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Wavell State High Students Earn Places in Prestigious QMEA Programs

Three students from Wavell State High School will spend their upcoming school holidays gaining hands-on industry experience and exploring future career pathways through a range of Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) programs.

Read: Wavell State High School Celebrates Excellence in Sport, Science, and Community

The opportunities will see students connect with industry professionals and take part in STEM-related activities aimed at expanding their understanding of future career pathways.

Year 12 student Zahra Patel has been selected to complete work experience with Glencore Technology through the QMEA Resource Your Future program. The placement is designed to help participants explore careers in engineering, science, technology and professional services.

Year 11 student Callum Keaney will head to Mt Isa after being selected for the QMEA Oresome Minds Camp. During the six-day program, students from across Queensland will work together to develop solutions to real challenges faced by the resources industry. The camp also includes site tours, career talks and presentations to industry representatives.

Joining Callum on the trip will be Wavell State High School science teacher Mrs Susan Siemon, who has volunteered her time to serve as a camp supervisor and support students throughout the experience.

Meanwhile, Year 10 student Roy Blenkiron will attend the 2026 QMEA-UQ Oresome Engineering Camp. The program provides opportunities to participate in hands-on projects, industry-based activities and mentoring from professionals working in the field. The camp will give Roy the opportunity to further explore his passion for engineering through practical projects and industry-based activities.

Wavell State High School said it was proud to see students embracing the opportunities available through its involvement in the academy and looked forward to hearing about their experiences when they return.

About the QMEA

The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy is an industry-led education initiative and the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council. Established in 2005 with 18 schools, the academy has grown into a network of more than 100 schools across regional and south-east Queensland.

With support from industry partners and Queensland Resources Council members, the QMEA provides opportunities for school-industry engagement through workshops, mentoring programs, STEM experiences and trade-focused activities.

According to the academy, more than 65,000 Queensland students have participated in QMEA programs over the past two decades. The initiative focuses on providing practical learning experiences and direct engagement with industry, helping students better understand opportunities available through university study, apprenticeships and careers in the resources and energy sectors.

Read: Wavell State High School Students Among Buy Smart Competition Winners

The upcoming holiday programs will provide Zahra, Callum, and Roy with opportunities to engage in STEM-related learning beyond the classroom. The programs are designed to connect students with industry professionals and expose them to potential future study and career pathways.

Published 22-June-2026

Virginia Drivers Sit Within Brisbane’s Hybrid Vehicle Shift

Photo Credit: Pexels

Virginia has been identified as one of Brisbane’s high-hybrid suburbs, with nearly a quarter of registered vehicles in the north Brisbane area recorded as hybrids.

The suburb was listed among Brisbane areas with a high concentration of hybrid vehicles, along with Murarrie, Kedron and Kangaroo Point. Across most Brisbane suburbs, hybrids outnumber full battery electric vehicles.

The Virginia figure places the suburb within a wider vehicle shift where hybrids remain more common than full electric vehicles in many parts of Brisbane.

Virginia Hybrid Uptake Shapes Local Vehicle Trends

The Brisbane data separates Virginia’s hybrid share from suburbs where full electric vehicle ownership is more prominent.

Cost, charging access and driving range remain concerns for some drivers considering a full battery electric vehicle. Plug-in hybrids have been described as a bridge option for consumers who want to reduce fuel use but are not ready to move entirely to a battery electric vehicle.

For Virginia, the available figure supports a clear local focus on hybrids rather than full EV uptake. The suburb’s high hybrid share should not be treated as evidence that it has one of Brisbane’s highest full electric vehicle rates.

Virginia hybrid vehicles — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Full electric vehicle adoption has been stronger in some affluent Brisbane suburbs, where households are more likely to manage the upfront cost of an EV and have easier access to home charging.

Charging practicality also affects the pattern. Suburbs with more homes, garages or private parking can be better suited to EV charging than areas where apartment living makes private charging less accessible.

Business registrations also shape the broader data. A large share of Queensland EVs are registered to Brisbane CBD addresses, with company-owned vehicles likely contributing to that concentration.

Wider Vehicle Trends Add Context

National vehicle sales provide added context for Virginia’s high hybrid share.

In Q1 2026, hybrids accounted for 46,945 new light vehicle sales across Australia. Over the same period, hybrids made up 16.70 per cent of new light vehicle sales, compared with 12.25 per cent for battery electric vehicles and 6.82 per cent for plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Internal combustion engine vehicles remained the largest category, making up 64.23 per cent of new light vehicle sales.

The Virginia figure sits within that wider market, where hybrids remain a major part of the move away from petrol-only motoring while full electric vehicle uptake continues to vary across suburbs.

Published 17-June-2026

Hamilton Road Resurfacing Brings Brisbane Road Blitz To Wavell Heights

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Hamilton Road has been included in Brisbane’s $110 million Operation Smooth resurfacing program, placing Wavell Heights among the suburbs named in the citywide roadworks push.

The program will resurface nearly one million square metres of roads across Brisbane. Hamilton Road is listed for Chermside and Wavell Heights, making it the local road connected to the resurfacing rollout.

No local closure timetable or detour plan has been released for Hamilton Road.

Hamilton Road Added To Resurfacing Blitz

Operation Smooth has been set up to deliver smoother road surfaces across Brisbane, with the program focused on some of the city’s busiest roads.

The resurfacing program follows the Big Fill pothole blitz, which at its peak repaired one pothole every two minutes across Brisbane.

Hamilton Road is listed alongside several other major roads, including Forest Lake Boulevard, Albion Road, Ipswich Road, Logan Road, Lutwyche Road, Moggill Road, South Pine Road, Kedron Park Road and Toohey Road.

The southern approach to the Story Bridge is also included and has been identified as the highest-profile resurfacing work in the program.

The resurfacing program sits within the 2026-27 Budget, which also increases rates for Brisbane homeowners.

Rates will rise by 3.97 per cent, with some suburbs facing increases of up to 7.5 per cent. The minimum rates cost for Brisbane residents will be $948.64.

A Wavell Heights-specific rates figure has not been provided in the available budget details.

Rate Discounts And Resident Services

The budget includes several citywide measures for households.

Residents who pay rates on time will receive a $60 annual discount. The maximum pensioner rates rebate will increase to $1,350, while first home buyers will receive a rates establishment fee exemption.

Credit and debit card surcharges will be removed from 1 July 2026.

Renters and owner-occupiers will receive 10 free 100kg waste vouchers. Brisbane residents will also continue to receive two free native plants, and the annual kerbside collection service will continue.

More than $2 million is listed for free off-peak transport for seniors.

Wider Roads And Transport Program

Operation Smooth forms part of a $1.9 billion transport and infrastructure investment.

More than $400 million is listed for road upgrades, including the Beams Road corridor upgrade, intersection upgrades in Inala and Coorparoo, and a new crossing on Gympie Road at Bald Hills.

The budget also includes $213 million to subsidise bus, CityCat and Brisbane Metro services.

More than $63 million is allocated for footpaths and bikeways, while artificial intelligence technology is planned for trial within Brisbane’s traffic signal network.

Published 17-June-2026

Kelvin Street Queenslander Tipped to Break Wavell Heights Price Record

A sprawling, freshly renovated Queenslander at Kelvin Street in Wavell Heights is heading to auction, and early signs suggest it could give the suburb’s price record a serious nudge.

Read: Wavell Heights Home Tops Australia’s Most-Viewed Property List in Stunning Debut Week

The five bedroom, three bathroom home at 14 Kelvin Street has been completely transformed by its owner-builders, who took on a substantial renovation project to turn the property into one of the area’s standout family homes. It’s being billed as the largest Queenslander to come onto the local market in four years, sitting on a generous 810 square metre block.

Inside, the scale is hard to miss. Ceilings stretch to 4.5 metres through the open plan living and dining areas, and the home still carries plenty of original Queenslander charm alongside its new finishes. French doors, leadlight windows, VJ panelling and timber floors sit comfortably next to a more contemporary kitchen fitted with Smeg appliances and a servery window that opens onto the outdoor entertaining space. From there, the home flows out to a pool and neatly kept gardens, making the indoor-outdoor connection one of its strongest selling points.

Marketing agents Nick Moloney and Drew Davies, of Place Ascot, have reported strong early interest, with around 35 groups coming through across two inspections so far. According to Moloney, buyers have responded well to both the quality of the renovation and the sheer size of the home for a Queenslander, with separate living zones proving particularly popular among middle-aged families.

Property records show the current owners bought the house in 2022 for $1.264 million, before embarking on the renovation that has reshaped it into its current form. It will go under the hammer on June 27.

Whether it can challenge the suburb record is the real question hanging over the auction. The benchmark to beat is 48 Power Street, which changed hands for $3.79 million in 2024, and remains the highest price paid for a house in Wavell Heights.

The scale of this one, both in size and in the level of finish, has clearly caught buyers’ attention, and with auction day fast approaching, there’s genuine curiosity about how far the bidding will go.

Read: The Wavell Heights Home That Went From Asbestos Nightmare to Suburb Showstopper

For now, the home stands as one of the more closely watched listings in Wavell Heights this winter, a reminder of how much appetite remains for character homes that combine old Queenslander bones with a genuinely modern renovation.

Auction is scheduled for June 27.

Published 20-June-2026

Nook Coffee Brings Together Coffee, Community and Craft in Northgate

Nook Coffee

Nook Coffee has quickly found its place in the morning routines of Northgate locals, offering specialty coffee, house-made jaffles and a space lined with handmade goods from local artisans, all pulled together by owner Suzanne and her daughter Bijoux.

The café sources its coffee from Tim Adams Specialty Coffee, a Sunshine Coast roaster known for quality single origins and blends, and its pastries from Danny’s Bread, keeping the food offering as local as the rest of the fit-out.

House-made jaffles are made fresh each day, bringing a nostalgic and satisfying edge to the menu that slots naturally alongside the morning coffee crowd.

A café that fills a particular gap

Northgate has long had limited options for a true neighbourhood café, often sitting in the shadow of nearby Nundah’s busier dining and coffee scene. Nook gives locals exactly the kind of venue many residents appreciate: somewhere that remembers your order, supports local makers and gives people a reason to walk rather than drive.

*Photo Credit: Yvonne Clark/Google Maps*

What sets Nook apart from a typical neighbourhood café is its support for local artisans. The shelves showcase ceramics, candles, books and fresh flowers alongside a rotating collection of handmade goods.

View this post on Instagram

Jewellery, soft furnishings, artworks and children’s toys all feature in the display, turning the café into a small marketplace as much as a place to enjoy a flat white.

Community connection and local craft

The combination of specialty coffee and artisan goods is not new to Brisbane, but Nook delivers it with a genuine sense of warmth rather than as a carefully curated concept.

View this post on Instagram

Much of that comes from Suzanne’s vision for the café and the involvement of her daughter Bijoux, whose presence helps create a welcoming family atmosphere.

Suzanne sees the café as a place for community connection as much as a coffee destination. The shelves provide local artisans with a permanent space to showcase their work, giving makers an audience beyond the occasional weekend market and helping strengthen connections within the local community.

A stop worth making if you’re in the area

Nook Coffee is at 135 Northgate Road, Northgate. Follow along at nookcoffee.com.au or on their Instagram page for updates on new artisan stock and café news.

Published 16-June-2026

Putting Mateship Back Into Brisbane

Joe Odessa is a passionate man.

Passionate about giving, about Australia and about his family.

Old school.

“These devices are ruining society.”

“Why don’t people say hello when you walk past them?”

Now in his 60s, he has established a strong reputation for building beautiful homes across the city, including seven in Wavell Heights.

“I remember the first block of land I bought in Wavell Heights was $780,000. We thought that was a lot of money. I’ve built homes all over Wavell Heights and North Brisbane including Benecia, Orben, and Halcyon.”

Beautiful homes at a price where the client’s enjoyment far outweighs the builder’s financial motivation.

An artisan with roots 300 miles south of Napoli, Joe loves the handover of a property he has just built. His two sons have now taken over the Odessa brand, carrying on the same passion and artisan spirit.

Finding Something to Do

“I had gastric band surgery a few years ago, lost 60kg. After the surgery I went to see a psychiatrist, who put me onto a trauma counsellor, who told me, ‘You need to find something to do’.”

Italian flair needs a passion. That something to do became Joe’s passion: men’s mental health.

As Joe hung up his hard hat, he began to build support for the wellbeing of men.

MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

The Construction Industry

Construction workers experience significantly higher suicide rates than workers in many other industries
Construction workers are estimated to be six times more likely to die by suicide than in a workplace accident
Young construction workers are more than twice as likely to take their own lives as other young Australian men

Australian Men in General

One in eight Australian men will experience depression.
One in five will experience anxiety
Men are less likely than women to seek support for mental health concerns
Beyond Blue research found many Australians wait until they are severely distressed before reaching out for help

From Building Homes to Building Community

That has led Joe to work alongside Hudson Dale, founder of the Men’s Breakfast, building on his previous involvement in men’s mental health initiatives.

Hudson Dale (left) and Joe Odessa (right)

“He gives too much. He talks too loud. He rubs people up the wrong way. I absolutely love him. Everyone calls him a lunatic. That is an understatement. I call him Saint Joe,” says Hudson Dale.

Joe loves getting businesses involved in the campaign, and anyone who saw his spruiking of the Wavell Heights dentist at the last Men’s Breakfast saw how appreciative he was of their support.

He laments the way society has become increasingly self-centred and misses simple things like the days when you’d shout a drink to a stranger at the pub and have a yarn.

Simple social rituals that kept men connected and able to discuss their problems in amongst the footy.

The Men’s Breakfast follows a number of previous men’s groups where Joe became the epicentre through developing sponsor relationships. Bureaucracy and rules led to the last group, in Joe’s view, shooting itself in the foot by losing him.

The Lost Art of Having a Yarn

Ask Joe when things started to change and he’ll point to the slow disappearance of everyday social rituals — the sort of interactions that once made a community feel like a community.

“A lot of blokes don’t know how to open up a conversation. Shouting a drink in a pub seemed to end at COVID. My father used to constantly say that before the TV came out, people used to pick themselves up and go and see somebody. When the TV came out it stopped it, now social media has destroyed that.”

Nobody Says Good Morning Anymore

“Everybody’s perception is men are tough, robust, strong, but we’re not. We take on more than we can chew. Social media has created ‘look at me’.”

“When I go for a walk along Kedron Brook, all I see is people with their AirPods in, many looking at their phones as they walk. They don’t say good morning.”

Joe has five grandkids and has set up a table with pencils and colouring books when they come over. He’s desperate not to put them in front of the TV and especially not on devices.

“They get up on the bench and start mucking around with cooking with their grandma.”

“The reason why it’s important for people to get together, when they have a struggle, they have somebody they can talk to, who can point them in the right direction, but you have to be willing to accept criticism. That’s where most men have too much pride and they can’t accept the criticism.”

“Many people don’t want to be sociable, and people don’t want to change, as my father used to say, ‘If the pumpkin’s long it can’t be round’.”

“The Aboriginal people are much maligned but the cleverness and creativity run very deep.”

“One of the challenges we have at Men’s Breakfast is getting people to mix more, most people don’t know how to network.”

Northside Boxing Coach Sammy Leone touched on this in his presentation at the last Men’s Breakfast.

Keep Learning

Joe got into the building game in 1983. How has he sustained his passion for the small details for more than four decades?

“I go to open homes and have a look at the details. If something’s nice I appreciate it, give gratitude where gratitude is deserved. Keep learning.”

The next Men’s Breakfast will be on July 4 in Fitzgibbon.

Published 12-June-2026

Wavell Heights Park Gets CCTV Camera Following Safety Concerns

Locals who frequent Studley Park in Wavell Heights will now be under the watch of a temporary CCTV safety camera after reports of illegal drug use, discarded syringes and antisocial behaviour prompted action from local representatives.

The safety measure follows concerns raised by residents living near the park, particularly around the Pfingst Road area, where community members reported incidents that they said were affecting the safety and enjoyment of the local green space.

Reports From Residents Prompt Action

Northgate Ward Cr Adam Allan⁠ said his office had received reports of ongoing antisocial behaviour and illegal drug use at Studley Park.

Local MP Mick de Brenni has also recently raised concerns about community safety and vandalism in the wider area, calling for additional safety cameras and police resources.

vandalism in Studley Park — *Photo Credit: MikedeBrenni/Facebook*

In response, Brisbane City Council arranged for a temporary CCTV safety camera has been installed at the park and would be actively monitored to support community safety and assist investigations by the Queensland Police Service when required.

Studley Park Wavell Heights — *Photo Credit: CrAdamAllan/Facebook*

The installation forms part of a broader response aimed at addressing concerns raised by residents who have continued reporting incidents in and around the park.

Sharps Disposal Bins Added Near Studley Park

Alongside the camera installation, Council is also introducing sharps disposal bins in the area.

The move comes after reports of discarded syringes being found in and around Studley Park. Residents who come across syringes are being encouraged to contact Council so they can be collected and disposed of safely.

Mr Allan said community members had played an important role by reporting issues and helping authorities understand the extent of the problem. He encouraged residents to continue reporting incidents of illegal drug use and antisocial behaviour through Policelink, noting that criminal matters remain the responsibility of the Queensland Police Service.

For many residents who regularly use Studley Park, the new measures are intended to help improve safety and confidence in one of Wavell Heights’ local recreational spaces.

Published 12-June-2026

Meet the Woman Behind Wavell Heights’ Favourite Honey

Did you know Queensland’s honey bee industry contributes an estimated $2.4 to $2.9 billion to the state economy every year?

More than 100,000 managed hives help pollinate Queensland crops annually, supporting everything from macadamias and avocados to berries, melons and seed crops. Without bees, many of the foods Queenslanders take for granted would simply not exist at the same scale.

Yet for most people, bees are still mainly associated with one thing: honey.

And in Wavell Heights, one local honey producer has quietly built a loyal following.

Meet Liby, the self-described “Chief Honey Officer” behind Libees Honey.

From Backyard Hobby to 200 Hives

Liby grew up on Highcrest Ave and started the beekeeping journey in 2017 with hives in Mums backyard, even though it’s her mums honey sign out the front and honey distribution cupboard that still stands — and that family connection has unexpectedly turned Highcrest Avenue into something of a local honey hub.

By day, Liby and her partner Craig run their honey operation from a farm north of Gympie, managing more than 200 hives across the area.

Meanwhile, Liby’s mum helps distribute the honey from her Wavell Heights home. At one point, every drum was full from the prolific production of the hives and the local response from a recent leaflet drop across just three Wavell Heights streets created a run on the honey, just in time to create space for another incoming batch.

At around $14 a kilogram for raw honey, locals clearly see value not just in the product itself, but in knowing exactly where it comes from, making Libees Honey one of the suburb’s quiet success stories.

Learning the Hard Way

Liby’s beekeeping journey started in 2016 with a backyard FlowHive and a determination to learn properly before diving in.

She joined the Northside Beekeepers Association at Lawnton, where she says experienced mentors became invaluable.

“The ancient art of mentoring was the real gold in the raw honey,” she says.

Over time, Liby worked with many retired commercial operators, absorbing knowledge from seasoned producers while building the confidence to eventually launch her own operation.

But the learning curve was steep.

By her own admission, she “killed her first hive” due to American Foul Brood.

Rather than discouraging her, the experience deepened her respect for the complexity of bees and the importance of ongoing education.

Today, she encourages hobby beekeepers to connect with local clubs rather than trying to learn everything online or in isolation.

“It’s amazing to me that many backyard beekeepers don’t join local beekeeping clubs,” Liby says.

“There’s so much knowledge to acquire, especially with new issues like Varroa mite.”

Varroa Mite: Tiny Pest, Big Headache

One of the biggest concerns currently facing Australia’s bee industry is the spread of the Varroa mite — a parasite considered one of the most serious threats to honey bees worldwide.

Liby says unregistered backyard hives can create challenges for the industry because owners may miss critical updates or treatment advice designed to limit the spread.

Bees can travel up to five kilometres, meaning unmanaged infestations can quickly impact nearby registered hives and commercial operations.

For small producers like Liby and Craig, staying informed and connected to the wider beekeeping community is becoming increasingly important.

A Different Kind of Family Business

Liby met Craig in 2018, and together they slowly traded suburban life for a more nature-connected existence.

At one point, Craig had 24 hives squeezed into the backyard of his small North Lakes property before council pressure eventually pushed him to relocate. This was a trigger for the move with Liby.

So they packed up and moved north, buying land near Gympie to build a new lifestyle around bees, sustainability and local food production.

Today, their hives are spread not only across their own property, but also across friends’, family members’ backyards and paddocks, and National Park sites. Craig runs a successful queen bee producer arm of the business focusing on creating a very dark calm bee displaying uncapping and recapping behaviour traits that they are hoping will contribute to faster varroa resistant genetics being spread across the region.

“We believe supporting a local beekeeper where you know your honey is coming from — from bees that are probably sitting on your garden flowers — supports the continuation of small local family-run businesses over big corporations and supports the environment on a micro scale,” Liby says.

“And it tastes better.”

Their business also incorporates a strong sustainability focus, including off-grid solar power for honey extraction, reused packaging materials, Australian-made signage and even hive boxes crafted from camphor laurel trees milled on their own property.

A New Monthly Column for Wavell Heights News

Liby will now be sharing her world with readers through a new monthly column for Wavell Heights News.

Expect stories from behind the hives, insights into bee behaviour, seasonal honey updates, environmental challenges, backyard beekeeping tips and a closer look at the fascinating — and often misunderstood — world of bees.

Like the bees she cares for, Liby has built her honey business the old-fashioned way — through patience, hard work and a whole lot of persistence.

Published 5-June-2026

Police Activity Intensifies Across Wavell Heights As Locals Report and Vehicle Break-Ins

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Residents across Wavell Heights may have seen police activity increase in recent days, with one investigation leading to drug-related charges and another focusing on a string of alleged vehicle offences across several streets.

The separate investigations unfolded within a week of each other and involved locations across the suburb, from Pfingst Road to Frankit Street, Calga Street and Vaucluse Street.

Resident Reports Lead to Search Warrant on Pfingst Road

According to the Queensland Police Service, information provided by local residents and Crime Stoppers helped direct attention to alleged drug activity in the Wavell Heights area.

Police executed a search warrant at a Pfingst Road property on June 1 after receiving multiple reports and gathering intelligence. During the search, officers allegedly located cash along with dangerous drugs, including cocaine and methylamphetamine.

A 57-year-old Wavell Heights man was subsequently charged with a number of offences, including supplying dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing property suspected of being linked to drug offences.

The man was scheduled to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on June 8. The charges remain allegations before the court.

Vehicle Offences Reported Across Several Wavell Heights Streets

While the drug investigation was unfolding, police were also investigating a series of alleged thefts from vehicles reported over the weekend of June 6 and 7.

The incidents occurred at different locations throughout Wavell Heights, affecting residents in Nind Street, Frankit Street, Calga Street and Vaucluse Street.

Police allege a black Volkswagen T-Cross parked at a home in Nind Street was entered overnight, while a white Volkswagen Tiguan parked at a residence in Frankit Street was also targeted. In both cases, the vehicles’ rear reverse-camera handles were allegedly removed.

A red Mazda CX-5 parked in Calga Street was allegedly entered and a garage remote taken, while a silver Haval Jolion parked in Vaucluse Street was reportedly entered and property and cash stolen.

Stolen Kia Sighted Near Multiple Investigation Sites

Investigators are also seeking information about a grey Kia Sportage reported stolen from Albion on the morning of June 7.

Police said the vehicle was sighted in Frankit Street around the time one of the alleged offences occurred and was later seen in Calga Street, where another vehicle was allegedly entered.

The Kia remains outstanding and police are continuing inquiries into whether it may be connected to multiple incidents under investigation.

Police Urge Residents to Remain Vigilant

As inquiries continue, police are encouraging residents to take steps to reduce opportunities for vehicle theft and break-ins.

Queensland Police advise motorists to lock vehicles, secure valuables out of sight and use garages or off-street parking where possible. Residents are also encouraged to report suspicious activity through Policelink or Crime Stoppers.

Published 11-June-2026

Wavell Heights Home Tops Australia’s Most-Viewed Property List in Stunning Debut Week

A newly built Wavell Heights home became the most-viewed property in Australia in the first week of May 2026, drawing buyers from interstate and overseas and putting the northside suburb firmly on the national property map.

Read: The Wavell Heights Home That Went From Asbestos Nightmare to Suburb Showstopper

The property has since changed hands, with the deal finalised on 3 June. The six-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 30 Roderick St is not your typical spec build. It was conceived and developed by local mum Libby Pyers, who had a clear vision from the very start: create a home that actually works for families.

Ms Pyers, who has three children, said practicality was at the heart of every design decision. The layout was deliberately planned so that daily family life — school bags dropped at the door, muddy clothes headed straight to the laundry, kids all sleeping on the same level — would just flow.

The home sits on an elevated 428 square metre block, carved out of a larger parcel of land. The sale of the remaining portion helped fund the build, which was completed by Blanck Building in just nine months. Ms Pyers was open about her focus on quality materials and structural integrity throughout the build, wanting to test whether the Brisbane market had an appetite for a home built to a genuinely high standard. The response in the first week of the listing suggests the market appetite is there.

A home designed from the ground up

Most-Viewed Property — Photo credit: Facebook/Bright Estate Agents

Spread across two levels, the property divides living and recreational spaces between floors. The upper level holds most of the bedrooms, including a master suite with hybrid oak flooring, a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite. A flexible spare room on the same level can serve as a media room or additional sleeping space, depending on what the family needs.

Downstairs, the ground floor opens into a chef’s kitchen fitted with modern appliances, flowing into an open-plan dining and living area that connects directly to the backyard’s in-ground pool.

The home was listed with Bright Estate Agents, with agent Tristan Rowland managing the campaign. He said the level of interest went well beyond the local market, with buyers reaching out from interstate and overseas within the first week of the listing going live.

Selling the suburb, not just the street

Mr Rowland put the strong national response down to a deliberate marketing approach that went beyond a standard online listing. Rather than simply showcasing the property itself, the campaign focused on helping buyers understand the suburb, the lifestyle and what it means to actually live in Wavell Heights.

Mr Rowland noted that buyers are looking for more than just the product inside the house. They want to know where they are buying and what kind of life the area offers. Interstate and international enquiries followed as a direct result of that approach.

Read: Pfingst Farmhouse in Wavell Heights: A Local Heritage Treasure

A suburb worth falling for

For Ms Pyers, the choice to build in Wavell Heights was deeply personal. She and her husband purchased their first home in the suburb back in 2013, and her affection for the area has endured ever since.

The deal finalised on 3 June confirmed what the listing’s remarkable debut week had already signalled: Wavell Heights has well and truly landed on Australia’s property radar.

Published 8-June-2026