The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) is expanding its hospitality assets with the purchase of Gambaro Hotel Brisbane in Petrie Terrace, located some 300 metres away from the Suncorp Stadium.
The hotel, established by the Gambaro family in the 1950s, has been sold for the very first time in over 65 years and will be rebranded as the NRL with rooms named after some of the league’s famous players.
The Gambro family will still manage the hotel and restaurant. Gambaro Group director John Gambaro said that they are excited to work with the ARLC to continue to grow the hotel’s operation. HTL Property brokered the deal with the ARLC.
In a statement, the ARLC said that its first investment into the property market will allow the commission to “strengthen its balance sheet with stable, secure investments that provide steady income, long-term capital growth and to protect the game against major interruptions.”
Gambaro Hotel Brisbane has hosted several Brisbane Broncos home games over the years, and will also host the Dolphin home games for 2023. It is also expected to boost its revenue with the upcoming Olympics and the Women’s World Cup Football series.
The Gambaro site has 68 rooms and is considered an upscale hotel with ancillary facilities. The family’s name has been linked to Brisbane’s food and beverage industry after they opened their first fish and chip store along Caxton St.
The award-winning Gambaro Seafood Restaurant, on the hotel’s ground floor, has been a landmark for the last five decades.
Top chef and owner of Kould be Anywhere and catering company KnowOne KnowWhere Scott Webster launched the fundraiser to finance the down payment and equipment needed to open the European Bistro and High-end Wine Bar. In return, those who donated will receive a meal voucher, equivalent to the donated amount, once the venue opens.
“We aim to bring our Michelin star backgrounds to Brisbane. High-end consist food of the greatest quality and service that will ensure the rest of Brisbane will follow suit,” his GoFundMe page reads.
The campaign aims to raise $150,000 which Scott hopes will be reached soon enough so he can open the bistro by mid-2023.
Scott’s career as a chef started at Heston Blumenthal’s The Hind’s Head in Bray, the UK assuming the role of Sous Chef. Their team was awarded a Michelin Star for their excellent cooking skills and the top-notch quality of their food offering. He would later move to the sister restaurant The Perfectionists’ Cafe as its Executive Sous Chef.
Seven years ago, Scott and his wife, Rita, came to Australia. Soon after, West End’s Billykart took Scott as its Head Chef and in 2020, the couple launched their own private catering business KnowOne KnowWhere. A year later, Kould be AnyWhere, a 52sqm grab-and-go style cafe, opened in Woolloongabba.
Heads up, Paddington e-scooter riders! Authorities are conducting a blitz throughout Brisbane CBD and the Safe Nights Precinct, which includes Paddington, to ensure that riders are complying with safety rules and regulations, amidst increasing instances of accidents involving e-scooters.
This comes after the Department of Transport and Main Roads released the Personal Mobility Device Safety Action Plan in June 2022, which was developed to improve safety for e-scooter riders, and for those who use cycleways, footpaths and roads.
The blitz will commence on 20 June 2022, a few months earlier than the larger regulatory reform on e-scooter riding in Queensland later this year.
Transportation Minister Mark Bailey said the blitzes aim to crack down on people riding in a dangerous manner, which might mean speeding, using a mobile phone, carrying passengers or not wearing a helmet.
“They will be focusing on the urban areas of Brisbane where e-scooter use is particularly high, so I ask everyone to do the right thing – not just when Police are around, but every time you get behind the handlebars,” Mr Bailey said.
Mr Bailey announced they will also be increasing the penalties for high-risk offences to ensure e-scooter riders are aware of the consequences of unsafe riding.
“This will include speeding, using a mobile phone while riding and riding on prohibited roads,” he said.
Photo credit: Brett Sayles/Pexels
Brisbane City Road Policing announced that they will be targeting e-scooter riders in the Safe Nights Precinct, especially those involved in intoxication and speed.
The Safe Nights Precinct is an initiative created by the Queensland Government to reduce late-night drug and alcohol related violence particularly in high-volume, late-night trading areas.
Under Queensland’s new regulations on e-scooter riding which will take effect on 1 November 2022, the speed limit on most footpaths will be reduced from 25 kph to 12kph.
Aside from introducing speed limits on some footpaths, authorities also mandate the use of a warning device, like a bell; enforcement of non-complying devices; increased penalties for high-risk offences; and clearer signage.
Paddington residents recently received an unexpected add-on when renewing their home insurance coverage, as insurance companies include mandatory flood coverage to certain post codes, even for homes without prior claims.
Karen, a resident from Paddington, said in a radio interview with 4BC, that her home and contents insurance increased to more than $5,000. Her premium now comes with added-on flood coverage.
The woman’s insurance company explained that Paddington’s postcode, which also covers Baroona, Milton, and Rosalie, has been re-rated because of the floods that affected South East Queensland and that the ‘flood coverage is mandatory.’
At present, there are no statutory provisions mandating compulsory flood cover in insurance policies in Queensland. Many insurance companies offer flood cover as a standard inclusion but allow policyholders to opt out.
The Insurance Council of Australia said they are aware of some policyholder confusion around how policies may respond to flood.
Photo credit: Michal Jarmoluk/Pixabay
“Flood cover is a standard policy inclusion except where it is expressly stated cover for flood is excluded, for example where an insurer clearly states it does not cover flood, or when an option is provided to ‘opt out’ of flood cover,” ICA stated in a media release earlier in 2022.
ICA revealed there were around 220,000 claims made following the disaster in February 2022, costing about $4.3 billion.
The Insurance Council advised residents to contact their insurer directly if ever they are unsure about payment. ICA also recommended having a clear understanding of what the issue is and reading the policy schedule/certificate and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a complaint.
Paddington Central has been losing quite a number of tenants lately as retailers reel from the continuing economic impact of COVID-19 and changes in consumer spending habits.
A few retailers have recently moved out or announced that they will not renew their lease with Paddington Central. The shopping centre also has at least a couple of tenancy spaces that have been vacant for months now.
The retail business has been struggling over the past couple of years due to lockdown restrictions and changes in customer spending habits.
In April, Cafe Yoyo announced that it will not continue with its lease and served its last coffee order on 29 April 2022. The cafe’s exit follows JC’s Engraving & Shoe Repair’s exodus which reportedly moved to West End.
“To the wonderful community of Paddington, as most of you know tomorrow the 29th of April will be the Cafe’s last day of trade. We have reached the end of our lease and it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to not continue,” their social media post reads.
“I have had the privilege of meeting so many fantastic human beings that have supported me and my team through some tough years. I trhank each and everyone of you for your love your smiles and your sometimes weird coffee orders.”
Spiros Bottle Shop which has been a long-time tenant at the centre has also announced that it will be trading until July 2022.
“For those of you who haven’t heard the news, it is with great sadness that we inform you that we’re moving the store,” Spiros announced on their website.
“After many wonderful years interacting with such a wonderful customer base and community, the centre has decided that your needs would be better served by a BWS.”
Spiros will be moving to Toowong and will be rebranding as Embassy Cellars. The space, however, may not stay vacant for long as liquor store BWS has been announced to launch later this year.
“BWS is coming to Paddington Central later in 2022. We are pleased to announce that BWS will be opening in Paddington Central with a large store and an associated large offering to service the needs of locals. Stay tuned for more updates,” a Paddington Central post reads.
Paddington Central is anchored by Woolworths and is also home to a number of specialty stores, cafes and restaurants. However, some locals feel that an improved retail mix and some renovations could help improve foot traffic at the centre.
Playful and artistic kookaburras will bring more colour to Paddington as the Kooka! Trail project, an innovative and creative community idea, gets ready for unveiling.
Some 16 artworks representing the Australian icon have been chosen for the Kooka! Trail installation to highlight the unique character and heritage of Paddington Terraces.
The project involves 13 local artists like Tori-Jay Mordey, Spectator Jonze, Zoe Porter, Debra Hood, Jade Thompson, and Michelle Jae Andrews. They were tasked to create their own interpretations and use the fabrication of the Kookas, made from waste concrete, as their canvas.
Below are just some of what the artists have been preparing so far.
Per the Council, “Installation of the Paddington Terraces ‘Kooka! Trail’ and street furniture is scheduled for mid-2022, subject to weather and site conditions. Council will consult with business owners and operators within the installation areas to ensure minimal disruption occurs during construction. Access to all businesses will be maintained during the installation period.”
The Kooka! Trail is part of the Paddington Terraces Precinct Grant Project, which was kickstarted in April 2021. Locals suggested the trail, alongside the addition of more street furniture, a drinking fountain upgrade, and a dog bowl facility.
In February 1922, Sir Matthew Nathan, the former Governor of Queensland, commissioned the masonry firm of Arthur Henry Thurlow to build the First World War Memorial for the heroes of World War I after years of discussions with the Ithaca Town Council.
The Honour Board at Council
In 1915, the Council planned on creating an honour board for those who volunteered in the war. The honour board was placed at the Ithaca Town Council Chambers on 99 Enoggera Terrace and had an initial 400 names, as sent in by relatives or friends.
Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland
Two years later, when the honour board had close to 700 names, the people wanted a more public place of honour for the war heroes. However, plans to build the war memorial were stalled after the Queensland Government’s War Committee would not release any funding for war memorials, citing fulfillment of present war needs.
“Another matter which came before the council was that of issuing permits to collect for war memorials. The council, in consonance with the decisions of the southern bodies, declared that collections of this nature should be postponed until the present war needs have been met.”
By 1918, however, another push for a war memorial was laid bare following the Armistice. The residents tried to raise funds through donations, concerts, and fetes for three years until there was sufficient money to start considering the memorial’s design.
While a memorial hall was considered, Council decided against it due to the maintenance cost. By mid-2021, Cook’s Hill was chosen for the memorial’s site with the names of the fallen engraved in the memorial.
Unveiling of the Ithaca War Memorial
By the time the stone memorial was ready to be unveiled, it had 130 names of men who died while serving in the war. The Council settled on a clock tower design because this type of memorial was rare in Queensland. In fact, the Ithaca War Memorial was one of the earliest types of clock towers in the region and the lone clock tower in Brisbane.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Per the Queensland Register, “The First World War Memorial comprises a pedestal and column surmounted by a clock with a face on all four sides. It sits on a square concrete platform and is surrounded by dry stone retaining walls and a concrete path. Steps lead to the memorial from each of the four sides forming a cross in plan, with the overall geometry softened by planting, retaining walls and the steep slope of the site.
The sandstone memorial sits on a smooth-faced base step which is surmounted by a larger step of sandstone blocks with tapered sides. On the front face of this is a marble plaque. The pedestal comprises a recessed square pillar with engaged columns at each corner. Each face bears a recessed marble plate with the leaded names of the 130 men who died. The columns have Composite order capitals and bases and support a large entablature. The frieze has relief carved festoons on each face and has a small dentil course under the cornice which is composed of cyma recta and cyma reversa mouldings.”
Building the Alexander Jolly Park
The park on Cook’s Hill almost did not survive the progress and development in Paddington. When the Paddington Tramways Substation was up for construction, most of the garden in Cook’s Hill was almost gone.
Thus, when the Ithaca War Memorial was unveiled, it did not have enough greens and it did not look like a landmark. The Ithaca Town Council then hired Alexander Jolly to develop the landscape garden.
Photo Credit: State Library of QueenslandPhoto Credit: State Library of Queensland
Mr Jolly was the father of William Jolly, the first Lord Mayor of Brisbane. After his death in 1925, Cook’s Hill park was renamed Alexander Jolly Park.
Photo Credit: Trove/National Library of Australia
Photo Credit: Trove/National Library of Australia
The Ithaca War Memorial and the Alexander Jolly Park were entered into the Queensland Heritage Register in October 1992.
Craving some Middle Eastern cuisine? Check out this Paddington cafe and savour their delectable offerings including falafels, hummus, shakshuka and much more with plant-based counterparts for those looking for healthier options.
Sitting on the corner of Collingwood and Hazlewood Streets, the cafe boasts a cozy rear dining area that offers incredible views of Paddington and surrounding areas. Naim serves up modern Middle Eastern fare from breakfast to lunch.
Breakfast offerings include tiramisu waffles with date and espresso caramel, dark chocolate shavings and fresh blueberries; smashed avo on toast with pistachio dukkah, feta, pomegranate and poached egg.
Shakshuka is another crowd-favourite fancy breakfast option. This dish is made of baked Tunisian-style eggs, with tomato and capsicum sauce, white beans, garlic labneh and Turkish bread. Also on offer is Hummus Bowl which is housemade hummus with marinated olives, Israeli salad, crispy chickpeas and za’atar flatbread.
Or try “something easy” like their Shawarma braised chicken with tomato chutney, spinach and mozzarella cheese on Turkish bread. And the famous Falafel Wrap which is made with crispy carrot falafels, housemade hummus, and tahini yoghurt slaw served on za’atar flatbread is also a must-try.
The lunch menu includes “something to share” with options such as Hummus Board, Mezze Platter (almond and capsicum spread, lemon and olive tapenade, beetroot Tahiti, and tahini yoghurt slaw served on za’atar flatbread), and Muhammara and Cumin Gouda Plate (walnut and pomegranate molasses spread, cumin-spiced gouda cheese, marinated black tahini and candied pepitas on za’atar bread).
The beverage lineup, on the other hand, includes brewed coffee, tea and juices as well as a range of cocktails, spirits, wines and beers.
A taste of Middle Eastern cuisine at Naim Photo Credit: Naim / Facebook
“The food here is fresh, tasty and authentic. I had the plant based meat balls which tasted just like meat! The flavours are incredible. I’ll be back :).”
T’s Adventures With Tiana Reimann
“Good vide in the restaurant in a cool neighbourhood. Delicious foods and good coffee, absolutely love the hummus and pita bread. Staffs are super friendly and attentive. A must visit place for Middle Eastern brunch.”
Tony Ng (2lo)
“Oh my goodness. The food is TO DIE FOR! Might be taking the cake for best vegan/vegetarian in Brisbane! The harissa “meatballs” were unbelievably tasty and I loved the whole dish start to finish – great coffee too! Excellent work team. Keep it up, I’ll definitely be back and recommending this place to others.”
Daniel Paterson
Naim is located at 14 Collingwood St, Paddington. They are open 8 am to 2 pm, Tuesday to Saturday and 7 am to 2 pm on Sunday. They are also open for dinner service Wednesday through Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm.
A popular dining and retail site in Given Terrace, Paddington could have a new childcare centre on its premises, if plans are approved. Set to adjoin the heritage-listed Paddington Child Health building, the new facility will be a two-storey establishment for 106 children.
A development application (DA A005905213) seeks to build a childcare centre on the sloping end of the property on Given Terrace and Guthrie Street, where Anouk Cafe, the famous restaurant trades.
The old commercial building will remain but the rear side will be demolished to build the 65 slots of car parking space for the childcare centre.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The development application, filed in December 2021, also mentions mitigation measures to drown out the acoustic, screening and setbacks, as well as landscaping. Materials to be used for the site are meant to blend in with the red brick building of the health centre.
Photo Credit: Development Application/BCCPhoto Credit: Development Application/BCC
“The Given Tce pedestrian access will be improved and enhanced with soft and hard landscaping and improved accessibility,” the developers stated. These proposed works will transform the existing little-used alley between the buildings, activating and improving the connectivity.”
However, a few submissions opposing the plans were also lodged with Council.
“We wish to strongly point out that the non-compliance with rear setback requirement of the Latrobe and Given Terraces Neighbourhood Plan, in particular, will result in significant adverse impact upon the amenity of residents adjoining or located in close proximity to the proposed development,” Matthew Kay, a town planner, wrote.
“The proposal does not adequately address the outcomes sought under the Neighbourhood Plan, with regard to character and setting. The traditional built form setting in this precinct involves buildings and activity fronting the local terraces and hillside streets, which is still evident on site today.
The proposal however adds three levels of parking and two floors above that to alter the rear of this site such that it will no longer follow the established traditional setting and will be highly visible within the immediate catchment,” Anna Baker, another town planner said.
The DA’s assessment has not yet been completed as of press time.
Brisbane landmark The Normanby Hotel is on the market again three years after its $4-million refurbishment. The heritage-listed property and popular waterhole is just a few metres away from the upcoming major development of the Brisbane Live arena.
CBRE Hotels’ National Pubs Director Paul Fraser will steer the sale of The Normanby Hotel for Middle Head Ventures owned by Jaz Mooney. Following its substantial refurbishment, Mr Fraser said that the pub has been modernised and will have a “very limited need for immediate capital expenditure” for the next investor.
The refurbishment has provided the 4,162-square metre with multiple bars, restaurants, a beer garden, and functions areas, as well as 35 gaming machine authorities.
The hotel’s establishment dates back to 1890 and despite its age, the pub still has its best years ahead of it.
Mr Fraser also said that the hotel will be in a prime position to continue to prosper given its proximity to the upcoming 18,000-seat arena above the new Roma Street Cross River Rail station, which is expected to stimulate the economy of the precinct for the next 25 years.
“Occupying over an acre of land, 2km from the Brisbane CBD, the asset assures an incoming purchaser a long-term development play with multiple feasible uses such as short-term accommodation or retail offerings.”
Industry insiders estimate that the freehold going concern of the property, which Mr Mooney acquired in 2019 for $11.5 million, could sell at $16 million.
