Chermside Archives - Page 2 of 17

Chermside Hospital Expansion To Deliver New Beds And Emergency Facilities

The expansion project at The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside is progressing, with new emergency, inpatient and paediatric facilities planned to increase healthcare capacity across Brisbane’s north.

Project Scope And Design In Chermside

The Prince Charles Hospital expansion includes new and expanded adult and paediatric emergency departments, additional operating theatres and at least 93 new overnight beds, including paediatric beds.

The project is being delivered through staged construction and improved use of the hospital site and nearby facilities, allowing hospital services to continue operating while new infrastructure is developed.

Hospital Role And Service Demand

The Prince Charles Hospital is a tertiary-level cardiac hospital in Brisbane’s north, employing around 3,200 staff and providing care to more than 420,000 Queenslanders each year.

Based on 2023 data, the hospital services the largest catchment area in Metro North and operates the second busiest emergency department in Queensland. The catchment also has the largest child population in the region and is projected to grow by 0.97 per cent per year over the next 20 years.

Milestones And Current Planning

Two early milestones have already been completed on the hospital campus. Building 50, which houses allied health, nursing and medical administration functions, was completed in January 2025.

A new Gathering Garden was finalised in May 2025, providing additional shared space for patients, visitors and staff.

Clinical priorities and a staging plan are currently being developed, with an updated project timeline to be released once the plan is finalised.

Access And On-Site Improvements

A multi-storey car park was delivered in 2025 as part of site upgrades, supporting access for patients, carers, visitors and staff.

Chermside hospital expansion — *Photo Credit: Hospital Rescue Plan*

Funding Context And 2025–26 Progress

The Prince Charles Hospital expansion is listed in the 2025–26 Budget as part of a wider hospital infrastructure program for Brisbane and surrounding regions.

The budget listing outlines the project’s scope, including new emergency departments, additional beds and expanded paediatric and operating theatre facilities. This year’s funding supports continued planning, staging and site preparation activities outlined for the project.

What Happens Next In Chermside

The next phase will focus on confirming construction sequencing and site integration, ensuring hospital services continue operating while new clinical and support facilities are developed.

Published 20-Jan-2026

Chermside Milestone: $78M in Community-Funded Health Support Reaches 40 Years

Photo Credit: Chani/Google Maps

Chermside patients have been supported by more than $78 million in community-funded hospital research and care over the past four decades — and now a new rehabilitation pathway at The Prince Charles Hospital is set to help people practise everyday movement skills safely before they return home.

A new rehabilitation pathway developed will be officially opened on Tuesday, 20 January 2026 at the Chermside campus. The project is supported by The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, which is using the launch to mark the start of its 40th anniversary year.

The pathway has been created to help patients working with allied health professionals practise mobility tasks that mirror day-to-day life, such as walking in different environments and building stability and confidence step by step. The aim is to support people recovering from illness or major treatment in regaining independence and functioning beyond the hospital setting.

The pathway helps bridge the gap between clinical therapy and the practical skills people need once they leave the ward. The opening will also include visual elements across the campus marking 40 years of Foundation impact, along with opportunities for interviews.

40 Years of Impact in Chermside and Queensland

The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation was established in 1986 and says it has funded more than 1,000 research grants and invested over $78 million into adult and paediatric healthcare across Queensland. The Foundation’s support has included medical research, equipment and patient care programs connected to The Prince Charles Hospital and, more recently, Caboolture Hospital, which serves one of the state’s fastest-growing areas.

The Foundation credits its supporters with helping fund research that has influenced clinical practice locally and globally, including work linked to advanced 3D cardiac imaging, investigations into alternatives to heart and lung transplantation, new approaches to heart and lung disease, and a silicosis screening trial using breath samples.

It also points to funding for practical, patient-centred care programs, including Queensland’s first Child Life Therapy program in a public hospital emergency department, comfort initiatives for patients across wards, and “Charlie’s Village”, a dementia-friendly hospital environment designed to support patients and families.

Local Faces and Stories Behind the Milestone

The anniversary year will feature 40 stories shared across 2026, focusing on patients, clinicians, researchers and community members connected to the Foundation’s work. The Foundation says the stories are designed to show how research and rehabilitation can change everyday outcomes for patients and families.

Photo Credit: The Common Good Au/Facebook

Among the people connected to the milestone is Chermside-based heart transplant recipient Rhys Hoole, who was the 500th person to receive a heart transplant at The Prince Charles Hospital and now serves as a community ambassador. Material provided by the Foundation describes him as an example of how medical research and improvements in care can help patients recover, return to daily life, and plan for the future.

Foundation Plans Events Throughout 2026

As part of the anniversary year, the Foundation will also hold the Jacaranda Gala on 16 May 2026, which it says will be its first major gala event in more than 15 years. The event theme is inspired by the jacaranda trees on The Prince Charles Hospital campus, which the Foundation links with long-term community connection and renewal.

The Foundation says more announcements will be released throughout the year as the milestone program continues.

For more information about the Foundation and its 40-year milestone, visit The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation: https://www.tpchfoundation.org.au/

For milestone updates and the anniversary campaign, visit: https://www.tg.org.au/40years

Published 19-Jan-2026

Chermside’s Record-Length Sushi Train Becomes A Fixture Of Local Dining Scene

Photo Credit: Sushi Jiro/Facebook

Chermside continues to host the longest sushi train in the Southern Hemisphere, with the 115-metre conveyor at Sushi Jiro inside Westfield Chermside now firmly established as a regular dining choice for the local community more than a year after opening.

The restaurant has been operating since late 2024 and remains a steady draw for shoppers, families and workers moving through Westfield Chermside, reinforcing Chermside’s position as one of Brisbane’s busiest food and retail destinations.

A Community Drawcard In Chermside

Located within the heart of the shopping centre’s dining precinct, Sushi Jiro has settled into the daily rhythm of Chermside life. The sushi train runs continuously through the venue and seats about 171 diners, allowing the restaurant to cater to short visits as well as group meals.

Retail and hospitality coverage over the past year has noted the venue’s consistent foot traffic, supported by the surrounding mix of retail, entertainment and public transport access.

How The Sushi Train Supports Everyday Dining

The 115-metre sushi train circles the dining area, giving customers the option to select dishes as they pass rather than placing traditional table orders. This format has proven well suited to the high-traffic environment of Chermside, particularly during peak shopping hours. Reports describe the design as efficient without feeling rushed, helping the restaurant maintain steady service during busy periods while keeping the experience accessible for all ages.

Sushi Jiro’s Queensland Presence One Year On

Before entering Queensland, Sushi Jiro operated largely in Victoria. Industry sources state the Chermside venue formed a key part of the brand’s first interstate expansion, alongside a location at Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast. More than a year later, the Chermside restaurant is regarded as an anchor site for the brand in Queensland, demonstrating how large-format sushi venues can succeed inside major shopping centres.

A Lasting Addition To Chermside’s Dining Mix

Observers say the restaurant’s size and layout have helped it become a reliable option rather than a short-term attraction. Its ability to handle large numbers of diners while remaining casual has aligned well with Chermside’s community needs.

As shopping centres continue to evolve as social hubs, the sushi train’s continued popularity highlights how experiential dining can become part of everyday local life.

Published 5-Jan-2026

Two Decades On: The Prince Charles Hospital Triple-Transplant Story That Defied the Odds

Photo Credit: Metro North Health

Did you know that 20 years ago, The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside became the site of a groundbreaking, complex triple-organ procedure that allowed a young lady, then only 24 years old, to go on and get married, become a mother and live a full life?

A Medical Milestone

transplant — *Photo Credit:* *Metro North Health*

In the winter of 2005, Lucinda Winnem underwent a massive operation at The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside to replace her heart, lungs, and liver. At only 24 years old, she became the first Australian woman to survive this specific triple transplant.

She suffered from cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that had severely damaged her lungs and liver, leaving her struggling to breathe. Doctors decided to replace her heart as well because transplanting the three organs together as a single block is safer and technically easier than doing them individually.

Because Lucinda’s original heart was not affected by the disease, the medical team was able to use it to save another person. This procedure is called a domino transplant. Lucinda explained that it felt humbling to receive such a huge gift from a donor, and she found comfort in knowing her own healthy heart went to help a stranger who was just as desperate for a second chance as she was.

Support Through the Storm

Lucinda had a strong support system during her recovery, led by her partner Damon Simpson. The couple met at a Gold Coast shopping centre in 2003 and connected immediately. Early in their relationship, Lucinda warned Damon that she would need a major transplant, but he stayed by her side. Damon stated that he knew they were meant to be together from the moment they met.

Just 16 weeks after the 12-hour surgery, the couple married in a stone chapel at Mt Nathan.

Three of the specialists who managed her care—surgeon John Dunning and physicians Peter Hopkins and Keith McNeil—were among the guests. Lucinda said having the men who helped save her life present at her wedding made the day a celebration of life as well as marriage. Dr McNeil noted that seeing patients reach such happy milestones was an indescribable feeling for the medical team.

Creating a Family Against the Odds

For a long time, doctors told Lucinda and Damon that having children would be impossible. The couple even prepared to become foster parents because they believed they could not have a family of their own. However, about five years after her surgery, Lucinda spoke to Professor Peter Hopkins again about the possibility of pregnancy. This time, the medical team was more optimistic.

The process took careful planning. Lucinda had to switch her medications to ensure they were safe for a baby. Professor Hopkins said the transition was risky, but Lucinda followed her health plan strictly. After years of preparation, she gave birth to a son named Angus. Her doctors believe she is the only woman in the world with a heart-lung-liver transplant to successfully have a baby. Now living in the Gold Coast hinterland, Lucinda continues to maintain her health with a strict routine of exercise and medication, grateful for the normal life she fought so hard to secure.

Published Date 31-December-2025

Brisbane Hockey Coach Found Dead After Charges

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

A disgraced hockey coach with long-standing ties to the Brisbane sporting community has been found dead, days after being charged with multiple child sex offences.

Gregory Thomas Shirvington was listed as a life member of the Ascot Arana Hockey Club in Keperra and had previously coached at the Kedron Wavell Services Hockey Club in Chermside. He also served as a senior technical official with the Kedron Wavell Wolves club in Chermside.

Queensland Police confirmed emergency services attended following reports of a death last December 9. Police have said there were no suspicious circumstances and that a report will be prepared for the coroner, as is standard procedure.

Charges before the courts

Shirvington had recently been charged with several child sexual offence matters following a police investigation. The charges were before the courts at the time of his death.

No trial had commenced, and the allegations had not been tested in court.

Police have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the death.

Community impact

The news has caused shock across Brisbane’s hockey community, particularly among clubs and officials connected to junior sport.

Sporting organisations across Queensland have previously highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies, background checks and mandatory reporting obligations for those working with children.

Authorities have not indicated that any other individuals are under investigation in connection with the matter.

Support services

Police and health authorities have reiterated that support services are available for anyone affected by the case.

If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, help is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. In an emergency, call 000.

Published 14-Dec-2025

Operation X-Ray Scutter: Local Safety Boost at Chermside Shopping Precinct

Photo Credit: QPS

When Operation X-Ray Scutter took place at a Chermside shopping centre, police increased their presence across the busy retail precinct with a clear focus on community safety. The operation centred on proactive patrols designed to deter offending behaviour and reassure workers and shoppers in one of the suburb’s most frequented public spaces.

Led by North Brisbane District Police, the initiative formed part of broader efforts to address property crime and anti-social behaviour in retail environments, particularly areas that experience high daily foot traffic.

Police Activity in the Retail Precinct

As part of the operation, officers conducted targeted patrols through the shopping centre and surrounding areas. During these patrols, police arrested a 35-year-old man and charged him with 17 offences. The charges related to alleged property crime across multiple Brisbane suburbs and were laid following proactive police activity within the Chermside precinct.

The man was remanded in custody and scheduled to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court at a later date. Police have indicated the arrest demonstrates the role of visible and intelligence-led policing in identifying repeat offending patterns in busy commercial locations.

WATCH HERE

Focus on Prevention and Visibility

While enforcement outcomes were part of the operation, police messaging around Operation X-Ray Scutter has emphasised prevention and visibility. Officers engaged with people working in the precinct, reinforcing the importance of early reporting and community awareness in reducing crime.

Residents and workers in the area were able to see an increased police presence throughout the operation, particularly during peak shopping periods. Police have encouraged anyone with concerns about safety in the area to approach officers on patrol.

What It Means for Chermside Locals

Chermside’s shopping precinct is a central part of daily life for many locals, serving as both a workplace and a social hub. Operation X-Ray Scutter reflects ongoing efforts to maintain safety in these shared spaces through proactive policing rather than reactive responses.

Police have advised that similar patrols and engagement activities may continue in the area, with community cooperation playing a key role in keeping the precinct safe for everyone who works, shops or passes through Chermside.

Published 3-Dec-2025

Chermside Mother and Daughter Launch Sleek European-Style Cafe and Wine Bar

Photo Credit: CODA Wine Bar/ Instagram

A mother and daughter team from Chermside is fulfilling a long-held European dream by creating a sleek new community hub that promises to bridge morning coffee with evening drinks, transforming the local day-to-day rhythm.

The new cafe and wine bar, Coda, is scheduled to arrive in early December, just weeks before Christmas festivities begin. Located at the base of the Estilo on the Park apartment building on Kittyhawk Drive, Coda aims to provide the type of gathering place that its founders, Donna and Jordan, felt the northern Brisbane suburb needed.

A Communal Vision

European — *Photo Credit:* *Dreampods Group/ Instagram*

For Donna, the idea of hosting and feeding people is a passion that existed long before her daughter Jordan was born. The pair envisioned a shared space with a European piazza feel, but set inside a stylish wine bar environment. They sought to create a venue that could become a seamless part of the local routine, starting with coffee in the morning and smoothly continuing into the afternoon and evening. This community focus guided their decisions for the entire venture.

Design That Transforms

Working with Dreampods Group, the duo designed the 40-seat venue to manage the transformation between day and night seamlessly. The aesthetic blends warm natural textures, using lime-washed walls, timber, and rich green tones, accented by marble surfaces and quiet brass detailing.

Jordan explained that the choice of wood and textures, including the curved rendering, helps to maintain a mood that is welcoming for breakfast yet still suitable for evening drinks. Donna added that with a slight adjustment to the lighting, the space successfully translates from a bright daytime cafe to a place perfect for after-work drinks or a date night, without feeling like a bar during the morning hours.

From Silky Brews to Spritzes

Coda’s food and drink offerings are designed to shift along with the time of day. Morning service features invigorating brews from Veneziano Coffee Roasters, specifically their Elevate blend, alongside artisanal teas from The Steepery Tea Co. The kitchen will offer a concise but seasonal menu, featuring dine-in options and house-baked goods in the cabinet. Jordan noted that light meals such as tartines, and egg-based dishes like frittata and shakshuka, will be available.

As the day moves on, the menu transitions towards grazing and sharing. Home-cooked items, like cakes, will be available from the cabinet, and the shift toward evening includes Ploughman’s boards and charcuterie, leading into snacks, share plates, and a selection of larger plates.

High-Tech Wine Exploration

The evening beverage selection is anchored by an impressive commitment to wine tasting. Coda will pour 36 wines by the glass, facilitated by high-tech Enomatic wine dispensers. Jordan noted that this system is a fun way for customers to explore different drops without the pressure of buying a whole bottle, as they can start with a 30-ml pour.

This ability allows Coda to feature both familiar favourites and high-end wines, giving locals the chance to try something fancy they may have always wanted without committing to a full purchase. Mediterranean-inspired barrel-aged cocktails, a signature spritz, and inventive non-alcoholic options round out the drinks list.

Published Date 19-November-2025

Sustainable Stays Coming to Brisbane’s North as Adina Chermside Opens in 2026

Chermside is set to welcome a fresh addition to its hospitality scene with the opening of Adina Chermside in February 2026. Positioned in Brisbane’s northern corridor, the hotel promises more than just a room—it will provide apartment‑style accommodation with sustainable features and modern amenities suited to both short and extended stays.

Read: Adina Hotel Project Reaches Topping Out in Chermside

The 148‑key property, developed by TFE Hotels, is designed to cater to a range of guests including business travellers, families and leisure visitors. With a mix of studio rooms and apartment‑style suites, Adina Chermside aims to combine the convenience of hotel living with the flexibility of a home‑like environment.

This setup is expected to be particularly helpful for longer stays, including those linked to the nearby hospital precinct, as well as corporate guests seeking comfort and convenience.

Located close to Westfield Chermside, the property offers easy access to one of Brisbane’s largest shopping and entertainment hubs, while nearby major transport links support connectivity across the city. The opening forms part of Brisbane’s broader accommodation growth in the lead‑up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sustainability at the Core

Designed by WMK Architecture, Adina Chermside incorporates a number of sustainable design practices. Features include high‑performance double glazing, sun‑shading, rain‑water harvesting and deep planting zones. These design elements aim to reduce energy usage and support environmental responsibility while delivering comfortable and contemporary accommodation.

Adina Chermside is tailored for today’s diverse travellers. Guests can expect the services of a full‑service hotel alongside the space and flexibility of apartment‑style accommodation, including in‑room kitchen and laundry facilities, gym access, and on‑site parking. Whether visiting for business, shopping, leisure or medical purposes, the hotel is positioned to meet a variety of needs.

Dining and Local Connection

Guest dining is anchored by St Marks Road Co., a restaurant and café within the hotel. It will serve locally sourced dishes and provide a setting for casual meals, working lunches and more formal dinners. The inclusion of this dining venue reflects the growing importance of integrated food experiences in hospitality offerings.

Leading the property’s launch is Sue Rowe, the appointed General Manager for Adina Chermside Brisbane. She is responsible for overseeing the pre‑opening phase and the hotel’s full launch in February.

Read: What’s All the Hype? Pappa Flock Brings Its Viral Chicken to Chermside

With its blend of sustainable design, apartment‑style accommodation and modern amenities, Adina Chermside Brisbane is positioned to become a noteworthy part of the northern suburbs hospitality landscape. It reflects the evolving nature of hotel‑style stays in Brisbane as the city continues to expand and diversify its accommodation options.

Published 12-November-2025

Wildlife Overpass Continues to Serve Chermside’s Native Fauna

Photo Credit: Google Maps

A wildlife overpass along Hamilton Road in Chermside continues to support native species movement more than 15 years after its construction.

Background and Early Development

The Hamilton Road wildlife overpass in Chermside was constructed as part of a $50 million upgrade completed in early 2008. The project reconnected a 1.2-kilometre section of Hamilton Road through the Chermside Hills, aiming to reduce congestion on nearby Rode Road and improve east–west vehicle access through Chermside and McDowall.

As part of the development, approximately 140 grass trees were relocated to preserve existing vegetation. Wildlife-related features included an overpass bridge, an underpass at Little Cabbage Tree Creek, and nesting boxes for wallabies, possums and sugar gliders.

Ongoing Use and Wildlife Monitoring

More than a decade after opening, the overpass remains in use, particularly by wallabies. North Brisbane Catchments confirmed continued cooperation with BCC in deploying motion detection cameras to assess the species utilising the crossing and the frequency of their movements.

The Hamilton Road overpass is one of many Wildlife Movement Solutions (WMS) implemented across Brisbane to allow animals safe passage where ecological corridors are interrupted by roads. These solutions include exclusion fencing, culvert underpasses, rope bridges, glider poles, and escape devices for koalas and kangaroos.

Chermside wildlife overpass — *Photo Credit: Google Maps*

Chermside Hills is one of the city’s identified zones for WMS, with additional features placed near Milne Hill Reserve, Raven Street Park, and Hamilton Road Quarry Park.

Broader Comparisons and Design Insights

Though Hamilton Road was among the earlier overpass installations, Compton Road near Karawatha Forest has since become Brisbane’s most well-known WMS site. Completed in 2004, the Compton Road crossing includes a wide range of features such as rope ladders, glider poles, fauna culverts, and exclusion fencing. It has been recognised internationally and reportedly made up only around one per cent of the total project cost.

Internationally, The Netherlands has constructed 66 wildlife crossings, providing a reference point for urban biodiversity initiatives.

Community Observations and Considerations

Some residents who engaged in recent community discussions described the Hamilton Road overpass as a well-considered element of the road upgrade. Local commentary has also credited former city official Campbell Newman for supporting the initiative during his term in office.

Others in the community highlighted the need for suitable fencing to better direct animals toward the crossing and called for similar infrastructure on regional roads, where wildlife-vehicle strikes remain a concern.

Looking Ahead

The Hamilton Road wildlife overpass in Chermside continues to contribute to local fauna safety and ecological connectivity. Ongoing monitoring and public discussion support its role as a reference point in urban biodiversity planning.

Updated 22-October-2025

Prince Charles Hospital Secures Place in Queensland’s 2025–26 Health Funding

The ongoing expansion of The Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside has been officially included in Queensland’s 2025–26 Budget, confirming continued support for one of Brisbane’s busiest health precincts.

Read: The Prince Charles Hospital Expansion Moves Ahead in Chermside

The upgrade will deliver more than 93 new beds, a brand-new emergency department, expanded operating theatres, and improved paediatric services. Located at Rode Rd in Chermside, the hospital serves Brisbane’s growing northside population and is already a vital hub for specialist cardiac and respiratory care.

Photo credit: The Prince Charles Hospital/Google Maps

The expansion is part of a broader investment in public hospitals under the state’s Hospital Rescue Plan, aimed at easing pressure on emergency departments, improving wait times, and expanding treatment capacity across Queensland.

With a total investment of $18.5 billion, the Hospital Rescue Plan is set to deliver over 2,600 additional hospital beds across Queensland. The package includes the construction of three new hospitals, expansions at ten existing facilities, and an increase in health services for regional communities.

Alongside the Prince Charles Hospital upgrade, other major hospitals across Brisbane and the Redlands, including the Princess Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospitals, will also receive new beds, facilities, and infrastructure upgrades.

Premier David Crisafulli described the 2025–26 Budget as laying the groundwork for what he called a fresh start for Brisbane and the Redlands. He indicated that the Budget aimed to tackle long-standing challenges across the state, including health, housing, cost of living, and youth crime, areas he said Queenslanders expected action on.

“We are delivering to restore safety where you live, health services when you need them, a better lifestyle through a stronger economy and a plan for Queensland’s future.

Read: What the Hospital Rescue Plan Means for Prince Charles Hospital

The planned works at Prince Charles are expected to improve access to timely care for patients in Brisbane’s northern suburbs. The hospital’s added capacity will help meet rising demand and provide more modern, fit-for-purpose healthcare spaces for both patients and staff.

Published 20-October-2025