HomepageNews Archives - Caboolture Today

New Housing Development to Deliver 14 Homes for Vulnerable Residents in Morayfield

A 14-unit community housing complex is set to be built on Oakey Flat Road in Morayfield, with Murphy Builders appointed to deliver the project on land that has been made available under a low-cost lease arrangement to community housing provider Coast2Bay Housing.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, with completion targeted for late 2027. When it opens, the complex will house people from the Queensland Housing Register, including seniors, families and people with a disability who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The project involves the land being made available on a low-cost community use lease, with state funding covering the construction. It is one of several community housing projects now either completed or underway across the Moreton Bay region as the broader pipeline of social and affordable housing gathers pace.

Inside the planned development

The 14 units span one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom configurations, designed to accommodate a range of household types rather than a single demographic. The mix reflects the reality of who is on the housing register locally: it is not one kind of person but a broad cross-section of the community facing the same underlying problem of insufficient supply.

Photo Credit: *Hollindale Mainwaring Architecture*

The development also includes a community room, which will serve as a shared space for tenant activities, group meetings, small events and programs delivered by local service providers. That addition goes beyond providing a roof; it creates the kind of social infrastructure that helps people settle into a new home and maintain connection with others.

Coast2Bay Housing CEO Andrew Elvin said the project is fundamentally about changing lives. “This project is about housing people and changing lives,” he said. “The support through the land lease, together with state funding, shows what is possible when we work together with a shared purpose. Once complete, our team in Caboolture will be there to support tenants every step of the way.”

Situated on Oakey Flat Road, the new site connects residents directly to local bus routes, Morayfield station, and nearby shops. This excellent location makes all the difference for future tenants who depend on public transport to get around.

A model being applied across the region

The Morayfield development forms part of a broader pattern taking shape across the Moreton Bay region. Bric Housing is also working under a low-cost lease arrangement to develop and manage community housing on a separate site in Caboolture, adding further supply through the same collaborative model.

The region also offers infrastructure charge waivers of up to 100 per cent for the social and affordable housing component of eligible developments under a local policy designed to improve project viability. So far, the policy has waived, or is set to waive, $2.281 million in infrastructure charges and development application fees across eligible projects.

A growing pipeline of social and affordable housing

The waiver program has already delivered tangible outcomes. An 82-home social and affordable housing complex in Redcliffe welcomed its first residents late last year. Builders are also constructing social and affordable housing projects at Deception Bay and Mango Hill, while planners continue to assess additional proposals.

These projects reflect a shift from one-off announcements to a sustained regional approach to increasing housing supply through multiple delivery mechanisms.

Published 15-June-2026

Featured Image Credit: Hollindale Mainwaring Architecture

Caboolture Welcomes New Canine Recruits as State Police Dog Squad Breaks Records

Caboolture streets are about to get a whole lot safer as the Queensland Police Service deploys its newest four-legged crime fighters to the region, pushing the state’s canine unit to a record-breaking 115 dogs and making it the largest in history.

Family Ties on the Frontline

canine — *Photo Credit:* *Queensland Police*

The recent graduation of five new police dog teams brings a unique, family-focused dynamic to the frontline. Following a demanding 12-week training course, the dogs and their human partners have officially joined the ranks to handle general duties, offender tracking, and complex search operations. Among the highly skilled German Shepherds are two legacy dogs, bred directly from currently serving police animals.

This highlights the ongoing success of the state’s internal breeding program. Even more unusual is the graduation of a father-and-son duo, dogs Xero and Jero. The pair completed their training side by side before heading to their respective postings, adding a unique generational element to the squad’s expansion.

Boosting Safety in the Caboolture Region

The Moreton Dog Squad, which serves the Caboolture community and surrounding areas, is a major beneficiary of this historic growth. Senior Constable Ryley Kajewski with dog Hooper, alongside Senior Constable Sam Stutsel with dog Jero, are the newest additions to the local Moreton team. Their arrival means increased visibility and faster response times for high-risk situations in the local neighbourhoods.

Across the state, the dog squad now operates from 15 locations. The bulk of the canine unit remains in Brisbane, but regional areas are seeing significant boosts. A brand-new handler position was created in Rockhampton, where Senior Constable Michael Festing and Senior Constable Riki Stewart will patrol with dogs Xero and Bruno. Meanwhile, Constable Morgan Prendergast and dog Izzy are heading north to serve the Townsville community.

Beyond Human Capabilities

The dogs provide operational support that goes far beyond what human officers can achieve alone. Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman observed that the animals and their handlers show immense resilience and are heavily relied upon during high-risk and dangerous events. He noted that reaching this historic staffing milestone allows the police service to deliver better safety outcomes exactly where communities need it most.

The handlers themselves feel a deep sense of responsibility and connection to their new roles. Constable Prendergast shared that his dog shows incredible determination, and the intense training period helped them build a deep bond and mutual trust. He expressed his eagerness to return to his hometown and protect his local community.

State officials echoed this sentiment, with Police Minister Dan Purdie stating that the animals are essential for tracking dangerous suspects and finding missing people. Purdie noted that after months of demanding preparation, the latest graduates are fully equipped to protect communities from the northern cape right down to the border.

Published Date 12-June-2026

How Moreton Bay Wetlands Are Cleaning Urban Stormwater at Scale

Ninety constructed wetlands spread across the City of Moreton Bay are filtering thousands of tonnes of pollutants from urban stormwater each year before it reaches the region’s waterways, and two of those projects have now won state-level engineering awards for their approach.

The network of strategically positioned ponds, sediment basins, vegetated drains and native plantings treats runoff from urban streets and suburbs before it flows downstream into creeks and eventually into Moreton Bay. The pollutants being captured include sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus and other contaminants typical of stormwater from residential and commercial areas.

The region sits in the upper catchments of waterways that ultimately feed into the bay, meaning what happens to stormwater here has a measurable downstream effect.

Two projects that raised the bar

At the 2025 Stormwater Queensland Awards for Excellence, two Moreton Bay constructed wetland projects took home top honours in their respective categories.

The Crendon Street Park Naturalised Channel project picked up a top award. The project converted a concrete drain into a naturalised constructed waterway, with a rocky and vegetated low-flow channel surrounded by a broader vegetated floodplain. The result is a channel that treats stormwater while creating habitat and green space within a park setting.

The Beech Drive Park Wetland project also secured an award for its performance. Works at the Beech Drive site targeted water quality improvements for the catchment, specifically aimed at preventing sediment from reaching Moreton Bay.

Both projects reflect a broader shift in how urban stormwater is managed, moving away from hard grey infrastructure toward nature-based systems that treat water while also creating habitat, reducing flooding risk and improving the look and feel of public green spaces.

How constructed wetlands work

A constructed wetland is not a natural feature. It is an engineered system designed to mimic the pollutant-filtering function of natural wetlands, using sequences of ponds, sediment basins and densely planted vegetated zones to slow, settle and biologically treat stormwater as it moves through the system.

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/LinkedIn

As water enters the first pond, heavy particles and sediment drop out. The water then moves slowly through vegetated zones where native aquatic plants and microbial activity in the root zone break down nutrients including nitrogen and phosphorus. By the time the water exits the system, the pollutant load has been substantially reduced before it reaches any natural waterway.

The thousands of native plants in these systems do more than treat water. They provide habitat corridors for birds, insects and small animals, reduce urban heat, and improve the amenity of the parks and reserves in which the wetlands are built.

Moreton Bay and what it’s worth protecting

Moreton Bay is a Ramsar-listed wetland of international significance, home to more than 700 species of marine life, internationally significant migratory shorebird populations, dugongs, dolphins and sea turtles. It supports both commercial and recreational fisheries and draws tourists and residents to the peninsula coastline year-round.

Urban stormwater is one of the most persistent sources of pollution entering the bay. Nutrients from household gardens, sediment from construction sites and fine particles from roads and paved surfaces all travel through stormwater drains and into creeks, which carry them to the bay.

Constructed wetlands intercept that flow at the catchment level, removing pollutants at scale before the water leaves the urban area.

For more information on Moreton Bay’s waterway programs, click here.

Published 8-June-2026

Featured Image Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Nature Gets a Helping Hand: Native Planting Begins at Bribie Island’s Newly Formed Coastline

Crews have begun planting hundreds of native tube stock plants across the newly formed beach area at Bribie Island’s breakthrough site, marking the latest stage in an ongoing coastal restoration effort at one of Queensland’s most popular island destinations.

Read: Bribie Island Dredging Works Done, Coast Guard Returns Home

One plant at a time, restoration crews are pressing native species into the sand along the new beach area that formed following Bribie Island’s breakthrough, giving the landscape its best shot at long-term recovery.

The planting effort, which got underway recently, is part of a broader coastal restoration push that has been building since the Queensland Government announced a $20 million emergency coastal fortification program. That funding was triggered by cyclone-driven breakthroughs in 2022 and 2025, which exposed the island’s fragile dune systems to ongoing erosion, placing pressure on critical natural buffers that protect inland environments, infrastructure and recreational areas.

Environmental consultancy Ecosure, which has been on the ground at Bribie Island leading much of the restoration work, described the native planting as another step towards securing the future of the coastline. The species going in are selected specifically for their ability to stabilise sand, reduce erosion, and encourage the natural regeneration of the coastal ecosystem. The plants are young and fragile right now, and the coming months and years will be telling, but every one in the ground counts.

The planting follows months of significant engineering work on the island, including the installation of twin 1.35-kilometre sand fences hand-crafted by Ecosure’s field team using natural materials. Those fences are designed to work with coastal processes rather than against them, slowing wind speeds and trapping moving sand to encourage gradual dune rebuilding over time.

It is a low-impact approach that has been carefully thought through. Rather than heavy machinery or hard engineering, the method relies on skilled hands, on-ground expertise, and materials that blend into the landscape. For a site as sensitive as this one, that kind of restraint is not just practical, it is necessary.

With the fences now in place, planting represents the next phase of the restoration effort. The native tube stock going into the ground will help anchor what the fences have started, giving the recovering dune system a biological foundation to grow from.

Read: World Turtle Day Shines Spotlight on Bribie Island Conservation Efforts

The public has been asked to stay off the area while the plants establish themselves. These are early days, and the site needs space and time for the young plants to take hold. Those following the project closely have indicated they will continue sharing updates as the restoration unfolds.

For the Bribie Island community, it is a moment worth pausing on. After a rough few years of storm damage and emergency works, there is something quietly hopeful about seeing plants go in the ground. The work is far from done, and nature will ultimately have the final say, but the people putting in the hours out there are giving this stretch of coastline a genuine fighting chance.

Featured image credit: Laura Lapham, Alina Crosbie & Duncan Smith/Ecosure

Published 8-June-2026

Burpengary Residents Score a Peaceful Compromise with Massive New Tavern Development

Residents in Burpengary are getting a massive new two-storey entertainment and dining complex to replace a decades-old local pub, following a decision that prioritised neighbourhood peace over late-night gaming.

Balancing Growth and Peace

The local social scene is set for a major upgrade after the council approved a development application for a sprawling new venue at the corner of Facer and Rowley roads. Queensland Venue Co is driving the project, which will replace the Woodpecker Bar and Grill. The current establishment has serviced the community for more than 25 years, but the new design promises a modern, family-friendly environment spread across a massive block.

The site will feature a huge internal tavern and an uncovered outdoor beer garden that matches the size of a roofed outdoor area. Liquorland will be removed to make way for the spacious outdoor dining section. Families will also benefit from a new outdoor playground, making the venue a drawcard for daytime gatherings. The developers worked to address potential issues for nearby residents, including plans for managing traffic, handling noise, and planting landscape screening to separate the venue from bordering homes.

Community Concerns Heard

While the building design gained strong support, the proposed operating times for the gaming room sparked a debate. The developers asked the council for permission to keep the gaming machines running until 4 am. Local leaders pushed back to protect the quiet nature of the surrounding residential streets.

Mayor Peter Flannery pointed out that it made little sense to keep the gaming room operating so late when the rest of the facility was scheduled to close much earlier. He also noted his concern about the noise of patrons leaving the venue at such an early hour of the morning, given how close the homes are to the property. Councillor Jodie Shipway agreed with the mayor, stating that operating until 4 am was simply too excessive for that specific area.

Final Rulings and Operating Times

Following the discussion, the council unanimously voted to cut the requested gaming times back to a 2 am finish. The rest of the venue has standard operating times, with the bistro, beer garden, and sports bar shutting down at 1 am. The sports bar and gaming areas will start trading at 10 am, while the dining spaces will begin service at 11 am.

Currently, the Woodpecker operates from 10 am to 1:30 am. During the meeting, officials compared the new plans to other local venues, noting that the Burpengary Community Club, which sits in a highly residential pocket, closes at midnight. Meanwhile, the Burpengary Tavern is allowed to trade until 4 am because it is located in a heavier industrial zone where noise is less of an issue for sleeping residents.

Published Date 08-June-2026

Photo Credit: DA/2024/1594

Former Caboolture Student Ryan St John Builds A Path Into Teaching

Former Caboolture student Ryan St John’s journey into teaching began in Brisbane Catholic Education classrooms and has continued into his own Year 3 classroom, shaped by early school experience, university study and scholarship support.

A Caboolture Student’s Path Into Education

Ryan St John’s journey into teaching began with his own years as a Brisbane Catholic Education student in Caboolture.

A Gamilaroi man, Ryan attended St Peter’s Primary School, Caboolture and St Columban’s College, Caboolture before moving towards a career in education. His interest in teaching developed while he was in Year 11, when he learnt more about teaching as a career and became aware of BCE’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teacher Aide program.

That early opportunity gave him a practical introduction to classroom life from the perspective of an educator. It also helped him understand what teaching involved before he entered the profession.

Ryan later studied a Bachelor of Education at Australian Catholic University, supported through a BCE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teaching scholarship.

Ryan St John — *Photo Credit: St Flannan’s School*

From Caboolture Schools To A Year 3 Classroom

Ryan is now a Year 3 teacher at St Flannan’s School in Zillmere, the same school where he previously worked as a teacher aide while completing his education degree.

His move into teaching followed a steady pathway through school, classroom experience and university study. The teacher aide role allowed him to gain experience in a school environment while continuing his education, giving him a stronger foundation before becoming a classroom teacher.

This year’s teaching role also carries an added connection. Ryan had previously worked with the same students as a teacher aide when they were in Year 2, before becoming their Year 3 teacher.

That existing relationship has helped teacher and students settle into the school year with familiarity already in place.

Education Journey Shared During National Reconciliation Week

Ryan’s story was shared during National Reconciliation Week, held from 27 May to 3 June, as part of a focus on shared histories, cultures and achievements in Australia.

His experience highlights the role of teacher aide pathways and scholarship support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students considering careers in education. Through the pathway, Ryan was able to gain classroom experience, continue formal study and receive support while preparing to become a teacher.

He has reflected on the importance of education to First Nations communities and the way teaching can contribute back through the classroom.

St Peter’s Primary School — *Photo Credit: St Flannan’s School*

A Full-Circle Path From Student To Teacher

For Ryan, the journey from Caboolture student to classroom teacher has been shaped by several connected steps: his own schooling, early exposure to teaching, teacher aide experience, university study and scholarship support.

His story shows how a student’s first understanding of teaching can grow into a career when practical experience and study are brought together.

From St Peter’s Primary School and St Columban’s College in Caboolture to a Year 3 classroom at St Flannan’s School, Ryan’s pathway reflects a steady move through education and back into the classroom as a teacher.

Published 2-June-2026

Photo Credit: Supplied

Pioneers, Soldiers, And A Remarkable Birth: The Mills Family Name Could Soon Grace Ningi Parkland

A patch of parkland along Bribie Island Road in Ningi could soon carry a name tied to one of the district’s pioneering families of the late 19th century.

Read: Secret History of Bribie Island: The Man Who Taught Flinders How to Talk to the Coast

The City of Moreton Bay is inviting residents to have their say on a proposal to formally name the parkland at Lot 1227 Bribie Island Road as Mills Reserve. The proposed name recognises the Mills family as early pioneers of the Ningi district and reflects the documented historical association between the site and Walter James Mills.

Ningi — Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay

The land in question forms part of what was historically known as Portion 10V, Parish of Toorbul, according to the council’s General Meeting report of 22 April 2026, which notes that Walter James Mills acquired and settled the land during the district’s early development. It is a quiet but meaningful connection between a green public space and the people who shaped the surrounding country well over a hundred years ago.

Who Were the Mills Family?

Walter Henry Mills (Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay)

Walter James Mills and his wife Maria Hussey raised their children on that land, and Walter James died in November 1896. The family’s ties to the district did not end there. Their eldest son, Walter Henry Mills, was born on 23 September 1886 and holds a notable distinction: according to research shared in the Bribie Island History community group on Facebook, Harry was the first recorded birth in the register for Bribie Island. As Harry’s grandson John Mills explained in the post, Harry’s mother crossed to Bribie Island for the birth, though the family home remained on Portion 10V at Ningi.

Harry went on to live a life that mirrored the hardships of his generation. He was educated at Caboolture State School and, at the time of his enlistment in January 1915, was single, living at Eumundi and working as a carpenter. He was captured at Pozieres in July 1916 and interned at Gafangerenlager Prisoner of War Camp in Wahn, Germany, before being repatriated to England in December 1918 and returning to Australia in March 1919. He was not the only Mills son to serve. His two younger brothers, John Robert and Thomas James, also enlisted. It was a family that gave a great deal to this country, in more ways than one.

How to Have Your Say

The proposal is consistent with the council’s approach to naming public assets, which it uses to preserve local heritage. Council recognises the significant social value of naming places, structures and assets, noting that naming helps to identify landmarks, support wayfinding, contribute to community belonging and reflect the cultural and heritage values of the city.

Council is inviting public comment on the proposed naming between 29 May and 28 June 2026. Submissions must be made in writing, include the submitter’s full name and residential or business address, and state the reasons for supporting or opposing the proposal.

Read: Caboolture–Bribie Island Road Upgrade Completed Ahead of Schedule

You can have your say by emailing parksplanning@moretonbay.qld.gov.au or by writing to: Chief Executive Officer, Attn: Parks & Recreation Planning, PO Box 159, Caboolture QLD 4510.

For a district that is growing fast and adding new streets and subdivisions at a pace that can make history feel remote, a name like Mills Reserve is a small but lasting anchor. It is a reminder that before the bitumen and the roundabouts, families like the Mills put down roots in this country and called it home.

Published 5-June-2026

Burpengary East’s Young Entrepreneur Turns Market Idea Into a Winning Success

A young business owner from North Harbour has earned recognition at the 2026 Redcliffe Business Awards, with Youngpreneur Markets by Chloe winning the Young Entrepreneur Award.

The award was presented during the Redcliffe Business Awards ceremony at The Komo on 28 May, where businesses from across the peninsula and surrounding communities were recognised for their achievements. Hosted by the Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and State Member for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley, the awards attracted 164 nominations across 10 categories.

For founder Chloe, the award highlights a business built around helping others take their first steps into entrepreneurship.

Creating a Space for Young Businesses

Youngpreneur Markets by Chloe was established to provide a platform for young entrepreneurs, small businesses and market stallholders to showcase their products and services.

The concept centres on creating accessible opportunities for people who may be starting a business for the first time, allowing them to connect with customers, gain experience and build confidence in a supportive environment.

Photo Credit: *Youngpreneur Market by Chloe/Facebook*

While many market events focus primarily on established operators, Youngpreneur Markets has developed a reputation for encouraging emerging business owners and giving them exposure to new audiences.

Its growth has helped create opportunities not only for its founder but also for the businesses that participate in the events.

Recognition Beyond Business Growth

The Young Entrepreneur Award recognises business owners aged between 12 and 25 who demonstrate initiative, innovation and leadership.

Organisers of the Redcliffe Business Awards describe the program as a celebration of the dedication, resilience and contribution of local businesses, with winners selected by an independent judging panel.

This year’s panel included Jodie Morphett from The Guides, Lawrence Gow from the Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Gavin Daw from Bendigo Community Bank Margate.

Winning the category placed Youngpreneur Markets alongside businesses from a range of industries including tourism, hospitality, retail, health and community services.

Putting North Harbour on the Awards Map

Although many of this year’s winners were based on the Redcliffe Peninsula, Youngpreneur Markets by Chloe was the only award recipient from the Burpengary East and North Harbour area.

The recognition shines a light on a growing part of the Moreton Bay region that continues to attract families, new residents and small business operators.

As the region grows, initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship among younger generations are becoming increasingly important. Businesses such as Youngpreneur Markets provide practical opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to test ideas, develop skills and gain firsthand experience in running a business.

The award also reflects the growing role young people are playing in the local business community, demonstrating that successful enterprises can be built at any age with determination, creativity and a willingness to take initiative.

Nominations for the 2027 Redcliffe Business Awards are expected to open in March next year.

Published 5-June-2026
Featured Image Credit: Youngpreneur Market by Chloe/Facebook

A Kallangur Church That Has Fed 70 Families a Week for Over a Century Is Fighting to Stay

Pine Rivers Uniting Church is contesting a compulsory acquisition of its site, with the Uniting Church of Australia, Queensland Synod lodging a formal appeal after being notified the property is earmarked for a new special school.

The church has stood at the Narangba Road site for more than 100 years. Its weekly emergency relief program feeds around 70 local families from Kallangur and Pine Rivers every week. It also provides pastoral care, youth programs, mental health support, chaplaincy, worship services and assistance for people in financial hardship.

Sharing the property is Pinnacle Academic College, a small independent school providing individualised education. The campus was previously home to Charlotte Mason College, which closed its doors in late 2023.

None of that activity has been given a path forward if the acquisition proceeds.

A community built over more than a century

The church has served the Kallangur area and surrounds, including Petrie, Dakabin, Lawnton, Strathpine and Murrumba Downs, for generations. For many families in the area, it has been the first point of contact in a crisis — referred through chaplains, social workers and community agencies rather than found through a search.

Photo Credit: Pine Rivers Uniting Church – Emergency Relief/Facebook

Its emergency relief operation alone involves coordinating food parcels and practical support for dozens of households every week. That kind of service does not simply relocate. It depends on relationships, volunteer networks, referral pathways and trust built over years. Losing the physical home risks unravelling all of it.

The church has not opposed the idea of a special school. It has consistently made that clear. In a statement, the Queensland Synod said it welcomes investment in education and recognises the need for specialist schooling in a growing community. “Our position is not opposition,” the Synod said. “It is about finding a way to make this work for everyone. We would welcome the school as part of our community.”

The church says it has sought meetings, written correspondence and invited decision-makers to visit the site to see the breadth of what happens there. It is awaiting a decision on its appeal.

A local representative who put the community’s concern on record

Division 7 Ms Yvonne Barlow presented a 61-signature petition on the church’s behalf. She said the lack of consultation before the decision was made had troubled her as much as the decision itself.

“I am very concerned it would be bulldozed,” she said, “and more upset there was no consultation over this.”

“I understand the need for special schools, but I know the special role the church has played in the community for many, many years. They will get money, but that doesn’t help a church which has been there for more than 100 years. There’s a great deal of sentiment.”

The petition and the appeal are the formal mechanisms now available to the church and community. The site’s neighbouring aged care facility is not part of the acquisition.

The need for the school is real — and so is the cost of this solution

Plans for a new special school in Moreton Bay were funded to address enrolment pressure at Pine Rivers Special School. The need is genuine. The region is one of the fastest-growing in Queensland, and specialist education infrastructure has not kept pace with population growth.

But the church’s position, and the position of those who have signed the petition, is that the need for a school and the loss of this particular community hub are not an either/or situation. The site is large enough, the church argues, for both to coexist.

“This is not simply about land,” the Queensland Synod statement said. “It is about people — those who rely on these services, those who volunteer and the many who call this place home.”

Anyone wanting to support Pine Rivers Uniting Church or its emergency relief program can contact the church at 30 Narangba Road, Kallangur, or through pineriverschurch.com.

Published 4-June-2026

Featured Image Credit: Pine Rivers Uniting Church

$14 Million All-Abilities Splash Park and Playground Underway in Caboolture

Work is officially underway on Caboolture’s largest park project in six years, a fourteen-million-dollar regional playground designed directly from community feedback to reshape local family recreation.

A Modern Shift for a Historic Park

The Centenary Lakes precinct has served as a central hub for local sports and outdoor activities since the 1970s. However, as the population across this fast-growing corridor continues to boom, local needs have evolved significantly. To ensure the area retains its family-friendly lifestyle during this period of rapid growth, regional leaders approved a major overhaul of the grounds.

Heavy machinery is now on-site to transform the space into a modern destination. Construction crews expect to finish the entire project by June 2027, provided the local weather cooperates.

Designed by the Community

The blueprint for the parkland came directly from the people who live in the area. Local authorities surveyed residents to find out what features they wanted most in a modernised park, and a dedicated water play area topped the public wishlist. Families also expressed a strong desire for truly shared spaces where children of all abilities could play side by side.

In response to this feedback, the final design includes custom play structures, sensory trails for tactile learning, and a specialised splash pad. The upgrades also extend beyond the playground, with workers refreshing the existing barbecue spots, picnic areas, and the local off-leash dog yard.

Focus on All-Abilities Access

A major priority for this development is eliminating barriers for children and parents with mobility challenges. The site will feature smooth, accessible pathways that connect all areas of the parkland seamlessly. Furthermore, the public restrooms are being built to meet strict all-abilities standards, including specialised changing facilities and secure wheelchair lockers.

To make the water play features completely inclusive, the park will even provide custom water-accessible wheelchairs, allowing every visitor to join in on the splash pad activities. New parking spaces are also being built close to the entrance to make arrival easier for young families and visitors with disabilities.

A Collaborative Investment

Funding for the massive recreational upgrade comes from a partnership involving multiple levels of government. The Australian and Queensland governments combined forces to contribute just over five million dollars through a regional liveability fund. The federal government provided an additional three million dollars from a dedicated community investment programme, while the City of Moreton Bay supplied the remaining five point eight million dollars to clear the total bill.

Regional representatives note that while the park will undoubtedly become a daily favourite for Caboolture locals, the high-quality facilities are expected to attract day-trippers from well beyond the city borders, sparking future recreation and sports investments in the precinct.

Published Date 04-June-2026

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay