logo
Firefighter's pole anchors incredible station conversion

Firefighter's pole anchors incredible station conversion

News.com.au07-05-2025
A designer couple has listed their award-winning fire station home, where an original firefighter's pole anchors a spectacular conversion.
Originally built in 1938, the Bayside Fire Station was reimagined as a one-of-a-kind family home, blending heritage architecture with contemporary design.
The property at 39 Mountjoy Tce, Wynnum is on the market via an expressions of interest campaign closing May 29.
The unique five-bedroom, three-bathroom home last changed hands for $1.4m in 2020, four years after its restoration was completed, when it was purchased by Mark Damant and Michelle Donnelly, of Little Boat Projects.
As the creative force behind Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves along with a slew of other mixed-use projects, the couple had a deep appreciation for the historic home.
Owen Architecture had worked with previous owners, Nicki and Michael Dalton, giving new life to the historic building which had served as the Wynnum Fire Station from 1938 to 2004.
The project scooped regional and national titles, including the prestigious John Dalton Award for Brisbane's Building of the Year in 2016.
Marketing agent Christine Rudolph, of Ray White New Farm, said the home was a local landmark which blended its past with a new era of modern coastal living.
Ms Rudolph said the property would ideally suit a family who appreciated beautiful design.
'This really is a Bayside landmark,' she said.
'The current custodians are quite an incredible couple themselves as the creative force behind many of Brisbane's new landmarks such as the Howard Smith Wharves, and while they did not do the original renovation, they have certainly done further work to the property since they purchased it several years ago off market.
'The Bayside Fire Station is a striking piece of Brisbane's civic and architectural history, and now a spectacular family home, sitting high on a 1,215sqm parcel across three lots with sweeping views across Moreton Bay and its islands.'
One of only four brick fire stations of its kind built in Brisbane, the home's history lived on through a careful design preserving original features including the iconic firefighter's pole -—every kid's dream home feature — along with old equipment panels and interior wheel tracks.
Red accents on the front doors and a terracotta-tiled roof are other nods to the past.
The engine room was redesigned as an expansive open-plan living space, while bi-fold doors connect to outdoors, where there's a large backyard, brick pizza oven and fruit orchard.
Aussie capital named top two city in the world
Downstairs also hosts a library lounge and separate guest wing with study, while four bedrooms and two bathrooms are upstairs along with a lounge and balcony taking in beautiful bay views.
PropTrack data shows house prices in Wynnum were up 17.7 per cent over the past 12 months, to a median of $1.295m.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Banks lead the charge as ASX finishes heavily in the green
Banks lead the charge as ASX finishes heavily in the green

News.com.au

time2 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Banks lead the charge as ASX finishes heavily in the green

Shareholders have shrugged off the potential for fewer interest rate cuts, as strong earnings particularly out of Westpac drive the ASX 200 higher. The benchmark ASX 200 closed 46.70 points, or 0.53 per cent, higher to finish the day at 8,873.80, while the broader All Ordinaries finished 46 points or 0.51 per cent higher to 9,149.10. The Aussie dollar slipped 0.14 per cent and is now buying 65.41 US cents. Overall eight of the 11 sectors finished higher, led by utilities and financials stocks. The bounce in financials comes just a day after the Commonwealth Bank announced its results which dragged the sector lower. Westpac shares soared 6.31 per cent to $36.04 after the banking giant announced its unaudited statutory net profits for the last quarter jumped 14 per cent to $1.9bn. Its all important core net interest margin was up 0.05 per cent to 1.85 per cent, while revenue jumped 4 per cent. Shares reached a decade high on the result. NAB jumped 1.89 per cent to $38.88 and ANZ gained 1.98 per cent to $32.50 on the back on Westpac's results. CBA continued its slide, down 1.13 per cent to $167.21. Kodari Securities founder and chief executive Michael Kodari said big banks would likely drive the market higher. 'The big four continue to offer attractive value, particularly when compared to global peers,' he said. 'Following strong profit and fresh all-time high for Westpac, there could be more gains from the big banks over the next six months, likely taking the S&P/ASX 200 to a fresh record by the year's end.' Investors also shrugged off figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing the unemployment rate fell to 4.2 per cent in July, from 4.3 per cent, despite it impacting future rate cuts. VanEck head of investment and capital markets Russel Chesler said the data-driven Reserve Bank could pause further interest rate cuts. 'To nip inflation in the bud – an outcome that should help ease cost of living as well as interest rates – we think labour conditions need to loosen more than they have to date,' he wrote in an economic note. 'The unemployment rate is still at historically low levels.' On a jammed pack day of reporting, Telstra shares slumped 2.61 per cent to $4.85 after the telco announced statutory net profit for the last financial year came in at a substantial $2.17bn, up nearly 34 per cent on this time last year. Healthcare imaging software group Pro Medicus posted a 40 cent increase in net profits to $115.2m on the back of new contracts in American hospital and radiology clinics. Shares jumped 6.24 per cent to $315.69 on the back of the announcement. Suncorp Group shares rose 3.64 per cent to $20.77 after it announced its net profits after tax came in at $1.8bn after the business benefited from a favourable natural hazard experience and positive net investment income of $766m. Redbubble parent company Articore announced it had its first profitable fourth quarter in five years, albeit on an EBIT basis. Overall net profit after tax improved 77 per cent to negative $1.4m. Articore Group shares were up 5.77 per cent to $0.275. Furniture retailer Temple and Webster shares soared 8.75 per cent to $28.35 after announcing record revenues of $601m for financial year 2025, up 21 per cent compared to this time last year.

Body corporate changes force sellers to reveal hidden costs
Body corporate changes force sellers to reveal hidden costs

News.com.au

time4 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Body corporate changes force sellers to reveal hidden costs

Buyers of lots in community title schemes will no longer fear being ambushed by unknown fees and outstanding debts following new seller disclosure requirements from August 1. Under the changes, bodies corporate must provide the seller, upon request and a fee, with a body corporate certificate (BCC). In addition, bodies corporate must supply a Community Management Statement (CMS) which confirms the name of the body corporate and the regulation module that applies. The CMS usually contains the registered by-laws, including those that grant exclusive use to lots within the scheme. The heralded improvements will enhance transparency, consistency, and efficiency within Queensland's community titles sector. They will also empower buyers who will have greater upfront knowledge of the lot they want to purchase in a community titles scheme. The BCC is a 10-page document that contains basic as well as intricate information relating to the lot being put up for sale. The information includes how to contact the body corporate, accessing records and the regulation module (accommodation, commercial, smalls schemes or standard) that applies to the scheme. No longer affordable': Brisbane property boom hits the skids It will also provide financial information such as levies, insurance coverage and, more importantly, if there are any outstanding contributions or body corporate debts associated with the lot. There have been many new owners in the past who claimed to have been blindsided by outstanding debts associated with their purchase. If they had that information beforehand, they may have been able to negotiate the price down to compensate for the outstanding debt. The new disclosure requirements will allow prospective owners to factor in outstanding debts before making an offer to buy. Be mindful that even though the BCC contains vital information that could put a buyer at ease, it is not a silver bullet. There are still reasons for the buyer to conduct body corporate searches through their conveyancer. For instance, the BCC does not include information regarding: - building defects - body corporate expenses and liabilities - past, present or future body corporate disputes - court actions or orders made against the body corporate by an adjudicator, a tribunal or a court. The 10-page BCC has been available for download from early July. It allows bodies corporate to familiarise themselves with the information required which came into effect on August 1. It is incumbent on the seller to provide the BCC and CMS to the real estate agent when the property is listed for sale. Govt pays $3.3m for unliveable derelict house For bodies corporate, a lot of the information in a BCC will only need to be compiled once as it is an ongoing document. It will only need to be updated when changes such as amended by-laws are passed. The CMS has two schedules of lot entitlements – the Interest Schedule Lot Entitlements and the Contribution Schedule Lot Entitlements. These two schedules determine how the running costs for the administration, maintenance and insurance of common property, and the cost of utility services (water/electricity), are shared between lot owners. This will provide additional transparency on the costs and how they calculated for each lot. To find out more about buying a body corporate property use this link. * Jane Wilson is the Queensland Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management.

University of Technology Sydney ‘temporarily suspends' 146 courses, axing 400 staff
University of Technology Sydney ‘temporarily suspends' 146 courses, axing 400 staff

News.com.au

time6 hours ago

  • News.com.au

University of Technology Sydney ‘temporarily suspends' 146 courses, axing 400 staff

The University of Technology Sydney has 'temporarily suspended' new enrolments for more than 100 bachelor and postgraduate programs, with 400 staff jobs on the chopping block. The suspension affects 146 courses across six faculties which the university says are 'those which have low student enrolments'. In a statement released on Thursday, UTS said it 'continually reviews its course offerings as we want to make sure our curriculum is relevant to what students and employers need'. The affected faculties include the UTS Business School, Faculty of Design and Society, Faculty of Engineering and IT, Faculty of Health, Law, Science and the Transdisciplinary School. The temporary suspension of courses will affect domestic and international students, though the university stressed it 'has no impact on current students at this time and is aimed only at prospective new students for 2026'. In addition, 400 jobs – or about 10 per cent of the UTC faculty – will be cut as part of the cost-saving initiative, including 150 academics and 250 professional staff. Faculty and staff were offered a range of support services, training sessions and counselling, including a list of '50 tips' for staff who may be losing their job, the ABC reported. Some tips included 'bake a dessert' or 'do that task you've been dreading, like washing delicates, organising receipts for your taxes, or cleaning a bathroom'. In response, some staff told the outlet they felt their concerns were 'de-legitimised' by the list. UTS researcher and National Tertiary Education Union representative Hossai Gul said the list 'naturally de-legitimised concerns of already distressed staff'. Speaking to NewsWire, a UTS spokesman said they were 'very mindful of our need to support staff though periods of uncertainty and change'. 'Throughout this period of organisational review we have sought to consult with and hear from staff in town halls meetings, drop-in sessions and QandAs, and have a dedicated internal site with frequent updates, support and feedback channels,' they said. The spokesman said the externally-produced list of '50 tips' was one of multiple different recourses for staff, including 'internal key contacts, training, counselling, wellbeing and career recourses'. 'We recognise that the change process is difficult, and not all resources are going to be suitable for everyone and we review resources available based on the feedback form staff,' they told NewsWire. In an email to UTS staff obtained by NewsWire, UTS vice-chancellor and president Andrew Parfitt said he '(recognised) that we are in a period of great uncertainty' and was 'mindful of our obligations to manage psychosocial risks ensure a safe and supportive work environment'. The email explained the cuts were an 'operational decision' intended to 'minimise potential disruption and dissatisfaction' for prospective students that could arise if 'applications are made for autumn 2026 courses that may subsequently be changed or discontinued'. While more than 100 programs have been paused, the university said the 'suspension of new student intake does not mean a course will automatically be closed'. 'Sometimes intakes are suspended ahead of phase out, some intakes are suspended while courses are redesigned to refresh curriculum and/or better meet student demand before being offered again,' the statement read. 'The suspensions will be in place until a decision is made on the future of these courses following consultation with staff and unions through a change proposal process.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store