community safety Archives - North Lakes Today

Volunteer Numbers Set to Rise with New Deception Bay Base

Disaster response in Deception Bay has received a massive boost with a new multi-million dollar headquarters that will more than double the number of local volunteers able to train and respond during severe weather.

Boosting Local Safety

The Deception Bay State Emergency Service (SES) Group has officially moved into a new facility at 12 Old Bay Road. This project comes at a critical time as Queensland enters its severe weather season.

Delivered through a partnership between the state and local governments, the $3.75 million depot is designed to strengthen disaster readiness for the entire Moreton Bay City area. The new base replaces older infrastructure and provides a modern space for a group that has served the community for four decades.

Room to Grow

A major benefit of this upgrade is the immediate increase in training capacity. Previously, the group could only accommodate 50 members for training sessions, but the new building allows up to 120 volunteers to train each night. This expansion supports a current recruitment drive, with the unit looking to add 35 new volunteers to its ranks. The facility services a wide region stretching from Deception Bay out to Laceys Creek in the west.

Better Tools for the Job

The depot includes expanded storage and specialized operational areas. It is built to house a larger fleet of rescue vehicles, including flood boats, all-terrain vehicles, and general response cars. Beyond just storage, the site features dedicated command capabilities that allow for better coordination during emergencies.

Police and Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie indicated that the new design focuses on giving volunteers the right tools and space to do their jobs safely. He noted that while the weather cannot be controlled, ensuring volunteers have proper facilities is essential for them to face dangerous conditions.

Supporting Volunteer Well-being

SES Chief Officer Dr Mark Armstrong highlighted that the building does more than just store equipment. He explained that the facility provides a functional and safe environment for members to plan and operate. According to Armstrong, this support is vital for maintaining the physical and mental well-being of volunteers who give up their personal time to protect the community during crises.

The upgrade reflects the growth of the service across the state, which has seen active membership numbers rise to over 5,300 people in the last year.

Published Date 12-December-2025

Petrie Focuses on Safety as New Sensors Track Flying Fox Health

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Petrie is at the centre of a new wildlife protection initiative where innovative heat-tracking sensors are monitoring local flying fox colonies to prevent heat stress during hot weather.

High-Tech Help for Heatwaves

The City of Moreton Bay has joined forces with Queensland technology firm Kallipr to place 16 specialised sensors across eight known roosts. These devices track temperature and humidity in real-time. This data is vital as the region prepares for higher summer temperatures. The sensors are built to withstand harsh environments and can work even in areas with poor phone reception. This means council staff do not have to physically travel to the sites to check conditions.

When the temperature rises above a certain safety level, the system sends an immediate alarm. This alert allows council officers to notify wildlife rescue organisations quickly. Carers can then step in to help the animals before the heat causes serious harm. Mayor Peter Flannery noted that this technology helps researchers understand how heatwaves affect the animals and what can be done to protect them in the future.

Understanding the Locals

Moreton Bay is home to three types of flying foxes. The Black and Grey-headed flying foxes live in the area all year, while the Little Red flying fox visits during the summer. Although it might look like there is a sudden explosion in numbers when the Little Reds arrive, these animals only have one baby a year. They are intelligent, social creatures and play a critical role in pollinating native trees like Eucalypts over long distances.

Despite their importance, living near roosts can sometimes be difficult for residents. The council has started several projects to manage these impacts. In Petrie specifically, park furniture and a footpath at Sweeney Reserve were moved away from a roost to create distance between people and the bats. New signs were also added to keep the community informed.

Safety and Long-Term Plans

Health experts emphasise that residents should never touch a flying fox. While less than one per cent of the population carries Australian Bat Lyssavirus, the virus can be transmitted through bites or scratches. However, living or walking near a roost or coming into contact with droppings does not pose a risk. Mayor Flannery advised that anyone who sees an injured animal should call a professional wildlife carer immediately rather than trying to help it themselves.

Local authorities do not support trying to scare the bats away with noise or smoke, known as dispersal. This method is expensive and rarely works because the animals often return to their original home or split into smaller, more problematic groups nearby. Instead, the council is working on a ten-year regional plan with 12 other councils to manage roosts sustainably. This includes using DNA analysis to study what the bats eat, which will help with future landscape planning.

Published Date 10-December-2025

Six-Year Jail Term for Machete Attack in Deception Bay

Photo Credit: 7NEWS Australia/Youtube

A machete-wielding man from Deception Bay has been sentenced to six years in prison after attacking another man at a local shopping centre, leaving him with serious injuries to his head and hand.

Prior Threats Spark Concern

The attack on 11 January 2024 stemmed from a growing dispute between Travis William Donald Crowther, 31, and a 41-year-old man he knew. It shocked locals and triggered a fast police response that uncovered troubling events in the days prior.

Two days earlier, Crowther poured petrol on the same man and threatened to set him alight. Though not charged over that, the court accepted it showed an ongoing threat. The machete attack at a Deception Bay shopping centre was deliberate, with Crowther striking multiple times. The victim was injured while trying to shield himself, suffering a serious hand wound that required hospital treatment.

Arrest and Drug Possession

Police tracked Crowther to a hiding spot under a house shortly after the attack. Alongside the arrest, they uncovered meth, cannabis, a glass pipe, and noted he was driving while disqualified.

He later pleaded guilty to several charges, including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possessing dangerous drugs, disqualified driving, and possessing drug utensils. The court proceedings took into account both the physical impact on the victim and the broader danger to the community.

Judge Notes Troubled Past

Judge John Allen called the attack “terrifying” but also noted Crowther’s troubled background, drug issues, and steps toward rehabilitation in custody. His past and family support were weighed against the need to protect the public.

With time already served, Crowther will be eligible for parole in December 2026. He was also disqualified from holding a driver’s licence for two years.

Community Reaction and Safety

The attack has raised concerns among Deception Bay locals about safety in public spaces. While authorities have not released additional details about security changes at the shopping centre, the incident has highlighted the importance of swift police response and public vigilance.

Residents expressed relief that the attacker was quickly taken into custody, but some have called for greater visibility of police in high-traffic community areas.

Published 19-May-2025