Queensland Archives - North Lakes Today

Narangba Residents Back Plan to Manage Flying Fox Colony Near Homes

A plan to manage a long-standing flying fox colony in Narangba has drawn support from the community, with residents backing a solution aimed at reducing impacts on nearby homes while keeping the protected animals within the parkland.

Feedback shows strong local interest in finding an approach that improves daily life for neighbours while limiting harm to the bats. After a consultation period from 12 January to 6 February 2026, a report in March summarised feedback on a proposal to install canopy-mounted sprinklers in the parkland next to New Settlement Road.

The system is designed to encourage flying foxes to move deeper into the reserve, increasing the distance between the colony and surrounding homes rather than forcing them out of the area entirely.

A Management Approach Council Has Used Before

Council has pointed to previous use of similar sprinkler systems, including at Redcliffe Botanic Gardens, where the method was found to move flying foxes away from residential edges while allowing them to remain in the broader area.

The approach uses intermittent water sprays in the tree canopy to make certain roosting spots less attractive, with the aim of shifting the colony farther from nearby homes.

The Your Say Moreton Bay project page explains that the goal is not removal, but better positioning of the colony within the parkland.

Narangba Residents Show Measured Support

Survey results show that many residents are open to the proposed solution. Overall, 58 per cent of respondents supported or strongly supported measures to increase the distance between homes and the colony. Among residents living directly beside the parkland, support was higher, with 63 per cent backing the approach.

Photo Credit: Flying Fox Management Consultation Report

While views differ, the results show support for action alongside concern about how the approach would work. Many respondents highlighted the need to reduce impacts on nearby homes while also recognising the importance of protecting flying foxes, which are native species covered by state and federal laws.

Residents living closest to the colony have reported challenges such as noise, odour and droppings affecting their homes and outdoor spaces. The consultation highlights that these impacts are most strongly felt by households bordering the parkland, where more than half described themselves as severely affected.

Residents Favour Council Oversight of Any Sprinkler System

Another strong theme in the feedback is a preference for Council to manage the process. Among residents living adjacent to the parkland, most said they would prefer Council to control the sprinkler system rather than individual households.

Residents also showed interest in how the system would be rolled out, how its success would be measured and what safeguards would be in place for the animals.

While questions remain about implementation and long-term outcomes, the response reflects a mix of support and caution from the community.

Published 17-April-2026

PK Taekwondo’s Evan Han Earns Australian Team Spot for 2026 Oceania Taekwondo Championships

Evan Han of North Lakes-based PK Taekwondo has secured his place on the Australian team for the 2026 Oceania Taekwondo Championships after winning a bronze medal in the Cadet -41kg division at the Junior World and Oceania Championship Team Selections in Sydney.

Han came through five fights in a single day at the selections event to earn his team berth, a physically and mentally demanding feat that underlines just how competitive the pathway to an Australian singlet is. His third-place finish in the Cadet -41kg division was enough to lock in his place on the squad heading to the championships on 28 and 29 March.

That result carries real weight. The 2026 Oceania Taekwondo Championships is a World Taekwondo-sanctioned G-4 event, placing it among the most significant regional competitions on the international taekwondo calendar. The championships take place at the Whitlam Leisure Centre at 90A Memorial Avenue, Liverpool, in Sydney.

A Club with a Long Record of Producing Champions

Han’s selection continues a strong run for PK Taekwondo, the North Lakes club that has operated from Unit 4/9 Flinders Parade since becoming a full-time centre in January 2021. The club runs under Kukkiwon standards and holds affiliations with World Taekwondo, World Taekwondo Oceania, Australian Taekwondo and Australian Taekwondo Queensland, and has produced medallists at local, state, national and international levels of competition.

Han’s competition record at the club stretches back several years. At nine years old, he won a bronze medal in the 10-11 Years Black Belt 25-28kg division at the Australian National Championships held at Nissan Arena in Brisbane, with Head Instructor Master Kangho Park leading the coaching team. He also claimed a gold medal in the World Taekwondo Oceania online flying side kick competition, part of a 36-medal haul PK Taekwondo amassed across state and Oceania competitions. More recently, competition records from the 2024 National Championships confirm Han competing for PK Taekwondo at national level.

That consistency across age groups and competition levels reflects what the club aims to build in its athletes from an early age.

Jeffrey Park Goes Deep at Junior World Championship Selections

Han was not the only PK Taekwondo athlete to make an impression at the Sydney selections. Clubmate Jeffrey Park reached the quarter-finals of the Junior World Championship selections in the Junior -55kg division before his run ended against the eventual gold medallist. Park has been among PK Taekwondo’s established competitors, winning gold medals at both the ATQ Open and World Taekwondo Oceania online competitions in earlier seasons.

Park’s progress to the quarter-finals of a national selection event against the field’s eventual winner points to the depth PK Taekwondo continues to develop across weight categories and age groups.

What the Oceania Championships Represent

For any Australian taekwondo athlete, making the national team for a World Taekwondo-sanctioned Oceania Championships represents a significant step in the sport’s high-performance pathway. The Oceania Taekwondo Union governs the sport across the region and oversees championships that bring together competitors from across the Pacific, with the 2026 event one of the region’s flagship competitions for the season.

PK Taekwondo operates elite sparring and poomsae classes specifically for registered competitors, alongside its broader community programmes, providing the structured training environment that produces athletes capable of competing at this level. Head Instructor Master Kangho Park coaches the competitive team, with Pauline Boyama also serving as coach at national events.

Follow Evan Han and PK Taekwondo

The 2026 Oceania Taekwondo Championships take place on 28 and 29 March at the Whitlam Leisure Centre, Liverpool, Sydney. Families wanting to follow PK Taekwondo’s competitive squad or enquire about training programmes can visit pktkdaus.com or find the club at Unit 4/9 Flinders Parade, North Lakes. Registration and event details for the championships are available here.

Published 2-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.

North Lakes Residents Eligible For State Hardship Grants After Severe Hail

North Lakes residents are on the official list for Queensland hardship grants after severe hail, with Mango Hill and Deception Bay included among eligible suburbs.

Community Impact And Eligibility

North Lakes residents and nearby suburbs, Mango Hill and Deception Bay, should confirm their address on the Queensland disaster site now to see if they qualify for hardship grants and local recovery support.

*Photo Credit:* *Queensland Reconstruction Authority*/Facebook

The state website lists those suburbs among eligible localities, and residents should check their address on the disaster assistance page to confirm eligibility.

Available Grants And What They Cover

The joint state and federal program includes emergency hardship assistance for essentials such as food and temporary shelter. Essential services hardship payments support people who lost power, water or sewage for more than five days. The essential household contents grant replaces items such as bedding and whitegoods for people who are uninsured or unable to claim.

*Photo Credit:* *City of Moreton Bay*/Facebook

The Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme funds safety inspections and repairs to reconnect utilities. The Structural Assistance Grant provides up to $80,000 for uninsured, low income owner occupiers whose homes are structurally unsafe.

How To Apply And Where To Get Help

Residents should use the Queensland disaster form, enter their address from the list or enter it manually if needed, and supply identification and bank details. The form asks whether the residence is owned or rented.

Community recovery hubs operate across Moreton Bay and nearby regions, with pop up hubs listed for Bribie Island and Beachmere. People who need help with applications or who require welfare referrals can call the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

Local Services And Practical Recovery Support

Recovery staff at community hubs are offering application help and referrals to local services for mental health, financial counselling and safe clean up advice. Some councils arranged free green waste drop off for storm debris in affected areas, as reported by local media.

Support service centres have operating hours posted on the government website and are available if a hub has closed.

Published 03-December-2025

Dakabin to Welcome New Wildlife Hospital Aimed at Saving Local Species

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital/Facebook

A $15-million wildlife hospital is coming to Dakabin, promising faster treatment for injured native animals and relief for overworked rescue groups across the Moreton Bay region.

The facility, which will include a community education hub, is set to become a vital service for one of Queensland’s most wildlife-dense areas, where koalas and other native species are often at risk from traffic, habitat loss, and disease.

Purpose-Built for the Community and the Environment

The new hospital will be built on land valued at about $3 million at 420 Old Gympie Road in Dakabin, with construction expected to begin once final designs and permits are completed. The location was selected for its accessibility, proximity to bushland corridors, and ability to support a long-term expansion plan.

According to the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital Foundation, the facility will focus solely on native wildlife, providing emergency care and rehabilitation for animals such as koalas, sugar gliders, wallabies, and flying foxes. It will not treat domestic pets, keeping its mission firmly on wildlife conservation.

The new Dakabin hospital forms part of a broader state-wide push to improve wildlife-care capacity across Queensland. Similar projects are being developed in Redlands, Southport, Currumbin, and Green Island, as part of an ongoing investment in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation infrastructure.

Each site is expected to work collaboratively, sharing expertise and resources to ensure that injured and sick animals receive timely, high-quality care.

Photo Credit: Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital/Facebook

Reducing Travel and Improving Survival Rates

Local carers and wildlife volunteers say the project could not come soon enough. Rescue groups have reported that injured animals often endure long trips — sometimes more than two hours — to reach the nearest veterinary hospital equipped to handle wildlife emergencies.

These journeys can significantly reduce survival chances, particularly for species prone to stress or shock. The new facility in Dakabin will mean faster intervention, potentially saving thousands of animals each year.

Education Hub to Build Wildlife Awareness

Community leaders and environmental advocates have also praised the inclusion of an education hub, describing it as a crucial bridge between science and the public. The education component will host workshops, school excursions, and volunteer training programs to teach residents how to respond when they find injured wildlife and how to make backyards and roadways safer for native species. The aim is to build a community that not only supports the hospital but actively contributes to preventing harm in the first place.

The hospital’s design will prioritise sustainability, with plans for solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and landscaping that mimics natural habitats. This will create a calm, restorative environment for recovering animals and demonstrate environmentally responsible development for the area. While the design phase is still underway, the facility is expected to include treatment and recovery rooms, triage areas, and outdoor rehabilitation enclosures.

A Regional Effort to Strengthen Wildlife Care

The Moreton Bay region has one of the largest koala populations in Queensland, making it a hotspot for wildlife rescues. However, increasing urban development has led to more frequent encounters between humans and animals, often resulting in road strikes and habitat fragmentation.

Wildlife groups hope the Dakabin hospital will act as a stabilising force — both for local ecosystems and for the growing network of carers who have worked tirelessly to protect the region’s biodiversity.

While an exact construction timeline has not been finalised, early projections suggest the hospital could be operational within three years. Once complete, it will serve as both a treatment centre and a community hub, offering volunteer placements, training programs, and collaboration opportunities for universities and wildlife researchers.

Local volunteers say the facility will fill a long-standing gap in the region’s animal care network and help build long-term resilience for the area’s environment.

Published 28-Oct-2025

North Lakes Leads Queensland’s Tech Job Boom As Fastest-Growing Tech Suburb

Did you know that North Lakes has been recognised as Queensland’s fastest-growing tech hub over the past decade after experiencing an astonishing surge of 2,900 per cent in tech job opportunities?

According to the Tech Council of Australia’s Queensland Tech Jobs Opportunity report, South East Queensland is leading the state in tech job growth.

The report sheds light on the remarkable impact of Queensland’s technology sector on the state’s economy, as it currently employs over 140,000 tech workers. Furthermore, this figure is projected to skyrocket to 185,000 by 2030, making the tech industry three times larger than Queensland’s agricultural sector.

The report also points out that the surge in tech jobs is primarily occurring beyond inner-city Brisbane. Areas such as Logan, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast have also witnessed impressive growth in tech job opportunities. However, it’s worth noting that Inner Brisbane has seen its tech workforce expand by 10,000 jobs over the last 10 years.

Following North Lakes, Jimboomba secured the second position, with Southport coming in third among the fastest-growing tech suburbs in Queensland.

The growth of tech jobs in the state has outpaced other occupations significantly since 1985, progressing through different phases. From the mid-’80s to the mid-’90s, tech jobs grew 1.3 times faster than overall job opportunities, entering their “Uptick” phase from 1995 to 2005, growing 1.6 times faster.

The “Tearaway” phase from 2005 to 2020 saw a four-fold increase, and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023), the tech job market surged five times faster than other occupations, termed the “Going for Gold” phase.

The report also highlighted the overall strength of Australia’s tech job market, which has become the seventh-largest employing sector in the country, providing employment to 861,000 people.

“1 in 16 working Australians work in tech sector jobs, and there are more software engineers and developers in Australia than solicitors, plumbers, hairdressers,” Tech Council of Australia said.

The organisation also cited that tech jobs, regardless of their nature, offer lucrative salaries. At an hourly rate, entry-level positions in the tech sector pay 32 per cent more than the average wage across the economy. On a weekly basis, tech jobs provide a substantial 64 per cent higher pay compared to the overall average.

Workers in the tech sector perceive their jobs as more flexible compared to other industries. Moreover, tech jobs are known for their higher job security. The rate of people leaving the tech industry after eight years is 4.7 per cent lower than in high-paying industries and 6.2 per cent lower than in other sectors.

Published 31-July-2023