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North Lakes – Mango Hill Area Among SEQ Suburbs with Highest Number of Births

The North Lakes – Mango Hill area is among the SEQ suburbs that registered the highest numbers of births in 2017 and one of the highest in terms of percentage of increase from 2011, the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics report revealed.

North Lakes – Mango Hill area delivered 527 babies in 2017, an increase of 43.98 percent from 2011 and almost 1 percent from 2016. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics report shows that despite the increase in number of births, fertility rate was down to 2.03 from 2.17 in 2011 and 2.10 in 2016.

Upper Coomera – Willow Vale recorded the highest number of births with 553, an 8.4 percent increase from 2011; TFR was also down from 2.48 in 2011 to 2.18 in 2017. The suburb of Pimpama in the northern part of Gold Coast, on the other hand, recorded a total of 374 births, which equates to a 466 percent jump from 2011 and 87.9 percent increase from 2016.

Declining Total Fertility Rate and Shift Towards Late Child Bearing

Globally, the average fertility rate is just under 2.5 per woman, which is already about half of what the global average was 50 years ago, according to the Our World in Data website. Furthermore, up to 1965, the global average fertility rate was about 5 children per woman and has since declined rapidly with some countries taking less than 25 years to fall from six to less than three children per woman.

Whilst reasons for the accelerating decline in fertility rate varies from country to country, the two influential factors for many of these places, according to Our World in Data — Max Roser’s study, are women’s empowerment and improved well-being and status of children. Apart from that, advancements in technology, economic changes, changing norms in society, and family planning, also play a role in the declining fertility rate.

To replace the mother and her partner, the current TFR required in Australia is around 2.10 babies per woman, the ABS report said. In 2017, there were a total of 61,158 births recorded in Queensland with a total fertility rate of 1.82, down from TFR of 2.09 recorded in 2011 and 1.86 in 2016. The national total fertility rate in 2017 was 1.74 down from 1.79 in 2016.

*Photo Credit: Australian Bureau of Statistics / abs.gov.au*

Among QLD LGAs, Brisbane recorded the most number of births with 14,598 (TFR 1.51), followed by Gold Coast 6,958 (TFR 1.67), Moreton Bay 5,539 (1.95), Logan 4,960 (TFR 2.15), and Ipswich 3,351 (TFR 2.15).

Of the total 309,142 births in Australia, 77.60 percent came from New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. The report showed that the fertility rate of women 35 and over is rising, a stark contrast to other age groups which are seen to be falling.

Photo Credit: Authentic Images / Pikwizard

For women aged 35-39, fertility rate has doubled in the past 30 years, whilst women aged 40-44 has tripled. Conversely, teenage fertility was down by almost 50 percent. However, women aged 30-34 still has the highest fertility rate with 25-29 age group coming in second.

The shift towards late childbearing, which contributed greatly to the rise in the median age of mothers, has resulted in the overall falling fertility rate in Australia, ABS Director of Demography — Anthony Grubb said.

New Primary School Flexi Campus to Open in Deception Bay Soon

Photo credit: picjumbo_com/Pixabay

The development application for a new primary school flexi campus at 45 Grosvenor Terrace, Deception Bay just received a green-light.

Edmund Rice Education Australia received an approval from the Moreton Bay Regional Council to push through with their proposed development, which will be called the Deception Bay Flexible Learning Centre.

Designed by Carol Dowd Architect, the soon-to-rise Deception Bay FLC will have two small classrooms to cater to primary aged students along with a 37.5-sqm general learning area, 14-sqm kitchen, and an 11-sqm “quiet room.”

Deception Bay Flexi Campus principal Paul Flanders said the flexi school was proposed in response to numerous inquiries about places for students that were expelled or unable to cope in mainstream primary school.

Mr Flanders is confident that the Deception Bay Flexible Learning Centre model can put these children, who are at risk of turning to a life of crime and drugs, back on the right track.

The learning centre will follow the existing flexi campuses’ model, which revolves around respect, honesty, participation, and safe and legal. The flexi school will also ensure that students are well fed by providing breakfast and lunch every day.

Meanwhile, Edmund Rice Education Australia has not confirmed if they will stick to the originally planned opening of the flexi campus in June 2019.

Once open, the primary school will cater to students Years 5 and 6 and will operate between 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Stockland To Build Retail Showroom and Warehouse on Stapylton Street in North Lakes

An underdeveloped site on Stapylton Street in North Lakes will soon become a retail showroom and warehouse area.

Stockland North Lakes Pty Ltd submitted its application to develop and improve the lot into a commercial centre in August 2018.

The Moreton Bay Regional Council approved the development of Lot 76 in November 2018. Aerial photography confirmed that the site on currently doesn’t have any buildings nor developments.

Under the proposed plan, the 4,000 square meters Lot 76 on Stapylton Street will be able to accommodate three tenancies showrooms with its own warehouse within a 1,733 square meter building. The commercial site will also provide 46 car parks for its visitors and guests.

*Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council*

The showrooms may comprise furniture, electrical goods, carpets, sporting goods, clothing, toys, and white goods like air conditioners, refrigerators, and stoves.

Construction has not yet begun in the property as of press time.

Deception Bay’s New Digital Platform Makes Exploring History More Interactive

Photo credit: Vanderven/Wikimedia Commons

A more enriching experience awaits visitors of Deception Bay as the Moreton Bay Regional Council recently launched a new digital platform to make exploring this area’s rich history more exciting and interactive.

The new Deception Bay Digital Heritage Trail web portal is filled with audio interviews and stories from locals and early residents. The site also hosts hundreds of historical photos that allow visitors to see what life was before this town became a bigger community.

Visitors taking a walk on the Captain Cook Parade can easily access the portal at designated points. To hear the stories and see the old photos would allow the guests to have an interactive experience during their trip to the heritage site.

The Bancroft family had a large meatworks site in the late early 1900s.
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council

A nostalgic view of Deception Bay before settlers built villages.
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council

Mary Otto and Viv Tucker helped develop the Deception Bay Digital Heritage Trail over 10 years ago. Since then, the Council has undertaken two successful trials at the Redcliffe Convict Trail and the Redcliffe Esplanade Walk.

Ms Otto, who’s originally from Liverpool in England, arrived in Deception Bay in 1971. She said that she has always been curious about the history of places, including Deception Bay.

Mary Otto, Viv Tucker and Councillor Peter Flannery worked together on the digital platform of Deception Bay Heritage Trail
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council

One of her earlier projects for the Deception Bay Heritage Trail involved the installation of the plaques at the Bancroft family’s bathing site. She actively worked on this project with the members of the Deception Bay Cultural Development Group and she discussed the 2004 archaeological excavation of the bath in one of the audio presentations on the new digital trail.

Ms Otto is grateful for technology for making it easier to bring history to the present generation. As a history buff, she loves going to the Pine Rivers Museum where there are interesting electronic maps and buttons that list the descendants of the pioneers, who speak about their ancestors.

The Deception Bay Heritage Trail map shows all the stops
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council

Councillor Peter Flannery, who also contributed to this digitalisation project, agreed with Ms Otto on the value of technology to history.

“History is preserved by sharing stories like these and through technology, it can be relived and enjoyed for generations to come,” Cr Flannery said.

iPlay Australia Determined To Build Mega Games Centre In North Lakes

iPlay Australia is intent on building their warehouse-sized play centre in North Lakes, as previously announced in mid-2017.

Hopes were high for a 2018 opening which did not materialise but a company spokesperson said that work may start within 2019.

The mega centre will be built on the 1.5-hectare parcel of land owned by the entertainment firm at 10 North Lakes Drive, opposite the Westfield North Lakes Shopping Centre. It will be the biggest iPlay games centre that North Lakes or even the Gold Coast has ever seen, even bigger than Bunnings.

The games and activities venue will include dodgem cars, laser tag, tenpin bowling alleys, wall climbing, classic arcade games, trampolines, and modern technology activities.

There will also be dining options for families as well as facilities and space for those who plan to hold amazingly active birthday parties.

*Photo credit: iPlay Australia/Facebook*

iPlay Australia is known for its chain of arcades located throughout the country. The firm’s name has always been equated with fun, awesome and exciting activities.

In Queensland, iPlay has centres at the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Toowoomba and Redbank, with another planned for Ipswich.

Family interaction at iPlay centre — Family Interaction at an iPlay centre
*(Photo credit: iPlay Australia/Facebook)*

As locals would attest, North Lakes has a young demographic and is an accessible destination for people from different directions. This makes it the perfect location to set up the big centre.

Read also: North Lakes Continues to Bloom

The mega centre hopes to have a constructive effect on the interaction of families and a positive impact on the local economy as many families will be flocking to North Lakes.

With its completion, North Lakes will soon become the new destination for family fun and celebrations.

North Lakes: Magnet for Buyers Looking for Houses in Greater Brisbane

North Lakes attracted the most house buyers during the 12 months leading to October 2018, according to the Greater Brisbane’s top Suburbs for Sales Volume report.

The top 10 suburbs in terms of sales volume for houses and units, as reported by Domain Group, saw Brisbane City taking the top spot with sales volumes of 508 units and 27 houses over the past 12 months. North Lakes, however, was the top suburb for houses sold with a total of 450 houses changing hands, at the same time selling a total of 35 units.

As of May 2018, homesales.com.au reports the median price for houses in North Lakes at $494,135 whilst the median unit price is $359,314. House prices grew by 9.65 percent in the past three years and 1.93 percent last year. Unit prices growth is just as impressive with a 9.82 percent increase in the past three years. North Lakes’ total population is at 15,045, and the average income is at $936.

Other suburbs with outstanding house sales volume include Caboolture with 400, Morayfield with 394, Kallangur with 369, and Deception Bay with 308 houses sold. As for total units sold, South Brisbane came in second with 428 unit sales volume.
There is a renewed interest on blue-chip Coorparoo as well, as it sold 180 houses and 213 units for the same period. These numbers are indicative of a surge in demand that the suburb has not enjoyed in the last couple of years.

Greater Brisbane’s top Suburbs for Sales Volume in the 12 months to October 2018, according to Domain Group.

Suburb	House	Unit	Grand Total
Brisbane City	27	508	535
North Lakes	450	35	485
Morayfield	394	72	466
Kallangur	369	83	452
Caboolture	400	47	447
South Brisbane	14	428	442
Cleveland	324	91	415
Forest Lake	394	18	412
Coorparoo	180	213	393
Deception Bay	308	77	385

Oporto and Carl’s Jr: Now Serving at Rothwell Village

Burger-lovers, rejoice! Two burger chains have opened shop side-by-side, simultaneously on the 13th of December 2018 at the new Rothwell Village development. The former Redcliffe Produce store site is now home to US-based franchise Carl’s Jr and Oporto.

Carl’s Jr

Carl’s Jr’s December opening came just a few days after it began serving to Hope Island residents. The Rothwell Village store is its sixth freestanding drive-thru location in Queensland and its first location on the northside of Brisbane.

The Bansal Group, Carl’s Jr. Queensland franchisor, announced that it will continue its expansion with 15 additional stores to open in QLD this 2019.

Carl’s Jr is now serving its handmade menu classics such as Original Thickburger (chargrilled ⅓-lb 100% Angus Beef patty, melted American cheese, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, lettuce, mustard, mayo, and ketchup); Famous Star with Cheese (Chargrilled 100% Beef patty, melted American cheese, tomato, onions, dill pickles, mayo, special sauce on a seeded bun); and Chargrilled BBQ Chicken Sandwhich (Chargrilled chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, and tangy BBQ sauce on a seeded bun).

Other equally popular choices are Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Shakes, premium coffee, and breakfast sandwiches.

Carl’s Jr. from Carl’s Jr. Australia on Vimeo.

Carl’s Jr – Rothwell is open from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday – Wednesday and 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. Thursday – Saturday.

Oporto

Oporto, is also a freestanding drive-thru restaurant at Rothwell Village. Owned by Craveable Brands, this Portuguese-style franchise announced its big expansion plans for Queensland last 2018, aiming to double the number of stores to more than 30 stores over the next three years. After Burleigh Heads and North Lakes, Oporto is now bringing its signature flamed grilled Portuguese chicken and traditional chilli sauce to the good people of Rothwell.

Locals will now get to enjoy its range of mouth-watering burgers such as Bondi Burger (three fresh-grilled 100% chicken breast fillets, crisp lettuce, cheese, creamy mayo, and Oporto’s Original Chilli sauce); Long Bondi (two fresh-grilled 100% chicken breast fillets, crisp lettuce, cheese, creamy mayo and Oporto’s Original Chilli sauce on a long soft roll); and Chicken BLT Burger (two fresh-grilled 100% chicken breast fillets, sizzling bacon, fresh tomato, fresco lettuce mix, cheese and creamy mayo).

There are still other choices you would definitely need to try such as Portuguese Flame Grilled Chicken (flame-grilled flat and brush-basted with your choice of Chilli or Lemon and Herb sauce), Brekkie, and tasty desserts.

Oporto-Rothwell is open Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Rothwell Village is located at the corner of Deception Bay and Morris Road.

Giveaways are Up for Grabs as Taco Bell North Lakes Opens

Taco Bell fans, the long wait is over as the fourth Australian restaurant of the popular chain is finally opening its doors, just in time for the Christmas crowd.

Taco Bell North Lakes will open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, 15 December 2018. As part of the opening day party, the first 62 customers through the doors will be receiving limited edition merchandise. That’s not all, one lucky customer will even win free Taco Bell food for a year!

Customers can expect the crowd-favourite taco hats, games, and prizes as well as a music playlist from CrowdDJ.

Taco Bell North Lakes will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, and from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The drive-thru will open the following week.

Taco Bell’s Australian Expansion

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A post shared by Taco Bell Australia (@tacobellaus) on Dec 10, 2018 at 12:46am PST

The US fast-food giant is certainly ready to shake up the Mexican food scene in Australia and New Zealand as it plans to open 60 new locations across NSW, the ACT, and New Zealand by 2024 under the franchise operator Restaurant Brands. This is on top of Collins Foods‘ plans to open 50 stores across Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria by 2021.

Compared to other existing Mexican chains in Australia, Taco Bell offers more affordable quality Mexican food as their menu includes a $6.95 burrito which is lower than that of its rival Mexican restaurants.

Third time is definitely the charm for Taco Bell since their third attempt to invade the Australian market proves to be a success.

Kangaroo Bus Lines 4KQ Christmas Lights Tours 2018

Kangaroo Bus Lines is once again conducting their own 4KQ Christmas Lights tours this year.

The bus line’s 4KQ Christmas Lights tour dates will be on Friday, 21 December, Saturday, 22 December, and Sunday, 23 December 2018.

Kangaroo Bus Lines will be giving guests a tour of the north Brisbane suburbs’ amazing lights displays. Light supper and some Christmas treats will also be available onboard.

Photo credit: www.kangaroobuslines.com.au

Pick-ups for the bus tours will be from Caboolture Station, Caboolture Sports Club, Pine Village, KBL Burpengary Lounge, Bindawalla Stop, Deception Bay, North Lakes, and Redcliffe Uniting Church.

Bookings for the bus tours are essential. Tickets cost $39 for adults, $29 for children under 13 years, $36 for concession, and $99 for a family with two adults and two children.

Tours will be from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the given dates. Contact the Kangaroo Bus Lines on 1300 287 525 for further information, including the exact pick-up times, and to book.

North Lakes Locals Beware! QLD Has the Most Magpie Swooping Attacks Compared to Other Australian States

Statistics show that Queensland ranks as the top Australian state with the highest number of reported magpie swooping attacks in 2018, including those reported by North Lakes locals.

Photo Credit: Toby Hudson/Wikimedia Commons

For 2018, Magpie Alert!—a social website dedicated to tracking magpie swooping attacks against cyclists, runners, and walkers across Australia—has so far recorded a total of 3,599 reported attacks and 500 of which have resulted in injuries. Data and graphs are updated automatically to reflect the latest reports of magpie swooping attacks.

*Photo Credit: Magpie Alert/magpiealert.com*

Among Australian states, Queensland makes up 28.1 per cent of reported attacks followed by Victoria with 22.3% and New South Wales with 22.1 per cent.

More than half of the swooping attack happen to victims while riding their bikes at 66.9 per cent and 23.2 per cent while walking. Of those who reported the attacks, 13.9 per cent said that they were injured.

Magpie swooping attacks can result in skin injuries, eye injuries, and on rare instances, result in fatal outcome. However, many injuries are indirect results, such tripping over or falling off a bike. Magpie swooping attacks usually happen during the mating season, mostly from male birds trying to protect their young.

Magpie Alert! advises residents to be alert and pay attention to any magpie nesting sites, wear sunglasses and hat/helmet, and not to provoke these territorial magpies. Magpies are thought to have good memories. So, when you have already been attacked before, it is advisable to change route and not return to the same location.

Some actions you can take to discourage magpies from nesting in your yard, according to the Brisbane City Council:

do not feed magpies, ensure no scraps of food or rubbish are left lying around
remove unnecessary sources of water from the backyard (if magpies are causing nuisance)
do not remove nests or eggs and never touch a young bird. If you are concerned for the safety of the young, phone Council’s Nativa Animal Ambulance on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)
do not disturb the birds when there are fledglings in the nest
do not throw objects at the bird or destroy the nest as this will increase their defence efforts
expect an elevated level of swooping activity during the breeding season between June and December.