Talk of the Town by Echo News

About Talk of the Town by Echo News

Welcome to "Talk of the Town," a community podcast by Echo News that dives deep into the heart of our community in the north-west suburbs of Brisbane. Join your hosts, Von and Steve, each week as we shine a light on the stories that matter most – from local businesses and remarkable individuals to the places that make our community unique. Why Tune In? Stay Informed: Get the latest updates on local news, events, and developments that directly impact you and your neighbors. Support Local: Discover and support the amazing businesses and initiatives in our community. Connect with People: Forge connections with the inspiring individuals who shape the identity of our neighborhoods. Explore Your Backyard: Whether you're a long-time resident or new to the area, join us as we explore the hidden gems and unique facets of our community. Subscribe to "Talk of the Town" and be a part of the conversation that celebrates the vibrancy, resilience, and spirit of our local community. If you have a story to share or want to nominate someone for a spotlight feature, reach out to us at podcast@echo-news.com.au. Together, let's amplify the voices and stories that make our community truly special. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Echo News

Category

arts · news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Mar 2024

Latest episode

21 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

41 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Mar 2026

   Special Edition: The Hills District Planning Review - "What's Being Built in Your Backyard?"

   Talk of the Town is back - and we're coming in with a big one. After nearly a year away, host Von Hosking returns with a special edition episode that the Hills District community has been asking for. The City of Moreton Bay has released draft precinct planning proposals for both Arana Hills and Ferny Hills - and the scale of what's being proposed has caught many residents completely off guard. We're talking buildings up to 15 storeys in Arana Hills. Twelve storeys in Ferny Hills. Significant density increases across suburban streets. And a consultation window that many locals only just found out about. The story exploded across local community Facebook pages and Echo News socials. Questions flooded in. So Echo News did what we do - we got onto it, reached out to council, and decided the best way to get real answers for this community was to sit down with your local councillor face to face. In this episode, Von speaks with Councillor Matt Constance, Division 10, City of Moreton Bay - putting the community's exact questions to him directly. No spin. No PR. Just answers. Council is now inviting further feedback from the community before the plan is finalised. Have your say — consultation currently open until 4pm Thursday 9 April 2026🔗 Ferny Hills (yoursay.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/ferny-hills-precinct-planning-project ) 🔗 Arana Hills (yoursay.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/arana-hills-precinct-planning-project) Sign the community petition: 🔗 Ferny Hills & Arana Hills Precinct Proposals: Give our community time to have a say! (https://www.change.org/p/ferny-hills-arana-hills-precinct-proposals-give-our-community-time-to-have-a-say?recruiter=10711058&recruited_by_id=40e57330-edb9-012f-198b-4040b91ba155&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard&utm_medium=copylink&share_id=6ndvQRQJTH) Questions/ Topics Timestamps: 04:15 What is actually being proposed for Ferny Hills and Arana Hills? 05:55 Matt walks through the draft precinct plans in plain language 07:36 How were the building heights and precinct boundaries determined? 10:00 Were lot sizes, setbacks, landscaping and parking considered? 11:17 Will the rezoning negatively impact liveability and neighbourhood character? 16:38 What community infrastructure benefits come with increased density? 18:58 Roads and transport - will infrastructure keep pace? 20:50 This is still a draft - what happens after consultation closes? 23:58 Community concern: one month is not enough time 26:33 Redevelopment of existing housing sites - realistic timelines 29:18 Traffic modelling - what has been done and will residents see it? 32:22 Public transport - buses, trains and Ferny Grove station capacity 35:54 Cohesion with the SEQ Plan - fast-tracked approvals and state targets 38:42 Why here? Why not Strathpine, Lawnton, Petrie, Redcliffe? 41:08 Utilities, water, sewerage - can the infrastructure handle it? 42:34 Schools - are they nearing capacity and who is responsible? 48:09 School zone traffic, pedestrian safety, drop-off and pick-up 49:40 Has council spoken to school leadership or the Education Department? 51:26 Healthcare - doctors, dentists and allied health services 54:19 Flooding, overland flow and Kedron Brook 56:00 Parking - will developments be required to provide enough on-site? 58:01 Key centres - minimum density requirements and planning mechanisms 59:15 Affordable housing - incentives, enforcement and definitions 01:02:15 Property and land - no one is being forced to sell 01:04:43 The pressure developers bring on existing residents 01:08:58 Developer meetings - how many has council had in the past 12 months? 01:10:00 Property valuations and council rates after rezoning 01:12:12 Community consultation - when were residents first notified? 01:13:51 Is this the final consultation? 01:16:07 Why are so many residents saying this is the first they've heard of it? 01:18:03 Could council have done better on community engagement? 01:20:24 Community groups and local media - part of the consultation ecosystem 01:24:56 Were residents on directly affected streets individually notified? 01:26:55 Will council offer more community information sessions? 01:29:28 The petition - 374 signatures and growing 01:31:04 Will the consultation period be extended? 01:32:29 If the majority oppose, will council reconsider? 01:32:47 Does Cr Matt Constance personally support these zoning changes? Echo News | Independent Local Journalism | Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   16 May 2025

   Season Two: Behind the Scenes of The Hills Carnivale with Vanessa Jones

   In this episode of Talk of the Town, Von sits down with Vanessa Jones, the lead Event Coordinator for The Hills Carnivale, to go behind the scenes of one of Moreton Bay’s most beloved community events. Vanessa shares how the team brings the event to life each year - from logistics and planning to programming and community involvement. Listeners get the inside scoop on what to expect at this year’s Carnivale, including live entertainment, market stalls, multicultural food, amusement rides, kids’ activities, and of course, the grand finale fireworks. Vanessa also talks about her favourite Carnivale moments, the importance of community collaboration, and how the event supports local performers, businesses, and families. Whether you're a long-time attendee or a first-time visitor, this episode will have you excited for a fun-filled day at George Willmore Park on Saturday, 31 May. Vanessa Jones is the Lead Event Coordinator for the Hills Carnivale and a key figure in delivering some of the Moreton Bay region’s most vibrant community events. With a background in large-scale event planning and a passion for community engagement, Vanessa plays a central role in orchestrating all the moving parts behind beloved festivals like the Hills Carnivale. Her work ensures these events are not just fun and safe, but also inclusive, family-friendly, and locally enriching. MBRIT stands for Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism. It’s a not-for-profit organization that partners with the City of Moreton Bay to promote tourism, drive economic development, and support community engagement across the region. MBRIT is responsible for delivering major public events such as: Hills Carnivale Jetty 2 Jetty Fun Run Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival Redcliffe KiteFest Their mission is to position Moreton Bay as a premier destination for tourism, business, and lifestyle—supporting local businesses, attracting visitors, and creating vibrant experiences for residents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   25 Apr 2025

   Season Two Begins: ANZAC Day Reflections with John Hardgrave

   In this special ANZAC Day episode of Talk of the Town, our host, Von Hosking, returns from maternity leave with an inspiring and heartfelt conversation with John Hardgrave — veteran, community volunteer, and 2022 Dickson Citizen of the Year. John served for 17 years in the Australian Defence Force, including deployments to Afghanistan, Timor Leste, and the Solomon Islands. Today, he continues his mission of service through his work with RSL Queensland, as a volunteer coach, and surf lifesaver. In this episode, John shares: What ANZAC Day means to him personally and nationally The importance of mateship and connection How we can support veterans transitioning to civilian life What veterans themselves can do to navigate that shift How community involvement helps build purpose after service Why resilience matters — and how we can foster it in young people This conversation is full of heart, hope, and valuable insight from someone who’s walked the path of service and continues to give back every day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

4.7 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

41

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

68

Contact Talk of the Town by Echo News

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.