West End Archives - West End Today

McDonald’s West End Construction Draws Complaints Over 4:00 a.m. Work

West End residents have raised concerns over repeated overnight construction noise at a new McDonald’s development, including activity recorded around 4:00 a.m. or hours after authorised site work had ended.

Published accounts from neighbours near the Melbourne Street site describe months of disruption from heavy machinery, reversing trucks, drilling and unloading activity. The complaints have raised questions about whether overnight work at the site remained within council-approved hours.

In comments published in earlier media reports, Brisbane City Council said there was no approval for construction work at the site at 4:00 a.m. Previously reported footage from the site showed workers unloading steel at about that hour.

Located at 220 Melbourne Street on the West End–South Brisbane border, the fast-food outlet is set to operate 24 hours a day upon completion later in 2026.

Months of overnight disruption

Nearby residents have reported hearing cranes, drills, reversing trucks and other heavy machinery during overnight works. Some have said activity occurred more frequently than they understood was permitted, while others reported receiving no advance notice before some late-night operations.

The construction site sits in an inner-city area containing residential and commercial properties, placing overnight works in close proximity to nearby households and businesses.

Strict limits on night approvals

Brisbane City Council records confirm contractor Store Tec Pty Ltd obtained an out-of-hours construction approval for 220 Melbourne Street.

Photo Credit: DA A007012001/Development.i BCC

Brisbane noise rules prohibit clearly audible building-work noise within an affected building between 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., Monday to Saturday. Clearly audible building-work noise is also prohibited at all times on Sundays and public holidays, excluding Saturday public holidays, unless authorised by a development approval.

An out-of-hours approval does not grant unrestricted round-the-clock access. Council guidelines state that only the works and locations specified in an approval may be undertaken during the approved days and times.

Details released for the Melbourne Street project show Store Tec held approval for work between 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. on designated nights. Council said there was no approval for work at the site at 4:00 a.m.

Earlier project notices advised nearby residents and businesses of planned overnight works, with most activity expected to finish by about 1:00 a.m.

Construction continues as neighbours seek clarity

Construction is continuing ahead of the restaurant’s planned opening later in 2026, while questions remain over the reported early morning activities.

No formal enforcement action over the reported 4:00 a.m. activity had been publicly identified at the time of publication. McDonald’s has said it is reviewing the concerns with its construction partners, while affected residents can report suspected out-of-hours building noise to Brisbane City Council.

BCC NOISE RESTRICTION AND COMPLAINTS

Published 31-Aug-2026

The Big Bubble Show in Space Brisbane Brings Bubble-Filled School Holiday Fun to West End

Photo Credit: Fever

The Big Bubble Show in Space Brisbane is heading to The West End Electric these school holidays. That should suit West End families looking for something a little different. It brings a burst of theatrical fun to Boundary Street, with Dr Bubbles and Milkshake leading the way.

This one sounds built for a suburb that likes a bit of personality in its live entertainment. The action starts quickly. Bubble rockets will soar, fire bubbles will blaze, and giant bubbles will drift across the stage. Some are said to grow large enough to hold groups of people. That alone gives the show a strong family pull.

The Big Bubble Show in Space Brisbane runs from September 19 to September 27. It lasts about 60 minutes and has no interval. That shorter format may suit families with younger children, especially during the school holiday rush. It also keeps the outing neat and manageable.

A family outing with local appeal

Tickets start from $29.90, with family passes also available. That may make it a practical choice for local households looking for a holiday activity. The West End Electric sits at 125 Boundary Street, which adds to the local appeal for Brisbane families.

Fever says the show is suitable for all ages. It also notes that the venue is wheelchair accessible. Those details should broaden its reach and make it easier for more families to consider.

There is also a bit of production polish behind the spectacle. Fever says the show comes from the producer of Alice in Wonderland on London’s West End, in association with Bubble Laboratory. So while the bubbles are clearly the headline, there is proper theatre craft underneath them.

A light-hearted fit for West End

West End tends to welcome lively and slightly unexpected events, and this one fits that mould nicely. It is bright, playful and built for shared reactions. Children are likely to enjoy the bubbles, and adults may enjoy the silliness too.

That makes The Big Bubble Show in Space Brisbane an easy school holiday option to keep in mind. It offers a local outing without demanding too much time, and it brings a bit of sparkle to a suburb that already knows how to handle a crowd.

For families after something cheerful, short and a touch absurd, this one looks worth a look. The Big Bubble Show in Space Brisbane seems well matched to West End.

Published 25-Aug-2026

West End Lamborghini Crash Case Committed to District Court

A man charged over a Lamborghini crash on Montague Road that sent two people to hospital has been committed to stand trial in the Brisbane District Court, almost two years after the West End collision.

The 41-year-old appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 18 August, for a committal hearing arising from the 5 October 2024 crash. He is charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing grievous bodily harm, an allegation that has not been proven.

The hearing examined evidence surrounding the collision and the condition of the Lamborghini in the days before the crash. Several witnesses gave evidence before Magistrate Ross Mack during the committal hearing.

The accused told police he had lost control of the Lamborghini, according to evidence given at the hearing. The circumstances of the crash and the allegation concerning his manner of driving remain matters for the court.

Investigating officer Senior Constable Deborah McDougall gave evidence about the initial police response and subsequent investigation. She told the hearing the accused had been issued an infringement notice on the day of the collision and that a later review of footage prompted further investigation, which ultimately resulted in the charge.

Altered suspension examined during committal hearing

The court heard evidence about alterations made to the Lamborghini before the collision. A Lamborghini Brisbane employee who had test-driven the vehicle less than a week earlier gave evidence about concerns regarding its altered suspension.

The court also heard there was no evidence those concerns had been communicated to the accused before the collision. The employee’s evidence did not establish that the suspension caused the crash, and no finding about the cause of the collision was made during the committal hearing.

Snr Cst McDougall also gave evidence about the investigation into the vehicle and the circumstances surrounding the crash. The prosecution’s allegation remains unproven and will be determined through the criminal court process.

Case moves from Magistrates Court to District Court

At the conclusion of the hearing, Magistrate Ross Mack formally committed the accused to stand trial in the Brisbane District Court. A trial date was yet to be set when the matter was committed.

A committal hearing does not determine whether an accused person is guilty or not guilty. At this stage of proceedings, the court considers whether there is sufficient evidence for an indictable charge to proceed to a higher court.

No plea was entered at the committal hearing, and the charge remains unproven. The committal itself does not amount to a finding that the alleged offence occurred as alleged.

Published 20-Aug-2026

KangaCat Adds Brisbane 2032 Theme To West End River Trips

Photo Credit: Brisbane Olympic Committee

Brisbane 2032 has taken a visible place along West End’s river corridor, where passengers may now spot the Boxing Kangaroo-themed KangaCat on regular CityCat services.

A New Sight Along The West End Riverfront

The KangaCat has joined Brisbane’s ferry fleet as the city marks six years until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The green-and-gold vessel is the existing CityCat Mahreel, decorated with a design inspired by the Australian Olympic Team’s Boxing Kangaroo mascot, known as BK.

West End is one of the terminals on the regular CityCat corridor between UQ St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton. The service also connects passengers with South Bank, Riverside in the CBD, New Farm Park and other destinations along the Brisbane River.

The KangaCat does not operate as a dedicated West End ferry or follow its own permanent route. It may call at the suburb when Mahreel is assigned to a regular service travelling through the CityCat corridor.

Passengers can follow its location using the AnyTrip app, where the vessel remains listed under the name Mahreel.

KangaCat Marks Brisbane 2032 Countdown

The ferry began operating on Sunday, 19 July, with its first reported journey departing Hawthorne for St Lucia.

Its Boxing Kangaroo design recognises Australian Olympic athletes and those pursuing the opportunity to represent the country at Brisbane 2032.

Olympians Cate Campbell, Cedric Dubler, Ria Thompson and Georgia Courage-Gardiner attended the launch. Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Anna Meares and the Boxing Kangaroo mascot were also aboard.

The vessel is among the first public-facing activations introduced during the six-year lead-up to the Games, with further activities expected across Brisbane in the years ahead.

West End Passengers Can Track Mahreel

The KangaCat provides West End passengers with another themed vessel to look out for alongside the Bluey and Bingo CityDogs already operating within the fleet.

The standard 50-cent fare applies when travelling aboard Mahreel, and passengers do not need a special ticket or booking to use the service.

West End’s ferry terminal connects the suburb’s riverside parks and cafe areas with destinations across the inner-city ferry network.

Brisbane ferries carried a reported 6.8 million passengers during the previous financial year, linking residents and visitors with dining areas, attractions and riverfront precincts.

Because Mahreel’s assigned service can change, AnyTrip tracking provides the most practical way for West End passengers to check whether the KangaCat is approaching their terminal or travelling elsewhere on the river.

Published 20-July-2026

Intermission Opens on Boundary Street, Blending Theatre and Bar Culture in West End

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Intermission, a new bar and eatery with unmistakable theatrical flair, has opened on Boundary Street in West End — and it’s already drawing a crowd well beyond the theatre set. The venue is the latest project from Strut & Fret, the creative company behind The West End Electric, and sits right next door to their Brisbane theatre space at 125 Boundary Street.

The concept grew out of necessity as much as ambition. When the street-facing tenancy beside The West End Electric sat vacant for roughly six months after its previous occupant — a fried chicken shop — shut up, Strut & Fret director Scott Maidment and his team decided to take it on themselves. Given the company’s background producing large-scale festival events and running cocktail bars as part of those experiences, it wasn’t a stretch. What emerged is a venue designed to wrap around an entire evening rather than anchor it.

The fit-out, led by long-time Strut & Fret collaborator and production designer James Browne, draws on the atmosphere of London’s theatre district and the casual glamour of Parisian bistros and supper clubs. A hand-laid gold flake floor anchors the space, offset by dark timber panelling, soft white drapes and an eclectic mix of vintage furnishings and theatre posters. A discreet connecting door links Intermission directly to The West End Electric, offering ticketholders a seamless move from bar stool to theatre seat.

The drinks list leans into the showtime theme. Signature cocktails include the Choc Top Martini, Popcorn Sour and Malt-Pleaser, alongside aperitifs from Dave Verheul’s Saison range, rotating tap beers and a focused wine list that spans champagne to orange and natural wines. For later in the evening, a broad tequila selection and a picklebacks menu are on offer.

Food draws from Spanish and French traditions, with sharing-style plates designed for grazing rather than a sit-down commitment. The charcuterie selection includes wagyu bresaola, prosciutto, mortadella, smoked pepperoni and sopressa, sliced to order. Elsewhere on the menu: tinned fish with focaccia, Yarra Valley Caviar with potato pavé, gildas, empanadas, truffle-cheese toasties and sliders.

Since opening, the venue has settled into a rhythm that mirrors the flow of Boundary Street itself — early afternoon drop-ins, pre-theatre arrivals, post-show debrief sessions and late-night stragglers coming out of nearby restaurants. Word is already getting around; the team has even spotted filmmaker Baz Luhrmann stopping by.

For Maidment, the neighbourhood context is central to what Intermission is trying to be. He describes West End as still one of Brisbane’s most colourful and distinctive suburbs, and sees both the theatre next door and the street life outside the windows as part of the venue’s character.

The name says it all, really. Intermission isn’t trying to be the destination — it’s the pause in the middle, a place to reset between whatever came before and whatever comes next.

Intermission is located at 125 Boundary Street, West End.

West End Park Death Leads To Unlawful Striking Charge

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

A Yeronga man has been charged after a 66-year-old West End man died from injuries suffered during an alleged altercation at a park near Thomas Street and Vulture Street.

West End Man Dies After Alleged Park Altercation

A Yeronga man has been charged after a 66-year-old West End man died from injuries suffered during an alleged altercation at a park near Thomas Street and Vulture Street.

Police allege the two men were at the West End park about 12:23 am on 5 July when an altercation occurred. The men were not known to each other.

It will be alleged the 27-year-old man struck the older man, causing him to fall and sustain a serious head injury.

The 66-year-old West End man was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries.

West End park death — Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Arrest Made In Fortitude Valley

Detectives later arrested 27-year-old Isaiah Andrew Louis Graham at Fortitude Valley on the evening of 5 July.

He was charged with one count of unlawful striking causing death and two counts of possessing dangerous drugs.

The charges followed investigations into the alleged incident at the West End park earlier that day.

Court Matter To Return In July

Mr Graham appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court on 6 July, where the matter was briefly heard.

He will remain in custody, with the matter due to return to court in July.

No exact return date was provided.

Police Seek Information

Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.

Information can be provided to Policelink through the online suspicious activity form, which is available 24 hours a day.

Crime information can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.

The police reference number is QP2601302298.

Published 6-July-2026

Scaffold Helps Sell Rare West End Block for Record $1.94 Million

Ray White South Brisbane

A local family living around the corner ended a six-month house hunt when they paid $1.94 million for a vacant 360-square-metre block in West End, setting a new price benchmark for a non-riverfront lot in the suburb.

The 48 Whynot Street parcel sits in one of West End’s most tightly held pockets, with elevated city and mountain views that drew buyers back to open inspections every Saturday until auction day.

The scaffold that sold the block

Selling agent Luke Croft of Ray White South Brisbane had a simple idea to solve the problem of selling vacant land: build a 10-metre scaffold so buyers could climb up and see exactly what they were getting.

“I suggested they put up the 10-metre scaffold so buyers could walk up the stairs and see what the views were like,” Croft said. “We don’t do open home inspections for vacant land, but we ended up doing one every Saturday for this one and people were physically going up to have a look. It made such a difference.”

The block is one of only a handful of vacant lots to come to market in West End over the past decade, and its rarity was not lost on the buyers. Croft had watched them at open homes for six months as they searched for a house to replace their unit, including a near-miss as underbidders on an existing home.

“They were recently the underbidders on a 20-year-old house. But then when this block became available, they saw the potential,” Croft said. “I think the views got them.”

A fierce auction for a rare block

Three of the five registered bidders made a play for the lot when bidding opened at $1.4 million. The price moved in $100,000 jumps through to $1.8 million before dropping to $25,000 and then $10,000 increments. At $1.925 million, it was called on the market. Two parties then traded $5,000 bids until the hammer fell at $1.94 million.

Croft sold the property to the vendors in late 2024 as part of a larger parcel for $3.2 million. The vendors relocated the existing Queenslander and subdivided before returning the vacant land to market, producing a result Croft described as a win for both parties in a challenging environment.

West End’s inner-city appeal

West End sits two kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, within walking distance of Boundary Street’s restaurant strip, West Village, South Bank Parklands and South Brisbane’s performing arts precinct.

The suburb is also in the catchment for several of Brisbane’s most sought-after schools, drawing owner-occupier demand that has kept competition fierce for well-located land.

Vacant inner-city lots of this calibre rarely surface in the 4101 postcode, and the Whynot Street result reflects how strongly buyers respond when they do.

Published 1-July-2026

West End Parents Seek School Space in Montague Road Precinct

Photo Credit: Economic Development Queensland

West End parents are pushing for part of the 7.1-hectare Montague Road Precinct to be reserved for a new public primary school as the riverfront site is considered for thousands of homes.

West End School Push Turns to Montague Road

West End State School families are calling for education planning to be included in the future of the Montague Road Precinct, a 7.1-hectare riverfront landholding near South Bank and West End.

The school’s P&C has asked for part of the precinct to be reserved for a second public primary school in Brisbane’s inner-south, citing current enrolment pressure and expected growth from nearby residential development.

The precinct is about 1.3km from the Brisbane CBD and includes about 400m of river frontage. It is being considered for more than 4,000 homes in a mixed-use area that may include hospitality, retail and public spaces.

The site remains in the early concept stage, with community consultation available and a preferred proponent selected.

Montague Road Precinct riverfront land — Photo Credit: Economic Development Queensland

Parents Point to West End Enrolments

Parents and students gathered outside West End State School on Monday morning with banners and placards as part of the campaign.

The P&C, which represents about 2700 parents, has pointed to enrolment pressure across the school catchment. It has cited catchment data indicating 94.1 per cent of local primary-school-aged children attend West End State School.

Using 2021 Census data, the P&C estimated that new developments could add another 700 to 800 students to the catchment. That figure includes growth linked to about 8000 apartments already approved.

The group has framed the request as a call for supporting infrastructure, rather than opposition to new housing in West End and nearby suburbs.

West End State School campaign signs — *Caption: Montague Road precinct – Visual for illustration purposes only.*
Photo Credit: *Lendlease*/Economic Development Queensland

Riverfront Precinct Includes Former Industrial Sites

The Montague Road Precinct includes the former Visy site, now publicly owned, and the recently closed milk factory site, which was sold by Lactalis to property developer Stockwell.

The former Visy site had previously been considered for use as a foreign press centre during the 2032 Olympic Games, before later being put forward as a development site open to private housing bids.

In late May, the Montague Road Precinct was named among four provisional priority development areas across Brisbane.

School Site Sought Before Further Growth

The West End State School P&C has argued that the precinct offers a chance to plan education infrastructure before further residential growth occurs across the peninsula.

The group has said a new primary school had previously been planned for Brisbane’s inner-west, but no site had been secured.

Parents and alumni from Brisbane State High School have also sought access to part of the Visy site to support that school.

An education spokesperson said West End State School had sufficient capacity, with strategies in place for existing and forecast enrolments in the short to medium term.

Published 26-June-2026

Free State of Sk8 Exhibition Rolls Into South Brisbane

State Library Queensland

The Edge Screens at the State Library of Queensland‘s Cultural Centre in South Brisbane are running a free digital exhibition celebrating Queensland’s rich skateboarding history, just minutes from West End’s own beloved skatepark.

The exhibition, titled State of Sk8, forms part of a broader winter program at The Edge, the State Library’s creative hub at Stanley Place. It draws on research by 2025 John Oxley Library Honorary Fellow Dr Indigo Willing, whose year-long fellowship explored the stories, spaces and subcultures that have shaped skateboarding across Queensland. The digital display runs throughout the month of June, making it a well-timed cultural stop for anyone in the inner south.

For West End locals, the connection feels close to home. The suburb’s own skatepark, a well-known gathering point on the inner-south skate circuit, was one of the local facilities that the skateboarding community successfully pushed to have upgraded, with works completed in 2025.

The State of Sk8 program puts that kind of grassroots advocacy into broader historical context, tracing how generations of Queensland skaters have shaped their cities, one grey space at a time.

From the streets into the archive

Dr Willing’s fellowship, titled “Queensland Skate of Mind: Subcultural Game Changers to Olympian ‘Roll’ Models,” focused on recovering stories that have largely been left out of mainstream accounts of Queensland’s history. Her research documents how skateboarding evolved from a subculture built around repurposed concrete infrastructure into a globally recognised Olympic sport, while remaining deeply tied to inclusive community-building at the local level.

The Edge Screens, a digital display format previously used to showcase 4ZZZ Radio memorabilia as part of the State Library’s Stranded program, bring this research into a publicly visible format. The exhibition draws on material from the State Library’s own collections, community archives and the photographic work of contributors to Dr Willing’s fellowship.

Beyond the digital screens, a broader State of Sk8 program brings the culture to life at The Edge. A free public panel discussion headlines the lineup, alongside paid hands-on workshops running from 24 to 30 June. Visitors can try their hand at laser etching skateboards or designing 3D-printed mini decks.

A scene bigger than you might think

Queensland’s skateboarding story carries more weight than most people realise. Among those documented in Dr Willing’s research is Arisa Trew OAM, who at just 14 became the youngest Australian to win gold at the Paris Olympics, and holds the record for the most X-Games wins of any woman in the competition’s history.

Photo Credit: Queensland Academy of Sport

World Skate SB competitor Dani Campbell, a member of the Songline First Nations Skateboarding team, is also featured in a newly commissioned digital history added to the State Library’s collection as part of this program.

The research also shines a light on the community builders, the women and queer skaters, the photographers, the zine-makers and the small-business owners who kept the scene alive long before the Olympics came calling.

Getting there from West End

The Cultural Centre sits at Stanley Place, South Brisbane, roughly a five-minute walk or ride from West End’s Boundary Street precinct. The Edge Screens exhibition is free and does not require booking. The State Library is open to visitors throughout the week, and The Edge’s facilities are accessible to anyone holding a State Library membership, which is free to obtain.

For the full State of Sk8 program, including workshops and the panel discussion, click here.

Published 24-June-2025

Folk-Pop Artist Lucy Gallant Heads Back to Brisbane With LOVEfest Performance

Bohemian folk-pop artist Lucy Gallant, who sold out her Love Bubble Tribe Gathering at West End’s Tanuki Lounge earlier this year, is bringing her touring show back to south-east Queensland as momentum continues to build around her alcohol-free live music events.

Gallant will perform at LOVEfest in Mount Samson on 27 June before heading to Fingal Head for another Love Bubble Tribe Gathering at Salt & Stone on 4 July. The West End crowd that packed out the Tanuki Lounge already knows what to expect: a one-woman band blending folk, reggae and soul, accompanied by her chihuahua Lola, and a room that feels more like a gathering than a gig.

For those who missed out, LOVEfest Brisbane at Kupidabin Wilderness in Mount Samson offers another chance to catch one of the more distinctive live acts currently touring the east coast.

A career built on independence

Lucy Gallant is a Cairns and Byron-based singer-songwriter who has spent years carving out her own lane. She has performed in 55 countries and appeared on stages including Glastonbury, Byron Bluesfest, Woodford Folk Festival and Kuranda Roots Festival.

She writes, performs and, on her 2019 album Darkness to Light, produced and played every instrument herself. That kind of independent, uncompromising approach runs through everything she does.

A different kind of night out

The Love Bubble Tribe Gatherings are Lucy’s answer to a live music scene she wanted to reshape. They are alcohol-free, all-ages, family-friendly events built around genuine connection, vegan food and Lucy’s own Love Bubble Elixir Bar of mocktail creations. The format is intentional: a respectful listening atmosphere that puts the music and the people in the room at the centre of the experience.

Lucy launched the gatherings earlier in 2026, starting with a sold-out inaugural event in Manly in April. Every Love Bubble Tribe Gathering since, including Byron Bay and West End, has sold out. The concept has found its audience quickly, drawing people who want to share in live music without the noise of a conventional pub show.

“It is a gathering created to celebrate music, genuine connection and good vibes in a warm and welcoming space,” Lucy has said of the events.

The music behind the movement

Lucy released her latest single Forbidden Love in February 2026, a track that earned her a semi-finalist placing in the International Songwriting Competition. The single was produced by Gold Coast-based Josh Beattie and mastered by Paul Blakey, and is streaming now on Spotify. A follow-up single, Venom, and a new EP are both due for release later this year, with the EP also set to include Bad Boy, Devious and F You.

Her catalogue blends the personal with the political in the way folk music always has. The song Heaven, written during the COVID period when Lucy lost both her parents within six months of each other and was unable to be with her father when he passed, sits alongside the more celebratory, rhythm-driven tracks that define her live show.

Dismissed early in life as someone unlikely to amount to much, she has since composed more than 1,000 songs and built a following of over 100,000 across social media.

Catch her live

LOVEfest Brisbane takes place at Kupidabin Wilderness, Mount Samson on Saturday 27 June. Tickets are available here, and Lucy’s discount code LUCYLOVE10 takes 10 per cent off the ticket price.

The Love Bubble Tribe Gathering at Salt & Stone in Fingal Head follows on Saturday 4 July, with doors at 7pm. Tickets are $30 plus booking fee through Humanitix, and the venue website is saltstonefingal.com.au. A Bellingen date is also in the works, with details to be confirmed.

Lucy’s music is on Spotify, Bandcamp and SoundCloud. Recommended starting points from her catalogue include Forbidden Love, Bad Boy and Devious. For interview requests, contact press representative Kim Queen at kimqueensidaho@gmail.com or 0420 613 612, or reach Lucy directly at lucygallantbookings@gmail.com.

Published 24-June-2026