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Bribie Island Road to Get New Round-the-Clock Service Station After Approval

Motorists travelling along one of Moreton Bay’s busiest roads will soon have access to a new 24/7 service station, following approval of a development that has sparked debate among local residents and officials.

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

The facility will be built on a 4.2-hectare triangular block at the corner of Bribie Island Road and Old Toorbul Point Road, near the Abbey Museum intersection. Plans include eight bowsers for cars, two for commercial vehicles, and a 300-square-metre shop building operating around the clock.

The site, located at 411-449 Bribie Island Road, sits along the main route to Bribie Island, which attracts around 800,000 visitors each year.

Local officials have justified the approval by pointing to the area’s evolving character and future infrastructure plans. The site sits within the Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area under the SEQ Regional Plan, which prioritises rural activities but doesn’t prohibit service stations. With upgrades planned for Bribie Island Road and the location’s proximity to tourism and education facilities, authorities believe the development aligns with the corridor’s changing nature.

Community voices raise concerns

The approval hasn’t come without opposition. All public submissions received during the consultation period objected to the proposal, with residents raising serious concerns about road safety and traffic congestion.

One submission warned that Bribie Island Road already experiences high congestion and accidents, cautioning that additional entry and exit points would only heighten the risk of crashes on the busy arterial route. Another resident pointed out that a service station already operates less than 200 metres east of the proposed site, questioning whether the road infrastructure could safely accommodate more turning traffic.

These concerns weren’t lost on local representatives. During discussions, officials raised questions about vehicles turning onto an 80km/h road and whether the development would include electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

A divided decision

service station — Photo credit: Google Street View

The development application ultimately succeeded with a 10-3 vote among local officials during a general meeting, following lengthy deliberations about the site’s best use.

Cr Brooke Savige led the opposition, describing the proposal as unimaginative and a wasted opportunity for such a strategically positioned parcel of land. She argued that the applicant hadn’t adequately considered the Abbey precinct’s unique character or how the development could meaningfully contribute to the area’s strategic vision.

Savige suggested there was a community expectation for the site to be developed in a way that genuinely adds value to the precinct, rather than simply meeting baseline planning requirements.

Cr Mark Booth echoed safety concerns about traffic movements, while Cr Ellie Smith questioned provisions for electric vehicle charging points.

Balancing development and demand

On the other side of the debate, Mayor Peter Flannery acknowledged the site might have been suitable for alternative uses but emphasised that officials needed to assess the actual application before them. He noted that with approximately 800,000 visitors travelling to Bribie Island annually, there’s demonstrable demand for fuel services along the route.

Mayor Flannery also suggested that the proposal met the required performance outcomes and that rejecting it could be difficult to defend if challenged legally.

Some officers supported this view, noting that the site’s location near tourism and education services, combined with planned road upgrades, reinforced its suitability for a use that reflects the locality’s evolving mixed-use character.

What happens next

The approval, granted on 28 January 2026, allows the development to proceed. The development represents one of several infrastructure changes planned for the Bribie Island corridor, with a separate application also lodged to expand the existing service station at the Bribie Island Road and Bestmann Road roundabout in Ningi.

Read: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Rolled Out in Caboolture, Two Other Australian Locations

That proposal seeks to add food and drink outlets and a tyre and auto centre, citing increasing demand for vehicle-focused services in the locality.

As the region continues to grow and visitor numbers to Bribie Island remain strong, the tension between accommodating motorist needs and preserving community character along this vital corridor is likely to remain an ongoing conversation.

Published 10-February-2026

Beachmere Waters Resort Approved for Mid-2026 Start

Photo credit: LinkedIn/GemLife

Construction is expected to begin in mid-2026 on Beachmere Waters, a new $295 million resort in Beachmere, following approval for the 335-home development on a 62.6-hectare riverside site.

Read: Beachmere Foreshore Updates Aim to Balance Recreation and Shorebird Protection

The resort, planned for Gillian Street with frontage to the Caboolture River, has received the green light to proceed with residential building on the bayside property.

The development will occupy a site that includes an existing 1.1-hectare artificial lake with a tidal connection to the river. More than 52 hectares of surrounding wetlands along the Caboolture River will be revegetated and transferred to council ownership as part of the project.

GemLife’s over 50’s resort facility (Photo credit: gemlife.com.au)

Developer GemLife, which already operates three other over-50s resorts in the Moreton Bay region at Elimbah, Burpengary and Bribie Island, is behind the Beachmere Waters project.

The project includes $15.5 million allocated for on-site amenities and more than $2.5 million for local road improvements. Infrastructure upgrades will include new turning lanes and widening portions of Beachmere Road.

Residents will have access to a country club, swimming pool, cinema, community hall, bar and café, hair salon, golf simulator, lawn bowls green, art room and dance floor. Walking and cycling trails will wind through the property, providing access to the natural areas.

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

The homes are designed with two bedrooms plus a multipurpose room, focusing on low-maintenance living. The 335-home development represents a significant residential project for the area. The environmental component includes revegetation and handover of more than 80 percent of the total site area to council. The preservation of the existing lake and its tidal connection maintains the site’s ecological features.

Site preparation and revegetation works will precede residential construction. The project involves construction of 335 homes over the coming years, bringing new households to the Beachmere area.

Published 9-February-2026

Police Dog Gator Retires After Distinguished Career With Moreton District Dog Squad

Police Dog Gator has retired from the Moreton District Dog Squad after years of service tracking offenders and assisting officers across Caboolture, Bribie Island, Redcliffe and Deception Bay.

The German Shepherd hung up his lead in December following an outstanding career with the squad based in the Moreton Police District. Gator worked alongside his handler on countless operations throughout the region, helping locate missing persons, track suspects and detect evidence across North Brisbane communities.

Ceremonial Send-off for Retiring Service Dog

PD Gator received a traditional bagpipe send-off to mark his retirement, a ceremony honouring long-serving police dogs who have made significant contributions to law enforcement. The retirement allows Gator to spend his remaining years in a quieter environment after the demanding work of tracking and apprehension that defined his career.

Police dogs like Gator undergo extensive training before joining operational squads and work in challenging conditions across urban and bushland environments. The Moreton District Dog Squad operates throughout areas including Caboolture, where officers and their canine partners respond to incidents requiring tracking abilities beyond human capability.

Service Dogs Protect Communities Across Region

The squad’s work extends across the entire Moreton Bay region, with dogs trained in tracking, drug detection, evidence location and offender apprehension. These highly trained animals often work in situations too dangerous for officers alone, entering buildings, searching dense bush and tracking fleeing suspects.

Gator’s retirement creates an opening for a new police dog to join the Moreton District Dog Squad and continue protecting communities from Caboolture to the coastal areas. The Queensland Police Service maintains multiple dog squads across the state, with the Moreton unit serving one of Brisbane’s fastest-growing regions.

Published 9-February-2026.

Bruce Highway Reopens After Ilkley Road Overpass Strike

Traffic has resumed on the Bruce Highway after an excavator strike damaged an overpass at Tanawha on the Sunshine Coast, resulting in a prolonged closure and continuing speed restrictions.

Bridge Strike At Tanawha

Southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway were closed after an excavator being transported on a truck struck the Ilkley Road overpass at Tanawha, causing structural damage and debris to fall onto the roadway.

The incident occurred just before 9 a.m. on Friday, 6 February, prompting the shutdown of southbound lanes for approximately 10 hours while safety assessments and debris removal were carried out.

Northbound lanes were briefly closed earlier in the day to allow traffic to turn around as part of traffic management operations.

Traffic Diversions And Initial Response

During the closure, southbound traffic was diverted via Maroochydore Road, while northbound vehicles were redirected to the Sunshine Motorway.

Engineers attended the site to assess the extent of the damage, with emergency services remaining on scene during the response. No serious injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Bruce Highway reopening — Photo Credit: AndrewWallaceMP/Facebook

Reopening With Reduced Speed Limits

Southbound lanes reopened on Friday night following initial structural assessments and the removal of loose debris. A reduced speed limit of 60km/h remains in place for southbound traffic, while northbound speed limits are unchanged.

The Ilkley Road overpass remains closed and barricaded, with temporary protective wrapping installed to prevent further debris from falling.

Tanawha bridge strike — Photo Credit: AndrewWallaceMP/Facebook

Ongoing Works And Expected Delays

Further investigations and planning are continuing, with permanent repair works expected to take place over the coming weeks. Additional southbound lane closures may be required and are expected to be scheduled overnight to minimise disruption.

Congestion is expected to continue as traffic adjusts to changed conditions, with motorists advised to allow extra travel time and drive to conditions.

Published 7-Feb-2026

Photo Credit: AndrewWallaceMP/Facebook

Caboolture River Road Upgrade Preparations Underway

Major preparations are underway for a significant upgrade to Caboolture River Road, with the project expected to transform a 1.2-kilometre section into a four-lane road between Grant and Morayfield Roads.

Moreton Bay Council has allocated funding in its 2025/26 budget to start construction on the long-awaited improvements. The project comes as housing developments continue to expand along the corridor, particularly with the new Waraba community under development west of Caboolture.

Service relocation works are scheduled to begin in early to mid-2026, with road construction expected to follow later in the year. The project is anticipated to be completed by 2028, weather permitting.

What’s Being Built

The upgrade will widen Caboolture River Road to provide two traffic lanes in each direction with a central median. Key features include:

Additional turning lanes at major intersections
New traffic lights at Amy and Kenneth Streets
Upgraded traffic signals at Grant Road and Morayfield Road
New cycling and pedestrian paths on both sides of the road
Changes to access at Ben Street and Lorebury Drive (left in/left out only)

The project also includes a new 60-space car park for Morayfield State School, supported by a student drop-off and pick-up zone. Work on the school car park is expected to be completed by early 2026.

Why It’s Happening

The upgrade responds to community concerns about traffic delays and safety. A Moreton Says survey found nearly 50 per cent of residents identified traffic congestion as their top transport issue in the face of rapid population growth.

River road upgrade — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Caboolture River Road serves as a critical east-west transport corridor for a region experiencing significant urban expansion. The Waraba area west of Caboolture is projected to eventually house 70,000 residents across approximately 30,000 homes.

Growth in and around Caboolture is expected to continue, with site works already underway for new communities at Waraba.

Funding Partnership

The project is being delivered through the South East Queensland City Deal Growth Areas Compact, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Moreton Bay Council.

The Queensland Government is contributing $71 million toward the project, with Moreton Bay Council adding $10 million. Economic Development Queensland oversees delivery of the Growth Areas Compact funding.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the government was proud to support this vital infrastructure for the growing region.

Land Acquisitions

Some land adjacent to the existing Caboolture River Road needs to be repurposed for the project works, including along Morayfield State School’s frontage. Acquisitions will proceed under the Acquisition of Land Act 1967, with council teams supporting affected stakeholders through the process.

The changes, along with the new signalised intersection at Kenneth Street, created an opportunity to include the school car park within the project. The new facility will feature accessible parking bays and tactile indicators for vision-impaired users.

What This Means For Caboolture

Caboolture River Road is a major connector for residents traveling between the western growth areas and established suburbs. The current two-lane configuration struggles to handle peak-hour traffic, leading to congestion and safety concerns.

The upgrade will provide increased traffic capacity, safer crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, and improved access to local amenities. For current residents, it means safer and more efficient daily commutes.

The project includes environmental sustainability measures such as tree and vegetation plantings along the upgraded sections. Design features like wider lanes, central medians and dedicated turning lanes aim to enhance safety for all road users.

Construction activities will use as much of the summer school break as possible to minimise impacts on the school community and road users.

More information about the Caboolture River Road upgrade is available at moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Projects/Roads/Caboolture-River-Road.

Published 5-February-2026.

Zeke Marks Milestone With Hair Donation At Caboolture Area Youth Program

Zeke, a regular participant in a weekly youth engagement program in the Caboolture area, has donated his long hair after growing it for three years to support people experiencing medical hair loss.

Three Years Of Growth

Zeke is a regular participant in the PCYC After Dark program and had been growing his hair for the past three years with the intention of donating it.

In January 2026, he chose to cut his hair and donate it to an organisation that works with charities and wigmakers to create wigs for people affected by medical hair loss, including those with cancer and alopecia.

Weekly Program At Dickson Park

The PCYC After Dark program operates every Thursday evening at Dickson Park on Morayfield Road, within the Caboolture area. The program is open to young people aged 12 to 18.

Activities offered through the program include leadership, sporting and mentorship opportunities delivered through PCYC, with participation from members of the Queensland Police Service.

Support During The Donation

Senior Sergeant Mel Bicanic, who regularly mentors young people through the program, was present to support Zeke during the donation.

His decision was acknowledged as an example of leadership developed through continued involvement in the weekly youth program.

Caboolture hair donation — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Community Reaction

Community responses shared online following the donation were positive, with comments congratulating Zeke and recognising the gesture as generous.

Several responses described the donation as a positive example for other young people involved in local youth programs.

Ongoing Program Details

PCYC After Dark continues to run each Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dickson Park, Morayfield Road, Morayfield, in front of the shopping centre. The program remains open to young people aged 12 to 18 in the Caboolture area.

Published 2-Feb-2026

Photo Credit: QPS

Caboolture Seniors Club Launches 2026 Activity Program

A seniors community organisation in Caboolture has begun the year with a structured program of social, wellness and recreational activities for older residents.

Caboolture Seniors Program Begins For The Year

The Caboolture Seniors Citizens Centre & Club has commenced its annual program with activities scheduled across most days of the week, focusing on social connection and participation.

A new feature for the year is the introduction of line dancing on Friday mornings. Sessions include a beginners class from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by an advancing session from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with limited spaces available.

Regular activities have also resumed, including lawn bowls on Mondays and Wednesdays and chair yoga sessions on Tuesday mornings. Wednesday evenings feature a social dance session designed to provide a relaxed environment for participants.

Fridays continue to host card mornings, alongside live entertainment and community hire use throughout the program.

*Photo Credit: Caboolture Seniors/Facebook*

Monthly Events And Group Activities

Club meetings and bingo are held on the third Thursday of each month, with the February meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 22.

Additional activities include a country music session every second Saturday, a stamp club meeting on the third Saturday of each month, and square dancing held on Sunday afternoons. New participants are welcome to join these sessions.

A bus trip to Caloundra is scheduled for February 10, marking the first organised outing of the year.

Caboolture seniors activities — *Photo Credit: Caboolture Seniors/Facebook*

Background And Community Role In Caboolture

The Caboolture Seniors Citizens Centre & Club operates as a registered charity supporting adults aged 65 and over. Established on 31 December 1995, the organisation provides a space for seniors to meet, socialise and take part in organised activities.

The group operates within Queensland and offers programs such as indoor bowls and card games as part of its ongoing activities.

Financial records from the latest available reporting period show total revenue of $55,522 and total expenses of $59,315.

Ongoing Activities Ahead

The club will continue running its weekly and monthly activities throughout the year, with participation remaining open to local seniors seeking regular social and recreational engagement in Caboolture.

Published 2-Feb-2026

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Two Morayfield Parks Merges to One, Major Road Works Begin

Morayfield residents will soon see their community take shape in new ways, with two neighbouring parks officially merged under one name and preparatory work underway for a significant road widening project.

The City of Moreton Bay has formally adopted the name Nairn Park for two adjoining green spaces previously known as Nairn Road Park and Adelong Court Park. The decision, approved by councillors at a general meeting on 28 January, recognises that locals already treat the areas as a single park despite them being separated by a road reserve.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the change would make the park easier to locate and better reflect how the community uses the space.

“Although separated by a road reserve, the two parks function as a single open space,” Mayor Flannery said, according to a council statement. “Having one name better reflects how locals and visitors use the park, and what they typically call it.”

Division 12 Councillor Tony Latter, who pushed for the change after hearing from residents, said the unified name references Nairn Road, where both park areas are situated.

The name change followed community consultation between 12 November and 9 December last year.

Night works to include building demolition

Meanwhile, night-time construction work has begun at the corner of Morayfield Road and William Berry Drive as part of preparations for the $81 million Caboolture River Road widening project.

The work, running from 7pm to 5am, includes demolishing a vacant building at 193 Morayfield Road. Other activities involve installing fencing, removing an existing concrete slab, clearing waste material and laying new pavement.

Councillor Adam Hain said the main roads would remain open during the works, with one westbound lane of William Berry Drive staying accessible to traffic in both directions. Vehicle access to nearby businesses will continue via William Berry Drive and Morayfield Road.

The demolition and site preparation are part of enabling works for the larger Caboolture River Road upgrade, which will widen the 1.2-kilometre stretch between Morayfield Road and Grant Road from two lanes to four.

According to council documentation, other preparatory activities this month include landscaping and the completion of a new 60-space car park for Morayfield State School, which features a dedicated student drop-off and pick-up zone with an internal zebra crossing.

The main road construction is scheduled to begin later this year and finish in 2028. The project, jointly funded by the Queensland Government and City of Moreton Bay as part of the SEQ City Deal, will also include additional turn lanes at key intersections, new traffic lights at Amy and Kenneth streets, and upgraded signals at Grant and Morayfield roads.

New cycling and pedestrian paths will be installed on both sides of the road, whilst access at Ben Street and Lorebury Drive will be changed to left in/left out only.

Published 31-January-2026

Chris Paterson of Caboolture Receives Citizen of the Year from Moreton Bay

Chris Paterson has been named Citizen of the Year in the City of Moreton Bay 2026 Australia Day Awards for founding Bamboo Projects, a charity that employs people with disabilities to clean Caboolture and Pine rivers.

The Caboolture waterway restoration program combines environmental clean-up with inclusive employment, using accessible boats that accommodate workers living with disabilities or mental health challenges. Paterson’s team has removed over 80 tonnes of marine debris from local rivers while providing meaningful work and dignity to people often excluded from traditional employment.

Cleaning Caboolture River While Creating Jobs

Chris Paterson’s Bamboo Projects operates along the Caboolture and Pine river corridors, removing debris that accumulates in waterways while employing people who face barriers to standard employment. The accessible boats allow workers with varying physical abilities to participate in restoration work.

Chris Paterson of Bamboo Projects — Photo Credit: Chris Paterson/LinkedIn

The program has cleared over 80 tonnes of rubbish from local rivers, restoring water quality and riverbank health across Moreton Bay waterways. Beyond environmental benefits, the work provides employees with regular income, structure and purpose that traditional workplaces often fail to offer people with disabilities.

Paterson personally volunteers more than 30 hours weekly through Bamboo Projects, mentoring participants and supporting community members facing difficulties. His approach draws from lived experience, creating genuine belonging rather than token inclusion.

The charity demonstrates how environmental restoration can solve multiple community challenges simultaneously. Cleaner waterways benefit everyone using Caboolture and Pine rivers, while employment opportunities support people society frequently marginalises.

What This Means for Caboolture

The City of Moreton Bay Australia Day Awards recognise locals strengthening communities through sustained volunteer work and innovation. Unlike national honours, these council awards celebrate grassroots contributions happening within Moreton Bay’s suburbs and waterways.

For Caboolture residents, Chris Paterson’s Citizen of the Year recognition highlights how local environmental challenges can become opportunities for social inclusion. The Caboolture River clean-up directly benefits everyone who lives near, fishes in, or recreates along the waterway, while simultaneously addressing unemployment among people with disabilities.

Paterson’s 30-plus weekly volunteer hours demonstrate commitment beyond running a charity. His hands-on mentoring approach means participants receive genuine support rather than just employment paperwork, creating lasting relationships that help people rebuild confidence alongside cleaning rivers.

Published 28-January-2026.

Bellmere Land Deal brings 1000-lot Ambury Estate to Waraba Development Area

Property investment company CFMG Capital has acquired a 23.5-hectare site at 510 Bellmere Road for $19 million, expanding its holdings in the Waraba Priority Development Area and paving the way for a 1000-lot residential community.

Read: Bellmere Strawberry Farm Loses Millions After Heavy Queensland Rains

The Bellmere Road site was purchased from a local family and sits adjacent to CFMG’s existing land parcels in the area. The acquisition adds to the company’s earlier purchase of a 178.1-hectare site on Stern Road, which it bought for $50 million in early 2025. Combined, the sites bring CFMG’s total investment in Waraba to more than $100 million.

The Ambury development

The newly acquired Bellmere Road property will form part of Ambury, a masterplanned community now spanning more than 200 hectares. The development is scheduled for launch later in 2026 and will deliver approximately 1000 residential lots over the coming years.

In a LinkedIn post announcing the acquisition, CFMG Capital stated the purchase “takes our total pipeline in the Waraba Priority Development Area to more than 1,700 lots across two projects, with a combined end value of over $700 million.”

Ambury sits within the Waraba Priority Development Area, formerly known as Caboolture West. The 2900-hectare PDA was declared in August 2024 by Economic Development Queensland, with development applications to be assessed by Moreton Bay Council.

Waraba is a 3480-hectare major expansion area within the Shaping SEQ Regional Plan. The broader PDA is expected to ultimately provide land for around 30,000 dwellings and accommodate approximately 70,000 residents over the next 40 years.

The development area is positioned between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, placing it within reach of both centres.

Infrastructure and facilities

Residents of the future Ambury community will have access to existing local infrastructure. Bellmere State School and Bellmere Early Education Centre are located three kilometres from the site.

Morayfield Shopping Centre, Caboolture Square and East Caboolture Village are all within six kilometres of the development, along with various recreational facilities. Caboolture Hospital is situated approximately 9.2 kilometres to the east.

Developer’s regional expansion

CFMG general manager Andrew Thomson noted that Brisbane’s growth has historically been concentrated in the Logan and Ipswich areas, but indicated the northern corridor is expected to see increased development over the next decade.

Thomson pointed to the region’s existing infrastructure and its accessibility to both Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast as factors in the area’s development potential.

The company stated it has already invested $100 million in the region and expects to invest at least that amount again over the next decade as it develops Ambury and its other project in the area, Bells Pocket.

Read: Nautipunk: A Unique Fusion Unveiled in Bellmere

With this acquisition, CFMG’s portfolio now includes more than 3000 lots in the pipeline across Queensland and Victoria. The company’s projects include Millwood Rise (Nambour), Farriers Creek (Burpengary), Arbourwood (Morayfield), Sovereign Estates (Rochedale), Riverleigh (Logan Reserve), Mayfair Lane (II) (Rochedale), Park Lane (Rochedale) and Bellmere (Waraba).

The Waraba Priority Development Area continues to take shape as one of South-East Queensland’s designated growth corridors.

Published 28-January-2026