Sandgate Archives - Sandgate News

Sandgate Roadworks Bring Safer Crossings To Brighton Road

Brighton Road in Sandgate is beginning to look different as safety and accessibility works reshape two key pedestrian crossings and change how traffic moves around Fourth Avenue.

Brighton Road Changes Take Shape In Sandgate

The works focus on the stretch of Brighton Road near Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue, where existing zebra crossings are being upgraded to make the area safer and easier to move through.

The changes are intended to encourage slower vehicle movements, improve visibility between pedestrians and approaching traffic, and support people crossing the road with prams or mobility aids.

Construction is scheduled from mid-May to late June 2026, depending on weather and site conditions. Work is being carried out at night between 7pm and 5am from Sunday to Thursday, when traffic volumes are lower.

Sandgate Brighton Road — *Photo Credit: CrJaredCassidy/Instagram*

Fourth Avenue Crossing To Be Reworked

Near Fourth Avenue, the existing crossing will be changed into a staggered two-stage refuge zebra crossing.

The new layout will allow pedestrians to cross Brighton Road in two parts, using a central refuge area between traffic lanes. The crossings will be slightly offset, guiding pedestrians to turn towards oncoming traffic before crossing the next section of the road.

Fencing will also be added to the refuge area, creating a more protected waiting space and improving visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.

The design responds to the width of Brighton Road, where the current straight two-stage crossing can lead some pedestrians to cross both sections in one movement. The staggered layout is intended to encourage people to pause, check traffic and continue only when it is safe.

A traffic island will also be installed on the north-eastern side of the two-stage crossing.

Raised Crossing Planned Near Fifth Avenue

The zebra crossing near Fifth Avenue will also be upgraded, but with a different design.

That crossing will be converted into a raised zebra crossing to encourage drivers to slow down as they approach. A staggered two-stage crossing is not being installed there because the road is not wide enough for that layout.

The raised platform is intended to give pedestrians and drivers more time to see each other before vehicles reach the crossing.

traffic changes — *Photo Credit: CrJaredCassidy/Instagram*

Fourth Avenue Access Will Change

Traffic movements at Fourth Avenue will also change as part of the Brighton Road works.

The right turn from Fourth Avenue into Brighton Road will be removed by extending the centre median on Brighton Road. Once in place, Fourth Avenue will operate as left-in and left-out access only.

The change is aimed at reducing a potential conflict point where drivers turning right must navigate traffic from several directions while also watching for pedestrians at the nearby crossing.

The crossing near Fourth Avenue will remain in its current general location because high volumes of people cross there. Moving it slightly north was examined, but was not feasible because bus stops and significant underground services would need to be relocated.

Trees, Parking And Night Works

Two Poinciana trees near the Fourth Avenue crossing will be removed to improve visibility and allow the new crossing to be built. One Poinciana tree and one Delonix tree will be planted nearby, with additional vegetation also planned for the area.

Two on-street parking spaces on the northern side of the two-stage crossing will also be removed so pedestrians and drivers can see each other more clearly.

During construction, people living in or travelling through the area may notice noise, dust, vibration, increased vehicle movements and changed traffic conditions. Minor delays, lane closures, detours, reduced speed limits, traffic controllers and signage may also be in place.

On-street parking within the works area will not be available while construction is underway.

The Brighton Road safety and accessibility works are expected to be completed by late June 2026, subject to weather and site conditions.

Published 20-May-2026

Photo Credit: CrJaredCassidy/Instagram

Shorncliffe Line Moves to 30-minute Services All Day

Sandgate train passengers will need to allow more time for travel as Queensland Rail cuts services across South East Queensland during ongoing protected industrial action.

The TransLink service update says weekday trains will run on a reduced timetable, from Tuesday, 5 May, with extra services added in the morning and afternoon peaks on some lines. For the Shorncliffe line, the change is simpler but still disruptive: trains will run every 30 minutes all day.

That means Sandgate residents using Sandgate station should expect longer waits than usual, especially during the morning and afternoon rush. Nearby passengers at Shorncliffe, Deagon, North Boondall, Boondall and Nudgee will also be affected, according to the Queensland Rail network map.

Maintenance backlog leaves fewer trains ready for service

Queensland Rail said the timetable cuts are linked to a shortage of available trains caused by maintenance delays. A Queensland Rail service statement cited protected industrial action had reduced train availability and left the network unable to run its full timetable.

The dispute involves Queensland Rail and several transport unions, including the Electrical Trades Union, the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union. The groups have been involved in enterprise bargaining talks with Queensland Rail.

Queensland Rail has said some trains are waiting on work linked to electrical, door and signalling issues. Union representatives have argued that the reduced timetable could have been avoided if workers had been allowed to keep doing partial duties while talks continued.

Sandgate passengers may feel crowding before the city

The Shorncliffe line is one of Brisbane’s shorter suburban rail lines, but it is still a key route for bayside commuters heading towards Northgate, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, Central and Roma Street.

For Sandgate passengers, a 30-minute gap between services can make missed trains more costly. A late arrival at the station may mean a long wait before the next city-bound train. Crowding may also build earlier in the trip because passengers from Shorncliffe and Sandgate board before the train reaches Deagon, North Boondall and Boondall.

Queensland Rail has warned passengers across the network to expect busier trains, slower boarding and possible delays while the reduced timetable remains in place. TransLink is advising commuters to check the journey planner before leaving home.

Airtrain not affected, but other rail services are changing

Airtrain services are not included in the reduced timetable changes, according to Queensland Rail’s public advice. However, several other suburban lines will run less often, with some routes moving to 15-minute peak services and 30-minute off-peak services.

The cuts are also expected to put pressure on travel around major events later in May, including NRL Magic Round in Brisbane. Queensland Rail and transport agencies have said planning is underway for extra support during busy periods, including buses where needed.

Published 3-May-2026

Mother’s Day in Sandgate: Where to Book, Brunch and Spoil Mum

If you’ve left Mother’s Day plans a little late, Sandgate has you covered — from bayfront dining and hands-on workshops to last-minute gifts and spa sessions that don’t feel like an afterthought.

With Sunday, 10 May fast approaching, here’s a streamlined guide to what’s actually worth booking — and where you’ll need to move quickly.

All-day option: bay views and live music

Breakfast, lunch or dinner | Full Moon Hotel

7:00am – late

Photo Credit: Full Moon Hotel/Google Maps

If you want flexibility, this is the safest bet. The Full Moon is running a full-day Mother’s Day service, meaning you can lock in anything from a casual breakfast to a longer lunch or dinner without being boxed into a single sitting.

The drawcard here is the setting — overlooking the bay near Shorncliffe Pier — with live music kicking off from 2pm. It’s the kind of option that works for bigger family groups or those planning to linger.

📍 118 Eagle Terrace, Sandgate
💲 Check with venue — bookings essential

Early booking: classic buffet done properly

Breakfast buffet | Sands Social

8:00am – 10:00am

For a more structured start to the day, Sands Social is offering a dedicated Mother’s Day breakfast buffet at its Songbirds Restaurant.

Expect a broad spread — hot breakfast staples alongside dumplings, buns and a full dessert lineup — making it one of the more comprehensive offerings locally. This is a set-session experience, so early booking is key.

📍 50 Keogh Street, Sandgate
💲 From $60 (members)

Something different: make your own gift

Pottery workshop (Saturday) | Street Clay & Ceramics

Saturday, 9 May (afternoon session)

For those looking beyond food, this pre-Mother’s Day workshop offers a hands-on alternative. Participants create two functional ceramic pieces — including a herb stripper and grater — in a beginner-friendly session.

Finished items are fired and ready for pickup a few weeks later, turning the experience into a lasting keepsake rather than a one-day outing.

📍 Fifth Avenue, Sandgate
💲 $80 pp (+ optional high tea)

Reliable go-to: café by the water

Breakfast or brunch | Baaia Cafe

If your plan is simple — good coffee, good food, good view — Baaia remains one of the most reliable picks on the Sandgate foreshore.

The menu leans seasonal with options across dietary needs, backed by local produce and uninterrupted water views. Ideal for smaller groups or a more relaxed start to the day.

📍 94 Flinders Parade, Sandgate

Easy crowd-pleaser: no-fuss family option

Breakfast to lunch | The Witchin’ Kitchen

7:30am – 2:00pm

Photo Credit: The Witchin Kitchen/Google Maps

For something more casual, The Witchin’ Kitchen delivers a broad, family-friendly menu — from loaded breakfasts to burgers, juices and desserts.

It’s one of the easier venues to drop into on a normal day, but Mother’s Day demand means booking ahead is still a smart move.

📍 227 Rainbow Street, Sandgate

Last-minute fix: gifts that still feel thoughtful

Cards and gifts | Sandgate News and Gifts

8:00am – 12:00pm

Photo Credit: Sandgate News and Gifts/Google Maps

If you’ve left the gift to the last minute, this is your safety net. The store stocks curated cards, clothing, homewares and ready-made gift packs that don’t feel rushed.

📍 Shop 3/11 Bowser Parade, Sandgate

Boutique option: something she wouldn’t buy herself

Fashion | Gate’s Edge Boutique

For a more premium gift angle, Gate’s Edge offers curated fashion labels and standout pieces that lean towards unique rather than mass-market.

📍 7 Brighton Road, Sandgate

Go all in: recovery and relaxation

Spa & wellness | Iremia Recovery

Photo Credit: Iremia Recovery/Google Maps

If the goal is proper downtime, Iremia Recovery offers a full suite of wellness options — including magnesium pools, sauna, cold plunge and compression therapy.

It’s a higher-end option, but one that leans into experience over material gifts.

📍 131 Rainbow Street, Sandgate

Plan early — or keep it simple

Mother’s Day in Sandgate tends to book out quickly, particularly for structured dining sessions and waterfront venues. If reservations are gone, cafés, takeaway brunch and a well-timed walk along the foreshore remain a reliable fallback.

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

Shorncliffe Father’s Persistence Pays Off with Massive Windfall

A hardworking Shorncliffe father has transformed his routine family dinner into a life-changing event after his long-held set of lucky numbers secured a massive windfall at a local Sandgate hotel.

The winning moment took place on Wednesday, 22 April 2026. The local resident, who chooses to remain anonymous, took home a total prize of $132,252.40. Despite the life-altering sum, the winner was completely unaware of his success until he returned to the venue later to scan his ticket. He noted that the machine seemed to be struggling to process the ticket, leading him to believe there was a technical fault.

It was only when a staff member initially suggested he had won a prize over $5,000 that the scale of the win began to emerge. Upon further inspection, the true total was revealed to be more than $132,000.

The Moreton Bay man explained that his strategy was based on simple consistency rather than complex mathematics. He had selected eight random numbers roughly four years ago and memorised them, playing the same sequence every time he went out for a meal. These figures were so familiar to him that he used them for various other games, including the Lotto. Before this major windfall, his most significant win had been a modest $300.

The winner admitted that the reality of the situation was only just starting to be understood, as the jump from a few hundred dollars to a six-figure sum was quite a shock.

The prize money is set to stay within the local community, as the winning entry was purchased at The Full Moon Hotel on Eagle Terrace. The father expressed deep gratitude for the win, stating that the funds would provide much-needed support for himself and his children.

He mentioned that the family had been working very hard lately, and this financial boost arrived at the perfect time. While he has relied on these specific numbers for years, he suggested that now that they have finally been drawn, he might look for a new set of numbers for his future games. He described the entire process of winning such a large amount as a very surreal experience.

Published Date 30-April-2026

Sandgate’s Dublin Rose Set to Release Debut Album on Local Stages

Sandgate musician Dublin Rose is set to release her long-awaited debut album, marking a milestone moment after years of performing across Brisbane’s bayside.

The self-titled nine-track record arrives on 8 May, blending elements of pop, indie rock and folk. It includes her latest single They Say, a track that reflects the instinctive, emotionally driven songwriting that has underpinned her rise through the local music scene.

Many of the songs on the album were written years earlier, with the final release capturing both their original spark and the artist’s evolution in the studio. The project charts a period of creative growth, particularly in how earlier material has been refined and reshaped through recording.

Her songwriting process remains rooted in spontaneity, with ideas often forming quickly from everyday moments and evolving into fully realised tracks in a short space of time. That immediacy carries through the album’s tone, giving it a sense of authenticity across its mix of styles.

From Sandgate stages to international dates

The release will be marked with an 18+ launch show at Black Bear Lodge on 23 May, where a strong turnout from the 4017 community is expected.

Having first performed at local markets and festivals in Sandgate as a teenager, the launch represents a full-circle moment roughly a decade into her live career, moving from community stages to a headline release in one of Brisbane’s established live venues.

Photo Credit: Dublin Rose Music/Facebook

The album also sets up an international run, with a three-month European trip to follow. Performances are planned across London, Paris and Ireland, with a focus on smaller, intimate shows that mirror the personal nature of her music.

The debut album will be available from 8 May.

GEt TICKETs

About Dublin Rose

Dublin Rose is a 21-year-old Brisbane-based singer-songwriter and guitarist whose sound blends indie pop-rock and folk, underpinned by sharp, observational songwriting and a clear soprano vocal style.

She began busking at local markets at just 12 and has since developed into a regular performer across Brisbane, both as a solo act and with her three-piece band. Her live résumé includes appearances at venues such as The Tivoli, The Regatta, Felons Barrel Hall, The Brightside and Black Bear Lodge.

In 2024, she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music at Queensland University of Technology, where she was selected for the university’s student-run label Vermilion. During this period, she formed her current band lineup and went on to win the QUT Battle of the Bands.

Her recent career highlights include winning the People’s Choice Award at Brisbane City Council’s QUBE Effect program, supporting national touring acts, selling out headline shows at The Brightside and The Junk Bar, and earning airplay and interviews across ABC Radio Brisbane, 4ZZZ and community radio.

With a growing catalogue and consistent live presence, Dublin Rose is continuing to build momentum both locally and beyond.

Published 28-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: Dublin Rose Music/Facebook

Activate! Sandgate! Campaign Shapes Community Voice Ahead of Suburb Renewal Plans

The Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce has launched a community-driven campaign to shape the future of one of Brisbane’s most historically significant bayside suburbs, with the Activate! Sandgate! campaign positioning the local business community’s vision ahead of an upcoming planning consultation process.

The campaign arrives at a defining moment. Sandgate, which sits about 16 kilometres north of the Brisbane CBD along the Moreton Bay foreshore, has seen its population grow by just 0.4 per cent between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, well below the pace of the broader city.

Against that backdrop, Brisbane’s planning authority has identified Sandgate as one of its next Suburban Renewal Precincts, with early community feedback gathering already underway in 2026 and a draft plan expected for broader public consultation in mid-to-late 2026. The Chamber wants the community’s priorities in the room before those draft plans take shape.

What Activate! Sandgate! Is Asking For

The campaign’s vision, developed in consultation with planning and property experts, centres on a handful of interconnected priorities. At its heart is a significant enhancement of Einbunpin Lagoon and the surrounding parklands, one of the suburb’s most-loved natural assets, alongside a renewed mixed-use precinct that broadens housing choice and creates new employment and short-stay accommodation opportunities. Crucially, the vision also calls for preserving the bayside streets and avenues that define Sandgate’s character: the heritage-listed Queenslanders, the tree canopy, the unhurried scale.

Photo Credit: Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce

Chamber President Bill Gollan describes the campaign as a proactive response rather than a reactive one, designed to ensure the community has a clearly articulated position before consultation begins rather than scrambling to respond to a draft that has already been set.

“Sandgate is one of Brisbane’s most naturally beautiful bayside locations, but without thoughtful future planning, we risk falling behind and losing the unique character that makes Sandgate so special,” Gollan said.

“Activate! Sandgate! is about working with the community to deliver a balanced decision, one that protects our heritage, while creating new opportunities for locals to live, work and invest in the area.”

A Suburb Built on Seaside Identity

Understanding what is at stake requires understanding what Sandgate has always been. The Turrbal people, whose land this coast has been since long before European settlement, called the area Warra, meaning an open sheet of water, a name that speaks to the lagoons, wetlands and foreshore that remain central to the suburb’s identity today.

European settlement in the mid-1800s quickly established Sandgate as Brisbane’s go-to seaside escape, with thousands of visitors travelling from the city by the early 20th century to swim, boat and breathe the bay air. The suburb’s population trebled during the 1880s as its reputation grew.

That history remains etched into the streetscape. Heritage-listed Queenslanders line the avenues, while the 1924 war memorial park on Seymour Street anchors the civic heart, and landmarks like the former post office building at Bowser Parade and the 1887 Baptist church at Flinders Parade have been given new lives rather than demolished.

Sandgate’s village atmosphere owes much to the fact that it was bypassed by development pressure when the Hornibrook Highway opened to Redcliffe in 1935, drawing visitors away and insulating the suburb from the kind of rapid transformation that reshaped many other bayside communities.

The Tension at the Heart of Renewal

The planning process underway is not starting from scratch. The Sandgate District Neighbourhood Plan, which came into effect in March 2023, tightened protections for pre-1947 homes across Sandgate, Deagon, and Shorncliffe. However, while the Chamber’s footprint includes Brighton, that suburb’s low-density zoning remained largely untouched by the 2023 plan—a fact that heightens the importance of the new 2026 precinct boundaries.The Suburban Renewal Precinct now in development focuses more specifically on the centre, covering parts of Brighton Road and Rainbow Street, running along the north side of the rail line and extending to Burnett Place, with Einbunpin Lagoon Park and Sandgate War Memorial Park both sitting within the proposed boundaries.

This renewal project operates under a distinct planning mechanism, separate from the standard neighbourhood planning process. By designating Sandgate as a Suburban Renewal Precinct, the framework fast-tracks the transformation of underutilised commercial land into residential and mixed-use hubs, aiming to deliver more housing close to existing services, transport and the foreshore.

Gollan is direct about the economic stakes, noting that without change, the local economy risks stagnation, while also making clear that the Chamber’s vision is about balance, not wholesale transformation.

“Central to the vision is also restoring Sandgate’s status as Brisbane’s go-to bayside suburb,” he said. “Sandgate originated as a seaside escape and can still live up to that today.”

Getting Involved Before the Agenda Is Set

The Chamber’s immediate goal is building broad community support before formal consultation opens, so that when the planning authority releases its draft plan for Sandgate Centre, the community walks in with a coherent, considered position rather than fragmented individual submissions.

Residents and businesses across Sandgate, Brighton, Shorncliffe, Bracken Ridge, Bald Hills, Boondall, Carseldine, Fitzgibbon and Taigum can follow the campaign and get involved through the Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce. More information is available at sandgatebayside.com.au.

Published 20-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce

Gluten-Free Sandgate Café The Witchin’ Kitchen is the Bayside Gem You Need to Visit

If you’ve been searching for a gluten-free café in Sandgate that doesn’t ask you to compromise on taste, The Witchin’ Kitchen on Rainbow Street might just become your new regular haunt. This family-owned café and bakery has built a devoted following in the bayside suburb — and it’s not hard to see why.

The business is run by a coeliac family, and that lived experience shows in the care taken across every part of the operation. The pastry kitchen is kept entirely separate from the main café kitchen and is 100% gluten-free and coeliac-safe — wheat flour simply doesn’t come through the door. On-site, the pastry chef prepares everything from pancakes and fritters to the full cake cabinet. The café also maintains a dedicated fryer, a separate toaster and butter container, and thorough food-handling training for all staff.

One of the owners, Lisa, is a coeliac herself — which gives regulars and first-timers alike real confidence when ordering. Booking ahead is recommended, given how popular the spot has become.

The fit-out leans into the name with art deco flair and a playful personality — the eclectic building has a buzzing, welcoming vibe, complete with outdoor undercover seating and a dog-friendly policy, making it just as appealing for a solo coffee stop as it is for a family outing.

The breakfast menu offers something for every kind of morning. Highlights include apple crumble pancakes, banana bread French toast, and caramel pecan twists, alongside heartier options like a big breakfast or softly spiced scrambled eggs. For those after something lighter, a house-made granola bowl is a solid way to start the day.

Lunch shifts the focus to burgers — old-school in spirit but clearly crafted with a bit of extra thought. Classic beef and bacon combinations sit alongside veggie versions and more loaded builds for those who like to go all in. Standout dishes from reviewers also include truffle mushroom bruschetta and sweet potato feta frittata.

Then there’s the cabinet. Cheesecakes, tarts, pies, cupcakes, banana bread and more fill the display — alongside Nutella donuts and banoffee pie — and the whole lot is gluten-free. Most people are genuinely surprised when they find out.

Drinks include fresh juices, milkshakes and smoothies, with house specials like the Green Witch and Pow Pow Cacao rounding out the menu nicely.

The café sits at 227 Rainbow Street, conveniently close to the Sandgate foreshore — making it an easy stop before or after a walk along the waterfront. The kitchen operates Wednesday to Sunday, with breakfast and lunch service and online bookings available.

Whether you’re coeliac, gluten-intolerant, or simply after a good feed in a café that takes its food seriously, The Witchin’ Kitchen is worth the trip.

The Witchin’ Kitchen is located at 227 Rainbow Street, Sandgate. Open Wednesday to Sunday.

Published 18-April-2026

Two Sandgate Brothers Who Went to War and Came Home

When Laurient (Laurie) and Felix Kempster sailed out of Sydney on the troopship Medic on 12 December 1916, they left behind their parents, Leonard and Rosina, and seven younger siblings in Sandgate. Both returned. Not every family from this stretch of Moreton Bay shore was so fortunate.

The Kempster brothers were local men in every sense. Laurie, aged 20, had worked as a junior clerk since 1914, while Felix, aged 18, had been on a cattle station near Roma. Both were fine horsemen, and both enlisted in the 11th Light Horse Regiment, a Queensland and South Australian unit that would go on to earn fourteen battle honours across Egypt, the Sinai, Palestine and Jordan.

Their story, preserved partly through letters home and partly through the records of the Sandgate Historical Museum, offers a rare window into the lived experience of two ordinary young men caught up in one of history’s great conflicts.

Getting There Was Its Own Adventure

The voyage to war was not without its lighter moments. In a letter to their mother written in early 1917, Felix described a boxing tournament held aboard the Medic, cheerfully reporting that he had been declared the ship’s lightweight champion. The detail that most mothers would quail at, including a description of “a few hard hits to the head and body,” was relayed with the breezy confidence of an 18-year-old who did not yet know what lay ahead. Laurie, for his part, reported both hands and a leg bandaged from his own bouts.

Their letters from Egypt, where they arrived in February 1917, painted vivid pictures of desert life: sandstorms, a diet of bully beef and biscuits, bitter cold, and the novelty of seeing “quite a lot of aeroplanes.” Felix wrote that they had “pretty good fun one way and another,” though both admitted they were “looking forward to the time when we shall be sent out to the firing line.”

That time came soon enough.

The 11th Light Horse Carried the War from Gallipoli into Palestine

The 11th Light Horse Regiment fought against the Ottoman Empire in Egypt, at Gallipoli, on the Sinai Peninsula, and in Palestine and Jordan. By the time Laurie and Felix joined as reinforcements in early 1917, the regiment had already served at Gallipoli in a dismounted role and had been defending the Suez Canal. In April 1917, following the withdrawal of Ottoman forces, the regiment moved into Palestine.

Both brothers served across Egypt and Palestine, both received field promotions, and both were awarded medals for bravery. Laurie received the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuous and valuable service during the Syrian campaign. Felix received the Military Medal. Their citations place them squarely among the men of the 11th Light Horse Regiment during some of the campaign’s most decisive actions.

The Regiment Charged at Semakh and Pushed Through to Damascus

The regiment’s most famous moment came at Semakh, on the southern shore of the Sea of Galilee. On 25 September 1918, the 11th Light Horse displayed its versatility at Semakh by first charging the Turkish defences around the town on horseback, with swords drawn, and then clearing the actual town on foot, with rifle and bayonet. It was one of the last cavalry charges of the modern era, conducted in the dark across two miles of open, unrecognised ground. Once it was over at 5:30 am, German specialists and machine-gunners accounted for a significant portion of the casualties and prisoners. The Australians suffered 78 casualties, including fourteen killed, and had nearly half their horses hit.

Photo Credit: The Australian Light Horse Association

From Semakh, the regiment pressed on toward Damascus, which fell on 1 October 1918. The Armistice of Mudros ended the war in the Middle East on 30 October.

The Gun That Came Home to Sandgate

One of the weapons captured at Semakh, a 75mm German field gun, later made its way to Sandgate itself. The war trophy stood for more than thirty years overlooking Sandgate Pier and Bramble Bay, a 75mm German “Whiz Bang” field gun captured from a combined German and Turkish force during the last Light Horse charge by the Australian Forces during the 1914 to 1918 war.

Laurie Kempster attended the unveiling of the gun at Shorncliffe on 4 August 1923, where then Queensland Governor Sir Matthew Nathan revealed it. He was surprised to learn it was the same gun the regiment had captured in Syria. By that time, he had taken on a senior administrative role in Sandgate, a position he would hold until local government restructuring absorbed the municipality into a larger authority.

Coming Home to Sandgate

Both brothers returned safely in 1919, a fact their family knew was not universal. Laurie resumed his career in local administration and secured a senior clerical position in 1924. In 1921, he married Sandgate woman Evelyn Driver, and they had a son in 1923. He remained an active member of the 11th Light Horse Association for the rest of his life.

Felix, after a period of leave in England, travelled to California as part of an AIF detachment sent to study agriculture under a government scheme for returned soldiers. He returned to Queensland in 1920 and went into farming.

Their story is held at the Sandgate Historical Museum on Lagoon Street, open Sundays and Wednesdays from 9 am to 1:30 pm. Adults $5, children $3, membership from $20.

Published 10-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: Lives of the First World War & Virtual War Memorial Australia

Community Campaign Sets Out Long-term Vision for Sandgate CBD

A new campaign outlining a long-term vision for Sandgate’s town centre has been unveiled, as planning discussions for the bayside suburb’s future begin to take shape.

The Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce has launched Activate! Sandgate!, a community-led initiative aimed at revitalising the CBD while preserving the character that defines the area. The campaign proposes a combination of public space upgrades and potential development opportunities, with a focus on balancing growth alongside heritage considerations.

The initiative is intended to help position Sandgate for future population growth while maintaining its established identity, with an emphasis on ensuring local priorities are reflected in long-term planning.

Visualisation concept for conversation of what could be possible for the Einbunpin Lagoon area
Photo Credit: Activate Sandgate

Focus on public spaces, density and connectivity

Key elements of the vision include upgrades to Einbunpin Lagoon and surrounding parklands, which have been identified as an underutilised asset with potential to become a stronger destination within the suburb.

The proposal also points to increased residential and mixed-use density within and around the village precinct and near the rail station, while maintaining protections for established low-density neighbourhoods.

Improving pedestrian connectivity is another central component, with plans for a continuous walking loop linking the village centre to the foreshore. The concept includes diverting through-traffic to create a safer and more accessible environment for pedestrians.

More broadly, the campaign highlights opportunities to support local businesses, attract investment, and expand housing and employment options within the area.

The campaign comes as Brisbane City Council prepares to consult on Sandgate’s future as part of its Suburban Renewal Precinct program, which focuses on shaping more connected and liveable suburban centres. Formal consultation is expected to begin in mid-2026.

CBD area map and key ingredients for consideration
Photo Credit: Activate Sandgate

Early push for community input

Encouraging early feedback from residents, businesses and stakeholders is a central component of the campaign, with the Chamber aiming to ensure local views are clearly represented ahead of the Council’s consultation process.

The proposal has already prompted discussion within the community. While some see potential in upgraded public spaces and increased economic activity, others have raised concerns about the impact on Sandgate’s environment and village-style character.

Further opportunities for input are expected in the coming months, as planning discussions continue around how best to balance growth with the suburb’s long-standing identity.

Featured Image Credit: Sandgate Bayside Chamber of Commerce/Facebook

Published 10-April-2026

Brighton Foreshore Parklands Upgrade to Begin This Month

Construction on the next stage of the Brighton Foreshore Parklands project is set to begin in April, bringing new accessible paths, picnic areas, a beach access ramp and a new amenities block to two of the foreshore’s most visited recreation spots.

Works at the 12th and 19th Avenue recreation areas along Flinders Parade will run through to December 2026, weather and site conditions permitting. The project is funded through the Priority Community Infrastructure Program and has been shaped by more than three years of community consultation.

What the Upgrade Delivers

The 12th and 19th Avenue works cover a substantial scope. New accessible paths will improve movement through and access to the foreshore, while a beach access ramp gives residents a dedicated route down to the water’s edge. Shaded picnic areas and BBQs replace older or absent facilities, and new seating, bike racks and drinking fountains round out the practical improvements.

Foreshore parklands upgrade — Photo Credit: BCC

At 19th Avenue specifically, a new amenities block including an accessible toilet will be constructed, addressing a gap that has long been felt along this stretch of the foreshore. Tree planting, landscaping and interpretive information signs will also form part of both sites, reinforcing the natural and historical character of the parklands rather than working against it.

Earlier works completed in January 2026 delivered three new picnic settings and trial landscape treatments designed to inform how erosion is managed along the foreshore going forward.

A Foreshore with Deep Community Roots

The Brighton foreshore sits within the broader Bramble Bay Foreshores, a continuous strip of publicly accessible parkland stretching more than seven kilometres from Cabbage Tree Creek through Shorncliffe, Sandgate and Brighton to the Houghton Highway. The foreshores carry significant heritage value, with features including the porphyry sea walls, Sandgate Pier and Baxter’s Jetty tracing the area’s evolution from a premier nineteenth century seaside resort to the bayside community it is today.

Brighton itself developed as part of that coastal corridor, taking its name from the Brighton Hotel on Beaconsfield Terrace, believed to have been built in the early colonial era. The suburb sits at the northern end of Brisbane, bounded by the Pine River and Bramble Bay, with Flinders Parade, formerly known as Brighton Esplanade, forming the spine of the foreshore precinct. Walking, cycling and gathering along that esplanade has been central to how the community uses the area for generations.

The concept plan guiding the current upgrade project was developed across multiple rounds of community engagement, beginning in February 2023 when residents were invited to share ideas for improvements. A draft concept plan followed in late 2023, with the final plan released in December 2024. The process was designed to ensure the upgrade reflected what residents actually wanted: improved amenities without sacrificing the relaxed, natural character that makes the foreshore what it is.

A Better Everyday Experience Along the Foreshore

For Brighton and Sandgate residents, the foreshore is not a destination so much as an extension of daily life. Families, dog walkers, cyclists and swimmers use Flinders Parade and the surrounding parklands throughout the week, and the ageing infrastructure in parts of the foreshore has been a friction point for some time.

The accessibility improvements in particular extend the foreshore’s usefulness to residents who currently find sections difficult to navigate, whether that is due to mobility constraints, the absence of a direct beach access point, or simply a lack of shade and seating on warm days. The new amenities block at 19th Avenue addresses one of the most consistently raised issues in community feedback about this stretch of the parklands.

Getting Involved and Staying Informed

Construction at the 12th and 19th Avenue recreation areas starts this month and runs until December 2026. Residents wanting to follow the project’s progress or ask questions about construction timing and access can contact the project team on 07 3178 5413, Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4.30pm. Email enquiries can be directed to parks@brisbane.qld.gov.au. The final concept plan and project documents are available here.

Published 02-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: BCC