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New Fire Station to Be Built on Steel Street

For years, the North Lakes and Mango Hill community have been lobbying for a new fire station as the nearest services still come from bordering suburbs, taking some time to reach emergency situations. Now, plans to build the facility are finally taking shape as a suitable site has been determined by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (QFES).

The new fire station is a 5,000-sqm property on Steel Street near Boundary Road. QFES said that the location’s access to major roads was vital to the decision.

Following a lot of mapping and deliberation, with inputs from advocates for the fire station’s establishment, such as the Mango Hill Progress Association (MHPA), the QFES said that this site will give “best responses to particular calls for service.” On the other hand, the State Government also supported the need for fire service for North Lakes and Mango Hill and purchased the land. Funding was approved in October 2020.

Highlights

A 5,000-sqm property on Steel Street will be the site of the new fire station
It was chosen for its access to major roads in North Lakes and Mango Hill.
Planning and design of the new facility will take at least 12 months.

“The land has been purchased for a new Fire & Rescue Station to service North Lakes/Mango Hill and the surrounding areas,” Minister for Fire and Emergency Services and State Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said.

“To be called ‘Moreton Bay Central Fire & Rescue Station,’ the new station located at Steel Street (near Boundary Road) will greatly enhance emergency responses and support community safety.

“Many thanks to local groups like the Mango Hill Progress Association and local MPs Chris Whiting, Steven Miles and Shane King for their strong advocacy for this project.”

Mr Ryan also said that the next phase of the plan, which will roll out in the next 12 months, is to go through the design process and planning. Once approved, the construction timeline will be revealed to the public.

In an earlier meeting with MHPA, State Member Chris Whiting projected that the new fire station will likely be built by 2024.

North Lakes Local Enjoys Birthday in New Specialist Disability Accommodation

Luke used to stay at an aged care facility following a life-changing diagnosis of Huntington’s Disease. This North Lakes local turned 40 recently and for the first time in seven years, was able to celebrate his birthday in his own home, under the Specialist Disability Accommodation program.

Luke has been living with Huntington’s disease for a decade, which has taken his abilities to walk, speak and live independently. However, for the first time since moving in and out of care facilities, he was able to enjoy a different kind of birthday party in his new and more appropriate Youngcare North Lakes apartment with his family.

According to his Aunt Kaye, Luke didn’t like living in aged care, despite receiving medical attention and support.

“He wouldn’t engage in any of the activities whatsoever. He wouldn’t even go out into the dining room. The poor kid just lived in his room,” Kaye said.

The family has been trying to find Luke a more appropriate accommodation when Youngcare’s SDA program rolled out in North Lakes with the construction of the housing accommodation in 2020. The new site can take in 14 young people who may be stuck in a living arrangement that cannot fully support their physical, mental and social needs.

In early 2021, Luke became one of the first residents to move in when the facilities opened. According to Youngcare CEO Anthony Ryan, about 130 residences are still set for launch within the next three years in Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast.

“While tens of thousands of young people are eligible for SDA funding, there is still a phenomenal gap in supply of appropriate accommodation,” Mr Ryan said. “We’re working hard to redefine the concept of integrated living and provide a voice that empowers change in the wider disability sector, and ensures the 12,000 young Australians with high care needs — 2,500 of whom are Queenslanders — feel at home and free to participate in their community.”

To learn more about Youngcare’s SDA, visit their official site or enquire via Youngcare Connect on 1800 844 727.

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers to Open New Branch in North Lakes

Did you know that the renowned Gnoccheria and Italian restaurant chain Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers is finally coming to Westfield North Lakes?

Founded by Ben Cleary-Corradini and Theo Roduner, Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers started out as a two-person market stall in Brisbane that served fresh, hand-made gnocchi before evolving into Australia’s first-ever dedicated Italian Gnoccheria in Paddington. Now, the restaurant has become a chain with branches all across the country, with one scheduled to open in Westfield North Lakes sometime in 2021.

The restaurant takes pride in how it uses local produce to create light and fluffy potato gnocchi — their specialty and signature dish. The gnocchi used at each and every one of their branches are made fresh daily. Their sauce is also created using ingredients sourced locally such as farmers markets.

Photo credit: Instagram/gnocchignocchibrothers

Residents of North Lakes can expect to see a variety of gnocchi-based dishes and indulge themselves with meals such as the Wild Mushroom and Truffle Sauce, which consists of fresh gnocchi served with delicious creamy sauce and slow-cooked mushrooms in cream, garlic, onions, and Italian herbs and spices drizzled with truffle oil.

Those with dietary restrictions can also treat themselves to their specialty Vegan Gnocchi — a dish comprised of potato and white flour gnocchi served with rich and spicy cherry tomato, sweet capsicum, garlic, onion, chili, and black olive sauce.

The upcoming Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers North Lakes branch can be found at Westfield North Lakes, North Lakes Drive, North Lakes. For more information, visit their website here. Follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and special announcements concerning the restaurant.

North Lakes Local Strives to Become a Special Olympics Ambassador

A 29-year-old North Lakes tennis and swimming champion is working hard to achieve his dreams as a Special Olympics Ambassador. Tim Gould couldn’t be more grateful to get the support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to help him with his goal.

Tim has been working with an NDIS support worker for his regular speech therapy sessions so he can improve his communication skills, a vital requirement as a Special Olympics Ambassador. The champ is also planning to earn his coaching qualifications so he can pay it forward and train children and people with disabilities.

Some 13 years ago, Tim developed his passion for tennis and learned to love the game even more because he met good friends along the way. He is privileged to belong to Tennis Australia’s elite training program.

His drive to improve also allowed him to compete in the Special Olympics Australia and the world championships, becoming the world number one in the Intellectual Impairment Division 2. Tim’s mother, Jenny, said that his goal to support other budding tennis aspirants makes him continually involved in the sport as he gets older since he “doesn’t know how long he can continue playing for.”

Aside from tennis, however, Tim is also an avid swimmer and won the gold at the 2019 World Games in the 4 X 100m freestyle relay. His NDIS support workers have assisted him in the swim squad training.

Tim also works at the Arethusa College and has his NDIS support workers as his guide.

“Tim loves working there, where he is valued as a person and is accepted as one of the staff,” his mother said. “He is growing so much since accessing the NDIS.”

If you need NDIS support just like Tim or know someone with a disability who could be eligible, get in touch with Carers Queensland by phone 1300 999 636, or by email at cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au

Proposal for New Mango Hill Shopping Centre Approved

Did you know that the development application calling for the construction of a new shopping centre in Mango Hill has been approved by the Moreton Bay Regional Council and construction is now underway?

The two-storey shopping centre designed by Cottee Parker can be found along Capestone Boulevard, offering the local community a slew of tenancies such as specialty stores, a pharmacy, a gym, retail spaces, restaurants and cafes, and even a supermarket.

Though plans were first lodged (DA/31921/2016/V2C) in 2019. On the 11th of December 2020, the development application has since undergone some changes (DA/31921/2016/VCHG/2) before being approved by the council once again.

Ground level tenancies will include a supermarket that spans an area of 2,044 square metres and a series of specialty stores that take up 872 square metres. Dining and cafe tenancies 389 square metres large will also be available after the shopping centre’s construction, as will medical stores and pharmacies with an area of 610 square metres.

Photo credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council

Fortunately for families, the upcoming shopping centre caters to the recreational needs of all ages, with pedestrian walking areas that make for a leisurely strolling experience while providing children with an accessible playground area to play and interact with one another.

As for the upcoming shopping centre’s first level, the floor will house an 855 square metre gym and amenities, as well a 504 square metre segment of the building dedicated to commercial and medical stores.

The area of the new shopping centre, which can be found at 67 Capestone Boulevard, Mango Hill, has been measured to be1.23 hectares large, providing a total of 5,241 square metres of gross floor area. 151 car parking spaces will be available on the ground level.

Ultimately, an area of 3,403 square metres will be used for specialty shops, pharmacy, gym, medical, commercial, restaurants, cafes and amenities all throughout the site.

Large Public Park Planned for North Lakes Golf Course Residential Development

The managing director of a future retirement village planned at the former North Lakes Golf Course has revealed that the majority of the 68-hectare property will become a public park, whilst only 12 hectares will be used for the dwelling and aged care accommodation.

Justin Harrison of the Village Retirement Group (VRG), who bought the controversial property in 2019, said that the potential construction of the retirement facility will still include plenty of green spaces. His statement comes after North Lakes locals have been protesting the golf course’s closure and the replacement of the fairways as an aged care site full of buildings.

From Lensworth to Stockland to VRG

In 2000, Lensworth owned and managed the land where the North Lakes Golf Course was established and developed a master plan for the suburb. This included building an exclusive residential site within an 18-hole championship golf course.

A few years later, Lensworth became part of the property developer, Stockland, in an $846-million acquisition deal. Property owners living within the surrounds of the North Lakes Golf Course said that they were attracted to Stockland’s marketing pitch of owning a home that sits within the view of the green fairways.

Later, Stockland sold the course to a private operator, Global Sports North Lakes, whilst the site continued to be a community hub. In 2019, the golf course was abruptly closed as residents were shocked to learn that Global Sports sold the land to JH Northlakes, Mr Harrison’s aged care development firm, and then officially closed the fairways in August that same year.

Retirement Village Review Process

Dave Laner, the general manager of Stockland Queensland, said they were made aware of the intention to sell the property at the same time as the residents, triggering a review process with the Moreton Bay Regional Council and the stakeholders.

The Council consulted an independent legal time to determine whether it’s feasible to have a retirement village as opposed to sticking to an original plan to have an exclusive residential precinct in the golf course.

The residents, some of whom have formed the Save North Lakes Golf Course group, have been hoping that the golf course will be retained, as it was originally part of the master plan for the suburb.

Today, however, that green space has been riddled with weeds as VRG could not proceed with the development due to the protests, consultations, and discussions with Moreton Bay Regional Council on the future of the site.

Photo Credit: Vanessa Ropiha/Google Maps

However, Mr Harrison acknowledged that the residents continue to use the space even though it is privately owned, thus highlighting the need for a public park.

Following a series of legal consultations, the Council declared in March 2021 that a retirement village project could proceed on the said site. VRG, however, has not yet lodged a development application with Moreton Bay Regional Council.

Mr Harrison said that their next important step was to turn over part of the land to the Council and his company would be meeting with concerned officials to discuss the process.

Calls for Building North Lakes Fire Station Renewed After Tragic Death of 75-Year-Old Resident

Calls to build a North Lakes fire station have been made again after a 75-year-old resident perished in a blaze that reduced her house to ashes whilst she was trapped inside.

Some 30 firefighters and emergency services personnel tried to put out the fire, which happened in the morning of Friday, 9 April 2021, on Harvey Street. Initial investigations revealed that the fire immediately engulfed the home of Precy Hopyek, a Filipina immigrant. The Queensland Police Service is also investigating if there was foul play involved.

Neighbours also tried to help the victim out but the fire had been so intense. Her animals, however, got out in the nick of time and are now under the care of animal services.

North Lakes locals and members of the Mango Hill Progress Association have been asking for their own fire station since 2016 as the nearest services are in Deception Bay, Petrie, Kippa-Ring or Burpengary. It takes longer for fire services in these locations to respond to emergencies in the suburbs bordering North Lakes, Mango Hill and Griffin, which has over 40,000 residents.

The residents said that the element of time is crucial in saving a victim’s life thus they have renewed calls to allocate funds for the North Lakes fire station from the state budget, in the soonest, including purchasing land or property to build this facility.

The Queensland Government has approved funding for the fire station in 2020 after State Labor MP for Bancroft Chris Whiting said that they will build a fire station as part of an election promise. He said that the services will be “operational within 2-3 years.”

Mr Whiting expressed his sympathy for the family of the victim and updated that the project to build a fire station is currently in the land acquisition and planning stage.

Dakabin Chef Shifts Gears to Become a Home Economics Teacher

Rose Gray, a Dakabin-based veteran chef and a proud mother, is the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship from the King and Amy O’Malley Trust. Working as a teacher’s aide as she studies at CQUniversity, Mrs. Gray aspires to use her expertise to become a teacher.

Having been in the culinary industry for 15 years, Mrs Gray is in the midst of retraining to become a teacher thanks to a special $5000 scholarship granted to her by the King and Amy O’Malley Trust. Currently, she resides in Dakabin, and is in her third year of her Bachelor of Education at CQUniversity.

Inspired by her husband’s journey to become a chef, her teachers, and the fact that two of her children have disabilities, Mrs Gray aims to use the training and expertise she’d accumulated over the years to further her educational career.

With her skills in the kitchen, in tandem with her experience as a teacher’s aide, Mrs Gray has been making steady progress towards becoming a Home Economics and Psychology teacher.

One of the primary reasons Mrs. Gray aims to teach Home Economics is because she wishes to teach a new generation of children all about inclusivity, which, in her words, is “…all about understanding people’s needs and addressing those needs”.

Currently, CQUniversity is the only university in all of Queensland that offers Home Economics as a holistic academic discipline. As a mother of two children with disabilities, Mrs. Gray believes Home Economics is essential for imparting the knowledge necessary to promote inclusion.

Important life skills can be taught in a fun and productive manner while simultaneously teaching children not to discriminate against people regardless of gender, learning ability, age, or culture.

One of the members of the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Home Economics, Dr Deagon, claims that people like Mrs. Gray are “…very important to the profession” as passionate teachers are essential with a subject about life skills.

Though she hasn’t become a teacher yet, she is well on the way to being one. She is currently working as a teacher’s aide and simultaneously committing to her studies as a student, all whilst balancing her work with her duties as a mother.

“I always get through a term and go wow, I can’t believe I managed to fit all of that in,” says Mrs. Gray.

Indeed, it’s only a matter of time until Rose Gray becomes one of the brightest, skilled, and most passionate teachers in not just Dakabin, but possibly all of Queensland.

Backyard Fire Pits: Public Consultation Opens as Moreton Bay Reviews Local Law

Backyard fire pits and outdoor barbeques might be appealing for some residents, especially when the autumn weather brings crisp, cool winds and brisk weather. Moreton Bay Regional Council is conducting a review of the local law prohibiting the use of backyard fire pits, in order to set a new standard for the benefit of the community in North Lakes and other suburbs in the region.

Currently, Moreton Bay Regional Council prohibits the lighting or maintaining of backyard fire pits or outdoor fires in properties with an allotment of less than 3,000 square metres, except if the fire is enclosed or contained in a pit, cooking device or fireplace.

As much as possible, locals may also only use clean, dry and non-toxic combustible materials for burning and the pit must also be completely “wetted down” or extinguished after use. Any resident lighting fires in the open is expected to inform their neighbours at least 48 hours before, either verbally or through a written message.

The law on backyard fire pits also requires a responsible person to be “in attendance” at all times until the fire is out.

The Council disallows the lighting of fires before 7:00 a.m. and at dusk, whilst fire pits at public lands, such as parks or beaches, are generally prohibited unless a written approval has been secured.

Residents who might have issues with the current law have until 30 June 2021 to submit their suggestions, comments and ideas about backyard fire pits, as well as 40 other local laws through the online survey or through email at local.laws@moretonbay.qld.gov.au. Also up for review are the Local Laws on animal control, advertising signs, public land activities, festivals and events, overgrown lawns, parking and community gardens.

Controversial North Lakes Golf Course Plan Now Eligible for Development

The controversial plan to rebuild the former North Lakes Golf Course into a retirement village can now proceed to the development planning stage. Though nothing has been lodged as of late, the project is one step closer towards realisation.

A proposal made by the Village Retirement Group in 2019 was the source of much community anxiety and disapproval. After two years of questioning the legality of building a retirement village on the golf course — because the course was part of the suburb’s master area plan — the verdict finally came, and the answer was yes.

Based on updates, the Village Retirement Group intends to create a retirement village and aged care facility on the site of the former North Lakes Golf Course. Since only a portion of the course will be used for the village, the retirement group plans to turn the leftover land into a public park and greenspace for the community to use.

Despite its legality, the plan is not without opposition. Some members of the North Lakes community have formed a community group dubbed Save North Lakes Golf Course to stand against the creation of the new retirement home.

One of the many reasons cited was that the golf course has always been a part of the area plan, contributing to the suburb’s beauty as well as its biodiversity.

The golf course is home to dozens of animal species such as kangaroos, echidnas, possums and koalas. With the destruction of the golf course to make way for a retirement village, these animals will lose not only their habitats, but their final chance to survive in a suburban environment.

Though no official development plans have been lodged, Moreton Bay Regional Council confirmed that the retirement village can legally be established on the North Lakes Golf Course. This does not necessarily mean, however, that the development plans have been approved.