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Story Bridge City-Side Footpath Reopens Early in Fortitude Valley

Pedestrian and cyclist access has resumed on the Story Bridge in Fortitude Valley following the early completion of new decking on the city-side footpath.

Early Milestone for Story Bridge Upgrade

The Story Bridge has reached an important stage in its ongoing restoration, with the western (city-side) footpath reopening earlier than planned. About 300 metres of new composite decking has replaced the old surface, which was closed earlier this year after structural assessments identified safety risks.

The new panels are fixed to a locally sourced steel frame, using the same lightweight material installed at the Cultural Centre boardwalk in 2021. The project, valued at nearly $7 million, is part of a wider $80 million investment in the 85-year-old bridge since 2019.

Modern Decking Strengthens Historic Connection

The Story Bridge remains one of Brisbane’s most recognisable transport links, carrying thousands of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists each day between Fortitude Valley and Kangaroo Point. Built to last a century, it now forms part of a broader program to extend its life and ensure public safety.

The recently completed footpath section restores pedestrian and cycling access across the Brisbane River, re-establishing an important route for commuters and recreational users alike.

Long-Term Plan to Preserve the 85-Year Landmark

The upgrade contributes to a long-term restoration roadmap aimed at maintaining the bridge through to its 100th anniversary in 2040. A business case supported by $2.25 million in national funding is expected to be completed by 2027 to guide the staged program of future works.

This follows earlier planning initiatives, including a separate $5 million assessment project, focused on structural improvements and maintenance scheduling over the next 15 to 20 years.

Story Bridge footpath — *Photo Credit: BCC*

Community Welcomes Return of River Access

The reopening announcement on 3 October 2025 drew strong public response. Many residents expressed enthusiasm about returning to the bridge for walking, running, and cycling, while some raised concerns about long-term upkeep and the durability of the new surface.

Despite differing views, the completion of the city-side path has been widely acknowledged as a step forward for accessibility and safety.

Eastern Path Works Progress Toward Year-End Target

Attention has now turned to the eastern footpath, where installation of the same composite decking system is underway. Crews are progressing ahead of schedule, with the section expected to reopen before the end of 2025.

Once both sides are complete, the focus will shift to further restoration planning under the 2040 roadmap, ensuring the Story Bridge continues to serve Brisbane safely for generations to come.

Published 3-Oct-2025

Howard Smith Wharves to Host Grand Final Celebrations for Broncos Fans

Howard Smith Wharves will transform into Brisbane’s riverside gathering place this long weekend as footy fans rally behind the Broncos in both the men’s and women’s grand finals. The precinct will broadcast the matches on big screens across multiple venues, giving supporters a central hub to share the finals excitement.

Community coming together

The event will take place on Sunday, 5 October, with an all-day program designed to keep the community entertained. The schedule begins at 12:00 p.m. with a state championship game screened without sound, followed by the NRLW Grand Final at 2:55 p.m. between the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters.

From 5:45 p.m., pre-game entertainment will set the tone for the NRL Grand Final at 6:30 p.m., when the men’s Broncos side take on the Melbourne Storm.

What fans can expect

The celebrations will span across Howard Smith Wharves, including Felons Barrel Hall, Felons Beer Garden, Felons Fish & Chipper Lawn and the Rivergarden. Felons Brewery will be offering its signature beers alongside game-day food options, with plenty of walk-in seating available for those without bookings. Once the final sirens sound, the precinct will carry on the celebrations with live music, DJs and bands performing late into the night.

More than football

For those who prefer a different type of energy, the precinct will also feature Mr Percival’s River Disco across the long weekend. Extended trading hours mean Sunday festivities will stretch late, while all venues will also open on Monday in line with the King’s Birthday public holiday.

About the venue

Located under the Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves has become known as Brisbane’s cultural and hospitality precinct, home to restaurants, bars, cafes, a hotel and the award-winning Felons Brewery. With its riverside location and variety of spaces, the precinct has positioned itself as a go-to spot for community events that blend sport, music and food.

Published 3-Oct-2025

Brisbane Towers Plan Includes Sky Restaurant and Subtropical Green Spaces

Photo Credit: DA A006860648

Brisbane residents could soon see two residential towers rise at North Quay, complete with more than 1,100 apartments, a sky restaurant, and subtropical gardens integrated into the podium and public spaces.

Green Focus in the City Centre

Shayher Group lodged a development application in September 2025 for two towers at 309 North Quay, rising 56 and 51 storeys. The plan includes a sky restaurant on the 54th floor and subtropical landscaping from street level to the rooftops.

More than 1,500 square metres of landscaped podium areas are planned, along with deep planting and facade greening to soften the podium.

Tree diversity has also been expanded, with species such as Waterhousea floribunda, Flindersia australis, Agathis robusta, and retained Caesalpinia ferrea integrated into the streetscape.

Public Access and Streetscape Improvements

The ground level will connect Saul, May, and North Quay streets with shaded walkways, planter seating, and a visitor drop-off plaza. Street trees and layered planting aim to strengthen the site’s subtropical character and link with nearby park spaces.

The landscape plan details tree placement to improve shade and comfort along each street edge. Saul Street will include Araucaria and Caesalpinia, May Street will feature Agathis robusta, and North Quay will retain existing trees with added Waterhousea for canopy cover.

Living and Dining Above the River

The proposal also includes 1,122 apartments, a mix of one- to four-bedroom units, short-stay accommodation, and branded residences. Resident amenities such as pools, gyms, lounges, and a library are distributed through podium and upper floors.

At the top of Tower 1, the double-level sky restaurant and lounge will be set among internal plantings. The landscaping concept includes feature trees, indoor palms, and shade-tolerant species designed to withstand low light, wind, and seasonal changes at such height.

Next Steps for Approval

The application, lodged on 16 September 2025, is under assessment by Brisbane City Council. Public notification has already taken place, and further review will focus on heritage, traffic, and design impacts.

If approved, the project will establish a landmark at the city’s western gateway and connect directly with the Roma Street precinct.

Published 2-October-2025

Rock Legends Metallica Team Up With Lifeblood to Boost Blood Donations

Photo Credit: Lifeblood

Brisbane locals have a unique opportunity to combine their civic duty with rock memorabilia next month, as legendary band Metallica partners with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood for a special blood donation drive.

The collaboration coincides with Metallica’s upcoming Brisbane performance on 12 November at Suncorp Stadium as part of their M72 World Tour. Brisbane blood donors who give at the Edward Street donor centre between 5-11 November will receive a limited-edition Metallica t-shirt designed by the band’s iconic artist SQUINDO.

Photo Credit: Australian Red Cross Lifeblood

The exclusive Brisbane t-shirt features the band’s lyric “A Sea of Hearts Beat As One” within a blood drop design, along with Australian elements specifically for local fans. To receive the merchandise, donors must be enrolled in Lifeblood’s loyalty program, Lifeblood Gifts, either before donating or sign up when they arrive.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s Executive Director of Donor Experience, Cath Stone, highlighted the timing of the partnership amid increased demand for blood products. The organisation requires more than 1.7 million donations annually to meet hospital needs, with 100,000 new donors needed each year due to growing population demands.

The Brisbane initiative forms part of a broader Australian tour collaboration between Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, and Lifeblood. Similar drives are occurring in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, timed around each tour stop.

This partnership builds on Metallica’s global philanthropic efforts, including their work with the American Red Cross during their recent US tour, which generated more than 2,000 blood and platelet donations. Since establishing All Within My Hands in 2017, the foundation has raised over $20 million for community initiatives.

Each blood donation can save up to three lives, supporting cancer patients, new mothers, trauma victims and surgical patients. The Brisbane Donor Centre is located at 288 Edward Street in the CBD.

For Brisbane residents with tattoos, recent policy changes mean plasma donations are accepted immediately after tattoos from licensed Australian parlours, while blood and platelet donations require just a one-week wait.

Donations can be booked through lifeblood.com.au/metallica or by calling 13 14 95.

Published 29-September-2025

Brisbane Fans Rally at Howard Smith Wharves for AFL and NRL finals

Photo Credit: Howard Smith Wharves/Facebook

Brisbane is gearing up for one of the city’s biggest sporting weekends, with locals expected to pack into Howard Smith Wharves to cheer on the Brisbane Lions in the AFL Grand Final and the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL double header.

AFL and NRL Grand Final screenings at the Wharves

On Saturday, 27 September, the AFL Grand Final will be shown live from 2:30 p.m. across multiple venues at Howard Smith Wharves, including Felons Barrel Hall, Felons Fish & Chipper Lawn, the Rivergarden, and Felons Beer Garden. The Lions, who secured their spot after a strong season, are chasing back-to-back premiership glory.

The celebrations continue on Sunday, 28 September, with the Brisbane Broncos’ men’s and women’s sides both in contention for NRL Grand Final spots. The women’s match kicks off at 1:15 p.m., followed by the men at 4:05 p.m. on the big screens at the same locations.

For fans without tickets to the matches at Suncorp Stadium, the precinct provides a free and open-air setting to watch the action unfold, with Felons Brewing Co supplying game-day food and drinks.

Community atmosphere along the river

Howard Smith Wharves management noted that the precinct has become a gathering place for Brisbane residents during major sporting events, with walk-ins welcome at the outdoor seating areas. Live bands and DJs will also take to the stage on Saturday night after the AFL Grand Final, ensuring that the party continues regardless of the result.

The riverfront venue, situated beneath the Story Bridge, has established itself as Brisbane’s cultural hub, boasting more than a dozen restaurants, bars, and spaces where fans can come together to celebrate. The precinct is highlighting the area’s growing connection to sport and community life, with organisers expecting large crowds across the weekend.

Sporting pride for Brisbane

The Brisbane Lions’ official club site has confirmed the team’s preparations for the clash, while the NRL and Broncos have detailed match times and ticketing updates for their preliminary finals. Suncorp Stadium’s event listings also reflect the packed schedule, with both codes drawing strong support across the city.

This weekend at Howard Smith Wharves offers the chance to share in the finals experience, no matter the scorelines on the field.

AFL Grand Final
Date: 27th September 2025
Time: 2:30PM
Location: Felons Barrel Hall, Felons Fish & Chipper Lawn, Rivergarden, Felons Beer Garden, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000

NRL Grand Final
Date: 28th September 2025
Time: 1:15PM (NRLW) and 4:05PM (NRL)
Location: Felons Barrel Hall, Felons Fish & Chipper Lawn, Rivergarden, Felons Beer Garden, Howard Smith Wharves, 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000

Published 26-Sept-2025

QUT’s Humanoid Robot ‘Gee’ Draws Attention at Gardens Point Campus

A humanoid robot at Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Gardens Point campus has drawn significant attention. Nicknamed Gee, the 140-centimetre tall Unitree G1 robot has attracted reactions ranging from fascination to apprehension as it strolls around the grounds near the Brisbane CBD.

Read: QUT Robotics Director Honoured for Global Mentoring Impact

Gee represents a new addition to QUT’s robotics research program. Acquired by the Centre for Robotics for around AUD 45,000, the Unitree G1 is one of the most affordable humanoid robots currently available. With 24 joint motors, it can walk, run, wave, pick up objects, and engage in basic interaction through a built-in microphone. Its compact size and movement patterns attract attention both in classrooms and while moving around campus.

Professor Jonathan Roberts of QUT has emphasised that the robot offers opportunities to explore how humanoid machines interact with people and environments. In a post on LinkedIn, he explained:

“One of the motivations for humanoid robots is that they could allow us to finally have useful robots that do not need us to modify our world for them in a major way. And this could mean that their use becomes affordable one day (soon hopefully).

“Humanoid robots also offer a nice opportunity to explore how machines can interact with people and environments in more natural, intuitive ways. Our research is focused on understanding the capabilities and limitations of these platforms and how they can help address real-world challenges in the care, education, manufacturing and service industries.”
Professor Jonathan Roberts

That vision extends beyond the novelty of watching a robot move across campus. For students and researchers at QUT, Gee provides a real-world testbed for studying how machines can operate in human-designed spaces. Roberts has also noted that real-time balance and uncertainty remain significant challenges for humanoid robots, underlining the complexity of this work.

Unlike industrial robots, which typically function in controlled environments, humanoids are intended to operate in the world as it already exists, without major modifications.

The first weeks of Gee’s presence on campus have been marked by curiosity. Some students quickly take out their phones to capture the moment, sharing their encounters online. Others keep their distance, unsure of how to respond to a machine that looks and moves more like a person than a tool. Such diverse responses illustrate the social side of robotics that researchers are paying close attention to.

While the G1’s current battery life limits its outings to just a couple of hours at a time, its potential applications are wide-ranging. Humanoid robots are being explored as tools to help address challenges in care, education, manufacturing, and service industries.

Read: QUT Researchers Help Uncover Strongest Evidence Yet of Life on Mars

Gee’s outings around Brisbane’s city-centre campus highlight both the progress in robotics research and the questions these technologies raise. For now, Gee has sparked conversations on campus and beyond—conversations that are likely to grow louder in the coming years.

Published 24-September-2025

Before Wi-Fi, There Was SIGSALY: Top-Secret WWII Code Machine in Brisbane

Photo Credit: History of Infornation

Long before the first email was sent or the first smartphone was designed, the blueprint for our modern digital world—from secure banking apps to private messages—was secretly being forged inside a 40-tonne machine humming deep beneath the footpaths of Queen Street, Brisbane City.

A Secret Below the Sidewalk

Sigsaly — *Photo Credit:* *Discovery UK*

During the tense years of the Second World War, the AMP Building on Queen Street was more than just the headquarters for U.S. General Douglas MacArthur. In its basement, hidden from the world, Brisbane operated one of just twelve top-secret SIGSALY terminals on the planet. This wasn’t merely a telephone; it was the world’s first digital voice encryption system, a piece of technology so advanced that its principles are still used in the devices we carry in our pockets today.

The system was a lifeline, providing a completely secure, real-time voice link between General MacArthur in Brisbane and Allied leaders in Washington, D.C. While war raged in the Pacific, the strategic decisions that shaped its outcome were being discussed over a line that, to any eavesdropper, would have sounded like meaningless static.

The Birth of Digital Privacy

Developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories, SIGSALY was a marvel of its time. It took a human voice and, for the first time in history, converted it into digital data through a process called pulse-code modulation (PCM). This is the same fundamental method used today by everything from your mobile phone to music streaming platforms.

To make the signal unbreakable, the digital data was encrypted using a “one-time pad” system. Random noise was recorded onto large phonograph records, which had to be perfectly synchronised at both ends of the call. Each system filled an entire room, weighed over 40 tonnes, and required a dedicated team of trained personnel to manage its complex machinery. Despite constant efforts by Axis forces to crack Allied communications, no SIGSALY message was ever broken.

A Legacy Revealed

The existence of SIGSALY and Brisbane’s pivotal role in its network remained classified until the 1970s. Only then did the world learn how a wartime necessity had accidentally laid the groundwork for the information age. The innovations born in that Queen Street basement can be seen in modern encrypted messaging apps, voice-over-internet calls, and the secure networks that protect our daily digital lives.

This forgotten chapter of our city’s history was a key topic at an international symposium held at the University of Queensland. Scholars and historians gathered in August to examine how behind-the-scenes breakthroughs in communications and cryptography during the war, like SIGSALY, directly seeded the technology that defines the 21st century. The event highlighted that Brisbane’s contribution to the Allied effort went far beyond the battlefield, placing it at the very centre of a technological revolution.

Published Date 23-September-2025

Free Community Workshops in Spring Hill Aim to Boost Women’s Leadership and Job Readiness

A movement to uplift women from diverse cultural backgrounds is gaining momentum as the Women’s Mentoring Foundation (WMF) prepares to host two free workshops in Spring Hill, aimed at helping participants build confidence, develop job-readiness skills, and strengthen community bonds.

The sessions will take place at the MCCQ Office on Wickham Terrace and are supported by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, highlighting the importance of collaboration in fostering inclusion and opportunity for women across Brisbane’s multicultural communities.

Event Details and Purpose

The workshops, to be held on Wednesday, 1 October, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 4 October, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., are free to attend and include light refreshments.

The first session, Employment Readiness and Confidence, will focus on developing essential workplace skills such as résumé writing, interview techniques, and communication strategies. The second session, Self-Leadership and Cultural Inclusion, will help participants strengthen their leadership abilities while celebrating the value of cultural diversity within their communities.

These initiatives are designed not only to support women in finding meaningful employment but also to promote resilience and self-leadership through mentorship and shared experiences.

According to WMF’s Business Development Manager, Julia Lewis, the goal is to create a safe, encouraging space for women to connect and learn from one another, fostering both professional growth and community engagement.

Community Impact and Support

Through the support of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust, the foundation has been able to deliver inclusive programs that bring together women of all ages and backgrounds. The WMF has long been recognised for empowering women who may face barriers to employment or social participation, helping them build confidence and purpose. These free workshops are another step in that mission, ensuring accessibility to vital resources that might otherwise be out of reach.

Participants are encouraged to register early through Humanitix, as places are limited. More information can be found by contacting WMF at info@womensmentoringfoundation.com or 0497 998 829.

About the Foundation

Founded on the belief that every woman deserves the opportunity to thrive, the Women’s Mentoring Foundation focuses on personal development, mental wellbeing, and leadership. By combining peer mentoring with practical skill-building, the foundation has supported hundreds of women to rebuild their confidence and re-enter the workforce. Their work continues to strengthen community ties and promote a culture of shared growth across Brisbane and beyond.

Published 19-Sept-2025

Archbishop Shane Mackinlay Installed in Fortitude Valley

Photo Credit: Archdiocese of Brisbane/Facebook

Archbishop Shane Mackinlay was installed as the new Archbishop of Brisbane at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Fortitude Valley, with more than 1000 people and 200 clergy in attendance.

Installation Mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral

The Solemn Mass and Liturgical reception on 11 September 2025 marked the official beginning of Archbishop Mackinlay’s ministry in Brisbane. The Cathedral Choir, Cathedral Schola and St Stephen’s Brass were part of the celebration, contributing to the music throughout the liturgy.

Over 1000 attendees, including around 200 clergy, gathered at the Cathedral for the occasion. The Mass was also livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

*Photo Credit: Archdiocese of Brisbane/Facebook*

First homily as Archbishop

In his first homily, Archbishop Mackinlay expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he had received from the people of Brisbane. He also acknowledged the diocese he was leaving, thanking the people of Sandhurst for their support over the past six years.

He noted that several Sandhurst clergy were present at the Mass, with others watching the livestream from Victoria.

*Photo Credit: Archdiocese of Brisbane/Facebook*

Career and Background

Shane Mackinlay was appointed Archbishop of Brisbane by Pope Leo XIV on 18 June 2025, following six years as Bishop of Sandhurst. Born in Brunswick, Melbourne, in 1965, he was ordained a priest in 1991 and later served as Master of Catholic Theological College in Melbourne from 2010 to 2019.

He was consecrated a bishop in 2019 and installed as Bishop of Sandhurst that same year. His academic background includes theology, physics, and a doctorate in philosophy.

Community Reception

Following the ceremony, refreshments were served in the grounds of St Stephen’s Cathedral, where Archbishop Mackinlay greeted parishioners, clergy and visitors, many of whom were eager to meet him personally and take photographs.

The event marks a significant transition for the Brisbane Archdiocese, with Archbishop Mackinlay becoming its eighth leader since the role was elevated to Archbishop in 1887.

Published 18-Sep-2025

QUT Researchers Help Uncover Strongest Evidence Yet of Life on Mars

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers are part of an international team behind what could be the most compelling evidence of life beyond Earth, after NASA’s Perseverance rover identified promising signs in a rock sample from Mars.

Read: QUT Robotics Director Honoured for Global Mentoring Impact

The rover, exploring Jezero Crater, collected a specimen that showed minuscule “leopard spot” markings containing two iron-rich minerals: vivianite and greigite. On Earth, both of these are typically linked to microbial activity, making the discovery one of the clearest bio-signatures yet reported on the red planet.

Associate Professor David Flannery, an astrobiologist from QUT, was among the 89 co-authors of the peer-reviewed paper published in Nature. He explained that the rock held exactly the kind of features scientists had long hoped to find on Mars. According to Flannery, these characteristics could point to signs of microbial life in the planet’s subsurface — a breakthrough many researchers have been waiting for.

The findings raise exciting questions about whether life may have evolved independently on Mars or whether it might have been transported between planets in the distant past. Another possibility is that Mars has its own distinct carbon cycle unrelated to life, something only closer study of the samples on Earth can reveal.

Bringing those samples back, however, remains a challenge. The Mars Sample Return program faces uncertainty following major cuts to NASA’s budget, and the timing of the mission is unclear. Until then, researchers can only analyse the data remotely.

Despite the obstacles, the discovery has reinvigorated discussion about the potential for life still existing beneath Mars’ surface. While the surface is now too cold and dry to support living organisms, Flannery noted that subsurface aquifers could provide a more hospitable environment, similar to how microbes survive deep underground on Earth.

QUT has played a vital role in this mission beyond supplying scientists. The university helped design and build the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL), one of the seven instruments on the Perseverance rover. QUT experts also created PIXLISE, the software used by NASA scientists to interpret the rover’s findings.

Read: QUT Scientist Dr Brett Lewis Develops New Coral Restoration Tech

For now, the Martian rock provides tantalising evidence — not a final answer — in humanity’s quest to know whether we are alone in the universe. But thanks to contributions from Queensland researchers, the possibility of life on Mars feels closer than ever.

Published 17-September-2025