Auchenflower Archives - Paddington Today

Teen Crime Spree Hits Inner-West Brisbane, Ends in Underground Arrest

Photo Credit: myPolice Queensland Police News

A series of brazen break-ins across Brisbane’s inner-west suburbs has culminated in a dramatic underground sewer arrest, with three teenagers now facing multiple charges.

Police allege the group targeted homes in Red Hill and Auchenflower before moving to Paddington, where two vehicles — a Lexus and Land Rover — were stolen from an Annie Street residence around 1:30am Monday morning.

Police tracked the stolen vehicles to Herston, where they deployed tire deflation devices. Though the suspects abandoned the vehicles on Northey Street in Wilston, the pursuit continued on foot, leading to an unusual chase through the local drainage system.

Three teenagers were ultimately apprehended: a 16-year-old from Alexandra Hills and two others from Stafford, aged 16 and 17. One suspect received a dog bite during the arrest in an underground drainage system on Newmarket Road and remains under police guard in hospital. A fourth suspect remains at large.

The Alexandra Hills teenager faces 11 charges, while the 17-year-old Stafford boy has been charged with eight offences. Both charges include multiple counts of unlawful use of motor vehicles and entering dwellings.

Police are continuing their investigation and urge anyone with information about the break-ins in Red Hill, Auchenflower, or surrounding areas to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie commended the officers involved, particularly noting the contribution of the police dog squad in apprehending the suspects.

Published 18-February-2025

Auchenflower Hospital to Undergo Major Expansion

Photo Credit: Urban Strategies

Wesley Hospital in Auchenflower is set to undergo a significant expansion, with plans lodged for two 10-storey towers.

The project, proposed by UnitingCare (MID-0624-0852 – Chasely Street Health Hub), aims to address Queensland’s increasing demand for healthcare services.

The proposed development includes a new medical building housing various services, including allied health, medical imaging, radiology, pharmacy, and specialist health services. A 10-storey accommodation tower is also planned to provide accommodation for families and carers of regional patients.

The new accommodation tower will replace the outdated Wesley Rotary Lodge and offer modern and comfortable facilities. The medical building will be connected to the existing Wesley Hospital via a pedestrian bridge, enhancing accessibility and convenience for patients and staff.

Moorlands, a historic property near the Wesley Hospital, is not part of the redevelopment plans and will remain preserved.
Photo Credit: Urban Strategies

*Photo Credit: MID-0624-0852 – Chasely Street Health Hub*

While the project is expected to benefit the community significantly, it has also raised concerns about potential impacts on traffic and local infrastructure. UnitingCare has engaged with local stakeholders and is considering feedback to refine the design.

The expansion will take at least 12 months, and construction will commence in the coming year.

The project is being undertaken under the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation scheme, which streamlines the planning process. Public consultations on the proposal are ongoing and will conclude on 25 November.

Published Date 20-November-2024

Two Boys Critical After Car Accident in Auchenflower

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons / bertknot

On September 27, 2024, at approximately 1:15 PM, a serious car accident occurred in Auchenflower. The incident took place on Vincent Street when a car collided with a pole, resulting in injuries to four children.

Paramedics responded to the scene and found two primary school-aged boys with life-threatening injuries. One boy suffered abdominal injuries, while the other sustained head injuries. Both were immediately transported to Queensland Children’s Hospital in critical condition.

Two other boys involved in the crash were also taken to Queensland Children’s Hospital. Their injuries were reported as minor, though the full extent of their conditions is not yet known.

A Queensland Ambulance Services spokesperson reported that paramedics treated a man at the scene for injuries. However, the man declined further medical care and was not transported to the hospital. The extent of his involvement in the crash remains unclear.

Local authorities are investigating the circumstances of the accident. No further details about the cause of the crash or the identities of those involved have been released at this time.

Published 27-September-2024

Express Delivery Incident Raises Concerns in Auchenflower

Photo Credit: reddit.com / @birribama

On September 9, 2024, an Auchenflower resident reported an incident with Australia Post‘s express delivery service. The customer, who wishes to remain anonymous, captured video footage of an Australia Post delivery van passing his house without stopping to deliver an express parcel.

The incident occurred just before 11:30 am. The footage shows the white Australia Post van slowing down near the customer’s house, with the driver briefly holding a phone out the window, apparently to photograph the letterbox, before driving away without attempting delivery.

Video Credit: reddit.com / @birribama

The Auchenflower resident had paid for express delivery of air conditioner parts. He reported being at home at the time of the incident, caring for his children. Despite being present, he received a notification stating he wasn’t home during the delivery attempt.

This prompted the customer to file a complaint with Australia Post. He expressed frustration at being unable to receive his express delivery as planned and had to collect the parcel himself on Wednesday from the Toowong Business Centre.

Australia Post conducted an investigation into the incident through the Pinkenba Parcel Delivery Centre. They confirmed that the issue had been addressed with the staff member involved, and that measures were taken to prevent similar occurrences.

Australia Post charges between $14.45 and $31.35 for express postage, depending on parcel size. In response to this event, an Australia Post spokeswoman acknowledged that the incident fell short of their expected standards for driver contractors and apologised to the customer.

Published 11-September-2024

Auchenflower to the World Stage: Charlotte Caslick’s Journey to Rugby Sevens Greatness

As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, Rugby Sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick prepares to embark on her third Olympic game, a testament to her enduring excellence and impact on the sport.

Read: Red Hill Sensation Thomas Neill Eyes Paris Glory With the Dolphins

Born in Auchenflower but raised in Stanthorpe, Caslick’s journey to international stardom began on the touch football fields, where her exceptional skills earned her the prestigious Player of the Series title at the 2012 National Youth Championships. This early recognition was just a glimpse of the accolades that would follow in her illustrious career.

The transition to Rugby Sevens came naturally for Caslick, who made her debut in 2013. Her impact was immediate and profound. For three consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2016, she was named in the World Series Dream Team, cementing her status as one of the sport’s elite players.

Photo credit: Charlotte Caslick/Instagram

Caslick’s trajectory continued to soar as she played a pivotal role in Australia’s first World Series victory. Her combination of speed, agility, and tactical awareness made her a nightmare for opponents and a joy for teammates and fans alike.

The pinnacle of Caslick’s career came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Rugby Sevens made its debut as an Olympic sport. In a performance that will be remembered for generations, Caslick scored seven tries throughout the tournament, including one in the gold medal match against New Zealand. Her efforts were instrumental in securing Australia’s historic gold medal.

Recognition for her extraordinary talents came in the form of the 2016 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award, a testament to her dominance on the global stage.

Despite facing setbacks, including a brief foray into rugby league that was cut short by injury, Caslick’s resilience has been remarkable. She bounced back to lead Australia to a triple crown in 2022, winning the World Rugby Sevens Series, Commonwealth Games gold, and the Rugby Sevens World Cup.

Now, with over 300 caps to her name, Caslick stands as the most experienced player in sevens history.

Read: Kelvin Grove State College Joins Elite in 2023 School Rankings

As Caslick continues to dazzle on the international circuit, she remains grounded, sharing her life off the field with fiance Lewis Holland on their cattle property in Stanthorpe. Her story is not just one of personal triumph, but an inspiration to young athletes across Australia and beyond, proving that with talent and determination, the journey from suburban fields to Olympic podiums is possible.

Published 16-July-2024

Little Locals: Church Turned Childcare Centre Opens in Auchenflower

A former church on the corner of Milton Road and Wienholt Street in Auchenflower has been transformed into a fun childcare centre with its own 15-metre indoor slide and outdoor play spaces. Little Locals opened on 9 Nov 2020 to a host of families whose children have been enjoying and settling into their new daycare space.

The family-owned business is Little Locals’ sixth site and will be managed by Sophie Jones, who has 10 years of experience in early education. The facility may accommodate up to 120 children, from ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, who will be cared for, guided and supervised by 30 experienced educators.

Photo Credit: Little Locals Auchenflower/Facebook

Much of the church’s structure has been retained in planning the unique facility, including its stained glass windows, archways and exposed rafters. The old blends with the new as the centre boasts of creative play areas like a water park, racetrack and trampoline.

All over the centre are murals painted by artist JR Ellis, which depicts the wildife of Mt Coot-tha.

“Our centre encourages children to develop a bond with the natural environment through gardening, sorting and participating in a green program which shows respect for the natural world,” the owners said in a statement.

Director Eric Grindley-Ferris revealed that slots for 2021 are slowly filling up, with fees averaging from $134.50 to $139. These prices include lunch and excursion activities.

Residents initially objected to the childcare facility’s construction due to the noise and traffic that could disrupt the homes in the area. Little Locals built acoustic fences and agreed that the outdoor play areas will close by 6 p.m. Mr Grindley-Ferris said that street parking will be avoided since they have 26 underground parking spots.

Haig Rd Bistro in Auchenflower to Open Sister Site La Coin in Red Hill

Neo-French restaurant Haig Rd Bistro in Auchenflower is opening a sister site just two kilometres away in Red Hill. La Coin is still in its final stages of sprucing up before it’s set to welcome diners by the end of October 2020.

Arvid Noack invested in taking over the two-storey site once occupied by Plum Tucker on Enoggera Terrace with his new La Coin (“La Kwan”) co-owner Marcus Kerschbaumer.

The pair is also bringing Haig Rd Bistro chef Jean Yann Bouton on board, who will create a two or three-course menu for dinner with a carefully curated range of entrees, mains and desserts. Diners will have the pleasure of constructing their own dinner.

La Coin will offer nearly similar a la carte lunch dishes as Haig Rd Bistro whilst a special day for BYO will be launched when the restaurant settles after the opening day.

Morning fares at the bistro will include Viennese-inspired coffee choices paired with French pastries and cheese-filled sandwiches.

Mr Noack and Mr Kerschbaumer won’t deviate much from the interior look of La Coin as its sister site. However, the top floor will be reserved to private functions whilst the downstairs section will have a spacious outdoor seating area for a more relaxed dining experience.

La Coin doesn’t have a social media presence yet but you follow Haig Rd Bistro’s Facebook page for the updates.

Auchenflower: Top Performing Brisbane Suburb for Year-on-Year House Price Growth

Auchenflower median house price has risen nearly 20 percent over the past 12 months even as Greater Brisbane house price growth remained flat, according to the latest Domain report.

The Q1 2019 Domain house price report shows that Brisbane house price growth has flatlined over the last 12 months to March 2019, falling 0.3 percent year-on-year, for a median house price of $563,666. Several suburbs, however, managed to register surprising price growth led by Auchenflower.

Auchenflower house price registered 19.2 percent year-on-year growth to end Q1 2019 with a median price of $1,275,000 whilst its five-year price growth stands at 58.9 percent.

As for its exceptional price growth, experts point to Auchenflower’s appeal to families looking for classic Queenslander, easy access to the CBD, and great schools. Auchenflower even overshadowed neighbouring Paddington which fell 0.7 percent with a median house price of $1,062,500.

Quarter-on-quarter, Brisbane median house price fell 1.1 percent, slightly better than Sydney, Melborne, and Perth, which fell 3.1, 2.4, and 2.5 percent, respectively. Among capital cities, only Hobart saw an uptick in its median house price, rising 3.1 percent quarter-on-quarter and 7 percent year-on-year.

Newport and Highgate Hill, on the other hand, led the list of suburbs with the steepest median price declines, falling 13.5 and 10.6 percent, respectively. Cannon Hill, Morningside, Greenslopes, Indooroopilly, Upper Caboolture, Yeronga, Ningi, and Corinda round out the list.

The top suburbs for house price growth according to Q1 2019 Domain house price report:

Suburb / Q1 2019 Median Price / YoY Growth

Auchenflower ($1,275,000 / 19.2%)
Burpengary East ( $600,000 / 17.8% )
Brookwater ( $825,000 / 16.1% )
North Ipswich ( $367,500 / 14.5% )
Sandgate ( $757,500 / 13.1% )
Woody Point ($500,000 / 13.1% )
Spring Mountain ($507,500 / 11.5%)
Eagleby ($360,000 / 11.1%)
Hemmant ($550,000 / 11.1%)
Nudgee ($650,000 -/ 10.9%)