Brisbane City Council Archives

A Century of Splashing Memories: Manly Pool in Brisbane Turns 100

For a hundred years, families in Brisbane’s Wynnum-Manly area have cooled off, learned to swim, and made memories at Manly Pool, a local fixture now marking its 100th year.

The milestone will be celebrated with a community event on Saturday, 26 September, starting at 10am. The celebration will be held at Manly Pool, located at 1 Fairlead Crescent, Manly, Queensland, with pool entry priced at just $5 and free entry for members.

A Century by the Water

Manly Pool has been part of daily life in the Wynnum-Manly area for generations. Locals have used it for school swimming carnivals, aqua aerobics classes and simple summer afternoons spent cooling off with family. Brisbane City Council has also acknowledged the milestone separately, noting that 2026 marks 100 years since the pool’s original construction, a piece of local history tied closely to the suburb’s identity.

The anniversary event has been built around that shared history. Visitors will be able to use the venue’s signature waterslide, watch a fashion parade featuring 1950s swimwear, and take part in an aqua aerobics session designed to show how the activity has changed over the decades. Races will also be held, giving both former competitive swimmers and casual entrants the chance to take part.

A social area will be set up for people to catch up with old friends and swap stories about the pool over the years, while food and coffee will be available near the entrance. Families with young children will be catered for with free face painting and a jumping castle, funded through the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund.

More Than Just a Pool

Today, Manly Pool offers a heated 25-metre outdoor pool along with a fenced splash pool, a wading pool and an onsite kiosk. The site also includes a gym, with the venue used regularly for learn-to-swim lessons, group fitness classes and triathlon training. Its accessible entrance and facilities mean the pool caters to visitors of all ages and abilities, not just competitive swimmers.

The pool’s longevity has made it something of a fixture in the area, with generations of local children learning to swim there before going on to bring their own kids through the gates. Its waterslide, closed only during the cooler winter months, remains one of its most popular features for young visitors.

Why the Anniversary Matters to the Community

For many residents of Wynnum-Manly, the pool represents more than a recreational facility. It has quietly shaped local routines for a hundred years, from school carnivals to weekend family outings. The centenary event has been designed as an open invitation for the wider community to reconnect with that history together, regardless of how long ago someone’s own memories of the pool were made.

Published Date 25-September-2026

Four of Six Tingalpa Toilet Facilities Listed Without Accessible Toilets

Photo Credit: Google Maps/Scott Nichols

Four of the six public toilet sites registered in the eastern Brisbane suburb of Tingalpa lack accessible features, according to official data maintained by the National Public Toilet Map.

A September 2026 export of the national directory lists BP Tingalpa, Kianawah Park, Shell Coles Express Tingalpa, and Shell Tingalpa with an “Accessible = FALSE” designation. Porter’s Paddock Park at Minnippi Parklands and Woolworths Caltex Manly are logged as accessible within the same system.

Facilities without recorded wheelchair access account for roughly 67 per cent of all listings in Tingalpa. Across the broader Brisbane local government area, a recent analysis of the same national database found that approximately 18 per cent of recorded facilities—105 out of 580 locations—were listed without accessible options.

Smaller sample sizes at a suburban level can skew comparative percentages, given that Tingalpa currently has only six registered sites in the repository.

Commercial venues dominate inaccessible listings

Service stations make up three of the four local listings tagged without accessible features. Kianawah Park remains the sole public park among the non-accessible entries.

Brisbane City Council does not directly manage every location appearing in the national dataset. Municipal records rely on data sourced from the National Public Toilet Map, filtering the results to cover facilities within local government boundaries. Publicly accessible amenities operated by private businesses are included alongside council-managed assets in these figures.

Facility	Type	Address	Accessible toilet recorded?
Porter’s Paddock Park (Minnippi Parklands)	Park or reserve	Stanton Road West, Tingalpa	Yes
BP Tingalpa	Service station	Cnr Manly Rd & Wynnum Rds, Tingalpa	No
Woolworths Caltex Manly	Service station	869 Manly Road, Tingalpa	Yes
Shell Coles Express Tingalpa	Service station	1469 Wynnum Road, Tingalpa	No
Shell Tingalpa	Service station	1354 Wynnum Road, Tingalpa	No
Kianawah Park	Park or reserve	1522 Wynnum Road, Tingalpa	No

An “Accessible = FALSE” database entry serves purely as an informational marker within the mapping tool. The tag reflects the data currently logged in the national register and does not constitute a formal finding of non-compliance under Australian building standards or the Disability Discrimination Act. Database entries are updated periodically as venue information is submitted or revised.

Paralympian raises concerns over daily access

Former Paralympian and disability advocate Karni Liddell has previously warned that inadequate access to suitable bathrooms can limit social participation for people who use wheelchairs. In comments reported recently, she also raised concerns about potential health consequences when appropriate facilities are unavailable.

Accessibility has come under increased scrutiny as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Recent analysis of National Public Toilet Map data found 105 of 580 publicly available toilet facilities across Brisbane were recorded as not having an accessible toilet, or about 18 per cent.

Council points to citywide accessibility work

Brisbane City Council says its Inclusive Brisbane Plan 2019-2029 guides accessibility upgrades and community projects across the city.

Council also provides Accessible Adult Changing Facilities at parks, pools and other venues across Brisbane. Its inclusion plan describes those facilities as toilets for people with profound disability that can include full-sized change tables and hoists. Council’s inclusion plan also calls for information on ramps, lifts and accessible toilets at Council facilities so residents can make informed choices about access.

The figures reflect information held in the National Public Toilet Map rather than the findings of a building or disability-access compliance audit.

Published 8-Sept-2026

Cox Park Pickleball Construction Begins Amid Renewed Site Debate

Photo Credit: Wynnum Manly Community Group/Facebook

Work has started on the $250,000 pickleball project at Cox Park in Lota, but the arrival of machinery has not ended the argument over how the site was chosen.

Earthmoving began on 24 August after fencing went up around the work area. Council lists works through 18 September, weather permitting, while some residents continue to press for answers about the decision-making process and the response to their petition opposing the location.

Earlier petition sought pickleball courts in Wynnum

Council records show the original petition was presented on 5 September 2023 by former Cr Sara Whitmee and asked Council to construct pickleball courts in Wynnum.

It attracted 106 signatures, including 55 from residents of Wynnum Manly Ward. Another 43 signatories lived in other Brisbane wards and eight lived outside the city.

Council’s response at the time also referred to a separate proposal involving the Wynnum Tennis Association at 1 Colina Street, Wynnum. The association had been working with Council on plans for four dedicated pickleball courts at its leased site and had sought approval to apply for grant funding.

The estimated cost of those courts, including fencing and lighting, was $300,000. Council said the proposed facility would help accommodate a growing number of pickleball players across Wynnum, Manly and Lota.

Council also said it did not plan to install additional pickleball courts in Wynnum at that time. The petitioners’ request would instead be considered as part of future capital works planning, subject to competing citywide priorities.

The request was found to meet the requirements of the Suburban Enhancement Fund and was referred to Wynnum Manly Cr Alex Givney for consideration. Cox Park in Lota was selected for the $250,000 project.

The Wynnum Manly Community Group has questioned that process, arguing that support for pickleball courts in Wynnum should not automatically be treated as support for building them at Cox Park.

A later petition asking Council to reconsider the Cox Park location attracted 125 signatures, including 119 from within Wynnum Manly Ward, according to figures cited by the group. Residents involved in the campaign say work began before they received a substantive response to the concerns raised in that petition.

Noise, access and location remain at the centre of objections

Opposition has centred on more than petition numbers. Residents have raised concerns about noise, parking, the distance between the courts and nearby homes, the proximity of other park facilities, future management arrangements and whether alternative sites were adequately considered.

Residents have also sought details about how the courts will be managed and what public access arrangements will apply. Claims about possible leasing arrangements and fees have circulated locally, but no verified lease or access terms were available for this report.

Noise has remained one of the most consistent complaints. Pickleball is played with a hard plastic ball and paddle, producing a distinctive sharp sound that some nearby residents fear will carry into surrounding homes.

Shift workers and other residents living near Cox Park have previously raised concerns about sleep disruption and the broader effect of regular court use on nearby properties.

Photo Credit: Wynnum Manly Community Group/Facebook

Council says feedback changed the final layout

Givney has previously acknowledged that communication with residents could have been better and apologised for not engaging as effectively as intended.

She later met with residents at Cox Park, and Council has said feedback from those discussions influenced the final layout. One of the changes involved moving the proposed courts further into the park.

Givney told residents in July that the courts would be at least 50 metres from properties. One nearby resident later disputed the final distance and asked for work to be paused.

Council has maintained that the approval process was transparent and that consultation resulted in changes to the project.

Earlier plans also included seating and replacing the old netball hardstand with turf, although removal of the hardstand has since been deferred.

Supporters back new recreation facilities at Cox Park

The project also has local supporters, including Lota residents who have welcomed dedicated pickleball facilities and described the expenditure as a worthwhile investment in recreation.

Some supporters have pointed to the condition of the existing hard courts, saying they are cracked and in need of replacement. Others have argued that Cox Park already serves a sporting and recreational purpose and is an appropriate place for new facilities.

Supporters have also cited the growth of pickleball and demand for dedicated playing space across the Wynnum, Manly and Lota area. Residents campaigning against the Cox Park project have repeatedly said their objection is to the location and process rather than to the sport itself.

Published 28-Aug-2026

Wakerley Homeowners Face One of Brisbane’s Biggest Rate Rises Under New Budget

Wikipedia/CC0

Wakerley residents are among the biggest losers in Brisbane City Council’s latest budget, with homeowners facing a 7.47 per cent rates increase — one of the highest rises recorded across the city this year.

The $3.9 billion budget includes major spending on roads, parks, community facilities and transport infrastructure, alongside residential rate increases that average 3.97 per cent across the city. For the typical owner-occupier, this amounts to about $63 a year, or roughly $1.22 a week.

While the citywide increase remains below 4 per cent, some suburbs are facing rises of more than 7 per cent, while others will see little change or even a slight reduction in their rates bill.

Brisbane rates remain among the region’s lowest

Brisbane City Council adopted its 2026-27 budget on 18 June, outlining spending plans for the year ahead as the city continues to deal with population growth, infrastructure demands and rising costs.

LM Adrian Schrinner said the budget was designed to balance investment in local services and infrastructure while keeping residential rates lower than many other councils in South East Queensland.

The budget retains the council’s $60 on-time payment discount for eligible ratepayers. Pensioners will also receive additional support, with the maximum pensioner rates rebate increasing to $1,350.

Council figures show the average owner-occupier rates increase across Brisbane will be 3.97 per cent.

Property values continue to influence rates outcomes

Although Brisbane City Council sets the overall rating structure, the amount paid by individual households can vary considerably between suburbs.

Differences in land valuations and rating categories can result in some areas experiencing larger increases than others. This year’s figures show a wide gap between the suburbs at the upper and lower ends of the scale.

Suburbs with more than 7% increase	Rate
Bulwer (Moreton Island)	7.50%
Cowan Cowan (Moreton Island)	7.50%
Lake Manchester	7.50%
Robertson	7.47%
Wakerley	7.47%
Runcorn	7.44%
Middle Park	7.43%
Mackenzie	7.42%
Algester	7.41%
Corinda	7.33%
Eight Mile Plains	7.32%
Sandgate	7.29%
Brighton	7.24%

Other areas such as Dutton Park, Fairfield and Enoggera Reservoir are expected to see slight reductions in rates, while suburbs including Kangaroo Point and Woolloongabba will experience increases of less than 1 per cent.

The variation means neighbouring suburbs can receive very different outcomes despite being part of the same council area.

What homeowners can expect next

Like councils across Australia, Brisbane is also facing higher construction and maintenance costs, as well as increased demand on local infrastructure as the city’s population continues to grow. These pressures have played a role in the council’s budget and rates decisions for the year ahead.

Updated rates notices will be issued to Brisbane property owners during the next billing cycle. Eligible owner-occupiers who pay on time will continue to receive the council’s $60 discount, while pensioners may qualify for the increased rebate support announced in the budget.

Residents seeking further information about how the changes affect their property can access detailed rates information and budget documents through Brisbane City Council.

2026-2027 BRISBANE BUDGET

Published 18-June-2026

Introduce Kids To Fishing At The Fish Wise Class In Lota

Do you want to introduce your kids to fishing? Let them join Fish Wise, a fun and engaging three-hour program that will take place in Lota in January 2023.

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This free event, to be facilitated by 2 Bent Rods, will teach the basics of fishing, such as learning to tie a fishing knot, gather bait, cast a rod and probably even land a fish. All fishing equipment and bait needed for the session will be provided.

2 Bent Rods, founded by husband and wife duo Samantha and Jeremy Beckmann in December 2004, is an award-winning fishing school based in Victoria Point. Besides running their own fishing lessons, they work with Councils to teach the basics of fishing to young ones.

One of their popular programs, the Kids Classes, involve teaching kids bait gathering and introducing them to using a yabby pump. Most of the kids who enroll in the program learn everything quickly and others even return to complete a more advanced program at 2 Bent Rods.

Fish Wise is one of the programs of Brisbane City Council, under the Active & Healthy Lifestyle and Chillout Program and is recommended for people ages 10-17 years. Chillout was created by the Council to help young people beat the school holiday boredom, make new friends and develop new skills by taking part in free or low-cost activities.

Meeting point for this event will be at the gazebo near the waterfront. Visit Council’s website for more details. Please note that bookings are essential.

Benefits of Fishing for Kids

Fishing is usually seen as an activity for adults, but children can benefit from this hobby, too. It helps improve their dexterity and coordination and even have better concentration and focus.

Besides these personal benefits, fishing can teach kids a deeper appreciation of the environment and knowledge of wildlife.

Read: Inside Shucks Bar, One Of Brisbane’s Leading Oyster Restaurants

Mark your calendars!

What	Fish Wise
Where	Lota Camping Reserve, 710 Esplanade, Lota
When	Sat 21 Jan 2023, 7:30am to 10:30am

Stand Up Paddleboarding Sessions Happening in Manly

Here’s a standout activity that your kids will surely enjoy! There will be a series of stand up paddleboarding (SUP) sessions taking place at the Bayside Park in Manly until mid-February. Perfect for water babies between ages 10 to 17 years old, these full-hour sessions are part of Brisbane City Council’s Active and Healthy program. Massive fun guaranteed, whilst having a full-body workout.

Stand up paddleboarding might seem like a challenging water sport to learn but anyone can actually be an exceptional paddleboarder in a short span of time, regardless of age and body size. This activity, which sprung from surfing, brings heaps of benefits. As a low-impact exercise, SUP helps with balance, boost cardiovascular health, and reduces the stress levels as participants enjoy the water and nature around them.

Much like a combination of surfing and canoeing or kayaking, paddle boarders stand on a long, flat board to ride or race each other as they propel their craft. Participants usually play in flat, calm water without any waves.

*Photo Credit: Sunshine Coast Surf Schools/Facebook*

The Manly sessions, taught by professionals at the Sunshine Coast Surf Schools, normally cost between $50 to $70 but since this is a Council initiative, students joining classes in will only need to pay $5.

Stand up paddleboarding classes will take place during these dates and times so you have plenty of options for enlisting your children.

DATE	TIME
Thu 9 Jan 2020	8:00 a.m.
Fri 10 Jan 2020	9:00 a.m.
Sat 11 Jan 2020	10:00 a.m.
Sun 12 Jan 2020	10:00 a.m.
Fri 17 Jan 2020	2:00 p.m.
Sun 19 Jan 2020	4:00 p.m.
Sun 2 Feb 2020	3:00 p.m.
Sat 15 Feb 2020	2:00 p.m.
Sat 16 Feb 2020	3:00 p.m.

To secure a slot, phone Leighton of the SC Surf Schools via 0412 563 191 or register online. Sessions are limited to 16 surfers.

There’s not a lot needed to join the lessons but participants are expected to be in their swimwear. For their benefit, they must also wear sunscreen or bring other sun protection like a hat. Students will be given paddle boards, paddle, wetsuit and a rash shirt once they arrive for the sessions.

Get Ready for the Kerbside Collection in Manly and Manly West

Manly and Manly West are up for the next Kerbside Collection on Monday, the 13th of November. It’s the time of the year again to get rid of the big clutter, including big pieces of furniture and appliances, that will not fit the wheelie bins. Start packing and getting organise as early as possible to avoid inconveniences during the weekend before the collection.

Take note of the guidelines.

There are rules! Don’t ever think of haphazardly getting rid of all the clutter you’ll find. That is a big “NO”. Before packing and piling up the items, don’t forget to take a good look at the list of acceptable and unacceptable items. Aside from the furniture and appliances, you can also take out those carpets, rugs, electronic waste, and even your old bicycles.

There might be “tons” of unwanted items you need to get rid of, but there is a limit. The Council will only collect the piles that are not larger than two cubic metres, which is equivalent to a small trailer load. This is made possible to ensure that everyone in the neighbourhood will be able to use the Kerbside Collection service.

Start early in sorting out the items.

You still have few days to declutter. You better start sorting out all the items you would like to get rid off. You can start sorting out little by little everyday to avoid altering your daily schedule. Always start with small items and small clutter before starting to organise the big stuff. That way, you will be able to organise everything from Day 1 up to the big Collection Day.

Sort out everything you want to dispose. The Council only allows a certain limit but there are other places where you can take the unwanted items if you are beyond the limit.

Designate proper storage places.

You can use both trash bags and boxes. It really doesn’t matter. However, to keep everything organised and “damage-proof”, rugs, carpets, and the likes should be placed inside trash bags to allow more room as these items can be compressed. Items like electric waste and sporting waste can be properly sealed in boxes to prevent damages.

Don’t forget to place labels and properly stack the boxes and trash bags. The Council also obliges the residents to remove all doors of refrigerators and cupboards. You can remove the doors of usable furniture a day before the collection, to allow the scavengers to pick up something intact off your kerb.

Take the items out the weekend before the collection.

Photo credit: http://ajaneday.blogspot.com/

Take the items out the earliest possible time you are allowed to “market” the items to the scavengers. Neatly pile the items up, allowing room for the pathways and the roads. Always remember to properly seal and cover your pile in case of unwanted weather conditions. As a courtesy, arrange the items in a way that these can be easily lifted by two people.

Measure the pile again and get rid of the excess.

Check your pile for the very last time after the scavenger hunting. There might be a scavenger who found something off your kerb, so measure the pile again. If there is, take out some more items and properly stack it on the existing pile.

Remember that you packed everything? If there are excess items, consider recycling and donating. To recycle, drop these unwanted items to the Resource Recovery Centres and help the environment through reducing landfill.

You can also donate the items that are still usable. There are several organisations that accept donations. This includes National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations Inc. (NACRO), the peak organisation that holds several charities and tip shops all over Australia.

Photo credit: GIVIT – Goods For Good Cause/Facebook

You can also GIVIT! It is a national non-profit virtual organisation that supports all agencies, services, and charities in Australia to store, sort out, and distribute the donations to specific individuals or communities who exactly need the items.