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Beams Road Rail Level Crossing Removed as Overpass Takes Shape

A new overpass at the site of the Beams Road rail level crossing in Carseldine is finally complete.

Read: Stage 1 of Beams Road Upgrade Complete – Here’s What’s Next

The upgrade is the first rail level crossing removal in South East Queensland in more than a decade, and is expected to deliver major improvements in safety, efficiency, and reliability for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.

From late September, work will also begin on a second bridge just north of the new overpass. Once completed, removal of the level crossing will be fully implemented, helping to ease congestion and support better traffic flow across Brisbane’s northside.

Photo credit: Video still from Flythrough Proposal

Safety has been a central focus of this project, with 25 near misses involving vehicles and pedestrians recorded at the crossing in the past five years. In one case, overhead wires were struck by a heavy vehicle carrying overweight equipment.

The $235 million project is being delivered through a funding partnership, with $56.24 million from Australia, $138.76 million from the Queensland, and $40 million from Council.

Read: Drilling Begins on $14-Billion Tunnel Project Set to Transform Carseldine Corridor

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg said the long-awaited project would improve both safety and travel reliability for road and rail users.

“This project was due to start in 2021, so it has been a long time coming from the communities across North Brisbane and we’re glad to be deliver this infrastructure to help improve safety and reduce congestion for commuters,” he said.

He added that the overpass would reduce congestion for motorists while giving pedestrians and cyclists a safer way to cross the rail line, ensuring the busy corridor is better prepared for the future.

Published 11-September-2025

Carseldine Farmers and Artisan Markets Set for Barktoberfest 2025

Photo Credit: Carseldine Markets/Facebook

Paws and people will meet at Carseldine Farmers and Artisan Markets when Barktoberfest returns, promising contests, food, and fun for Brisbane’s dog lovers.

A Community Celebration For Dog Lovers

Carseldine Farmers and Artisan Markets will bring Brisbane’s dog-loving community together with the return of its ninth annual Barktoberfest, a free festival filled with entertainment, food, and competitions.

*Photo Credit: Carseldine Markets/Facebook*

The event will be held on Saturday, 18 October from 6 a.m. to noon at the market site on Dorville Road in Carseldine. Entry and parking are free.

Competitions And Community Spirit

The festival’s centrepiece will be three major competitions. The Strike a Paws Dog Parade will see pets strut the runway in outfits ranging from playful to stylish.

Amateur and professional photographers will compete in the Pawparazzi Photo Competition, showcasing action shots and portraits. Dogs with unique talents will have their chance to shine in the Pawsome Performers contest.

Organisers confirmed that prizes will be on offer across all contests, with registrations open online. These activities are designed to highlight creativity, fun, and the strong bond between families and their pets.

Market Stalls And Local Flavour

Beyond the competitions, the regular Saturday market will grow to more than 150 stalls. Many will focus on dog-related products such as treats, accessories, and care services. Visitors can also expect gourmet street food, live music, and activities tailored for children.

According to Carseldine Markets, the event continues to attract thousands of people from across Brisbane each year. The focus remains on providing a welcoming, family-oriented experience while supporting local makers and producers.

Organisers And Community Impact

Be sure to register for your free tickets and the chance to win a Barktoberfest Hamper.

The event is coordinated by Goodwill Projects, the Queensland company behind several of the state’s most popular markets.

Barktoberfest has grown into one of the signature themed days at Carseldine Farmers and Artisan Markets. Its mix of competitions, food, entertainment, and local shopping has helped cement the market as a weekend tradition for many families in Brisbane’s northside.

Published 03-September-2025

Waiting for a Liver, Boondall Teen Gives Jersey Day New Meaning

Photo Credit: Kylie Larman

On the sports fields of Boondall, jerseys usually mean rugby line-outs and team spirit. For 17-year-old Matthew Larman, the familiar fabric now carries a different weight. As his classmates at Nudgee College pull on their favourite team colours for Jersey Day, Matthew waits quietly for a call that could change his life: the chance of a liver transplant.

The Diagnosis

Matthew was only a child when doctors told him he had primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare disease that scars the bile ducts and slowly damages the liver.

Since then, his life has been marked by hospital stays, medical tests, broken bones, and surgeries. He has learned to balance study and sport with the uncertainty of a disease few people his age have ever heard of.

For years, Matthew kept his diagnosis to himself, not wanting to be defined by his illness. But as the wait for a transplant grew longer, he decided to speak up—not for sympathy, but to encourage others to have a simple, difficult conversation about organ and tissue donation.

He has told his friends that some children with the same condition cannot even leave their hospital beds. His message to his school community is that he still gets to live a mostly normal life, but others need the world to notice them.

A School that Listens

Nudgee College, set in the heart of Boondall, has embraced Matthew’s idea of joining Jersey Day for the first time. Instead of a fundraiser, the day asks people to wear a jersey and talk at home about registering as donors.

Principal Scott Thomson has described Matthew’s efforts as exactly what schools hope to foster—young people ready to make a positive difference. Classmates have also rallied around him, seeing in his story not only resilience but a reason to care about families waiting in hospital wards across Queensland.

Matthew’s push has reached further than the school gates. He shared his story on 4BC radio, telling listeners that organ donation is about trust and community. National organisers of Jersey Day have highlighted Nudgee’s efforts on their platforms, pointing out that one donor can save up to seven lives. For Matthew, the campaign is a chance to make his private struggle matter for someone else’s future.

Boondall’s Call to Action

In Boondall, where the school is a cornerstone of the suburb, Matthew’s campaign has given neighbours a reason to act. Residents are being urged to visit DonateLife and register, but more importantly, to talk with their families.

Statistics show that although one in three Australians say they are willing to donate, only a small percentage actually can, and families often face the hardest decisions without knowing their loved one’s wishes.

For Matthew, the wait continues. He cannot predict when a phone call will tell him a liver is available. But until that moment, he is determined to turn his story into something larger than himself.

JAX Tyres & Auto Aspley Celebrated as Local Favourite in 2025 Awards

Aspley locals have put their support behind JAX Tyres & Auto Aspley, naming the family-run service centre Best Trade and Services in this year’s community awards.

Local Recognition

JAX Tyres & Auto Aspley has been named Best Trade and Services at the 2025 Aspley Small Business Awards, decided entirely by community nominations and votes. The family-owned business has operated since 2019, building a reputation as a trusted destination for tyre and vehicle servicing.

Residents recognised the team’s strong customer service and community contribution. The award was officially announced on 21 August 2025 in Brisbane.

A Community-Driven Win

Franchisee Janette Fisher said the award reflects her team’s daily commitment to customers and is especially meaningful because it comes from the community they serve. She noted that while reliable servicing is their priority, the business also strives to support local initiatives and engage beyond day-to-day operations.

The Aspley Small Business Awards recognise businesses valued by residents. Community nominations and votes alone decide the winners, making the recognition fully driven by public support.

Services and Customer Experience

JAX Tyres & Auto Aspley provides tyre and wheel services such as balancing and alignment, along with logbook servicing, brake and suspension work, and battery replacements. The store carries a wide range of tyre brands, from premium options like Michelin and Pirelli to more affordable choices.

Customers regularly praise the team for transparent pricing, reliable service and friendly staff. Their commitment to helping locals, even in urgent situations, has built strong loyalty and word-of-mouth support.

National Growth and Local Impact

The award builds on JAX Tyres & Auto’s national success, with the company operating since 1949 and franchising from 1993. Today, it has 94 outlets across Australia, 84 of which are independently owned.

Earlier in 2025, the brand was also recognised as CX Team of the Year at the CX Awards for its customer service efforts. For Aspley, the win underscores how the local store has become a valued part of the community by combining expertise with genuine care for people.

Published 28-August-2025

Zillmere Teenager Buys First Property at 18, Becomes Landlord

Photo Credit: 10 News/Youtube

Through diligence, discipline, perseverance and a strong mentor, a young apprentice butcher from Brisbane has purchased his own property and become a landlord at just 18 years old.

From After-School Job to First Home

Lachlan “Lockie” James began working in his family’s butcher shop in Carina at 14, earning a modest weekly wage. Instead of spending his pay, he set aside nearly half of it every week, gradually building up his savings.

By the time he turned 18, he had accumulated $32,000, which became the foundation for his first property purchase. His commitment to saving was not accidental; Lockie said he wanted to set himself up for the future, and his consistent efforts show how discipline can pay off in a challenging housing market.

Financial Literacy Sparks a Plan

In 2024, a financial literacy session at Lockie’s school introduced him to a local mortgage broker who explained borrowing and investment basics. Lockie told him he planned to buy a property the following year.

The broker said Lockie became the youngest client he had assisted in more than a decade of work. Together, they built a budget and strategy that led to purchasing in Zillmere.

The Zillmere Investment

In 2025, Lockie purchased a three-bedroom ground-floor unit in Zillmere for $575,000, just 15 to 20 minutes from Brisbane’s city centre. The property, which includes a courtyard, rents for $575 a week, leaving him to cover about $250 weekly on the mortgage while living at home.

He chose to buy it as an investment instead of a first home, a move that boosted his borrowing power. With rising unit values and strong rental demand in Zillmere, the purchase set him up well for the future.

Family Support and Future Goals

Lockie’s parents said they were proud of his effort, noting he made the decision and worked hard for it. The loan was backed by a family guarantee, giving him the chance to use his savings for upfront costs instead of a cash deposit.

He hopes to buy another investment property within five years, with his mother promising him a car once he owns two. For now, he says the key is simple: save regularly, keep steady work, and avoid unnecessary debt.

Published 28-August-2025 with details from these sources: YouTube/10News and realestate.com.au

Boondall to Host Tyler, The Creator on Chromakopia Tour

Photo Credit: Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Tyler, The Creator will perform two concerts in Boondall at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre this August as part of his Chromakopia World Tour, joined by Lil Yachty and Paris Texas.

Background on Tyler, The Creator

Tyler Gregory Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, The Creator, is a US rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Since his debut with Bastard in 2009, he has released multiple acclaimed albums, including Igor (2019) and Call Me If You Get Lost (2021), both of which won Grammy Awards. His 2024 release Chromakopia marked his highest first-week sales, while his 2025 album Don’t Tap the Glass continued his reputation for genre-shifting production.

Boondall Concerts

In Australia, the tour includes multiple dates in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. The Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall will host Tyler on Saturday, 30 August 2025, and Sunday, 31 August 2025. Both shows are all-ages events, with ticketing restrictions in place requiring those aged 15 years or under on the standing floor to be supervised by an adult.

Chromakopia World Tour Overview

The Chromakopia World Tour was announced in late October 2024 and supports his eighth studio album, Chromakopia. The tour began in February 2025 in Saint Paul, United States, and will conclude in September 2025 in Quezon City, Philippines. The tour includes performances across North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Special guests Lil Yachty and Paris Texas have been announced as support acts for all shows.

*Photo Credit: Tyler, The Creator/Instagram*

Previous Work and Recognition

Tyler is widely recognised as an influential figure in alternative hip-hop, initially gaining prominence as a co-founder of the collective Odd Future. His projects Flower Boy (2017), Igor (2019), and Call Me If You Get Lost (2021) were critically acclaimed, with the latter two debuting at number one in the US. Beyond music, he has established fashion labels Golf Wang and Le Fleur and created the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival music festival in Los Angeles, which has been running since 2012.

What’s Ahead for Boondall

Doors are scheduled to open at 7:30 p.m. on both Saturday, 30 August 2025, and Sunday, 31 August 2025, at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. The two events are part of the Australian leg of the Chromakopia World Tour.

Published 27-Aug-2025

Legendary Paul Kelly to Bring His Largest-Ever Headline Tour to Brisbane

Music legend Paul Kelly is set to take the stage at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Friday, 29 August 2025, as part of his biggest headline tour to date across Australia and New Zealand.

Read: Paul Kelly Brings ‘Fever Longing Still’ to Brisbane for 2025 Arena Tour

Presented by Frontier Touring and Triple M, the highly anticipated show will see Kelly joined by an impressive line-up of international and local talent.

The tour spans 10 arena dates, with stops in major cities including Perth, Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. Accompanied by his long-time live band, Kelly promises a career-spanning performance that will celebrate decades of storytelling through song.

Paul Kelly’s Musical Career

Photo credit: CC BY 2.0/Bruce Baker/Wikimedia Commons

Few Australian artists have shaped the nation’s cultural soundtrack as profoundly as Paul Kelly. Over a career that stretches more than four decades, he has released a catalogue of timeless songs that weave together stories of place, people, and history. From beloved tracks such as To Her Door, Leaps and Bounds, How To Make Gravy, and From Little Things Big Things Grow (co-written with Kev Carmody), Kelly has continually explored the themes of love, loss, identity, and the Australian landscape.

Honoured with the Order of Australia in 2017, along with 17 ARIA Awards and five APRA Awards, Kelly’s influence remains unmatched. His ability to capture the soul of Australia – from everyday lives to national icons like Don Bradman and Ned Kelly – has cemented his place as one of the country’s most significant voices in music and literature.

A Stellar Line-Up of Guests

Adding to the excitement, Kelly will be joined by Lucinda Williams, one of America’s most celebrated songwriters. The three-time GRAMMY Award winner brings with her a catalogue of critically acclaimed work, known for its raw poetry and emotional depth. Williams, whose 2023 memoir was hailed by Rolling Stone and The Washington Post as one of the year’s best books, continues to be a defining figure in Americana and roots music.

Opening the Brisbane show will be Fanny Lumsden, two-time ARIA and nine-time CMAA Golden Guitar winner, known for her heartfelt and vibrant take on country music.

A Night to Remember

With Kelly fronting his band – Peter Luscombe (drums), Bill McDonald (bass), Dan Kelly (guitar), Cameron Bruce (keys), Jess Hitchcock (vocals), and Ash Naylor (guitar) – the Brisbane Entertainment Centre performance promises to be more than a concert; it will be a celebration of music, history, and storytelling on an arena scale.

Read: Hometown Crowds Await Keith Urban at Brisbane Entertainment Centre

For Brisbane fans, Friday, 29 August marks a chance to witness one of Australia’s most treasured artists deliver a show that looks set to be a defining moment in his already remarkable career.

Published 21-August-2025

Hometown Crowds Await Keith Urban at Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Photo Credit: Keith Urban/Facebook

Country music star Keith Urban will make Boondall the heart of his 2025 Australian tour, with three packed nights at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre set to draw fans from across Queensland and beyond. The internationally acclaimed artist, who grew up in the Sunshine State, is returning to the suburb where thousands have gathered over the decades to see some of music’s biggest names — and this time, it’s his turn to headline in front of a hometown crowd.

A Hometown Return

Urban, born in Whangarei, New Zealand, and raised in Queensland, has long been celebrated as one of Australia’s most successful music exports. While his career took flight in Nashville, his formative years in Caboolture shaped the sound and style that would make him a global name. Locals still recall him as the young guitarist who played community events for a modest fee before climbing international charts with albums like Golden Road and Be Here.

Boondall’s Brisbane Entertainment Centre will host Urban for three consecutive shows on 15, 16 and 17 August 2025 — the only city on the tour to score an extra date after two initial nights sold out.

These concerts mark his first local performances since December 2022 and are part of his High and Alive World Tour, named for his 2024 album High, which debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart.

Celebrating Milestones

The tour arrives in a milestone year for Urban. In January, he was inducted into the Roll of Renown at the Golden Guitar Awards, where he also took home the Top Selling Australian Country Album of the Year for High. Event organisers praised his influence on country music both in Australia and abroad, citing his dedication to expanding the genre’s reach.

Urban’s career has been decorated with accolades including four Grammy Awards, 13 Country Music Association Awards, six ARIA Awards and 15 Golden Guitars. His live shows are known for their energy, featuring a mix of new material such as “Straight Line” and “Messed Up As Me” alongside chart-topping hits like “One Too Many” with P!nk and “The Fighter” with Carrie Underwood.

Boondall’s Connection

For Brisbane’s northside, Urban’s upcoming shows are more than a tour stop. The Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall has long been a gathering point for fans across the region, and for Queensland-born Urban, playing here is a symbolic nod to the community that helped shape his early career. In the past decade alone, he has sold more than half a million concert tickets in Australia, underscoring his enduring appeal.

Urban will be joined on stage by rising U.S. country singer Chase Matthew, who is opening all Australian tour dates. Tickets for the Brisbane shows are available through Ticketek, though availability is limited after high demand during presales.

Tickets and Tour Information

The High and Alive World Tour kicks off in Newcastle on 13 August 2025 before moving through Boondall, Wollongong, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Boondall shows are on 15, 16 and 17 August 2025.

For more details on venues, ticketing and tour updates, visit keithurban.com.

Dethroning the Kings: Hornets Resilient in Seven‑Point Thriller to Secure Finals Spot

Aspley Hornets have reignited their finals campaign with a gutsy seven-point victory over Coorparoo in a Round 15 QAFLW clash that had local fans on the edge of their seats.

Bounce-Back Performance at Graham Road

After a tough loss to Bond University the previous week, Aspley returned to Graham Road with renewed energy and purpose. Up against a Coorparoo outfit fresh from toppling the previously unbeaten Southport, the Hornets faced an uphill battle—yet they delivered in emphatic fashion.

Despite trailing by 14 points at half-time, the Hornets stormed back into contention with a dominant third quarter, kicking four unanswered goals. The Kings clawed one back late in the term to reduce the margin to two points at the final break, setting up a thrilling final stanza.

Seizing the Moment in the Final Quarter

The momentum stayed with the Hornets early in the fourth, with emerging talent Lataya De Pauw calmly slotting a crucial goal to extend the lead to 13 points. Although Coorparoo’s Edie Fraser answered with a late major, the Hornets absorbed the pressure and held firm to secure a 8.1 (49) to 6.6 (42) win.

Aspley’s sharp shooting under pressure proved decisive. The Hornets made the most of their limited forward entries—26 inside-50s to Coorparoo’s 43—by converting their opportunities with clinical precision.

Standout Performers Shine

Aspley’s attacking line was led by Jessica Stallard, who booted three goals and contributed 13 disposals and five marks. Kaitlyn Day added two goals, 18 disposals and five inside-50s. Lataya De Pauw, Lucy Thompson, and Rachel Vetter rounded out the goal scorers.

Midfielder Jesse McMillan was everywhere, racking up 31 disposals, four clearances, six tackles and six inside-50s. Ruck Monique Dufty dominated the contest with 40 hit-outs, 18 disposals, and three clearances. Lucia Liessi also stood out with 20 disposals and seven clearances, while Anna van de Wiel and Holly O’Flaherty made key defensive and midfield contributions.

On the Kings’ side, Grace Roberts-White was a standout with 30 disposals, nine tackles and a goal. Lucy Schneider (17 disposals, four inside-50s) and Edie Fraser (17 disposals, one goal) also made their presence felt. However, the Kings’ poor conversion—particularly from Indiana Scheffler, who finished with 1.4—ultimately cost them.

Finals Race Heats Up

The win keeps Aspley’s finals hopes alive in a top-six format where every point matters. The Hornets now sit just four points clear of University of Queensland, with a superior percentage.

Aspley will host bottom-placed Yeronga South Brisbane in the final round—on paper, a favourable match-up that could seal their spot in the finals. Meanwhile, UQ faces a tougher opponent in Wilston Grange. A slip-up by Aspley could leave the door open, but Thursday’s spirited display shows they’re ready to fight for September.

What’s Next

Aspley Hornets: Face Yeronga South Brisbane (last on the ladder)
Coorparoo Kings: Set to regroup ahead of finals after a surprising setback
Finals Format: Top six teams qualify; Aspley sits sixth with a chance to lock it in

Drilling Begins on $14-Billion Tunnel Project Set to Transform Carseldine Corridor

Photo Credit: North Brisbane Infrastructure

A long-promised, multi-billion-dollar road and tunnel project is now advancing, designed to finally ease chronic congestion along the Gympie Road corridor, with preliminary works already underway as preparations are made for Transport and Main Roads to formally take full control of the bypass connecting Kedron to Carseldine.

For northside residents who have watched the project become a political football for years, the sight of drilling rigs and construction trucks marks a significant step forward. The engineering works are part of an initial phase to test earth and groundwater conditions, which will help determine the best construction methods for the massive undertaking. This preliminary work, managed by North Brisbane Infrastructure (NBI), is expected to wrap up later this month.

The proposed tolled tunnel aims to deliver faster travel times for commuters and return parts of Gympie Road to local traffic, cyclists, and public transport users. However, the project’s future has been secured under a major shift in management.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is set to take full responsibility for the project from NBI. This transition will be officially completed on 1 July 2025, a move the government says will allow the tunnel to be better integrated with the broader transport network and its capital works program.

With an estimated cost exceeding $14 billion, funding has been a key issue. The former Labor government had allocated around $300 million for these early works in its 2024 budget, on top of $35 million from the previous year to study the tunnel’s viability.

The project is not without its challenges. The 9km-long North West Transport Corridor, originally set aside in the 1980s, has since flourished into a valuable urban green space and wildlife haven. This has fuelled considerable community opposition to any potential surface road, pushing the focus towards a tunnel.

Brisbane City Council had previously floated two tunnel options, but the proposals were rejected by Infrastructure Australia for not adequately considering a cheaper surface route. Now, with TMR at the helm, the community is watching closely to see how the state will navigate these complex issues to deliver on its congestion-busting promise.

Published Date 16-July-2025