Brisbane City Council Archives

Tarragindi Streets Come Alive with Vibrant Artworks on Signal Boxes

The streets of Tarragindi have been transformed into an open-air gallery, with local residents painting vibrant artworks on traffic signal boxes throughout the suburb. These eye-catching installations celebrate everything from native wildlife to school milestones, turning everyday street furniture into conversation starters.

Life in Tarragindi

At the corner of Toohey Road and Weller Road, Year 5 and 6 students from Wellers Hill State School have captured the essence of suburban life in their artwork “Life in Tarragindi”. Completed in July 2025 with support from teachers and parent volunteers, the box depicts locally owned businesses, the leafy canopy of Toohey Forest, and scenes of families, pets and children at play. The students incorporated the area’s characteristic rolling hills and city views into their design.

Camp on the Hill

Derek Johnston’s “Camp on the Hill”, located at Toohey Road and Marshall Road, delves into the area’s history and natural environment. Created in August 2016 through Brisbane Visual Arts Community, the artwork references Tarragindi’s naming after a blackbirded Loyalty Island native who worked for a local landowner. The box also features native wildlife from Toohey Forest. The piece was nominated for Overall Winner and Best Organisation awards.

Love Your Unique

Laila Lagilli collaborated with her daughters Safia (7) and Chelsea (11) to create “Love Your Unique” at the intersection of Marshall Road, Birdwood Road and Bapaume Road. Completed in May 2018, the artwork centres on trees as symbols of grounding and growth. Lagilli designed elements specifically to catch children’s attention as they pass by in cars, repositioning the magical qualities of trees that often go unnoticed. The work was nominated for Overall Winner and Best 12 and under categories.

Kookaburra’s Having a Laugh

Belinda Peel’s “Kookaburra’s Having a Laugh” sits at Bapaume Road and Peronne Road, depicting the iconic Australian bird amused by environmentally friendly transport. The November 2017 artwork earned a nomination for Overall Winner and Best Adult.

The Natives

Also at Birdwood Road and Weller Road is “The Natives” by Natalie Peel, created in September 2017 with assistance from Matthew and Su Ann Peel. The box presents a snapshot of Toohey Forest and was nominated for Overall Winner and Best 12 and under awards.

Butterflies in the Breeze

Lizz Robb’s “Butterflies in the Breeze” graces 8 Kogarah Street with bold, fluid forms dancing amongst wildflowers. Completed in July 2025 with family members Bentley, Braxton, Ava, Paityn, Aria and Lettee Phillips, the abstract work uses blues, yellows and greens to create a meditative space celebrating nature’s resilience. The expressive composition invites viewers to find solace in the rhythmic movement of flora and the ethereal flutter of butterfly wings.

100 Years of Wellers Hill State School

Wellers Hill State School students marked another milestone at the Toohey Road pedestrian crossing at Salkeld Street with “100 Years of Wellers Hill State School”. The July 2025 artwork celebrates the school’s centenary from 1926 to 2026, featuring the four school houses (Kangaroo, Koala, Platypus and Emu), mascot Wellie, and the school’s unique Japanese bilingual programme and connection to Japan.

Be a Light for Others

St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary School students Chantelle Webb and Lucia Willis, working with artist Lucy Hamer and Learning Enhancement Teacher Jane Goddard, created “Be a Light for Others” at Fernvale Road and Andrew Avenue in July 2025. The artwork honours Nano Nagle, known as the Lady of the Lamp, one of the school’s patron figures. Nagle visited the poor through narrow streets guided by lantern light and laid foundations for Catholic education in Australia.

Swimming Axolotls

Jim and Matilda Strachan added “Swimming Axolotls” near Bapaume Road and Sterculia Ave in March 2022. Painted on a busy road beside a freeway bridge where native Australian birds and animals already adorn the bridge supports, the father-daughter duo chose to feature axolotls, adding another beautiful creature to the local collection.

About Artforce Brisbane

These artworks are part of Artforce Brisbane, an annual community art programme run by Brisbane City Council since 1999. The initiative invites Brisbane residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to paint original artworks on traffic signal boxes throughout the city’s suburbs. More than 5,000 volunteers have painted over 1,200 boxes across Brisbane, celebrating local characters, cultures, histories and landmarks while reducing graffiti and vandalism. The programme is managed by Artfully, a Brisbane-based arts consultancy specialising in public art and placemaking. Each year, approximately 80 painting opportunities become available as the council upgrades intersections and replaces old cabinets.

Residents interested in participating can register at the Artforce Brisbane website or email info@artforcebrisbane.com.au for more information.

Published 26-December-2025

Brisbane City Council To Award New Creative and History Grants for 2019-2020

The search is on for the new batch of recipients of Creative and History Grants from the Brisbane City Council. If you’re a Tarragindi artist with a great idea or product that could help the socio-economic and cultural growth of the community then consider sending in your grant application.

Before sending in your pitch, the Council has scheduled a Creative Grant Information Sessions to help with your application, where you can pick up valuable information on:

the different creative grant programs available
grant guidelines and application forms
advice on project eligibility and
tips on making an application

If you’re interested in learning more about the grants, sign up for the Creative Grant Information Sessions at these times and locations below:

Date/Time	Location
Monday, 11 Nov 2019 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.	Indooroopilly Library Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Level 4, 322 Moggill Road, Indooroopilly * inside Indooroopilly Shopping Centre BOOK YOUR TICKET
Monday, 11 Nov 2019 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.	Garden City Library Level R4 – Yellow Car Park Garden City Shopping Centre Corner Logan Road &, Kessels Rd, Upper Mount Gravatt BOOK YOUR TICKET
Thursday, 14 Nov 2019 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.	Visible Ink 5 Green Square Cl, Fortitude Valley BOOK YOUR TICKET

By applying for the Creative and History Grants, you could receive funding in the amount of $10,000 to $30,000 to get your project off the ground. Below are the three types of grants currently open for individuals or groups:

GRANT		DEADLINE of APPLICATION
Creative Sparks Grants Program Funding: $10,000	For creatives whose initiatives will help enrich Brisbane’s cultural, social and economic status.	Monday 9th of Dec 2019
Lord Mayor’s Young and Emerging Artists Fellowships Funding: $20,000	For budding creatives who want a career in the arts. Age limit: 17 to 30 years old	Monday 9th of Dec 2019
Innovation Grants Program Funding: $30,000	For innovators with unique ideas, products or projects.	Monday 16th of Dec 2019

The Creative and History Grants aim to boost talented Tarragindi artists, innovators, historians to come up with purposeful projects to benefit Brisbane. The funds are the primal benefit but being a recipient will also pave the way to secure more opportunities and network amongst industry leaders in the community.

Residents Dismayed Over Approved Tarragindi Bowls Retirement Village

Photo Credit: RetireAustralia

The fight to save Tarragindi Bowls Club from being redeveloped into a retirement village is over and protesting residents, particularly ones under the Tarragindi Resident’s Alliance, have been left highly disappointed now that the Planning and Environment Court has given the go ahead for the project.

“A very sad day for my community and home . Despite objections by virtually the entire suburb , the council has approved a multi storey 100 room apartment complex amongst the homes of Tarragindi,” one resident wrote on Facebook.

In 2018, residents had lodged an appeal before Brisbane’s Planning and Environment Court against Brisbane City Council and RetireAustralia following BCC’s approval of the $80-million project.

Following the court’s decision, the Tarragindi Resident’s Alliance thanked the brave families who put their financial and emotional resources to help take the fight to court.

They also reminded the community “to vote for someone that will support the community expectations in regards to development.”

The alliance believes the only way to stop more inappropriate development is to vote for a council that does not disregard the Town Plan and the very people they represent.

Reasons for Locals’ Objections

Locals were opposing the planned development to protect the character and integrity of the suburb. The Tarragindi Resident’s Alliance noted that the scope and height of the planned development is out of proportion to the surrounding landscape.

RetireAustralia, in partnership with Yeronga Services and Community Club, initially proposed to build a huge 6-storey L-shaped apartment building containing 95 units for retirees.

When the Council asked them to adjust their plans in 2017, they reduced the number of storeys to five. The development application was revised and got an approval from BCC in January 2018.

Locals are not convinced that the development is suitable for Tarragindi’s low-density residential area and character housing, the main reason why many people have invested heavily in the area.

What’s Next for Tarragindi Bowls Club

According to RetireAustralia, the project will see the return of the Tarragindi Bowls Club to the site, following its closure in December 2017.

The new bowls club will feature a new, 10-rink championship-quality, turf bowling green, co-located with the retirement community, as well as a clubhouse and café.

RetireAustralia believes the co-location of the club with the new retirement community provides a convenient recreational and social option for their future residents and the Tarragindi community.

Although the Planning and Environment Court approved the retirement village in Tarragindi, it is still subject to changes.

These amendments will be confined to the northernmost part of the development and some to the western boundary, according to town planner Christopher Buckley.

Based on the agreed amendments, RetireAustralia should also increase the setbacks of the bowling green, acoustic window treatments and changes to landscaping. Other small changes include removing a footpath and moving a children’s play area.

RetireAustralia senior development manager Angus Spencer is confident that the project would revitalise the club.

A construction timeline has not yet been set, and RetireAustralia and YSCC look forward to providing project updates including the start of construction.

Residents Launch Appeals Against the Approved Tarragindi Bowls Club Retirement Village Development

Residents are appealing the approved aged care facility development at the Tarragindi Bowls Club.

Since the Council has given the green light to RetireAustralia ’s development proposal for an aged care facility at the Tarragindi Bowls Club, residents have considered taking legal actions to stop the said development.

Read: Residents Consider Legal Action To Stop Approved Aged-Care Facility Development at the Tarragindi Bowls Club

Three separate appeals have been lodged in Brisbane’s Planning and Environment Court against Brisbane City Council and RetireAustralia on 28 February and 1 March 2018 for the plans to build the controversial $80 million retirement village development at the club.

The development includes six-storey 95 retirement village units, a new clubhouse, and other community facilities.

In the appeals filed by Urban Planners Queensland ( Anthony Greer; Barry and Judith White) and Catherine and Jeffrey Hume, the appellants emphasized that the development should be refused as it is in serious conflict with the City Planning.

The appellants cited that the development is not consistent with the community’s height, scale, and form expectations.

Residents are concerned about the density and the number of storeys on the proposed development plans since the Council’s incentives relaxed the height limits on aged care facilities.

They also argued that the proposed development does not meet the physical, cultural, or social needs of the local or wider community and that it fails to protect the land, which is zoned for recreational use.

The assessment of the development plan took 18 months to be completed. Throughout the duration, 1,800 submissions against the development were made by the residents.

Despite the objections to the proposed development, the Council said that the development will be a win for the community as it will help in upgrading the recreational facilities while providing a place for the retirees.