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On Monday, 24 November, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reported hail measuring up to 11 centimetres at Manly and suburbs like Ferny Hills and Alexandra Hills at about 3:30 p.m., as supercell thunderstorms flared from the New South Wales border through Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay. 

Giant hail, destructive winds and intense lightning cut power to more than 150,000 customers, with Moreton Bay, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast among the hardest hit.

Community Left Picking Up the Pieces

By early evening, Manly locals were out with torches, tarps and brooms, checking on neighbours and sweeping hail from driveways as the last rumbles of thunder moved north over the bay. On social media, some families in Manly described watching the sky “go green” before the hail hit, while others said they had never seen stones that size in their street. The weather was so violent that Brisbane Airport briefly halted flights after a 107 kilometres per hour wind gust was recorded.

Photos shared with media outlets showed hailstones larger than cricket balls sitting in residents’ hands, with the Bureau confirming the 11-centimetre readings that put Manly among the worst-hit suburbs.

Across Brisbane’s bayside, residents reported damaged roofs, smashed skylights and dented cars as the storm cell swept in off the water. Emergency crews said they had been inundated with calls from the city’s eastern suburbs, including Manly, with the State Emergency Service logging more than 2,200 requests for help across the south-east once the system passed. Brisbane City, Logan and Moreton Bay generated the highest number of SES call-outs.

The damage came after hours of warnings that large and even “giant” hail was likely. BoM and private weather services had flagged “super-cellular” thunderstorms capable of producing hail up to 10 centimetres, as well as damaging winds and heavy rain across the south-east.

Local Resilience and What Comes Next

Despite the scale of the damage, the response in Manly and the surrounding suburbs was swift. SES crews moved from street to street to clear debris and secure damaged roofs, while community groups used social media to match volunteers with residents needing help. Some families in Manly who escaped with only minor damage offered spare rooms and hot showers to friends whose homes had been hit harder, further inland.

BoM indicated that the atmosphere over Queensland remained unstable, meaning more storms were possible in the days following Monday’s outbreak. Residents have been urged to keep an eye on official updates and follow SES advice about securing loose items, moving cars under cover, and staying indoors if new warnings are issued. 

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Published 25-Nov-2025

The post Manly Pummelled by 11cm-Hail as Storms Rip Across SEQ appeared first on Manly Today.

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Community Engagement Draws Strong Local Response

Brisbane City officials have completed the first stage of community consultation for the Wynnum, Manly, and Lota Foreshores Master Plan. The process drew more than 1,400 survey responses, with 87 per cent coming from residents within the area.

The initial engagement period has now closed, and feedback will be used to prepare a draft master plan scheduled for release in 2026.

Popular Activities and Key Themes

Survey results show the foreshores are primarily visited for walking, picnicking, socialising, and enjoying the natural surroundings. Respondents highlighted the need to maintain the area’s environmental character while improving facilities for public use.

Suggestions covered a range of priorities, including upgraded parking, revitalisation of the Wynnum Wading Pool, and increased amenities for sports, recreation, and tourism.

Specific Community Suggestions

Ideas submitted through the consultation included:

• New pedestrian and cycling connections, such as a footbridge between Wynnum North and Lota.
• Redevelopment of underused sites into hospitality and community spaces.
• Upgrades to boat ramps, playgrounds, and sporting facilities, particularly netball courts and clubhouses.
• Expanded shaded areas, native tree planting, and better drainage in parks.
• Initiatives to protect local wetlands and mangroves, as well as improved fishing, kayaking, and walking opportunities.

Other feedback addressed safety measures, more public seating, water bottle refill stations, and infrastructure for both active sports and passive recreation.

Environmental Considerations

Several submissions emphasised protecting the Ramsar-listed wetlands and preserving habitats for migratory shorebirds. Calls were also made for more sustainable operations for local vendors, such as solar-powered facilities and reduced use of chemical weed control.

Next Steps

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BCC will incorporate the feedback into the draft Wynnum, Manly and Lota Foreshores Master Plan, which will be released for further community comment in 2026. Residents will have another opportunity to provide input before the plan is finalised.

Published 10-Aug-2025

The post Over 1,400 People Have Their Say on Manly and Lota Master Plan appeared first on Manly Today.

Read: The Village Manly to Relaunch with Revised Plans for Six-Storey Development

Background and Development Timeline

The Village Manly, a retirement living project in Manly developed by The Village Retirement Group in partnership with Anglicare Southern Queensland, has reached a key sales milestone. The first stage of the project—comprising 76 three-bedroom apartments across two six-storey buildings—has sold more than 50 per cent of its available units.

Initial plans for the project were released in August 2021, following development approval granted by the Queensland Planning and Environment Court in December 2019. Construction was delayed following a request in October 2023 to amend the approved plans, changing the original four-storey design to a six-storey configuration.

Revised Design and Facilities

The revised development includes a total of 187 one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units across six multi-storey buildings, ranging between four to six levels. The buildings are located next to Anglicare’s EM Tooth Aged Care facility and the heritage-listed Lota House.

Stage 1 features basement car parking and community amenities, with architectural design by O’Neill Architecture and construction led by FKG Group. Three-bedroom units in Stage 1 are priced from $1.3 million, with penthouse contributions listed between $1.65 million and $2.5 million, as outlined in the Village Comparison Document issued by the State.

Local Context and Living Features in Manly

Situated approximately 20 kilometres from Brisbane CBD, the Manly site offers water views and is positioned to meet the growing demand for retirement accommodation in the region. The development is promoted as a premium lifestyle option, with community facilities including a heated pool, gym, yoga studio, café, cinema, arts and craft rooms, and a medical and allied health suite.

Apartments have been designed to maximise bay breezes and greenery, with a focus on functionality and liveability. The partnership also supports access to homecare services and proximity to residential aged care.

Community Feedback and Future Construction

Local residents and stakeholders have shared mixed views regarding the revised plans. Some expressed concerns over the increased building height, while others acknowledged the need for additional retirement housing options in Manly.

The development team has stated that the design balances demand with heritage considerations, particularly the nearby Lota House. This marks the second collaboration between Anglicare Southern Queensland and The Village Retirement Group, following an earlier project in Taigum.

Next Steps

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Construction for the revised Stage 1 is expected to be completed by mid-2026. The remaining apartments in Stage 1 are currently on the market, with 38 units still available.

Published 6-June-2025

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