North Lakes Archives - North Lakes Today

Digital Water Meters Roll Out Across Kallangur to Help Detect Hidden Leaks Earlier

Almost 2,300 properties across Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Bray Park, Strathpine and Warner will have digital water meters installed during June. This rollout helps Unitywater provide faster leak identification, earlier notification of potential leaks to customers, clearer billing and a more complete picture of water use across the network.

The rollout follows an ongoing wave of installations completed across the region. Unitywater Acting Executive Manager Customer Experience Steve Wimberley said since March 2026, Unitywater has installed about 4,000 digital water meters across its service region and sent out more than 160 notifications advising customers they may have a leak.

For Kallangur households, the upgrade means a meter capable of catching exactly the kind of water loss that leads to an unexpected spike on the next bill.

How digital water meters detect leaks earlier

The digital meters provide daily visibility of water consumption to help catch issues early. While a traditional meter is read once every three months, this digital upgrade flags unusual usage patterns much faster, giving Unitywater the ability to alert a household before costs compound.

Mr Wimberley said the installation approach is deliberate.

“We’re installing the meters in ‘network blocks’, which are defined by the water supply infrastructure layout, rather than street-by-street,” he said. “This means residents may see their neighbours’ meters being upgraded but not theirs yet and this is an intentional operational approach.”

Pilot program delivers strong savings and leak detection

The numbers from Unitywater’s pilot program give a clear sense of scale. The pilot program installed digital technology in 10,000 properties and delivered more than 800 million litres of water savings, more than $5 million in customer savings, and early leak identification support for more than 3,500 households.

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This technology aims to prevent scenarios where property owners go away for extended periods and return home to major, undetected water damage. A digital meter flags unusual usage patterns early rather than letting a hidden leak run unchecked for weeks.

What residents need to know about the upgrade

Customers scheduled to receive a digital meter in the next six months will receive a letter from Unitywater, followed by a notice approximately five to 10 days before their installation window. Residents do not need to be home for the upgrade, which takes between five minutes and one hour to complete.

“We don’t always need to turn off your water for this upgrade, but if we do, we will notify you beforehand,” Mr Wimberley said.

There is no additional fee for customers who receive the digital meter as per Unitywater’s schedule. However, customers wishing to have an early upgrade can opt in, which may incur an additional fee.

For more information, visit Unitywater’s Digital Metering Program page at unitywater.com/smart-meters.

Published 16-June-2026

North Lakes Cinema to Screen New Breast Cancer Documentary

Moreton Bay residents can attend screenings of Conquering Breast Cancer at Event Cinemas North Lakes. Featuring survivor stories, medical experts and advocates, the documentary aims to raise awareness and encourage greater support for breast cancer prevention, detection and research.

Presented beginning 10 June by filmmaker Sue Collins and produced by impact filmmakers Mike Hill and Sue Collins, the feature-length documentary combines expert medical insight with the personal experiences of survivors, advocates and researchers working to reduce the impact of breast cancer in Australia.

Among those featured are Olympic legend and breast cancer advocate Raelene Boyle AM, MBE, First Nations survivor and mountaineer Kristal Kinsela, male breast cancer survivor and former professional basketballer Paul Maley, and podcaster Dr Charlotte Tottman. The film also includes insights from leading experts including Professor Bruce Mann, Professor Kelly-Anne Phillips and Associate Professor Christine Chaffer.

conquering breast cancer documentary — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

More Than 20,000 Australians Diagnosed Every Year

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among Australian women and the second most commonly diagnosed cancer overall.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, more than 20,000 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Around 56 people receive a diagnosis every day, while more than 3,300 Australians lose their lives to the disease annually — the equivalent of approximately nine deaths every day.

While the majority of cases occur in women over 50, breast cancer also affects younger Australians. Around 1,000 women under the age of 40 are diagnosed each year, highlighting the importance of awareness and early detection across all age groups.

The Survivors, Advocates and Experts Behind the Film

Rather than focusing solely on statistics, Conquering Breast Cancer tells the stories of Australians whose lives have been changed by the disease.

The documentary follows survivors, patient advocates and researchers from across the country, exploring everything from diagnosis and treatment to survivorship, recurrence, genetic risk and the emotional impact breast cancer can have on individuals and families.

breast cancer patient — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

The film also highlights the experiences of people living with metastatic breast cancer, as well as Australians making difficult decisions around preventative treatment after discovering they are at high genetic risk of developing the disease.

Early Detection Remains One of the Strongest Defences

A central theme throughout the documentary is the importance of prevention and early detection.

Medical experts featured in the film discuss advances in screening technologies, personalised risk assessment, targeted therapies and clinical trials that are helping improve outcomes for patients.

While Australia has achieved five-year survival rates of more than 90 per cent, the filmmakers argue that breast cancer is far from solved and that ongoing investment in research, screening programs and access to treatment remains essential.

The documentary also examines how researchers are working towards reducing recurrence rates and improving long-term outcomes for those who have already undergone treatment.

researchers working on breast cancer improvements — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

The Growing Impact on Australian Families and Communities

Beyond the personal toll, breast cancer continues to have a significant impact on communities across Australia.

More than 160,000 Australians are currently living after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis within the past decade. Research has also shown the disease carries substantial social and economic costs, affecting workforce participation, family wellbeing and quality of life.

breast cancer warriors and supporters — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

The filmmakers hope the documentary will encourage more Australians to understand their personal risk, participate in recommended screening programs and support ongoing efforts to improve prevention, treatment and research.

As the third instalment in the Conquering Cancer documentary series, Conquering Breast Cancer aims to start conversations, challenge complacency and highlight both the progress that has been made and the work that still lies ahead.

For more information and session times, visit ConqueringBreastCancer.com.au.

Published 9-June-2026

Griffin Childcare Centre Changes Hands in $7.7 Million Deal

Stonebridge Property

A private investor has paid $7.7 million for the Goodstart Early Learning centre, in a deal that drew more than 135 enquiries and reflects strong investor demand for childcare property in Brisbane’s northern growth corridor.

The sale was brokered by Stonebridge Property Group and completed via an on-market campaign in June 2026 after initially launching as part of a National Portfolio Auction campaign in March. The transaction settled at a yield of 5.30 per cent, which agents described as a benchmark result for the childcare asset class in the current market.

For families in Griffin, the sale changes nothing about the centre’s day-to-day operations. Goodstart Early Learning continues as tenant under a 15-year net lease running to 2035, with options extending to 2055 and CPI-linked annual rent increases built in throughout.

A centre designed for a suburb that needed it

The Griffin Goodstart centre was purpose-built in 2021 specifically to address an undersupply of childcare places in the suburb. At the time it was developed, Griffin had approximately 3.3 children aged between zero and five for every available childcare place, a ratio that signals significant unmet demand.

The 110-place facility sits on a 2,405 square metre landholding with 27 car parks and nearly 79 metres of dual street frontage. Its position directly opposite Griffin State Primary School was a deliberate development decision, creating a natural pathway for families moving between early learning and primary education on the same street.

Griffin State Primary School recently completed a $22 million extension bringing its capacity to 1,159 students, a figure that underscores how rapidly the suburb has grown since the Goodstart centre was built.

Griffin’s growth story is not slowing down

Griffin sits roughly 23 kilometres north of Brisbane’s CBD and has been one of the faster-growing suburbs in the Moreton Bay region for the past decade.

Population forecasts put growth in the immediate area at more than 61 per cent between now and 2046, a trajectory that makes infrastructure assets with long lease terms particularly attractive to investors looking for passive income in a growing catchment.

The suburb currently has a new Woolworths-anchored retail centre under construction approximately 450 metres from the Goodstart site, and is within 1.2 kilometres of Westfield North Lakes.

What Goodstart is, beyond a property investment

Goodstart Early Learning is Australia’s largest not-for-profit early learning provider, operating more than 677 centres nationwide and supporting around 64,000 children each year.

It was formed in 2009 when a consortium including Brotherhood of St Laurence, Mission Australia, The Benevolent Society and Social Ventures Australia acquired the former ABC Learning network after its collapse.

In the 2025 financial year, Goodstart delivered a solid surplus of $28.9 million, which it reinvested into quality improvements, safety upgrades and centre network expansion rather than distributing as profit.

The Griffin centre’s structure as a net lease means Goodstart pays rates, insurance, general repairs and maintenance, and land tax, keeping the investment fully passive for the new owner.

For enrolment enquiries at the Griffin centre, contact Goodstart here or on 1800 222 543.

Published 4-June-2026

Lakes Knights Complete Hat-Trick With Australian Community Club of the Year Win

The Lakes Knights Cricket Club/Facebook

The Lakes Knights Cricket Club has achieved a stunning national hat-trick, sweeping three tiers of community awards in a single season to claim the titles of Brisbane North, Queensland, and now Australian Community Club of the Year. The Knights beat out more than 3,500 cricket clubs across the country to take the top spot.

It is the kind of achievement that takes years to build and a moment to announce. For the Knights, based in North Lakes and playing across fields in Woodside, Burpengary, Newport, and several local schools, the national award caps a four-year stretch that has seen the club transform from a modest suburban outfit into one of the most talked-about grassroots cricket communities in the country.

Club president Daniel Moyle found out about the national win in the most unlikely of circumstances. “It was pretty exciting,” he says. “We were actually told while filming for the Queensland award and had to keep the secret!”

A club that grew when it needed to

North Lakes has grown fast. It is a suburb built over the last two decades on what was mostly farmland, and the sporting infrastructure has had to catch up with the population at pace. The Knights have been part of that story since the start, and the numbers tell their own tale: four years ago, the club had around 240 registered players. Today, that figure sits at more than 700.

Photo Credit: The Lakes Knights Cricket Club/Facebook

That growth is not accidental. The club recently merged with the Burpengary Brumbies, expanding its footprint into a broader regional cricket hub and strengthening the pathway for junior players from Under 10s right through to the senior ranks.

The merger has added teams, coaches, and development opportunities while preserving the tight-knit community feel that made both clubs work in the first place.

Demand has exploded so quickly that the club had to cap its winter competition teams at seven due to a severe shortage of available pitches, turning away more than 50 players who wanted to lace up. For a volunteer-run community club, that is an extraordinary position to be in.

“Our growth has been phenomenal,” Moyle says, “but as with every sport, keeping people interested in that sport is so important.”

Volunteers who made it happen

Cricket Australia’s recognition came via the Toyota Community Cricket Club of the Year award, a flagship category of the national body’s annual Community Cricket Awards, now in their 10th year. The award recognises clubs that demonstrate sustainable growth, strong governance, community spirit, and a fierce commitment to inclusive participation.

James Allsopp, Cricket Australia’s Chief of Cricket, praised the club’s holistic approach to building a community. “The Lakes Knights Cricket Club embodies the absolute best qualities of grassroots cricket,” Allsopp said. “They’ve created a strong, vibrant environment for all members of the family to participate in the sport they love, while heavily giving back to the broader community through initiatives like Clean Up Australia Day.”

Max Parsons, from the Brisbane North Junior Cricket Association, offered a tribute to the people behind the scenes. “The club doesn’t just aspire to be welcoming and inclusive. It lives these values through its everyday actions in the club and wider community. This is just reward for the hard-working committee members and volunteers of the club.”

Daniel Kearney, Head of Participation and Club Development at Queensland Cricket, added that the state body is “extremely proud of the work The Lakes Knights and so many clubs around the state do,” noting that Moyle and his team of volunteers had “fostered some incredible growth in a rapidly expanding community.”

The club’s involvement in Clean Up Australia Day is just one example of that broader community ethic. Membership fees are deliberately kept low to reduce financial barriers for local families, with the club actively redirecting what it saves on infrastructure costs straight back into gear, coaching, and player development.

“We keep our prices quite low. We understand pressures on people,” Moyle says, “and with not a lot of infrastructure, more is spent on equipment, coaching and developing players.”

A ground to grow into

The one piece still missing from the puzzle is a permanent home. The Knights currently share fields across Woodside, Burpengary, and Newport, alongside school grounds at Bounty Boulevard and Mango Hill State Schools, Deception Bay State High School, North Lakes State College, and Grace Lutheran College in Rothwell. It works, but only just, and the pitch shortage is now actively choking further growth.

Securing a dedicated, permanent ground is the ultimate goal, which Moyle sees as the key to unlocking the next phase of what the club can offer the region. A dedicated facility would allow year-round programming, specialized academies, and winter cricket tailored specifically for younger age groups.

“Having our own ground would allow us to run programs all year round, especially running a winter program for our little ones, or academies,” he says.

For a club that has already outgrown its current footprint while conquering the country on community impact, the argument for a permanent home speaks for itself. The Lakes Knights have proved what they can achieve with borrowed fields and volunteer hours. The next chapter is about building something they can finally call their own.

Families and players interested in joining the Lakes Knights for the upcoming season can find more information here.

Published 25-May-2026

Investigation Underway After Police Allegedly Shoot Man in Narangba

QPS/Facebook

Queensland Police shot and killed a 48-year-old man on Cavill Way in Narangba after officers attending a domestic violence callout allegedly encountered him at the front door of a home armed with a long-arm rifle-related weapon.

First responders rushed to the scene at approximately 12.30am on Sunday 25 May, where the armed confrontation quickly escalated.

Police confirmed the man advanced toward officers after they arrived at the address. Officers gave verbal commands and performed a tactical withdrawal before the man allegedly continued to approach them and made threats. He was subsequently shot. Officers rendered first aid and commenced CPR at the scene, but the man died from his injuries.

The incident is being treated as a death in custody. The Ethical Standards Command is preparing a report for the State Coroner, with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission. Investigations remain ongoing.

Family members who were present at the property at the time were treated for shock, police said.

What police said at the scene

Acting Chief Superintendent Kerry Johnson confirmed the incident at a briefing shortly after. He said police were investigating whether the weapon allegedly carried by the man was legally owned. He noted the man was known to police.

“He advanced towards police. They did the verbal commands and then did a tactical withdrawal from the situation,” Acting Chief Superintendent Johnson said.

Johnson said he had no concerns about the actions of the officers involved, and described the situation as one that “can escalate and de-escalate as quickly as possible.”

Queensland Police Union President Shane Prior said the union’s critical response team attended the scene, and would continue to offer support to the officers and their families. Prior indicated that the union alleged the man had a military background.

Photo Credit: Shane Prior – QPUE General President/Facebook

“It would seem, on the facts known, that mental health is going to be very significant in the investigation,” Prior said.

Prior said the union’s view, based on the information available to it at the time, was that the officers’ actions were justified.

Neighbours woken in the early hours

For the residents of Cavill Way, Sunday morning began with unexplained noises and then the realisation something serious had happened close to home.

One neighbour said she noticed a police car arrive at the house and then heard four to six gunshots. “Obviously witnessing that has really shook me up,” she said.

Another neighbour said she was asleep when she heard what she described as banging or popping noises. She initially thought little of it. “It almost sounded like someone was banging on the water tank out the back of our house,” she said. “I didn’t really think anything of it because it’s such a nice neighbourhood around here.”

She also said the incident left her unsettled. “Everyone’s so friendly and so it kind of makes you feel a little better that everyone’s feeling the same.”

The fifth police-involved shooting in Queensland in 2026

The Narangba incident is the fifth police-involved shooting recorded in Queensland so far this year. On 3 March, a 21-year-old man died after being shot by police during a welfare check in Tingalpa. The following day, a man allegedly armed with a firearm was shot in Woombye on the Sunshine Coast following a car crash on the motorway.

On 22 March, police shot a 27-year-old man at a shopping centre in Logan Central, where he was allegedly armed with a knife. On 1 April, a 19-year-old man allegedly armed with a large kitchen knife was shot in Arana Hills in Brisbane’s north and subsequently charged with assaulting an officer.

Each of those incidents, like the Narangba shooting, is subject to separate oversight processes.

Anyone experiencing distress following this incident can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 07 3364 6464. Domestic violence support is available through DVConnect on 1800 811 811, 24 hours a day.

Published 25-May-2026

Old Petrie Town Revival Mirrors Petrie’s Changing Identity

Photo Credit: Peter Akers/Google Maps

For years, Old Petrie Town stood as a reminder of the suburb Petrie used to be — practical, familiar and shaped by its industrial past. Now, as restoration works move ahead across the historic village, the site is becoming part of a much bigger story unfolding north of Brisbane, where Petrie has steadily shifted from a commuter suburb into one of Moreton Bay’s fastest-changing education and lifestyle precincts.

A Suburb Once Defined by the Paper Mill

Long before the arrival of university students and new commercial developments, Petrie was closely tied to the Australian Paper Mill, which operated beside the North Pine River for decades. The mill shaped the local economy and identity until its closure in 2011 left behind a massive industrial site near Petrie railway station.

What followed was one of the largest redevelopment projects in the region.

The Queensland Government later declared the area a Priority Development Area, paving the way for what is now known as Moreton Bay Central. The project spans hundreds of hectares and includes public spaces, commercial land, future housing and the growing UniSC Moreton Bay campus.

This period marked the first major shift in how Petrie was being viewed.

Moreton Bay Central
Photo Credit: EDQ QLD

UniSC Changed More Than the Skyline

When the University of the Sunshine Coast opened its Moreton Bay campus in 2020, the suburb began attracting a different mix of people. Students, researchers, hospitality businesses and new residents started moving through an area once known mainly for train commuters and passing traffic.

The campus has continued expanding, with three major buildings added in 2024, including health, engineering and research facilities.

That growth has flowed into surrounding suburbs including Kallangur, Lawnton and North Lakes, where increased demand for housing and local businesses has followed the area’s population growth.

New student accommodation proposals and upgrades around the lake precinct have added to the sense that Petrie is no longer developing around a single project, but through several layers of change happening at once.

Old Petrie Town Finds a New Place in the Story

Against that backdrop, Old Petrie Town has taken on fresh importance.

City of Moreton Bay has committed millions of dollars towards restoration and maintenance works across the heritage village, including upgrades to ageing buildings, infrastructure repairs and improvements to public areas. The council has also flagged plans to refurbish the Heritage Hotel and Function Centre following the retirement of its long-term leaseholder.

The village has remained a regular stop for markets, weddings, school excursions and community events over the years, even as the surrounding suburb changed around it.

Rather than removing the area’s older identity, the current works aim to keep one of Petrie’s best-known landmarks active while newer developments continue reshaping the district.

Council statements linked the project to preserving the site’s historical value while improving the visitor experience and supporting future tourism activity.

Growth Around Petrie Starts Reaching Further North

The changes taking place in Petrie are also being felt across the northern corridor, particularly in North Lakes, where population growth and transport links have increasingly tied the suburbs together.

Petrie railway station remains a key connection point for workers and students travelling between Brisbane and Moreton Bay, while nearby road upgrades and commercial investment have continued drawing attention to the area.

The transformation has not arrived in the same way as masterplanned suburbs like North Lakes, which expanded rapidly over a shorter period. Petrie’s shift has happened gradually through redevelopment, education investment, public infrastructure and community projects spread over several years.

That slower pace has made the changes less dramatic day-to-day, but more noticeable over time.

A Different Future Taking Shape

Old Petrie Town still looks much the same in many places, with heritage buildings, market stalls and timber shopfronts remaining central to the site’s character. But around it, the suburb has entered a very different chapter from the one many long-term residents remember.

Between the university expansion, redevelopment of the former mill land and continued investment in community spaces, Petrie has become one of the region’s most closely watched growth areas.

The work now happening at Old Petrie Town reflects that broader shift — not replacing the suburb’s past, but finding a place for it inside a rapidly changing part of Moreton Bay.

Published 20-May-2026

North Lakes, Mango Hill And Petrie Commuters Face Longer Waits Under Reduced Train Timetable

Photo Credit: Translink/Facebook

Commuters in and around North Lakes, Mango Hill and Petrie are being urged to allow extra travel time as Queensland Rail runs a reduced weekday timetable across South East Queensland, with key northern services operating less often and some trains reduced to three-car services.

Northern Rail Lines Move To Reduced Services

The changes affect the Redcliffe Peninsula and Caboolture lines, both of which are important routes for commuters travelling through Brisbane’s northern corridor.

The reduced timetable began on Tuesday, 5 May, and remains in place until further notice. Weekday services are operating on a modified schedule similar to a Saturday timetable, with extra trains during the morning and afternoon peaks.

The changes have been introduced due to protected industrial action. Across the wider network, the reduction amounts to 273 fewer weekday train services.

North Lakes trains — Photo Credit: Translink/Facebook

North Lakes, Mango Hill And Petrie Passengers Face Busier Trips

During peak travel periods, services on the Redcliffe Peninsula and Caboolture lines are running every 15 minutes. Outside peak times, most trains are operating about every 30 minutes.

For commuters in areas such as North Lakes, Mango Hill and Petrie, that means longer gaps between some services and more pressure on peak-hour travel. Passengers who usually rely on frequent weekday trains may need to adjust their routines while the reduced timetable remains in place.

Some trains will also operate as three-car services until further notice. Passengers have been advised to allow extra travel time and consider catching an earlier or later service where possible, as trains are expected to be more crowded than usual.

Passengers Told To Check Before Travelling

Queensland Rail has advised passengers to check the TransLink journey planner before travelling. The journey planner has been updated until Friday, 8 May, with the latest timetable information.

The advice applies across affected South East Queensland services, including the Redcliffe Peninsula and Caboolture lines. Commuters are being encouraged to replan their journeys before leaving home, particularly during peak travel periods.

No end date has been confirmed for the reduced timetable. Further changes may be made if network conditions change, but passengers are currently being told to expect the altered schedule to remain in place until further notice.

Published 7-May-2026

From North Lakes to Vancouver: Max Cunningham Earns His Junior Dolphins Call-up

Max Cunningham/Instagram

North Lakes swimmer Max Cunningham has earned selection in Australia’s Junior Dolphins squad for the 2026 Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Vancouver, Canada, fulfilling what the 16-year-old described as one of his main goals heading into the Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast.

The Brisbane Grammar swimmer, whose full name is Maxwell Cunningham, qualified with times in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly, events in which he also took out Age 16 Years gold at the championships. His individual program in Vancouver from 17 to 20 August is yet to be confirmed, but the call-up itself represents a significant leap forward in a career that is developing quickly.

“This was always a goal leading up to the Age Championships and will definitely be the toughest level of competition I’ve faced,” Max said.

A breakthrough week on the Gold Coast

Max’s performances across the meet earned him his place in the 32-strong junior squad. He won the Age 16 Years 100m butterfly in 53.37 seconds and the 100m freestyle in 49.97 seconds, both qualifying times for Junior Pan Pacs. He also claimed the 50m butterfly final in 24.17 seconds, having set an Australian age group record of 24.09 in the heats.

That record-breaking swim was not enough to qualify for Vancouver in that event, but it signals the kind of raw speed that has his coaches and supporters paying close attention.

“At the Age Championships my main goal was to make Junior Pan Pacs,” he said. “I already had the 100m butterfly qualifying time from the State titles. I wanted to do the qualifying time again and just missed out on a couple of other targets, but that’s all good. I’m happy with where I am at the moment, but there’s always more to find, more to come.”

Brisbane Grammar provided two swimmers to the Junior Dolphins squad, with Cunningham joined by Eloise McLellan, contributing to a team of 15 Queensland representatives among the 32 selected from across the country.

A step up from New Zealand to the world stage

Max’s previous overseas competition was with Swimming Queensland at the New Zealand Short Course Championships in 2024, a useful introduction to international racing. Vancouver is a considerably bigger stage. The Junior Pan Pacs are held every two years between charter nations Australia, USA, Japan and Canada, and have consistently produced swimmers who go on to represent Australia at senior level.

The 2024 edition, held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, sent graduates straight into senior Dolphins contention.

For a 16-year-old from North Lakes who trained at Grace Lutheran Rothwell before moving to Brisbane Grammar, the competition in Vancouver will mark his first time racing in the green and gold on the international stage.

Bigger goals already in sight

Max is focused on Vancouver rather than the upcoming Commonwealth Games, which he will not trial for. His longer-term targets, however, are set with considerable ambition. Los Angeles 2028 is “kind of in the view,” and Brisbane 2032, a home Olympics, is a “massive goal.”

He is pursuing all of this while juggling Year 12 schoolwork and a part-time job, a balancing act that most 16-year-olds would find daunting without the training load. Max is matter-of-fact about it. “After that we’ll see where the wind takes me,” he said. “I’m almost 17, so hopefully I’ll also be able to drive myself soon.”

For a swimmer who has already set an Australian age record and earned a national junior call-up in the same week, the wind seems to be blowing in the right direction.

Published 7-May-2026

Deception Bay’s 50m Pool Will Stay Unheated, Despite a Push from Local Swimmers

Deception Bay Aquatic Centre

A petition calling for the 50-metre pool at Deception Bay Aquatic Centre to be heated and opened year-round has not succeeded, with the City of Moreton Bay citing low patronage as the reason heating the outdoor pool is not financially viable.

The petition, organised by local swimmer Emanuela Bassi, gathered 53 signatures from residents calling for the facility at 153 Maine Terrace to remain open through winter, currently May to August. The response, delivered following a general meeting earlier this month, was clear: the numbers do not stack up.

“The very low patronage of Deception Bay’s 50m pool means it is currently not sustainable to install heaters and subsidise the cost of energy, water, staff, and maintenance at this venue,” a City of Moreton Bay spokesperson said.

A Facility with Everything But a Heater

While the Deception Bay Aquatic Centre already hosts a heated indoor programme pool for therapy and rehabilitation, it’s the outdoor 50m pool that lap swimmers rely on that remains cold and closed throughout the winter.

Photo Credit: Deception Bay Aquatic Centre

For Bassi, who swims at the centre four or five times a week, that distinction matters enormously. She drives further to access a heated 50m pool each winter and says she is not alone in that inconvenience.

“I had a chat last year with some people coming to swim and all of them would have stayed in Deception Bay in winter if the pool was heated,” she said. “It’s a beautiful facility. It’s big, has a 50m pool, everything is there. If they organised winter classes, like in Redcliffe and Burpengary, people would come in winter.”

Bassi ran the petition as a trial run rather than an organised campaign, and believes a stronger effort could attract more support.

“I did this as a trial, not knowing if anyone else felt the same way. I think I could have raised more signatures if I was there.”

Where to Swim This Winter

For Deception Bay, Murrumba Downs, Dayboro and Woodford residents whose local pools will close in May, the City of Moreton Bay has pointed to three nearby heated alternatives: Redcliffe War Memorial Pool, which features a 50m indoor heated pool; Burpengary Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre; and North Lakes Aquatic Centre, which offers both indoor and outdoor heated pools alongside aqua aerobics, squad training and learn-to-swim programmes.

Deception Bay Aquatic Centre is at 153 Maine Terrace, Deception Bay. For seasonal opening hours and programme information, visit deceptionbaypool.com.au or call the centre directly at 07 3204 7845.

Published 29-April-2026

North Lakes Athlete Evan Han Wins Silver At Oceania Taekwondo Championships

Photo Credit: PK Taekwondo/Facebook

A North Lakes taekwondo athlete has secured a silver medal at the Oceania Championships, adding to a strong run of results for PK Taekwondo.

Silver Finish At Oceania Championships

North Lakes competitor Evan Han placed second at the Oceania Taekwondo Championships, held in New South Wales following the March 28 event in Liverpool, competing in the Cadet Male -41kg division. He finished behind Brayden Zhu, with Benjamin Banh and Roy Ahn sharing third place.

Han earned his place at the championships through the selection trials, where he came through five fights in a single day to secure a podium finish and qualify for the Australian team. At the Oceania event, he finished second in his division after a close loss in the deciding bout.

North Lakes Preparation Leads Into Titles

Han’s silver medal followed his result at the Sunshine Coast Open in early March, where he won gold in the Cadet -41kg division and was named Best Male Athlete.

That event served as his final preparation before competing at the Oceania Championship in Liverpool on March 28. His qualification campaign had also seen him finish third at the trials last month, securing his place at the international event after progressing through multiple bouts in one day.

Evan Han PK Taekwondo — *Photo Credit: PK Taekwondo/Facebook*

Club Results Extend North Lakes Success

While Han competed in Liverpool, his North Lakes-based club recorded strong results at the Australian Taekwondo Queensland State Open at Brendale.

PK Taekwondo secured the Overall Kyorugi Club Championship, along with the Male and Female Kyorugi club titles. In sparring, the club collected 36 gold medals, nine silver and one bronze.

In poomsae, athletes added five gold medals and two bronze, contributing to a broad medal haul across divisions.

Results Add To North Lakes Achievements

Han’s silver medal follows his earlier gold medal and Best Male Athlete award at the Sunshine Coast Open in March. It also comes alongside the club’s multiple titles and medal results at Brendale, marking a strong period for the North Lakes-based program.

Published 22-Apr-2026