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Narangba Residents Back Plan to Manage Flying Fox Colony Near Homes

A plan to manage a long-standing flying fox colony in Narangba has drawn support from the community, with residents backing a solution aimed at reducing impacts on nearby homes while keeping the protected animals within the parkland.

Feedback shows strong local interest in finding an approach that improves daily life for neighbours while limiting harm to the bats. After a consultation period from 12 January to 6 February 2026, a report in March summarised feedback on a proposal to install canopy-mounted sprinklers in the parkland next to New Settlement Road.

The system is designed to encourage flying foxes to move deeper into the reserve, increasing the distance between the colony and surrounding homes rather than forcing them out of the area entirely.

A Management Approach Council Has Used Before

Council has pointed to previous use of similar sprinkler systems, including at Redcliffe Botanic Gardens, where the method was found to move flying foxes away from residential edges while allowing them to remain in the broader area.

The approach uses intermittent water sprays in the tree canopy to make certain roosting spots less attractive, with the aim of shifting the colony farther from nearby homes.

The Your Say Moreton Bay project page explains that the goal is not removal, but better positioning of the colony within the parkland.

Narangba Residents Show Measured Support

Survey results show that many residents are open to the proposed solution. Overall, 58 per cent of respondents supported or strongly supported measures to increase the distance between homes and the colony. Among residents living directly beside the parkland, support was higher, with 63 per cent backing the approach.

Photo Credit: Flying Fox Management Consultation Report

While views differ, the results show support for action alongside concern about how the approach would work. Many respondents highlighted the need to reduce impacts on nearby homes while also recognising the importance of protecting flying foxes, which are native species covered by state and federal laws.

Residents living closest to the colony have reported challenges such as noise, odour and droppings affecting their homes and outdoor spaces. The consultation highlights that these impacts are most strongly felt by households bordering the parkland, where more than half described themselves as severely affected.

Residents Favour Council Oversight of Any Sprinkler System

Another strong theme in the feedback is a preference for Council to manage the process. Among residents living adjacent to the parkland, most said they would prefer Council to control the sprinkler system rather than individual households.

Residents also showed interest in how the system would be rolled out, how its success would be measured and what safeguards would be in place for the animals.

While questions remain about implementation and long-term outcomes, the response reflects a mix of support and caution from the community.

Published 17-April-2026

Koala Alert at Youngs Crossing Upgrade Puts Joyner Drivers on Notice

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

A single koala in a roadside tree near Youngs Crossing has become a sharp reminder that this major road upgrade is unfolding in a living habitat, not just a construction corridor. A community warning from Moreton Bay Koala Rescue has put local drivers on notice, urging them to slow down near the work zone at Joyner, as the animal could come down and try to cross the road.

The warning followed a Facebook post from Moreton Bay Koala Rescue on 1 April, which flagged a koala near Youngs Crossing Road and asked motorists to drive with care.

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Koala Rescue/Facebook

By April 15, construction at Youngs Crossing was still active, with the City of Moreton Bay listing ongoing bridge work, piling, earthworks, traffic signal works and vegetation management on its official project page, last updated in April 2026.

The combination of wildlife movement and heavy machinery makes this local issue feel very urgent.

Youngs Crossing Road in Joyner is part of a major upgrade running from Protheroe Road to Dayboro Road, on the section that crosses the North Pine River. Council describes it as one of the city’s largest road projects, with reduced speed zones in place, including a temporary 40 km/h limit along Youngs Crossing Road during construction.

The koala sighting is not just a one-off roadside moment for residents. It taps into a broader fear that animals are being pushed closer to traffic as work continues through an area they already use. In project material for March 2026, Seymour Whyte, working on behalf of the city, said works would include retaining walls, temporary pavements, drainage, piling, crane operations, traffic signal works and vegetation management, with some activity starting from 4:00 a.m. and other work taking place at night when needed.

The rescue group’s role also helps explain why the post carried weight in the community. Moreton Bay Koala Rescue says it runs a free 24/7 rescue and ambulance service for koalas across the region and asks people to report sick, injured, displaced or healthy koalas when they are spotted in risky situations.

A koala is left injured after a car hit. The rescue team brought the animal to the wildlife hospital.
Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Koala Rescue/Facebook

The bigger public message is simple: drivers passing through Youngs Crossing are not just moving through a road project, but through an area where wildlife still needs room to survive.

While the upgrade is designed to improve safety, traffic flow and flood resilience between Petrie and Joyner, the koala sighting shows why many locals remain focused on what is happening at ground level right now, especially when construction and wildlife share the same narrow space.

Published 16-April-2026

What Mango Hill Commuters Need to Know About the April Rail Closures

Mango Hill commuters are facing altered travel arrangements in April 2026, with the Redcliffe Peninsula Line operating on a reduced route as part of a series of planned infrastructure works across South East Queensland.

Read: Mango Hill Local Lynda Barry Honoured for Decades of Lifesaving Service

The closures began on Friday 3 April and are scheduled to continue until Sunday 26 April 2026. Works underway include the Cross River Rail project, the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade, and the installation of new signalling systems.

Photo credit: Google Maps/Leon Tomlinson

During this period, trains on the Redcliffe Peninsula Line are running only between Kippa-Ring and Northgate stations. Translink is providing replacement bus services to connect passengers to the broader network.

Queensland Rail has noted that recent industrial action by the Electrical Trades Union, relating to pay and conditions, has further complicated the situation during this period.

Replacement Bus Services

Translink is operating rail replacement bus services for affected stations. At Mango Hill, the designated replacement bus stop is located at Mango Hill station (Stop ID 319649), serving both inbound and outbound passengers. At Mango Hill East, the stop is at Mango Hill East station (Stop ID 319648), also serving both directions.

Translink advises passengers to follow directional signage at the station on the day of travel, as stop locations are subject to change. Journey planning assistance is available via the Translink journey planner or by calling 13 12 30, available 24 hours a day.

Hornibrook Bus Lines operates routes 681, 682, and 687 through Mango Hill station to nearby areas.

Read: Mango Hill Families Score Major Win With Local Pub Entertainment Hub

Redcliffe Hospital Access

The disruptions are also affecting travel to Redcliffe Hospital. Residents in Mango Hill who rely on public transport to access health services are encouraged to plan ahead, as journeys may take significantly longer than usual.

Late-Night Closures

Passengers should also be aware that additional late-night track closures on the Redcliffe Peninsula Line are planned from Thursday 23 April 2026.

For the latest information, visit translink.com.au/service-updates.

Published 14-April-2026

Deception Bay Team Takes Part In Couch Surf Fundraiser For Youth Housing Support

Photo Credit: Couch Surfing

A Deception Bay early learning centre is taking part in a community sleepover initiative, with staff giving up their beds to support young people experiencing homelessness.

A Sleepover With Purpose In Deception Bay

At Gardenia Early Learning Deception Bay, staff are preparing to swap their usual routines for a night on blow-up mattresses and sleeping bags inside the centre.

Around 12 team members will take part in the overnight stay on 15 April, marking Youth Homelessness Matters Day. The group will set up simple bedding on classroom mats to reflect the temporary and uncertain sleeping conditions faced by many young people without a stable home.

The experience is designed to bring attention to the realities of housing instability, offering a small but practical way for participants to engage with the issue.

*Photo Credit: Gardenia Early Learning Deception Bay*

Local Action Linked To A Wider Campaign

The Deception Bay sleepover forms part of Couch Surf for a Cause, a community-wide initiative led by Chameleon Housing.

The campaign encourages individuals, workplaces and community groups to organise sleepovers between April 11 and 19, with a strong focus on April 15 to coincide with Youth Homelessness Matters Day.

Participants are asked to give up their beds for one night, seek support from family and friends, and contribute funds towards services that assist young people experiencing homelessness.

Supporting Young People Facing Housing Instability

Chameleon Housing provides crisis and short-term accommodation, alongside programs that support young people in building independence.

This includes housing for young families, life-skills development, and support during early parenting stages, as well as services tailored for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Over the past five years, the organisation has assisted 184 individuals, most aged between 15 and 25, many of whom have experienced frequent moves or relied on couch surfing due to a lack of secure housing.

A Shared Effort Beyond The Classroom

The Deception Bay team has approached the sleepover as both a fundraising effort and a way to strengthen connections within the workplace.

The evening is expected to include simple activities such as board games, a shared meal and time together, while maintaining a clear focus on the purpose behind the event.

The participation also reflects an existing connection between the early learning centre and Chameleon Housing, reinforcing a broader commitment to community support.

Turning Awareness Into Practical Support

Couch Surf for a Cause invites participation in different forms, from hosting sleepovers to organising small fundraising activities.

Funds raised contribute to accommodation and essential support, with examples including providing a night of housing for a young person or assisting with basic household needs as they transition to more stable living arrangements.

In Deception Bay, the initiative demonstrates how local participation can contribute to a wider effort to address youth homelessness, using simple actions to raise awareness and support ongoing services.

Published 14-Apr-2026

Haley Cobb Heads to National Final with Focus on Cancer Prevention and Mental Health

Haley Cobb/Facebook

Haley Cobb has spent five years turning a love of pageantry into something much larger than a crown, and this month the 28-year-old Narangba resident steps onto the national stage as one of eight finalists in the Ms Galaxy Australia division of the 2026 Australia Galaxy Pageants National Final.

The Crowning Gala takes place on Saturday 2 May at Bankstown Sports Club in Sydney, marking the pageant system’s 15th anniversary. But for Haley, the competition itself is only part of what drives her. Since entering her first pageant in 2021, she has raised almost $15,000 for various causes, earned the Miss Australia International and Miss Charity Australia titles, and built a community presence in Moreton Bay that stretches from school classrooms to retirement villages to clean-up days along the coast.

“I fell in love with pageantry,” said Haley, who graduated from UniSC Moreton Bay at Petrie. The campus at Petrie, approximately 30 kilometres north of Brisbane, was the first full-service university campus ever built in the Moreton Bay region and the place where Haley’s identity as both a student and a community advocate began to take shape. She now holds a Masters in teaching and works as a financial controller.

A Platform That Actually Does Something

Haley’s pageant platform is cancer prevention, and she has developed her own approach to communicating it. She visits schools and distributes health and wellness colouring-in books for children, accompanied by information flyers designed to help parents understand the message behind the activities. The approach is deliberately accessible: complex health conversations translated into something a child can engage with and take home.

Haley Cobb uses pageantry as her platform to spread awareness — Photo Credit: Haley Cobb/Facebook

“Pageant is about getting individuals out and about in the community, volunteering and fundraising and making sure the next generation of leaders is out there advocating for change,” Haley said. “We have our own platform, mine is cancer prevention. I do things like going to schools and helping educate children about being preventative in a kid-friendly way.”

Beyond cancer prevention, her diary reads like a map of Moreton Bay’s community calendar. In a single five-day stretch recently, she helped at a Share the Dignity collection in Petrie, delivered a school speech, attended a hospital Giving Day, joined a Tour de Cure lunch for cancer research, participated in a Conservation Australia Clean Up Day, and helped restore houses with Habitat for Humanity. She has also helped with gift wrapping, marshalled fun runs and spoken in retirement villages.

“I find my way into every community and charity group!” she said.

Why Mental Health Is Personal

This year’s Australia Galaxy Pageants competition requires every finalist to raise $2,000 for batyr, the national youth preventative mental health charity. Batyr is a youth-led mental health organisation pioneering preventative approaches through peer-to-peer education and lived experience storytelling, creating safe, stigma-free spaces where young people feel empowered to prioritise their mental health before challenges escalate.

For Haley, the connection is personal. She moved out of the family farm at 17, began university, and navigated those years with the support batyr provides. “I grew up with mental health issues. Batyr guided me,” she said. “It has young adults, those your own age, talking to you, rather than people like your mum or dad. It focuses on young adults or those who have been through similar situations, helping those from teenagers to university students make their way through mental health.”

The experience has shaped not just what she advocates for, but how she does it. Knowing firsthand what it feels like to arrive somewhere unfamiliar and uncertain has made her a more grounded and empathetic voice in the Moreton Bay communities she serves.

The Community Behind Haley’s Journey

Haley’s connection to the region is not incidental. She credits the Moreton Bay community with shaping who she has become, and that sense of belonging is what makes representing it on a national stage feel meaningful rather than simply competitive.

“I genuinely find the Moreton Bay community to be incredibly welcoming and supportive,” she said. “Moreton Bay has played a significant role in shaping my journey, which is why it feels especially meaningful to be representing and fundraising within the region.”

The 2026 Australia Galaxy Pageants National Final runs from 29 April to 2 May at Bankstown Sports Club in Sydney. Tickets are available here. To support Haley’s fundraising for batyr, visit australiagalaxypageants.com or follow her journey on social media.

Published 13-April-2026

Digital Water Meters Rolled Out in Kallangur and Mango Hill as Expansion Begins

Kallangur and Mango Hill are among the Moreton Bay suburbs now receiving digital water meters, as part of a broader rollout designed to improve leak detection, provide clearer billing and strengthen visibility across the water network.

Digital Rollout Targets Older Areas

Kallangur and Mango Hill are included in a regional rollout of digital water meters, with installations prioritised in older parts of the network where leaks are more likely to occur. The upgrade involves replacing traditional mechanical meters with modern digital devices that support earlier identification of potential issues within both individual properties and the wider system.

The rollout forms part of a broader program extending across multiple suburbs, with further installations scheduled to continue over the coming months. Additional suburbs in Noosa are set to receive digital meters as the expansion progresses.

Daily Data Improves Leak Detection

The introduction of digital meters changes how water use is monitored, shifting from quarterly readings to daily data transmission. The devices securely send water usage information, allowing for quicker detection of concealed leaks that may otherwise go unnoticed until a billing cycle is completed.

This increased frequency provides a clearer picture of water use across the network, supporting earlier notifications to customers and clearer billing.

Network-Based Installation Approach

The installation process in Kallangur and Mango Hill follows a network-based approach rather than a street-by-street rollout. This method aligns with the layout of water supply infrastructure, allowing more effective monitoring of defined sections of the network.

As a result, some residents may see neighbouring properties upgraded ahead of their own, depending on how each section of the system is scheduled. This approach supports more accurate identification of potential leaks beyond the household level.

Pilot Results Support Expansion

Earlier testing of digital metering across 10,000 properties demonstrated measurable results, including more than 800 million litres of water saved and over $5 million in customer savings. The program also assisted more than 3,000 households in identifying leaks early.

These outcomes have supported the broader rollout now reaching suburbs including Kallangur and Mango Hill.

Kallangur Mango Hill — *Photo Credit: Unitywater/YouTube*

How Meter Upgrades Will Be Carried Out

Households selected for upgrades in Kallangur and Mango Hill will receive a letter from Unitywater, followed by a notice several days before installation.

The process takes between five minutes and one hour, with no requirement for residents to be present. There is no cost for the upgrade, and any temporary water shutdowns are communicated in advance.

As the rollout expands, an option for customers to opt in earlier is set to be introduced.

Published 12-Apr-2026

Proposed Narangba Precinct Changes Near Consultation Stage

Residents in Moreton Bay are set to have their say on a major industrial proposal, as plans for the Narangba Innovation Precinct move closer to public consultation.

The City of Moreton Bay is preparing a planning scheme amendment that would support new industrial activity within the precinct, with residents expected to be invited to provide feedback once consultation formally opens.

At this stage, no consultation dates have been announced, with Council still working through the next steps before the community is asked to have its say.

What needs to change

The proposed amendment focuses on a designated area within the existing Narangba Innovation Precinct, aiming to enable around 600 new “special industry” jobs. These industries typically include higher-impact operations such as chemical manufacturing, waste processing and other large-scale industrial activities that require strict regulation.

Photo Credit: Information Sheet/Narangba Innovation Precinct

Council says the changes could also contribute an estimated $129 million to the local economy while supporting employment closer to home for residents.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the proposal would help meet the needs of a growing population while making better use of existing industrial land.

“It’s important that our residents have opportunities to work close to home for lifestyle and affordability factors,” he said in a statement.

The precinct is already an established industrial area and that expanding its use for specialised industries would strengthen investment and job opportunities in the region.

Health and environmental safeguards

Alongside economic benefits, the proposal includes measures aimed at protecting nearby communities.

Planning documents indicate that industries operating in the precinct would need to meet strict standards around air quality, noise, human health and safety risks, particularly for surrounding residential areas. Extensive environmental health investigations carried out between 2020 and 2024 have informed the proposal, focusing on potential impacts such as emissions, noise and hazardous materials.

These safeguards are intended to balance industrial growth with the safety and amenity of nearby neighbourhoods.

Temporary planning controls to remain in place

In the meantime, Council has proposed extending the current Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) for a further 12 months.

The TLPI, which is due to expire in July 2026, sets interim rules for development in the area while a long-term planning solution is finalised.

Council will now prepare a report outlining the next steps in the formal planning scheme amendment process. This will include a statutory public consultation period, where residents and stakeholders will be able to review the proposal and provide feedback before any final decision is made.

Published 10-April-2026

North Lakes Drivers Face New High-Tech Parking Patrols

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

A sophisticated new patrol vehicle is now roaming North Lakes to catch drivers who overstay time limits using automatic number plate recognition and high-resolution cameras.

Starting this week, the council is changing how it monitors local streets to keep traffic moving and help shoppers find a spot. The white patrol car uses GPS and special sensors to scan the area, removing the need for officers to always walk the beat. This new approach targets busy hubs including Caboolture, Redcliffe, Strathpine, and Petrie. While traditional foot patrols will still happen occasionally, this vehicle can cover much more ground in a single shift.

Fair Access for Local Shoppers

The main goal of this technology is to make sure one person does not take up a valuable parking space all day. Local leaders explained that when cars overstay their time limits, it makes it harder for other residents to visit nearby shops and cafes.

By encouraging a higher turnover of parked cars, the council hopes to give the local economy a boost. They believe that if parking is easier to find, more people will be willing to visit town centres rather than heading elsewhere.

Digital Enforcement and Safety

The way drivers receive fines is also changing with this new system. Instead of finding a paper ticket tucked under a windscreen wiper, the vehicle captures a digital image of the car and the exact time it was spotted. If the data shows the car stayed longer than the signs allow, the information is sent to a council office for a final check.

Once a human officer confirms the rules were broken, the infringement notice is sent directly to the owner through the post. This method is considered much safer for council staff, as it reduces the chance of face-to-face arguments on the street.

Managing a Growing Community

As more people move into the Moreton Bay region, the demand for road space and parking spots continues to climb. Council representatives noted that the city is growing quickly and needs smarter ways to handle the extra traffic. Using data-driven tools allows the city to manage this growth without needing to build massive new car parks everywhere. The technology is designed to keep the streets accessible and ensure that the rules are applied fairly to everyone across the busiest suburbs.

Published Date 07-April-2026

Moreton Bay Wildlife Road Safety Network Wins National Recognition

City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

A wildlife road safety network spanning more than 3,800 kilometres of roads across the Moreton Bay region has received a national project award from the peak body for ecology and transportation research.

The Australasian Network for Ecology and Transportation (ANET) presented City of Moreton Bay with its Project Award for the Green Infrastructure Network Delivery Program, recognising over a decade of work to help native animals cross roads safely across suburbs including North Lakes, Narangba, Morayfield, Bribie and Everton Hills.

The programme has been running since 2014 and has grown into one of the most comprehensive wildlife road safety networks in the country.

What the Network Has Built Since 2014

The scale of the infrastructure is considerable. The programme has delivered more than 47 canopy bridges, 21 kilometres of wildlife exclusion fencing, 16 fauna escape hatches and 48 wildlife underpasses across the region. More than 150 vehicle-activated LED signs now provide real-time alerts to motorists in koala and kangaroo zones, raising awareness at the moments it matters most.

Green Infrastructure Network Delivery Program — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

A permanent 4G camera network monitors fauna crossing structures at 14 locations across the region. Since 2020, those cameras have recorded more than 80,000 crossings, capturing not just kangaroos and koalas but rarely seen species including the marsupial Brush-tailed Phascogale and the Feather-tailed Glider, recognised as the world’s smallest gliding mammal.

Connecting Habitats Across Busy Roads

For communities in North Lakes and Narangba, where residential development sits alongside bushland corridors, the programme addresses a daily reality. As population growth pushes new housing closer to reserves and parks, the pressure on wildlife to navigate roads to move between habitat patches increases alongside it.

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

The network provides those animals with safer options, whether that is a canopy bridge allowing possums and gliders to move through the treetops above a busy road, or a wildlife underpass letting ground-dwelling species cross beneath it. The exclusion fencing channels animals toward these dedicated crossing points rather than onto the road surface itself.

ANET Chairperson Rodney Van der Ree noted that the programme demonstrated what becomes possible when different departments work together toward a shared outcome, and pointed to it as a model for local governments around the country.

The recognition from ANET follows the Australian Road Safety Foundation presenting the programme with its Local Government Programs Award at last year’s Australian Road Safety Awards, making it back-to-back national acknowledgements for the work.

Finding Out More

Residents who want to learn more about the Green Infrastructure Network Delivery Program or the fauna monitoring network can visit the City of Moreton Bay website. Sightings of injured or distressed wildlife on or near roads can be reported to RSPCA Queensland on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or Wildcare Australia on 07 5527 2444.

Published 02-April-2026

Joyner Manhunt Continues After Alleged Police Car Ramming

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

A police manhunt remains under way in Joyner after a man allegedly rammed a police car and ran from the scene, triggering a search involving air and ground crews.

Search Begins On Youngs Crossing Road In Joyner

Police allege the incident unfolded on Youngs Crossing Road in Joyner at about 3 p.m. when a white Kia Picanto, believed to be displaying stolen number plates, struck the rear of a police vehicle. Officers had reportedly been attempting to speak with the driver of a red Commodore sedan before the collision occurred.

Queensland Police, — Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

After the crash, the male driver left the Picanto and fled on foot, with police alleging he ran through school grounds and backyards before officers lost sight of him.

The man being sought was described as wearing white shorts and no shirt. The Picanto was seized for forensic examination as the investigation continued. The search operation remained active beyond the initial response, with police continuing efforts to locate the man after he left the area on foot.

Police searching streets in Joyner — Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Air And Ground Crews Join Joyner Manhunt

Dog squad officers and PolAir crews were deployed as the search continued in Joyner. Police also conducted door-knocks while attempting to trace the man’s movements, with the operation extending into the night. Reports from the area indicated a police helicopter was heard overhead late in the evening as the search continued.

By Sunday morning, the manhunt remained ongoing. Police urged residents not to approach the man if seen and instead contact authorities. Investigators also called for anyone with relevant information, CCTV footage or dashcam vision to come forward as the Joyner search continued.

Published 31-Mar-2026