A Chermside man in his early 20s has found himself on the receiving end of some unexpected good fortune. He was in the middle of work when he received the welcome news, particularly since he had been feeling particularly stressed over the rising cost of living.
“Everything is getting so much more expensive, and wages aren’t matching the changes, so I’ve been stressed lately,” the young man said.
At first, he didn’t believe the call informing him that he will pocket $1,146,608.15.
“I’m taken aback by this! I’m a millionaire. What the hell? I think it’s starting to hit me now. I’m starting to shake! This is amazing!”
The Chermside man holds one of the five division one winning entries in Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4225, drawn Saturday 26 March 2022. He purchased the ticket online at The Lott.
“I’m at work right now, and I haven’t checked my Gold Lotto ticket yet. I rarely check my tickets after buying them,” he said.
Photo Credit: Peggy Marco/Pixabay
“I’ll keep working for the rest of the day. I can’t leave now and let my boss and my team down, but I’ll do some celebrating this evening.
“I’ll pop a few beers. I’m not sure if I’ll tell anyone just yet. It still doesn’t feel 100% real.
“I’m only in my early 20s, so this prize will set me up for the rest of my life.”
Meanwhile, Across Australia, there were five division one winning entries during the draw — two each from Queensland and Victoria and one from Western Australia.
The Saturday Gold Lotto has made 210 Australians millionaires in 2021.
Police officers are handing out leaflets at the Chermside shopping and public transport precinct to remind the public to take some preventative measures to increase their personal safety when out in public spaces.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) has partnered with Westfield Security and BCC security to create a safe environment for members of the public, by handing out more than 3,000 Safer Living for Queenslanders booklets.
The booklets cover core personal safety strategies; dealing with confrontation; and situational strategies for in the home, online, out and about, public transport, in the car, for children, for seniors, in the workplace, and in the social scene.
Whilst we all have the right to be safe and it is important for people to be aware of it and exercise this right, QPS reminds the public that they also have responsibility for their own safety.
“Adopting practical safety strategies can help reduce the risk of victimisation and assist you to respond effectively if your safety is threatened,” QPS stated.
When out and about, these are some things people can do to appear confident in their surroundings:
Always exhibit strong and positive body language to appear self-assured.
Be aware of your surroundings and alert to what is going on around you.
Listen to, trust, and act on your instincts and if you sense danger from someone, something or a place, immediately remove yourself from the situation
Remove headphones or use of your mobile phone while out walking or crossing the road – distraction reduces your awareness of what is happening around you and can make you more vulnerable to a potential offender.
Wherever possible, walk in well-lit areas and face oncoming traffic.
Ensure you inform someone where you are going and an ETA for your return.
According to QPS’ Online Crime Map from 16 September 2021 to 15 March 2022, Chermside has recorded 62 cases of assault, 10 cases of robbery, and 9 cases categorised as ‘other offences against the person.’
Did you know that Chermside is among the suburbs chosen to participate in the pilot run of the FOGO initiative, a trial that will reduce food waste in a pilot batch of 6,000 households across 30 suburbs in Brisbane.
What is FOGO (food organics garden organics) pilot?
The FOGO pilot is a food waste recycling initiative of the Brisbane City Council aimed at diverting food waste from landfills.
Council selected eight existing green waste collection routes to be part of the pilot: four from Brisbane north and four from Brisbane south. Beginning 1 March 2022, Council will collect food scraps from participating households from routes one and two. And then from 8 March for routes three and four, including parts of Chermside, Geebung and Wavell Heights.
Collection route four map – Brisbane North | Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council / brisbane.qld.gov.au
Why participate in the FOGO?
Here are some troubling facts about food waste in Australia as noted by NFWS Feasibility Study:
An estimated $20 billion is lost to the Australian economy each year due to food waste.
Apart from the economic costs, over 5.3 million tonnes of food intended for human consumption is wasted from households and the commercial and industrial sectors each year.
Households throw away 3.1 million tonnes of edible food, equivalent to almost 17,000 grounded 747 jumbo jets.
Food waste costs Australian households between $2,200 and $3,800 each year.
National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study Launch Video Credit: Admin FIAL / YouTube
What we can gain from minimising food waste:
Food waste can be converted into valuable compost for use by farmers and in gardens both big and small
Reduce food waste, reduce food costs
Reduce foul odour coming from rotting food and reduce the potential source of disease and vermin infestation.
Reduce food wastes in Brisbane where around 80,000 tonnes are thrown each year.
Photo Credit: Facebook/ Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner
What the pilot program entails
A letter will be sent to households in the pilot suburbs inviting them to participate in the free service. Before the service commences, each participating household will then receive a six-litre kitchen caddy and an education pack.
Food scraps will go to the kitchen caddy, before and after meals. It is important to line the caddy with a newspaper, paper bag or paper towel and then store it in a place where flies can’t swarm over it; but don’t use plastic bags.
Every one or two days, residents will empty their caddy of their food waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, along with their garden waste into their green waste recycling bin. Take your green bin out for collection as part of the regular fortnightly bin collection process.
But don’t put these in your green bin
Food waste
dairy products (yoghurt, cheese, ice cream, all milk types)
Food wastes will be collected and taken to a resource recovery centre and will hand it over to a Council partner’s green waste recycling facility. The food wastes will then be converted into compost according to Australian standards to be used by local farmers, urban growers and businesses.
A resident of Chermside has entered a plea of guilty to animal cruelty and will be barred from having a pet for three years after he mistreated Sam, his American Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Andrew Vlaisan, 42, was charged for animal cruelty after he failed to care for Sam and physically abused the dog by kicking, punching, and hitting the animal with objects.
Videos of the abuse were apparently caught on camera in 2020, according to Sophie Taylor, the RSPCA prosecutor. Though Mr Vlaisan had no prior convictions, his use of brute force against an animal resulted in one-year probation and the order barring him from pet ownership for three years. However, the magistrate allowed Mr Vlaisan to keep his current household cat.
Mr Vlaisan told the magistrate that he was “embarrassed and ashamed” of his actions. He said he had no intentions to purposely hurt the dog but admitted that he took out his frustrations on the animal because of his personal circumstances and his poor health.
Photo Credit: geralt/Pixabay
The news comes as Queensland Government is in the middle of reviewing the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (ACPA) after 20 years of enforcement. Community consultation was undertaken in April 2021, which received 1439 survey responses and 914 written submissions.
House prices in the Chermside property market continue their upward trajectory, with the median house price increasing by 14.28% for the period covering October 2020 to September 2021. Despite a shortage of stocks and the imbalance between supply and demand, the competition among buyers with urgent demands has been putting much pressure on prices to scale up.
Highlights
The property market in Chermside has increased by 14.28 per cent for October 2020 to September 2021.
House prices have settled at a median price of $746,250 whilst the median unit price is at $630,000.
In Chermside, the imbalance between demand and supply has contributed to the rise in property prices.
House Price Growth
For the said 12-month period, Chermside’s property growth is up by 14.28 per cent compared to the same period in 2020 and the median house price has settled at $746,250, up from $653,000 last year, according to Property Market Updates.
From October 2020 to September 2021, market transactions in Chermside have been fast-moving at 61 days with 79 houses sold. More than half of these were three-bedroom homes with an average house price of $718,750.
A three-bedroom, one-bathroom house on Henry St sold for the highest price in July 2021. Though largely without any renovations or upgrades, this transaction closed at $2,670,000. The house, with a fully-fenced yard and plenty of storage and a laundry room underneath the house, has not been on the market since 2021 when it sold for just $430,000.
On the other hand, downsizers and young professionals working in offices and medical hubs in and around Chermside, who are also in the market for dwelling options, have pulled the unit market’s growth up by a modest 3.75 per cent. In the past five years, Chermside’s property market has had impressive growth due to its gentrification as a medical and commercial hub.
There were over 314 properties apartments sold within an average of 74 days on the market from October 2020 to September 2021.
The unit median price is now at $630,000. Two-bedroom units were high on demand with 176 sold for the 12-month period, as opposed to one-bedroom apartments where 23 transactions took 133 days to close on the market.
About Chermside
Chermside has slowly been gaining a reputation as a mini-CBD with many high-density developments around Westfield Chermside, the largest Westfield shopping complex in the country. The Chermside area also has numerous medical hubs and a major transport corridor in the suburb.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Chermside has been attracting investors as well because of increasing job opportunities in and around the suburb. Since this North Brisbane suburb is still within the city fringe, properties are viewed as attractive, yet prices are still more affordable. Amidst the gentrification, there are still plenty of houses with sprawling backyards that drive demand, particularly in the last two years when a trend towards more spacious dwelling options became more popular among buyers stuck at home due to COVID-19.
“We love its lovely green, tree-lined area that is very convenient to everything. We have great neighbors, there are a lot of established older houses that have been built well back in the 70s when they used hardwoods so they are built to last, not like the rubbish they throw up in 15 weeks these days. Perfect for a renovation or if you’re like us, buy something that has already had the work done. Definitely on the radar for most northside buyers as the surrounds are still close to the CBD/Milton for commuting and homes are still somewhat reasonably priced.”
Quizl
“When my parents bought here twenty plus years ago it was definitely lower socio-economic, many more migrant families, and single parents etc. Now the area is mostly younger white families.”
AussieMakeupFan
“I live in Chermside and find the suburb differs so much depending on where you are, it’s quite interesting. Lots of old houses getting bought and knocked down though.”
Did you know that there is a walking group that gets their daily cardio in by walking around inside Westfield Chermside before the shops open in the morning?
The Westfield Chermside Walking Group has been around for over two years and it’s mostly composed of 60 to 80-year-old individuals who enjoy physical exercise. However, the walking group is open to anyone who would like to be up and about before 7:30 in the morning to meet up twice a week.
“People come from all over the northside to enjoy both the physical and social aspects of group walking. The group walks inside the centre before most shops are open so parking is a breeze.”
This is part of the National Heart Foundation of Australia initiative that promotes walking as a “wonder drug.” A 30-minute walk every day may help lower a person’s risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, regardless of their age.
Photo Credit: Dr Anthony Lynham/Facebook
Walking regularly also improves body circulation and prevents the weakening of the bones that could lead to the development of arthritis, a common problem with aging. This easy exercise releases endorphins that help modulate one’s mood so people get a clearer head and feel a lot better mentally after a walk.
Starting the day with a good walk can be a significant factor that impacts how the rest of the day will go. When done as a group walk, this activity may also be an opportunity to connect, socialise, and forge lifelong friendships.
Construction has now begun at the site of the new Chermside Health Hub along the intersection of Gympie Road and Rode Road, following the sod-turning ceremony in July 2021.
The new medical facility will be a three-storey centre that will house integrated health services like general practice, bariatric surgery, radiology, and a pharmacy. The site is expected to meet the growing demands for health services in the area.
Cornerstone Healthcare Property Fund director Simon Heazlewood said that they are delighted to finally proceed with the construction whilst the final negotiations with healthcare practitioners are ongoing. Mr Heazlewood said that they are confident more interest will pick up once the site comes together.
CHP Fund tapped Merrin and Cranston for the construction project. At least 150 jobs will be created during the construction phase whilst the hub will employ over 100 medical and support services staff once it’s operational.
Photo Credit: Merrin and Cranston/Facebook
Depending on the groups or individuals that would lease spaces, the Chermside Health Hub could also have a day surgery or a short-stay facility. The building was designed with a Class 9a healthcare building classification from the National Construction Code.
The site will boast of the following unique points of difference from other facilities:
Unbeatable location and exposure to grow a doctor’s practice
Supported by experienced Health Business Specialists with expertise in healthcare and health project delivery
Flexible options to suit – your practice, your way
Prominent, access friendly location
Abundant parking onsite including tenant secure parking
Medical class building for optimal patient care and safety
“If the past 18 months have shown us anything, it is the importance of quality healthcare and services,” Councillor Fiona Hammond, who was at the sod-turning ceremony, said. “The Hub is placed within walking distance of both the Prince Charles and St Vincent’s Private Hospital and will feature state-of-the-art facilities.”
“Demand for health services will only increase over coming years so it is terrific to have this new facility in the Northgate Ward,” Councillor Adam Allan said.
The Chermside Health Hub is expected to open in late 2022.
Attention, Chermside residents! Brisbane’s kerbside collection is back and it’s Chermside’s turn soon. Before you put things out on the kerb, take a second look at everything and consider upcycling. Here are some useful tips.
The kerbside collection date for Chermside is on 15 November 2021. If you’re planning to join, make sure your items are on the kerb by 6:00 a.m. at the start of the collection period.
Upcycling requires a bit of creativity but it can be fun to give a fabulous new life into old items. If you’re new to upcycling, here are some tips to get you started:
Plan Ahead
Photo credit: Pinterest/birdzofafeather.ca
The secret to successful upcycling is planning ahead. Gather all the tools and equipment that you will need for the job. For instance, if you’re planning to upcycle a piece of old furniture indoors, you may want to consider using a cordless tool to help you manoeuvre easily.
Anything goes in upcycling because there are no rules in doing it. The best part of upcycling is it encourages creativity. A great example is this project by Art studio L’Atelier d’Orel where they took the spinning drum from an unrepairable washing machine and converted it into a beautiful industrial table. Here’s an instruction on how you can create one yourself from home.
Don’t be afraid to take risks and experiment with colours and materials. If you have an old bike that you can’t throw away because it reminds you of your first cycling years, consider turning it into a planter. You can paint it with something bright like yellow or pink to match your garden.
Photo credit: Pinterest/homesthetics.net
Other Upcycling Tips from BCC
Brisbane City Council encourages reusing and upcycling. You can also follow these tips from Council to ensure an efficient reusing & upcycling process:
Donate quality items to local charities. Supported by the Queensland Government, GIVIT is a charity that receives donation from donors and privately passes it to people in need.
Drop them off council’s free resource recovery centres. Donated items are turned over to Council’s Treasure Troves (formerly tip shops) which are located in Acacia Ridge and Geebung.
Finally, don’t forget to install Brisbane Bin and Recycling App. in addition to helping residents stay up-to-date with collection days, the app also helps make recycling quick and simple with an alphabetical list of materials with information on how to recycle or dispose of them.
Have you visited Burringbar Park in Chermside lately? The hockey facility has been enhanced with new amenities to benefit the players, the parents, and the spectators.
These improvements include new female-friendly changing rooms and showers for the hockey club members, as well as a special room for the parents and some public conveniences for the visitors who come to watch the games.
Member for Stafford Jimmy Sullivan said that the new changing rooms are a welcome addition to the growth and support for hockey in Brisbane’s north.
“We know quality, female-friendly change facilities like this are critical to encouraging more girls and women to get involved in sport, stick with it, and stay active for our community’s Covid-19 recovery,” Mr Sullivan said.
“The hockey clubs who call Burringbar Park home have an exciting future ahead of them.”
Mr Sullivan was able to secure $495,000 for the Burringbar Park Hockey Facility improvements under the state’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan, whilst the additional amenities for a second playing field were delivered through the Active Community Infrastructure Fund.
Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe, Member for Stafford Jimmy Sullivan and Redcliffe Dolphin players at Burringbar Park Hockey Photo Credit: Supplied
“It means both playing fields have their own change rooms and showers, so players won’t need to wait around to get cleaned up and changed after a game,” Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.
The improvements are also in line with the Activate! Queensland strategy to support talented and sports-minded young people who could potentially shine in the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Burringbar Park is under the Brisbane Hockey Management Group consisting of the Brisbane Hockey Association Inc, the Brisbane Women’s Hockey Association Inc, and Kedron Wavell Services Hockey Club Inc.
“Having this second block will be a huge benefit to Brisbane hockey players and their supporters and will mean we will also be able to extend our competition opportunities,” the club’s president Greg Swann said.
The property market in Chermside has been riding the Brisbane boom in recent months, performing even better from July 2020 to June 2021, with the median house price showing a double-digit rate increase for the period.
Despite previous undersupply, 94 houses sold in Chermside within a 12-month period, triggering a 12.90 percent growth in the median house price, now up to $725,000, per data from Property Market Updates. Two years ago, Chermside’s median house price was $590,000.
In May 2021, a five-bedroom modern family home on Mylne Street, built on a corner block with stunning kitchen space, relaxing outdoor area, and an inground pool, became the year’s highest-selling Chermside property for $1,240,000. Located at the border of Chermside-Wavell Heights, the house is close to an eclectic mix of local cafes, parks, and schools from prep to secondary levels. It’s also a short walk to Westfield Chermside and the bus interchange.
Highlights
Chermside’s property market has been catching up with the rest of Brisbane, with the median house price up by 12.90 percent from July 2020 to June 2021 versus the previous period.
The current median house price is now at $725,000, compared to $590,000 in 2019.
Unit price growth is a modest 3.74 percent, with 290 properties sold within the same 12-month period.
Unit Price Growth
Even though Chermside’s unit property choices are smaller compared to other markets, 290 units were sold from July 2020 to June 2021. The market saw a lot of downsizers look towards unit properties as they transition to lower-maintenance dwellings.
As of June 2021, the average median price of units in Chermside is $415,000, a 3.75 percent increase from last year.
Chermside’s growth in the past five years has created a ripple effect on Chermside West, which has been projected to grow in 2021 following increasing gentrification.
Chermside West is now at its prime as the market heats up in Brisbane, despite the economic impact of COVID-19. The median price of a Chermside West house is $680,000 as of 30 Aug 2021.
Apart from its proximity to Chermside, the suburb has two hospitals providing local employment, along with the popular Craigslea State School. Recent improvements in Westfield have also provided accessibility and convenience without the busyness of a city hub.
