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Brisbane Metro Depot in Rochedale to Provide New Eco-Friendly Transport

The Brisbane Metro Depot, Brisbane City Council’s new Rochedale project, will be providing storage and power for the new fleet of Brisbane Metro vehicles, offering advanced charging infrastructure on top of maintenance and staff facilities.

It will also generate 170 new jobs throughout construction, with many more to follow after its completion.

Over 10 hectares large, the depot will be one of the biggest and most technologically advanced facilities in all of Australia. The fleet itself will facilitate travel across Brisbane by giving the community a new mode of transport which shares the busway with existing bus services.

Upon completion, the depot will be able to house up to 60 fully electric Metro vehicles — all of which will be produced by the world-leading vehicle manufacturer HESS, in partnership with the Brisbane-based manufacturer Volgren and the electric infrastructure company ABB.

Each vehicle utilises an advanced battery fuel source with zero tailpipe emissions, and they will be able to carry up to 150 passengers. HESS and its partners will build and test the electric vehicles in Europe within the year, and they are expected to be available for local operating testing in Brisbane by 2022.

Major construction of the Brisbane Metro Depot, located along School Rd, Rochedale, is expected to begin in mid-2021. Construction of the facility is estimated to finish in 2023, just in time for the delivery of the Brisbane Metro vehicle fleet.

Just Cuts Mt. Gravatt Moves to New Location After 10 Years of Business

To celebrate their reopening on the 11th of March, 2021, barbershop Just Cuts Mt. Gravatt is offering free haircuts to 30 of their inaugural customers as they open their new venue on the ground floor of Westfield Garden City.

Following the drastic changes to the business landscape brought about by the pandemic, the Mt. Gravatt branch of Just Cuts salon has decided to relocate.

“We’re moving to a premium site right next to the food court,” says Michael Mercer, owner of the Just Cuts franchise. “It’s more attractive to me because our no appointments, just walk in business model suits higher foot traffic locations.”

COVID-19 has been particularly problematic for local businesses based in shopping centres such as Westfield Garden City as people are keen to spend less time in public indoor areas.

“Thursday night business has dropped 50% and weekends have dropped overall,” adds Mr. Mercer.

Despite Just Cuts’ apparent decline in customers, their weekdays have also become busier as customers would prefer to get in and out of salons as quickly as possible to follow COVID-19 guidelines and safety measures. In order to adapt to the new environment, a change of venues was necessary to increase engagement with the Mt. Gravatt community.

For the first time since the salon first set up ten years ago, Just Cuts Mt. Gravatt will change venues in order to adapt while the Queensland economy recovers. There will be no shutdown period between salon transfers, and Just Cuts’ priority will remain on hygiene and delivering quality haircuts to their customers.

“We want to maintain the confidence our clients have in our salon,” adds Mr. Mercer.

With a team of eight local artists, Just Cuts Mt. Gravatt is expected to reopen on Thursday, March 11, 2021, at 9:00AM. The new shop will be located at Westfield Garden City’s ground floor opposite Boost & Kathmandu, near the southern food court.

Follow their Facebook page for the latest news on deals, dates, and general updates.

Advocates Pick Legal Representation To Save Seton College

“It is only a small school but it is making a big difference,” so goes the battle cry of the advocates to save Seton College in Mount Gravatt, following the announcement that they have hired legal representation in the fight to prevent the school’s closure in 2024.

The group, Save Our Seton College (SOS) Inc., has picked the legal team from Elliot & Harvey to help them win this fight.

It comes as a former staff member, who resigned in 2020, warned that the closure will have a long-term outcome on its remaining students who will have to move to a mainstream school and could likely struggle with the curriculum and the new environment.

The staff said that there’s nothing like Seton in terms of adjusting to the children’s abilities and needs, as assessed by their teachers, especially among those with developmental challenges. For many of these kids, Seton is not just an educational centre but it’s also a home where they can “have a place in society” and never have to fear expulsion from school.

In early 2020, Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) confirmed the closure of Seton College due to the dwindling number of enrollees. But concerned parents and students have challenged this decision by claiming that it is the school that hasn’t accepted new students.

BCE appointed representatives to assist parents and students in the transition. One parent said that a representative told them there are more than 140 schools in Brisbane’s southeast that could be suitable for special needs students from Seton. However, based on their experience, four of the five potential schools approached by BCE representatives turned down their child.

In the meantime, SOS is holding Zoom meetings regularly to update each other on the progress of their fight to save the school. For more information about the group, follow the Facebook page or visit the official site.

“The impending closure of Seton College by 2024, will leave an enormous gap in the schooling options available to Brisbane families. There will no longer be a contemporary Catholic, coeducational Secondary College purpose-built for personalised learning on the south side of Brisbane,” the group said.

New Tex-Mex Restaurant, South Austin, Opens in Mt Gravatt

Photo credit: South Austin Tex Mex Cantina/ Facebook

Looking for the perfect place for next week’s date night? Or simply want to try a new restaurant across Brisbane? If you’re fancying Mexican cuisine, drive all the way to the newly opened South Austin in Mt Gravatt.

This Tex-Mex Cantina is the latest project of Barbecue Mafia owners Gareth Dosser and Andrew Walliker, who drew much inspiration from the Tex-Mex restaurants they visited in the United States in 2018. After landing in the Top 10 at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, the duo decided to celebrate their win through this new business venture.

Photo credit: South Austin Tex Mex Cantina/ Facebook Photo credit: South Austin Tex Mex Cantina/ Facebook

All dishes in South Austin are inspired by the tastes of Mexico and Central Texas, with items like handmade tortillas and smoked brisket. Everything, from the meat to the salsas are made inhouse. They smoke meat and hand-press tortillas everyday to ensure freshness. Chef Ryan Marstella, who’s also the head chef of Barbecue Mafia, makes the salsas, queso, and guacamole.

But the huge hit here is the beef birria taco – it’s smoked and braised beef shin and ribs in rich chili broth. The tortillas are dipped in the rich broth before grilling with melted cheese, onion, and coriander. It’s best paired with frozen mango and watermelon margaritas or locally made beers courtesy of Ballistic Beer Co and Stone and Wood.

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If you’re vegetarian or want something gluten-free, Chef Marstella could serve roasted cauliflower taco blue corn tortilla. But if you’re okay with gluten, you can simply ask for their flour tortilla that’s also vegetarian and just as delicious and fresh as their blue corn tortilla.

South Austin Cantina is located at Cenzo’s Bar and Cafe and is open for dinner from Thursday to Saturday, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. They have limited walk ups and takeaways, so bookings through https://southaustincantina.com.au/ are highly recommended.

Grab a Cup and Get to Know the Story Behind The Coffee

Who doesn’t enjoy sharing stories over coffee? Well, here’s one interesting and sweet tale behind the new Mount Gravatt East hole in the wall cafe, Story Behind The Coffee.

Owner Danilo Ramon Jovero Jr opened Story Behind The Coffee in September 2020 with his partner as their first business venture together. Mr Jovero followed the love of his life in Australia in April 2019.

Mr Jovero said that he’s passionate about his five-year relationship as much as he’s passionate about coffee and he’s roasting only the best coffee beans at his cafe — the award-winning Coffee Mentality.

Mr Jovero and the Coffee Mentality group work with sustainable and ethical coffee growers from the Philippines.

Quality coffee and quality service are what drives the owner to come to his store every day and hear other people’s stories. Aside from selling bags of specialty coffee beans to take home, this cafe also has a variety of syrups — in white chocolate, butterscotch or Irish cream — to mix with a hot or cold cup.

Story Behind The Coffee took over the spot of a former grocery store on Broadwater Road and turned the fit-out into a classic black and white cafe.

To learn more about their opening hours and coffee blends, follow the Facebook Page.

“Open at good hours ie 6 am on a weekend. Coffee is really nice tasting and the barista is super lovely. Decor lovely- would be nice in winter when the weather isn’t hot n humid!”
Edwina L

“Fantastic coffee shop. Some of the best coffee I’ve ever had and the owners are super warm and friendly people, “the story” behind the coffee is really cute too. 10/10 recommended”
Winston Timmermans

“Great to have a local hole in the wall! Dog friendly is a big plus as well.”
Bruce Muir

KFC to Rise at Site of Mexican Eatery Montezuma

Montezuma, Mount Gravatt’s popular Mexican eatery found on the corner of Logan Road and Lumley Street, could soon close to make way for a new KFC outlet following the filing of a development application with Council.

According to the plan (DA A005637253), Montezuma’s fitout will not be torn down. Instead, the structures will undergo refacing, modifications and installations as it rebrands into a KFC, the popular American fried chicken fast-food chain.

Collins Property Development Pty Ltd filed the application in mid-January 2021. The plan also includes a drive-through section via Lumley Street.

Per the application, parts of the car park area will be reduced from 55 to 31 to accommodate a pedestrian pathway and a dedicated loading bay.

KFC — Photo Credit: PD Online/Brisbane City Council

KFC — Photo Credit: PD Online/Brisbane City Council

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Mesa Australia Pty Ltd, which owns Montezuma, said that it’s still business as usual in their Mount Gravatt outlet, as they await the arrival of a new CEO by February.

The spokesperson didn’t reveal any relocation plans for Mount Gravatt. Montezuma has other outlets in Albany Creek, Capalaba, Taringa, and North Ipswich.

Montezuma has been a restaurant franchise since the late 1970s. As with other businesses in the food industry, the restaurant has scaled-down dine-in operations and has been offering takeaway options.

Appeal Lodged for Rejected Kessels Road Service Station, Fast Food Outlet Proposal

The developer of a planned service station and fast food outlet along the corner of Kessels Road and Mains Road in Macgregor has filed an appeal after the Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads rejected the application in November 2020.

According to the decision notice (DA A005114967), the project cannot proceed as it had “not adequately demonstrated compliance with the following applicable codes – Stormwater code, Landscape works code and the Transport, access, parking and servicing code.”

The plan will also create a “potential safety issue” as Kessels Road and Mains Road are major thoroughfares. Adding a service station and a fast food outlet with a drive-through service will “introduce a new conflict point.”

The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) said that four rear-end crashes resulting in the motorists’ medical treatments have occurred on the location within five years and the access arrangement provided by the developers “has the potential to increase the likelihood of rear-end crashes.”

Over 50,000 vehicles pass through this intersection every day whilst an additional 116 cars per hour has been projected if service station and fast food outlet were to be completed.

The developer, however, filed an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court on 11 Jan 2021 through its lawyer David Astill, who argued that the proposal will not “adversely impact” the safety, efficiency and traffic movements on the said roads.

Mr Astill also stated that the project’s overall outcome complies with the Mt Gravatt Corridor Neighbourhood Plan and will deliver the location’s economic need.

Concerned Stakeholders Launch Petition, Pledges to Save Seton College

A group of concerned stakeholders has launched a petition to Save Seton College from permanent closure in Mount Gravatt in 2024. The petition has received over 6,500 signatures whilst pledges to help reverse the proposal have reached more than 1,000.

Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) announced late this year that Seton College will cease accepting new enrollees in 2021, claiming that enrolments have been dwindling in recent years.

The stakeholders are challenging BCE’s claims after learning that the school actually turned away 60 students in 2020. In 2019, the school apparently sent emails to parents that it reached maximum capacity “with a waiting list already in place.”

“It appears that BCE is orchestrating the decline in enrolments by enrolling less than 25% of applicants for year seven 2020, and, furthermore, stopping ALL and ANY future enrolments, regardless of year level,” the stakeholders said in a statement. “It appears BCE are winding things up much quicker than originally anticipated, with an exodus of teaching and support staff and the shocking redundancy of the school’s IT manager, who was recently applauded for his work in developing an effective online classroom platform during the COVID shutdown.”

The group has been holding Save Our Seton (SOS) meetings on the Zoom platform. The first meeting for next year is scheduled for 17 Jan 2021.

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Seton College is a typical co-educational Secondary College that offers personalised learning. It’s described as “the school that fills the gap between mainstream schools and special schools” for including individual student support, pastoral care and personality development that aren’t found in a mainstream school’s curriculum.

“Seton College is the most welcoming, helping, accepting and the best school I’ve ever been to,” a former student, Tayhlia Shaw, said when she launched the petition. “Education is taught in many different fun ways to help students not only enjoy their classes but take in more from what they are learning about.”

For updates on the activities of the SOS, follow their Facebook page or become a member on their official site.

Perfect Beginnings Upper Mt Gravatt Set for Expansion

A childcare centre in Upper Mt Gravatt has lodged a development application (DA) for expansion after reaching 98 percent of its capacity this year. Perfect Beginnings on 53 Klumpp Road is awaiting approval from Council to demolish a neigbouring property and begin its expansion construction.

The current facility on 55 Klumpp Road will also be partially demolished and re-established as a single two-storey structure with the new site. The proposal includes additional rooms, 28-spaces carpark and plenty of focus on nature play and greenery.

The move will expand the floor area from 354 sqm to 953 sqm. If all goes to plan, the expansion should be complete at the end of 2021 in time for the centre’s opening in February 2021.

Some 15 new job openings will have to be filled after the expansion, which will allow Perfect Beginnings to accept 100 placements.

Perfect Beginnings is one of three Brisbane childcare centres owned by Fingrow Holdings Pty Ltd. The manager Jessica Lomas said that the facility can no longer meet the demands as their waitlist is growing and they’ve turned down families until the expansion.

The DA (A005581865) has had an initial review and is currently undergoing further information request. A public consultation has yet to get underway.

Popular Eatery King of Kings Expands To Upper Mt Gravatt

For 30 years, King of Kings has been a fixture in Fortitude Valley’s dining scene and soon foodies in Upper Mt Gravatt will get to taste its signature dim sum dishes and famous seafood choices without the need to drive up nearly 20 kilometres away.

King of Kings is opening a restaurant on Logan Road, alongside the Thai Orchid and across the Mt Gravatt Bowls Club. The site is still in the process of redevelopment with no confirmed opening date.

Its location in the Valley is also undergoing massive changes with a new custom kitchen and a fresh redesign. The restaurant was supposed to open in May but due to building delays and the pandemic restrictions, the owners are now planning a New Year relaunch.

King of Kings takes pride in serving the best yum cha in Brisbane. The site of many celebrations since it opened in the late 1980s, the restaurant changed owners in 2012 and they will continue to run both outlets in 2021.

“Probably some of the best Chinese you will have, massive selection of all your favorites and a whole bunch of others. Service is always spot on super quick and friendly. Portion sizes are decent and it is just a little bit more that most other Chinese restaurants.”
Josh Berry, Google Reviews

“Enjoyed Yum Cha recently, and found the service quick, and the food extremely tasty. The fact that it was very busy is testament to its popularity. Will be definitely coming back!”
Perry Limb, Facebook Reviews