local news Archives - North Lakes Today

Free Camping Site Opens at Wyllie Park in Petrie

A free camping site in Moreton Bay has opened at Wyllie Park in Petrie. For people who need somewhere to stay, it gives a no-cost option in a monitored public space.

The site sits within an existing overnight camping area. It has toilets and refuse facilities. City of Moreton Bay says it will also keep watch through CCTV and regular security patrols.

Council responds to pressure on parks

Mayor Peter Flannery said the site is not crisis accommodation or long-term housing. He said the State Government remains responsible for those services.

Still, he said Council has seen growing pressure on public parks and open spaces. That pressure has pushed Council to look for a practical response.

Division 8 Councillor Jim Moloney said Council faced a difficult task. He said it does not run crisis accommodation. However, he said public parks have come under increasing pressure.

Cr Moloney said Wyllie Park offers a viable alternative to public parks. He also said it provides a free camping option for people who need it.

A place close to support

Council says the site is voluntary and no-cost. It also says the location keeps people close to support services.

That matters. For people living rough, distance can make every step harder. A site near help may offer a little more stability when life is already uncertain.

Encircle Community Services welcomed the move. CEO Barb Power OAM said the organisation has long pushed for better housing outcomes and stronger support for people experiencing homelessness.

She said demand for affordable and social housing continues to exceed supply. That shortage, she said, keeps pressure on already stretched local services.

Ms Power said the free camping site in Moreton Bay may give people a place with more stability. She also said it could help them stay near the support they need.

A local issue with no easy fix

Council has been clear that the site is not a solution to homelessness across Moreton Bay or South East Queensland. It has also called on the State Government to back not-for-profit groups that provide crisis accommodation across the region.

Even so, the move will be noticed across North Lakes and surrounding suburbs. Housing stress is not something that sits in the background anymore. It shows up in local conversations, in service demand, and in the strain on public spaces.

The new free camping site in Moreton Bay is a practical step, not a final answer. But in a climate like this, practical steps still count.

For now, Wyllie Park is open as a free camping option for people who need it.

Published 12-August-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

From Five Dollars to a Fortune in Deception Bay

Photo Credit: Pexels

A Deception Bay couple secured more than $701,000 after a $5 ticket purchased during a lunch stop at Deception Bay Tavern resulted in a significant prize.

Routine Lunch Break Leads to Major Result

A regular post-shopping meal turned into a major moment for a Deception Bay couple on 9 November 2025, when a $5 number-selection ticket produced a total prize of $701,073.20. The result came from draw 300, where their chosen numbers aligned with the top-tier outcome usually associated with matching nine selections.

According to the pair, they had just stopped in for lunch after shopping and decided to purchase a ticket together. They shared that they typically spend $20 on an entry but opted for a smaller amount this time. Once they realised they had won, they spent the remainder of the afternoon and evening celebrating.

Deception Bay Tavern — Photo Credit: Pexels

Windfall Redirects Housing Plans

The timing of the win held particular relevance for the couple. They said they had been searching for a rental property and were finding the process challenging. With the prize confirmed, they can now shift their focus from securing a rental to planning for a future home purchase.

Their winning ticket was bought at Deception Bay Tavern, located at the corner of Bay Avenue and Deception Bay Road, a venue well-frequented by locals for casual meals and social visits.

Deception Bay major win — Photo Credit: Pexels

Venue Remarks and Regional Activity

A spokesperson for Deception Bay Tavern expressed well-wishes to the couple and said the venue regularly sees patrons claim notable outcomes from number-based draws. The spokesperson added that they often observe winners planning meaningful next steps following such results.

Figures from FY25 show that number-selection draws across eastern mainland states produced more than 76 million prize outcomes, totalling over $1.2 billion.

During that period, 20 major recipients collected more than $57.9 million. Four of these were in Queensland, including a Townsville resident who secured a $4.4 million result. Queensland venues recorded more than 27.3 million prize outcomes, amounting to over $450.7 million in the same financial year.

Outlook

As the Deception Bay couple begins adjusting to their unexpected windfall, they are preparing to outline long-term plans, particularly around housing. Their $5 ticket, bought during an unplanned lunch stop, has become one of the most notable prize events recorded in Queensland for FY25, shifting their immediate and future goals in a significant way.

Published 17-Nov-2025

Stabbing Leaves One Seriously Injured in Deception Bay Street Clash

A 54-year-old man has been hospitalised with serious injuries after a violent fight involving a machete and knife broke out in Deception Bay.

What Police Found at the Scene

The altercation unfolded just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, 28 June, on Bailey Road, Deception Bay. A 54-year-old man was allegedly stabbed in the abdomen while trying to break up a family dispute and was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in critical condition.

Police also found a 33-year-old man with a head injury, who has been accused of carrying out the stabbing. A 20-year-old man was reportedly involved and later found with dangerous drugs and drug utensils. Witnesses told police they saw someone run toward the property with a crowbar around the time of the incident.

Charges and Court Dates

The 33-year-old man has been charged with acts intended to maim, disfigure or disable and is currently in custody after treatment for a minor head injury. He is due to appear in Caboolture Magistrates Court on 22 August. The 20-year-old man was charged with assault, drug possession, and possession of drug utensils.

He remains in custody and is set to face Redcliffe Magistrates Court on 23 July. Police say the individuals involved are known to each other, and the attack was not random.

Public Asked to Assist

Detectives are asking anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from Bailey Road between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. that evening to contact them. Footage or information from the public could help investigators understand exactly what led to the violent escalation.

Authorities are continuing to piece together the moments before and during the fight, and further updates are expected once court proceedings begin.

Community Impact

The stabbing has stirred fresh concern in Deception Bay, adding to a growing list of violent incidents reported in the past year. While police say the people involved knew each other, locals are unsettled by the rise in public fights involving weapons.

Officers have stepped up patrols in response, targeting drug activity and knife-related crime. Community leaders are now calling on residents to stay alert and speak up. They say stronger neighbourhood awareness is key to preventing further violence.

Published 10-July-2025