Dakabin Archives - North Lakes Today

Dakabin Wildlife Hospital Moves Closer to Construction

Plans for Dakabin’s $15 million wildlife hospital have taken another step towards construction, with the first contractor procurement round now closed and site works scheduled to begin before the end of the year.

Expressions of interest from head contractors closed on 4 September for the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital at 420 Old Gympie Road.

The process is for construction rather than design, with a restricted construction tender anticipated in October. A builder has not yet been appointed and construction has not started.

City of Moreton Bay expects site preparation to begin in late 2026, ahead of main construction from early 2027. Its 2026–27 Budget also provides for power, water and communications connections at the site.

From Playing Fields to Wildlife Hospital

The hospital will occupy part of the former North Pine Playing Fields, near Boundary Road and the Bruce Highway.

Council considered more than 100 properties before choosing Dakabin, with road access, services, relatively flat terrain and room for future expansion among the factors considered. The land was previously valued at about $3 million.

In October last year, Council granted the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation an initial 10-year community lease over the property for $1 a year. The peppercorn arrangement followed the signing of a $15 million State Government funding agreement for the hospital and education hub.

Then Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway said having the hospital in Moreton Bay would cut the distance injured animals had to travel for emergency treatment.

“This new facility will mean injured wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos and echidnas can be treated locally rather than being driven up to two hours for care at RSPCA in Wacol or Australia Zoo in Beerwah,” she said.

Keeping Treatment Closer to Home

Moreton Bay currently sits between the major wildlife hospitals at Wacol and Beerwah, while the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation estimates more than 7,000 animals leave the region for medical treatment each year.

Foundation director Christine West said when the lease was announced that the Dakabin facility would benefit both injured animals and the people transporting and caring for them.

“The establishment of the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital is such a vital step forward, a dedicated local facility that will keep care close to home, reducing transport stress on injured animals and easing the burden on our rescue network,” she said.

The hospital is intended primarily for the triage and treatment of injured and orphaned native wildlife. Animals will be assessed and stabilised at Dakabin, with some later transferred to carers or specialist rehabilitation facilities.

Expected patients include koalas, kangaroos, possums, gliders, birds, bats, snakes and turtles. Domestic and exotic pets will not be treated.

Builder Search Moves Ahead

Plans include specialist clinical and animal-care areas, along with administration and community facilities. Education and training are also part of the longer-term model.

A 24-hour service remains an ambition rather than a confirmed feature from opening, with round-the-clock operations dependent on staffing and funding.

The Foundation, established by local volunteers in 2022, is overseeing development of the project. An appropriately licensed operator is expected to eventually run the hospital’s clinical service.

The EOI process has now closed, with the restricted construction tender anticipated in October. Site preparation remains scheduled for late 2026, ahead of construction from early 2027.

Published 7-September-2026

Private Six-Court Tennis Academy Proposed In Dakabin

Plans for a private six-court Dakabin tennis academy have been lodged for a 4.54-hectare Boundary Road property, with the proposed facility designed for a limited group of junior and professional athletes rather than public court use.

Newtons High Performance Tennis Academy is proposed for 328 Boundary Road under development application DA/2026/3420, which was lodged on 6 July 2026 and remains under assessment by the authorities.

The application describes the academy as a not-for-profit elite athlete development facility focused on coaching and structured high-performance training. It would accommodate up to 16 junior athletes, five professional tour athletes and three coaches.

Aerial view of Boundary Road development site — *Photo Credit: DA/2026/3420*

Dakabin Tennis Academy Would Be Private

The proposed academy would not operate as a public tennis centre or commercial sporting complex. Public court hire, social tennis, tournaments, spectator events and general recreational use would not be offered.

Six courts with varied playing surfaces are proposed, with the planning report describing the surfaces as representative of those used in professional tournaments. A communal building would provide space for strength and conditioning activities.

Cabins would provide short-term accommodation for athletes and other personnel associated with the academy. The planning report states that these cabins would be restricted to people affiliated with the on-site operation and would not be used as tourist or holiday accommodation.

A dwelling house and secondary dwelling are also proposed, together with parking, a swimming pool, outdoor pavilions and outbuildings for maintenance and sporting equipment.

The residential elements would be positioned towards the Boundary Road frontage, with the tennis facilities behind them. The planning report says the development has been arranged within open and previously disturbed portions of the property and that the tennis infrastructure would not be visible from Boundary Road.

Proposed tennis courts within Dakabin academy plans — *Photo Credit: DA/2026/3420*

Rural Residential Site Faces Impact Assessment

The 45,400-square-metre property has about 102 metres of frontage to Boundary Road and sits within the Rural Residential Zone.

Approval is being sought for a Material Change of Use covering a dwelling house and secondary dwelling, educational establishment, outdoor sport and recreation, and short-term accommodation.

The educational, short-term accommodation and outdoor sport and recreation components are Impact Assessable. The planning report identifies a 15-business-day public notification period as part of the development assessment process.

The proposed dwelling would also exceed the site’s mapped maximum building height of 8.5 metres. The applicant’s planning assessment submits that the dwelling can remain compatible with the area because of its proposed scale, setbacks and position on the large allotment.

Boundary Road property proposed for tennis academy — *Photo Credit: DA/2026/3420*

Koala Habitat And Other Site Constraints

Much of the property is mapped within a Koala Priority Area and Core Koala Habitat Area.

The applicant’s arboricultural assessment identifies 37 trees for removal but states that no native trees are proposed to be removed. It identifies trees proposed for removal within the mapped Core Koala Habitat Area as Pinus elliottii, an exotic species, and states that native trees and koala habitat trees within that area would be retained.

Flood and bushfire hazard mapping also affects parts of the property, with specialist assessments covering those matters. Other supporting material addresses stormwater, ecology, landscaping, arboriculture and wastewater.

The application also states that Tennis Queensland and Tennis Australia support the academy as an athlete-development pathway. Its planning material links the proposal to the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the provision of specialised high-performance training environments.

An earlier application for the property, DA/2025/1009, was withdrawn before being accepted as properly made.

The current application is listed by council at the Information Request stage, which began on 4 August 2026 and has a due date of 19 August 2026.

Published 10-August-2026

Major Murrumba Downs Wastewater Upgrades To Support Moreton Bay’s Growing Communities

Communities surrounding North Lakes are among those set to benefit from a series of upgrades at Unitywater’s Murrumba Downs Wastewater Treatment Plant, as the utility expands infrastructure to support growth across Moreton Bay.

The treatment plant services approximately 187,000 homes and businesses in Dakabin, Griffin, Kallangur, Mango Hill and Murrumba Downs, as well as Bray Park, Joyner, Lawnton and Strathpine. It processes around 25 megalitres of wastewater each day—the equivalent of about 5.5 million toilet flushes.

The upgrades are part of Unitywater’s $500 million renewals and replacements program, which is aimed at strengthening water and wastewater infrastructure throughout its service region.

Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Mike Basterfield said the works included a range of improvements designed to support the plant’s ongoing operation.

The project involves refurbishing the plant’s bioreactor, replacing aeration diffusers that supply oxygen to microorganisms used in the treatment process, upgrading a cloth media filter tank and constructing a new aeration tank to improve biological treatment.

Upstream of the treatment plant, crews have also installed a 16-metre-high barometric loop—a distinctive U-shaped structure that uses gravity and atmospheric pressure to maintain efficient wastewater flow.

According to Unitywater, the new structure will increase pumping efficiency while helping reduce odour and the risk of blockages in the wastewater network.

Mr Basterfield said the crane lift also drew the attention of children from nearby Green Leaves Early Learning Centre, who later visited the site dressed in miniature high-visibility safety vests.

The barometric loop was installed by Dormway earlier this year, while Downer is delivering the remaining works. The full program is expected to be completed by November 2026.

Published 1-Aug-2026

From Northpine Christian To Northpine Adventist: Dakabin School Adopts New Identity

For generations of families in Moreton Bay, the school on Hughes Road East has been known as Northpine Christian College. In 2026, the Dakabin campus entered a new era, officially becoming Northpine Adventist College after a two-year rebrand designed to align the school more closely with the global Adventist education network while maintaining the community identity it has built since 1953.

Read: Street Spotlight: Hughes Rd E, Dakabin

The college officially unveiled its new name, logo, colours and branding at the beginning of 2026, following consultation with staff, students, families and alumni. The rebrand aligns the Prep to Year 12 school more closely with the wider Adventist education network, which operates schools, churches and aged care services across Australia and internationally.

Photo credit: Northpine Adventist College

Principal Jeanette Martin said the rebrand does not change the core identity of the school, but presents it more clearly within the broader Adventist community. The college says its Christian values, academic programs and community culture remain unchanged under the new name.

Ceremony marks official transition

The college formally marked its transition to Northpine Adventist College with a renaming and ribbon-cutting ceremony held on campus last January. The event was attended by staff, invited guests and former school leaders, including Adventist Schools Australia national education director Jack Ryan, South Queensland education director Gary Marsters and former principal Graham Baird.

Mrs Martin led proceedings, which included the unveiling of the college’s updated branding and signage. Pastor Sarah Redman delivered a dedication for the newly completed Stage 8 building. Staff also participated in a prayer service before gathering for morning tea. The ceremony highlighted the college’s connection to the Adventist education network.

Consultation undertaken during the rebrand process also informed the school’s updated values framework. The college adopted four core values, Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence, grouped under the acronym RISE, alongside a new motto, Together We Rise.

The college entered 2026 following the release of its 2025 senior results. According to figures published by Moreton Daily, all eligible Year 12 students achieved their Queensland Certificate of Education in 2025. Seventeen per cent of students received an ATAR of 95 or above, 43 per cent achieved 90 or higher, and 78 per cent achieved 80 or above.

The campus has also undergone several upgrades. The new Stage 8 building, dedicated during the January ceremony and scheduled to officially open on 18 May, includes specialist art and photography studios, classrooms, a primary staff room and expanded sports facilities.

Read: Infrastructure and Services Expansion in North Lakes, Dakabin and Deception Bay

Other recent works across the Hughes Road East campus include a refurbishment of the Early Learning Centre, upgrades to science laboratories and roofing works over the tennis courts. New signage reflecting the college’s updated branding has also been installed throughout the grounds.

More than 70 years after opening, the college now operates under a revised identity aligned more closely with the Adventist education system.

Published 11-May-2026

How One Buyer Used Her Superannuation to Score a Dakabin Investment

A Dakabin property might look like any other rental from the outside, but for its new owner, it represents something far more deliberate: a retirement plan funded by superannuation, and a first step onto the property ladder taken in a way most Australians have never considered.

Read: New Deception Bay Urgent Care Clinic Opens Near Dakabin

Yvette Buckley, a renter from Nundah, paid $720,000 for the Dakabin property in November 2025. She has never lived in it, and under Australian law, she never can. That is not a problem — it is the whole point.

Buckley used her superannuation to fund the deposit and purchase the property as an investment asset. Because the home is held inside a super fund, she is legally prohibited from living in it, as are her family and friends. It must remain permanently tenanted, with rental income and ongoing super contributions directed toward repaying the mortgage.

It is a strategy that sits within the broader concept of “rentvesting,” which is buying an investment property while continuing to rent where you want to live, but with superannuation doing the work of the deposit. While it is not widely known, it gave Buckley options she felt she did not have through conventional home ownership. Despite having worked since she was 16, she did not want to be weighed down by a mortgage she could not comfortably afford.

Her inspiration came from a Defence Force housing program that operated along similar lines. Once she understood the structure, she applied the same logic to her own superannuation, allowing her to access a larger deposit than she could have saved independently and take on a smaller overall loan. She has continued renting in Nundah while the Dakabin property remains tenanted.

The process was far from straightforward. Very few banks offer loans for this type of purchase, and finding a property that both qualified and sat within her budget proved exhausting. She described the search as nearly a full-time job in itself, and came close to abandoning the plan altogether before enlisting the help of a buyers agent.

The buyers agent who assisted with the purchase, helped Buckley secure the Dakabin property before the market moved on. The speed of that shift was telling, an identical property in the same complex sold for $770,000 just one week later. Jones has noted that buyers in Brisbane now need a budget of around $800,000 to find something suitable for a super fund.

The strategy carries real risks, and Buckley has been candid about that. When a retirement fund is tied to a single property, the fund’s performance becomes inseparable from that asset’s value. A poor purchase can put retirement savings at serious risk. Her advice to anyone considering this path is to focus on properties that appeal to owner-occupiers, not just investors.

Her decision was also shaped by what she had witnessed in her own family. Watching her parents reach older age without sufficient savings, unable to access the care or housing they needed, made her determined to plan differently while she still had time. She believes many people her age are watching their parents face the same situation.

Read: Street Spotlight: Hughes Rd E, Dakabin

For North Lakes and Dakabin residents, Buckley’s story is a reminder that the area is attracting buyers with a long view, and that the window to buy in this price range may not stay open for long.

Published 12-March-2026

Dakabin Blackout Misery as Heatwave and Storms Hit Queensland at Once

Photo Credit: Jemma Morris/Narangba Facebook Group

Residents in Dakabin said it felt like “living in a sauna” after the power went out just after 7:00 p.m., leaving homes sweltering in the evening heat.

Homes in Dakabin were plunged into darkness just after 7:00 p.m. this week as another line of severe storms rolled across south-east Queensland. With air conditioners and fans suddenly cut off, residents took to social media to vent about the stifling conditions.

“To everyone in Dakabin who is currently living in a sauna, I think I’m definitely buying a generator,” one resident wrote in a Facebook group.

The outage in Dakabin came on top of days of rolling storms and blackouts across the region. By early Friday morning, 28 November, more than 3,000 homes and businesses across Queensland were still without power, including hundreds in Brisbane and more than a thousand in the City of Moreton Bay.

ENERGEX OUTAGE FINDER

Storms, blackouts and brutal humidity

Thursday’s storms were the fifth straight day of severe weather for south-east Queensland. Thunderstorms swept repeatedly across Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, the City of Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast, bringing hail up to 4–5 centimetres in places, destructive wind gusts and almost two million lightning strikes recorded between Sunday and Thursday.

Residents described homes turning into “saunas” after the power went out, with hot, humid air hanging in the still rooms through the night. With no air-conditioning and limited ability to cool down, households were left to ride out the conditions in the dark.

Power crews worked to repair downed lines and damaged infrastructure, with repeated storm cells and widespread damage affecting restoration efforts across the south-east. In some areas, lines were still down late into the week, forcing families to throw out spoiled food and find ways to cope with the heat without power.

Heatwave on top of a storm belt

The blackout in Dakabin did not happen in isolation. Queensland is in the grip of a severe heatwave, with temperatures running between 2 and 8 degrees above the November average in many areas.

In the Greater Brisbane region, the mercury climbed into the mid-30s, with the “feels like” temperature nudging 40 degrees at times as humidity surged. Brisbane reached 33.8 degrees just before 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, while Amberley hit 35.5 degrees with an apparent temperature close to 38.4 degrees. Further inland, towns such as Birdsville, Longreach and Julia Creek topped 40 degrees, as hot air from central Australia spread across Queensland and New South Wales.

Meteorologists say that combination of heat and moisture has fuelled the repeated storms hitting Queensland this week. A hot, humid air mass sits over the state like a lid, while a low-pressure trough moving in from the west acts as a trigger, helping to “knock over the first domino” and kick off severe thunderstorms.

Low to severe-intensity heatwaves are continuing across central and eastern Queensland, with severe conditions affecting the north tropical coast, central coast, Wide Bay/Burnett coast and the south-east coast, extending into northern New South Wales. Authorities warn that the heat is making it difficult for people to manage heat stress, particularly during extended periods of hot days and warm nights.

Warnings to stay cool and stay prepared

The Bureau of Meteorology has urged residents across south-east Queensland to take the heat and storms seriously, advising people to stay indoors where possible, stay hydrated and check in on vulnerable family and neighbours. Severe thunderstorms are expected to be most likely from late morning to late afternoon, with the possibility of continuing into the evening in some areas.

Fire danger ratings remain high in several inland districts, including the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Channel Country, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Maranoa and Warrego, and Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders. In the south-east, fire danger is lower, but authorities say the combination of storms, wind, heat and lightning remains a hazard.

Daily routines continue between storm cells, even as neighbours swap stories about the blackout and how they coped without power. With forecasters warning of more storms on the way and heat lingering into the weekend, Dakabin’s “sauna” week may not be the last time the suburb faces hot conditions during a blackout.

Published 28-Nov-2025

Street Spotlight: Hughes Rd E, Dakabin

Photo Credit: qimagery.information.qld.gov.au

Every weekday morning, Hughes Road E comes alive with a familiar rhythm. Parents queue in their cars, kids clutching backpacks stream towards the gates, and the occasional P&F sausage sizzle sends the scent of onions drifting across the footpath. This is the street where life at Northpine Christian College truly plays out—the school’s front door, where the morning bell (a relic saved from an earlier campus fire, according to the school’s history) rings out to mark the start of another day.

For decades, Hughes Road East has been synonymous with the school that defines it. Northpine Christian College sits at 29 Hughes Road East, and its presence has shaped not just the daily rhythms of the street, but the very reasons families choose to live nearby. Real estate agents making their rounds often pause at inspection boards, adding notes about proximity to Northpine—a selling point that’s become as valuable as an extra bedroom or a renovated kitchen.

The street itself tells a story of suburban transformation. What was once a quieter stretch of road serving semi-rural properties has evolved into a sought-after address for families prioritising walkable school runs and tight-knit community life. Teachers wave from the office windows, school buses file in and out, and the properties lining Hughes Road East have watched their values climb steadily as the college expanded its enrolments and facilities.

But Hughes Road East isn’t just about the present. Its older sales records reveal the trajectory of a street that’s grown alongside its most prominent neighbour. In 1992, a four-bedroom home at number 13 changed hands for $130,000—a modest sum that reflected the area’s more rural character at the time. A decade later, in 2002, number 25 sold for $197,000, and by 2007, 7A Hughes Road East fetched $270,000. Each sale marked another step in the street’s evolution from country lane to commuter-friendly address.

Hughes Rd E, Dakabin Residents

NUMBER OF PROPERTIES: 1 unit, 25 houses, 6 others
% OF OWNER OCCUPIERS ON STREET: 85%
AVERAGE TIME FOR OWNER OCCUPIERS: 12 years and 2 months
% OF PEOPLE 10+ YEARS: 38%

Hughes Rd E, Dakabin – As It Looked in 1936

SOME TYPICAL PROPERTY SALES ON HUGHES RD E FROM YESTERYEAR

Property Address	Sale Price	Sale Date
7A Hughes Road East, Dakabin	$270,000	Apr 2007
25 Hughes Road East, Dakabin	$197,000	Apr 2002
13 Hughes Road East, Dakabin	$130,000	Aug 1992

SUBURB PROFILE

The median price of a 4 Bedroom House in Dakabin in 2025 was $825,000
The median price of a 4 Bedroom House in Dakabin in 2021 was $470,000
TYPICAL INCREASE OF A 4 BEDROOM HOUSE IN DAKABIN SINCE 2021: $355,000

If you know Hughes Road E, Dakabin well and you have some anecdotes or details to add, please email us at editor@brisbanesuburbsonlinenews.com.au.

Published 13-November-2025

Dakabin to Welcome New Wildlife Hospital Aimed at Saving Local Species

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital/Facebook

A $15-million wildlife hospital is coming to Dakabin, promising faster treatment for injured native animals and relief for overworked rescue groups across the Moreton Bay region.

The facility, which will include a community education hub, is set to become a vital service for one of Queensland’s most wildlife-dense areas, where koalas and other native species are often at risk from traffic, habitat loss, and disease.

Purpose-Built for the Community and the Environment

The new hospital will be built on land valued at about $3 million at 420 Old Gympie Road in Dakabin, with construction expected to begin once final designs and permits are completed. The location was selected for its accessibility, proximity to bushland corridors, and ability to support a long-term expansion plan.

According to the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation, the facility will focus solely on native wildlife, providing emergency care and rehabilitation for animals such as koalas, sugar gliders, wallabies, and flying foxes. It will not treat domestic pets, keeping its mission firmly on wildlife conservation.

The new Dakabin hospital forms part of a broader state-wide push to improve wildlife-care capacity across Queensland. Similar projects are being developed in Redlands, Southport, Currumbin, and Green Island, as part of an ongoing investment in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation infrastructure.

Each site is expected to work collaboratively, sharing expertise and resources to ensure that injured and sick animals receive timely, high-quality care.

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital/Facebook

Reducing Travel and Improving Survival Rates

Local carers and wildlife volunteers say the project could not come soon enough. Rescue groups have reported that injured animals often endure long trips — sometimes more than two hours — to reach the nearest veterinary hospital equipped to handle wildlife emergencies.

These journeys can significantly reduce survival chances, particularly for species prone to stress or shock. The new facility in Dakabin will mean faster intervention, potentially saving thousands of animals each year.

Education Hub to Build Wildlife Awareness

Community leaders and environmental advocates have also praised the inclusion of an education hub, describing it as a crucial bridge between science and the public. The education component will host workshops, school excursions, and volunteer training programs to teach residents how to respond when they find injured wildlife and how to make backyards and roadways safer for native species. The aim is to build a community that not only supports the hospital but actively contributes to preventing harm in the first place.

The hospital’s design will prioritise sustainability, with plans for solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and landscaping that mimics natural habitats. This will create a calm, restorative environment for recovering animals and demonstrate environmentally responsible development for the area. While the design phase is still underway, the facility is expected to include treatment and recovery rooms, triage areas, and outdoor rehabilitation enclosures.

A Regional Effort to Strengthen Wildlife Care

The Moreton Bay region has one of the largest koala populations in Queensland, making it a hotspot for wildlife rescues. However, increasing urban development has led to more frequent encounters between humans and animals, often resulting in road strikes and habitat fragmentation.

Wildlife groups hope the Dakabin hospital will act as a stabilising force — both for local ecosystems and for the growing network of carers who have worked tirelessly to protect the region’s biodiversity.

While an exact construction timeline has not been finalised, early projections suggest the hospital could be operational within three years. Once complete, it will serve as both a treatment centre and a community hub, offering volunteer placements, training programs, and collaboration opportunities for universities and wildlife researchers.

Local volunteers say the facility will fill a long-standing gap in the region’s animal care network and help build long-term resilience for the area’s environment.

Published 28-Oct-2025

Infrastructure and Services Expansion in North Lakes, Dakabin and Deception Bay

Photo Credit: QLD Gov

North Lakes, Dakabin and Deception Bay are set to receive targeted investments in health, education, policing, and infrastructure under the 2025–26 Queensland Budget.

Investments Target Key Growth Corridors

The 2025–26 Queensland Budget allocates funding to major infrastructure, education and community projects in North Lakes, Dakabin and Deception Bay, aligning with broader development plans across Moreton Bay. The Redcliffe Hospital, which services residents in these suburbs, will undergo a significant expansion, while additional upgrades to police and transport services are also included.

Hospital and Healthcare Upgrades

A key investment includes the expansion of Redcliffe Hospital, adding at least 210 new overnight beds as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan. The project is intended to improve healthcare access for suburbs such as North Lakes and Deception Bay. Additional parking facilities are also planned to support patients, carers and staff.

Caboolture Hospital will undergo a $367.7 million redevelopment, with a further $15 million allocated for a new paediatric outpatients area.

Community Safety Measures in Place

To enhance law enforcement capabilities in the region, the POLAIR aerial police operations will be extended to include Moreton Bay. This initiative is supported by a broader $100 million expansion. A new State Emergency Service depot will also be delivered in Deception Bay, backed by a $3.75 million commitment.

Statewide policing resources will grow with the addition of 1,600 new recruits and upgrades in equipment, which will support local units operating in suburbs such as Dakabin and North Lakes.

Bruce Highway upgrade — *Photo Credit: Google Maps*

Road and Rail Improvements

Residents of Deception Bay and North Lakes are expected to benefit from upgrades to the Bruce Highway, which forms a major commuter route through the region. These works are part of a $9 billion program aimed at improving traffic flow and safety.

Planning for the Wave Project — a proposed passenger rail connection between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast — has received an additional $40 million. This project is expected to improve future connectivity for Dakabin and North Lakes as part of the Moreton Bay corridor.

Education and Skills Development

A new special school is planned for Moreton Bay South, which is expected to serve families in Dakabin and North Lakes. Pine Rivers State High School will receive $9.6 million to deliver new specialist classrooms.

Young residents across the region will benefit from statewide education support programs, including the $100 Back to School Boost and $200 Play On! vouchers. Free apprenticeships across 130 priority courses will also be available for locals under 25.

Moreton Bay Budget — *Photo Credit: Google Maps*

Environmental and Housing Commitments

The “Zero Litter to the Bay by 2030” initiative will receive $35 million to upgrade stormwater infrastructure, aiming to reduce litter entering Moreton Bay. The region is also targeted in the broader $5.6 billion social and community housing program, with 487 homes under construction and funding flowing through the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund.

Regional Training Hub and Support Services

Dakabin will host the new $15 million Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital and Education Hub. Additionally, the Moreton Bay TAFE Centre of Excellence will receive $60 million to strengthen trade and skills training for local residents, including those in Deception Bay and North Lakes.

Published 27-June-2025

Road Upgrades, Safer Crossings Coming to North Lakes and Surrounds

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

Residents in North Lakes, Dakabin and Kallangur will soon notice a wave of street upgrades, with millions of dollars set aside to improve pedestrian crossings, parks and major road links in the 2025–26 City of Moreton Bay budget.

Community Safety Takes Priority

North Lakes families, particularly those around local schools, will benefit from new raised pedestrian crossings designed to calm traffic and make it safer for children walking or riding to school. This includes work near North Lakes State College, where increased pedestrian activity has made safety upgrades a key concern.

Council also flagged upcoming improvements to nearby Griffin and Mango Hill, which share infrastructure with North Lakes. These works are part of a broader $21 million investment across the city to support walkable neighbourhoods. In parallel, lighting at Kallangur Town Memorial Park will be upgraded, adding better visibility for after-hours use.

In Dakabin, a raised pedestrian crossing is planned for Marsden Road. The suburb will also receive outdoor gym equipment at Blue Gum Park, encouraging locals to get active in their own community.

Old Gympie Road Set for Major Upgrade

A standout infrastructure project for this corridor is the Old Gympie Road upgrade. Spanning across Dakabin and Kallangur, this seven-year project carries a price tag of $142.5 million. Design and early works will begin during this financial year.

The project aims to address long-standing congestion and improve safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. For Dakabin, this will include a redesign of Alma Road to remove a sharp bend and replace it with a roundabout, with construction starting in 2026.

Kallangur will also benefit from a new zebra crossing on Goodfellows Road, further adding to efforts to slow traffic and protect foot traffic in busy local areas.

Investment in Local Spaces

Beyond roads, North Lakes and nearby suburbs are seeing attention to green and active spaces. Council plans to install new outdoor exercise stations at key parks, including North Ridge Circuit Park (Deception Bay) and John Oxley Reserve in Murrumba Downs, which services Dakabin and Kallangur residents.

A new 3,000 square metre green space is also in development at John Oxley Reserve, with barbecue facilities, seating and paths. This is part of the city’s broader $80 million investment into parks and open spaces.

Balancing Growth With Liveability

Moreton Bay is growing by around 12,500 people each year, adding pressure to roads, parks and schools in suburbs like North Lakes, Dakabin and Kallangur. These areas, close to Brisbane, are now key targets for upgrades under the city’s $1 billion 2025–26 budget.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the focus remains on practical improvements that make a real difference day to day. Over $400 million will go toward capital works including roads, public spaces and safety projects. Locals can expect to see early upgrades by mid-2026, with major roadworks extending to 2031.

Published 18-June-2025