City of Moreton Bay Archives - North Lakes Today

Milly Brings Matilda’s Legacy To Petrie

A nine-metre kangaroo has hopped into Petrie, with Milly now standing proudly at The Mill Water Park and Play Space as a new local landmark for City of Moreton Bay.

The giant replica of Matilda, the mascot of the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games, has been named Milly in honour of the old Mill site, now known as Moreton Bay Central. The sculpture sits beside the future Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, linking one of the city’s best-known family destinations with its sporting future.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said Milly represents both the city’s history and its role in the road to Brisbane 2032.

“Forty-four years ago, Matilda announced Queensland to the world. Today, her spirit returns,” Mayor Flannery said.

“Milly will stand here as a proud, daily reminder of the role our City continues to play in shaping the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I hope she inspires the next generation of local athletes to set their sights on competing in 2032.”

A family gift with a second life

Milly was generously donated to the community by the O’Keeffe family, giving the much-loved sculpture a new home in Moreton Bay.

For creator David Joffe of Natureworks, the project was about preserving something familiar and giving it another chapter in the public eye.

“We didn’t just build a giant kangaroo — we helped save an Australian icon and give it a new life for future generations,” Mr Joffe said.

“Rather than disappearing into storage or being lost forever, she’s now part of a community Playground where families and children can enjoy her every day.”

Artist impression of the new Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre

Mr Joffe said the project was “a fantastic example of recycling in the best possible way”, with the sculpture now able to be enjoyed rather than forgotten.

A local icon with a story to tell

1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games gold medallist Robert de Castella also welcomed Milly’s arrival, saying Matilda was unforgettable for many Australians.

Matilda at the 1982 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo Credit: NFSA

“You could not miss her. She was the face of those Games, and for a lot of us she is the first thing we picture when we think back to 1982,” Mr de Castella said.

“What those Games did was show a generation of Queensland kids that the world would come to us, and that we belonged on that stage.”

He said the sculpture’s new home was especially meaningful with the Brisbane 2032 Games approaching.

“There will be young athletes running around this park today who could be competing in 2032, so this is a really exciting day.”

For Moreton Bay families, Milly adds a touch of nostalgia, a strong local talking point, and a playful landmark for children visiting one of the city’s favourite community spaces.

Published 24-July-2026

Dog Ban at New Petrie Lakes Walk Draws Criticisms

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Pet owners have criticised the ban on dogs at the new Moreton Bay Central Lakes Walk in public comments posted after the City of Moreton Bay announced the project.

The 3km lakefront circuit opened on 20 June at the former Petrie Paper Mill site. The project cost about $6 million. It includes lake-edge paths, picnic shelters, landscaped areas and other public facilities near the North Pine River. However, pet dogs are not permitted in the lakes walk area.

City of Moreton Bay links the restriction to the precinct’s sensitive environmental setting and its wildlife, including koalas, possums and birds.

Dog Owners Question Full Ban

Several people criticised the restriction in public comments posted on social media. Some said they would not use the circuit because they could not bring their dogs. Others said they normally kept their pets on leads and were disappointed that leashed dogs were also excluded.

One commenter described the decision as unfriendly to dog owners. Another said her family would miss out on the new lakes walk despite always keeping their dog on a lead.

The comments suggest the restriction may reduce the circuit’s appeal for households that combine daily exercise with walking their pets.

Council announced the dog-free rule before the circuit opened.

Council Points to Sensitive Wildlife Area

City of Moreton Bay describes the lakes precinct as an environmentally sensitive area that supports koalas, possums, birds and other wildlife. However, the council release did not cite or summarise a specific environmental study supporting the restriction. It also did not explain whether leashed access, designated walking times or dog-friendly sections had been considered.

The discussion raises a broader question about how councils balance wildlife protection with demand for pet-friendly recreation.

City of Moreton Bay provides designated dog parks, beaches and exercise areas across the region. Council rules state that dogs are prohibited from conservation parks, reserves and foreshores unless an area has been designated for dog exercise.

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Circuit Forms Part of Larger Petrie Precinct

The lakes walk forms part of Moreton Bay Central, within the wider 460-hectare The Mill at Moreton Bay Priority Development Area.

The precinct includes the University of the Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay campus and the nearby Mill Water Park and Play Space. It will also include the planned Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre.

The venue is expected to host events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is also planned to support local sport and community use after the Games.

Mayor Peter Flannery said in June that the walking circuit gave residents an early benefit from development around the future sports centre. He also linked the project to population growth and the need for more public spaces across Moreton Bay.

The online criticism raises the question of whether Council may consider leashed access or review the restriction in future. Clearer information about enforcement and nearby dog-friendly alternatives could also help visitors plan their trips to the precinct.

Published 20-July-2026

Petrie Intersection to Test AI Traffic Lights in Australian First

Drivers across Moreton Bay could soon spend less time waiting at red lights, with the City of Moreton Bay preparing to test an artificial intelligence-powered traffic signal system for the first time in Australia. The trial will take place at the intersection of Moreton Parade and Paper Avenue in Petrie.

By late 2026, existing traffic signal controllers will be replaced with next-generation hardware that works with the current in-ground vehicle detection system. The council will also install advanced traffic detection sensors to collect more detailed information about road users. These sensors can identify cars, trucks, cyclists and pedestrians, helping the system respond more accurately to changing traffic conditions.

The pilot aims to improve traffic flow by allowing traffic lights to respond to real-time conditions instead of following a fixed sequence. If successful, the technology could reduce delays at intersections, ease congestion and cut the time vehicles spend idling at red lights.

A decades-old traffic system gets a modern update

Australia’s long-standing traffic signal method uses a phase-based system dating back to the 1980s. Under this approach, traffic lights follow a set order, even as traffic volumes change throughout the day.

The new system uses a movement-based approach instead. It analyses vehicle movements in real time and adjusts signal timings to match current traffic conditions. The technology manages individual traffic movements without being tied to a fixed sequence or grouping of traffic lights, helping traffic move more efficiently through intersections.

According to the City of Moreton Bay, the system combines artificial intelligence with advanced traffic algorithms to support smoother traffic flow. It can also prioritise higher traffic volumes, including public transport, as traffic conditions change throughout the day.

Cutting unnecessary waits at empty intersections

One of the biggest changes for motorists could be shorter waits when an intersection is clear.

The technology is designed to reduce unnecessary delays created by traditional traffic signal timing. Council says it will also reduce the transition time between conflicting traffic movements, including the all-red interval when every direction is stopped, while maintaining safe operating margins. As a result, drivers may spend less time waiting when there is little or no cross traffic.

The City of Moreton Bay also expects the system to reduce vehicle emissions because cars will spend less time idling at intersections.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the City of Moreton Bay believed the trial had the potential to improve daily travel for residents by reducing unnecessary delays and managing traffic more efficiently. He also said the technology could better respond to changing traffic patterns throughout the day while maintaining safe operating margins.

If the pilot proves successful, the City of Moreton Bay plans to test the technology at a more complex intersection.

Published 6-July-2026

Archery, Alpacas and Free Family Fun Planned for North Lakes School Holidays

North Lakes families searching for budget-friendly ways to entertain children during the winter school holidays will have dozens of free activities to choose from. Moreton Bay has released its winter program across regional libraries, galleries, museums, and recreation venues, offering a mix of sporting, educational, and creative experiences.

Target Archery and Active Programs

Children keen to get moving can try new experiences through the Active Holidays program. Highlights include supervised target archery sessions, hip hop dance, tennis, junior boxing, multicultural games, and survival skills.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the program is designed to keep young people active and engaged during the break while creating opportunities to spend time with friends and family.

Alpacas and Hands-On Heritage

Animal lovers can head to selected libraries for the Winter Woollies program. Featuring visits from alpacas and babydoll lambs, the sessions teach children where wool comes from and how it is transformed into everyday products. Families can also watch demonstrations of carding (preparing raw fibres) and spinning yarn.

For more hands-on history, the Pine Rivers Heritage Museum will host its popular Farmyard Family Fun Day, alongside creative projects like crafting illuminated LED story lanterns.

Tech, Magic, and Creativity at the Library

Beyond books and animals, regional libraries are hosting a broad schedule of interactive workshops to build creativity and confidence, including:

Beginner 3D printing sessions
Improv workshops
Magic shows
Circus-themed activities

With household budgets remaining under pressure, these free events offer an accessible way for families to explore local cultural attractions and stay connected during the winter break.

Want to go? Check the full details, locations, and booking information below:

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS – LIBRARIES

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS – GALLERIES & MUSEUMS

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS – ACTIVE PLAY

Published 24-June-2026

North Lakes Driving Range Pan Rejected as Golf Course Fight Continues

Plans for a 68-bay driving range on part of the former North Lakes Golf Course have been refused by City of Moreton Bay, a decision welcomed by community campaigners but one that may yet face a legal challenge.

Read: Future Uncertain For Former North Lakes Golf Course

The application, lodged by JH Northlakes, sought approval for a driving range, pro shop, bar, restaurant and conference and function facilities on approximately 2.1 hectares of the former golf course site. The proposal focused on the existing clubhouse on Bridgeport Drive and three former golf holes immediately to the north.

North Lakes Driving Range – artist impression (Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay /DA/2025/3488)

Moreton Bay’s refusal found the development conflicted with provisions of the Mango Hill Infrastructure Development Control Plan (MHIDCP), which governs planning outcomes in North Lakes. Among the reasons cited were concerns that the proposal did not meet desired environmental and landscape outcomes and included uses broader than what is defined as outdoor recreation under the planning framework.

The decision is the latest development in the long-running debate over the future of the former golf course, which has remained the focus of community discussion since its closure.

Community group welcomes decision

Save North Lakes Golf Course (SNLGC), which has campaigned for years to preserve the site for golfing purposes, welcomed the outcome.

In a statement published following the decision, the group said: “We are delighted to bring you the news that City of Moreton Bay yesterday refused the application by JH Northlakes for a Driving Range / Bar / Function Centre on the former golf course site, nearly 11 months after it was lodged.”

The group has consistently argued that the proposal extended beyond a recreational facility, pointing to the scale of the hospitality and function components proposed as part of the development.

According to planning documents, the application included a substantial bar and seating area, commercial kitchen facilities and a dedicated conference space. The refusal also referenced concerns about opportunities to protect vegetation and wildlife, with objections raised regarding the clearing of more than 300 trees.

Community campaigners additionally highlighted concerns about traffic impacts, lighting, and pedestrian safety in the surrounding residential area.

More than 300 submissions opposing the proposal were lodged during the assessment process, according to SNLGC.

Appeal expected

Despite the refusal, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.

JH Northlakes has announced its intention to appeal the decision in the Planning and Environment Court. The company has stated it believes the proposed driving range is a permitted use of the land and has indicated it hopes the matter can ultimately be resolved through mediation with Council.

The latest decision follows the developer’s withdrawal in 2023 of separate plans for a retirement village and aged care development on part of the former golf course land. The withdrawal came after years of campaigning by Save North Lakes Golf Course and other community members seeking to retain the land as a golf course.

Read: Debate Grows Over Proposed School on Former North Lakes Golf Course

Meanwhile, attention is also turning to other potential uses for the site. Community groups continue to anticipate a proposal for a new school on the southern section of the former golf course through the State’s Ministerial Infrastructure Designation process.

For residents on both sides of the debate, Moreton Bays refusal may have settled one planning application, but it has not resolved the broader question of what comes next for one of North Lakes’ most closely watched parcels of land.

Published 17-June-2026

Old Petrie Town Revival Mirrors Petrie’s Changing Identity

Photo Credit: Peter Akers/Google Maps

For years, Old Petrie Town stood as a reminder of the suburb Petrie used to be — practical, familiar and shaped by its industrial past. Now, as restoration works move ahead across the historic village, the site is becoming part of a much bigger story unfolding north of Brisbane, where Petrie has steadily shifted from a commuter suburb into one of Moreton Bay’s fastest-changing education and lifestyle precincts.

A Suburb Once Defined by the Paper Mill

Long before the arrival of university students and new commercial developments, Petrie was closely tied to the Australian Paper Mill, which operated beside the North Pine River for decades. The mill shaped the local economy and identity until its closure in 2011 left behind a massive industrial site near Petrie railway station.

What followed was one of the largest redevelopment projects in the region.

The Queensland Government later declared the area a Priority Development Area, paving the way for what is now known as Moreton Bay Central. The project spans hundreds of hectares and includes public spaces, commercial land, future housing and the growing UniSC Moreton Bay campus.

This period marked the first major shift in how Petrie was being viewed.

Moreton Bay Central
Photo Credit: EDQ QLD

UniSC Changed More Than the Skyline

When the University of the Sunshine Coast opened its Moreton Bay campus in 2020, the suburb began attracting a different mix of people. Students, researchers, hospitality businesses and new residents started moving through an area once known mainly for train commuters and passing traffic.

The campus has continued expanding, with three major buildings added in 2024, including health, engineering and research facilities.

That growth has flowed into surrounding suburbs including Kallangur, Lawnton and North Lakes, where increased demand for housing and local businesses has followed the area’s population growth.

New student accommodation proposals and upgrades around the lake precinct have added to the sense that Petrie is no longer developing around a single project, but through several layers of change happening at once.

Old Petrie Town Finds a New Place in the Story

Against that backdrop, Old Petrie Town has taken on fresh importance.

City of Moreton Bay has committed millions of dollars towards restoration and maintenance works across the heritage village, including upgrades to ageing buildings, infrastructure repairs and improvements to public areas. The council has also flagged plans to refurbish the Heritage Hotel and Function Centre following the retirement of its long-term leaseholder.

The village has remained a regular stop for markets, weddings, school excursions and community events over the years, even as the surrounding suburb changed around it.

Rather than removing the area’s older identity, the current works aim to keep one of Petrie’s best-known landmarks active while newer developments continue reshaping the district.

Council statements linked the project to preserving the site’s historical value while improving the visitor experience and supporting future tourism activity.

Growth Around Petrie Starts Reaching Further North

The changes taking place in Petrie are also being felt across the northern corridor, particularly in North Lakes, where population growth and transport links have increasingly tied the suburbs together.

Petrie railway station remains a key connection point for workers and students travelling between Brisbane and Moreton Bay, while nearby road upgrades and commercial investment have continued drawing attention to the area.

The transformation has not arrived in the same way as masterplanned suburbs like North Lakes, which expanded rapidly over a shorter period. Petrie’s shift has happened gradually through redevelopment, education investment, public infrastructure and community projects spread over several years.

That slower pace has made the changes less dramatic day-to-day, but more noticeable over time.

A Different Future Taking Shape

Old Petrie Town still looks much the same in many places, with heritage buildings, market stalls and timber shopfronts remaining central to the site’s character. But around it, the suburb has entered a very different chapter from the one many long-term residents remember.

Between the university expansion, redevelopment of the former mill land and continued investment in community spaces, Petrie has become one of the region’s most closely watched growth areas.

The work now happening at Old Petrie Town reflects that broader shift — not replacing the suburb’s past, but finding a place for it inside a rapidly changing part of Moreton Bay.

Published 20-May-2026

Avela Adds to Mango Hill’s Growing Housing Pipeline With $100-M Townhouse Proposal

A 116-townhouse community with a resort-style pool, landscaped recreation areas and an amphitheatre could soon reshape a key pocket of Mango Hill, with plans lodged for a $100-million project called Avela.

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

The proposal arrives at a pointed moment for the suburb. Mango Hill’s median house price has climbed 13.5 per cent over the past year to $1,032,500, a trajectory that has prompted the developer to position townhouse living as a more attainable option in the suburb.

The project is being driven by development group Chapter Two. The group previously delivered Kinsella’s Rise in the suburb, a land estate that sold out in 2023, and is now returning with a townhouse product rather than a land estate.

What Is Avela and What Does It Include?

The proposed site sits directly opposite Mango Hill Secondary College, within easy reach of public transport, Westfield North Lakes, university facilities and major health services. More than 6,000 square metres of the site would be set aside for communal open space, anchored by a resort-style pool and pavilion, with landscaped recreation areas and a natural bush backdrop framing an outdoor amphitheatre.

Avela is framed in the plans as a more attainable alternative to detached housing, with the developer citing rising house prices as context for the project. Pricing for the townhouses has not yet been announced.

Subject to council approval, sales and construction are expected to begin in 2027.

The proposal comes alongside another housing initiative taking shape in Mango Hill. Queensland is currently partnering with community housing provider Y-Care to deliver 47 affordable homes in the suburb specifically for older women, a project expected to be completed by late 2026.

Read: Waterfront Apartment Development Site Listed In Deception Bay

Taken together, the activity points to a suburb under real pressure to house a growing and increasingly diverse population. Townhouse developments have been increasingly promoted by developers across South-East Queensland as an intermediate option between detached homes and apartments.

Published 27-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

Pultron Composites to Base New HQ Next to UniSC Moreton Bay Campus

A New Zealand advanced manufacturer is set to build its Australian base beside the UniSC Moreton Bay campus in Petrie after winning the City of Moreton Bay’s $1 million Ultimate HQ competition, a prize package aimed at bringing more skilled jobs and investment into the local community.

Headquarters Set for Moreton Bay Central Near UniSC

On 4 March 2026, the City of Moreton Bay announced Pultron Composites as the winner of the Ultimate HQ headquarters package, with the new base to be established at Moreton Bay Central next to the UniSC Moreton Bay campus. The precinct has been described as a place built to connect businesses with researchers, students and facilities in a growing education-and-industry hub.

The prize includes five years of rent-free headquarters space, a $250,000 contribution towards a fit-out and professional support from partners including BDO, Constant Contact, K&L Gates, Telstra, Westpac and Innovate Moreton Bay.

Pultron Composites is an advanced manufacturer specialising in corrosion-resistant composite technologies. The company’s Mateenbar glass fibre reinforced polymer rebar is used in major infrastructure projects internationally and is promoted as supporting lower-carbon, longer-life construction solutions in the council material.

Global Contest, Local Pitch Week

Organisers said the competition attracted entries from six countries, reached more than six million people, and represented a group of applicants worth more than $500 million in potential capital investment, along with 1,000 prospective jobs.

Finalists spent five days in the City of Moreton Bay as part of an “Investor Safari” program, which included meetings with business and industry stakeholders, UniSC researchers and civic leaders, along with site visits and a live pitch. Council said the program included experiences such as the “Beach Boardroom” on Bribie Island, designed to give finalists a sense of the region and its business networks.

UniSC leadership said the headquarters location at Moreton Bay Central would place the company close to UniSC researchers, facilities and students across engineering, technology and business, creating scope for research partnerships and talent pathways.

Pultron’s spokesperson said the company valued the chance to build locally, work with UniSC and tap into the region’s strengths, based on statements included in the media release.

A Precinct Built on a Former Mill Site

Moreton Bay Central forms part of a major redevelopment of the former paper mill site in Petrie. The Economic Development Queensland project page for Moreton Bay Central describes plans for a mixed-use precinct that includes the UniSC Moreton Bay campus along with commercial and community infrastructure.

Published 5-March-2026

UniSC Talent Pipeline Fuels Jobs Growth in Caboolture and Petrie

University of the Sunshine Coast’s (UniSC) Moreton Bay campuses at Caboolture and Petrie are being positioned as a key driver of local industry growth, with more than 6,500 students studying close to 90 programs on campus, according to a new economic report card released by City of Moreton Bay.

The council’s 2025 Economic Strategy Report Card — covering the 2024–25 financial year — says the local economy is “outpacing expectations” with gains across jobs, investment and exports.

Among the headline figures cited are a $24.77 billion economy (gross regional product), up $830 million over the past 12 months, and 6,500 new jobs created, lifting local employment to 174,699.

Education and training were singled out as part of the growth story, with UniSC Vice Chancellor and President Helen Bartlett saying the economic data showed the value of universities, industry and community working together.

She said “targeted industry development, relevant research and strong education links” can support innovation, skills growth and sustainable jobs.

UniSC Caboolture
Photo Credit: Google Maps

The report card also shows that the city is tracking about a year ahead of where it was expected to be under the city’s long-term Economic Strategy 2020–2041. It points to “investment wins,” with the Council citing a projected $956 million in economic activity from secured projects.

International export growth has been led by advanced manufacturing and food and agribusiness, alongside growth in tourism, innovation, and skills development.

Hanlon Industries, a steel fabricator with operations in the City of Moreton Bay and Geelong, has expanded in Queensland. Managing director Tom Hanlon cited market opportunities, access to skilled employees and training facilities, and supply chains as factors in the move.

The company has added more than 60 jobs to its Narangba operations over the past two years and recently completed the Hope Island train station project.

Mayor Peter Flannery attributed the results to the strength of local industry and business activity, citing increases in economic output and job creation over the past year. The Council connected the latest results to a broader long-term ambition set out in its “Towards One Million” economic white paper, which highlights an opportunity to build “high-value local jobs” and lift the local economy to $78 billion by 2060.

The mayor added that Moreton Bay’s focus is on maintaining momentum as the city grows, including supporting businesses, attracting investment, and building skills and infrastructure.

Published 13-Feb-2026

Featured Image Credit: UniSC in Caboolture/Google Maps