Mount Gravatt has witnessed an unprecedented surge in house prices, ballooning by $206,605 in the 12 months leading to March 2024, according to the latest CoreLogic report.
The Australian housing market has experienced a robust growth of 8.8% over the past year, a significant indicator of the country’s economic resilience and the real estate sector’s buoyancy. CoreLogic’s monthly housing report, examining the period up to March 2024, has revealed 10 areas that have seen the most considerable increase in house prices by dollar value, highlighting the diversity and potential of the Australian real estate landscape.
The Top 10 Surge
Mount Gravatt in Queensland leads this exceptional growth, marking a pivotal moment for the Brisbane housing market. Below is a table showcasing the top 10 suburbs nationwide, experiencing the highest increase in house prices:
Rank
Area
Location
Price Increase
1
Warringah
Sydney
$254,195
2
Carindale
Brisbane
$236,277
3
Mount Gravatt
Brisbane
$206,605
4
Eastern Suburbs – South
Sydney
$204,715
5
Pennant Hills and Epping
Sydney
$202,600
6
Burnside
Adelaide
$186,868
7
Marrickville, Sydenham and Petersham
Sydney
$186,264
8
Nathan
Brisbane
$179,013
9
Sunnybank
Brisbane
$178,222
10
Canada Bay
Sydney
$174,588
Market Insights
CoreLogic’s Head of Research, Eliza Owen, shared insights into the housing market’s performance, noting significant value growth across various suburbs.
“Some of the best value markets have floated to the top of the league tables when it comes to percentage capital growth,” Ms Owen stated.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Percentage growth vs. dollar value growth provides a new perspective on markets. Warringah in Sydney saw a 14% increase, resulting in a $254,000 rise in home value. Even small percentage gains can lead to significant dollar gains in high-value areas.
Ms. Owen emphasised the potential of lower-priced markets, which have shown higher rates of capital growth. The “lower quartile” home value index rose by 3.1% in the March quarter, showcasing the vibrancy of more affordable markets.
Market Conditions and Outlook
The real estate market in Australia is constantly changing, which affects investors, homeowners, and analysts. With interest rates rising rapidly, borrowing capacities are adjusting, and demographic shifts are influencing market demand.
Over the past year, the real estate sector in Australia has realized the significance of strategic investment and market awareness. Suburbs like Mount Gravatt in Brisbane have emerged as leaders in this regard. Going forward, the adaptability and resilience of this sector will be tested as economic conditions and consumer preferences evolve.
How did you learn your times tables? Many adults today, recall having learnt all of them ‘off by heart’, through rote memorization, but there is a strong argument to support that a more ‘meaningful’ approach will have greater long-term benefits.
Rote learning is simply a way for the brain to store data short-term and does not require a deep understanding of a concept. In order to commit all 144 times tables to long-term memory, they must be accessed, repeated, and tested frequently.
What we have learnt over the years, is that learning in meaningful ways, is far more effective.
At NumberWorks’nWords, we know that true mastery of a concept (the times tables in this instance), requires a higher order thinking, which in turn leads to the formation of new neural pathways. The brain’s ability to make connections in this way is referred to as neuroplasticity.
A highly effective approach to the teaching
of mathematics is called Cognitive Guided Instruction (CGI). Like Bloom’s
Taxomony (Benjamin Bloom 1956), it focuses on ‘conceptual understanding’ over
‘process’ and suggests learning without understanding, limits a child’s ability
to problem solve and apply what they have learnt to new situations.
So let’s return to the task of learning the
Times Tables and explain how, at NumberWorks’nWords, we do this in a more
meaningful way.
Our program incorporates a range of
strategies when learning the times tables, so children are afforded the
opportunities to make connections in their understanding of number and number
properties, patterns, place value, operations and more.
Our comprehensive visual and interactive resources, used in conjunction with concrete materials, written representations and most importantly, explicit teaching, empower our students to make connections in real and relevant ways.
When something ’clicks’ for a child, it is like it is locked in. Suddenly, the steps make sense and the new piece of information is literally attached or connected to something permanent in the brain.
Recalling and using this information becomes fluid and purposeful, and enables the child to understand the concept, rather than simply following a process that has no meaning.
When teaching the Times Tables, we always
start with the easiest patterns (x1, x2, x10, x5) then move onto the
progressively more difficult (x3, x4, x9, x11, x6, x7, x8, x12). The accepted
standard of fluid recall is to be able to solve each table in 3 seconds or
less.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Below are some strategies that you may find
helpful, as your child masters each of the times tables.
1X
The number always stays the same. Explaining this as ‘one group of’ something, helps the child to see that there is a conservation of number and that the ‘one group’ does not change.
2X
Some children may not initially see that the 2 times table is the same as the addition doubles strategy. Once this connection is made, the 2x process is often understood in a different perspective and it alters the way the brain arranges the numbers.
Using visualisation also helps, eg 2×3 or 2 groups of 3 is like an insect’s legs (3 on each side), 2×4 is a spider’s legs, 2×6 is a carton of 12 eggs in 2 rows.
3X
Children learn to skip count in 3s and also learn an addition strategy called ‘count on’ which means you put the large number in your head and count on up to 3 steps forward, eg if you know 3×3 =9, then 4×3= 9 count on 3 more, hence 9 (big number in your head) count on 10…11…12 (the answer).
4X
Once a child masters the 2X tables, then the 4X is simply double the 2X. eg. 2×7=14, so 4×7= double 14 which is 28. This is particularly easy when there is no need to bridge the tens.
If the child does need to bridge the tens, the connection to place value and partitioning become important eg 2×8 can be considered as 5+3+5+3 which the child could then put the ‘friendly’ numbers together and mentally arrange them as 5+5+3+3 = 10+6.
5X
Children learn to skip count in 5s orally because they can quickly learn the pattern of the words. Reciting the pattern is actually a quick and efficient way to get an answer to a 5X table, so this is an easy connection for children to make.
Photo Credit: Pebels/Ida Bagus Anggarama
X6, X7, and X8
I group these together because it allows children to see that they are not as difficult as they may have first thought. Once the child masters the earlier tables (x1, x2, x3, x4, x5, x9, x10, x11), it means they can turn them all around to solve any table that includes a 6, a 7 or an 8.
Making this connection straight away, means children will more readily apply the learnt strategy, now in a meaningful way to the more ‘difficult’ tables.
I often explain to students who are learning their tables with us, that there is a useful strategy, or pattern to almost all of them.
However, there is a small list of specific tables that I recommend they do commit to memory. When children realise that the list is so small, it makes the overwhelming task of learning (memorising) ‘all’ of the tables, seem very easy indeed.
6×6=36
6×7=42
6×8=48
7×7=49
7×8=56
8×8=64
9X
Not everyone is aware of the many strategies and patterns that exist in the 9 time tables. Firstly, the 2 digit answers in every instance (1-10) always appear as the same combinations of digits ie 2 and 7 go together to make 3×9=27 as well as 8×9=72, 3and 6 go together as 36 and 63 etc. The added clue is that the 2 digit combinations actually add to make 9, so this helps the child to remember which ones go together.
When presented with a 9 times table, eg 9×8 the child can think that 10 x 8 would be 80, so 9×8 will start with a 7 and the number that goes together with 7 is 2. The answer is 72.
Then of course there is always the ‘using the fingers’ strategy. By counting off the 10 fingers 1 to 10, simply curl over the finger represented in the 9x fact. (See image below)
10X
It is important for children to understand why the zero goes on the end of any number that is being multiplied by 10. The pattern of simply ‘adding’ a zero is easy, but again the risk is that children will simply follow a process without really attaching any meaning to it. Using language like ‘adding’ can actually confuse many children with the process of addition and of course that is not what is happening here.
When children make the connection to the changing place value of the digits, they will realise that the original number is now 10 times bigger! When learning to multiply by ten, children need opportunities to manipulate and arrange concrete materials and to see the process visually, before they can understand what is happening.
The learning of concepts such as fractions, decimals will be so much easier once children have this fundamental understanding of the 10 times tables.
Photo Credit: Pexels/August de Richelieu
11X
The obvious pattern in the repeated digit makes the 11s easy to recall, but again, it is important to develop this understanding through cognitive guided instruction (so the child knows the answer is the combination of the already learnt 10x fact plus the 1x fact)
12X
Like the 11s, the 12 times tables are the combination of the already learnt 10x fact and 2x fact.
At NumberWorks’nWords we know that mastery
of the Times Tables is a fundamental core skill. We focus on core skills and
the teaching of meaningful strategies, because it is proven that the more
connections children make as they learn each table, the more readily they will
be able to apply their understanding to each new mathematical problem in the
future.
This competition is proudly sponsored by NumberWorksnWords in Mount Gravatt. Every entrant will receive a free evaluation and a free lesson. All entrants will go into a draw, the winner will receive a whole term’s tuition, worth $650.
TO ENTER: Simply pass the problem below onto your child and ask them to solve it. Then complete the entry form below it. Competition closes on October 8, 2023.
Did you know that over 60% of all English words have been borrowed from Greek or Latin roots? In the vocabulary of the sciences and technology, it rises to over 90% because during the Middle Ages, Latin was the language of scholars and educated people.
Many children and even adults struggle as they are learning English if they are unfamiliar with the Greek and Latin roots that have so greatly influenced the evolution of our words.
I
am passionate about supporting students to be well versed in their knowledge
and use of the Greek and Latin roots, for they serve 3 key purposes.
Comprehension
Being able to recognise derivational roots within a text allows for a greater depth of understanding. Comprehension is supported when an unknown word can be broken down to its parts. eg. In simple terms, if you know that the Greek root ‘psych’ means mind and the Latin root ‘ology’ means study of, then the meaning of the word ‘psychology’ is easy to determine.
Spelling
Being familiar with Greek and Latin roots, provides the building blocks for accurate spelling. While many roots have been adapted over the years, there are common patterns and recognisable features that support the spelling of many multisyllabic words.
Writing
Good writers need to have a mastery of their language in order to articulate and express ideas and emotions, elaborate and describe settings and characters and persuade and encourage their readers to move or question or feel etc.
When a writer has an appreciation for the diverse vocabulary available to them, they can make the most effective word choices. The English language has an unusually large number of synonyms, due to the fact that it has been influenced by several different language groups. English writers should take advantage of this.
In response to the projected population growth in Brisbane, the city has revealed plans to construct residential towers in several suburbs, including Mt Gravatt, Carindale, Indooroopilly, Chermside, Toowong, and Toombul.
It comes following the recent announcement to raise the building height limit for the Kurilpa precinct, where the heights may reach up to 274 metres, surpassing that of the tallest building in the city, the Brisbane Skytower.
The aim is to accommodate an estimated increase from 1.26 million to 1.5 million residents by 2041. Under Brisbane City Council’s 2023 housing strategy, over 115,000 homes, units, or apartments will be built, focusing on higher density developments.
Mt Gravatt (Photo credit: David K/Google Maps)
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has emphasised the importance of building upward rather than outward, advocating for taller towers in established suburbs that already boast good public transport connections.
Cr Schrinner believes that 90 percent of future growth in Brisbane will come from “brownfield development,” converting underused commercial and industrial land into residential areas. Schrinner argues that setting higher height limits in exchange for sustainable development will yield benefits for the community.
However, the announcement has sparked mixed opinions among locals, as seen in a Reddit thread discussing the matter. One commenter expressed scepticism about the claim of good public transport connections in suburbs like Chermside and Carindale.
They questioned the suitability of these areas for high-density developments, suggesting that transport infrastructure might need improvement to support such projects effectively.
Chermside (Photo credit: Google Street View)
Another Reddit user offered an alternative perspective, suggesting that allowing smaller-scale developments such as duplexes, triplexes, or quadruplexes on existing lots would be a more attainable and inclusive approach.
“Big apartment buildings can only be built by major developers. But turning 1 house into 2? That’s a lot more achievable. Plus it spreads out the population growth to the whole city, which means the overall rate of change in any one area is minimised so it’s easier for people to adjust,” the Reddit user wrote.
Cr Schrinner pointed out that the proposal would permit a variety of building heights without necessarily contributing to traffic congestion in the area.
Ultimately, the success of Brisbane’s housing strategy in response to the population growth in Brisbanewill depend on effective implementation and ongoing evaluation of its impact on the city and its residents.
A major revamp of Brisbane’s bus network is happening soon and Mount Gravatt residents are being asked to weigh in on the plans for the new bus network.
A community information session will be held for Mount Gravatt residents on Saturday, 19 November 2022 at the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, Upper Community Hall.
Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Ryan Murphy said Brisbane’s New Bus Network will ensure Brisbane, which population is expected to grow by almost 25 per cent by 2041, will have the services in place to meet future demand. The decision to invest in the fully electric, high-capacity Brisbane Metro will give Council greater flexibility to deliver more services, more often during peak periods.
Some of the key changes to Brisbane’s bus network include the addition of three new routes:
Route 26 – Griffith University station to RBWH station
Route P109 – Acacia Ridge to City
Route 182 – Upper Mt Gravatt station (Garden City) to Holland Park West
The redesign will also make the network more efficient by combining 27 routes and removing two due to duplication and low patronage, particularly Routes 145 and P151.
“We’re backing this up with record investment in public transport to support services throughout Brisbane’s suburbs,” Cr Murphy said.
Photo Credit: LinkedIn / Ryan Murphy
“Brisbane’s New Bus Network redesigns services to connect customers to the two high-frequency Metro lines between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the University of Queensland.
“There is also significant scope to expand the Metro further into Brisbane’s north and east through investment into the dedicated bus network.
Councillor Murphy added that Council will increase its public transport subsidy for bus services by 84 per cent to 183 million over the next few years to ensure that Brisbane can invest in additional services where they needed most.
Council is inviting Brisbane residents to have their say on the new bus services by attending one of the Council’s 22 community information sessions or going online to use the interactive map or play the Brisbane Metro Game.
“We want residents to join the conversation and provide their feedback to help us create the best possible transport network.”
Council will finalise the network following public consultation and will seek Translink’s approval on the changes. The new network plan ahead of bus network changes and metro services will be released starting in late 2024.
Visit the Council website here for more information on how to have your say on Brisbane’s New Bus Network.
Australian-owned specialty coffee franchisor, Zarraffa’s Coffee, opened its latest drive-through location in Mt Gravatt. Taking over the space at 3/1329-1339 Logan Road, the store owned by franchisees Melissa Sanagan and Lachlan Sherrington was launched in late September 2022.
Melissa and Lachlan opened their first Zarraffa’s Coffee franchise in 2019 in Tweed Heads South, NSW. Three years later, the couple decided that the time to explore Mt Gravatt for expansion opportunities was ripe.
Photo Credit: Zarraffa’s Coffee / Facebook
“We plan to become more involved in the community, through local schools, businesses and sporting associations,” Mrs Sanagan said.
“Supporting businesses in our backyard has always been a core part of what Zarraffa’s stores do and we’re keen to start forging local relationships through coffee.”
“Opening the Mount Gravatt location is another chapter in our journey with Zarraffa’s. We’re looking forward to serving the local community handcrafted coffee for years to come.”
Melissa added that with their years of experience owning the South Tweed franchise, they “were really pumped to hit the ground running and deliver on the overarching Zarraffa’s experience.”
Photo Credit: Zarraffa’s Coffee / Facebook
“It’s really exciting to be able to open our second store and set our standards early,” she said.
“We’ve been forming our team for the past few months, employing over 30 locals. We believe when our staff are well trained, happy and confident, we can deliver the best possible service for our customers. My teaching experience has really helped build our team’s skills and knowledge. We thrive on having a fantastic culture in our stores.”
The latest drive-through store expansion is part of Zarraffa’s Coffee’s current expansion plans for its 25-year-old specialty coffee company. The company’s CEO, Marnie Sheldon said it’s hugely rewarding to see Melissa and Lachlan take the next step by becoming a multi-site owners within the brand.
“Growing our footprint can only happen with the great operators. Mel and Lachlan have established a thriving local business in South Tweed and now get to enjoy the next phase in their franchising journey with two bustling drive thru locations,” she said.
“As we head into this next phase of store footprint expansion, we are looking for the right operators to join our team and grow beyond our traditional areas. With major expansion planning across Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, there is plenty of opportunity for commercial growth.”
Zarraffa’s Coffee was established in 1996 by Kenton and Rachel Campbell. Fully Australian-owned and operated, the company has its head office and roastery based in Eagleby.
Originally operating as a roasting house on Southport in Gold Coast, Zarraffa’s Coffee grew into an award-winning enterprise with over 70 locations across Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales. The Company’s drive-through concept was conceived in 2009 which offered a quality coffee experience paired with added convenience.
Zarraffa’s Coffee Mount Gravatt | 3/1329/1339 Logan Rd, Mount Gravatt QLD 4122, Australia
Haven’t had a proper eye check-up in the last two years? The Free Sight Support Expo in Mt Gravatt will help locals with their vision issues, detect eye problems, and facilitate early intervention. This is a one-day event so mark your calendars!
Quantum RLV, which has been providing products and services for people with low vision or blindness for more than 35 years, will conduct the community event on Thursday, 8 Sept. 2022 at the Garden City Library within the shopping centre. The Free Sight Support Expo will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Anyone with macular disease, glaucoma, stroke, blindness, or any condition which affects their vision is encouraged to come, including those with reading and learning challenges. Carers, family members and health professionals may also drop in and discuss specific low-vision issues with the experts.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Several assistive technologies will also be demonstrated, road tested or trialled at the event, including the latest text-to-speech wearable OrCam technology.
“Low vision is a term used to describe a reduced quality of vision experienced by an individual, where spectacles and contact lenses are no longer enough,” Low Vision Consultant Peter Cracknell said.
“Although low vision is an everyday term, the reality is that every individual is unique and needs a tailored solution to help them retain their independence and function well in their everyday life.”
Aside from Mt Gravatt, other schedules of the free expo will also take place on these dates and venues:
DATE/TIME
LOCATION
Tues 13 September 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Queensland Eye Institute 140 Melbourne StreetSouth Brisbane
Mount Gravatt, Mount Gravatt East, Upper Mount Gravatt, and a number of other Brisbane suburbs have had a spraying blitz following news of South East Queensland’s first case of Japanese encephalitis in 24 years.
As the rains and the devasting flooding event have turned wet spaces into breeding grounds for mosquitoes, here’s what you need to know to protect yourself from JE exposure.
Symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is a virus that causes a brain infection. It’s transmitted through an infected mosquito bite that may manifest symptoms within 5 to 15 days of the infection. The experts said that JE cannot be transmitted from person to person and it’s usually not transmitted by the most prevalent mosquito species in Queensland.
However, 99 per cent of JE virus infections will show no symptoms, per Queensland Health. Those who do could develop high fever and chills, severe headache, photophobia, neck stiffness, nausea, or vomiting, which could lead to convulsions or coma. A third of patients whose conditions become severe may develop permanent disabilities or succumb to the disease.
Prevention Measures
As the Council continues to monitor mosquito traps located across the city, residents may reduce their risks by doing the following below, per advice from the Australian Department of Health:
applying and regularly reapplying an effective insect repellent on exposed skin
wearing long, loose fitting clothing when outside
ensuring accommodation, including tents, are properly fitted with mosquito nettings or screens
using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units (indoors) and mosquito coils (outdoors) to clear rooms and repel mosquitoes from an area
covering all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens
removing any water-holding containers where mosquitoes may breed
The best mosquito repellents to use must contain diethyltoluamide (DEET), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Subsequently, locals may be immunised against JE. Distribution and administration of the vaccines will be focused on at-risk groups, such as workers in piggeries, pork abattoirs, or pork-processing plants, laboratory workers who could be exposed to the virus, environmental health workers, and people who reside in locations with confirmed cases.
Did you know that Mount Gravatt Mazda runs a Christmas toy drive for children affected by cancer and domestic violence? Now in its third year, the toy drive upholds the goal of making a difference in a child’s life.
Whilst the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year, it can be the most difficult time for families of kids with cancer and those seeking refuge from domestic violence. Thus, Mount Gravatt Mazda came up with the toy drive to bring some festive cheer to those who may be scared and lonely during this season.
So, until the 18th of December 2021, Mount Gravatt Mazda will accept gift donations, especially new toys, for the children to unwrap on Christmas Day. The dealership is hoping to fill up the Mazda BT-50 sleigh, currently on display at the showroom floor, with heaps of gifts that will be distributed to various paediatric oncology patients who will be at the Childhood Cancer Support annual Christmas party.
Childhood Cancer Support is non-profit established by a group of parents and has been around for 45 years. Through their help, families affected by childhood cancer receive treatment and care at the Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Beyond DV, established by mom and Holland Park teacher Carolyn Robinson, offers recovery and support programs for women and children of domestic violence. The organisation provides hands-on guidance as they rebuild their lives after a traumatic experience.
“At Mount Gravatt Mazda, we strongly believe that we have a responsibility to give something back to the community in which we do business. To act on this belief, we created our annual Festive Community Drive which is dedicated to supporting our local community at Christmas.”
To donate to this cause, please take note of the guidelines below:
