Get Green Solutions from Green Life Warehouse in North Lakes

Do you practice a reduce, reuse and recycle mindset? If you support going green and like anything organic, you might want to swing by this recently-opened North Lakes store, Green Life Warehouse, for more green solutions.



In business since late 2020, Green Life Warehouse on Finders Parade is the latest one-stop green shop to open for homes and small businesses in Brisbane. 

The store offers heaps of organic wholefood, earthy homeware and other innovative eco-friendly products that support the green lifestyle. Aside from top-of-the-line organic grocery items, they also have chemical-free cleaning products and earth-friendly packing and party supplies.

Photo Credit: Facebook
Photo Credit: Facebook

In between shopping at the warehouse, visitors may also dine at the cafe, which serves mostly vegan food, or take a few moments to chat with the friendly staff for more tips and advice on going green.

Photo Credit: Facebook

Green Life Warehouse also welcomes traders and resellers, especially for recycle and reusable items. The store prides itself as the Guardians of Green by conducting regular donation drives to local charities. 

“We take pride in supporting those who align with our beliefs or that fit within our culture and seek out local initiatives rather than mainstream ventures. We are always looking for new people to support so contact us if you think we can help you.” 

Whether you’re just starting on this journey or you’ve been making major changes to help planet Earth, this shop has likely what you need. Guaranteed, you’ll be spending a few hours of your weekend at this North Lakes shop after your first visit. 



“I love this place! Whenever I’m in North Lakes I come here either for lunch / a tea at the cafe or a gander at the health food shop. They always have different vegan foods then all the other places. The staff are welcoming and willing to help carry my bags to the car with me.”

Lauren Padmore, Google Reviews

“Excellent & Happy Service
Delicious Food & Drink!
Pretzel Donut, apricot slice plus energy chai latte wow!
spacious outdoor area & amazing range inside plus
awesome bulk food store like nothing I have seen before
highly recommend!”

Rachael Fitzgerald, Facebook

Technology Club Invites North Lakes Kids with Autism & Asperger’s to Join

The Lab, a social and technology club for young people with autism, is inviting participants to join their new online tech club in North Lakes.

The Lab North Lakes will commence its Term 2 sessions soon and it will be at “The Space YMCA,” located on the corner of Lakefield Drive and Endeavour Boulevard. The organisation has not confirmed when the sessions will start but they are now registering participants through their website.

Term 1 sessions, dedicated to kids with autism aged 9-20 years, already started in February 2021. The program focused on IT mentoring in programming, gaming, robotics, and STEM. The goal is to help kids on the autism spectrum learn new social and technical skills and make new friends, wherever they live.

Read: Café 63’s Latest Branch to Open Soon in Burpengary

About Lab Sessions

Photo credit: The Lab/Facebook

The Lab is a growing national network of community technology clubs with professional mentoring for 10-16 year-olds with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome who are interested in computers.

Mentors provide self-paced mentoring for their social, technical and vocational skill development through activities including social gaming, programming, IT, 3D and digital design. As of writing, The Lab has around 30 labs across Australia and three of them are in Brisbane.

To register your interest, go to https://thelab.org.au/.

Café 63’s Latest Branch to Open Soon in Burpengary

Burpengary Station Village is about to become home to numerous new tenants, including a branch of the iconic Café 63, which expects to provide 25 new job openings for staff positions when it opens.



Café 63, which has been around for a little over 15 years, is finally coming to Burpengary. The café-restaurant takes pride in not only its food and beverages, but also the flowers up for sale in every branch. The café also happens to be pet-friendly, meaning dog-owners are free to bring their canine companions inside while they order a hot cup of coffee. 

With a wide range of drinks to choose from, there’s no shortage of options at Café 63 — whether someone’s after shakes or smoothies, beer or cider, or coffee and frappes, this chain restaurant has them covered. The restaurant also offers a variety of pastas, burgers, and salads; some of which are plant-based, low in gluten, or vegetarian to cater to those with dietary restrictions.

The PAB, a pasta made with prawns, avocado, and bacon.
Photo credit: Facebook

The Burpengary branch is set to open by the end of March under the ownership of Suman Ranabhat, Diwash Ranabhat, Suman Shrestha, and Rajan Koju. Be sure to follow Café 63 on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates on their meals, deals, and special events.

Buy Cute Dog Bandannas and Bow Ties From This Amazing Murrumba Downs Girl

Bonnie Moller, an enterprising teenager from Murrumba Downs, has overcome her physical challenges and turned her passion for dogs, fashion, and the environment into a growing business with the launch of Fetch Au, eco-friendly fashion and accessories for pets.

Bonnie has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a disease that weakens connective tissues in the body. After her first diagnosis at age 10, she started using a wheelchair full time in 2019 as her condition advanced. 

However, what she cannot do with her ankles and legs, she made up for with her heart and her hands. 

She finds old doona covers and bedsheets and creatively turns them to bow ties, bandannas, and other items. Her sustainable approach makes use of materials from local shops and repurposed into unique designs. 

Her mum Catrina, a former school Principal and Head of Department – Special Needs, saw Bonnie’s interests and this sparked an idea for a business she can do whilst homeschooling. 

Photo Credit: Handmade Brisbane/Instagram

“Bonnie saw a gap in the market, and also felt guilty for buying ‘fast fashions’ for her own dog. She invested so much time and work into the plan, she decided to do it for real; by the end of that term, she had the website going and also runs her own social media.”

A key factor in boosting Bonnie’s business is the assistance given by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Brisbane region.


Read: Going Greek! Old Fasta Pasta Site in Morayfield Market Plaza Under Renovation


Bonnie’s support worker helps her in almost all aspects — from the buying and cutting process to the marketing and selling of their products.

Bonnie also receives funds from NDIS for rehabilitation treatments which will enable her to walk and rely less on her wheelchair. Before the year ends, she hopes to be on her feet with ample physiotherapy and pursuing healthy living. 

Support Bonnie and dress up your pup with her creations by visiting her website. Choose from a wide variety of designs and gorgeous vintage pieces customised to fit  extra small to very large-sized dogs — perfect for your adorable furry fashionista!

All product orders will enjoy free shipping anywhere in Australia. 

Going Greek! Old Fasta Pasta Site in Morayfield Market Plaza Under Renovation

A revamp is currently underway at the former site of Fasta Pasta at the Morayfield Market Plaza and it won’t be long before foodies can sample Greek and Turkish fare from the new restaurant.



Ozi Pide, which has an existing business at the shopping centre, will be moving into Fasta Pasta’s old place after the Italian restaurant, a 20-year-old-business in Brisbane’s north, closed over a year ago. 

The operators of Ozi Pide want to expand their business with dine-in and takeaway options for their tasty, charcoal-grilled kebabs. Their smaller space at the plaza serves a good selection of pide, a type of flatbread topped with meat, tomatoes and all kinds of spices.

The name of the new restaurant has not yet been revealed.

“Something exciting is happening in the old Fasta Pasta restaurant. Fitout works are well underway and a unique new restaurant concept will be opening shortly!” Morayfield Market Plaza’s management confirmed.

Morayfield Market Plaza
Photo Credit: Facebook

Meanwhile, Reid Ferguson of 5 Tier Property said that a few more eateries, including a national retailer, will be opening at the Morayfield Market Plaza in the coming months. 

Ferguson said that the centre has had a surge of interested lessees post-COVID-19. 


Taco Bell: First 2021 Outlet Opening is at Morayfield

Taco Bell, the popular Mexican-inspired fast-food chain from the United States, has set up a new store in Morayfield, which will open on Saturday, 23 Jan 2021. The event will be pretty special because it is the restaurant’s very first outlet opening for the year. 



Concealing the familiar purple and black building wasn’t easy as the residents have been fully aware that the famous foodie spot was coming to town.

A spokesperson from Collins Food confirmed that the doors of the Morayfield outlet will welcome diners on the said date at 10:00 a.m. Taco Bell Morayfield will trade until 11:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Lucky patrons who come to dine early on opening day will get taco hats and other merchandise for free.

This will be the second Taco Bell outlet in Caboolture, following the opening of the North Lakes store in 2018. Over 60 workers have been hired for this new store, providing more jobs to the locals. 

Taco Bell
Photo Credit: Taco Bell

The site on 182-190 Morayfield Road used to be the showroom/warehouse of Anaconda, the outdoor sporting goods retailer. The redevelopment as a retail centre, with a fresh and modern design, has made the site more useful to the community.

Meanwhile, the Collin Food spokesperson said this will not be the last Taco Bell venue in this region as the management has been looking at more sites for expansion in the coming months. 



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

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

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.

Photo Credit: Narangba Heights Shopping Centre/Facebook

Photo Credit: Google Maps

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. 

Photo Credit: PDOnline/Moreton Bay Council

Photo Credit: PDOnline/Moreton Bay Council



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.