Moreton Bay Archives - North Lakes Today

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

Mt Maria College Reveals New Crest Ahead of 2027 Name Change

Mt Maria College has revealed the crest that will represent the Petrie school when it becomes St Marcellin Catholic College. The new identity marks the next stage of a transition announced by the college, following two years of consultation with students, parents and staff.

The college announced in April that it will formally adopt the St Marcellin Catholic College name in January 2027. Planning will continue throughout the remainder of 2026.

New signage, branding and uniforms will form part of the transition. The college previously said uniform changes would be phased in to avoid extra costs for families. It also indicated that the existing college colours would remain largely unchanged.

Principal Kerry Maher said the identity would support the college’s future direction while retaining values already established within the school community.

New name strengthens Marist identity

St Marcellin Catholic College will take its name from St Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers. His approach to education centred on young people, faith, compassion and personal relationships, and those principles already shape its work with students.

Maher said the new name gives the school a clearer identity and expresses its Marist character more directly. She also linked the change to student growth, wellbeing and strong learning outcomes.

The school’s Marist values include family spirit, simplicity, presence, love of work and care for people who need support. Those values would play a greater role in shaping the school’s future.

Crest links faith, heritage and place

The new crest places a cross at the centre of the design, representing Jesus Christ and the school’s Catholic identity. A heart represents the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, while the Auspice Maria symbolises Mary’s protection. The emblem also reflects the college’s Marist identity.

Photo Credit: Supplied

An Indigenous Bunya Pine acknowledges the history and heritage of the local Gubbi Gubbi people. The symbol gives the crest a clear connection to the Petrie area.

A lantern represents the call for members of the school community to bring light to others through their actions.

The motto, “Lead by Example”, appears beneath the crest. It draws on 1 Timothy 4:12 and encourages students to show leadership through the way they speak, live and serve.

Mt Maria and Kolbe histories will remain

The transition will not erase the school’s earlier identities. The school will continue to recognise the history of Mt Maria College and the former Kolbe College. Both names form part of the college community’s history in Petrie.

During Catholic Education Week, the college shared material from Kolbe College’s foundation year with Brisbane Catholic Education. It also shared a 25-year celebration publication featuring the Kolbe College and Mt Maria College logos together.

Student programs set to continue

The college has also emphasised that its central work with students will remain unchanged. It will continue to offer academic and vocational pathways for different interests and post-school goals. These include university preparation, industry experience and mixed learning options.

Programs named by the college include the Scholars Program, Industry Recruits, STEM Innovators, Inquiry Learning and the Integrated Learning and Pathways Program.

Career education will continue across Years 7 to 12. Sport, instrumental music, student leadership and pastoral programs will also remain.

The school also plans to retain camps, retreats, work experience, excursions and industry visits. Arts opportunities include the college band, vocal group, dance troupe and the Luminaire Art Extension Program. Students will also continue to take part in representative sport and community service initiatives.

The school said its staff would keep focusing on knowing students individually and helping them build confidence, skills and purpose.

Consultation shaped the decision

Parents, students and staff took part in consultations during 2024 and 2025. According to the college, participants wanted continued improvement, a strong sense of purpose and an identity that would support students into the future. The feedback also showed support for high expectations in learning and a strong focus on student wellbeing.

Published 30-July-2026

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

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 22-July-2026

Narangba Residents Invited To Comment On Precinct Plans

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Narangba residents will be able to comment on proposed changes to the Narangba Innovation Precinct, including future industrial development and a proposed air quality assessment policy.

Public consultation on Major Planning Scheme Amendment No. 5 – Narangba Innovation Precinct (East) will run from 27 July to 24 August 2026.

The proposal applies to the industrial precinct on the eastern side of the Bruce Highway. Residents can also review and comment on the proposed Planning Scheme Policy – Air Quality Impact Assessment during the same period.

Community Feedback Opens In Narangba

The amendment and its supporting documents will be available through the Your Say Moreton Bay website, where feedback can be submitted before consultation closes.

The proposal seeks to establish a long-term planning position for Special and High Impact Industry within a designated section of the existing precinct.

It would not expand the Narangba Innovation Precinct’s overall footprint. Instead, the amendment would provide planning provisions for industrial businesses already operating in the designated area and for future development applications.

City of Moreton Bay says the proposal could support nearly 600 additional Special and High Impact Industry jobs and contribute $129 million to the local economy.

More than 3,000 jobs in Special and High Impact Industry are already located within the precinct.

Map showing the Narangba precinct study area — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Cumulative Impacts Form Part Of Assessment

Future development would be considered through a whole-of-precinct assessment approach.

This would require potential impacts from a proposed development to be considered alongside existing emissions from across the precinct, rather than assessing each application in isolation.

Applicants would need to demonstrate that their development would not cause adverse effects in surrounding areas.The proposed air quality policy would provide city-wide guidance for businesses conducting air quality assessments for new developments. It would also give specific guidance on assessing cumulative air emissions within or next to the Narangba precinct.

Aerial view of Narangba industrial precinct — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Investigations Inform Precinct Proposal

The planning amendment follows environmental health investigations carried out between 2020 and 2024.

Independent consultants examined air quality, noise, human health, fire risks and other environmental hazards associated with allowable combined impacts from Special and High Impact Industry in the eastern precinct.

Economic investigations also considered the industries’ contribution to employment, productivity and the local economy.

The work followed the introduction of a Temporary Local Planning Instrument in July 2020. The instrument established interim planning rules while a longer-term position was developed for industrial activity and the protection of nearby residential areas.

The Temporary Local Planning Instrument has been extended for a further 12 months, allowing those interim rules to remain while consultation and the planning amendment process are completed.

Any adoption of the amendment will remain subject to the outcome of consultation and ministerial approval. Feedback can be submitted through the Your Say Moreton Bay website from 27 July to 24 August.

Published 21-July-2026

The Quiet Power of the Mango Hill Progress Association

Photo Credit: Mango HIll Progress Association/ Facebook

The Mango Hill Progress Association has spent 40 years successfully blocking unwanted developments and forcing government action to transform a quiet corner of the Moreton Bay region into a connected, thriving community.

Founded in 1986, the group initially mobilised to defeat plans for a rubbish tip and cemetery on Chermside Rd. This victory provided the foundation for a permanent watchdog presence. Over the ensuing decades, the association matured into a sophisticated advocate that forced the delivery of the Redcliffe Peninsula rail line and the 2024 opening of the Moreton Bay Central Fire Station.

Long-time president Laurence Christie has anchored this trajectory, directing a team of volunteers who manage the community centre while navigating complex negotiations with regional authorities.

A Watchdog for Local Interests

Mango Hill Progress Association — *Photo Credit:* *Mango HIll Progress Association/ Facebook*

What happens when a suburb grows faster than its infrastructure? For the members of this group, the answer is simple: they show up. By packing council meetings and drafting formal petitions, these volunteers have turned the tide on road connectivity and urban planning.

They even stepped in to protect the iconic mango trees along Anzac Ave, ensuring the suburb’s namesake remained a visible part of the landscape. Their influence proves that sustained, local pressure is often the most effective tool in regional governance.

Connecting the Neighbourhood

Beyond the boardroom battles, the association fosters the quiet, daily rhythms of suburban life. By overseeing the community centre and its sporting facilities, the group provides the essential turf for everything from youth skate nights to matches on courts where professional athlete Jason Kubler once honed his skills.

A hard-copy newsletter reaching over 800 homes acts as the suburb’s primary communication hub, keeping residents informed without relying on fragmented social media updates.

Looking Toward the Future

The group marks its 40th anniversary with a dinner at the community centre on Saturday, 18 July 2026. While the milestone is a time for reflection, the work never truly pauses. Regular meetings occur at 7:30 PM on the third Wednesday of every month at the facility on Chermside Rd, serving as a gateway for new families to participate in local decision-making. Today, the focus shifts toward managing environmental concerns, particularly the recurring flooding issues that have emerged at Danzy Buchanan Park.

Published Date 13-July-2026

Goodfellows Road Community Housing Proposal Enters Decision Stage

Photo Credit: DA/2026/2546

Kallangur housing plans for 144 community housing apartments across two seven-storey buildings are at the decision stage. Development application DA/2026/2546 seeks a Material Change of Use permit for multiple dwellings at 1 and 7 Goodfellows Road. The 3521-square-metre site is on the corner of Goodfellows Road and School Road.

The plans provide for 144 studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, along with 66 parking spaces. The two buildings would each be seven storeys high.

The application was lodged on 21 May 2026 by 1 Goodfellows Road Kallangur Pty Ltd. It was listed as properly made on the same date, with the confirmation stage completed on 22 May.

Plans showing studio and multi-bedroom apartment layouts — Photo Credit: DA/2026/2546

Kallangur Housing Plans Focus On Long-Term Tenancies

Bric Housing would own the development, manage its tenancies and provide on-site services for residents if the proposal is approved. The organisation is separate from the company listed as the development applicant.

The apartments are intended to provide secure, long-term tenancies for local workers, older women, veterans, single parents, couples and small families who live or work in the area.

Proposed seven-storey community housing buildings — Photo Credit: DA/2026/2546

Shops, schools, transport and other services are within about 400 metres of the site. The development was designed with the intention of reducing residents’ reliance on private vehicles.

The proposal is intended to provide homes for people unable to secure housing through the wider market while remaining connected to their community.

Moreton Bay has more than 6000 people on the social housing list, while rental supply is 0.7 per cent, below the Queensland average of 0.9 per cent.

Kallangur corner site at Goodfellows Road and School Road — Photo Credit: DA/2026/2546

Updated Documents Filed During Assessment

The application is code assessable and is listed by Moreton Bay City Council as current at the decision stage. That stage began on 29 June 2026 and has a listed due date of 3 August 2026.

Updated proposal plans, landscape concept plans, a traffic impact assessment, an active and public transport review and a waste management program were received on 29 June. An updated noise impact assessment was received on 3 July.

No decision notice has been issued, and the 144-apartment development remains under assessment.

Published 13-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

Robo Pets Bring Dementia Support To North Lakes Library

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

The soft purr of a robotic cat and the steady presence of a lifelike dog are now part of dementia-friendly support at North Lakes Library, where companion pets are being used to help people living with dementia and their carers feel more connected.

Gentle Companions Arrive At North Lakes Library

North Lakes Library is among three City of Moreton Bay libraries introducing robotic companion pets as part of dementia-friendly programs for people living with dementia and their carers.

The new companions include two robotic cats and one robotic dog, with the pets available through Redcliffe, Caboolture and North Lakes libraries. While they are not real animals, they have been designed to feel familiar and comforting, with soft fur, gentle movement and simulated heartbeats.

The pets are intended to help reduce feelings of anxiety and loneliness while encouraging interaction and emotional comfort during library-based activities.

Robotic dog in library program — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

Robo Pets Add A Calming Presence

The companion pets will be used in dementia-friendly programs, including the Dementia Sharing Circle and other library activities designed for residents living with dementia and those who care for them.

Their pet-like movements and appearance offer a simple point of connection. For some participants, the presence of a cat or dog can provide a gentle focus for conversation, touch and shared activity.

The pets also sit alongside dementia kits available through the library network. These kits can be used on site or during library visits to aged care and other facilities.

Robotic cat for dementia support — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

They include weighted plush comfort dogs, classic board games such as checkers and snakes and ladders, simple jigsaw puzzles and reminiscence books. The books are designed to prompt memories, acknowledge personal history and support cognitive recall.

The weighted comfort dogs work in a similar way to a weighted blanket, using deep pressure stimulation to create a soothing effect. They are designed to help ease anxiety, reduce evening agitation and improve sleep quality.

Robo pet at North Lakes Library — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

North Lakes Part Of Dementia-Friendly Library Network

North Lakes Library is also one of the locations offering Magic Tables, which provide interactive activities for people living with dementia. The tables are available at Bribie Island, Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and Strathpine libraries.

Libraries across City of Moreton Bay are working towards becoming dementia-friendly spaces through staff training, community education, accessible facilities, inclusive programs and suitable collections.

Other support includes Quiet Hour sessions, where lights are lowered, music is turned off and noise from phones, computers and announcements is reduced. The sessions are held weekly.

A home library service is also available for eligible people who are unable to visit their local library because of dementia.

At Redcliffe Library, a Dementia Sharing Circle is being piloted for people living with dementia, care partners and loved ones. The sessions offer a place to connect over a cuppa, with support from a dementia doula.

For North Lakes Library users, the robo pets add a gentle new element to the dementia-friendly resources already available through the wider library network.

Published 4-July-2026

Rothwell Lifestyle Centre Construction Begins on $67m Precinct

Photo Credit: CapPru/LinkedIn

Construction has started on the $67 million Moreton Lifestyle Centre in Rothwell, with the retail and lifestyle precinct set to bring new food, automotive, fitness and service offerings to the growing North Lakes–Redcliffe corridor.

Rothwell Lifestyle Centre Takes First Step

Work is officially underway on the Moreton Lifestyle Centre, a $67 million retail and lifestyle development at 463 Anzac Avenue, Rothwell.

A sod turn was held on 23 June 2026 to mark the start of construction, with developer CapPru joined by builder Deluca, project partners and stakeholders at the site.

The project will transform a 3.7-hectare site with frontage to Anzac Avenue and Buchanan Street into a new retail and lifestyle precinct for the City of Moreton Bay.

The development has already secured commitments from several tenants, including Banjo’s, BP, KFC and Automasters. Wellness gyms have also been named among the planned offerings.

New Tenants Planned for Moreton Lifestyle Centre

CapPru Managing Director Jarrad Haynes said the centre had been planned around the needs of a growing local population, with the North Lakes–Redcliffe corridor projected to gain an additional 77,000 residents by 2046.

He said the Moreton Lifestyle Centre would provide retail convenience, lifestyle services and employment opportunities close to home.

Interest from national retailers has also been linked to demand for a centre of its kind in Brisbane’s northern corridor. Further tenant commitments are expected to be announced later.

Leasing is being managed by Colliers and KD Special Projects, with negotiations continuing across several sectors. These include homemaker, fitness, automotive, electrical, pet care and outdoor recreation uses.

Construction Underway on 3.7-Hectare Site

Deluca is delivering construction of the Rothwell precinct for CapPru.

Deluca Managing Director Nic De Luca said the project would be a significant construction job for the area, with up to 120 people expected to be working on site once activity is fully underway.

Longer-term employment opportunities are also expected once the centre becomes operational, although a completion or opening date has not been provided.

The project forms part of continuing development activity in the broader Moreton Bay region, where population growth is shaping demand for additional retail and lifestyle services.

For Rothwell, the start of works marks a visible step forward for a prominent site on Anzac Avenue, with construction now moving the Moreton Lifestyle Centre from planning and tenant commitments into delivery.

Published 26-June-2026