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Multimillion-Dollar Hotel and Shopping Centre with Servo to Rise in Old Gympie Road, Dakabin

A multimillion-dollar hotel and shopping centre with a service station could rise on a private lot, currently occupied by a house and some sheds, on Old Gympie Road in Dakabin if plans for the development receive approval.

Spearheaded by the Comiskey Group, the 37,490-square metre site has been on the radar of the company’s director, Rob Comiskey, for at least a decade. The Comiskey Group has been operating the Eatons Hill Hotel and was behind the transformation of the Burpengary Club and Station Village as a retail precinct.

Mr Comiskey said that putting up a hotel at the Dakabin property was an easy choice given the growth of the suburb connecting to North Lakes in recent years. Also, with the closest sports and leisure hub over at North Lakes, there haven’t been many choices for Dakabin residents to dine out or shop.

The plan is to facilitate the development in five stages to create a hotel with a licensed tavern (2,000sqm), a service station (200sqm), at least two stand-alone food and drink outlets (200sqm each), and retail/commercial tenancies (1,320sqm). Potential for future developments has also been earmarked for the property, which is within an industrial zone.

Some 327 parking spaces have been planned out for the development as well, with pedestrian access and multiple entrances.

“The architectural design of the development has been formulated in response to the location of the site, with an emphasis on the hotel use activating the intersection of Old Gympie Road and Alma Road, with the service station and food outlet uses located further along Old Gympie Road behind the hotel,” IB Town Planning stated in the development application (DA/2021/3278).

“Given the nature of the use, the proposal seeks to create a modern and simple building design that is integrated with the road frontages. The proposed building areas maintain a low site coverage that is complemented by landscaping.”

More than 100 jobs will be opened for the hotel operations alone, which will also include function rooms, gaming areas, and good use of the outdoor spaces.

Mr Comiskey said that they have received interest from shop owners who could become the tenants, ranging from healthcare services, veterinary services, and a gym operator. There are no plans to house a supermarket since Woolworths is within the precinct.

If approved, construction may begin in 2023 but as the project is impact assessable, members of the community may submit their approval or objection via the development application tracker. Public notification is until 7 Nov 2021.

Design For New Narangba Depot Precinct Unveiled

Photo credit: PDT Architects

Construction will soon be underway for the Narangba Depot Precinct, a multi-million dollar project that includes a new works depot with intersection and road upgrade at Boundary Road.

Read: School Planned for North Lakes Common Development

Moreton Bay Regional Council has invested $34.3-million for the project, expecting that the move will help meet the current and future needs of Council staff and the Moreton Bay Region, as well as improve response times to requests by building a major works depot in the heart of the region.

The consolidation of three old works depots at Petrie, Burpengary and Deception Bay into one facility is expected to help reduce maintenance and operational costs in the region.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the new facility, which could accommodate up to 300 Council staff, is part of the Council’s preparation for the growth of Moreton Bay.

Photo credit: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au

“In less than 15 years, this region will have a greater population than Tasmania, and a greater demand for essential services,” Mayor Flannery said.

Designed by PDT Architects, the precinct includes a new three-storey office building, a warehouse, store, workshop with space for 10 vehicle bays, wash bay with four wash bays and two vacuum bays, a fuel station, a pump house and services building.

“The architectural approach to ensure optimal performance was to review orientation opportunity, to mitigate unnecessary heat gain and glare into office spaces, in particular, and further to the workshop, store and warehouse to improve internal environment and working conditions for all staff across the Depot,” said PDT Architects.

Part of this upgrade will include the construction of a new intersection to provide safe entry and exit points into the new depot. It also includes the rehabilitation of approximately 950m of Boundary Road to improve the surface before the new facility opens.

ADCO Constructions has been awarded to do the project. Depending on weather and construction conditions, the new facility is expected to open in mid-2023.

North Lakes Property Market Hits Half-Million Dollar Median

Property prices may be soaring in a lot of areas but in some Brisbane and Moreton Bay suburbs like North Lakes, home buyers and investors can have the best of both worlds — a house in a family-friendly, upwardly mobile community located in a growth market, for a budget of a little above $500,000.

Since the establishment of North Lakes in 2006, home values have risen at a stable pace as new developments and construction meet the demands of an upwardly mobile community. From July 2020 to June 2021, the property market for houses grew by a modest but stable 1.52% despite lockdown challenges, per data from Property Market Updates.

Whilst the increase is quite modest compared to the performance of other suburbs in this region, North Lakes’ sales volume reached 558 properties within an average market 35 days on market.

A median house price of half a million dollars is still within reach for families or single-income first-home buyers. For this amount, buyers can have a house with spacious rooms in a pleasant community for a growing family or for retirement. Most homes in North Lakes are new designs, typical of many housing developments in Moreton Bay.

Unit Price Growth

North Lakes’ apartment market did better than the housing market for the period ending June 2021 with a growth of 6.41 percent. Though typically attractive to downsizers and retirees, the unit market has also lured professionals who are either owner-occupiers or renting out their properties to cash in on currently brisk demand. The current unit median price sits at $377,750, with 86 properties sold within an average of 60 days.

About North Lakes

A dynamic suburb like North Lakes has plenty of things going on, with cycle and walking tracks as well as parks for the children. It is a short drive to the local shops and a 13-km drive to Redcliffe for a weekend at the beach. This suburb has a countryside vibe but it’s close to essential facilities.

“I have lived in North Lakes for about 6 years and it has developed a lot in that time. Everything is here. Big Westfield and lots and lots of shops, swimming schools and pools, library, good schools and daycares and there are nice walking tracks. It’s very suburban.”
shhhm, Homely

“I have been here for 15 months and now building a home on the golf course. It is a great family area that has a diverse range of ‘localities’ although all sit under the North Lakes suburb. Yes, there are high-density pockets and units however these are just part of a well-planned diverse community.”
markm48, Homely

“I just moved to Sunjoy Pl North Lakes from Kootangal Cr Ferny Hills after 10 years and I cannot stress enough how sooner I wish I had moved here. There are parks and greenery everywhere and it’s all maintained daily. It has everything I could ever possibly need with the Westfield just in town and plethora of other big names.”
Caseytain, Homely

School Planned for North Lakes Common Development

The Village Retirement Group plans to build a school for Prep to Year 12 students in North Lakes Common, the site of the former North Lakes Golf Course, but a group of residents has expressed they won’t be supporting the proposal.

The developer said that they are preparing to submit a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) application to the Queensland Government for its school plans following discussions with different educational institutions that expressed interest in a new school somewhere between Endeavour Blvd and Diamond Jubilee Way.

TVRG said that school enrolments in North Lakes and Mango Hill will increase in the next 15 years. Based on census data, the number of children in primary schools will increase between 1,550 to 1,790 students and 1,650 to 2,340 students in secondary schools. The developer said that while the golf course is in a sports and recreation zone, an educational facility may be allowed on the site per the planning scheme.

If approved, the school at North Lakes Common will have to incorporate the following plans:

Multiple classrooms and staff facilities of two and three storeys, and provision of sporting fields and car and bicycle parking
Catering for up to 1,700 students (800 primary and 900 secondary) and 132 staff (53 primary and 79 secondary)
Built on an 8.6 hectare site
Vehicles (cars, buses, and bicycles) will enter and exit the site from the Endeavour Boulevard and Archer Close roundabout
Making use of the existing bus network (routes 668, 684, 685, 687, 688, 689)
488 bicycle parks and 230 car parking spaces (114 short term) to be provided

Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Deputy Premier Steven Miles will decide on the MID, after consultations with residents and Moreton Bay Regional Council. Mr Miles, however, said that he has yet to discuss with TVRG or see the proposal.

Members of the Mango Hill Progress Association met in August and elected three representatives who will challenge TVRG’s proposal.

Photo Credit: Mango Hill Progress Association/Facebook

“The Progress Association calls on Minister Miles to deny any application by the owners to re-zone a portion of the land on the North Lakes Golf Course for an educational facility,” the group declared.

Meanwhile, TVRG has yet to submit its development application to turn another section of the golf course into a retirement village. Residents who formed the Save North Lakes Golf Course group have also opposed this plan, which has the backing of the MHPA.

“The Mango Hill Progress Association fully supports the aims of the SNLGC representing North Lakes residents in their efforts to retain a quality of life that will be destroyed if commercial or educational structures are permitted in the centre of an existing compact residential community.”

Kallangur Fair Shopping Centre Now Sold To Sydney Based Company

Photo credit: www.kallangurfair.com.au

Ganellen Asset Management, an investment company based in Sydney has acquired Kallangur Fair Shopping Centre for $22.45 million, following competitive expressions of interest submissions.

Read: Proposal for New Mango Hill Shopping Centre Approved

Sale negotiators Peter Tyson and Jon Tyson of Savills Australia revealed the sale process has generated multiple offers from local and offshore buyer groups, including private investors, syndicators and fund managers.

Mr Peter Tyson said Kallangur Fair Shopping Centre was extensively refurbished in 2017 and provided a weighted average lease expiry of around 4.6 years by income at the time of sale.

Located on a 15,800-sqm site at Anzac Avenue, Kallangur Fair Shopping Centre features a 3,247sqm Woolworths supermarket and a 420sqm discount variety mini-major along with 10 specialty stores. It also has parking for 270 cars.

“This is a prime neighborhood shopping center that is anchored by a dominant full-line Woolworths Supermarket and complemented by strong non-discretionary specialty tenants,” said Richard Manning, Managing Director of Investment and Asset Management at Ganellen.

“Ganellen Asset Management is the Investment Manager of the Fund. Ganellen Property Management will manage the property, extending its portfolio beyond Sydney, Canberra and Auckland to now include the 2032 Olympic city, Brisbane,” Mr Manning said.

Plans Finalised for $10-Million Mango Hill Station Upgrades

After years of studies and deliberation, the plans for a $10-million park ’n’ ride upgrade of the busy Mango Hill Station, badly needed by commuters in the Redcliffe Peninsula Line, have been finalised.

This project will see an addition of 280 car parking spaces that will relieve the parking pressures and increase the efficiency of such a high-frequency transport network.

Aside from the increase in parking spaces, the Meyer Circuit kiss ‘n’ ride and taxi zone will be replaced and relocated with a bus stop for approximately four buses. The facilities will also include lighting and CCTV for enhanced visibility and security, pedestrian paths to and from the station, additional disabled parking bays, and landscaping of the area.

In a joint statement, Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said that the Commonwealth has committed $4 million for the upgrades under the Urban Congestion Fund, whilst the Queensland Government will provide $6 million.

Highlights

Plans have been finalised for the Mango Hill Station upgrades with 280 additional car parking spaces.
The Meyer Circuit kiss ‘n’ ride and taxi zone will be replaced and relocated with a bus stop.
Final designs will be unveiled in early 2022 with construction set to start in the latter part of the year.

“The Mango Hill Station upgrade is just the latest example of us delivering on our commitment to progress critical infrastructure projects across the country under our record $110 billion 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s world-leading economic recovery,” Mr Fletcher said.

“When we opened the Redcliffe Peninsula line a few years ago we knew it would be popular but we were all shocked at just how quickly locals took to their new train line,” Deputy Queensland Premier and State Member for Murrumba Steven Miles said.

“Here at Mango Hill Station the carpark gets full nearly everyday before 8, people are missing their trains or just driving into work. So we’re building a massive upgrade to the carpark, boosting the number of parks to 400. Soon you’ll be able to spend less time looking for a park and more time with your family.”

According to Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister, the Hon Mark Bailey MP, the Mango Hill upgrades will reduce traffic congestions as more people will be able to easily take the train or bus. The upgrades will also see through the creation of 20 direct jobs during the construction.

Design details for the improved Mango Hill Station will be released in early 2022 with construction to follow in the latter part of the year. For more information about this project, visit the Transport and Main Roads official site.

4 Takeaway Options in North Lakes to Sort Out Your Meals

These days, lockdowns and takeaway food are inextricably intertwined as small business restaurant owners pivot to a new operating model so that house-bound folks could continue to enjoy what they have to offer. Here are four of the best takeaway shops in North Lakes and Mango Hill to keep cabin fever at bay.

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers started off as a takeaway shop serving fresh handmade gnocchi in Paddington. The business, which has aimed to be the world’s first gnoccheria chain, has since taken off with seven locations, including the North Lakes site, which opened in June 2021.

The shop serves a variety of gnocchi, Italy’s version of dumplings, served with saucy and cheesy goodness, including vegan and vegetarian varieties. Their Mushroom and Truffle Sauce Gnocchi has been voted The People’s Choice.

Address: Westfield North Lakes, Lakes Drive
Website: https://www.gnocchignocchibrothers.com.au/location/north-lakes/
Social: https://www.instagram.com/gnocchignocchibrothers
Phone: 0481 305 363
Menu: https://gnocchignocchibrothers.bopple.app/menu/7715

Photo Credit: Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers/Instagram

My T Burger

My T Burger serves the classic takeaway food made up of buns, meat and sauce but to keep things interesting (and the customers coming back!), the shop strives to enhance their burger menu by the season. The burger joint makes everything in the store — from the buns, patties and sauce. The meat is cooked to perfection over charcoal.

“Our My T Sauce starts with eggs and oil, our buns start with flour and water and our beef patty’s start as whole cuts of beef,” the owner said. “Taste equals good quality ingredients, prepared and cooked right, with a pinch of crazy and a dash of love to ensure that you get the good stuff without the long term health risks.”

Address: Endeavour Boulevard
Website: https://www.mytburger.com/
Social: https://www.instagram.com/mytburger/
Phone: (07) 38806927 (Closed on Saturdays)
Menu: https://www.mytburger.com/menu?

Told You So

Coffee lovers and their dogs always frequent this shop when there were no lockdowns. Now, the store known for its exceptional coffee and customer service has shifted to a takeaway shop with the same brand of friendly and warm service.

Told You So serves caffeinated drinks in simple ways: white, black, filtered, or soda. The cafe also has some of the tastiest bites to go with coffee, including pies, choices of bagels with spread, as well as breakfast pots to grab and go. The treats differ regularly so it’s best to send a message on their socials for enquiries.

Told You So takes part in regular fundraising campaigns for CafeSmart (2 to 8 Aug 2021). Check out their donation site for details.

Address: Discovery Drive
Website: https://www.instagram.com/_toldyouso/
Social: https://www.facebook.com/Toldyousocoffee/
Menu: enquire from their socials

Broken Hearts Burger Club

Broken Hearts Burger Club (BHBC) opened its Mango Hill site in June 2021 at the former Hello Harry site. Inspired by Los Angeles burger joints, complete with the retro vibe, BHBC offers burgers, sides, and shakes to satisfy the broken-hearted or just the really famished consumers in need of comfort food.

“We don’t have a specific secret menu, but sometimes we have some secret experiments or a little something under the counter that might play with the profile of your burger.”

Address: Mango Hill Marketplace, Halpine Drive
Website: https://mangohillmarketplace.com.au/stores/broken-hearts-burger-club/
Social: https://www.instagram.com/brokenheartsburgerclub/
Menu: https://linktr.ee/brokenhearts/

Photo Credit: Photo Credit: BHBC/Instagram

New Fire Station to Be Built on Steel Street

For years, the North Lakes and Mango Hill community have been lobbying for a new fire station as the nearest services still come from bordering suburbs, taking some time to reach emergency situations. Now, plans to build the facility are finally taking shape as a suitable site has been determined by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES).

The new fire station is a 5,000-sqm property on Steel Street near Boundary Road. QFES said that the location’s access to major roads was vital to the decision.

Following a lot of mapping and deliberation, with inputs from advocates for the fire station’s establishment, such as the Mango Hill Progress Association (MHPA), the QFES said that this site will give “best responses to particular calls for service.” On the other hand, the State Government also supported the need for fire service for North Lakes and Mango Hill and purchased the land. Funding was approved in October 2020.

Highlights

A 5,000-sqm property on Steel Street will be the site of the new fire station
It was chosen for its access to major roads in North Lakes and Mango Hill.
Planning and design of the new facility will take at least 12 months.

“The land has been purchased for a new Fire & Rescue Station to service North Lakes/Mango Hill and the surrounding areas,” Minister for Fire and Emergency Services and State Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said.

“To be called ‘Moreton Bay Central Fire & Rescue Station,’ the new station located at Steel Street (near Boundary Road) will greatly enhance emergency responses and support community safety.

“Many thanks to local groups like the Mango Hill Progress Association and local MPs Chris Whiting, Steven Miles and Shane King for their strong advocacy for this project.”

Mr Ryan also said that the next phase of the plan, which will roll out in the next 12 months, is to go through the design process and planning. Once approved, the construction timeline will be revealed to the public.

In an earlier meeting with MHPA, State Member Chris Whiting projected that the new fire station will likely be built by 2024.

North Lakes Local Enjoys Birthday in New Specialist Disability Accommodation

Luke used to stay at an aged care facility following a life-changing diagnosis of Huntington’s Disease. This North Lakes local turned 40 recently and for the first time in seven years, was able to celebrate his birthday in his own home, under the Specialist Disability Accommodation program.

Luke has been living with Huntington’s disease for a decade, which has taken his abilities to walk, speak and live independently. However, for the first time since moving in and out of care facilities, he was able to enjoy a different kind of birthday party in his new and more appropriate Youngcare North Lakes apartment with his family.

According to his Aunt Kaye, Luke didn’t like living in aged care, despite receiving medical attention and support.

“He wouldn’t engage in any of the activities whatsoever. He wouldn’t even go out into the dining room. The poor kid just lived in his room,” Kaye said.

The family has been trying to find Luke a more appropriate accommodation when Youngcare’s SDA program rolled out in North Lakes with the construction of the housing accommodation in 2020. The new site can take in 14 young people who may be stuck in a living arrangement that cannot fully support their physical, mental and social needs.

In early 2021, Luke became one of the first residents to move in when the facilities opened. According to Youngcare CEO Anthony Ryan, about 130 residences are still set for launch within the next three years in Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast.

“While tens of thousands of young people are eligible for SDA funding, there is still a phenomenal gap in supply of appropriate accommodation,” Mr Ryan said. “We’re working hard to redefine the concept of integrated living and provide a voice that empowers change in the wider disability sector, and ensures the 12,000 young Australians with high care needs — 2,500 of whom are Queenslanders — feel at home and free to participate in their community.”

To learn more about Youngcare’s SDA, visit their official site or enquire via Youngcare Connect on 1800 844 727.

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers to Open New Branch in North Lakes

Did you know that the renowned Gnoccheria and Italian restaurant chain Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers is finally coming to Westfield North Lakes?

Founded by Ben Cleary-Corradini and Theo Roduner, Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers started out as a two-person market stall in Brisbane that served fresh, hand-made gnocchi before evolving into Australia’s first-ever dedicated Italian Gnoccheria in Paddington. Now, the restaurant has become a chain with branches all across the country, with one scheduled to open in Westfield North Lakes sometime in 2021.

The restaurant takes pride in how it uses local produce to create light and fluffy potato gnocchi — their specialty and signature dish. The gnocchi used at each and every one of their branches are made fresh daily. Their sauce is also created using ingredients sourced locally such as farmers markets.

Photo credit: Instagram/gnocchignocchibrothers

Residents of North Lakes can expect to see a variety of gnocchi-based dishes and indulge themselves with meals such as the Wild Mushroom and Truffle Sauce, which consists of fresh gnocchi served with delicious creamy sauce and slow-cooked mushrooms in cream, garlic, onions, and Italian herbs and spices drizzled with truffle oil.

Those with dietary restrictions can also treat themselves to their specialty Vegan Gnocchi — a dish comprised of potato and white flour gnocchi served with rich and spicy cherry tomato, sweet capsicum, garlic, onion, chili, and black olive sauce.

The upcoming Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers North Lakes branch can be found at Westfield North Lakes, North Lakes Drive, North Lakes. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and special announcements concerning the restaurant.