In early 2022 a mystery US buyer snapped up a mansion on Union Street in Clayfield to the tune of $8.2 million, making it one of the biggest home sales that year.
The new owner is reportedly wanting to move together with his young family from California to Australia due to the appealing safe living and working conditions.
Sold through Adcock Prestige by car enthusiast Mark Jansen on 28 January 2022, the property at 43 Union Street boasts of a championship-sized floodlit tennis court, indoor pool, spa and alfresco entertaining pavilion plus a car collectors’ showroom.
Last sold in 2015 for a cool $4.1 million, the mansion which underwent extensive renovation also features six built-in bedrooms, three of which are ensuite. The master suite has a private lounge, reading area, a large walk-in dressing room with dark wood grain joinery, a marble look tiled ensuite with skylight, dual Villeroy and Boch undermount basins set within a spotted gum vanity, and a walk-in shower, among other features.
The chef-inspired kitchen, meanwhile, contains an extensive range of Miele appliances with two full-sized ovens, a steam oven and a microwave. There’s also a stone breakfast bar servery and stainless-steel food preparation surfaces whilst behind the kitchen is a large walk-in butler’s pantry offering full-height storage with room for an additional fridge, freezer or wine fridge.
With an $8 million price tag, 43 Union Street is one of the biggest home sales of 2022.
The property at 673 Musgrave Rd, Robertson took the crown as the highest priced of them all with a staggering sale price of $17.25 million.
Dubbed as Robertson’s “last remaining large-scale development block”, the six-bedroom brick house was sold in March 2022 to a local developer, whose name was not revealed.
A development application that seeks to build a 2-storey duplex at the rear of ‘Canaipa,’ a cottage originally built in 1902 on Wooloowin Street, has drawn mixed reactions from the local community.
The subject site is situated at 42-44 Wooloowin Avenue and contains a pre-1947 detached dwelling. The Queenslander is undergoing renovation which owner Lynn Couchman said in her submission last 11 October 2022 is already nearing completion.
Several members of the community have expressed opposition to the proposal, however, including the “Save Our Backyards” group which cited that the “44 Wooloowin Avenue” development proposal as an example of bad development.
“If this development is approved, it will set a precedent for any backyard that is close to a train, bus or shopping centre. Slowly all of our suburbs will be filled with hot, soulless, cement boxes.
This development will overshadow surrounding neighbours, destroy privacy, create flooding issues, create parking issues and reflect heat to all adjoining properties.” – Save Our Backyards
Artist impression, proposed development on Wooloowin Street – Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au
“There appears to be a lot of misinformation regarding this development, which is unfortunate,” Ms Couchman wrote in her submission.
Ground floor plan, proposed development on Wooloowin Street – Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au
She added that there were many other options that she could have chosen, but she chose to preserve the cottage including the original fireplace and to build a duplex at the rear.
“All that I ask is that people take the time to review all the documentation and make their own decision regarding their support or opposition.” – Ms Couchman
In late October, Council issued an information request under the Planning Act 2016. The request outlined several issues found in the proposal including building height which the Council found the proposal to be unclear as to whether the rooftop terrace includes any third-storey components.
Level 1 floor plan – Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The developer is therefore asked to provide an “amended plans demonstrating all third storey components (including the bathroom/laundry) on the rooftop terrace are setback a minimum of 10m from all adjoining and approved dwelling houses. And to provide “amended plans which include additional sections in all directions and clearly demonstrate the natural ground line on all elevations and sections.”
Roof plan – Photo credit: Brisbane City Council / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Other issues needing a response from the developer include boundary realignment; bulk, scale and form; built-to-boundary walls; building separation; site cover; building design and traditional building character; privacy, private open space; landscaping and access, among others.
There have been 34 submissions so far, both opposing and supporting, regarding the proposal on Wooloowin Street.
“My wife and I are very much opposed to this proposal for a number of reasons. The key concern for me is inconsistency with the “look and feel of the area” and also inconsistency with the planning scheme and other planning documents.” – Anonymous
“I purchased my property at 50 Wooloowin Ave back in 2001. I was captivated by the beautiful 100 plus year cottages in the Avenue that form part of the remarkable cultural heritage display at Wooloowin Rail Station. I am dismayed to see the DA for 42/44 Wooloowin Ave, which if approved, will herald the demise of the ever-decreasing pocket of federation homes still surviving in Wooloowin.” – A. B.
“If allowed to proceed, the reduction in value to surrounding properties may well be of a similar or greater magnitude due to loss of neighboring building and environmental character (aka the addition of bulk and gross ugliness), loss of privacy, loss of views, loss of street amenity, increases in flooding risk and increase in noise pollution. The damage to the wellbeing and impact on the daily lives of neighbours cannot be estimated.” – Anonymous
“The proposed townhouse is not appropriate for the area. It flaunts all of the prescribed setbacks. It is made out of concrete instead of wood and tin, it is too high and it is ugly and ruins the streetscape. On top of this, it doesnt have any visitor parking and the proposed stormwater solution will cause flooding of the local area.” – Anonymous
“I have read the DA and agree that the development will be an improvement to the area and so I have no objections to this application.” – Anonymous
“The application meets the BCC Planning rules and requirements for the area and helps to deliver more affordable housing to the market, which is a key aim for SE Queensland at present. I look forward to seeing these properties developed in the near future.” Anonymous
“There’s not enough housing in wooloowin. I would have loved to buy a home in wooloowin but there is just so much competition that it’s impossible. Building more homes in wooloowin is the way to go!” – Anonymous
A man who attempted to break into a secure car park next to a residential building in Wolseley St, Clayfield in October 2022 was arrested by authorities, thanks to a resident who immediately reported the incident.
The resident took careful note of the man’s appearance and movements, and quickly notified police with a clear description. Police then arrived at Wolseley St, where they located and arrested a man matching the description provided.
The man, who allegedly possessed house-breaking implements, was charged with attempted enter premises and commit indictable offence, possession of house breaking materials and possession of tainted property. He will next appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on 15 November 2022.
Photo credit: Kindel Media/Pexels
Based on Queensland Police Service’s Online Crime Map, unlawful entry is among the leading types of offence in Clayfield.
During the last quarter (13 September – 12 December 2022), there were a total of 48 cases of Unlawful Entry, which mostly took place between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
What to Do When You Witness A Crime
Photo credit: Anna Shvets/Pexels
Queensland Police advises members of the public to write down what they see as soon as possible and keep a record of the date and time of their observations as this can be important if they are required to give a statement to the police.
If you see a crime being committed, follow these steps:
When safe to do so, contact police
Keep calm and give your name, address and telephone number
Report what is happening and where
Stay on the phone
If you can safely do so, keep watching and continue to report what is happening.
It is important to try to build a complete picture of the person from head to toe, paying particular note of the features, such as the gender and age bracket, body frame and size, haircut and colour, clothing, and any distinguishing features such as scars, tattoos, or glasses.
The new Eagle Junction State School Early Years Precinct is officially open. Nearly $9 million has been poured into the 127-year-old state school for ten new classrooms, an astro-turfed play area, and a new playground.
The newly opened early years’ precinct for Eagle Junction State School features a learning centre, artificial turf area and playground. Present at the ceremony held last 16 November 2022 were Education Minister Grace Grace, Principal Adam Mathewson and P&C President Jo Senz.
“These state-of-the-art facilities are giving Eagle Junction’s Prep and Year 1 students the best possible start to their state school education,” Ms Grace said.
The new Early Years Precinct contains ten new classrooms including five specially designed for Preppies, a new staff planning and resource preparation area, two practical outdoor learning areas, student and staff amenities and an accessible covered walkway to serve as the precinct’s link to the rest of the school. There is also an artificial turf area and playground with climbing equipment, slides and a sandpit.
“This development supported 20 good jobs over the life of the project, with 11 apprentices working on site throughout construction learning trades that will set them up for life.”
Eagle Junction State School Principal Adam Mathewson welcomed the opening of the new precinct which supports the school’s “visible” learning educational approach.
(L-R) Principal Adam Mathewson, Education Minister Grace Grace, School Vice-captains Jessica Sanfilippo and Oliver Senz, School Captains Elodie Whitaker and Finn Latimer, P&C President Jo Senz | Photo credit: Facebook / Grace Grace MP
“We want students to know how to learn, not just what to learn. At EJ, we encourage students to actively participate in their learning and the new early learning precinct offers modern, new and flexible facilities to do just that,” Mr Mathewson said.
“We are purposeful in encouraging collaboration where students not only teach themselves, but learn alongside their peers and have the opportunity to compare their work with visible examples which help them identify ways in which to learn and grow.
“Our students can articulate their learning journey, how they are going with their learning, and what steps they need to take next, to achieve their learning goals.”
Opened in 1895, Eagle Junction State School caters to students from the preparatory year to year 6. The current population stands at over 900 students.
This comes after nearby residents noticed that the Moreton bay fig tree, located at the corner of Crombie Street and Enderley Road, has been experiencing a sudden decline, and has been looking unhealthy since last 2021.
A resident, who wishes to be unanimous, claimed that nature officers examined the soil and though official results were not shared, allegedly found herbicide residues.
Whilst neighbours believe the tree had been poisoned, an arborist refuted such claims and said the tree looks like they have dead leaves that haven’t dropped off, which isn’t an indication of herbicide damage.
When a tree is poisoned, the arborist said, the leaves suddenly fall. If it’s confirmed to be a case of poisoning, the arborist from Brisbane Trees and Gardens assured it can still be saved, since most poisons are biodegradable. Normally, flushing the soil is an effective measure.
Photo credit: Google Street View
Regarding the issue, City Standards Chair Kim Marx stated that any interference with the trees was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.
Under the Brisbane City Council’s Natural Assets Local Law 2003, natural assets including bushland areas, wetlands, waterway corridors and trees in urban areas should be protected.
Marx said Council is working to save the Moreton Bay fig tree, by trimming it and using specialised techniques to get rid of the herbicide from the soil. Council officers will also closely monitor the tree.
Meanwhile, a sign will be placed in the area asking the community to provide information to help them find those responsible. Residents can report interference with protected vegetation online if they suspect vegetation has been cleared or damaged unlawfully.
For more than a century, St Agatha’s Catholic Church has had a strong spiritual, social and cultural impact in the Clayfield community, marking its special ties to the expansion of the Catholic faith in Brisbane.
During World War I, Clayfield locals expressed to Brisbane Archibishop James Duhig their need to establish a Catholic Church in the area despite the presence of other churches in Wooloowin, Nundah, and Hamilton.
The influential archbishop proceeded to buy three acres of sloping land along Oriel Road in 1917 from Mr J B Charlton, with the intention of building a mass centre and a school. Mr Ernest Taylor won the tender for the project to build the church, which kickstarted in 1918. The archbishop blessed the foundation stone on the site and by September of that same year, the place of worship, which had a wooden structure, was also blessed and opened to the devoted Catholic community.
Archbishop Duhig chose the name St Agatha’s after the patron saint of the sixth-century church attached to the Irish College in Rome, where he received his education. He tasked Father Richard Walsh to celebrate a regular Sunday mass, and sometimes weekday morning worships, at this church.
By 1924, St Agatha’s Catholic Church received major building improvements as funded by the Clayfield community, where some of the more elite residents of Brisbane lived. Among its important donors were Hennessy and Hennessy and Mrs T.C. Beirne.
1925: New Building for St Agatha’s Catholic Church under Father O’Connell
Rev. Father Francis O’Connell was officially the first parish priest of St Agatha’s, who arrived in Clayfield in 1921. He was instrumental in the construction of the new Romanesque-style polychromatic brick church, which cost £10,000 and was designed by architect Jack P. Donoghue or J.P. Donoghue.
At the opening of the new church, Father O’Connell exclaimed that he was certain Mr Donohue will long be remembered for his work after seeing the beautiful church, especially among the builders of the future. The building, with its striking design, has become an iconic visual presence on Oriel Road.
The site of the new church was in the quiet, elevated portion of Oriel Road next to Stanley Hall. Father O’Connell lived in a presbytery built before the church building was completed.
The old wooden church was transformed into a school with Father O’Connell, along with Archbishop Duhig, convincing the Presentation Sisters to come to Clayfield and run the institution, which would eventually become St Rita’s College. The school officially opened in January 1925 with 120 students. By the next year, the student population doubled but the institution was big enough to accommodate 500 kids.
Father O’Connell served as a parish priest until his sudden death in 1939 at 49 years old.
St Agatha’s Catholic Church’s Other Notable Priests
Apart from Father O’Connell, St Agatha’s Catholic Church welcomed around six more parish priests in its 100 years, each serving the Clayfield community for more than a decade.
1940-1968: Rev Monsignor John English became the parish priest after Father Frank’s death and was behind the additions to the church building, such as the large domed sanctuary and sacristy, the altar boys’ room, and the side chapels. He was popular with the community but was known to be forthright with his observations and dislikes.
1968-1989: After Monsignor John English died, Rev Father Vincent Rowan assumed as parish priest and had a challenging time implementing massive changes in the Catholic Church as ordered by the Second Vatican Council. During his time, Father Rowan oversaw the construction of a new school building replacing the wooden structure and formed the Parish Pastoral Council and Clayfield Care. He retired from his duties after suffering a stroke.
1989-1998: Father Bernard Wilson initiated a number of programs for St Agatha’s Catholic Church, extending beyond the children’s education. He established eucharistic and music ministries, as well as formed the Financial Council. He organised a pilgrimage to the Holy Land but was unable to join the actual trip due to an accident. During his time, renovations and upgrades were done to the aging church building.
1998-2015: Very Rev Dr Adrian Farrelly wasn’t named the parish priest but the administrator of St Agatha’s Catholic Church. He was revered for his sermons and believed that St Agatha’s must remain a strong community.
2015-2018: Fr Anthony Mellor was the administrator in several other churches before his assignment in Clayfield. He was in Ashgrove, Bardon, Birkdale, Hendra, Herston, Newmarket, Red Hill, Rosalie and Victoria Point. He also helped in The Gap parish.
The current parish priest is Fr Biju Thomas who took on his duties in 2020.
Clayfield College student Ivy Lauder has just returned from her two-week stint at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, as part of her winning the national finals of the 2021/22 Rafa Nadal Tour tournament.
Ivy Lauder has recently returned from the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain as part of her winning at the Tournament’s Australian Masters Invitational for Girls 12/u event 2021/22 season held from 11 to 15 January 2022. She won against Zali Illitch in the final event (3-6, 4-6) with Scarlett Dattoli and Brooke Komorowski, taking third and fourth place, respectively.
Photo credit: Facebook / Clayfield College
Rafa_Nadal Tour is a nine-state premier event for juniors in the 12/u and 14/u held from April 2022 to January 2023. It is a junior tennis circuit that was launched in Spain in 2014 and has been running in Australia since 2019 in collaboration with the 22-time Grand Slam winner, Rafael Nadal.
The Rafa Nadal Tour focuses on sport and education, particularly the importance of sportsmanship, commitment, humility and resilience (updated fundamental values for 2022/23). With the Australian Tour, each state and territory event runs a Junior Gold Tournament.
The four winners from each 12/u and 14/u singles event and the four selected winners of the Trophy of Values progress to the end-of-circuit Australian Masters event. The Trophy Values are awarded to players who have shown on- and off-court positive attitudes and behaviour, and who live the Values of the Rafa Nadal Tour.
A maximum of 16 players are invited to compete in each of the 12/u and 14/u boys and girls Masters event. At stake were Rafa and Rafa Nadal Academy prizes including flights to Spain and two free weeks of training in Mallorca, Spain.
Kerbside Collection Day for Clayfield and nearby suburbs is fast approaching. Have you sorted your items for disposal yet? Here’s a list of acceptable and unacceptable items, and what to do with items that cannot be picked up.
furniture and white goods (e.g. fridges and stoves)
small household appliances (e.g. fans and toasters)
carpet and rugs
bath and laundry tubs
wood products less than 1.5 metres
bicycles and sporting equipment
electronic waste (e.g. televisions and computers)
The following items, however, should not be placed on the kerb during the collection period:
garden waste (e.g. trees, grass, potted plants)
dirt and stones
bricks and concrete
commercial builders waste
car parts and tyres, including car batteries
general household waste (e.g. food scraps)
liquids
hazardous wastes (e.g. chemicals, oil, asbestos)
gas bottles
glass and mirrors
household waste that normally goes into your waste or recycling bin
Bring them to resource recovery facilities
Brisbane City Council operates four resource recovery centres at Chandler, Ferny Grove, Nudgee and Willawong with recycling and waste facilities. You can drop them off for free or use your waste vouchers.
Printer cartridges are among the household waste that does not normally go into your waste or recycling bin.
If you have ink cartridges, you can bring them to Planet Ark, which turns the materials, such as plastics, metal, inks, and toners into new products. When they are disposed of into landfill, these resources are lost.
Photo credit: wolteeva/Pixabay
The Cartridges 4 Planet Ark program is an innovative recycling program that provides residents with an easy and environmentally accredited way to recycle their used printer cartridges.
Batteries, on the other hand, are among the top items commonly put on the kerb, even if they don’t belong there. Please remember that they cannot be disposed of in everyday household disposal bins or recycling bins.
Batteries should be brought to Aldi, Battery World, and selected Officeworks instead, where they will be properly recycled to prevent them from ending up in the landfill.
Photo credit: Visor69/Pixabay
Once the batteries are collected by specialists, they undergo sorting and separation into various grades, before they are processed into materials that can be used to manufacture new batteries or be used in the production of other steel products.
Just a tip before dropping off your batteries, tape the ends using non-conductive tape like electrical tape or sticky tape to prevent sparkling which creates fire hazards.
Photo credit: ds_30/Pixabay
Meanwhile, resource recovery centres also accept hazardous waste. Many of these hazardous waste are items at home, including bleach, garden chemicals, and cleaning solvents bought from supermarkets.
You can take advantage of the next free drop-off day at the Nudgee Resource Recovery Centre on Saturday, 3 December 2022, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to drop off your household hazardous waste.
Did you know that the heritage-listed Clayfield House along London Rd first belonged to Dr. Arthur CF Halford, an esteemed obstetrician who wanted a house with a combined surgery facility to serve his patients?
In the early 1900s, it was common for doctors to manage a private hospital or clinic with surgery services from their homes, particularly for maternity cases. In keeping with the times, Dr Halford enlisted the help of Robin Dods, a prominent Brisbane architect, to design the residence/surgery building.
Mr Dods was quite familiar with Dr Halford’s requirements. His stepfather and brother were also doctors who managed a residence/surgery facility from their homes. The architect designed a similar concept for his brother’s place on Wickham Terrace.
Who was Dr Arthur CF Halford?
From 1906 to 1920, Dr Arthur Charles Frederick Halford conducted his medical practice from Turrawan, the other name he had for Clayfield House. He also had a clinic at 157 Wickham Terrace.
Dr Halford, the son of a professor, was born in Melbourne in 1869. Thirty years later, he was arranged to be married to Miss Nora Fitzgerald, whose family came from Cork, Ireland. The couple then settled in Rockhampton, Queensland after their wedding in 1899.
Photo Credit: National Library of Australia
By 1905, Dr Halford had bought an acre of land at the corner of Sandgate and London Rd to establish Clayfield House/Turrawan. The building’s original entrance faced Sandgate Rd for the residence whilst the surgery area was accessed via London Rd. Turrawan also had a tennis court at the back of the house.
In 1908, he was named the Honorary Assistant Physician at the Brisbane Hospital, where he pioneered a new method of treating burns and scalds by puncturing the blisters and cutting much of the affected skin. His method was adopted until the 1960s.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
What makes Clayfield House unique?
Clayfield House was built in a burgeoning prestigious residential area in North Brisbane. The design was efficiently thought out to separate the house from the surgery, with separate entrances and distinct room layouts. It became a shining example of the city’s medical practice development.
The size and quality of the doctor’s residence and surgery were uncommon during this period, especially since it has survived over decades. Some alternations were made to the house yet a lot of its original layout, details and characteristics remain today.
Photo Credit: Federationdetails.blogspot.com
Photo Credit: Federationdetails.blogspot.com
Turrawan demonstrated the history and development of the Queensland house, associated with the well-designed ideas of a prominent and influential architect.
After 1920, Clayfield House was let to Alexander Murray for five years then Dr Neville Sutton used London Rd as his professional address. Mr Dods is known for integrating British architectural concepts into traditional Queensland designs and materials.
Photo Credit: Federationdetails.blogspot.com
When Dr Halford’s wife died in 1932, parts of Clayfield House were sold, including a portion of the tennis court. After Dr Halford’s death in 1945, Savoy Pictures Pty Limited, which has built a theatre next to the property, bought the site.
Around 1960, Clayfield House was resurveyed and then subdivided into two blocks. BP Australia bought the first block on the corner and built a service station that operated for two decades.
On the other hand, the second lot became the property of Rodney and Colleen Abbott, who built a boarding house. Today, the facility is still known as Clayfield House, providing assisted living and supported accommodation.
Brisbane City Council reopened the park for the first time since February 2022, when it was closed due to fallen trees and debris.
Councillor Adam Allan joined locals in the reopening of the park on 27 August 2022, where there was face painting, a coffee van and a sausage sizzle.
Photo credit: Councillor Adam Allan/Facebook
Brisbane’s parks are slowly reopening as part of the city’s Rebuild and Recover program. As of July 2022, around 297 out of 1,072 damaged playgrounds are under repair, with only 15 remaining out of service.
Kalinga park was hard-hit by the severe weather earlier this year, leaving the play equipment and the BBQ as well as the brook damaged beyond recovery.
The park following the February 2022 flooding (Photo credit: Councillor Adam Allan/Facebook)
The first stage of the rebuild and recovery for Kalinga Park involved identifying what can be restored and removing what can’t whilst the second stage involved designing the layout for a playground that has greater flood resilience.
About Kalinga Park
Photo credit: Councillor Adam Allan/Facebook
A fixture in Kalinga since 1910, Kalinga Park (previously known as Anzac Memorial Park) is one of the most popular parks in the suburb because of its many facilities.
Located at 48 Kalinga Street, the park is equipped with playgrounds, picnic area/shelters, barbecue, basketball half court, bikeway, car park, cricket field, cultural heritage site, hockey fields, outdoor fitness/exercise trail, path network, public toilet, and tennis courts.
