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Koala Warning Signs Up on Toohey Rd as Mating Season Begins

Ahead of the koalas’ mating season, the Brisbane City Council has started putting up warning signs on Toohey Rd. This also follows a photo taken by a local resident of a koala sighting on the northern part of Toohey Forest Park, which was posted by Cr Steve Griffith.

Photo taken by a local resident on the northern side of Toohey Forest.
Photo credit: http://www.stevegriffithsmoorooka.com/

The signs were put up on the northern and southern parts of the Toohey Forest Park. These signs are warning motorists to slow down especially this season when koalas are more active. Koala sighting in the forest are rare, although according to some residents or bushwalkers, you will normally see a koala on the southern part of the forest. Still, there is koala activity in the area and now that the mating season (which will last through March) is about to begin, koala sightings are expected to become more frequent.

Male koalas tend to be more aggressive when they are looking for mates, hence the signs. Motorists may find koalas running around more often as they pass by, which is why it is important to take extra care.

Female koalas only produce a new baby every two or three years. That is why zoos and plenty of organizations are doing everything that they can to protect their habitat, to prevent koalas from extinction.

Another effort undertaken by the BCC in February this year was putting two trained spaniels that were provided by OWAD Environment to be used for five months to hunt down koalas in Brisbane’s bushland to know the exact number of the native marsupials within the city. Keeping track of them and their movement patterns is also another way to protect them.

Photo credit: YouTube

Late last year, they also have signed an agreement with the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to begin the construction of the world-class koala research centre for koala conservation.

Also read: Upcoming Lone Pine Sanctuary Research Centre in Fig Tree Pocket To Help Save Koalas

Fate of Proposed Tarragindi Bowls Club Still Uncertain

The Tarrigindi Bowls Club has been the subject of redevelopment plans has been the subject of redevelopment plans and protests for the past years. Up until this day, there has been no resolution yet. Residents are still actively voicing out their protests against any redevelopment to be done on the site.

The club has been struggling to survive as the city population grows. For the past years, developers have expressed interest in redeveloping a chunk of the land into unit complexes. However, due to zoning regulations, development proposals have been unsuccessful.

A silver lining has presented itself to developers.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced last year that they would cut down infrastructure charges and relax building height rules for retirement villages to attract retirees to inner suburbs.

According to the Lord Mayor, they can’t just have retirement villages and aged care facilities outside the city. Reports indicate that the aging population in the city has grown, which is significant to developers as it translates into big business.

Such reports have attracted the attention of developers. Retire Australia, a for-profit organisation, started to pursue a plan to build a six-storey senior housing complex in the bowls club. The proposal includes leaving two bowling greens to be retained along with new facilities, in favour of the bowls club.

Photo credit: Marchese Brothers

This has caught the attention of the residents. Tarragindi Residents Alliance has expressed their dismay over the proposal, specifically the project size. The president of the alliance, Liza Wieland, said that the project is too close to their homes. She also mentioned that the entire neighborhood is considered a low density zone under the council’s neighbourhood plan but the property is clearly meant for medium density. An online petition has garnered 1,031 supporters against the development.

Photo credit: http://www.4zzzfm.org.au/

Council has responded to the cries of the residents by reaching out to the developer, who has resubmitted designs and lowered its maximum height to five storeys. Still, a resolution has yet to be seen.

In March this year, Lord Mayor Quirk has said that the next move now lies with Cr Krista Adams as she hasn’t made her submission to the redevelopment of the bowls club public. Mr Quirk said that Cr Adams has been engaging with the local community during the development approval process. Cr Adams has heard what people have to say, which is why it’s now up to Cr Adams to make her submission public.

Cr Adams hasn’t released a comment yet on the bowls club.

Natural Landscape and Great Uphill View at Tarragindi’s Visitor-Friendly Reservoir

In Tarragindi, there’s a certain place hidden in the heart of the suburb where you can have a peaceful, relaxing time with Mother Nature. Natural scenery, beautiful trees, serene hiking trails, cool forest breeze, pet-friendly atmosphere, and a great uphill view – what’s not to like for any nature lover?

The beautiful Tarragindi Reservoir is a gem of a place well-hidden amidst houses of locals. To get there, you’ll have to drive (or walk) through a narrow road. Be wary of quite a few cars parked on the roadside. Because of this, passersby often drive through the opposing lane.

Once you get to the place, you’ll notice that it is surrounded by a one-way road. You won’t miss it because quirky handwritten one-way signs are everywhere. No cemented parking spaces are available. However, you can park anywhere on the wide grassy field without having to worry about your vehicle being a hindrance to other site visitors.

To reach the uppermost part of the area, you’ll have to traverse a few flights of stairs. Don’t worry, the steps are manageable. They’re not very steep and the sections alternate between flat and hilly grounds. On a good note, trails like the ones in the area are very effective for exercising. For those who prefer a consistent flat ground, they can just stroll around the water works area.

As you go up the flights of stairs, you’ll get to notice several more structures. These structures are built for the purpose of managing and balancing the water supply in the suburb. That said, Tarragindi Reservoir is basically a big water facility area. Not to set your hopes up for any visible natural bodies of water, this place is perfect, nonetheless, for a sunny nature stroll.

Camp on the Hill

The adorably hilly suburb of Tarragindi was formerly referred to as “Sandy Creek”, according to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines in Queensland. In the 1890s, Samuel Grimes, an early settler in the suburb, named it “Tarragindi Hill”.

Mr Grimes employed a certain Kanaka man named Tarragindi Tasserone, who was responsible for clearing the property’s timber. When asked by Mr Grimes as to what they “should call the property,” the employee reportedly answered, “Call it Tarragindi, it means ‘camp on the hill’.”

Once a rural area, Tarragindi was eventually urbanized in the inter-war years. In 1922, the service reservoir was established as the first urban structure. It was followed four years later by a primary school in Wellers Hill (formerly Weillers Hill).

Tarragindi’s freely accessible Reservoir is open to people of all ages. It is located in the suburb’s 159 Tarragindi Road. You can bring your pets along, take a stroll, jog, have a picnic, enjoy the uphill view, or do anything else that you like. Once there, do not forget to take Instagram-worthy photos.

Tarragindi’s Most Dog-Friendly Café Offers Coffee for a Cause

Drive down to Tarragindi’s 6/11 Kuring Gai Avenue and you will find Black Lab Coffee. It is, by far, the suburb’s most dog-friendly café. Established in February 2016, the café specialises in high quality “barista-made takeaway coffee”. The café also takes pride in being a champion of animal welfare.

Black Lab Coffee proudly supports the cause of the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). As Australia’s “oldest, largest, and leading animal welfare charity,” the RSPCA’s mission statement is “helping animals, enlightening people, changing lives.” Black Lab Coffee supports this mission fully. Tarragindi’s dog-friendly hub often hosts pop-up pet adoption events.

Last year, on three separate occasions, the café co-hosted “Coffee for a Cause” events with the RSPCA. One dollar from each coffee sold during the events went to the society’s dog rescue projects. A lot of dog owners and fur babies were seen soaking up the love during these events.

Primarily Designed for Humans… and Pooches, too!

At the café’s front, there are plenty of water bowls with fresh drinking water. There is also a water refill station in case the bowls run out of water. This is to ensure that no visiting dogs at the café would ever go thirsty.

Inside Black Lab Coffee, there is ample seating for the café patrons. Table sizes vary from small to large to accommodate varying groups of people. Astroturf grass covers most of the flooring. Indeed, the café is designed for the comfort of dogs and their humans.

Black Lab Coffee The Boss
Black Lab Coffee’s resident black Lab proudly welcomes visitors to the café’s interior. Photo Credit: Black Lab Coffee/Facebook

Outside of the establishment, just by the roadside, there is an area where people can also order coffee to-go. Outdoor seating is available so customers can be comfortable while waiting for their orders.

Quality Barista-made Takeaway Coffee

Coffee at Tarragindi’s most dog-friendly café is made of locally-roasted Di Bella coffee beans. The beans are brewed to perfection by the establishment’s friendly barista to ensure its high quality. Patrons are given a rewards card which is stamped whenever they purchase some coffee. Collect ten stamps on the card and your 10th coffee is “on the house.”

Aside from their specialty coffee, the café also offers a variety of other delectable treats on the menu. They have milkshakes and freshly blended smoothies that come in flavours like coffee frappe, berry blast, mango lassi, banana nut, and hulk. More choices are available from the cafe’s well-stocked fridge.

The café’s food selections vary daily. At the counter, there are plenty of goodies for takeaway. They have baked desserts, toasties, as well as bacon and egg rolls. They also have an abundant supply of home-baked and hand-made Discuits (dog biscuits), which contain well-selected natural ingredients only. In this café, health is wealth for your pooch and you.

‘The Boss’ of Black Lab Coffee

Tarragindi Black Lab Coffee
‘The Boss’ of Black Lab Coffee, Audrey, adorably sits by the counter. Photo Credit: Black Lab Coffee/Facebook

At Black Lab Coffee, “The Boss” is a black Labrador named Audrey. Patrons often quip that the café is owned and managed by this adorable resident pooch. Actually, her regal, dignified presence at the cafe will convince even the most jaded guest that she is, in fact, “The Boss.”

Audrey makes frequent visits to the café. If you are lucky, you might be able to meet her during your visit. Don’t forget to have some snaps taken with her for that perfect Instagram moment. Feel free to follow her on Instagram, too. She probably has more followers than the average Joe.

Visitors to Black Lab Coffee can check on updates on events through their Facebook page or Instagram gallery. The cafe is open from 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays, and 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Tarragindi’s Darren Laarhoven Takes on Bike Challenge for a Cause

Tarragindi accountant Darren Laarhoven is ready to take on the challenge of biking from Sydney to Brisbane to raise funds for children in need.

Mr Laarhoven is a managing partner at UHY Haines Norton Brisbane and is a cycling enthusiast. When not working, he loves going on adventure trips with his wife and two teenage boys.

He will be part of the five-member team of AEIOU Foundation that will join the Chain Reaction ride for a cause on April 29. Mr Laarhoven has worked with AEIOU as their auditor for many years. In February, he was invited by AEIOU chief executive Alan Smith to join their team.

(Photo Credit: Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation / Facebook)

Although he’s a weekend bike cyclist, Mr Laarhoven is only used to 150-km rides per week. The more than 1000 km bike course in seven days would be a true challenge, so he has used the past weeks to prepare for the event.

He will join the AEIOU team composed of Eauan Morton, David Chiang, Terry Van der Velde, and AEIOU Chairman Dr James Morton. The team will reach Brisbane on May 5.

Bike Ride for a Cause

The Chain Reaction Challenge is an annual event that invites senior executives for the physical challenge. The event gives them valuable networking opportunities, but more importantly, they get to help sick children.

Fundraising to benefit AEIOU. (Photo credit: AEIOU Foundation for Children with Autism / Facebook)

Part of the proceeds from charity ride will go to the AEIOU Foundation, which provides support for children with autism.

The charity will also help fund Ronald McDonald House, a home-away-from-home for families who need a place to stay when they seek treatment for their children in a distant hospital. Families of hospitalised children can stay at a Ronald McDonald House at little or no cost.

Since it was started by Berrick Wilson in 2007, Chain Reaction has raised more than $20 million for charity partners. All in all, the group has done 21 rides across Australia and New Zealand.

The Queensland ride will be a stretch of over 1000 km, which the riders will cover from April 29 to May 5. They will have stopovers at Hunter Valley, Forster, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.

Anyone can donate to the charity by heading over to the Chain Reaction website.

 

Photo Credit: Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation / Facebook

Tarragindi Becomes Haven for Thriving Artists

With its successful non-profit art organisation, Tarragindi has turned into a haven for creative and budding artists.

The Brisbane Visual Arts Community (BVAC) serves as an umbrella organisation for different arts and crafts groups and has become successful in helping promote and protect the survival of the arts in the Brisbane area.

Formed in 2011 as an incorporated association, the group now has around 2500 members from Brisbane and beyond.

Some of the more than 20 groups under BVAC have been active far longer than BVAC itself, with one group already 70 years old.

Stronger as One

BVAC’s initial purpose was to help save traditional craft in the community. With all the groups combined under one roof, artists get to support each other and they also enjoy the benefit of the huge membership.

The arts and crafts groups are engaged in anything, including textile arts, porcelain, jewellery, printmaking, upcycling, weaving, bookbinding, leather work and basically all types of arts and crafts.

The group sets up pop-up shops twice a year at the Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens Auditorium, where artists present and sell their products to the public. The events happen one week before Mother’s Day and one month before Christmas.

BVAC is based at the Wellers Hill Arts Hub at 140 Wellers Rd. They use their home for meetings and workshops. For more information on bookings and workshops, visit their website at Bvac.org.au or contact them

Get directions to Wellers Hill Arts Hub.

Lucky Escape for Man Pinned Under House in Tarragindi

A worker managed to escape serious injuries after a house fell on him while it was being moved by a truck in Tarragindi.

Emergency personnel rushed to free the 26-year-old man trapped under the house. It took about an hour for the fire crews to stabilise the house and safely remove the victim. He was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital to receive treatment for traumatic injuries.

Mackay and Sons was moving a one-storey house on Marchant Street when the house fell on the man’s lower back as he was lying face down. His co-workers put jacks in several places before fire crews arrived to stabilise the house.

The man, who was trapped between the house and trailer truck, sustained serious pelvic injuries caused by pressure of the house collapsing on him. His condition has since improved, with one medical staff commenting that “he’s been very lucky” to escape major injuries.

Watch the clip from 7 News Brisbane.

City Council Targets Illegal Parking in Tarragindi School Zone

Wellers Hills State School in Tarragindi is among the 17 priority schools in safer schools campaign.

In a move to enhance children safety in local schools, the Brisbane City Council is cracking down on illegal parking in school zones. During the first term of 2017, parking inspectors are targeting 17 local schools, which include Wellers Hills State School at 190 Toohey Rd. in Tarragindi.

The decision was made in the midst of a disagreement between the State Government and the city council regarding the creation and maintenance of drop-off areas in local schools.

The dispute has been going on for over two years and P&C groups said that as the discussion drags on, young lives continue to be at risk every day.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said that the council’s safer school campaign will target vehicles parked illegally during peak drop off and pick up hours.

Standoff

The city council thinks that parking infrastructure around schools is mainly the responsibility of the state.

City councils have taken care of school drop-off zones since 1997, sharing funding responsibility with the state. However, in 2014, Brisbane City Council requested that the state take back ownership of 45 drop-off zones in Brisbane.

For its part, P&C Queensland affirms that politics should be set aside for the sake of school children safety.