Morningside Archives - Page 6 of 11

Safety Concern Grows at a Morningside Intersection

Morningside is cherished by its residents for its community spirit and idyllic charm but amidst this tranquillity are some perilous intersections that have long been a cause for concern. At the forefront of these worries stands the intersection of Barton and Hawthorne Roads, a crucial thoroughfare that witnesses a steady flow of motorists and pedestrians, especially during peak hours.

Located in proximity to local corner stores, cafes, and schools, this intersection has become the centre of apprehension due to its alarming rate of incidents, injuries, and near-misses.

In response to these pressing safety concerns, Cr Lucy Collier, representing the Morningside Ward, has been a vocal advocate for urgent improvements. But the catalyst for change came from a local mother and resident, Ashleigh Gray.

Recognising the gravity of the situation and motivated by a genuine desire to enhance the safety of her community, Ms Gray collaborated with Ms Collier to initiate a petition. This heartfelt effort garnered the support of over 200 concerned neighbours and community members, all rallying behind the common goal of making their streets safer.

As a resident and parent, Ms Gray has first-hand experience navigating the challenges posed by the Hawthorne and Barton Road intersections. She pointed out that whilst there may be other intersections in the community that require upgrades, this particular one is an integral part of her daily life.

As the population of Morningside continues to grow, and housing becomes denser, she firmly believes that infrastructure must evolve to ensure the safety of all residents, especially children.

A pedestrian injury at the intersection served as a wake-up call for the mum. Determined not to let negligence be the reason for potential tragedies, she contacted Ms Collier. This marked the inception of their collaborative effort, leading to the creation of the petition that received more than 250 signatures.

Recently, Ms Gray had the opportunity to address a Brisbane City Council meeting as a public participant. She described the experience as an invaluable chance to voice her community’s concerns.

In a heartening turn of events, Brisbane City Council has confirmed, in their final meeting of 2023, that they will review the safety of the Hawthorne and Barton Road intersection.

Published 29-Dec-2023

Morningside Business Faces Rising Insolvency Ahead of Christmas: A Challenging Economic Landscape

Businesses are facing a critical period as Christmas approaches, with insolvencies in Queensland rising by nearly 19 per cent in November. This increase signals a challenging economic environment, especially for sectors such as construction and food services.

Morningside’s Struggling Businesses

In Morningside, companies like 365 Construction Services recently announced their entry into voluntary liquidation. The company, part of the Morningside-based 365 Services Group and provided services like painting and landscaping, was forced into liquidation due to challenging economic conditions.

All employees, including the director, are owed entitlements, reflecting the depth of the crisis. The liquidator, Johnathan McLeod, noted that the director cited the economic downturn as the primary reason for the company’s failure.

The broader impact on the 365 Services Group, which includes cleaning, painting, landscaping, and property maintenance services, remains uncertain. The group’s website has been shut down.

Industry-Wide Observations and Predictions

Deloitte Australia’s lead partner of Queensland Restructuring Services, Richard Hughes, highlighted the increasing trend of insolvency numbers, which are now aligning with pre-Covid levels.

The upcoming Christmas season is viewed as a pivotal time for businesses, with the outcome potentially shaping the economic landscape for the early months of 2024. Mr Hughes emphasised the impact of cost-of-living pressures and consumer confidence on businesses, particularly if the Christmas sales period falls short of expectations.

In November, Queensland saw 101 liquidation or administration appointments, a notable increase from the 85 recorded in October and the same number in November of the previous year.

Andrew Weatherley from WCT Advisory Group observed that construction and food services are experiencing similar levels of insolvency. He noted an increase in food service businesses seeking help or opting for liquidation, a trend expected to persist. Mr Weatherley also pointed out the anticipated pressures on the food industry post-Christmas, with many cafe and bar owners planning to close or liquidate after the holiday season.

Government Actions and Business Responses

The situation is compounded by actions from the Australian Tax Office (ATO), which is issuing director penalty notices and statutory demands, adding to the challenges for businesses and insolvency professionals.

Jarvis Archer, head of business restructuring at Revive Financial, noted that businesses are responding to these pressures by laying off staff and seeking small business restructuring engagements, hoping to survive by reducing debts to manageable levels.

Published 13-Dec-2023

Locals Look to Lift Up Asquith Street Shops in Morningside

The Asquith Street shops, located in a beloved pocket of Morningside, may have seen better days but thanks to a new community-backed petition, this row of storefronts could soon get a desperately needed makeover.

Read: Morningside Picture Theatre, Other Historic Brisbane Theatres We Lost Through the Years

Supported by shops like The Blue Poppy cafe and The Pizza Garden, with Cr Lucy Collier, the e-petition calls on Brisbane City Council to fund a Village Precinct Project to revive the tired precinct.

“This pocket of Morningside is beloved, and visited by many locals on a daily basis,” said Cr Collier. “However some residents and the local businesses have raised concerns that the streetscape is in need of improvements.”

If approved, the Asquith Street shops will see Council investment into structured improvements through a Village Precinct Project. Locals hope this will restore the charm and vibrancy that once drew regular visitors to support businesses like The Blue Poppy Cafe.

Photo credit: Cr Lucy Collier – Morningside/Facebook

A Village Precinct Project would use Council funding to deliver upgrades like street furniture, gardens, signage and artwork to boost the area’s appeal and commercial activity. Cr Collier stressed any changes would happen in consultation with affected residents and proprietors.

Depending on the scale of a project, Council will get community input on improvements through on-site kiosks and online surveys before finalising plans. Before construction, local officials will also inform locals of final plans and construction impacts using newsletters, websites, and targeted outreach.

Read: Do-Op Shop Morningside Provides Generous Support to Cannon Hill Family Who Lost Home to Fire

The petition closes on 31 March 2024. For long-time proprietors and newly arrived entrepreneurs alike, the precinct revitalisation offers fresh hope the shops can remain a treasured community hub in Morningside for years to come.

Published 10-December-2023

SecondBite’s Major Expansion: New Warehouse in Morningside to Double Food Rescue Efforts

Did you know that Morningside has become the focal point of a significant advancement in the fight against food insecurity, thanks to the not-for-profit organisation SecondBite? The opening of a new warehouse in this suburb marks a major step forward in their mission to rescue and distribute food to those in need.

This new facility is a game-changer for SecondBite. It doubles the internal floor space to an impressive 1,200 square metres and includes extended chiller and freezer capacity.

This expansion is not just in size but also in impact, as it enables the organisation to double its food rescue operations in Queensland. The goal is to increase from the 6 million kilograms of food rescued last year to a staggering 12 million kilograms, equating to about 24 million meals annually.

“With the number of food insecure Australian households going from one in five to one in three in the past year, the increased capacity of the new location couldn’t come at a better time,” Daniel Morefield, CEO of SecondBite, highlighted the timely nature of this expansion.

A Community Effort

The expansion was made possible through a mix of government support and private generosity. A significant portion of the funding came from a $500,000 grant by the Queensland government, coupled with over $500,000 in donations from the Charles and Cornelia Goode Foundation, Bowden Marstan Foundation, and the Pavetta Foundation.

The contributions were utilised for a variety of needs including a freezer, cool room installation, modular buildings, signage, pallet racking, a forklift, lease costs, temperature sensors, food containers for the Domestic Violence Meal Program, and power upgrades.

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills, Dianne Farmer, who officially opened the site, emphasised the impact of this funding.

“It will ‘flow through’ to help Queenslanders on the ground who are grappling to make ends meet,” she said.

Strategic Location and Operations

The choice of Morningside for the new warehouse was strategic, considering its close proximity to the gateway motorway, making it convenient for major donors and charity partners to access. The site includes a 600m2 covered yard fit for semi-trailers, a secure yard, and dual roller doors, enhancing the operational efficiency.

Secondbite Morningside — Photo Credit: Secondbite/Facebook

Currently, the warehouse operates with a team of 12 employees and is equipped with five fleet vehicles used for collecting food from donors.

These vehicles are crucial in bringing back produce and other items to the warehouse, where they are sorted and packed for distribution to over 50 charity partners each week.

A Widespread Impact

Mr Morefield further elaborated on the scope of SecondBite’s operations.

“We work with more than 227 charity partners in Queensland and this warehouse will service both metro and regional areas, helping to feed millions of hungry Queenslanders from as far as Mossman and Mt Isa in the north all the way to Burleigh Heads in the south.”

This expansion by SecondBite represents a vital step in addressing food waste and insecurity in Queensland, proving that with community support and strategic planning, substantial progress can be made in the fight against hunger.

Published 27-Nov-2023

Farmers Pick Grocery Subscription Service Expands to QLD via Morningside

Photo Credit: Farmers Pick/Facebook

Farmers Pick, a Melbourne-based sustainable grocery subscription service specialising in rescuing “imperfect” fruits and vegetables, is making its Queensland debut, with the opening of its new warehouse in Morningside.

Co-founded by Josh Ball and Josh Brooks-Duncan in 2020, the company has rapidly grown and is now expanding its operations to serve over 1.5 million households in the region.

With its Morningside base, opened in August 2023, Farmers Pick will be able to deliver its fresh but aesthetically non-conforming produce to areas spanning from the Gold Coast to Bundaberg.

“Our expansion into Queensland is a huge milestone for the business and a goal we have always wanted to achieve,” Mr Ball said.

“With food waste costing Australians $36.6 billion per annum, we believe that everyone across the country is deserving of convenient and simple solutions to make a difference. We are thrilled to now be able to make a difference to Queenslanders, bringing us one step closer to our mission of building a sustainable food system for all.”

Rescuing Imperfect Produce to Combat Food Waste

Since its inception, Farmers Pick has rescued over 1.5 million kilograms of produce that would have otherwise gone to waste due to not meeting the stringent aesthetic standards set by major supermarket chains and buyers. These are fruits and vegetables deemed “not big enough or too big, blemished, too bendy and not quite perfect looking,” according to Mr Ball.

The idea for Farmers Pick sprouted during the COVID-19 pandemic when the two friends stumbled upon discarded yet delicious fruits and vegetables at a farmer’s market.

They soon discovered that a staggering 1.7 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables, roughly 30 percent of the crop, were left unharvested on Australian farms each year, contributing to the nation’s annual food waste of 7.6 million tonnes.

Making a Mark with a Range of Offerings

In the financial year 2021-22, Farmers Pick generated $2.7 million in revenue, a figure that surged to $7.8 million in 2023. The company’s products are priced at a remarkable 30 per cent lower than supermarket equivalents.

The Farmers Pick subscription service offers fruit and vegetable boxes starting at $36 for a solo box, containing 6 kilograms of fresh, perfectly imperfect produce across 16 to 20 varieties.

Additionally, customers in Queensland will have access to The Farmers Pick Pantry, which offers preserves, alternative kinds of milk, and spreads such as peanut butter.

While Farmers Pick currently employs around 45 staff members, their expansion into Queensland will initially bring on board five new employees. To fund their expansion plans in both Queensland and New South Wales, the co-founders are aiming to raise $1.2 million in capital through crowdsourced funding via the Equitise platform.

A Win for Consumers Amidst Rising Prices

Mr Brooks-Duncan emphasized that as grocery prices continue to rise across Queensland, Farmers Pick’s expansion represents a significant victory for consumers. By rescuing fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste, the company helps households save up to 30 per cent on their weekly grocery bills, offering much-needed relief in an era of soaring food prices.

With its mission to combat food waste and provide affordable, sustainable food options, Farmers Pick’s expansion into Queensland marks a crucial step towards building a more sustainable food system for all Australians.

Published 27-Sept-2023

Morningside Will Soon Have ‘Separated Bike Lanes’

Plans to trial a groundbreaking approach to designing and constructing separated bike lanes in Brisbane will soon commence in Morningside.

The pioneering project is set to transform Junction Road in the Morningside neighbourhood into a cyclist’s haven.

The allocated budget of $587,000 will be utilised to construct separated bike lanes with physical barriers, marking a bold departure from conventional road design.

Morningside Bike Lane — Photo Credit: CrRyanMurphy/Facebook

This initiative, spearheaded by Council’s Chair of Transport Cr Ryan Murphy, is part of a broader effort to expand the city’s active transport network and encourage more residents to adopt cycling as a viable means of commuting.

Junction Road, a pivotal route connecting Morningside and Cannon Hill, will undergo road resurfacing works to accommodate the new infrastructure. However, Mr Murphy has not yet announced a specific date for the start of construction.

“Junction Road in Morningside will be the first in Brisbane, with $587,000 allocated for construction pending road resurfacing works. It’s all part of Team Schrinner’s record investment in public and active transport,” Mr Murphy said.

The move has been warmly welcomed by local cycling advocacy groups, like Space4cyclingbne and East BUG Inc., which have long championed the idea of protected bike lanes for the area. Junction Road, while not considered as critical as some other routes, presented an opportunity for transformation due to its width, allowing the integration of protected cycling lanes alongside on-street parking.

“When East BUG Inc. noticed Junction Road was on the list for re-surfacing in 2020, we petitioned Council to include protected bike lanes rather than just re-painting the current configuration,” Space4cyclingbne shared.

“We pointed out that the width of Junction Road allows the possibility of bike lanes which are protected from heavy traffic while still leaving room for ample on-street parking.

“We highlighted that protect bike lanes here will give people options to ride a bike or scooter to the major shopping centres at Morningside Junction, and the growing commercial, recreational and sporting precincts at Colmslie.

“It will enable and hopefully inspire more families at Cannon Hill Anglican College (CHAC) to avoid adding to local congestion by riding to school instead.”

Published 11-September-2023

Do-Op Shop Morningside Provides Generous Support to Cannon Hill Family Who Lost Home to Fire

Photo Credit: Do-Op Shop/Facebook

The Do-Op Shop, a non-religious charity focused on community empowerment, have generously decided to give up a day’s worth of profits to help Jon and Amelia Grieve’s family rebuild their lives following a devastating fire that razed their Cannon Hill home.

Jon and Amelia Grieve, along with their two daughters Harper and Mabel, lost their Cannon Hill home in a fire that originated from a faulty charging cord in the kitchen.

Since the unfortunate incident, the Grieve family has received an outpouring of love and support from their community.

Recognising the need to help the family, the owners of Do-Op Shop, Nina and Zoe, located at Morningside Central on Junction Road, have pledged to donate all profits from sales made in-store and online on the 8th of July to the Grieve family.

“Amelia has been a huge supporter & ambassador for Do-Op since the very beginning, and those lucky enough to know Amelia know of her selflessness and love for her community. Now is the time to show our love for her, John, Harper & Maple,” the owners stated.

The Grieve Family — Photo Credit: The Do-Op Shop

The Do-Op Shop is known for its commitment to giving back to local initiatives. As a non-religious charity, it operates with the goal of fighting social isolation and creating a welcoming space where everyone feels valued and empowered. The shop goes beyond being a mere retail space, as it aims to foster meaningful connections among people from all walks of life.

The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the Do-Op Shop will provide regular updates throughout the day on the amount of funds raised to support the Grieve family’s rebuilding efforts.

For those unable to attend in person, donations can be made directly through the Grieve family’s GoFundMe page opened by Shyree Painter, a neighbour.

By participating in this event, community members have an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause whilst enjoying the excitement of op shopping. The Do-Op Shop’s initiative to help the Grieve family exemplifies their commitment to their community and their mission.

With their collaborative and authentic environment, the Do-Op Shop continues to inspire community connection and empower individuals to make a difference.

Follow the Do-Op Shop on Facebook for updates.

Published 5-July-2032

Low N Slow Meat Co in Morningside Closes Without Warning

After 18 months in operation, Low N Slow Meat Co, the upmarket and innovative BBQ retailer, unexpectedly announced its permanent closure at the Rivermakers precinct in Morningside.

The decision to shut down came just two days after Rivermakers had over thousands of visitors for a food and music festival, where Low N Slow Meat Co was one of the purveyors.

In an Instagram post on 23 April 2023, owner Brent Poulter disclosed that they were not forced out of the precinct and the decision to close the restaurant was their own. The owners also cited “many factors that went out of control” leading up to their decision.

“Any good BBQer will understand if you starve a fire from oxygen it will go out, unfortunately, due to many factors out of our control the oxygen in our fire has been very limited and the fire is just about out, it’s an impossible situation,” he said.

“Low N Slow started 6 years ago in Tingalpa, it was a passion project that bought a love for great quality meat and live fire cooking together in the one spot. It changed the shape of butchers in general with many implementing a low n slow style into their operations, ultimately lifting the awareness of this style of cooking and eating for the greater good.

“It’s been an awesome 6 years of Low N Slow Meat Co, from back in the early days in Tinglapa all the way until now. We have taught and hopefully improved hundreds of people’s BBQ skills and opened the door for many more to venture down the rabbit hole of BBQ.

“Customers have become friends and experiences had that won’t be forgotten.

“In the recent couple of years since being at Rivermakers, the Bulimba, Morningside, and Hawthorne locals have been so supportive and we are appreciative of their patronage.”

The closure comes following reports that Rivermakers landlord Balfour Irvine has been wrapped up in a legal tussle with Council over the butchery since 2021. Enforcement notices were sent to the landlord to stop the butchery from selling meat until the precinct received “all relevant approvals.” The venue was also not supposed to be used as a meat warehouse for the goods sold at Low N Slow.

However, planning experts representing Rivermakers insisted that the storing, processing and distribution or selling of meat products were considered “ancillary use.” The representatives filed a separate development application (DA A005804996) in early 2022 for Material Change of Use of the site a food and drink outlet. The DA, which received nearly 5,000 submissions, is currently on appeal.

Published 2-May-2023

Developer Submits Plans For Self-storage Facility In Morningside

A seven-storey building for a self-storage facility with office and retail spaces could be built in Wynnum Road, Morningside, if a development application gets approved.

Read: Morningside Picture Theatre, Other Historic Brisbane Theatres We Lost Through the Years

The ground floor will be used for two retail tenancies whilst the first floor will be for two office tenancies. The remaining floors above including a portion of the ground floor will be dedicated for the self-storage facility.

The subject site, located at 495A, 495C & 497 Wynnum Road, Morningside, is currently vacant after the existing single-storey commercial building was demolished.

It’s located on the boundary of Queensland Railways land and within 25m of the Cleveland Railway Line and Morningside Railway Station.

The self-storage facility is conceptualised to include a mix of storage options and sizes, including 350 storage units with an average floorspace of 12sqm. Besides the larger storage units, the building will also have around 200 smaller storage lockers.

“The proposed self-storage facility on-site will realise a unique opportunity for servicing resident and business needs for off-site storage, particularly in the inner-city suburbs and along major transport corridors where high density residential development is encouraged,” planners at iPlan Town Planning stated.

The applicant stated in the planning documents that the facility’s location on Wynnum Road offers exposure for east-west traffic and convenience for residents throughout the broader locality.

View of subject site (Photo credit: Google Street View)

“Self-storage facilities are significant economic generators offering opportunities for business start-ups and small to medium enterprises to grow and develop their businesses within the Brisbane area, and in particular within Morningside,” planning documents read.

Also part of the proposal is a car parking space for 20 vehicles, including one for PWD and two for trailers. In addition, provision is made for end of trip facilities and designated bicycle parking for the new office and retail tenancies.

Read: Queensland Rail Shows Footage Of Near Misses In New Safety Campaign

To learn more about the proposed self-storage facility in Morningside, visit Brisbane City Council PD Online with the reference A006190276.

Fire Collapses Roof of House on Monmouth St in Morningside

An enormous fire on Monmouth St in Morningside has left a house without its roof and stopped the firefighters from doing a secondary check on the premises because of the risks.

The fire started at about 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, 21 January 2023. It took the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services nearly an hour to contain the fire.

Monmouth Street and Thynne Road were closed to traffic as the firemen worked on the hot spots. Witnesses said that at least seven fire trucks rushed to the site whilst there Queensland Ambulance reported no injuries.