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Soaring Expenses Force Developer to Abandon 3,500 Affordable Housing Lots in Waraba

Plans for around 3,500 affordable housing lots at Waraba (formerly Caboolture West) have been scrapped by a major developer, citing rapidly escalating infrastructure and development costs.

Read: $1.8B Unitywater Project Preps Underground for Waraba

Developer AVJennings announced it will drop the plans for its project in Rocksberg, which were slated to accommodate around 7,000 residents. The figures make up roughly one-tenth of the anticipated 70,000-person population for Caboolture West over the next 40 years.

The company informed the Australian Securities Exchange last week that escalating infrastructure and development expenses could not be covered by expected increases in sales revenue from the project.

“In line with an enhanced focus on prudent capital management, and subsequent to other options being exhausted, management worked closely with the landowner and other key stakeholders recently to negotiate a restructure of the agreement to the satisfaction of all parties,” AVJennings stated.

“Unfortunately, agreement has not been able to be reached prior to the next Option payment date in May 2024, and as a result the Company has decided to terminate its Option. Whilst the decision to terminate the Option was a difficult one, the Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.”

Whilst the Rocksberg development had not yet received the green light from local authorities nor had any home sales or deposits been accepted, AVJennings’ CEO Phil Kearns had just last week criticised the excessive fees and charges imposed by federal, state, and local governments that add around $200,000 to the cost of constructing a new home.

The company’s choice to abandon the project will also result in a $17.2 million write-off of capitalised development costs, whilst also reducing its inventory of available lots by 3,500 units.

Read: Caboolture West Growth Continues with Proposed 24/7 Service Station, Shops in Lillywood

Housing advocacy groups quickly responded, decrying the decision and calling on all levels of government to urgently address escalating development costs putting affordable projects at risk. With the housing crisis continuing to worsen, the market failure at Rocksberg highlights the challenges in delivering new affordable housing.

Featured image: Caboolture West (Photo credit: AVJennings/Facebook)

Published 27-May-2024

Youth Foyer Coming to Caboolture: Housing and Education Support for At-Risk Young People

The Foyer Foundation has big plans to support young people at risk of homelessness in the Caboolture region. The organisation is spearheading efforts to establish a new Youth Foyer in the area, providing integrated housing and education opportunities for vulnerable youth.

Read: Narangba Set for New Faith-Based School Amidst Community Consultation

Youth Foyers are more than just accommodation facilities – they adopt an “Advantaged Thinking” approach that taps into young people’s goals and talents whilst building essential life skills.

The proposed Caboolture Foyer, intended for youth aged 16-24, would be strategically located alongside the local TAFE, giving residents access to vocational training, childcare services, transportation, and additional student support resources.

This innovative model has already proven successful at the Foyer Logan, run by Wesley Mission Queensland, who are leading the charge for the Caboolture project.

The Foyer Foundation highlights the urgency, with at least six potential sites in Queensland alone – including Caboolture, Mango Hill, Cairns, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba and Brisbane – ready for development within the next three years.

Foyer Foundation CEO Liz Cameron Smith emphasises the wide-ranging benefits of expanding the Youth Foyers network.

“Building more Youth Foyers will directly address some of Australia’s biggest problems across three fronts — the housing crisis, cost-of-living crisis and domestic violence crisis,” she stated.

With over 33 communities vying for investment to meet young people’s critical housing and education needs, Smith stresses the immense potential of nurturing this future workforce amid growing national skills shortages.

A consortium called FoyerInvest, comprising 13 community organisations, is advocating for $184 million in funding to construct 10 new 40-unit Youth Foyers over the next three years, with an ambitious target of 50 centres nationwide by 2030. These facilities could provide housing and support pathways for over 40,000 homeless or at-risk youth across Australia.

Read: New PCYC Caboolture Facility Underway, Set to Finish in Mid-2025

Established in 2008, the Foyer Foundation aims to facilitate the growth of Australia’s Foyer Movement, modelled after the successful UK initiative. As the demand for youth-centric services continues rising, the proposed Caboolture Foyer represents a beacon of hope – offering young people a solid foundation to build brighter, more secure futures.

Featured image credit: Foyer Foundation/Facebook

Published 24-May-2024

Investor Snaps Up Carl’s Jr in Caboolture for $5.1M

A new Carl’s Jr restaurant that only opened its doors last March in the fast-growing Caboolture region has sold for a hefty $5.1 million under the hammer.

Read: Caboolture South Servo with 3 Fast Food Stores Approved

The transaction involving the global fast-food chain’s brand new, state-of-the-art freestanding dual drive-thru facility was part of a portfolio auction conducted by Burgess Rawson earlier this month in Sydney.

The successful sale of Carl’s Jr Morayfield highlighted the robust investor appetite for prime fast-food real estate assets. Nearly 120 bids were received across six properties auctioned, with all of them finding new owners and generating over $20 million in total sales.

Developed by the Fortitude Valley-based Belmonde Property Group, the Carl’s Jr restaurant was secured by a buyer on a 5.1 percent yield after being offered with a 15-year lease.

Its strategic position adjacent to major shopping centres like the Woolworths-anchored Market Plaza and Leda Property’s Morayfield Shopping Centre, which attract over 6 million annual visitors combined, was a key selling point.

The location offers high exposure to the busy Morayfield arterial road with over 33,000 vehicles per day and direct access. Other fast-food titans like McDonald’s, Hungry Jack’s, and Pizza Hut were also among the auctioned properties.

In a separate transaction, Belmonde Property Group pocketed another $7.985 million through the sale of an EG petrol station with an Oporto restaurant next door to the Carl’s Jr site. That asset changed hands on a 6.1 percent yield.

Read: Fast-Growing Moreton Bay Seeks More Infrastructure to Handle Population Growth

The strong investor interest and record prices demonstrated the premium pricing for fast-food outlets with long leases from major tenants in growth corridors across Southeast Queensland.

Featured image credit: belmonde.com.au

Published 23-May-2024

Caboolture Set for 36 New Luxury Townhouses

Caboolture is poised for further expansion, with Brisbane-based Sherlock Construction Homes lodging a development application for 36 upscale townhouses.

The proposed project, located at 14 Cassowary Court, seeks to capitalise on the area’s growth, offering residents close proximity to essential amenities such as schools and shopping centres.

The planned two-level townhouses promise a luxurious living experience, each boasting three bedrooms, a single-car garage, an open-plan kitchen, and dining areas flowing seamlessly into covered terraces and private courtyards. With a modern architectural style featuring diverse materials and finishes, the development aims to complement the evolving urban landscape of the neighbourhood.

The development site, currently occupied by a house and associated structures, sits adjacent to the Halycon Retirement Community. This project follows a recent townhouse development at 32 Cassowary Court, highlighting the suburb’s ongoing transition from a rural residential settlement to a more urbanised environment.

Access to the new development is planned via a single, two-way crossover from Cassowary Court, with ample parking provisions including 62 car spaces and a service vehicle loading bay. The developer also envisions a landscaped setting with screened bin storage areas to ensure a visually pleasing environment for residents.

Sherlock Construction Homes has emphasised the design’s contemporary expression and varied colour schemes, creating an interesting and visually appealing composition.

The scale of the project aligns with medium-density development goals, providing low-set townhouses that seamlessly integrate into the surrounding landscape.

As Caboolture continues to evolve, this proposed townhouse development represents another step towards meeting the growing demand for quality housing in this thriving Moreton Bay community.

Published Date 21-May-2024

Photo Credit: DA/2024/1833

Emergency Preparedness Workshop Comes to Caboolture, Offering Crucial Weather Safety Training

To combat the growing threat of extreme weather, Moreton Bay residents are invited to a free emergency preparedness workshop by NRMA Insurance and the Australian Red Cross. This crucial EmergencyRedi™ workshop, tailored to address specific local weather risks, will take place in Caboolture, underlining the urgent need for community readiness.

Research from NRMA Insurance highlights a concerning gap in local emergency preparedness. A striking 32 per cent of Australians lack a solid understanding of the extreme weather risks pertinent to their areas. At the same time, nearly half are unaware of the necessary steps to prepare for such emergencies.

These statistics underline the critical need for targeted educational efforts like the EmergencyRedi™ Workshop.

Workshop Details and Benefits

Scheduled at 4 Hasking St in Caboolture on Tuesday, the 28th of May 2024 at 1:30 p.m., the workshops offer attendees a comprehensive plan to tackle emergencies. Participants will walk away with a RediPlan, an all-encompassing emergency strategy developed by the Australian Red Cross, featuring essential components such as key contacts, meeting places, and strategies for managing stress during emergencies.

The workshop is part of the larger Help Nation initiative by NRMA Insurance, aimed at fostering a culture of preparedness across Australia.

“Our goal is to empower residents to understand their local risks and equip them with the tools necessary for preparedness. Proactive preparation can significantly mitigate the impacts of extreme weather,” Michelle Klein, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at NRMA Insurance, asserts.

Emergency Preparedness Caboolture — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

This initiative is about immediate education and long-term safety. Over the next three years, NRMA Insurance and the Australian Red Cross plan to host thousands of such workshops, potentially preparing tens of thousands of Australians for a range of emergencies, from floods to bushfires.

About NRMA Insurance

NRMA Insurance is one of Australia’s most trusted general insurance providers, helping people protect the things they care about since 1925. It has a long proud history of working with communities to build their resilience against severe weather and keep people safer on the road.

More than three million customers across Australia choose NRMA Insurance to protect their homes, vehicles, businesses, motorcycles, boats, pets and travel.

NRMA Insurance is backed by IAG, the largest general insurer in Australia and New Zealand.

Narangba Set for New Faith-Based School Amidst Community Consultation

Narangba is poised for the addition of a large, faith-based school and childcare centre for Prep to Year 12, currently under public scrutiny.

The ambitious project, proposed by The Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane four years after acquiring a 13-hectare site in the Narangba growth hub, is generating both anticipation and concern within the community.

The site is along Callaghan and Morgan roads.

Public input on the development concludes this week, marking a crucial stage in the approval process for the school, which aims to accommodate up to 1836 students and 100 childcare places. The Catholic Church envisions a phased construction, with initial stages possibly encompassing Prep to Year 3 and Year 7 classes, along with the childcare facilities.

While the proposal promises a high-quality, coeducational learning environment with modern facilities and extensive outdoor areas, it has also drawn opposition from some neighbouring residents. Concerns have been raised regarding the site’s rural residential zoning and the potential impact on traffic in the vicinity.

Despite this, the Church remains committed to its vision, emphasising the school’s potential to provide a values-based education and contribute to the community.

Detailed plans outline a range of educational buildings, sports facilities, and even the possibility of a future church on the site.

The proposed school’s design also incorporates measures to protect the natural landscape, including a waterway corridor and existing koala habitat.

The community’s feedback will play a crucial role in determining whether this ambitious project will ultimately come to fruition, shaping the educational landscape of this area for years to come.

Published Date 14-May-2024

Photo Credit: MID-1223-0803

‘Bells Corner’ to Bring New Life to D’Aguilar Highway?

Plans have been lodged for a vibrant new precinct dubbed ‘Bells Corner’ located at 2011 D’Aguilar Highway in D’Aguilar.

Read: $7-M Expansion Underway at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex

The proposed development would feature a cafe, restaurant, offices, and shops along the D’Aguilar Highway, which connects Moreton Bay to the Bruce Highway.

If approved, the single-storey development could become an emerging new community hub in the area. It would include 448 square metres of retail space, making it slightly smaller than the 951 square metre childcare centre that is already under construction on the same site.

Designed by Neylan Architecture, Bells Corner would be “a vibrant new community hub in the midst of D’Aguilar, providing a contextually appropriate and natural commercial expansion.”

“The new commercial development proposal provides a natural and contextually appropriate expansion of commercial uses over the site adjacent to the D’Aguilar Highway. Bells Corner will enhance the visual appearance of the area while at the same time having no impact on the amenity of the adjacent residential uses,” planners stated.

Rendered image of proposed development (Photo credit: Neylan Architecture)

The planners state the new amenities would “establish a place for the local D’Aguilar community to gather, share conversation, and participate in the local economy.”

The prime location along D’Aguilar Highway’s existing commercial strip would enable the proposed development to integrate seamlessly with the area. Its proximity to the new childcare centre is expected to be a boon for business.

Bells Corner — Photo credit: Neylan Architecture

“The proximity to the childcare centre would capture young families dropping children off, encouraging them to interact with both their community and the local economy,” the planners noted.

The large childcare facility with enough space for 90 children is slated to open its doors to the local community in the next few months.

If approved, the cafe would operate 5:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. daily, whilst the restaurant, shops and offices would be open 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m, 7 days a week. A total of 48 parking spaces would service the entire Bells Corner precinct.

With its modern amenities and community-focused design, Bells Corner could become a popular new social hub for D’Aguilar residents if it gets the green light from council.

Featured image credit: Neylan Architecture

Published 10-May-2024

$1.8B Unitywater Project Preps Underground for Waraba

In May 2024, Unitywater will kick off construction on the critical underground infrastructure to support more than half of the 70,000 new residents projected to call Waraba home over the coming years.

Read: Then and Now: Waldheim, the Stephen Family’s Homestead in Annerley

This initial stage in the former Caboolture West area will see Unitywater collaborating with six development companies to build out water and wastewater networks by late 2025.

Stage one will deliver a significant new wastewater pumping station capable of handling approximately 195 litres per second at 3500 kilopascal pressure. Supporting this will be four kilometres of wastewater rising mains and seven odour control facilities distributed throughout the network.

Unitywater has engaged Brisbane-based firms Killard Infrastructure and Tallai Project Group as construction delivery partners, utilising their combined 45 years of civil contracting experience. This will create over 70 new jobs during the build-out phase.

“Many of our team will be local and it’s always special to know that we’re helping deliver infrastructure in our area, which our children or future neighbours will benefit from,” said Killard Managing Director Jerry Daly. “We are committed to working collaboratively with the local community throughout this project.”

About Waraba

The Waraba development, approved in 2023, will be a major greenfield growth hub transforming the former Caboolture West area north of Brisbane. The master-planned community is expected to accommodate approximately 70,000 residents across 30,000 homes within the next 40 years.

The visionary plans call for six distinct residential villages and a neighbourhood hub centred around a series of walkable neighbourhoods. Promoting connectivity and green spaces is a core focus, as outlined in the development’s Infrastructure Agreement.

This Agreement stipulates the provision of seven local recreation parks, district open space areas, and conservation areas totaling 52.7 hectares of public land. An additional 17.7 hectares will be rehabilitated into a green network precinct.

Read: Caboolture Railway Electrical Substations Level Up in $48M Rail Network Renovation

To support the incoming population, all internal stormwater infrastructure necessitated by the large-scale development must also be provided by the developers. Financial contributions towards constructing a future district sports park and regional sports park are included as well.

Featured image credit: Moreton Bay Regional Council

Published 1-May-2024

Caboolture Railway Electrical Substations Level Up in $48M Rail Network Renovation

Significant infrastructure work is currently in progress to modernise and enhance critical railway electrical substations located in Caboolture and Corinda.

Read: Keeping the Dream Alive: Restoring the Beaufort Bomber in Memory of Wally Dalitz

It’s part of a $48 million project that will boost reliability and efficiency across the electrical substations in Caboolture and Corinda.

In Caboolture, work is well underway on a new switch room, two massive traction power transformers, 11 new overhead line masts, high voltage isolators, oil/water separation systems, and more. The ageing Air Insulated Switchgears are being replaced with more environmentally-friendly Gas Insulated Switchgears.

These electrical substations are the backbone of the rail network, ensuring electric trains keep running during planned maintenance or power outages. The upgraded substations in Caboolture and Corinda will be able to pick up extra power loads when needed, such as after storms, to get trains moving again faster.

However, it’s not just about reliability today. The future-proofed substations will provide backup power for major projects like Cross River Rail and the Beerburrum-Landsborough duplication.

The infrastructure upgrades are also getting a vibrant community touch. Once installed, the new Caboolture substation will feature colourful murals from local artists The Brightsiders celebrating the stunning native flora and fauna as part of Queensland Rail’s Positive pARTnerships Program.

“Electrical substations are crucial to helping our trains run on time and we’re committed to providing a world-class service,” said Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton. “Put simply, without these substations our electric trains just could not run.”

Degnan’s Managing Director, Chris Degnan said they are thrilled to continue their partnership with Queensland Rail to deliver rail infrastructure upgrades.

“This project, which is critical to Queensland Rail’s network, is one we look forward to delivering safely and successfully with the Queensland Rail teams and our supply chain.”

Read: New PCYC Caboolture Facility Underway, Set to Finish in Mid-2025

The $48 million substation overhauls at Caboolture and Corinda, led by contractor Degnan, are due for completion in 2025.

Featured image: Artwork showing laced monitor and fan leaf wattle on Caboolture substation building (Photo credit: Queensland Rail)

Published 27-April-2024

Burpengary East Tragedy: Community Shaken by Violent Gardening Dispute

The peaceful community of Burpengary East is mourning the shocking death of Nicholas Reeves, a 74-year-old grandfather of six, who was fatally injured at his home. The incident has left his wife, Suzanne Reeves, 71, hospitalised in critical condition, battling severe head injuries.

On the morning of Anzac Day around 9:20 a.m., police were called to the Reeves’ residence on Bramston Ct, following reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers found Nicholas deceased and Suzanne suffering from severe head trauma.

The alleged assailant, Frederick Steel Sayers, a 26-year-old man from Beachmere hired to perform gardening, was arrested at the scene. Mr Sayers was charged with murder and attempted murder later that evening.

Community Reaction

Nicholas, a retired businessman who once owned a local garage door company, and Suzanne were integral to the community’s fabric. They were known for their loving natures and the grand Christmas parties they hosted. Their absence has left a void in the community, with neighbours like Ben Olsen and the couple’s close friend, Ron Lea, expressing profound grief and disbelief.

Mr Lea, in particular, lamented the tragic circumstances on social media, highlighting the family’s extensive local ties and the couple’s commitment to their community and family.

Burpengary East Nicholas Reeves — *Photo Credit: Ron Lea/Facebook*

The incident has galvanised the Burpengary East community, prompting an outpouring of support for the Reeves family and calls for justice. The community remains in mourning, grappling with the sudden and violent loss of one of their own and the critical injury of another.

Legal Proceedings and Arrest

Meanwhile, Mr Sayers was denied police bail and his initial court appearance was scheduled for the following day at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court. Due to the severity of the charges and the complex nature of the case, his lawyer requested a three-month adjournment, with the case set to return to court on July 26.

Detective Inspector David Harbison, leading the investigation, noted the scene’s traumatic nature, with ongoing inquiries to ascertain the events leading to the assault. The police have seized numerous tools from the property, which are being examined as part of the homicide investigation.

The detailed crime scene work and forensic analyses aim to provide clarity on the altercation’s dynamics and the motives behind this heinous act.

Published 27-April-2024