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Caboolture Fundraiser Launched After Fatal Bruce Highway Crash

A fundraiser has been launched to support the family of a Caboolture man who died in a wrong-way collision on the Bruce Highway at Burpengary.

Fundraiser Established For Caboolture Family

Andre Roberts, 26, was killed when a white Isuzu truck travelling southbound in the northbound lanes collided head-on with his white Honda Accord.

The crash occurred near the Deception Bay Road exit about 10:30 p.m. on 17 February 2026. His vehicle caught fire following the impact, and he was declared deceased at the scene.

Caboolture fundraiser crash — *Photo Credit: GoFundMe*

In the days following the Caboolture fatal crash, a fundraising campaign was created to help cover funeral costs and reduce financial strain on his family.

The campaign describes Mr Roberts as a loving partner, son and friend whose sudden passing has left his family devastated. Organisers said the fundraiser aims to assist with immediate expenses during an unexpected loss.

Bruce Highway fatal crash — *Photo Credit: GoFundMe*

Ongoing Investigation Into Bruce Highway Crash

Police confirmed the driver of the Isuzu, a 46-year-old Redcliffe man, sustained life-threatening injuries and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Initial enquiries indicate the Isuzu was one of a number of vehicles seen travelling southbound in the northbound lanes prior to the collision.

Officers have located and seized a Ford Ranger at a business on Magnesium Street in Narangba as part of ongoing inquiries. A 42-year-old man has assisted police and has been released. No charges have been laid and none are expected in the immediate future.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage relating to the movements of the Isuzu and other vehicles before the crash. Information can be provided to Policelink or Crime Stoppers, quoting reference number QP2600319324.

The Caboolture fundraiser crash campaign continues to receive community support as investigations remain ongoing.

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Published 19-Feb-2026

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Bribie Island Emergency Dredging Enters Next Phase as Pumicestone Passage Works Get Underway

Emergency dredging works on the Pumicestone Passage have entered their next phase, with channel deepening operations now underway between the tidal entrance and the northern section of the waterway.

Read: Bribie Island Erosion Project Moves Forward with Key Milestone Achieved

The works, which are expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete, form part of a broader restoration program at Bribie Island that earlier this year successfully closed two breakthroughs on the island.

With those closures completed, the current phase shifts focus to the Passage itself, where the channel deepening is intended to improve water circulation, water quality, and navigational access throughout the system.

What the works involve

Photo credit: coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au

The dredging campaign is focused on deepening the channel between the tidal entrance and the northern section of the Pumicestone Passage. To support the operation, a pipeline will be temporarily sunk across the tidal entrance for the duration of the works.

The location of the dredger will limit vessel access between the northern and southern sections of the Passage during the campaign. Updates on access restrictions are available through Maritime Safety Queensland’s Notices to Mariners.

Beach nourishment works are continuing alongside the dredging, with sand being pumped along a two-kilometre stretch of Bribie Island’s coastline to create an erosion buffer and strengthen coastal resilience.

Impact on the waterway and local services

Photo credit: Take Action Pumicestone Passage/Google Maps

Once complete, the dredging is expected to improve water circulation, water quality, and navigational access throughout the Pumicestone Passage system. The Caloundra Coast Guard is among the services set to benefit directly — the organisation is expected to return to its permanent headquarters at Bulcock Beach once the works are finalised.

Read: UniSC Talent Pipeline Fuels Jobs Growth in Caboolture and Petrie

Queensland’s Coordinator-General, Gerard Coggan, said early planning and investigations were already underway alongside the emergency works to progress longer-term solutions. The planning is aimed at progressing recommendations from the Bribie Island Erosion and Breakthrough Review, with the aim of providing lasting protection for local communities and the coastal and marine environments in the area.

Featured image credit: Fred Williams/Google Maps

Published 18-February-2026

Caboolture And Burpengary Schools Confirm 2026 College Captains

Brisbane Catholic Education has announced 86 College Captains across its 146 schools, including appointments at St Columban’s College in Caboolture and St Eugene College in Burpengary.

At St Columban’s College, Carys and Archie have been named College Captains for 2026. At St Eugene College, Dylan and Kya will serve as College Captains for the year.

Caboolture Campus With Long History

St Columban’s College was officially opened on Sunday 29 January 1928. The original property, known as Highlands, had been purchased in 1926 and was placed under the care of the Christian Brothers to provide Catholic education.

In 1985, the Christian Brothers formally handed the college to the Brisbane Catholic Education Office. A decision was made in 1995 to relocate the campus to Caboolture, with a fully co-educational campus opening at the commencement of the 1997 academic year.

The college later marked its 75th anniversary in 2003, reflecting its transition from its original Albion site to its Caboolture community.

Opening Liturgy In Burpengary

Caboolture and Burpengary Captains — Caption: The College Captains of St Eugene College.
*Photo Credit: Supplied*

At St Eugene College in Burpengary, the 2026 school year commenced with an Opening Liturgy led by Principal Louise Olley. The gathering introduced 2026 as the Year of Belonging, part of a three-year direction centred on belonging, growth and service.

A commissioned artwork by artist Kylie Farralley was presented to the college community. The artwork reflects themes of connection, learning and shared identity, with references to Burpengary Creek and acknowledgement of the Gubbi Gubbi people.

With College Captains now formally announced in Caboolture and Burpengary, both schools begin the 2026 academic year with their student leadership teams in place.

Published 17-Feb-2026

Photo Credit: Brisbane Catholic Education

Caboolture Residents Urged to Share Public Transport Experiences in New Mobility Survey

Caboolture residents have until March 31 to take part in a new study examining real-world transport challenges, with researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast seeking at least 500 responses to build the evidence needed to improve local public transport services.

Getting around Caboolture without a car can be a genuine challenge for many residents, particularly those managing medical appointments, work commitments or daily errands in areas where bus routes are limited or infrequent. The Caboolture Mobility Challenges Study aims to put hard data behind what many locals already know from lived experience, creating a foundation for future improvements to affordable, safe and reliable transport across the area.

Anyone aged 18 or over who currently lives in Caboolture can participate, with the online survey taking approximately 10 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous and confidential, reported only in non-identifiable form, giving residents a genuine opportunity to share honest experiences without concern.

Why Local Voices Matter

Transport access affects nearly every aspect of daily life, from accessing healthcare and employment to attending community events and visiting family. For residents who do not drive or cannot afford a car, public transport reliability can determine whether a medical appointment gets kept, whether a job opportunity becomes viable, or whether social isolation sets in.

The study specifically focuses on neighbourhoods with limited public transport options, meaning those most affected by transport gaps have the most to gain from participating. The stronger the response rate, the more accurately the findings will reflect the true range of transport challenges facing Caboolture residents across different parts of the area.

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Researchers are asking participants about the transport modes they use most often, whether existing public transport meets their needs, and crucially, whether transport limitations have caused them to cancel or delay appointments or activities. These questions go beyond counting bus passengers and instead capture the human cost of inadequate transport access.

Research That Can Drive Real Change

The Caboolture Mobility Challenges Study is funded through the Transport Academic Partnership, which connects university research directly with transport planning. Formal ethics approval from the University of the Sunshine Coast ensures the study meets rigorous research standards, while the non-identifiable reporting process protects participant privacy.

With findings expected to inform future mobility initiatives, strong community participation gives Caboolture residents a direct channel to influence transport planning decisions that affect their daily lives. Previous transport studies in similar areas have contributed to route expansions, timetable improvements and demand-responsive transport trials that benefit those who rely most heavily on public services.

How to Participate

Residents who complete the survey can also enter a prize draw for one of two $50 e-gift vouchers, with contact details collected separately to the survey responses to maintain anonymity throughout.

The survey closes March 31 and is available here. Organisers say strong community participation will be critical to ensuring Caboolture’s transport needs are accurately represented in the research findings.

Published 17-February-2026.

Unitywater’s Drink Tap Van to Serve Caboolture Show Crowds in June

Unitywater’s mobile drink station will set up at the Caboolture Show this June after dispensing the equivalent of 70,000 reusable bottle fills across the region over the past year.

Read: Beachmere Water Meters Get Major Upgrade As Unitywater Moves To Improve Accuracy

The Drink Tap van is scheduled to appear at Caboolture Showgrounds from 5 to 7 June 2026, adding to the 47 community and sporting events the free water refill service has attended across Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa over the past 12 months.

The 70,000-bottle milestone represents water dispensed at various community gatherings, from sports fixtures to summer holiday events. Recent stops have included the Dolphins pre-season showdown at Kayo Stadium on 12 February.

Joshua Zugajev, Unitywater’s Executive Manager Strategic Engagement, said the initiative extends the delivery of clean drinking water beyond homes and businesses and into the community.

“It’s been fantastic to see the community welcoming our drink tap van to so many local events, where they can fill up for free and avoid purchasing single-use plastic bottles of water,” Mr Zugajev said.

The service allows people to avoid purchasing single-use plastic bottles of water at public events. According to Mr Zugajev, single-use plastics contribute to the seven million tonnes of rubbish entering oceans annually, with Healthy Land and Water figures showing 80 per cent of this waste is plastic.

“By making water more readily available in the community we are supporting people to use their reusable water bottles every day to help reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles that often end up in landfill or our natural environment and waterways,” he said.

The van has visited various locations, including several weeks at Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club during the summer school holidays. Mr Zugajev cited the example of Tony, a Victorian visitor who used the service daily during his family’s camping trip to stay hydrated while at the beach and Hastings Street.

Read: Unitywater Rolls Out Meter Replacements In Burpengary, Kallangur And Morayfield

For Caboolture Show visitors, the van offers an option for staying hydrated across the three-day event without purchasing bottled water.

Community groups and event organisers can request the van’s attendance through Unitywater’s website.

Featured image credit: Unitywater

Published 17-February-2026

Caboolture Leads Moreton Bay’s Recycled Tyres Project

Did you know that residents in Caboolture are now driving on roads partly made from nearly 28,000 recycled tyres? A local sustainability project has transformed waste rubber into durable asphalt for community streets.

The project forms part of the city’s 2024/25 Road Resurfacing Program, delivered in partnership with infrastructure company Fulton Hogan.

Sustainable roads for local communities

The City of Moreton Bay worked with Fulton Hogan to trial a new dense graded asphalt designed for Queensland’s sub-tropical climate. The research involved mixing crumb rubber — produced from shredded end-of-life tyres — with up to 30 per cent recycled asphalt pavement from old road materials.

The trial mixes were tested on local roads, including those in Caboolture and surrounding areas, to assess their strength and performance under everyday traffic conditions. The work aimed to develop a practical road surfacing solution that local councils across Australia could use to improve sustainability while maintaining road quality.

The project resurfaced 82 streets across several divisions in the Moreton Bay region. In total, it used about 7,838 tonnes of recycled asphalt and repurposed 28,748 passenger tyres that would otherwise have gone to landfill. The initiative also reduced carbon emissions by more than 556,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide.

Lower emissions through new technology

The recycled road material was produced using warm-mix asphalt technology, which allows asphalt to be produced at lower temperatures than traditional methods. Lower production temperatures help reduce energy use and emissions during manufacturing while supporting safer working conditions.

The City of Moreton Bay stated that its road network is one of its largest infrastructure assets, making sustainable construction methods an important focus for reducing waste and pollution. Council leaders said partnerships with industry innovators help keep materials in circulation and support long-term environmental goals.

The project also aligns with the council’s broader aim of achieving net-zero emissions for its operations by 2039 and reducing the city’s overall carbon footprint. Officials indicated that encouraging contractors to explore new sustainable road solutions would support continued improvement across future resurfacing programs.

Recognition for research and innovation

The sustainable asphalt project received recognition from the Australian Flexible Pavement Association, winning the Queensland state award for outstanding projects under $10 million. The research established a road-surfacing approach suitable for local government use and adaptable to future infrastructure work.

The City of Moreton Bay continues to support green infrastructure initiatives, including projects to improve road safety for motorists and protect local wildlife, as well as efforts to develop more environmentally responsible construction practices.

Published 17-Feb-2026

Featured Image Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Donkey Scoops Top Honours at Caboolture Mazda Beef Grand Prix Sale

A breaking donkey named Rocky stole the show at the inaugural Caboolture Mazda Beef Grand Prix sale, fetching $13,000 and securing top honours in a competition that puts owners in the running for a Mazda BT-50 and $10,000 in cash prizes.

The two-to-three-year-old jack donkey, offered by Troy Hepburn of Top Notch Fitting and Michael Robinson of MKR Simmentals from Casino in New South Wales, commanded fierce bidding from buyers who recognized his potential as a breaking animal for young cattle on the show circuit. The sale at Ivery Downs near Colinton on January 30 marked the first stage of a competition that will culminate with prizes including a brand-new Mazda ute.

While Rocky took the overall top price, he wasn’t the only one making history. The bidding went into overdrive for a four-month-old Limousin steer named Kayce, offered by Alsace Limousins. The calf eventually fell under the hammer for $9,000, setting a new Australian record for a led steer prospect at auction.

Intense Bidding From Across Queensland and NSW

About 70 people filled the stands at Ivery Downs with another 175 joining online to watch bidding on 21 lots. The sale delivered a 100 percent clearance, an average price of $4581, and a gross of $96,200, with buyers attending from as far west as Charleville, north to Rockhampton, and into northern NSW.

Fierce bidding started on the first lots and continued throughout the sale, with four prospects selling for more than $6000. Online interest proved particularly strong, with 73 individual online bids from 45 registered bidders delivering $56,500 in online transactions.

Photo Credit: The Caboolture Mazda Beef Grand Prix/Facebook

Breaking Animals: The Unsung Heroes of Show Cattle

Rocky’s $13,000 sale price reflects the high value placed on experienced breaking animals by show cattle operations. These animals serve as teachers for young cattle, helping them learn to walk calmly on a lead, stand correctly, and respond to handlers before entering the competitive show ring.

Donkeys and older steers used for breaking often develop gentle temperaments while maintaining enough presence to keep younger cattle focused and calm during training sessions. For show cattle teams preparing multiple head for events like the Royal Queensland Show, having a reliable breaking animal can make the difference between success and failure in the ring.

Competition Continues Through 2026

The Caboolture Mazda Beef Grand Prix sale represents just the first stage of an ongoing competition that will follow animals through the 2026 show season. To snag the keys to that brand-new Mazda BT-50, owners have to do more than just sign the cheque.

The major prize is reserved for the Overall Grand Champion, a title earned through a rigorous “Hoof and Hook” judging process later this season. With $10,000 in total cash prizes also up for grabs across the categories, the pressure is now on the exhibitors to turn these raw prospects into champions.

Sale organiser and Ivery Downs Speckle Park principal Stacey Jones said vendors intentionally kept lot numbers tight, picking the best of their crop to ensure quality over quantity. The strategy paid off, with strong bidding throughout the day from both local producers who filled the stands and interstate buyers who participated online.

Rockhampton Grammar Takes Bulk Purchase

The Rockhampton Grammar School show cattle team purchased the largest number of lots, buying five head for an average of $3240 to build their competition string for the upcoming show season. The top-price heifer, seven-month-old Speckle Park and Limousin-cross HeartP4 Little Miss, sold to the school team for $3600.

Gililand Livestock Marketing agent Connor Veraart said the incentives helped the sale result, but the quality of cattle on offer spoke volumes. The event demonstrated strong demand for quality show prospects across Queensland and northern NSW, with the Mazda BT-50 prize adding extra excitement to an already competitive market.

What This Moment Means

Though the action took place ringside at Colinton, the event’s heart sits firmly in the Moreton Bay region. The massive support from Caboolture Mazda has transformed a local sale into a premier interstate event, proving that when local business backs the bush, the whole industry wins.

Published 16-February-2026.

Caboolture Museum Theft Sees Egyptian Artefacts Recovered And Man Charged

Ancient Egyptian artefacts taken during a break-in at a museum in Caboolture have been recovered and a 52-year-old man has been charged.

Break-In At Caboolture Museum

Police allege a man smashed a window at The Abbey Place property, home to the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology in Caboolture, at about 3 a.m. on Friday 13 February.

Caboolture museum theft — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Items reported stolen included a painted wooden Egyptian cat figure from the 26th Dynasty, a 3,300-year-old necklace and a mummy mask that had been verified by the British Museum. A ring and an ushabti funerary figurine were also damaged during the incident.

The museum receives more than 10,000 school students each year as part of its education program. Management indicated the financial impact of the damage and disruption could exceed $100,000.

Abbey Museum Caboolture — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Vehicle Located At Redland Bay

At about 1:30 p.m. on Saturday 14 February, officers from the Moreton North Property Crime Taskforce located a Toyota HiAce camper in the car park of the Redland Bay ferry terminal. The vehicle was seized and searched.

Egyptian artefacts stolen — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Police recovered all of the stolen artefacts from the vehicle except the wooden cat sculpture. The recovered items were described by police as intact, with minor damage noted.

Later that evening, at about 7 p.m., a 52-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on Russell Island and transported to the Cleveland Watchhouse. Police allege he was in possession of the missing wooden cat sculpture at the time of his arrest.

Charges And Court Appearance

The man has been charged with enter premises and commit indictable offence by break, and three counts of wilful damage.

He has also been charged with trespass and assault occasioning bodily harm in relation to an alleged incident at a Hastings Street property in Noosa on 12 February. Police allege he assaulted a resident after being asked to leave the premises. He is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Monday 16 February.

The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology has reopened, with a limited display of its remaining Egyptian artefacts.

Published 16-Feb-2026

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Moreton Bay Opens Sandbag Stations as Severe Weather Threat Looms

Communities across Moreton Bay are on alert as crews deploy emergency sandbag stations ahead of severe weather expected to affect the region. The move aims to help residents reduce the risk of floodwater entering their properties, as authorities warn heavy rain and storms could cause flash flooding and rising waterways across vulnerable suburbs.

Severe weather warnings and flood watches have been issued for parts of South East Queensland, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning heavy rainfall could impact catchments, including local creeks and rivers, in the coming days. The agency also warns of minor to moderate flooding from Friday and through the weekend, with rapid river rises and isolated major flooding possible where the heaviest rain falls.

‘If it’s flooded, forget it’

From Friday afternoon, 13 February, Mayor Peter Flannery urged households to take simple steps that can make a big difference if storms hit hard: clear gutters, clean up yards, pack an emergency kit, check insurance and prepare a household emergency plan. He also encouraged residents to download a flood check property report to better understand their local risk.

His main message was short and direct: “If it’s flooded, forget it.” The warning comes as crews monitor low-lying areas and roads that can become dangerous quickly during intense downpours.

Sandbags: where to go and what to bring

The City of Moreton Bay confirmed sandbag stations are now operating at multiple locations.

Arana Hills SES — 2 Pine Hills Drive (off Jinker Track)
Beachmere — Rogers Street Sports Ground
Bribie Island SES — 208–224 First Ave.
Caboolture Council Depot — corner of Commercial Drive and Machinery Parade
**Deception Bay Council De Bay Road
Elimbah — Coronation Drive (opposite the church in the median strip)
Narangba — Oakey Flat Road (between the Raynbird Road and Sovereign Drive roundabouts)
Petrie SES — 3 Woonara Drive
Woodford Depot — 20 Durundur St., Woodford
Woodford Memorial Hall (rear car park) — 103 Archer St.
Dayboro Depot — 73 Bradley St.
Margate Depot — Jull St.
Toorbul and Donnybrook Seniors Club — 1798 Pumicestone Road

Residents can check live updates through the City of Moreton Bay Disaster Dashboard, which also provides road closure updates and weather alerts.

Council officials are reminding residents that while sandbags can help limit water entering homes, they do not completely stop flooding. People attending collection points are asked to bring their own shovels, as bags must be filled on-site.

Authorities are also encouraging residents to sign up for MoretonAlert, a free warning system that sends SMS, phone and email alerts based on a resident’s local address. The service is designed to give early notice about severe weather, flooding risks and emergency situations.

For residents who cannot collect sandbags themselves due to age, illness or physical limitations, assistance may be available through the State Emergency Service by calling 132 500.

SES on standby

Council said its roads and drainage teams, along with the SES, are on standby. The council’s Local Disaster Management Group has also been put on alert as the weather system develops. Residents can track road closures and official updates on the City of Moreton Bay Disaster Dashboard.

In addition to sandbag distribution, council-operated places of refuge have opened at several library locations across the region. These locations provide safe shelter options if conditions worsen.

Burpengary Library — 121 Station Road, Burpengary
Deception Bay Library — 9 Bayview Terrace
Redcliffe Library — 476 Oxley Ave.
Albany Creek Library — 16 Ferguson St.
Bribie Island Library — 1 Welsby Parade, Bongaree
Arana Hills Library — 63 Cobbity Cres.
Woodford Library — 1 Elizabeth St.
Caboolture Hub Library — 4 Hasking St.
North Lakes Library — 10 The Corso

Emergency services are urging residents to stay informed, monitor weather warnings and prepare emergency plans, particularly those living in flood-prone areas or near waterways. Residents can also track official warnings through the Bureau of Meteorology website for updated forecasts and storm alerts.

Published 13-Feb-2026

UniSC Talent Pipeline Fuels Jobs Growth in Caboolture and Petrie

University of the Sunshine Coast’s (UniSC) Moreton Bay campuses at Caboolture and Petrie are being positioned as a key driver of local industry growth, with more than 6,500 students studying close to 90 programs on campus, according to a new economic report card released by City of Moreton Bay.

The council’s 2025 Economic Strategy Report Card — covering the 2024–25 financial year — says the local economy is “outpacing expectations” with gains across jobs, investment and exports.

Among the headline figures cited are a $24.77 billion economy (gross regional product), up $830 million over the past 12 months, and 6,500 new jobs created, lifting local employment to 174,699.

Education and training were singled out as part of the growth story, with UniSC Vice Chancellor and President Helen Bartlett saying the economic data showed the value of universities, industry and community working together.

She said “targeted industry development, relevant research and strong education links” can support innovation, skills growth and sustainable jobs.

UniSC Moreton Bay in Petrie
Photo Credit: Google Maps

The report card also shows that the city is tracking about a year ahead of where it was expected to be under the city’s long-term Economic Strategy 2020–2041. It points to “investment wins,” with the Council citing a projected $956 million in economic activity from secured projects.

International export growth has been led by advanced manufacturing and food and agribusiness, alongside growth in tourism, innovation, and skills development.

Hanlon Industries, a steel fabricator with operations in the City of Moreton Bay and Geelong, has expanded in Queensland. Managing director Tom Hanlon cited market opportunities, access to skilled employees and training facilities, and supply chains as factors in the move.

The company has added more than 60 jobs to its Narangba operations over the past two years and recently completed the Hope Island train station project.

Mayor Peter Flannery attributed the results to the strength of local industry and business activity, citing increases in economic output and job creation over the past year. The Council connected the latest results to a broader long-term ambition set out in its “Towards One Million” economic white paper, which highlights an opportunity to build “high-value local jobs” and lift the local economy to $78 billion by 2060.

The mayor added that Moreton Bay’s focus is on maintaining momentum as the city grows, including supporting businesses, attracting investment, and building skills and infrastructure.

Published 13-Feb-2026

Featured Image Credit: UniSC in Caboolture/Google Maps