After nearly a year of construction, a new, $1.5-million skate park has officially opened in Deception Bay, the first of several across the Moreton Bay region.
With the opening, Moreton Bay officials are hopeful that kids will take advantage of the facility in the time leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, especially if they are passionate about skateboarding, scooter, or BMX.
“Skate park sports are rocketing into popularity, especially after we saw Australia win gold in the BMX and skateboarding at the Tokyo Olympics, so it’s great to give our locals amazing new facilities to take up those sports,” Councillor Sandra Ruck (Division 5) said.
“The main goal is participation but with the 2032 games heading to Brisbane, who knows, maybe we could see the next gold medallist coming from Deception Bay.”
“The Deception Bay Skate Park is the first of a string of skate parks throughout the region which are receiving complete revamps with the aid of the community’s input on design,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.
“We’re proud to have delivered something that the community has truly owned from start to finish and now it can be enjoyed for many years to come.”
The skate park officially opened on April 15, 2023. During the opening, hundreds of locals, including the children, trooped to the new skate park at the Deception Bay PCYC to enjoy free skate workshops, the jumping castle, gymnastic activities, and a community sausage sizzle.
The proposed development at Deception Bay Rd in Rothwell, designed by WIM Architects, is set to be a two-storey building that will provide showrooms for five vehicle brands: Kia, Subaru, Jeep, Isuzu, and Volkswagen.
The ground floor will be designated for vehicle space, with office space located on the first floor.
Photo credit: WIM Architects
The existing showroom at the subject site will be removed to pave the way for the proposed redevelopment, with no modifications planned for the workshop or access to the road.
According to the planners at Tam Dang Planning, the proposed Vehicle Showroom has been designed with a focus on creating visual interest along the Deception Bay Road frontage.
Photo credit: WIM Architects
This will be achieved by incorporating architectural elements such as increased use of openings, contrasting solid and textured materials, and varied colors to reduce bulk and scale while also differentiating between the different tenancies within the building.
The showrooms will span 2,275 sqm, with an existing workshop covering 1,003 sqm. There will be 24 customer car park spaces, 20 staff parking spaces, and 78 service/stock car park spaces, along with a landscaped area.
Photo credit: WIM Architects
The hours of operation for the vehicle showroom will remain the same, with no modifications proposed as part of the redevelopment.
The proposed upgrade to the vehicle showroom in Rothwell will maintain the two existing access points, allowing for convenient and efficient customer and staff access to the site.
Looking for family entertainment like no other? Teddy Bears Picnic, a must-not-miss family event especially if you have children under five years old, will be afoot at Murrumba Downs.
Taking place on 30 March 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the John Oxley Reserve, the Teddy Bears Picnic will be filled with singing, dancing, and other activities for the little ones.
Expect the event to unleash plenty of amusement to keep the children preoccupied, especially on the main stage, where Little Wattlebird Band, Renata Jayne and the Happy Singing Kids will be showcasing live entertainment. A fantastic presentation of The Big Bear Show will also have the kids having a good time.
Activities on the Main Stage:
9:05 a.m. North Lakes Library Rhyme Time
9:30 a.m. Renata Jayne
10:20 a.m. Happy Singing Kids
10:45 a.m. Little Wattlebird Band
11:15 a.m. Workshop Wonders – The Big Bear Show
Teddy Bears Picnic will feature a Build-A-Bear workshop for $10, free face painting, free animal farm, and free amusement rides for the Trackless Train, Merry-Go-Round, Teacups and the Chipmunk Slide & Jumping Castle whilst mums or dads could check out the market stalls or haunt and try the bites on offer from the local food trucks.
But the highlight of the event is the Teddy Bear Parade and guests are reminded not to forget to bring their favourite Teddy Bears.
Teddy Bears Picnic is supported by Moreton Bay Regional Council and sponsored by Moreton Alert, Ausbuild, UniSC, Brisbane Whale Watching, Village Motors and Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club and supported by Gold Sponsors Lead Childcare & Education, Sesame Lane Care & Kindergarten, e2 Young-Engineers Brisbane Outer North, The Benevolent Society, North Lakes State College, Living Faith Lutheran Kindergarten and Belgravia Leisure.
Stage Two of the multi-million-dollar, master-planned transformation of MKT Square in Deception Bay is nearing completion.
The redevelopment will offer prospective businesses an opportunity to be part of the growing local market with more retail spaces for fresh food, takeaway, and service-based retail operators to open soon.
MKT Square sits on a 6-hectare property in Deception Bay, Moreton Bay, approximately 30 minutes north of Brisbane and eight minutes off the Bruce Highway.
Moreton Bay is the third largest council and most rapidly growing region in Australia. With a population larger than Canberra, the region is projected to grow to 690,000 by 2041, which could potentially bring the already growing demand for access to more supermarkets, retailers, businesses, and services in the area further up.
Mintus Properties is working together with architects ThomsonAdsett and project builders Mainbrace Constructions to bring the MKT Square Deception Bay redevelopment project to life to provide more variety to residents in the rapidly growing Moreton Bay region.
The centre will feature a 3,850 sqm full-line market-style Coles supermarket, a modern designed Coles precinct, new specialty stores, and internal and external architectural design concepts.
“The addition of the Coles supermarket to the centre, which already features Woolworths and Dan Murphy’s presents an amazing opportunity for our existing and new retailers to position themselves next to one of the only dual anchored neighbourhood centres in the area,” Ben Stewart, Director – Retail and Residential at Mintus Properties said.
‘’Our continued investment in MKT Square Deception Bay shows the commitment we have to the centre and the local area.’’
Four more businesses are also set to join the list of operators at the precinct including H Café & Bar, Sharetea, S+S Hair Salon, and Stylish Nails. They will add to the already established offerings at MKT Square including a full-line Woolworths supermarket, Dan Murphy’s Liquor Store, Choice Discounts, and a medical precinct anchored by Smart Clinics, IQ Radiology, Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology and Snap Fitness.
There are also 40 specialty stores, a food court, and a medical precinct anchored by Smart Clinics, IQ Radiology, Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology and Snap Fitness.
Calls to save the Bribie Island Bridge and turn it into a “Green Bridge” mount following community consultation on the State Government’s plans for a new bridge to enhance safety and increase traffic capacity.
TMR is currently developing a business case which will consider either a new 2-lane bridge with improved pedestrian and bike rider facilities and retaining the existing bridge or constructing a new 4-lane bridge.
Whilst previous inspections confirmed the existing bridge is structurally safe and has been properly maintained, TMR said, continued growth is increasing the demand for a new bridge.
In February 2023, a campaign was launched to save the existing 2-lane bridge which is the only link between Bribie Island and the mainland. According to the campaign proponents, the bridge could be retained as a foot and cycle bridge for the locals and visitors to use for recreation or have it greened with plants.
Locals are urged to participate in the community consultation (which closed on 27 February) and support the government’s plan for a new crossing for vehicles and to turn the old bridge into a dedicated pedestrian space.
President of the Sandstone Point Community Association John Gollan said it made sense for a pedestrian bridge to be separate from the new bridge, adding that a 6-lane bridge is probably just too expensive and an impractical alternative.
“We agree that the State Government should build a new four-lane bridge for traffic, and convert the existing bridge into a pedestrian connection with gardens, trees, and seating for our community to enjoy,” Mr Gollan said.
Sandstone Point Hotel Owner Rob Comiskey also supports a dedicated pedestrian bridge and green link from the mainland to the island. He said that it would be an invaluable investment.
“Tourists who know Bribie’s beauty come back time and time again but we definitely need something like this to put us on the map ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics,” he said.
“We cannot allow those tourism dollars to go driving past Moreton Bay to the Sunny Coast. Sandstone Point has gone from strength-to-strength since opening, but there is a clear need for a better link between here and the island. The current bridge is just too small and too unsafe, it’s passed its use-by date,” he added.
Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au
The Bribie Island Bridge was first built in 1963, Bribie Island was home to roughly 600 residents then but it has now grown to 20,612 residents who regularly commute to work and to other services across the bridge.
It can be painful, Councillor Brooke Savige (Div 1) has pointed out, when an accident shuts down the bridge, sometimes for hours at a time.
“This is not only a major inconvenience for locals but it’s a serious safety issue. The largest cohort of residents on the Island are aged between 70-74 and more than half of the population is above the age of 60, which sees the Queensland Ambulance Service averaging 17 responses to the island every day.” ” Cr Savige said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Peter Flannery said that having the bridge “… means we get the best of both worlds; a brand new four-lane bridge to service Bribie’s booming popularity and refurbish the existing bridge as a new icon for the region where people can enjoy fishing, the gardens, and a beautiful view across the Pumicestone Passage.”
“Bribie Island actually welcomes 827,000 visitors every year, which is the highest visitation for any statistical area in Moreton Bay region according to Tourism Research Australia,” he added.
“If we’re ambitious I believe the old Bribie Bridge can become an icon in contemporary landscape architecture, but first we need to save it from demolition,” he concluded.
Consultation on the concept design is also scheduled for this year whilst the completion of the business case is expected to be completed in early 2024.
Some of the feedback received from the community consultation:
“Need a second bridge 2 lanes. The old bridge should be retained for walking access bikes and fishing. I believe a premision should also be granted for the old bridge to turn into a market on weekends food vans, vendors, live music ect. Similar to eumandi markets, and eat street all wrapped into the one location but over the water I believe this would be something very special if that was to happen. Where else can you think of that has a market on a bridge,” – Jasonb88
“The need for at the very least 4 lanes and also a much improved pedestrian/bike way is absolute. Living at Sandstone Point and crossing the bridge to Bribie Island about 5 times a week we strongly feel the need for improvement. Traffic congestion particularly on weekends/holidays is horrific. Also being the only access to the island it doesn’t help emergency vehicles when they are needed (normally about 5 times per day – with sirens). If anything happens on the bridge, everyone is completely cut off.” – evalowndes
“The idea of a 4 lane bridge and keeping the original bridge for pedestriancs and a bikeway is perfect.” – Lowey
“Building a new four lane bridge would allow the existing bridge to be repurposed for pedestrians, cyclists and fisher people.” – OwenClancy
“New separate 4 -lane bridge for motor vehicles. The old bridge should become a green bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. Bribie could have sunset markets or something on the old bridge.” – mitch123456789
“I believe a new four lane vehicular bridge should be constructed whilst retaining the existing bridge which should then be repurposed as a safe space for pedestrian/s, cyclist and mobility scooter access etc. The existing bridge could then be utilised by emergency vehicles to access the island in the event of an accident restricting access via the new vehicular bridge.” – PWRDBay
“Please retain the old bridge for pedestrian and cycle recreation and emergency access. Build an additional four lane bridge for motorised traffic only.” – RodBlair
“If original bridge is viable for future use, then another 2 lane bridge. Would be good to have separate bike/walking paths (ie Eastward travelling and westward travelling, same as vehicular traffic).” – Mupin
Diana Clift, who runs the Carinity Narangba youth counselling centre, said that the residual effects of COVID are affecting the mental health of children and teenagers. As a result, counsellors and therapists have been seeing an increase in incidents of domestic and family violence and homelessness in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During COVID, everybody was told what to do with wearing masks, isolating and lockdowns. After that structure ended, all of a sudden people’s anxiety levels are going up wondering how to deal with uncertainty, which increases anxiety,” Diana said.
“It’s like following a disaster like a cyclone or bushfires, after you have had all this emotional support and that support ends, then what happens? People wonder, ‘How do I restart my life’?
“What’s happened with society post-COVID is people are thinking, ‘What’s going to happen next? What’s the next bad thing that will happen?’
“COVID has left some kids and teenagers feeling absolutely vulnerable. If they’re in a family which has compounded anxiety, as well as the stress of day-to-day living, that family unit could be ready to implode.”
Diana says the declining mental health of some young people and their parents have been exacerbated by external pressures and mental health triggers. These range from the cost of living – including the price of rent, petrol and food – to the war in Ukraine and global tensions with China.
“Uncertainty brings about anxiety. That’s what many young people, teenagers particularly, are having a lot of anxiety and panic attacks about: the unknown,” Diana said.
“We see a lot of families where parents have jobs, but they can’t afford to rent anywhere because of the lack of rental properties, and housing prices have increased so much.
“While the children may not understand any of it, they’re picking up on their parents’ negative energy, the way they talk and the way they interact with other people.”
Diana says children impacted by family breakdown and domestic violence are the “invisible victims and the collateral damage of an adult dilemma.”
“Parents tend to not want to overload their children with adult issues, but it seeps into the child’s world and all of a sudden they can’t focus while at school or make friends,” Diana explains.
“How do we help these children with issues such as parental separation if they don’t have coping mechanisms and they aren’t wired to deal with that emotional trauma?
“My goal is to make sure that we reach positive outcomes with each client so that when they’re ready to exit our service they’re in a better place mentally – and they have the strategies, skills and tools to be resilient.”
You still have a chance to join the Starlight Super Swim Challenge and get free access to North Lakes Aquatic Centre for the rest of February as you dive in and swim for a cause.
Starlight Children’s Foundation will be holding its fifth annual Super Swim in cooperation with the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo, taking place from 1 through 28 February 2023. The project aims to raise over $2 million to help bring a splash of happiness to the lives of more than 50,000 sick kids, supporting vital hospital services including Captain Starlight and Starlight Express Rooms nationally and community Wishgranting program.
The challenge is open to all Australians, regardless of age and fitness level, and they will be given the choice to do the Super Swim challenge at a location of their choice – their pool, a lake, or a local swim centre. What that means is that participants will be given free access during the month of February to 23 pools across the country, including North Lakes Aquatic Centre.
Speedo and their Aquatic Centre partners have collaborated to make this project possible.
Participants can track their distance, either manually or via the fitness app Strava, and encourage friends and family to show their support and donate for every kilometre or lap swum to help them reach their fundraising goal.
They will also receive continuous support throughout the challenge with fundraising and training tips and will be rewarded for their fundraising efforts with branded merchandise and other prize incentives.
Participants will be able to complete their swim challenge anytime throughout the February 1 – 28 timeframe.
“We’re delighted to be able to support Starlight’s Super Swim Challenge. Giving Australians free access to some local swimming pools means even those who don’t live by a beach or have a pool at home can participate and help raise vital funds to bring happiness to sick kids,” James Hickman from Speedo said.
“Starlight has a special place in my heart as it’s supported my family during some extremely tough days in the hospital,” Starlight Ambassador Brook Hanson OAM said.
“Whether it’s just a hand on your shoulder to say, ‘it’s okay’ or having a cup of tea in the Starlight Express Room, it really does make a difference and I’ve witnessed it firsthand.
So, this February I encourage you to grab your Speedos and join me for this year’s Super Swim. Together we can make a difference for sick kids and their families.”
Meanwhile, Starlight Louise Baxter said that being “seriously ill shouldn’t mean missing out on the joy of childhood. Especially when evidence shows happiness makes a difference to a child’s ability to cope and their long-term health outcomes.”
“Starlight,” he said, “ has been there for sick kids when they need it most and there are no fewer sick kids who need the fun, joy and laughter Starlight brings.”
“Super Swim participants will join a fundraising community of thousands as they attempt to beat their personal swimming goals and replicate the success of last year’s event, which raised over $2 million for Starlight.”
So hurry and sign up now whilst you still can! Click here to register or visit the Speedo team page here to donate.
Deception Bay childcare centres have scored well in the latest ranking of centres in Queensland that meet or even exceed industry standards, the latest research revealed.
KindiCare has just released its ranking of each childcare centre or service provider in Queensland with Everton Park Child Care and Development Centre in Everton Park taking the top spot with a KindiCare Rating of 9.9 and a National Quality Standard (NQS) Rating of “Excellent”.
Ashgrove Memorial Kindergarten Inc shares the distinction with similar scores: KindiCare rating of 9.9 and an “Excellent” NQS rating.
KindiCare is a two-sided marketplace platform for parents in early childhood education and care providers. Their KindiCare Rating is a unique rating system designed to show the relative quality, performance and customer satisfaction of individual childcare centres or service providers as compared to all childcare centres and services in Australia.
To assess the providers, factors including government service quality audits, ratings, reviews and trends; community feedback collated from various sources; the type of childcare service and the characteristics of the provider, centre and their offering; and the stability and length of their operation.
The KindiCare numerical ratings are as follows:
9.5 – 10 Outstanding
9.0 – 9.5 Excellent
8.5 – 9.0 Very Good
7.5 – 8.5 Good
5.0 – 7.5 Fair
5.0 and below Poor
NR: Not Rated
The KindiCare Rating is updated in real-time based on the data they hold about an early childhood education and care centre at that point in time.
Have you checked out BadBoys Cafe Narangba, the new cafe inside Narangba Eagles Football Club? The cafe had a soft launch month in February and will officially open its doors to club members and guests on 1 March 2023.
In a social media post, the club expressed their excitement about the partnership with BadBoys Cafe, owned and operated by Scott Wheeler.
Eagles President Darren Magin said the partnership with Mr Wheeler is just the first of the club’s new community partnerships to be announced this year.
Photo credit: BadBoys Doughnuts Zillmere/Facebook
“It’s no secret that everybody behind the scenes at Narangba Eagles is a volunteer and even though we’re a large club, we struggled last year to attract more than a handful of volunteers to help,” said Mr Magin.
Mr Magin said having Mr Wheeler and his team running the kitchen as a professional cafe will enable the committee to focus their attention on other areas, projects and developments.
Similar to the one at Zillmere Eagles Football Club, the BadBoys Cafe in Narangba will cater to all dietary requirements. Besides the vegan and plant-based options, they will also have coeliac-friendly meals, as well as menu items free from dairy, nuts, egg, and yeast.
All items on the menu, including their famous doughnuts, will be made fresh and not processed. Aside from the doughnuts which come in flavoured sugar options, they will also offer raw protein bars, brownies, and waffles.
Photo credit: BadBoys Doughnuts/Facebook
The one in Narangba will be one of two venues planned by Mr Wheeler for the Moreton Bay region, with one set to open at the Moreton Bay Lions Football Club in Burpengary.
Narangba Eagles Football Club is located along Harris Ave, Narangba. They currently operate on weekends for the soft launch. Stay tuned on their Facebook page for more information about the cafe’s grand opening.
Did you know that North Lakes could soon have its own Jungle Adventure Play centre? The operator of the largest indoor play centre in Queensland has submitted a development application for its plans to establish its second venue on McLennan Court.
Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au
Jungle Tribe Pty Ltd submitted its development plans last 9 January 2023 to seek approval to establish its latest play centre on a 9,945 sqm site located at 2 Mclennan Court in North Lakes. The facility will be a two-level building with its ground floor having a total floor area of 2,428 sqm and 1,377 sqm on level 1.
Floor plan – ground floor | Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au
Like its sister location, the new centre will offer a number of indoor activities and apparatuses for all ages. It is likely to operate seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm with extended hours on Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm.
Floor plan – level 1 | Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council / moretonbay.qld.gov.au
The Tingalpa facility opened in 2021 at 31 Proprietary Street and features obstacles and climbing walls including Mini Golf Safari, The Gorilla Warrior, Tribal Climb, Jungle Canopy High Ropes and The Hawk.
The site has a fully-licensed cafe where parents can grab a bite and a fresh barista-made coffee whilst watching kids explore the various attractions. And there’s also a restaurant where the family can enjoy a hearty meal.
Jungle Adventure Play Tingalpa also offers customisable party packages and exclusive venue hire with in-house catering and bar tabs for larger gatherings like corporate events and company Christmas parties.
