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St Rita’s College Turns 100 with a Full Year of Celebrations Planned

St Rita’s College is marking a century of educating young women in 2026, with a programme of community events stretching across the year to bring together students, alumnae, staff, families and the Presentation Sisters who first established the college in 1926.

The milestone is a significant one for Clayfield and the broader Brisbane community. The college has grown from a modest beginning with 16 students on a hilltop property into a school of more than 1,200 girls from Years 5 to 12, shaped at every step by the Presentation tradition and the values of its founders. Principal Maree Trims describes 2026 as a year to pause and take stock of what that century has built.

“2026 is an opportunity to reflect on our rich history, to honour those who have come before us, and to give thanks for the enduring legacy they have left,” Trims said.

How It All Started on a Clayfield Hill

The story of St Rita’s begins in September 1926, when two Presentation Sisters, Sister Alice Kennedy and Mother M Patrick Madde, purchased Stanley Hall along with four surrounding acres of land in Clayfield. It was an act of vision and practicality in equal measure. The property sat on a hill, and what grew from it was a school that would educate generations of Brisbane women across every decade that followed.

St Rita's College in 1926 — Photo Credit: St Rita’s College

From that original enrolment of 16 students, the college ran as a co-educational kindergarten through to Year 3, with girls-only classes from Year 4 through to senior level. Boarders were also accepted across all year levels in those early years. The college follows in the tradition of Venerable Nano Nagle, founder of the Presentation Sisters, whose commitment to education as a force for social change still shapes how St Rita’s approaches learning and service today.

The college motto, Virtute Non Verbis, translates from Latin as “Deeds Not Words”, and it runs as a thread through everything from the curriculum to community outreach.

A Century of Women, Marked in Full

The centenary programme is built around bringing every part of the community back together. Several events have already taken place, including a Past and Present Staff Celebration in January and a Presentation Sisters High Tea in February, along with a Centenary Dinner in March. The larger community gatherings are still ahead.

On Friday 22 May, a Centenary Mass will be held for students, staff and invited guests. The following day, Saturday 23 May, past students are invited to an Alumnae Centenary Mass and Morning Tea, followed by an Alumnae Centenary Lunch. For many alumnae, the occasion will be the first time in years, or decades, they have walked back through the college gates.

The college has also installed a new honour board, unveiled by Sister Elvera Sesta, herself a former student, teacher and principal of the college, recognising all those who have dedicated 20 or more years of service to St Rita’s.

The College Today

A hundred years on, St Rita’s continues to record strong outcomes across academic, sporting and creative programmes. The Class of 2025 achieved a median ATAR of 91.4, with 47 students placing in the top five per cent of the state and one third of the cohort achieving an ATAR above 95.

Photo Credit: St Rita’s College/Facebook

More than 80 per cent of students participate in sport, and the college’s water polo programme was recognised nationally as Program of the Year in 2024. Around 450 students participate in music, collectively taking part in more than 600 lessons each week.

Beyond academic achievement, the college places strong emphasis on service learning, with students engaged in outreach, advocacy and ministry work inspired by the life and values of Nano Nagle.

Get Involved in the Centenary

The college is actively seeking memories, photographs and artefacts from past students, staff and families to help build a record of its hundred-year history. Anyone wishing to share their stories or donate items can contact the centenary team directly.

Alumnae are encouraged to update their contact details through the college’s alumnae page at stritas.qld.edu.au and to join the Alumnae Facebook Group to stay informed about upcoming events. For all centenary enquiries, event registrations and ticketing, contact the college at centenary@stritas.qld.edu.au or call (07) 3862 1615.

St Rita’s College is located at 41 Enderley Road, Clayfield, and is also accessible by public transport via Hendra and Clayfield rail stations, both approximately 800 metres from the campus.

Published 16-April-2026

Northgate Station Commuters Bear the Brunt of Brisbane Rail Disruptions

Commuters travelling through Northgate and surrounding suburbs faced a miserable morning rush on Monday, 13 April, left waiting on crowded platforms with queues at some stations stretching onto rail bridges as Brisbane’s rail replacement bus services struggled to keep pace with demand.

Read: Brisbane Metro to expand to Chermside, Carindale and Springwood

Buses replaced trains on two key corridors: between Northgate and Bowen Hills in the city’s north, and between Boggo Road and Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast line. The disruptions are part of a sweeping series of track closures that have been running across the Brisbane rail network from 3 April and are now extended through to 30 April.

At Geebung station, queues of well over a hundred people formed on the platform and stretched beyond the station itself, with commuters waiting upwards of 45 minutes in the heat and receiving little to no information about when the next bus would arrive. At Eagle Junction, passengers waited around 40 minutes for city-bound buses while multiple services headed to Helensvale stopped and departed with just a handful of passengers aboard.

The scenes drew sharp criticism from commuters and transport advocates alike, with many venting their frustration at the lack of buses and the absence of real-time information.

Imogen Buckley, founder of the South East Queensland Transport Association, said the disruptions were being compounded by the ongoing fuel crisis, which had placed additional strain on the replacement bus fleet.

While acknowledging that track closures were a necessary part of upgrading ageing rail infrastructure, she said the sight of commuters queuing onto station bridges was an embarrassment that undermined public confidence in the network. Buckley called for more frequent bus services during closures and argued that investing in better infrastructure was the long-term fix needed to reduce the frequency and length of such disruptions.

A spokesperson for Transport and Main Roads (TMR) said the department had been monitoring service levels and was actively looking at ways to boost capacity where demand was highest, including sourcing hundreds of bus drivers from interstate. However, TMR also pointed to protected industrial action by unions over Easter as a key factor in the chaos, saying critical works had not been completed as planned, leading to longer than normal queues at rail replacement stops.

April Track Closures

According to Translink, the closures affecting Northgate and Bowen Hills will run until Wednesday 15 April. From Thursday 16 April, buses will continue to replace trains between Varsity Lakes and Boggo Road, while the Northgate corridor is expected to reopen.

The disruptions are far from over. From 20 April through to 30 April, the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines will operate as a combined service between Varsity Lakes and Banoon, with no trains running between Banoon and Boggo Road. The Doomben line will continue running between Doomben and Eagle Junction throughout April.

Read: Shelf Lovers Bookshop in Wooloowin Reopens After Bus Crash, Continues to Spread Love

Translink says the closures are necessary to support a range of major infrastructure projects, including Cross River Rail, the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade, the European Train Control System, and the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project, works it describes as part of a once-in-a-generation transformation of South East Queensland’s rail network. Translink is urging commuters to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and check the journey planner regularly, as services are expected to continue changing throughout the month.

Published 14-April-2026

Cedar Woods’ Vera Apartments Top Out at Wooloowin’s Greville Precinct

Cedar Woods Properties has reached the topping-out milestone on Vera, its first Queensland apartment building, marking a significant moment for the $300 million Greville masterplanned community at 12 Chalk Street in Wooloowin, just five kilometres north of the Brisbane CBD.

The six-storey, 58-apartment building is 95 per cent sold and on track for completion in late 2026, with Brisbane-based builder Emacen Projects expecting residents to move in before Christmas. Designed by Rothelowman Architects, Vera sits within a 3.5-hectare precinct that has been steadily taking shape since Cedar Woods acquired the former Holy Cross Laundry site from the Sisters of Mercy following a five-year negotiated sale completed in 2020.

For Cedar Woods, the topping out is more than a construction milestone. The milestone signals the Perth-founded developer’s first apartment project to reach structural completion in Queensland, and the beginning of what its leadership describes as a long-term commitment to the state’s south-east.

A Precinct Built on Layers of History

The Greville site carries considerable historical weight. The Holy Cross Laundry was built from 1888 to 1905 to a design by former Queensland Colonial Architect Francis Drummond Greville Stanley, and added to the Queensland Heritage Register in October 1992. Originally constructed as an auxiliary wing to the Holy Cross Retreat, the institution provided protection for unmarried mothers, destitute women and intellectually disabled persons, regardless of creed. By the 1920s, the laundry had grown to become one of the largest commercial laundries in Brisbane.

Cedar Woods celebrates the topping out of their new build, Vera at Greville on Thursday 2 April 2026. Photo by Sarah Marshall/The Photo Pitch

Cedar Woods named the precinct Greville in direct acknowledgement of that history, honouring the architect whose initials, FDG Stanley, carry the same Greville name. Seven heritage residences within the former laundry building form part of the broader masterplan, repurposing the Heritage-listed laundry into homes that celebrate its 19th-century character.

Vera itself is the first of three apartment buildings planned for the precinct. The broader Greville development will ultimately deliver 84 townhouses, more than 200 apartments across three buildings and the seven heritage homes within the laundry building. The first two townhouse stages have been completed, with the final townhouse stage under construction.

What Vera Offers Residents

Vera’s 58 apartments span one, two and three-bedroom configurations, with floorplans offering between 78sqm of internal living space and 122sqm total area, with some residences offering views across the 4,000-square-metre Greville Park and others looking toward the city skyline. Rooftop communal amenities include a pool, barbecue and dining areas, an outdoor lounge and a firepit.

Artist’s impression of Vera’s rooftop (Photo supplied)

Residents also have access to the broader Greville community amenities already in place, including a recreation area with a pool, alfresco dining and the parkland, which has been open since 2023. The address puts future residents 400 metres from Wooloowin train station and a kilometre from the Northern Busway at Lutwyche, with the Northern Bikeway extension at the doorstep.

Cedar Woods Chief Operating Officer Patrick Archer said the milestone highlights the company’s growing commitment to southeast Queensland.

“The topping out of our first Queensland apartment building sets a strong foundation for our future southeast Queensland apartment plans,” Mr Archer said.

“This includes two additional buildings at Greville and our planned Robina development on the Gold Coast, which will comprise a mix of apartments and townhomes, located adjacent to Robina Town Centre.

“Vera apartments have been purchased by a broad range of buyers including first home buyers, downsizers and upgraders, which speaks to the appeal of the one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment formats.”

“Brisbane builder, Emacen Projects, is on track to complete construction in late 2026, and we’re expecting to welcome residents before Christmas.”

Cedar Woods’ National Footprint

Cedar Woods was established in Perth in 1987 and listed on the ASX in 1994. The developer carries a national portfolio spanning residential, commercial and mixed-use projects, and its entry into the Queensland market via Greville represents its most ambitious east-coast commitment to date. Beyond Greville, Cedar Woods’ Brisbane portfolio includes Ellendale in Upper Kedron and Sage in Burpengary.

The Greville precinct is expected to be completed over approximately four years. Remaining apartments in Vera are priced from $874,000. For more information, visit cedarwoods.com.au or the Greville community website at 12 Chalk Street, Wooloowin.

Published 10-April-2026

Kalinga Waterway Sees Shark Sightings In Kedron Brook

Photo Credit: Dorsal

Small sharks have been sighted in Kedron Brook, with recent reports near Kalinga Park and the former Toombul Shopping Centre prompting renewed awareness.

Sightings Reported Along Kalinga Stretch

Recent reports have identified small sharks in Kedron Brook, including areas close to Kalinga Park. The sightings were also noted near the former Toombul Shopping Centre, within the same connected creek system.

The reports point to activity along sections of the waterway that run through northern Brisbane suburbs.

Movement Through Tidal Waterways

The sightings have been linked to smaller sharks moving through tidal waterways. Kedron Brook connects to larger river systems, allowing marine species to pass through during tidal movement.

This type of activity is generally associated with natural water flow patterns.

Kedron Brook shark — *Photo Credit: LMAdrianSchrinner/Facebook*

Earlier February Sightings Provide Context

Reports of sharks in Kedron Brook were also noted in February 2026, including sightings near Kalinga Park in shallow sections of the creek. Those earlier observations prompted precautionary advice at the time to avoid entering the water.

The more recent sightings in March reflect continued activity within the same waterway rather than a single isolated event.

No Immediate Cause For Alarm

The sightings have not been described as an emergency situation. Instead, they have been presented as a reminder for people to remain aware when near waterways.

General caution has been encouraged around the creek, particularly in areas where access to the water is possible.

Kalinga shark sightings — *Photo Credit: LMAdrianSchrinner/Facebook*

Familiar Sight For Some Locals

Public discussion around the sightings reflects a level of familiarity, with some noting similar observations in Kedron Brook over many years. Comments suggest that sharks have previously been seen in the waterway at different times.

At the same time, others have expressed caution, particularly in relation to pets or people entering the creek.

Kalinga Waterway Remains Widely Used

Kedron Brook remains a shared recreational space across suburbs including Kalinga. The area is commonly used for walking and outdoor activity along the creek corridor.

The recent sightings have added to general awareness for those spending time near the water.

Published 30-Mar-2026

Clayfield Music Therapists Win Grant to Deliver 14-Month Early Intervention Program for Brisbane Youth

Music Beat Australia

Music Beat Australia, the Clayfield-based music therapy provider operating from Sandgate Road, has secured a Kickstarter early intervention grant to deliver a 14-month program using group drumming, songwriting and jam sessions to build emotional regulation and social connection in at-risk and neurodivergent young people across Brisbane.

The program, titled “Changing the Tune,” forms part of a broader round of community-led initiatives funded across Greater Brisbane, with Music Beat Australia joining three other organisations sharing more than $1 million in Kickstarter grants. The funding supports programs designed to work with young people before disengagement and antisocial behaviour become entrenched, focusing on re-engagement with community, education and healthy social networks.

For Clayfield and Brisbane’s broader northside, the announcement represents a meaningful investment in prevention-focused youth support, delivered by a provider already woven into the region’s community health landscape.

Music Therapy as an Early Intervention Tool

Music Beat Australia operates its main clinic at Sandgate Road in Clayfield, with additional locations at Nundah, Holland Park, Greenslopes and Bulimba, alongside mobile services reaching schools, kindergartens, childcare centres and family homes. The organisation became a registered NDIS provider in 2021 and brings a team of registered music therapists drawing on a combined clinical experience of 84 years.

The “Changing the Tune” program applies group drumming, songwriting, jam sessions and individual therapeutic support specifically to young people identified as showing early signs of disengagement or antisocial behaviour. The program targets emotional literacy and pro-social engagement as protective factors, with research consistently linking these capacities to reduced long-term offending risk. Music therapy is recognised internationally as a structured, evidence-based allied health practice, distinct from recreational music activity, and has demonstrated effectiveness in building emotional regulation skills across a wide range of populations including neurodivergent youth.

Part of a Broader Brisbane Initiative

The Kickstarter grants program funds community organisations delivering early intervention initiatives focused on reconnecting young people with education, training and community pathways. Music Beat Australia’s program sits alongside three other funded initiatives in the current round, including a bike-building mentoring program for youth in Redlands, a family-focused accountability and emotional regulation program in Deception Bay, and a community-led mentoring initiative in Inala. Together, the four programs reflect a growing emphasis on community-embedded, skills-based early intervention as a practical complement to formal youth support systems across Greater Brisbane.

Music Beat Australia also partners with PCYC Queensland in the delivery of its youth justice work, extending the clinic’s reach well beyond Clayfield and into community settings across the city.

Why This Matters to the Clayfield Community

For Clayfield residents and families across Brisbane’s northside, having a locally based, clinically grounded organisation delivering this kind of early intervention work carries real significance. Music Beat Australia is not an organisation parachuted in from outside the region; it is a Sandgate Road fixture that many northside families already know through early learning classes, NDIS therapy services and free community sessions at parks and recreation centres.

The “Changing the Tune” program extends that community presence into a space where the need is acute. Youth disengagement and its downstream consequences affect families and neighbourhoods across every part of Brisbane, and programs that intervene early, before patterns of antisocial behaviour become entrenched, represent some of the most effective long-term responses available. For a community like Clayfield, which sits within a broader northside corridor experiencing steady residential growth, the presence of well-funded, evidence-based early intervention work locally is a meaningful part of what makes the area a place where families want to put down roots.

About Music Beat Australia

Beyond the “Changing the Tune” program, Music Beat Australia runs early learning music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers under its Music Beat Kids banner, as well as lessons and tuition in piano, guitar, violin, singing and drama for school-aged children and adults. The organisation also delivers free community music sessions as part of the Active and Healthy program at locations including Wynnum Wading Pool Park, Mt Coot-tha and Kenmore.

NDIS participants can access music therapy through Music Beat Australia as a Capacity Building support under the scheme. Families, educators and organisations seeking more information about therapy services, early learning programs or the “Changing the Tune” project can visit musicbeat.com.au or reach the clinic directly at Sandgate Road, Clayfield QLD 4011.

Published 23-March-2026.

Clayfield Students Reach New Heights in Virgin Australia’s Aviation Programme

Photo Credit: Indooroopilly State High School/ Facebook

A group of aspiring young aviators from Clayfield swapped their school desks for the controls of a passenger jet as part of a special initiative designed to launch more women into the Australian aviation industry.

The event took place last week as part of an annual initiative timed to coincide with International Women’s Day. While students from southeast Queensland have participated before, the most recent session saw the flight path expand to include teenagers from regional hubs like Townsville, Rockhampton, and Mackay.

These students traveled to the airline’s Brisbane headquarters to explore career paths that have historically seen low numbers of female workers, specifically in the areas of heavy aircraft maintenance and flight deck operations.

Hands-on Experience in the Hangar

Aviation — *Photo Credit:* *Indooroopilly State High School/ Facebook*

The visiting students moved beyond the passenger terminal to see how massive aircraft are maintained and managed. One participant from Indooroopilly described the visit to the Brisbane flight simulator as a highlight that she would always remember, noting that the experience allowed her to build new friendships with peers from her own school while exploring the technology.

Another student expressed her excitement at visiting the maintenance hangar, where she even had the chance to test safety equipment like oxygen masks. For some, the day was also a personal milestone, providing an opportunity to see their parents working in professional aviation environments.

New Technology and Future Careers

A major feature of the day involved a tour of the newest Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft, which had only just arrived in the country. This specific plane represents a shift toward more sustainable travel, as it is designed to use 19 per cent less fuel and produce 40 per cent less noise than older models.

By showing students in Years 8, 9, and 10 this high-tech equipment, organisers hope to spark an interest in engineering before the girls choose their final school subjects. A student from Townsville mentioned that although she was still deciding on a career, she was particularly interested in learning the high standards required to keep planes safe and airworthy.

Building Industry Connections

The day concluded with a deep dive into the airline’s Integrated Operations Centre, which acts as the nerve centre for managing flights in real time. Industry leaders explained that by reaching out to students in their early high school years, the aviation sector can show that roles in the cockpit or the engineering bay are realistic and achievable goals.

The event, held in partnership with the Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools Programme, finished with a panel where professional women shared their experiences. This helped the students see a clear map of how to move from the classroom to a professional career in the sky.

Published Date 25-March-2026

Hendra Records One of Queensland’s Highest Car Theft Totals

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Hendra, a suburb with fewer than 5,000 residents, has recorded one of the highest car theft totals in Queensland, with police data showing 735 vehicles stolen, placing the suburb at the top of a statewide list and raising concerns among residents about vehicle security.

The figure was highlighted in a Queensland Police Service crime data report, which found vehicle thefts across the state had climbed to their highest monthly levels since early 2024.

Police statistics show the offence category — unlawful use of a motor vehicle — had 1,797 victims statewide in November alone, one of the highest monthly totals recorded since crime data began in 2001.

While overall victim numbers for vehicle theft in 2025 were slightly lower than the same period in 2024, police data indicate the trend began rising again from August. Statewide figures show 16,805 victims of unlawful use of a motor vehicle between January and November 2025.

Vehicle theft figures are recorded based on where the offence occurs, meaning suburbs with large numbers of parked vehicles or commercial areas can record higher totals even if many offenders live elsewhere.

In Hendra, the statistics stand out because of the suburb’s size. Census data shows the area has just under 5,000 residents, yet its stolen-vehicle count placed it ahead of much larger suburbs across Queensland.

Motoring group RACQ has previously stated that technology could play a role in reducing thefts, noting some modern vehicles can detect erratic driving and may eventually be able to recognise when they have been stolen and limit how the vehicle can be driven.

Community support groups have also reported an increase in people seeking help after vehicle thefts, particularly in cases where victims reported being threatened during the offence.

Queensland Police say they continue to target vehicle theft through enforcement, prevention and disruption strategies.

Published 10-March-2026

Police Deliver Crime Prevention Tips to Kalinga Residents

Photo Credit: myPolice Brisbane North

Police officers visited streets in Kalinga this week, distributing home security information to residents as part of ongoing crime prevention efforts in the suburb.

Senior Constable Kim Richter confirmed that officers attended the area around Roseleigh Street and Kent Road on Monday 23 February, providing letterbox drops with information on home security measures and crime reporting options.

The Queensland Police Service visit comes as part of broader community policing initiatives aimed at preventing opportunistic offences in Brisbane’s northern suburbs.

“While offenders are responsible for the crimes they commit, we can work together to prevent opportunistic offences,” a QPS statement said.

Residents have been encouraged to review their home security arrangements, with police recommending several practical measures to deter potential intruders.

Key recommendations include installing key-operated locks on doors and windows to make unauthorised entry more difficult, and marking valuable items with identification such as microdot technology or engraving to make stolen property harder to sell.

Police have also suggested making it more challenging for offenders to exit properties with stolen goods, though specific methods were not detailed in the community information.

Kalinga residents seeking additional crime prevention advice can access the Queensland Police Service’s home and multi-residential security resources online at the QPS website.

Authorities have reminded the community that anyone witnessing a crime in progress or facing immediate danger should call Triple Zero (000). For non-urgent matters, residents can contact Policelink on 131 444 or submit information through the online suspicious activity form available 24 hours a day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Those wishing to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

The police presence in Kalinga reflects ongoing efforts by Queensland Police to maintain community safety through both enforcement and prevention strategies across Brisbane suburbs.

Published 25-February-2026

Wooloowin State School’s Assunta Austin Recognised as Queensland Teacher Librarian of the Year

Queensland Department of Education

Assunta Austin, Teacher Librarian at Wooloowin State School since 1999 and a library professional since 1983, has been named a 2025 Queensland Teacher Librarian of the Year by the Queensland School Library Association, an award honouring outstanding professional knowledge, practice and engagement in school librarianship.

Austin, who officially retires this year after more than four decades in the profession, will see her legacy honoured permanently with the Wooloowin State School library renamed “The Austin Library” in recognition of her contribution to the school and its community. She is one of two recipients of the 2025 award, sharing the honour with Lizzy Dixon from Moorooka State School.

The Queensland School Library Association presents the Teacher Librarian of the Year award annually to recognise exceptional dedication to creating dynamic learning spaces, collaborating across school communities and fostering a lifelong love of reading and inquiry. Austin’s career, spanning 42 years since she first became a Teacher Librarian in 1983 and 26 years at Wooloowin State School in the inner north suburb bordered by Kedron, Lutwyche and Clayfield, has been marked by her commitment to creating a vibrant and welcoming library space that extends far beyond the walls of the school.

Building Community Through Books

Austin describes championing reading and books not only to students at her school but also to the wider school community as what gives her the most enjoyment in the role. One of her signature initiatives at Wooloowin State School is “One School, One Book, One Community”, a program that has run for the past three years and brings entire families together to read the same book. The program concludes with an evening event led by the school’s Parents and Citizens association, featuring a presentation from the book’s author. This kind of community-focused programming reflects Austin’s belief that literacy is not just a classroom responsibility but a shared endeavour that thrives when families are actively engaged.

*Photo Credit: Wooloowin State School/Facebook*

For parents wondering how to encourage reading at home, Austin offers practical and accessible advice. She suggests creating a quiet, comfortable and distraction-free reading space, making reading part of the family’s daily routine, and sitting with children to read to them, read with them and be read to by them. She also recommends talking about illustrations and asking questions about characters, settings and story events to promote meaningful discussions. Most importantly, she emphasises being a good reading role model, which helps build a lifelong love of reading and learning.

The Role of the Teacher Librarian in the 21st Century

Austin’s career has spanned an era of profound change in school libraries. Teacher Librarians today, as defined by the Australian School Library Association, hold both recognised teaching qualifications and qualifications in librarianship, bringing combined knowledge of teaching, curriculum, library and information management to Queensland schools. Their role has evolved significantly with the rise of digital information and the need for students to develop critical information literacy skills alongside traditional reading and research capabilities.

Austin has also served as network coordinator for The Grove Network, a professional group for libraries in the Stafford and Geebung district, reflecting her commitment to supporting fellow library professionals and sharing best practice across schools. Her work in this capacity has helped strengthen the broader community of Teacher Librarians in Brisbane’s north, many of whom face ongoing advocacy challenges as the Teacher Librarian role disappears from an increasing number of Queensland schools despite evidence that access to a school library run by qualified staff improves student outcomes.

A Lasting Legacy

Wooloowin State School, which opened in 1914 and currently serves more than 330 students from Prep to Year 6, suffered a devastating fire in 2003 that caused smoke and water damage requiring the destruction and replacement of all library books. The library was completely restocked with generous donations from other schools and rebuilt to a standard that now includes sections for Junior Fiction, Fiction, Non-Fiction and a computer lab. Students from Years 4 to 6 who pass a test to become Library Monitors assist the librarian and assistant librarian during lunch hours, creating a student-led culture of care and responsibility for the library space.

Austin’s retirement this year marks the end of a chapter for Wooloowin State School, but the renaming of the library as “The Austin Library” ensures that her contribution to generations of students, families and staff will be remembered and celebrated for years to come. Queensland School Library Week, which celebrated school libraries and library professionals across the state in 2025, provided a fitting moment to recognise Austin’s extraordinary career and the profound difference she has made to literacy, learning and community connection in Brisbane’s inner north.

Published 24-February-2026.

Have Your Say, Clayfield and Kalinga: More Homes, Sooner Consultation Opens

Clayfield and Kalinga are among 18 Brisbane suburbs where planning rules may change to allow more housing close to public transport and local shops, with a community consultation period now open until Friday 20 March 2026.

The More Homes, Sooner initiative proposes updates to the low-medium density residential zone, known as the LMR zone, which covers around 14 per cent of Brisbane’s residential land and includes pockets of both suburbs. The changes aim to make it easier and more affordable to build the kinds of homes that key workers, younger buyers, couples and downsizers are actually looking for, in suburbs they already know and love, rather than pushing growth to the city’s fringes.

New dwelling approvals in LMR zones across Brisbane fell from around 1,100 homes per year to just 445 in 2023, as rising construction costs made smaller infill projects increasingly difficult to stack up financially. The proposed changes are designed to reverse that trend.

What Could Change in Clayfield and Kalinga

The LMR zone in Clayfield and Kalinga currently allows for two to three storey buildings on lots of at least 400 square metres, accommodating townhouses, duplexes, row houses and small apartment buildings. Under the More Homes, Sooner proposals, the baseline height allowance across LMR zones would rise to a consistent three storeys. Properties within 400 metres walking distance of a high-frequency public transport stop or a shopping centre, classified as Key Locations, would be eligible for up to four storeys on lots of 800 square metres or more.

Minimum lot sizes are also proposed to change, dropping to 120 square metres in some circumstances to enable small freehold houses and terrace-style homes on compact blocks. Low density residential properties within 300 metres walking distance of a shopping centre would also become eligible for subdivision into 300 square metre lots, expanded from the current 200 metre threshold.

On-site car parking requirements would be adjusted citywide to reflect declining car ownership and improved access to public transport. A two-bedroom unit currently requires two car spaces; under the proposed changes that would reduce to 1.5 spaces, or 1.2 spaces in Key Locations. The planning document notes that a single car park space can add up to $82,000 to the cost of a unit outside the inner city, and that reducing this requirement directly improves affordability for buyers and renters.

Neighbourhood Character Protected by Design

The changes come with design safeguards built in. Minimum setbacks from existing freestanding houses, maximum building footprints, and requirements for street tree planting are all part of the proposed framework to ensure new development integrates into existing streetscapes rather than overwhelming them.

Planning consultants from Brisbane firm Therefor Group have noted that character-protected areas in suburbs with heritage overlays are unlikely to be affected. In Clayfield and Kalinga, where well-maintained Queenslander homes and post-war cottages define much of the residential streetscape, that distinction matters. The LMR zone typically occupies pockets near transport corridors and centres rather than the broadest residential streets, meaning character areas and designated heritage precincts sit largely outside the scope of the proposed changes.

More than half of all Brisbane households are made up of single people or couples without children, yet 71 per cent of the city’s homes have three or more bedrooms. The initiative responds directly to that mismatch, aiming to create housing pathways for people at every stage of life within established, well-serviced suburbs.

How to Have Your Say

Formal community consultation on the More Homes, Sooner draft amendments is open now and closes Friday 20 March 2026. Residents can share their feedback online at brisbane.qld.gov.au by searching “More Homes, Sooner”, by emailing strategicplanninghousing@brisbane.qld.gov.au, or by calling 07 3403 8888. Written submissions can also be posted to Strategic Planning (More Homes Sooner), BCC, GPO Box 1434, Brisbane QLD 4001.

Following the consultation period, feedback will be reviewed and amendments updated before being submitted for state review and formally adopted into Brisbane City Plan 2014. That process is expected to conclude by late 2026.

Published 23-February-2026.