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Car Theft Statistics in North Lakes, Other Moreton Bay Suburbs Revealed

How safe are North Lakes residents from car theft? The latest Queensland Police statistics reveal the rate of unlawful use motor vehicle offences in the Moreton Bay Region suburbs.

From January 2017 to October 2020, Mango Hill North Lakes recorded a total of 440 unlawful use of motor vehicle offences, of which 87 offences were reported in 2020, so far.

Top-ranking Caboolture had a total of 1,130 unlawful use of motor vehicle offences, averaging 24.56 per month. Following Caboolture are Petrie and Redcliffe with each having a total 781 and 736, respectively.

Division	2017	2018	2019	2020	Total
Bribie Island	28	34	43	30	135
Burpengary	116	104	189	83	492
Caboolture	244	287	339	260	1130
Deception Bay	74	78	135	69	356
Mango Hill North Lakes	85	117	151	87	440
Petrie	169	201	246	165	781
Redcliffe	139	170	241	186	736
Total	855	991	1344	880	4070

Data from Queensland Police Map and Statistics

From January to October 2020, Caboolture recorded 260 offences followed by Redcliffe with 186 and Petrie with 165. Moreover, from January 2017 to October 2020, more than 4,000 unlawful use of motor vehicle offences were reported in Moreton Bay. Almost 900 offences were reported, so far, for 2020.

Meanwhile, Deception Bay recorded an increase of reported unlawful use of motor vehicle offences from 78 in 2018, rising to 135 in 2019. Whilst Redcliffe reported 170 offences in 2018 before climbing to 241 in 2019.

You may contact Policelink and provide information using the online suspicious activity form available 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting. Also, you can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers via crimestoppersqld.com.au available 24hrs per day.

Murrumba Downs Is Among Greater Brisbane Suburbs Where Unit Buying Is Cheaper Than Renting

Photo credit: Google Maps

In many Brisbane suburbs, including Murrumba Downs, mortgage repayment has become cheaper than rent, the latest research says.

The Aussie Core Logic Rent Versus Buy Report revealed that in approximately 70 per cent of the regional Queensland suburbs, it is cheaper to buy than to rent. And while it is true for all property types, the trend is mostly seen in units and houses in locations where prices are $300,000 and below.

Apart from rising rent cost in a number of towns and suburbs, Aussie CEO John Symond said that the trend is mostly triggered by record low interest rates coupled with lower property values and tight rental supply.

The research used discounted variable rate and a three year fixed rate to compare median rental cost with monthly mortgage repayments. It also assumed a loan-to-value ratio of 90 per cent with a 10 per cent deposit and the life of the loan at 30 years.

In Greater Brisbane, Browns Plains and Oxley is where unit buyers could save the most. According to the research, mortgage repayments in these locations are cheaper than renting by more than $500. Following Browns Plains and Oxley are Waterford West, Springwood, Richlands, Beenleigh, Murrumba Downs, Eagleby, Logan Central, and Woodridge.

According to realestate.com.au, the median unit rent in Murrumba Downs is $430 per week, based on 58 unit listings from 1 Nov 2019 – 06 Nov 2020 whilst the median unit price is $273,500 based on 34 unit sales from 1 Nov 2019 – 06 Nov 2020.

Meanwhile, Kilcoy is where house buyers could realize the biggest savings, almost $470 cheaper than monthly rent costs. Kilcoy is followed by Woodridge, Kingston, Logan Central, Goodna, Macleay Island, Slacks Creek, Laidley, Russell Island, and Leichhardt.

Overall, the research revealed that 29.3 per cent of Brisbane suburbs offer families more savings by having a mortgage on a house rather than renting a house. That could still rise to 63.3 per cent of Brisbane suburbs when a three-year-fixed rate mortgage is applied.

As for units, families could save more on unit mortgages in 76 per cent of Brisbane suburbs and 97 percent when a three-year-fixed rate mortgage is applied.

Using a discounted variable rate, the average mortgage repayment on units is $134 per month cheaper compared to monthly rental payments. The difference could still go up to $379 a month cheaper if a three-year-fixed rate mortgage is applied.

Updates on 3 New Shopping Centre Development Near North Lakes

North Brisbane is bustling with a trio of shopping centre developments. The significant commercial sites to watch out for are in the North Lakes area — the Dakabin Shopping Centre, Kallangur’s Murrumba Village complex and the Narangba Heights Shopping Centre.

Dakabin

Woolworths Dakabin is set to open Stage One on 19 Aug. 2020. The 3,300 sqm site’s specialty stores, as well as a child care centre, a service station, and health service shops, are set for Stage Two of the opening in October.

The commercial centre is conveniently accessible via train stations within the 5 km radius: Dakabin station, Narangba station (3.6 km), Kallangur station (3.9 km), Murrumba Downs station (4 km), and the Petrie station (4.5 km). It’s also accessible to the North Lakes community via the M1 motorway.

Kallangur

Moreton Bay Council approved the development of a shopping village in Kallangur in 2019. Construction will officially begin for a Fresh and Save supermarket in September 2020.

The supermarket is just one part of the massive commercial and residential development in the areas around Anzac Ave, Brays Road and Cecily St. The plan is to develop a Murrumba Village complex that will also include a health and medical precinct, child care facility, playground, and heaps of retail shops and restaurants.

These sites have target opening dates for October 2021 but the childcare facility might be ready by July next year.

*Photo Credit: PD Online/Moreton Bay Council*

Aside from Fresh and Save, other confirmed tenancy include Palace Kebabs, On A Roll, SG Cafe, and Liquorland. Also moving in are a laundromat, barbershop and salon, and a pick-up centre for the Australian Post. The shopping complex will replace the Tulip Town shopping centre demolished in 2003.

This development comes on the heels of the completion of Stage 1 of a townhouse complex development, which has reportedly sold out.

Narangba

Earthworks at the site of the Narangba Heights Shopping Centre was completed in May and residents are likely seeing the first level construction of the new site. Located around the corner of Sovereign Drv and Oakey Flat Rd, this centre will have Coles supermarket aside from restaurants and retail stores. Oxmar Properties is in the process of locking in tenants.

New Plans for Petrie’s Old Village Motors Transformation Unveiled

Plans to redevelop the old Village Motors car yard on Anzac Ave in Petrie have been submitted to the Moreton Bay Council as part of a massive CBD development and expansion of the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). The proposed new building could soon be the home of incoming USC students, as well as a leisure spot for local residents.

The complex from Longfield Land Company Pty Ltd will stand on 1059 Anzac Ave and will include a 160-room student tower. The residential site will also have rows of shops and restaurants, healthcare center, gym, tavern, some offices and a Woolworths supermarket.

The developer plans to include a pedestrian connection from this building to the proposed USC Moreton Bay campus extension. Additionally, the complex development will also have landscaping, street frontages and better access to Anzac Ave.

Colbury Pty Ltd, who owns the Village Motors land, gave their consent to develop the site in May 2019.

“The development supports student living, with easy access to the on-site supermarket, cafe, tavern, gym, medical practitioners and retail shops and in proximity to existing shops, restaurants and services within the surrounding area,” the development application underscored.

The Council, however, is still awaiting a reply from the developer with regards to some issues with the development application and they have until the end of September 2020 to address the concerns.

Last Call For Drinks! White Brick Brewing Closes In North Lakes

North Lake’s White Brick Brewing will tighten its taps and make its last call for drinks on Sunday, July 12, as its owner confirmed in a social media post that the business will be shutting down for good.

In a post on Facebook, White Brick Brewing’s owner, Adam Gibb, said that COVID-19 hit the business hard.

“We have been unable to find a workable solution to go forward,” Mr Gibb’s message stated. “It has been an amazing almost 3 years, and I am so very humbled by all the support and friendships we have made from so many of you. We have achieved some great things due to your support and encouragement.”

Mr Gibb said that they availed of the government’s support for community businesses and also did JobKeeper. Ultimately, however, the stimulus package wasn’t enough to pay for the costs of rent, staff wages and other needs for maintaining a brewery.

Though White Brick craft products were also sold in 22 bottle shops across Brisbane, the retail sales were also down as customers preferred buying budget bulk beer during this crisis. Other bars and restaurants who served White Brick also ceased trading.

*Photo Credit: White Brick Brewing/Facebook*

In May, Mr Gibb was one of the most vocal Brisbane business owners who said that clubs, pubs and restaurants will not survive the stringent reopening restrictions, such as limiting customers to 10 patrons.

Mr Gibb is putting his business up for sale and he’s hoping that a new brewer will step up to the challenge.

White Brick Brewing opened in November 2017 and won commendations from the Australian International Beer Awards.

North Lakes Peacocks: Community Torn Over Moving Muster Of Peafowls

Should Moreton Bay Council start moving its most splendid but sometimes noisy prowlers, the North Lakes peacocks, away to a different place? It’s a question that has been raised by the community in recent weeks amidst a muster of peafowls roaming, sneaking and scavenging the streets.

Paul Martin of the Coochie Hydrogreen Lawn Care caught sight of the party one early morning as he was working in a client’s home. About 10 peacocks were running towards him and he braced for an attack.

But the peacocks only strolled past Mr Martin, who described the muster he encountered as “very tame.” It was the first time Mr Martin witnessed the strange but beautiful sight, one that he said felt like a dream.

His client told him that some residents love seeing the peacocks in the neighbourhood and would happily feed the fowls.

On Facebook, residents have been sharing their peacock sightings.

“We have about 15 living in our neighbourhood. They just roam from house to house marching down the road and get fed by many. We love them!”

“They come round almost every arvo and keep the yard bug free for us.”

But not everyone is impressed by these birds. The peacocks have apparently been ruffling feathers by causing traffic to stall or damaging cars, gardens and rooftops.

“When the buggers dig the yard up, tear out anything you plant and carry on on the roof they are not fun. Have over 50 running around.”

The council has been receiving increasing complaints from the residents thus it might be time to consider relocating these colorful pheasants in the nearby bushland. According to reports, the council is assessing a potential new home with the help of the RSPCA.

Though the North Lakes peacocks have endeared themselves to the residents, it could raise more problems in the future as either pheasant or humans might end up getting injured in the next accidental encounter. Feeding the birds human food may also have long-term health effects.

The North Lakes peacocks were formerly residents of the Alma Park Zoo in Dakabin. The zoo closed down in 2014 and while most of the animals have been relocated, the peacocks remained.

Concept Plans Released, Upgrade to Double the Parking Capacity at Mango Hill Train Station

Two years after a federal election promise was made to upgrade the parking capacity of one of Greater Brisbane’s busiest train stations, some measure of progress can now be seen, as concept plans for two new parking areas in Mango Hill station have now been released for community feedback.

The new plans propose two new parking lots with an additional 200 slots, which will bring the total capacity of the station parking up to 400, double the current number.

The location of the new parking lots had previously been the subject of much controversy, when locals expressed concern in 2018 that the land chosen for the new parking lots would be sold and become the site of a residential-commercial development called the “Transit-Oriented Development.”

Previous announcements have been made, assuring the public that the Federal Government has locked in a budget of $4 million for the new car parking at Mango Hill station.

The federal funding is part of Urban Congestion Fund’s $244.25 million investment in South East Queensland.

One of the Busiest Stations in the Network

Mango Hill train station is one of the busiest in the network. Every day, regular commuters leave their cars at a dirt parking lot beside the station whose 200-car capacity is unfortunately not enough. The lot quickly fills up early in the morning and stays that way until commuters return later in the day.

“If you catch the train regularly, you’ll know how hard it is to get a park at the Mango Hill Train Station during peak commuter hours,” Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth MP said.

“Mango Hill is at capacity during normal peak periods and there is minimal on-street parking around the station. This upgrade will not only boost parking but strip hundreds of cars off the road,” Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge also said.

According to Mr Tudge, estimates put the cost of congestion in Australia’s capital cities at $25 billion per year, projected to reach $40 billion by 2030.

“The Urban Congestion Fund is helping to deliver a more reliable road network for commuters and freight, and support critical access to employment centres and freight hubs,” he explained.

“This is as much about hitting those local traffic headaches as it is about the major highways,” he added.

The concept plans are up for public comment until the 5th of June, 2020.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said that detailed plans will soon follow, along with an overall cost summary and construction schedule.

The project is slated for completion in 2021.

$2.1-B ‘Moreton Connector’ Arterial Road Project Set to Ease North Brisbane Congestion

Plans for a new arterial road, dubbed the “Moreton Connector,” have been revealed by the state government. The project is part of a $2.1-billion package aimed at busting congestion and easing travel for North Brisbane and Moreton Bay commuters.

The project involves redesigning the Gateway Motorway, Bruce Highway and Gympie Road interchange near Bald Hills and other upgrades.

The proposed arterial would link Dohles Rocks Road at Murrumba Downs to Anzac Avenue in Mango Hill. New northbound ramps will be built to service the Bruce Highway and Dohles Rocks Road interchange.

$23-B Over the Next Four Years

The $2.1-billion project is part of a record amount of $23 billion allocated by the Queensland government as part of the infrastructure investment on state roads and transport over the next four years.

“The Federal Government is eager to look at what jobs we can create and what projects we have across Queensland,” a statement from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has given assurances that funding has been “locked” for the planned upgrades in Brisbane’s northside.An estimated 80 percent of the funds have been set aside by the federal government and the state government is expected to provide funds for the rest.

“The Gateway Motorway, Bruce Highway and Gympie Road in this part of Brisbane’s outer northern suburbs collectively carry about 310,000 vehicles a day. We have the blueprint to deliver significant improvements to major roads right across the northern reaches of Brisbane,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.

Emphasis is being made in transforming Brisbane’s northern gateway by redesigning the interchange and building the new arterial road because of the heavy vehicular traffic the region experiences every day, easily 100,000 more than the volume of traffic on the busiest section of the M1, according to Mr Bailey.

The project will be a three-way collaboration between the federal government, the state government, and Moreton Bay Regional Council.

“The next step is for us to get all three levels of government together so we can get work started as soon as possible,” Mr Bailey said.

Dakabin Station Upgrade To Improve Access To North Lakes & Surrounds

Work has commenced on the proposed upgrades to Dakabin train station, a significant transport hub that provides access to and from North Lakes and surrounds.

Residents have been saying, for years, that the station needed to be upgraded to make it more accessible to more people. Commuters have also lamented the lack of adequate parking facilities. Access improvements and parking facilities are now part of the improvement plan; but not another item found on the residents’ wish list: a bus station.

Despite its importance to the local community, would you believe that there has never been a proper bus connection at the Dakabin train station? Residents have been requesting it for years. Nevertheless, the train station upgrade includes the provision of space for a bus connection.

Helping the Local Economy

At the recent sod-turning ceremony, Murrumba MP Steven Miles said that aside from fixing the parking and accessibility issues at the station, the Dakabin upgrade helps boost the local economy through the creation of up to 250 additional jobs in the market due to the ongoing construction.

He said that this comes as welcome news during a period of increasing employment insecurity. Likewise, the local economy will be positively impacted. People will be able to have easier mobility, once the station is done. Housing values will also be positively impacted.

QLD Rail Station Accessibility Upgrade Program

The works are part of the Queensland Rail Station Accessibility Upgrade Program . Under this program, the Government is investing $357 million to improve accessibility at South East Queensland train stations.

An additional $57 million has been committed for an additional six stations, from Fairfield to Salisbury (F2S), to be delivered as part of the Cross River Rail project.

Through these updates, customers with disabilities, the elderly, parents with prams, people with injuries or even simply those carrying luggage, will be able to use the station with ease and independence.

What are the improvements?

Features of the upgrade include:

a new pedestrian footbridge with lift access
raised section of platform encompassing the core zone and assisted boarding point
improved accessible parking
upgraded hearing augmentation loops and tactile platform surfaces
upgraded security cameras and lighting around the core zone
new wayfinding and platform signage around the core zone
new multi-storey parking facility to replace the existing carpark on Thompson Road carpark.

Queensland Rail is working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads on the additional parking facility and a new bus interchange.

This is a welcome development because according to Queensland Rail, “patronage statistics show 78 percent of Queensland Rail’s customers travel to and from independently accessible stations in South East Queensland.” Patronage data also shows that more than 84 percent of customers will be traveling to and from independently accessible stations.

Our Medical Home Soon to Open in North Lakes

Construction of a new medical centre located at 42 North Lakes Drive, opposite Westfield North Lakes, is now underway and is due for completion after mid-2020.

Our Medical Home North Lakes will have a “gross floor area of 1,594 sqm and will be constructed along the North Lakes Drive and Lakefield Drive frontages to activate the road frontages at what is a prominent intersection along North Lakes Drive,” the I.B. Town Planning report said.

Photo Credit: pdonline.moretonbay.qld.gov.au / YSquared Architects

Our Medical Home North Lakes will become part of Cornerstone Health’s network of medical centres spread across outer metro Sydney and Melbourne and South-East Queensland.

Photo credit: pdonline.moretonbay.qld.gov.au / YSquared Architects

The new medical centre will operate 7 days a week and will offer essential health services including bulk billing GPs, dental, pathology, radiology, pharmacy, allied health and specialists, as well as a full dental clinic – a first for Our Medical Home.

Photo credit: pdonline.moretonbay.qld.gov.au / YSquared Architects

Read: Mango Hill State Secondary College is Coming to Life

The development will provide 67 on-site car parking spaces, as well as an ambulance bay and a loading bay for service vehicles to be situated directly adjoining the rear of the building. Entrance to the car parking area contains boom gates to control access to the site.

“We invest in Australian communities by providing healthcare service where and when it’s needed most; with a focus on growth areas with high demand. As one of the fastest-growing areas of Queensland, North Lakes fits this profile perfectly,” Henry Bateman, Cornerstone Health’s CEO and Managing Director said.

“We’re proud to be setting new benchmarks and increasing access to quality primary healthcare for all. We are currently recruiting local doctors and dentists to join our new North Lakes practice in 2020”.

Read: North Lakes Selected for New HEMS Pilot Trial