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Pastel Society of Australia Brings Milestone Exhibition to Bribie

Bribie Island will become a hub for pastel art this August as artists from Australia, New Zealand, and overseas gather for what the Pastel Society of Australia expects to be its biggest Annual Awards Exhibition yet.

Read: Woodford And Bribie Island Festival Projects Take Shape Through Arts Funding

The exhibition runs from 11 to 23 August at the Matthew Flinders Gallery, Bribie Community Arts Centre, marking the 40th anniversary of the society’s Annual Awards. Visitors can view artworks entered in the exhibition, meet artists and attend free demonstrations highlighting pastel as a fine art medium.

Admission is free throughout the exhibition, giving locals and visitors the chance to experience one of Australia’s longest-running pastel art events.

Four Decades of the Pastel Society of Australia

Photo credit: Facebook/The Pastel Society of Australia

The Pastel Society of Australia has presented its Annual Awards Exhibition since 1986 as part of its mission to promote pastel as a fine art medium and bring artists together.

Established in 1985 by Ivy and John Jeffery, the society supports artists at all stages of their creative journey. Throughout the year it provides members with opportunities to develop their skills through demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions, competitions, awards and regular gatherings that encourage learning and collaboration.

To mark the awards’ 40th year, this year’s exhibition will also celebrate master pastelists who have made a significant contribution to the medium over the past four decades.

Society secretary Merla Hynes said support from the City of Moreton Bay had been instrumental in bringing the exhibition to Bribie Island. She said the event offers more than an opportunity to view high-quality artwork, providing pastel artists with a chance to connect and share ideas while also encouraging visitors to spend time in the region.

Live Demonstrations Throughout the Exhibition

Janet Hayes – Pastel portrait from life (Photo credit: Facebook/The Pastel Society of Australia)

Alongside the exhibition, visitors can watch experienced pastel artists demonstrate a range of techniques, from portraiture and landscapes to seascapes, dramatic skies and textured mixed-media approaches.

Artists including Louise Corke, Penelope Gilbert-Ng, Karen Christiansen, Anne Yang, Hettie Rowley, Gwendolin Lewis, Tricia Taylor, Christine Clarke, Tricia Reust and Karol Oakley will lead free demonstrations across the exhibition period.

Janet Hayes will also present a live portrait demonstration and host a full-day workshop focused on landscape and seascape sketching and painting.

Read: Bribie Island Flight Path Proposal Centres On Northern Communities

A Free Event for the Community

The Matthew Flinders Gallery at the Bribie Community Arts Centre, 191 Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach, will be open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9am and 4pm throughout the exhibition, with the venue closed on Mondays.

Combining a major national exhibition with free demonstrations and a milestone anniversary, the event offers residents and visitors an opportunity to experience pastel art and meet artists from across Australia and beyond.

Published 5-August-2026

Massive Morayfield Water Reservoir Lays the Foundation for 100,000 New Residents

Unitywater has poured the concrete equivalent of seven home foundations to form the base of a massive new water reservoir in Morayfield that will eventually serve 100,000 future residents.

A Sudden Influx

How do you prepare a quiet region for a massive population boom? You start from the ground up. Known as the Pine Valley Water Supply Project, this major infrastructure initiative aims to secure essential services for an expected wave of new neighbours across Narangba, Caboolture West, and the local suburb. Contractor Downer began construction in early 2025. They are racing toward a mid-2027 completion date.

Beating the Heat

Pouring 270 cubic metres of reinforced concrete is no simple task. Crews at the Jacko Place site worked under the cover of darkness between 2 am and 8 am to get the job done. Unitywater chief executive officer Anna Jackson explained this unusual schedule was necessary to let the massive slab cure perfectly in cooler temperatures. With the base now set, workers will soon raise 44 concrete panels vertically. These will form the outer walls of the 15-megalitre tank.

Tackling the Housing Crunch

Reliable infrastructure remains the key to accelerating suburban development. City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery noted that delivering safe water and wastewater services is a crucial step in speeding up local housing supply. Turning greenfield sites like Waraba into vibrant, liveable communities requires intense forward planning. Local leaders view this project as an essential piece of that puzzle.

Billions in the Pipeline

The local tank represents just a fraction of a broader $2 billion investment planned for South East Queensland over the next five years. Jackson confirmed the current project will eventually expand to include eight kilometres of connecting pipelines and two additional 10-megalitre reservoirs. Growth is happening fast. Over the previous financial year alone, the water authority approved more than 10,000 new homes. Nearly 7,000 newly built properties joined their expanding network during that same period.

Published Date 05-August-2026

Cassia Townhomes Move Into Construction Stage In Caboolture

Construction has begun on Cassia, a 31-townhome development at 27 Cassowary Court, Caboolture.

The project is about 60 per cent sold, according to the release from the developer, with interest coming from first home buyers, local upgraders and investors.

Site set for 31 homes

Cassia is being built on an 8,000sqm site and will include 25 three-bedroom townhomes and six four-bedroom townhomes. The project is being delivered by Niche and Urbanluxe Projects, with Realm Projects managing sales.

Niche director Nicholas Wieczorek said the development was designed as an alternative to a traditional house on a larger block.

Design and layout

The project was designed by Pacifik Design Studio. Plans include contemporary facades, landscaped streets, open-plan living areas, private patios and secure garages.

The release also said perimeter landscaping and tree planting are planned for the site.

Buyer interest and grant eligibility

Realm Projects director Shane Foley said interest had come from a mix of buyers, including first home buyers, local upgraders and investors.

The homes are priced from $749,000, and eligible buyers may be able to access the Queensland Government’s $30,000 First Home Owner Grant.

Another addition to Caboolture’s housing stock

Caboolture has seen continued residential growth in recent years, with the suburb attracting buyers looking for access to shops, schools, transport, health services and rail.

Once complete, the Cassia development will add 31 new homes to the local housing supply.

Published 5-August-2026

The Busy Miller Hits the Market in Caboolture South for $3M+

Photo Credit: Colliers

A fully leased Caboolture South retail centre with four businesses, including two tenants that have operated onsite for more than 20 years, has been placed on the market for more than $3 million.

The Busy Miller, at 99–103 Morayfield Road, occupies a 1,538sqm site and contains 388sqm of retail space. Colliers is exclusively handling the sale through an Expressions of Interest campaign.

The centre is fully leased to The Cheesecake Shop, Peter Radford Accountants, Boldalicious Hair Boutique and Executive Laundromat. Together, the tenancies generate net passing income of approximately $176,621 per annum.

The Busy Miller retail centre on Morayfield Road — Photo Credit: Colliers

Long-Term Tenants at Caboolture South Retail Centre

The Cheesecake Shop is identified as the centre’s anchor tenant and has operated at the property for more than 20 years. It has taken a new five-year lease.

Peter Radford Accountants has been onsite for more than 25 years, giving the property two businesses with tenancy histories extending beyond two decades.

Shops at 99–103 Morayfield Road — Photo Credit: Colliers

Boldalicious Hair Boutique and Executive Laundromat occupy the remaining tenancies.

In commentary accompanying the listing, Shaun Seeto referred to the long occupancy of The Cheesecake Shop and Peter Radford Accountants. Tony Huan Wang referred to residential growth, infrastructure investment and employment expansion across Moreton Bay, as well as the property’s position on Morayfield Road.

Morayfield Road Site and Access

The property has approximately 38 metres of frontage to Morayfield Road and about 28 on-grade car parks. It is a regular-shaped lot with Centre zoning.

The listing also identifies connections to the Bruce Highway, Morayfield Shopping Centre, Caboolture CBD and the wider South East Queensland transport network.

Retail centre frontage along Morayfield Road — Photo Credit: Colliers

Nearby businesses identified in the listing include supermarkets, department stores, food outlets, storage and veterinary services.

The Busy Miller is being offered as a freehold retail investment. The property listing classifies the asset as retail, with its use identified as general retail.

Caboolture South retail centre — Photo Credit: Colliers

Colliers Agents Handling the Sale

The sale campaign is being handled by two Colliers representatives based in Brisbane.

Shaun Seeto is Manager, Brisbane City & Metro Sales within Investment Services. Tony Huan Wang is Director, Asia Markets within Investment Services.

Expressions of Interest for the Caboolture South retail centre close at 4pm AEST on Thursday, 13 August 2026.

Published 4-August-2026

Godwin Beach Seawall Feedback Extended as Three Options Go to Community

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Community members have more time to comment on the Godwin Beach seawall renewal, with consultation extended as three options for the future coastal structure remain under consideration.

Feedback is being sought until 23 August 2026 on how the Godwin Beach foreshore is used, preferences for its future and where pedestrian beach access and a small ramp for canoes, kayaks and similar watercraft should be positioned.

The consultation period was extended by one week after a planned community pop-up was postponed by two weeks because of forecast strong winds.

The Bureau of Meteorology had forecast strong winds for the original event date, prompting the postponement on safety grounds. The rescheduled pop-up will now be held on Saturday, 15 August 2026, from 9am to noon near the amenities building at Godwin Beach.

The extension gives people additional time to speak with the project team before completing the survey.

Feedback can also be submitted through the online survey and map activity, by email or by post.

have your say

Three Options for the Godwin Beach Seawall

Three approaches have been shortlisted for further assessment, with a rock seawall forming most of the structure under each option.

Option 1 – Rock seawall: A sloping rock seawall topped by a wide concrete pedestrian path. Large rocks arranged on a slope would provide protection from waves and shoreline erosion.
Option 2 – Rock seawall with habitat features: Most of the structure would remain a rock seawall, with habitat features added along a small section of the foreshore. Smaller rock formations would create intertidal areas, including rockpool-like habitat for marine plants and animals.
Option 3 – Rock seawall with nature-based protection: A small section would incorporate nature-based measures, potentially including reshaping the foreshore to a more natural slope, sand nourishment, native coastal and saltmarsh planting, and offshore artificial reefs. Small sections of the existing seawall could also potentially remain where they would not affect the structural integrity of new protective elements, although this would not be confirmed until detailed design if the option is selected.

Options 2 and 3 would use their alternative approaches as small trial sections, which would be monitored if built to assess their effectiveness.

Regardless of the option chosen, the final design would include at least three staircases for foreshore access and a ramp suitable for small watercraft such as canoes and kayaks. The location is not considered suitable for a large all-tides boat ramp.

A low concrete block would also run along the park side of the seawall to help reduce wave overtopping during severe weather and provide informal seating.

Native coastal planting near rock protection — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Why the Seawall Is Being Renewed

The existing Godwin Beach seawall was built in the 1980s and has gradually deteriorated because of tides and coastal weather events.

It protects parkland, Godwin Beach Esplanade and houses behind the foreshore from coastal erosion. The area is also used for recreation and is an important environmental area and protected migratory bird habitat.

Planning for the renewal is intended to provide continued coastal protection while considering community use and the natural values of the foreshore.

Community feedback gathered during the current consultation will be considered alongside technical investigations and statutory requirements as the options are assessed.

Design Work to Follow Consultation

The options assessment is the first stage of the renewal process.

A concept design will be shared with the community during the next design phase. Design work is scheduled for 2027 and 2028.

Construction is expected from 2031, subject to funding, approvals and unforeseen delays.

Published 3-August-2026

North Harbour Comes Alive as Volunteers Plant More Than 1,100 Native Trees

Photo Credit: North Harbour/Facebook

More than 130 volunteers took part in the North Harbour tree planting event at Burpengary East, placing more than 1,100 native trees along the Caboolture River corridor.

The free community event was held at Heritage Park from 8:30 am to noon on Sunday, 26 July 2026, as part of National Tree Day. Residents, local families and volunteers of all ages joined the annual planting activity.

The morning’s work added new native vegetation to North Harbour’s long-term environmental program. The planting was intended to help restore the riverfront ecosystem and expand habitat for wildlife along the Caboolture River.

Event photographs also featured children from the Burpengary Scout Group. Marley Howe appeared in one image, while Alexander Holden and Arden Bryan were pictured together in another.

North Harbour Tree Planting Adds to Revegetation

More than 60,000 native trees and shrubs have already been established across the community, while more than 51 hectares of revegetation has been completed. North Harbour’s longer-term plan is to plant hundreds of thousands of native trees and shrubs.

Project Director Bryan Finney said the annual planting day supported plans to create a wildlife corridor along the river. He said restoring native vegetation would strengthen the natural environment for future generations, with each tree making a lasting contribution as the community develops.

North Harbour tree planting — Photo Credit: North Harbour/Facebook

The planting forms part of broader conservation work that includes habitat restoration and waterway protection. The program is intended to improve biodiversity while creating parklands, waterways and green open space for residents and the wider community.

Conservation Work Along the Caboolture River

Environmental restoration has been included in the North Harbour development since construction began. The waterfront community includes an extensive network of open spaces, parklands and waterways, with conservation work integrated into each stage.

Community members gathered for North Harbour Tree Planting Day — Photo Credit: North Harbour/Facebook

North Harbour is planned to include about 6,500 homes, more than 12 kilometres of riverfront and green open space, a business park and a retail precinct. A future marina is also proposed, subject to approval.

The wider conservation program has contributed to North Harbour receiving EnviroDevelopment certification across all six elements of the nationally recognised sustainability accreditation.

Published 28-July-2026

Moreton Island Petrel Marks First H5 Detection in QLD

Photo Credit: Wikipedia/ Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Queensland has recorded its first confirmed case of H5 bird flu after a dead petrel was found on Moreton Island (Mulgulpin).

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers discovered the seabird on the island’s eastern shoreline on Saturday, 18 July. Following initial positive tests at a state laboratory, sample testing at the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong confirmed the bird had H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Authorities stress the result has not affected Queensland’s poultry industry, and the risk to human health remains low. There is currently no sign of large-scale wildlife deaths in the state.

Queensland prepared for arrival

Queensland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Allison Crook said officials had expected the virus to reach the state, following a pattern seen across Australia.

Australia recorded its first recent wild seabird case on 20 June 2026 in Western Australia, followed by detections in South Australia and New South Wales. Most affected species have been ocean-going birds like petrels and skuas that travel long distances. A sick petrel tested on the Sunshine Coast earlier in July returned a negative result.

Dr. Crook confirmed Queensland had already strengthened its monitoring program and increased contact with at-risk industries. More than 1,000 reports have been made to the hotline from Queensland since Australia’s first confirmed case on 20 June. These reports help biosecurity and animal health teams investigate suspected cases.

No threat to poultry or food safety

So far, officials have not detected H5 bird flu in poultry anywhere in Australia during this outbreak.

The Department of Primary Industries confirmed that chicken meat and eggs remain safe to buy and eat using normal handling and cooking practices. Poultry farmers have been notified of the Moreton Island detection, and industry groups are continuing strict biosecurity measures to prevent contact between farmed and wild birds.

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins noted that Australia’s previous bird flu outbreaks involved H7 strains rather than the H5 strain currently moving through wild seabird populations.

What beach visitors should do

Authorities have not announced restrictions on visiting Moreton Island or other coastal areas. However, they are urging people to heed the following:

Do not touch sick or dead birds.
Keep children and pets away from the animal.
Document the sighting: Note the location and take a photograph from a safe distance if possible.
Report it: Call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Handling an infected bird poses risks to humans and pets, and it can complicate sample collection for trained staff.

AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) ALERT

Wildlife groups call for vigilance

Conservation groups say early detection is vital to track how the virus spreads. BirdLife Australia president Professor Hugh Possingham described the arrival as significant but not unexpected. He called for stronger action to protect threatened native bird populations. The Invasive Species Council has similarly urged governments to support wildlife recovery and disease monitoring.

While Moreton Island marks an important shift in Queensland’s response, authorities reassure the public that the detection does not signal a poultry outbreak or a broad community risk.

Published 25-July-2026

Record-Breaking Caboolture Local Calab Law Set for Commonwealth Games Glory

Photo Credit: Calab Law/ Instagram

Former Caboolture resident Calab Law, who made history as the first Australian teenager to qualify for a world semi-final, is now taking his record-breaking speed to the track for his debut at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

A Hometown Hero Goes Global

The 22-year-old runner has deep roots in the community as a former student at Morayfield State High School. Now representing the Mayne Harriers club, the proud Wakka Wakka man from southern Queensland is no stranger to top-level competition.

He is scheduled to race in the men’s 200-metre sprint and the 4×100-metre relay when the main track events begin. His journey from a local high school student to an international athlete has made him a genuine source of pride for the region.

Breaking Records on the Track

Law first caught the world’s attention a few years ago with a performance that rewrote the record books. In 2022, at just 18 years of age, he became the first Australian teenager to qualify for a World Championship or Olympic semi-final. Racing in Oregon, he ran a fast personal best of 20.50 seconds to secure his spot. A month later, he claimed a bronze medal at the World Athletics Under 20 Championships in Colombia, lowering his time even further to 20.42 seconds.

He kept that momentum alive the following year by taking home gold medals in both the 100-metre and 200-metre events at the Pacific Games in Honiara. By 2024, he won the Australian Athletics Championships title in the 200-metre race and earned a spot at the Paris Olympics, while also receiving a Tier 2 Scholarship in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame program.

Smashing National Relay Times

The young athlete continues to push his limits and lower his race times. At the 2025 Sydney Track Classic, he helped his relay squad break the Australian men’s 4×100-metre national record with a lightning-fast time of 37.87 seconds. He also set a personal best in the 100-metre sprint in Perth with a time of 10.17 seconds.

Earlier this year, he set a new personal best of 20.21 seconds in the 200-metre event during the Australian Championships in Sydney. These impressive runs led him to the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Botswana, where he and his team successfully qualified for the 2027 World Championships in the mixed 4×100-metre relay.

Tuning In to the Action

Local fans wanting to cheer on their hometown star can watch the events live on Australian Eastern Standard Time. The men’s 200-metre first round takes place on Wednesday, July 29. If he advances, the semi-finals will run on Thursday, July 30, with the final scheduled for Friday, July 31. The main 4×100-metre relay final will then wrap up his schedule on Saturday, August 1.

Published Date 22-July-2026

Caboolture woman wins $150,000 Instant Scratch-Its prize with Morayfield ticket

A Caboolture woman has scratched her way to a $150,000 top prize on an Instant Scratch-Its ticket bought in Morayfield.

The winning $10 Crosswords Connect Instant Scratch-Its ticket was purchased from Nextra Morayfield Village News, Shop 5, Morayfield Shopping Centre, 171 Morayfield Road, Morayfield.

The local winner said she was still coming to terms with the result when the prize was confirmed.

“It’s so exciting. I’m still in shock,” she said.

“I couldn’t tell if I was reading it right. I was checking it and double checking it and quadruple checking it.”

Crossword ticket becomes major win

The Caboolture woman said she had been playing Instant Scratch-Its tickets for a little while, with the crossword-style games becoming her regular choice.

“I’ve been playing Instant Scratch-Its tickets for a little while now. It’s a little ritual I have, and I usually always choose the Crosswords games,” she said.

“I’ve never won something like this ever. I think the most I’ve won is about $150.”

Land and holiday plans

With the six-figure prize now coming her way, the winner said she was already thinking about how she might use the money.

“I’d really like to buy some land,” she said.

She also has a holiday coming up and said the prize would allow her to spend a little more while away.

“I also have a holiday coming up so I’ll be able to splurge a little more while I’m there,” she said.

For the Caboolture winner, the surprise came from a crossword ticket bought in Morayfield — one she said she checked several times before believing the result.

Published 21-July-2026

Waraba’s Lilywood Landings Helps Bring Early CCTV Network to New Neighbourhoods

Lennium Group’s Lilywood Landings development has become the first residential project to partner with the City of Moreton Bay on a shared CCTV program designed to install public surveillance infrastructure in Waraba’s growing neighbourhoods.

Read: Waraba Welcomes First Residents as New City Takes Shape

Lilywood Landings initiated discussions on a shared funding model for CCTV, with Stockland’s Rivermont and Orchard Property Group’s Aire Lilywood later joining the initiative. Together, the three partnerships have delivered 15 public CCTV cameras across Waraba, a growth area expected to eventually accommodate around 70,000 residents.

Under the partnership model, developers provide supporting infrastructure, including power supply for the CCTV network, while the City of Moreton Bay funds the cameras, network installation, system configuration and ongoing management. The project also received financial support through an Australian Government grant.

Shared Investment Supports Public Safety

Photo credit: Facebook/City of Moreton Bay

The approach is designed to reduce installation costs for ratepayers while ensuring public safety infrastructure keeps pace with residential growth. According to the City of Moreton Bay, new residential areas can experience increased risks of vandalism, illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour while homes are unoccupied and construction sites remain active.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the initiative aimed to help create safer and more connected communities as new neighbourhoods developed.

“Residents deserve to feel secure in their own homes and in public spaces, which is why we are making CCTV a priority across the City, including in our newest housing areas,” he said.

He said sharing the costs with developers allowed public safety infrastructure to be installed earlier while reducing the financial burden on ratepayers. The City of Moreton Bay now operates a network of 2,080 CCTV cameras, making it one of the largest local government CCTV networks in Queensland.

Licence Plate Recognition Adds Another Layer

Alongside its fixed camera network, the City of Moreton Bay also deploys more than 50 mobile CCTV units equipped with licence plate recognition technology. The cameras can be positioned in locations experiencing issues such as dangerous driving, break-ins and vehicle theft.

The technology sends real-time Vehicle of Interest alerts to the Queensland Police Service when nominated vehicles are detected. During the last financial year, the system generated 10,795 live alerts to police.

Queensland Police Service data shows there were just over 950 reported offences involving the unlawful use of a motor vehicle across the City of Moreton Bay during the 2024-25 financial year. That represented an approximately 17.5 per cent reduction compared with the previous financial year and was lower than many other policing areas across South East Queensland. Up to late May in the 2025-26 financial year, the number of reported offences was just under 900.

Mayor Flannery said technology formed only one part of a broader approach to public safety.

“When it comes to public safety, the community has an important role to play,” he said.

Read: Waraba Community Grows as First Display Village Welcomes Homebuyers

“We encourage people to report crime to police so they can investigate and enforce the law.”

The partnership model is intended to allow CCTV infrastructure to be installed earlier in new housing estates, helping support neighbourhood safety as Waraba continues to grow.

Published 20-July-2026