Old Gympie Road Archives - North Lakes Today

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

Fire Strikes Dakabin Waste Management Facility

Photo Credit: Facebook / Andrew Gallagher

A large fire erupted at the Dakabin Waste Management Facility on Old Gympie Road this Wednesday afternoon, prompting an emergency declaration by local authorities.

The blaze, which began in a scrap metal pile at the Council-operated facility, required multiple fire crews to bring under control. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and officials declared an emergency at 5 PM, which was later revoked as firefighters gained the upper hand.

The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) maintained four crews on site to monitor the situation. “Crews will monitor through the night so it does not spread. It is all under control and is still creating some smoke,” a QFD spokesperson said.

The burning material reportedly consisted of various waste items, including rubber and mattresses, which generated thick smoke affecting surrounding Dakabin neighbourhoods into the evening. Local residents were advised to close windows and doors and keep respiratory medications close by if needed.

A City of Moreton Bay Council spokeswoman confirmed the incident: “Fire crews and QPS are on site. All customers were evacuated.” Images shared on social media platforms showed dense smoke blanketing the Dakabin sky.

By 8:45 PM, crews had successfully extinguished the flames, though council and facility owners continued monitoring operations overnight to prevent any flare-ups. No injuries were reported in connection with the industrial fire.

The Dakabin Waste Management Facility serves as a key waste disposal site for residents in the Moreton Bay region.

Published 12-March-2025

Assault and Robbery at Lillybrook Shopping Village Carpark

A 63-year-old man was reportedly a victim of assault and robbery in the carpark of Lillybrook Shopping Village on Friday, August 30, prompting an investigation by local police.

The incident occurred around 8:30 PM in the parking area of Lillybrook Shopping Village overlooking Brickworks Road.

According to the victim’s statement, two men approached him in the carpark, where they allegedly assaulted him and stole his phone and watch before fleeing the scene.

Authorities have released descriptions of two individuals they believe may be able to assist with their investigation:

The first suspect is described as a male teenager with a solid build, approximately 175 cm tall. He has short, straight brown hair and was wearing a polo shirt and shorts at the time of the incident.
The second person of interest is described as a male with a slim build and short brown hair, also wearing a polo shirt and shorts.

The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could aid in solving this case of assault and robbery in Lillybrook Shopping Village.

Residents and visitors to the area are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local police.

Published 6-September-2024

Dakabin Welcomes New KFC, Boosting Local Economy and Satisfying Cravings

A new KFC restaurant has opened in Dakabin, bringing 74 new jobs to the Moreton Bay region and a fresh source of finger-lickin’ good chicken. Situated at 289 Old Gympie Road, the restaurant began serving customers on 10 July.

Hazel Perez, the restaurant’s manager, expressed her excitement about the opening, stating that the KFC Dakabin team eagerly welcomes local KFC enthusiasts to experience the Colonel’s famous Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Delivery services will also be available for those who prefer to enjoy their chicken at home. The restaurant’s operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

To mark the occasion, the KFC Dakabin crew will host a special event on 3 August 2024, offering locals the chance to win KFC merchandise, vouchers, and other prizes. Ms Perez highlighted the company’s commitment to its staff, emphasising the restaurant’s dedication to fostering a supportive, empowering workplace culture that encourages growth and development.

This new KFC establishment satisfies the community’s cravings for fried chicken and contributes significantly to the local economy by generating employment opportunities and fostering a vibrant business environment.

Published Date 19-July-2024

Multimillion-Dollar Hotel and Shopping Centre with Servo to Rise in Old Gympie Road, Dakabin

A multimillion-dollar hotel and shopping centre with a service station could rise on a private lot, currently occupied by a house and some sheds, on Old Gympie Road in Dakabin if plans for the development receive approval.

Spearheaded by the Comiskey Group, the 37,490-square metre site has been on the radar of the company’s director, Rob Comiskey, for at least a decade. The Comiskey Group has been operating the Eatons Hill Hotel and was behind the transformation of the Burpengary Club and Station Village as a retail precinct.

Mr Comiskey said that putting up a hotel at the Dakabin property was an easy choice given the growth of the suburb connecting to North Lakes in recent years. Also, with the closest sports and leisure hub over at North Lakes, there haven’t been many choices for Dakabin residents to dine out or shop.

The plan is to facilitate the development in five stages to create a hotel with a licensed tavern (2,000sqm), a service station (200sqm), at least two stand-alone food and drink outlets (200sqm each), and retail/commercial tenancies (1,320sqm). Potential for future developments has also been earmarked for the property, which is within an industrial zone.

Some 327 parking spaces have been planned out for the development as well, with pedestrian access and multiple entrances.

“The architectural design of the development has been formulated in response to the location of the site, with an emphasis on the hotel use activating the intersection of Old Gympie Road and Alma Road, with the service station and food outlet uses located further along Old Gympie Road behind the hotel,” IB Town Planning stated in the development application (DA/2021/3278).

“Given the nature of the use, the proposal seeks to create a modern and simple building design that is integrated with the road frontages. The proposed building areas maintain a low site coverage that is complemented by landscaping.”

More than 100 jobs will be opened for the hotel operations alone, which will also include function rooms, gaming areas, and good use of the outdoor spaces.

Mr Comiskey said that they have received interest from shop owners who could become the tenants, ranging from healthcare services, veterinary services, and a gym operator. There are no plans to house a supermarket since Woolworths is within the precinct.

If approved, construction may begin in 2023 but as the project is impact assessable, members of the community may submit their approval or objection via the development application tracker. Public notification is until 7 Nov 2021.