expansion include the construction of a kitchen, bar, shop, amenities, and an outdoor dining area.

Local Support

Residents are supportive of the said development saying that Morningside and surrounding areas are growing and suburban breweries are great for the locals.

Previously, Council has approved a large-scale operation similar to the proposed development at 77 Metroplex Ave, Murarrie. Just like Brisbane Brew Partners’ application, the applicant for this project also sought Council’s approval to replace the approved Food and Drink Hotel component.

Council has allowed this application to proceed straight to public notification, without Information Request or similar. This means that the Council supports such a use in the Industrial Zone.

To learn more about the proposed Morningside development, check out the Application Details for A004990322.

Bring the Pack to Where The Wolves Eat In Morningside

Feeling ravenous? With a menu laden with all things meaty, Where the Wolves Eat in Morningside will give you exactly what you need to satisfy your inner carnivore.

Where the Wolves Eat is the latest venture of Mal and Danielle Watts, who also owns Moose & Gibson in Woolloongabba and Leaf Espresso in Tarragindi. Located on Wynnum Rd, the place is already a magnet for passersby with its covered courtyard filled with black and white chairs that give it that European alfresco vibe.

Stepping inside the restaurant, bask in abundant natural light, thanks to the floor to ceiling windows. The exposed brick wall and timber beams give the place that cosy feel.

Offering all-day dining, the restaurant has an eclectic menu with highlights such as green pea falafels, housemate flatbread, hummus and capsicum jam with poached eggs. A breakfast visit is mandatory if you happen to be in the area in the morning.

The skirt steak with white bean puree, sourdough, shaved pecorino, chimichurri, blistered tomatoes and fried egg is also a winner and an ideal brunch meal.

They also offer delicious and meaty burgers that will definitely fit any wolf pack’s appetite.

Sweet pastries are also available from delicious croissants and varieties of bread.

This is also a great spot to get your daily dose of caffeine. They source their coffee beans from local Hardy Boys.

On the other hand, if you are not up for a jolt of joe, try something refreshing from their list of cold press juice, smoothies, and frappes.

If you’re coming from work with your buddies, they also have beer taps from Balleymore Brew.

Photo credit: Where the Wolves Eat / Facebook

Address: 591 Wynnum Rd, Morningside

Morningside Residents Speak Out Against Developments that Fail to Meet BCC Future Blueprint

Morningside locals have expressed scepticism over Brisbane City Council’s Future Blueprint plan, which was intended to protect the suburb against future developments that do not adhere to the area’s character.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has identified Morningside as one of the suburbs where townhouses and units would be banned under the plan.

Residents remain doubtful about the plan to preserve Morningside from inappropriate development due to recent townhouse development proposals and the overdevelopment happening in several parts of the city.

The BCC Future Blueprint gathered the opinions of over 100,000 residents and every suburb in the city has participated. Its principles include:

Create a city of neighbourhoods
Protect and create greenspace
Create more to see and do
Protect the Brisbane backyard and their unique character
Ensure best practice design that complements the character of Brisbane
Empower and engage residents
Get people home quicker and safer with more travel options
Give people more choice when it comes to housing

Brisbane’s Future Blueprint is supposed to restrict the establishment of such townhouses in areas for single homes.

The restriction of townhouses and apartments to be built in areas for single homes fall under the principle “Protect the Brisbane backyard and their unique character.”

The plan also clearly states that the council is determined to stop the establishment of townhouses or apartments in low-density areas that are meant for single homes. The council aims to preserve the space between homes by implementing minimum setbacks on property boundaries and by ensuring that all suburban developments are in line with the vision for the suburb.

Councillor Kara Cook was quick to point out two townhouse development proposals in the suburb that do not meet their City Plan requirements.

City Planning Chairman Matthew Bourke addressed the issue and said that the two development proposals in the suburb were submitted to be built on low to medium density-zoned areas.

Australia’s Largest Charity Kitchen Opening in Morningside

Teaming up with Foodbank Queensland, the largest food relief organisation in Queensland, FareShare is getting ready to open its doors in Morningside.

Following their acquisition of the former biotech laboratory at 46 Steel Place in Morningside, Australia’s largest charity kitchen is only a few weeks away from cooking at its first location in Brisbane.

The $4.5 million custom-built, production kitchen is reportedly capable of carrying out FareShare’s goal of cooking five million meals a year by 2023.

Foodbank Queensland will work with FareShare in reducing food waste and providing healthy cooked meals for Queenslanders experiencing food insecurity. Together, the teams aim to cook 1.25 million meals in the first 12 months, gradually scaling up to reach their target goal.

Photo credit: FareShare/Facebook

FareShare is now calling for Brisbane volunteers who will be willing to lend a helping hand in providing free and nutritious meals to those in need. Their new kitchen needs 300 volunteers to help in assisting their in-house chefs in preparing, cooking, and packing up meals.

The first shift at the kitchen will start in September 2018 prior to their official opening in October. Take note that volunteers must be at least 18 years old, unless part of a secondary school group.

For more information and updates, visit FareShare’s website or Facebook page.