St Bernard’s Primary School in Mt Gravatt has opened brand new facilities for its youngest students, with five redesigned classrooms ready to welcome Prep through Year 2 learners as the 2026 school year begins.
The renovated Penola building features two dedicated Prep classrooms and three Year 1 and 2 classrooms, marking a significant upgrade to early learning spaces at the Upper Mt Gravatt Catholic primary school. Current students donned high-vis vests and hard hats to inspect the construction site before their future classmates arrive.
Flexible Spaces for Different Learning Styles
St Bernard’s worked with architects to create classrooms that support how young children learn. The new spaces incorporate natural light, smart storage and dedicated sensory corners where students can regulate their energy levels.
Principal Daniel Hodge says the design prioritises flexibility. Teachers can adapt environments to suit different teaching approaches, from small group instruction to play-based learning. The layout supports both structured curriculum work and imaginative activities.
The building’s central corridor functions as more than a hallway. St Bernard’s designed this space with tiered seating for group activities, informal gathering zones and quiet reading nooks, encouraging students to engage beyond formal classroom time.
What This Means for Mt Gravatt Families
The St Bernard’s renovation gives Mt Gravatt families another option for early childhood education in purpose-built facilities. The focus on Prep through Year 2 recognises these years establish patterns that influence later academic success.
For families already enrolled at St Bernard’s, the new classrooms mean younger siblings will experience significantly upgraded facilities compared to what older children knew. The building transformation demonstrates ongoing investment in campus infrastructure rather than one-time improvements.
The sensory corners and flexible learning zones particularly benefit students who struggle in traditional classroom settings. Having dedicated spaces for different energy levels and learning styles can make the difference between students who thrive and those who merely cope.
Rob McInerney, a Mount Gravatt East resident has spent decades working in international road safety and infrastructure planning—work that has now been recognised with an appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List.
Since 2007, Mr McInerney has led the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), an organisation focused on assessing road safety risks and supporting safer road infrastructure through research, data tools and program delivery. United Nations material describes iRAP programmes as active in over 100 countries, working with local partners to improve road safety outcomes.
His leadership role has placed him at the centre of international efforts to improve how roads are designed, assessed and managed, with a focus on long-term planning and engineering standards.
Photo Credit: Rob McInerney/LinkedIn
National And International Roles
Mr McInerney’s professional background includes leadership roles with the Australian Road Safety Collaboration (33,900), as well as advisory and committee positions connected to international transport and road safety forums. He has been a member of working groups linked to the International Transport Forum and the World Road Association’s Road Safety Committee.
Within Australia, he served as a principal advisor to the National Road Safety Strategy Review during 2017–2018 and held earlier research and senior roles with the Australian Road Research Board from 1997 to 2008. He has also been a director of New Road Pty Ltd since 2018.
Photo Credit: Rob McInerney/LinkedIn
Recognition In The Field
Across his career, Mr McInerney has received several professional awards recognising road safety contributions. These include the IRF Global Road Safety Award in 2017, Fellowship of the Australasian College of Road Safety in 2015, and the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award in both 2014 and 2020.
These honours reflect sustained involvement in research, leadership and advisory work rather than a single initiative or project.
The Australia Day 2026 Appointment
In the Australia Day 2026 Honours List, Mr McInerney was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the General Division. His citation refers to distinguished service to international road safety and management programs, to infrastructure planning, and to engineering.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
A National Honour With Local Ties
The Australia Day 2026 Honours List recognised 949 Australians across awards in the Order of Australia, meritorious honours and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. The total represents an increase of more than 200 recipients compared with the previous year.
Within the General Division of the Order of Australia, 680 awards were made, including 38 appointments at the Officer level, which recognises distinguished service of a high degree.
Mt Gravatt is poised for a series of practical upgrades that will strengthen local services and community spaces, with improvements planned at the police station and two well-used community facilities. The works include modernising the Mount Gravatt Police Station to better support daily operations, enhancing the Men’s Shed to bolster its role as a local social hub, and refurbishing the kitchen at the Girl Guides facility to better meet community needs.
The upgrades form part of funding allocated in the latest state budget, which earmarks investment for local infrastructure projects aimed at maintaining essential services and improving the day-to-day use of community facilities across the Mt Gravatt area.
Police Station Upgrade And Service Capacity
The Mount Gravatt police facility is scheduled for an upgrade aimed at modernising how the station operates on a daily basis.
Project information linked to the upgrade indicates a focus on expanding internal work areas, improving equipment storage and upgrading public-access spaces. The station services Brisbane’s southside suburbs and forms part of a wider set of police facility upgrades across the city.
Two community facilities in Mt Gravatt are also listed for improvement works tied to their ongoing use by local groups.
The Mount Gravatt Men’s Shed is listed for an improvement project intended to support its role as a space where local men can connect, share skills and support each other.
At the Mount Gravatt Girl Guides facility, the kitchen is listed for refurbishment to improve its functionality, reflecting increased use of the space noted in earlier material.
How The Upgrades Fit Into The Area
The three projects focus on sites that play a day-to-day role in local services and community activity. The police station operates as a key service site, while the Men’s Shed and Girl Guides facility provide spaces for organised group use.
The works are designed to improve the condition and usability of existing facilities rather than introduce new sites.
Planning and timeline details for the police station upgrade are expected to be clarified as the project progresses. The Men’s Shed and Girl Guides projects remain listed as funded items, with further delivery information yet to be specified.
Three Mansfield State High School students have achieved the highest possible Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), placing them among an elite group of just 37 Queensland graduates to reach this remarkable milestone.
Nevindie Botheju, Doris Wei, and Andrea Wang each scored the coveted 99.95 ATAR when results were released on December 18, positioning them in the top tier of the state’s 30,167 Year 12 graduates who received their rankings.
Photo credit: Facebook/Mansfield State High School
The school celebrated the outstanding achievement on its Facebook page, noting that all three students received Certificates of Academic Commendation for achieving an A in at least six General subjects. Doris Wei went even further, scoring 100 per cent across all her subjects.
“We congratulate these students on their remarkable achievement and commend not only their academic excellence, but also the quiet determination, resilience and integrity they have demonstrated throughout their schooling,” the school stated. “Their support of peers and the positive example they set within our school community are qualities of which we are immensely proud.”
About ATAR
The ATAR is a ranking system between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s position relative to all students in their age group. An ATAR of 80.00 means a student ranks in the top 20 per cent of their age cohort, while the average ATAR typically sits around 70.00.
Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre CEO Chris Veraa said the release of ATARs represents a significant moment for tens of thousands of young graduates, recognising not only the students themselves but also their families, teachers and wider school communities who have supported them throughout their journey.
For Mansfield’s three top achievers, the results represent years of dedication and hard work that has now opened doors to their chosen university courses and future careers.
The familiar strip of op shops, real estate agencies and cafes along Logan Road in Mount Gravatt could soon be unrecognisable, as Brisbane moves ahead with ambitious plans to transform the area into a high-density residential hub.
The Mt Gravatt Centre Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan proposes apartment towers reaching between 12 and 16 storeys along the Logan Road corridor, marking one of the city’s most dramatic density increases in a suburban centre. The tallest development, a 16-storey tower, would sit atop Mount Gravatt Plaza in this established suburb 13 kilometres south of the CBD.
Public consultation on the draft plan closed on 14 December 2025, following a month-long period that attracted both support and significant concern from the local community.
Community Divided Over Development Scale
Precinct boundary map (Photo credit: BCC)
The plan has sparked mixed reactions from residents, with demographic data showing Mount Gravatt is predominantly a family suburb. The average age is 35, almost half of all households have children, and two-thirds of residents live in freestanding houses. Currently, only one in five residents live in apartments.
Concerns raised during consultation focused on the suburb’s capacity to absorb thousands of new residents. Unlike other designated renewal precincts including Wynnum, Alderley and Stones Corner, Mount Gravatt Centre lacks a train station or direct access to the South East Busway, a fact not lost on many residents.
Questions about public transport capacity, traffic congestion and the absence of affordable housing mandates have dominated community discussions. Residents have also expressed concern about the loss of usable green space and the suburb’s defining characteristic—mountain views from Logan Road and surrounding streets.
The peak of Mount Gravatt mountain, visible from the Coles car park at Mount Gravatt Plaza and various points along the high street, provides a unique aspect that locals describe as having a calming effect. Some fear that 12 to 16-storey towers will block these sightlines permanently.
Despite residential concerns, some business owners and shoppers have expressed optimism about the renewal plan. Local restaurant operators believe increased foot traffic from apartment dwellers would benefit struggling businesses along the high street. Long-term residents shopping on Logan Road have described the current area as stagnant and in need of revitalisation.
Cr Adrian Schrinner has acknowledged residents’ cautious approach but remains confident the plan will benefit the broader community. He noted that suburban renewal projects consistently deliver positive outcomes, addressing concerns about fundamental change to established neighbourhoods.
Some council members have raised questions about whether adequate infrastructure investment will accompany the increased density, with concerns that Mount Gravatt locals deserve better services for their growing community.
A High Street Frozen in Time
Photo credit: BCC
Mount Gravatt’s high street hasn’t changed substantially in four decades. The old Franklins supermarket has been demolished, and the former Mitre 10 hardware store now houses medical services and a restaurant, but the character of Logan Road has remained largely static.
Now, Brisbane’s planners envision a complete transformation. Promotional materials describe the area evolving into a vibrant and distinctive urban village over the next 20 years, with increased density expected to revitalise the struggling high street and attract additional services.
The proposal would permit five to 12-storey apartment towers along the length of Logan Road between Creek and Nursery roads, with a 16-storey tower planned for Mount Gravatt Plaza. Suburban streets behind the plaza, near the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, would be rezoned to allow three-storey apartment blocks.
What Happens Next
The draft precinct plan, developed from technical investigations and initial community feedback collected in mid-2025, outlines several key objectives: increasing housing choice through updated zoning and building heights, supporting local businesses, enhancing public spaces with improved shade and greenery, maximising transport connections, improving walkability through new arcades and alleys, and ensuring development maintains the area’s subtropical character.
Brisbane will now review all submissions received during the consultation period before refining and adopting the precinct plan into Brisbane City Plan 2014. Once adopted, the plan will guide and assess property development applications across the designated area.
Mount Gravatt would join a growing list of suburban renewal precincts, with Moorooka and Salisbury also being considered for similar transformations as Brisbane attempts to address housing shortages through infill development rather than urban sprawl.
Families relying on the historic Mt Gravatt Cemetery are facing a critical squeeze as land shortages and maintenance disputes threaten the future of one of Brisbane’s only burial grounds catering to diverse cultural needs.
The 100-year-old facility in Brisbane’s south has become a focal point for a wider crisis gripping Queensland. While the cemetery handles hundreds of burials and cremations annually, it is struggling to keep up with demand. Local leaders and religious groups have raised concerns that space is running out. This is particularly worrying for Muslim and Jewish communities, who require burial for religious reasons. Mt Gravatt is distinct because it offers specific cultural areas that other council-run locations do not.
Dr Iqbal Sultan from Muslim Funeral Services noted that the shortage of land is becoming an urgent problem. He pointed out that while other countries often reuse graves after a few years to save space, plots in Queensland are generally locked away for at least 50 years. He suggested that deep graves allowing for multiple burials could be an option, but this comes with safety risks for workers who have to enter the ground.
Operational Struggles and Community Outcry
Beyond the lack of space, the way the cemetery is managed has drawn sharp criticism from the public. Over the past three years, complaints have increased regarding the condition of graves. The situation reached a breaking point when families reported their loved ones’ graves were flooded. This was linked to a practice called “spiking,” where water is injected into the ground to settle the soil.
The Brisbane City Council explained that spiking was a standard procedure meant to stop the ground from sinking later on. However, following the backlash from traumatised families, the council paused the practice. A six-month review was launched to look into these burial methods. Community members have called for better training for groundskeepers and more consultation to ensure the site is treated with respect.
The issues at Mt Gravatt reflect a much larger problem across the state. Queensland councils have warned that the state could run out of room to bury its dead within the next decade. Unlike other states that have specific laws for cemeteries, Queensland relies on local councils to manage these facilities. The Local Government Association of Queensland highlighted that without a state-wide plan, councils are left dealing with expensive land acquisition and the “forever” cost of maintaining old gravesites.
In regions like Gladstone and Rockhampton, the pressure is just as high. Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett mentioned that cemeteries take up land that can never be used for anything else. His council even had to pause plot reservations temporarily because holding empty land was becoming too costly for the community.
With land becoming scarce and expensive, experts and commentators are debating the best way forward. Some voices in the media, like Jason Matthews, have suggested that the government needs to encourage cremation as a cheaper and more flexible alternative. However, cremation is not an option for everyone due to personal or religious beliefs.
Researchers have pointed out that in places like Victoria or South Australia, different rules apply, such as renewable tenure where graves are reused after a set period. While this helps save space, it remains a controversial topic for many families. For now, the focus remains on fixing the immediate problems at Mt Gravatt, ensuring families have a place to grieve without the added stress of overcrowding or poor maintenance.
Just weeks after marking its first anniversary, the Mt Gravatt Nurse-Led Walk-In Clinic (NLWIC) has reached a significant milestone: providing care to its 10,000th patient.
Since opening in October last year, the clinic has provided timely assessments, treatment and advice to local residents—services delivered entirely by qualified nursing staff.
The milestone underscores both the demand for community healthcare and the role of nurse‑led models in meeting that need. According to the clinic’s Nurse Unit Manager Emily Pickup, the milestones reflected both the needs of the local community and the growing role of nurses in healthcare.
The Mt Gravatt NLWIC remains unique within the Metro South Health network as a walk‑in clinic where patients are seen autonomously by advanced practice nurses. This model allows people to access care directly, without the need for a doctor’s appointment or referral.
The clinic is part of a broader network of services in the area. For example, the neighbouring Eight Mile Plains Satellite Health Centre offers complementary services, helping to extend access to care beyond traditional hospital settings.
Looking ahead, the Mt Gravatt NLWIC team plans to expand its services. A Reproductive Health Clinic will soon be available by appointment, giving patients greater choice when seeking women’s health services. The clinic also intends to participate in a research project in collaboration with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the Office of the Chief Nurse, reinforcing its commitment to evidence‑based, community-centred care.
Photo credit: Jan T/Google Maps
Over the past year, the clinic has delivered care and support to thousands of patients. Reaching 10,000 patients marks an important milestone in the first year of operation.
As the Mt Gravatt Nurse-Led Walk-In Clinic enters its second year, the team remains committed to providing accessible, nurse‑led care close to home. They look forward to building on their first year’s success and adapting services to meet the evolving needs of the Mt Gravatt community.
This milestone highlights the growing importance of nurse‑led clinics in delivering primary healthcare services and offering a viable, accessible alternative to traditional hospital and GP‑led care for many common, non‑urgent health needs.
A revised development application for Upper Mt Gravatt aims to increase local housing density with a proposal for 150 townhouses and apartments split between two buildings on Dawson Road.
The project at 36 Dawson Road is designed by Prospect Apartment Architecture and signals a shift towards taller living spaces in the area. The updated plans show an increase in height for both structures on the site. Building one is set to rise from seven to eight storeys, while building two will grow from five to seven storeys.
This upward expansion allows for a total of 150 dwellings, offering a mix of unit types to suit different households. The majority of the residences will be two-bedroom units, totaling 112, alongside 12 one-bedroom and 26 three-bedroom options.
Planners from Mewing Planning Consultants stated that the project focuses on a high standard of construction. They noted that the design uses a variety of materials, finishes, and screening to create visual interest and break up the building’s exterior appearance. Beyond the apartments themselves, the site covers 4,856 square metres and includes significant shared areas.
Residents will have access to an 800-square-metre rooftop communal area, and 10 per cent of the site is dedicated to deep planting to maintain greenery. Each dwelling also includes its own private balcony.
To support the increase in residents, the development includes a substantial boost in parking facilities. The number of car spaces has risen from 194 in previous plans to 272, which includes a new visitor parking area at ground level.
Active transport is also a priority, with bicycle parking spaces increasing to 188. Vehicle and pedestrian entry to the complex will be managed through a private internal road that connects directly to Government Road, aiming to keep traffic flow organised within the site.
Mt Gravatt marked the 28th anniversary of the Circle of Senior Citizens & Friends during a gathering attended by His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane at the Parish of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
Mt Gravatt hosted the 28th anniversary celebration of the Circle of Senior Citizens & Friends at the Parish of the Dormition of the Theotokos. His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane joined parishioners, seniors and community members to mark the occasion. The gathering reflected the long-standing connection between the parish and the senior community it has supported for nearly three decades.
Photo Credit: Greek Orthodox Church of the Dormition of Our Lady/Facebook
Acknowledgement of Parish Leaders
During his visit, Bishop Bartholomew recognised the efforts of Parish Priest Father Nicholas Brown and group coordinator Irene Cayas. Both were acknowledged for their continued commitment to the wellbeing of senior residents who participate in the Mt Gravatt program.
Their involvement remains consistent with the group’s purpose, which has focused on regular support, friendship and community engagement throughout its 28 years.
Messages to the Community
Bishop Bartholomew delivered the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and expressed hopes for the good health of all senior attendees.
A gift was presented to the Bishop during the event to acknowledge the anniversary of his episcopal consecration. He noted that the gesture moved him deeply and asked those present to keep him in their prayers. The presentation formed part of the celebration’s emphasis on community, support and shared milestones.
Reflection on the Episcopal Journey
The Bishop also expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Makarios for recommending his name for the episcopacy to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod of Constantinople. His reflection highlighted the ecclesiastical process that led to his role in Brisbane and his ongoing service to local parishes such as Mt Gravatt.
Community Sentiment
Community members shared supportive messages, with many acknowledging the dedication of the women involved in the senior group.
Comments reflected appreciation for the friendships the program has fostered, as well as the sense of stability and companionship it has offered to senior participants over the years. The messages pointed to the group’s significant place in the Mt Gravatt community and the continuity of its mission.
Mount Gravatt Girl Guides will receive a full kitchen refurbishment as part of a Queensland-wide upgrade program for local Scouts and Girl Guides facilities.
Funding Announced After Government Program Release
The investment highlights the group’s role in serving families in the area and supporting young people through weekly activities and community events. The funding forms part of the Games On grassroots infrastructure program, which the state confirmed in late November. The program directs support to ten community groups across Queensland.
Along with Mount Gravatt, the upgrades include improvements for Moggill Girl Guides, Kenmore District Girl Guides, six Scout groups and a Scout camp. The program aims to strengthen youth organisations that offer safe spaces for learning, leadership and social connection.
Focus On Community Facilities
The refurbishment at Mount Gravatt will replace an ageing kitchen that is used for meetings, weekend activities and community gatherings. The upgrade will improve safety and support volunteers who help run programs for local girls.
The government described the broader package as an investment in safe, functional and accessible facilities that help young people develop new skills and confidence.
Support Extends To Other Local Groups
Moggill Girl Guides and Kenmore District Girl Guides will also receive infrastructure upgrades to support their local programs. Scout groups in Helensvale, Dayboro, Aspley, Moggill, Karana and Kenmore, along with Seeonee Park Scout Camp in Rockhampton, will benefit from facility repairs, accessibility works or new equipment.
While these upgrades vary between locations, each project aims to support young people, volunteers and community users.
Emphasis On Youth Development
Officials said the improvements will help youth organisations deliver safe programs and continue their work in developing leadership and resilience. Girl Guides Queensland stated that upgraded facilities support teams of volunteers who run weekly activities and help girls build confidence, teamwork and life skills.
