A new childcare centre with capacity for 90 children is set to transform two residential properties in Chermside after a development application was recently lodged for 33-35 Sparkes Street.
The proposed two-storey facility aims to address the community’s need for more childcare options in the rapidly developing area, signalling a shift in the local streetscape.
The centre plans to operate between 7 am and 7 pm, Monday to Friday. Designed by All Design and Drafting, the proposal involves demolishing both existing houses, their driveways, and associated structures to make way for the modern facility. The new building will stand at approximately 10.79 metres high and feature five playrooms along with two levels of outdoor play areas, totalling over 650 square metres.
To accommodate families, 18 car parking spaces are included in the plans, with pedestrian access directly from Sparkes Street. Extensive landscaping and deep planting are also part of the design, aiming to integrate the centre respectfully into the surrounding residential area.
The location of the proposed childcare centre is strategically placed near The Prince Charles Hospital and public transport, which aligns with Brisbane’s Mixed Use Zone and the Chermside Centre Neighbourhood Plan.
This development reflects Chermside’s ongoing evolution into a bustling hub with mixed land uses, moving beyond purely residential zones to incorporate essential community services and facilities. The area’s growth continues to necessitate new infrastructure to support its expanding population.
Mayes Design, the planners involved in the project, have stated that the proposed building setbacks are appropriate given the site’s context, the nature of the use, and surrounding properties. They also noted that the design strikes a suitable balance between the built form and outdoor play space, ensuring adequate access to sunlight, daylight, and breezes for the children.
Furthermore, Mayes Design conveyed confidence that the proposed childcare centre would not significantly impact the amenity of adjoining residential properties or the overall character of the surrounding area. They consider the proposal well-suited for the site, anticipating a positive outcome for future users and the broader community.
An armed robbery at a jewellery store on Gympie Road in Chermside occurred on the afternoon of 10 June, leaving a worker seriously injured. Police said four masked individuals entered the store around 5 p.m., armed with hammers and metal bars. During the incident, glass display cabinets were smashed and a large quantity of jewellery was taken from the premises.
Authorities confirmed that one male employee was hit in the head with a hammer. Paramedics from the Queensland Ambulance Service were called to the scene at approximately 5:10 p.m. Paramedics treated the man for a significant head injury before transporting him in a stable condition to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. His condition was described as serious but stable at the time of transport.
Stolen Vehicle Used in Getaway
The group is believed to have fled the area in a grey Honda CR-V, which police suspect was taken from a Calamvale home on 8 June, days before the incident. Detectives are now tracing the vehicle’s history as part of ongoing investigations.
Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook
Police Establish Crime Scene
A crime scene was declared at the Chermside store following the 10 June robbery. Police are reviewing security camera footage and appealing for public assistance. Police have asked anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the Gympie Road vicinity during the relevant timeframe to come forward via PoliceLink.
Social media users have shared a mix of responses, with some expressing concern about violent crime and others offering support to the injured staff member. Multiple comments have called for stronger deterrents and justice for those involved.
Chermside residents now have access to a unique wellness experience, with TotalFusion launching a premium rooftop sanctuary boasting eleven saunas, plunge pools, and even a rooftop bar.
This new space, located within Westfield Shopping Centre in Chermside, aims to provide a social environment focused on relaxation and recovery for both members and casual visitors.
TotalFusion’s founder, Leon McNiece, said they designed the Chermside location to help the local community connect and better balance their work and personal lives. He believes the rooftop area will foster an inclusive social wellness atmosphere where people can unwind and feel happier.
The space design intends to evoke the feeling of a high-end rooftop in Greece, offering a luxurious escape within the convenience of the shopping centre.
The rooftop wellness area includes various facilities designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. There are eleven saunas, ranging from traditional Finnish saunas to larger infrared saunas that can accommodate up to eight people. Guests can also enjoy both hot and cold plunge pools and a steam room.
Luxury day beds are available for those looking to relax further. A rooftop bar will serve health-focused drinks, adding a social element. The centre also offers advanced biohacking technologies like red light therapy and cryotherapy.
The expansive rooftop at TotalFusion Chermside welcomes existing TotalFusion members and casual visitors. A creche service is available on-site to support busy parents. Those interested in experiencing the new facilities can now book tours to see the space.
Guest passes will also be available to the general public this week, allowing everyone to try the rooftop sanctuary. TotalFusion describes the new area as offering a premium bathhouse experience unlike anything else in Brisbane, providing a modern take on the traditional bathhouse concept where wellness feels easy and deeply restorative.
Queensland has announced the Hospital Rescue Plan to address growing pressure on the state’s health system, promising three new hospitals, a new Queensland Cancer Centre, and major upgrades at 10 existing facilities. The plan, announced this week, aims to correct years of mismanagement and bring long-term improvements to healthcare delivery across the state.
Among these expansions is a significant upgrade to The Prince Charles Hospital, which will receive at least 93 new beds and a broader expansion to meet growing patient demand in Brisbane’s north. The investment aims to boost capacity and reduce pressure on emergency departments and elective surgery waiting lists.
Photo credit: The Prince Charles Hospital/Google Maps
The plan follows the release of an independent review into past hospital infrastructure projects, which highlighted serious issues in planning and delivery. According to the review, several projects were developed with limited preparation time—some in as little as six weeks—and governed in a way that placed unrealistic timelines ahead of other critical considerations. This approach led to cost blowouts, missing services, and late-stage design flaws.
The Prince Charles Hospital project was identified as one of the most affected, currently running $428 million over budget. The review noted a “disproportionally high number of scope risks and unresolved scope decisions,” warning that these unresolved elements could continue to push costs higher.
Photo credit: The Prince Charles Hospital/Google Maps
Despite the challenges, the review supported the continuation of the current stage of the Prince Charles Hospital project, while recommending a thorough reassessment before moving forward with stage two. The aim is to ensure that future stages are delivered with stronger planning and oversight.
Locals and healthcare workers have long called for an expansion of The Prince Charles Hospital, which serves as a major referral centre for cardiac and respiratory care in the state. The upgrade is seen as vital to future-proofing services in Brisbane’s growing northern corridor.
As Queensland’s population continues to grow and age, the stakes for getting hospital infrastructure right are higher than ever. The Hospital Rescue Plan, if delivered with the care and diligence promised, could mark a much-needed reset—starting with getting projects like Prince Charles Hospital back on stable ground.
From sizzling mains to sweet finishes, Chermside’s dining scene is full of surprises. We’ve scouted the top spots earning rave reviews of places where people don’t just eat, they celebrate their meals. If you’re looking for your next go-to, these local favourites deserve a place on your list.
Michael Ladilaw ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE OUR BAVARIAN RESTAURANTS. Shame that the Rockhampton branch has folded recently. This one is very quiet, but it is an extremely wet day. Enjoyed the meals just the same. Chicken schnitzel is to die for and the burgers go down well also. Cheers big ears
Leoni van Nieuwenhuizen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Huge portion sizes and friendly staff. Bavarian platter could have easily been enough for a family of 4. Pork snitchel was as big as my 10year olds head
Lok Lowe ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Booked online for the 2 for 1 Tuesday schnitzel special for our lunch date. Friendly & prompt service and the servings were generous sizes… We left with full & contented tummies and will definitely be coming back again.
Federico Arboleda ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I recently had the pleasure of dining at El Camino, a fantastic spot that truly knows how to serve up a delicious meal. The manager, Efendi, was incredibly welcoming, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere from the moment I walked in. The highlight of my meal was the tacos – they were absolutely amazing! Fresh, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned, each bite was a delight. A huge shoutout to the chef for crafting such a memorable dish! The combination of quality ingredients and expert preparation really stood out. Whether you’re a taco lover or just looking for a great meal, El Camino is definitely a place to check out. Highly recommended
Samuel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We ordered the taco tower and Our waitress Kate was incredible. She made sure we were looked after during our dining time, fish and chicken tacos were the best and again Kate’s service topped the night off! Thank you Kate and staff
Nikki Maree ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Alejandra was amazing!! She gave our table great service and fit our vibe perfectly 💕 Am definitely coming back here for the Tex-mex deal! Bottomless margaritas, amazing wings, tacos and churros! You can’t go wrong.
Grace Wilson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The classic tonkotsu ramen is my favourite in motto motto It’s perfect for me anytime of the day or season. Service is very good especially with their staff name Chisato. She is a gem!
Mitch Cole ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ AWESOME! Great selection of food, Service very prompt and friendly, and such an awesome atmosphere! – Tried their new katsu curry this time, it was amazing!!
Amanda chah75 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We went together with our baby today. The Unagi Don and the Ramen was so yummy! And we would like to say thank you to the waitress, Chisato who made our day! Chisato was so lovely, she kindly offer us the baby chair, super helpful and super friendly. Highly recommended!
Krishna Chandra ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great food choices. Friendly atmosphere and beautiful Indian music to accompany a pleasant dining experience. My best choice is biryani and a big choice of Indian sweets. Love this place and we strongly recommend it to everyone.
Aashika Khadka ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Today I get biryani chicken and goat it was so delicious i definitely recommend chicken and goat biryani is in a brisbane …. the staff friendly …. service andquality then others places Staff look after everything 😍😍😍that i love it everything is perfect.. its too hot today outside but she having smile on face and serving food to my family
Moira Mahony ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Late lunch on a Tuesday: it’s a tiny cute cafe with authentic decor and indoor & outdoor tables. I had lamb samosas, which were tasty and had great pastry covering. The Bengali gulab jamun were sweetly spiced, and good mango lassi. My friend had Kashmiri rogan josh, with the gulab jamun and mango lassi. The rogan josh lamb was tender, and all the spices could be tasted at once; good. Would come again.
Varun Sanil ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ The food is great value for money.. and lots of veggies. Perfect balance of taste, cost and portion sizing. Green curry is a must try! Very strong flavours and aromas.
John McKenna ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very enjoyable meal with friends last night. Service was prompt and a great selection. Coconut prawn entree and Masaman beef melt in your mouth were my favourites. Will definitely be back.
John Burgers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fried rice with seafood was absolutely delicious, and I have tried quite a few Thai fried rices around Brisbane. Will recommend to anyone who is partial to Thai 🙏👍 Only thing that brings the atmosphere down 1 star is the proximity to the road, otherwise perfect dining experience 🤌
Residents in Chermside and neighbouring suburbs impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred can now apply for disaster recovery payments. Financial assistance available through relief programs.
Caption: Flooding in Huxtable Park, Chermside West due to Cyclone Alfred. Photo Credit: CrDanitaParry/Facebook
Background: Cyclone Alfred’s Impact
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has caused widespread disruption across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. It prompted the activation of government relief measures. The Australian and Queensland authorities have jointly announced financial assistance for affected individuals and families, particularly in the Brisbane Local Government Area, including Chermside and Chermside West.
Available Financial Assistance
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)
The AGDRP provides a one-off, non-means-tested payment. It offers $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child for those significantly affected by Cyclone Alfred. This financial aid aims to assist short-term recovery efforts for individuals and families.
Workers and sole traders in the impacted areas who have lost income due to the cyclone can apply for the Disaster Recovery Allowance. It provides up to 13 weeks of financial support, paid fortnightly (maximum $1,007 per fortnight).
Emergency Hardship Assistance: Up to $180 per person or $900 per family to cover essential needs such as food, clothing, and temporary accommodation.
Essential Services Hardship Assistance: Available after five days without essential services such as power, water, or gas. Grants range from $150 per person to $750 per family.
Essential Household Contents Grant: Financial aid between $1,765 for individuals and $5,300 for families to replace essential household items lost due to the cyclone.
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme: Up to $4,200 for uninsured homeowners to restore electricity, gas, water, and sewage services.
Structural Assistance Grant: Uninsured, low-income homeowners can receive up to $80,000 to repair or rebuild cyclone-damaged homes.
Caption: Flooding in Downfall Creek, Chermside West due to Cyclone Alfred. Photo Credit: CrDanitaParry/Facebook
Residents in Chermside and other affected suburbs can apply for financial aid through myGov or call 180 22 66. Queensland-specific grants can be accessed through the Community Recovery Hubs or contact 1800 173 349.
Community Response and Recovery Efforts
Community Recovery Hubs have been set up in affected areas. It aims to support and guide residents navigating the financial aid process. Due to the high volume of applications, processing delays are expected, but efforts are underway to expedite relief distribution.
Chermside and Chermside West residents are encouraged to check their eligibility. Residents are urged to apply for available relief payments. The financial assistance aims to support affected communities in rebuilding and recovering from Cyclone Alfred’s impact.
Plans for a five-storey residential building, featuring twenty-one-bedroom units, have been proposed for 84-86 Wallace Street, Chermside. The development seeks to replace two existing houses on the corner site.
The proposed structure will reach a height of 19 metres and consist of single-bedroom dwellings, each designed with individual outdoor courtyard spaces ranging from 16.64 to 20.42 square metres.
The plans include a new driveway and 25 car parking spaces, some of which will be reserved for visitors. The development site covers 1,900 square metres.
A significant portion of the grounds, totalling 157 square metres, or 14% of the entire site, is allocated for landscaped deep planting in both the front and rear setbacks.
The building will occupy 56.28% of the site, exceeding the council’s accepted site coverage of 45%. The ground floor will house a lobby area, and a 188.97 square metre communal rooftop space is planned for residents.
The two current residential houses on the property will be demolished to make way for the new building. The development application is now under review by the council, and approvals are required before any construction work can commence.
Wayne McGee, a 46-year-old man, has shared his decision to live in a tent in Samford Valley rather than return to a public housing unit in Chermside, where he says he was subjected to a brutal attack.
According to police documents, on 21 March 2024, another resident allegedly entered Mr McGee’s unit while under the influence of methamphetamines, shackled him to a toilet, and assaulted him over several hours. Mr McGee was allegedly threatened with a knife, told not to report the attack to authorities, and later discovered that several of his belongings had been stolen.
Photo credit: Northwest Community Group Inc/Facebook
In the aftermath of the assault, Mr McGee expressed deep fear for his safety and chose to live outdoors, refusing to return to the unit.
Following the attack, Queensland Police requested the Department of Housing to urgently relocate Mr McGee, citing concerns about the ongoing threat.
In January 2024, the Department of Housing approved a transfer for Mr McGee. However, as of January 2025, he remains on the waiting list with no clear timeline for when another unit will be available.
Mr McGee has also highlighted his ongoing struggles with living in the public housing complex, describing it as a “living hell.” He reported frequent incidents of theft, abuse, and violence, particularly during the night when drug activity and disturbances were common. Though living in a tent has been challenging, he feels it is safer than returning to the unit.
Paul Slater, a homelessness volunteer and founder of the Northwest Community Group Inc, has been supporting Mr McGee by providing essential supplies and emotional assistance. He emphasised the severe isolation and frustration Mr McGee is experiencing, pointing out the lack of emergency accommodation or substantial support from housing authorities.
Mr Slater has actively contacted government agencies and homelessness support organisations, including mental health outreach teams and crisis response units, to advocate for urgent intervention.
This situation brings attention to the broader issue of Queensland’s social housing crisis, with nearly 48,000 people waiting for accommodation as of December 2024. The challenges faced by vulnerable individuals like Mr McGee reflect ongoing concerns about safety, housing availability, and the adequacy of support for those in need.
While Mr McGee’s case is a personal tragedy, it also raises important questions about the capacity of the state’s social housing system to address the needs of its most vulnerable residents and the resources required to ensure safe and stable living conditions for all.
Thirty-four new social and affordable housing units have been completed in Chermside, providing much-needed accommodation for seniors, people with disabilities, and community workers.
The newly completed development on Ethel Street, Chermside, includes 28 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments. Designed by Brisbane-based architectural firm Ultralinea, the building incorporates environmentally sustainable features such as rainwater collection for garden irrigation and solar panels to power communal areas.
The development also includes communal spaces, such as an alfresco rooftop and ground-floor common areas, to encourage social connection among residents.
The project aims to provide long-term housing for those on the social housing register, including individuals at risk of homelessness, seniors, and people with disabilities. The social housing component, consisting of 17 units, is allocated to tenants paying rent at 25% to 30% of their household income.
The development also features 17 affordable units aimed at essential workers, such as retail and healthcare staff, offering rents set 25% below market rates.
The building has been constructed to meet accessibility standards, with 31 units achieving Gold level and one unit achieving Platinum level under the Livable Housing Design Guidelines. These features include wider hallways, step-free access, and provisions for grab rails to accommodate mobility aids.
Sustainability has been a key focus in the development’s design, with the building targeting a 7+ star NatHERS energy efficiency rating. Bike storage facilities, natural ventilation features, and proximity to public transport aim to reduce reliance on private vehicles. The development offers 31 car parking spaces, including 22 for residents, 9 for visitors, and 43 bicycle spaces.
The housing complex’s location provides easy access to essential services, with the Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside Regional Centre, and various public transport links nearby. Residents will also have convenient access to supermarkets, medical centres, and community facilities such as the local library and aquatic centre.
Completing the Chermside project is part of a broader initiative to increase social and affordable housing across Queensland. To address the housing shortage, the government has committed to building new homes rather than purchasing existing properties.
More projects are expected to follow, with partnerships between community housing providers and financial institutions playing a key role in expanding housing options for vulnerable Queenslanders.
A spokesperson from BHC, the community housing provider involved in the project, expressed enthusiasm about the development and indicated plans to deliver an additional 600 homes as part of their ongoing efforts to tackle the housing crisis.
The ticket, purchased at Kedron-Wavell on Kittyhawk Drive, secured the financial blessing through a combination of chance, thoughtful play, and sheer luck, making it an unforgettable moment.
Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only Photo Credit: Pexels
The news of the win quickly spread across Kedron-Wavell, with staff and patrons expressing excitement for the fortunate winner. Management at the venue was delighted to see such good fortune within their community, describing the atmosphere as electric when the win was confirmed.
General Manager Vjorn Bradow highlighted the shared joy and elation among staff, guests, and the winner, noting how such moments foster positivity and unity within the local community. The multiplier feature on the ticket made it a particularly memorable event for all involved, creating a buzz of excitement and leaving everyone thrilled.
Details of the $75,000 Win
The Chermside man secured his $75,000 prize through a Keno Classic ticket with a x3 Bonus multiplier in draw 111, held on 12 January 2025. The inclusion of the Bonus feature significantly increased the prize amount, turning it into a life-changing moment for the lucky winner.
Keno data from FY24 highlights the popularity of the game, with Queensland players enjoying over 28.5 million wins, totalling $441.6 million. The state also produced nine major prize winners during the year, sharing a combined $46.7 million in winnings.
Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only Photo Credit: Pexels
With the funds allocated towards a new car, the Chermside man views the win as a chance to enhance his family’s life and begin the year with an unforgettable milestone. The win joins a growing list of Queensland success stories, showcasing the joy and happiness such financial blessings can bring to local families, making a significant difference and creating long-lasting memories.
