Moreton Bay Archives - North Lakes Today

Olympians Back Moreton Bay Rowing Proposal as 850 Homes Planned

Olympic athletes Emily Seebohm and Curtis McGrath have joined the campaign for a purpose-built rowing venue in Moreton Bay for the Brisbane 2032 Games, as the city highlights plans for 850 homes within the broader precinct.

The proposal centres on the former Boral quarry site at Lawnton, near Petrie, which the City of Moreton Bay is promoting as a permanent flatwater venue for rowing and canoe sprint events. The site is being presented as an alternative to the preferred location on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.

Athlete support adds weight to the proposal

Seebohm and McGrath have appeared in promotional material backing the Moreton Bay bid.

McGrath has previously raised concerns about whether river conditions in Rockhampton would provide an even course for Olympic competition. In supporting the Moreton Bay plan, he pointed to the value of a purpose-built venue designed for consistent racing conditions.

Seebohm’s support focused on the long-term value of a permanent facility, including its potential use by future athletes and the wider community.

Their involvement gives the proposal added public profile as debate continues over where rowing and canoe sprint events should be staged in 2032.

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/YouTube

Housing and legacy plans brought into focus

City of Moreton Bay has now placed greater emphasis on the precinct’s housing component, saying the development could deliver 850 homes through a staged rollout.

The project would combine the sporting venue with residential areas, commercial space, recreation facilities and transport links connected to Petrie railway station. The planned housing mix includes family homes, smaller options for downsizers and medium-density dwellings.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the proposal was intended to leave a lasting benefit for the region rather than serve only as Games infrastructure.

Council has also identified the possibility of student accommodation linked to the nearby University of the Sunshine Coast campus, arguing that the project could support both housing supply and future workforce needs.

Partnership with Boral

The proposal is being advanced as a public-private partnership involving Boral, which owns the quarry land.

Boral executive general manager Kate Jackson said the project showed how a former quarry site could be repurposed through coordinated planning involving industry, housing and education uses.

Council says the approach would allow Games-related investment to be tied to infrastructure with an ongoing local use after 2032.

Still an alternative to Rockhampton

While support for the Moreton Bay option is growing, Rockhampton remains the state’s nominated venue for rowing and canoe sprint events.

That plan is still subject to review by the International Olympic Committee, World Rowing and the International Canoe Federation.

But with athlete support, a housing component now clearly defined, and council continuing to press the legacy case, the Lawnton-Petrie site is being positioned as more than just a sporting venue.

Published 19-March-2026

Lawnton’s All Star Boxing Academy Celebrates Double Victory at the 2026 Elite Selection Trial

Jye Dixon and Darcy O’Malley from All Star Boxing Academy in Lawnton have both won their weight divisions at the 2026 Elite Selection Trial held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, putting them firmly in contention for selection in Australia’s boxing team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The pair’s victories at the Elite Selection Trial mark one of the biggest results in the Lawnton gym’s history, with two fighters from the same club winning national titles in the same week. Dixon, 21, dominated the 55kg division, winning all of his bouts 5-0. O’Malley, 18, fought five times in seven days to claim the 60kg title. Both athletes started at All Star Boxing Academy when they were around 11 or 12 years old, making their rise from junior members to national Elite Selection Trial champions a story that runs the full length of what the club has built at Lawnton.

Two Champions, Two Paths to the Same Result

Dixon grew up in Caboolture and now trains from Brendale, but his boxing development has been shaped entirely by the All Star program. His performance at the Elite Selection Trial was near-flawless, winning every bout by unanimous decision, and he describes the result as among the defining moments of his career alongside his appearance at last year’s World Championships in Liverpool.

The selection trial win carries particular significance for Dixon given his proximity to the Commonwealth Games story. While preparing for the world titles in Liverpool, he spent time in Glasgow and was close to the venues where this year’s Games will take place. He knows what is at stake and what the city looks like. After the final bout in Canberra, he described the feeling as equal parts relief and disbelief: he had done it, and the magnitude of it took a moment to land.

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O’Malley’s path to the same Elite Selection Trial podium has been built across years of state and national age-group competition. He is a five-time Queensland Under-19 60kg Champion and the Australian Schools Youth Champion, and the trial final in Canberra represented his first bout without headguard, marking his formal transition into senior competition. A recent graduate of St Paul’s School at Bald Hills, he is 18 years old and already measuring himself against the best senior men in the country.

A Gym and a Coach Behind Every Win

All Star Boxing Academy operates from Lawnton in the Moreton Bay region and has developed a reputation as one of Queensland’s most productive pathways for amateur boxing talent. Coach Paul Utia has overseen both Dixon and O’Malley’s development across the years since they first walked into the gym as preteens, and the club was direct in acknowledging his role in the week’s results.

Winning at the Elite Selection Trial against the best men in Australia requires more than talent. It requires years of structured preparation, disciplined weight management, tactical development and the mental toughness to compete at full intensity five times in seven days. The academy’s statement put it plainly: to win at this level is a testament to the dedication, sacrifice and relentless daily work both athletes put in, and to the standards Utia drives inside the program.

When the pair returned from Canberra, a large group of All Star boxers, supporters and family greeted them at Brisbane Airport, showing how strongly the Lawnton and North Lakes community felt their success.

What Comes Next

Boxing Australia will announce the Commonwealth Games team on 8 April 2026. Both Dixon and O’Malley now sit in strong contention for selection following their Elite Selection Trial victories, though final team composition remains the national body’s decision. If selected, Australia’s boxing team will follow an extensive preparation program ahead of the Games, including potential international training camps in Brazil and China.

The Commonwealth Games run from 23 July to 2 August 2026 in Glasgow. All Star Boxing Academy is based in Lawnton and can be found via its Facebook page. The club welcomes junior members from around the North Lakes, Petrie and Moreton Bay region.

Published 26-February-2026.

From Horror to the King of Rock: What’s On This Week from 26 February to 4 March 2026

Cinemas across Moreton Bay light up this week with massive horror and fresh drama. Whether you’re in North Lakes, Strathpine, Redcliffe, or Morayfield, there’s something fresh to enjoy on the silver screen.

Opening This Week

Scream 7

In cinemas from 26 February

The rules have changed again. Ghostface returns to stalk a new generation in this massive horror blockbuster. Catch it at Event Cinemas North Lakes, Springfield Central, BCC Strathpine, Limelight (Ipswich, Morayfield), Bribie Cinema, and HOYTS Redcliffe.

Solo Mio

In cinemas from 26 February

A captivating new release hitting the region this week. Catch it at Event Cinemas North Lakes, Springfield Central, BCC Strathpine, Limelight (Ipswich, Morayfield), and HOYTS Redcliffe.

Still Showing

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

The ultimate tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll continues at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, Bribie, and Redcliffe.

Fackham Hall

Catch the laugh-out-loud period comedy at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, Bribie, and Redcliffe.

Crime 101

The high-stakes thriller starring Chris Hemsworth is still showing at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, and Redcliffe.

Wuthering Heights

The sweeping gothic romance continues at North Lakes, Strathpine, Morayfield, Bribie, and Redcliffe.

Where to Watch

Event Cinemas North Lakes – Westfield North Lakes
BCC Cinemas Strathpine – Strathpine Centre
Limelight Cinemas Morayfield – Morayfield Shopping Centre
HOYTS Redcliffe – Peninsula Fair Shopping Centre
Bribie Cinema – Bongaree

From heart-pounding horror to incredible concert films, Moreton Bay’s cinemas are packed with great entertainment this week. Grab some popcorn and enjoy a local screening near you.

From the King to the Manor: What’s On This Week for February 19-25 2026

Cinemas across Moreton Bay light up this week with a global musical event and a laugh-out-loud comedy. Whether you’re in North Lakes, Strathpine, Redcliffe, or Morayfield, there’s something fresh to enjoy on the silver screen.