Table of Contents
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Sports
- Brisbane International Tennis Tournament: Jiri Lehecka, a 23-year-old Czech player, clinched the men’s singles title after his opponent, Reilly Opelka, retired due to a back injury. Lehecka is now aiming to deliver a strong performance at the upcoming Australian Open.
- Ash Barty’s Return: Former world No. 1 tennis player Ash Barty made a return to the court at the Brisbane International for an exhibition event shortly after announcing her second pregnancy. She retired from professional tennis in March 2022.
Local Development
- West End Redevelopment: A proposal has been submitted to transform the old Heidelberg Materials Australia concrete factory site in West End into a massive 620-unit residential project with three 50-level towers and a 5,400 sqm riverfront public park. This development aims to enhance housing supply and affordability in Brisbane’s inner-city.
- Moggill Road Flyover Delay: The completion of the Moggill Road flyover project in Indooroopilly has been delayed until early 2025, primarily due to extensive rainfall in November. The project, initially scheduled for completion this year, has seen costs rise from $126 million to $257 million.
Housing Market
- Housing Affordability Crisis: Recent analysis indicates that potential buyers in over 300 Queensland suburbs require an annual salary exceeding $200,000 to afford a home, making it unattainable for many workers. The median weekly salary in Queensland is approximately $1,872, equating to around $97,000 per year.
- Brisbane Home Prices: Brisbane’s home prices have experienced their first decline in over two years, with a slight drop of 0.04% in December 2024. Despite this, regional Queensland saw an overall increase in home prices, led by Townsville with a 26.25% rise.
Community and Culture
- Indigenous Cultural Centre Proposal: Leaders in tourism and business are advocating for the creation of a world-class Indigenous cultural centre in Brisbane ahead of the 2032 Olympics. The centre would highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and history and provide employment opportunities.
- Neighbourhood Dispute Over Fence: A Brisbane resident expressed frustration over her neighbour’s decision to replace their shared 1.8-meter fence with a taller 2.5-meter timber fence without prior communication, reducing natural light entering her house. The neighbour cited privacy concerns and the safety of her large dogs as reasons for the change.
Public Safety
- Fatal Motorcycle Crash: A tragic collision south of Brisbane resulted in the deaths of two individuals. The accident involved a motorcycle and a car at the intersection of Coorang and Mt Cotton roads in Carbrook. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the cause of the crash.
- Snake Found in Car: A man in Brisbane discovered a highly venomous eastern brown snake hiding under the hood of his car during a shopping trip. A professional snake catcher safely removed and relocated the reptile.