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Suspicious Fire Investigation on Grant Road

The Caboolture Criminal Investigation Branch is actively investigating a suspicious fire that occurred on Grant Road in Caboolture South on the evening of October 15.

Authorities are reaching out to the public for any assistance they can provide, specifically in the form of dash cam footage.

Senior Constable Jo Arthur, who is leading the investigation on the suspicious fire, urged members of the community to come forward if they have dash cam footage along Grant Road between Caboolture River Road and Torrens Road from 8.30pm and 9.15pm on October 15, 2023. This time frame is crucial to the investigation, as it coincides with the period when the fire is believed to have been set.

The Caboolture South community is encouraged to review their dash cam footage and contact the police if they find anything unusual or suspicious that could be related to the incident. You can provide your information using the online suspicious activity form at the Queensland Police website.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can also report any information to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or visiting their website at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. Please reference the case number QP2301720540 when providing your information.

The investigation into this suspicious fire is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are working diligently to uncover the facts surrounding this incident.

Any assistance from the public is greatly appreciated and could play a crucial role in solving this case.

The Caboolture South community is encouraged to be vigilant and assist the police in any way they can to ensure the safety and security of their neighbourhood.

Published 29-October-2023

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

A developer has submitted plans to build a 24/7 service station and adjoining retail shops in the developing Caboolture West.

Read: Approval Granted: Caboolture West Takes Off with First Development

The proposed development, designed by Cottee Parker Architects, would be located at 495 Caboolture River Road in the new Lillywood neighbourhood.

Citimark Properties, the developers behind the project, are seeking to establish a service station and five convenience retailers at the two-hectare site. Plans detail 88 parking spaces with access from Caboolture River Road via a left-in slip lane and left-out exit.

24/7 Service Station — Photo credit: Cottee Parker

The proposed shops and service station will provide new amenities for Caboolture West, one of five new suburbs slated for development in the area. Caboolture West was recently identified as a greenfield growth region for greater Southeast Queensland, but currently remains largely undeveloped with mainly rural and rural residential properties.

“The proposal is intended to support the Local Centre land designation through the establishment of convenience retailers, providing retail offerings that are strategically located to supporting the surrounding Caboolture West population, a growth area which has been unlocked by Council’s planning controls to deliver housing within the region,” developers noted.

This 24/7 service station proposal follows several other key development approvals for Caboolture West. In August 2023, City of Moreton Bay granted approvals for 2,000 new housing lots from developers including AVID Property Group, Baycrown Property Group, Lennium Group and Orchard Property Group. The mix of affordable land, houses and townhouses will be built on blocks ranging 300-600 sqm.

Read: Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub Comes to Caboolture

The first display village is expected to open mid-2025 at the entrance to the new community. The service station and shops would join this first stage of development, providing essential services as the wider area continues to grow.

Featured image: Artist’s impression of proposed service station with retail shops (Photo credit: Cottee Parker)

Published 27-October-2023

Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub Comes to Caboolture

The new Veterans’ and Families’ Wellbeing Hub recently opened in Caboolture, providing much-needed services and critical support to veterans located in Brisbane’s northern suburbs and beyond.

Read: City of Moreton Bay Offers Parcels of Land to Help Address Homelessness

With over 40 years of experience exclusively supporting mental wellbeing, Lives Lived Well brings specialised, expert care tailored to veterans’ unique needs. Services are open to all veterans and family members regardless of discharge status or role whilst serving.

It is a convenient one-stop shop that offers access to employment assistance, housing support, transition services to civilian life, advocacy, counselling, and comprehensive mental health care to current and to former Australian Defence Force members, including reservists and their families.

Operated by mental health provider Lives Lived Well, the wellbeing hub was officially opened in early October by Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh.

Strategically located at 12 King Street in Caboolture, the new Veterans’ and Families’ Hub is part of the Australian Government’s substantial $46.7 million national investment aimed at providing similar hubs in ten locations across the country.

The wellbeing hub has partnered with the highly respected Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia (Queensland Branch) and several other reputable organisations to provide integrated, wrap-around care at the new Caboolture location.

Read: Caboolture Hospital Multi-Storey Car Park Opens With a Two-Week Free Parking Period

Veterans and families across the greater Sunshine Coast region, City of Moreton Bay, and northern Brisbane suburbs are strongly encouraged to utilise the vital services now readily available right in their local community.

Featured image credit: Lives Lived Well/Facebook

Published 16-October-2023

Caboolture Hospital Multi-Storey Car Park Opens With a Two-Week Free Parking Period

Caboolture Hospital is all set to unveil its eagerly awaited six-level multi-storey car park, known as P2. This launch heralds a significant improvement in parking accessibility for patients, visitors, and staff, boasting around 1000 parking spaces, complete with designated accessible parking, motorcycle bays, and electric vehicle charging stations.

Enhancing Access at Caboolture Hospital

On Monday, 16 Oct 2023, the car park gates will open promptly at 6:00 a.m. and will provide a two-week free parking period, allowing everyone to familiarise themselves with the new multi-storey car park. The introduction of this car park brings the total number of parking spaces on the Caboolture Hospital campus to approximately 1,500, ensuring improved access for all.

However, paid parking at Caboolture Hospital will commence on Monday, 30 Oct 2023. The cost of parking will vary, ranging from $3 for one hour to a maximum daily rate capped at $13. It’s essential to note that patient drop-off and pick-up zones at the hospital will remain free of charge.

The Caboolture Hospital multi-storey car park is owned and operated by Metro North Health, ensuring that all revenue collected from parking rates will be reinvested into the hospital for capital repayments, operations, maintenance, and further enhancements. The goal is to facilitate cost recovery, and the hospital does not intend to generate profits from parking fees.

To support individuals experiencing financial hardship, frequent hospital visits, extended stays, or other special circumstances, a concession program will provide discounted parking rates.

A Part of the Caboolture Hospital Redevelopment

The multi-storey car park is a significant milestone in the Caboolture Hospital Redevelopment project, aimed at increasing capacity with an additional 130 beds and enhancing the hospital’s ability to provide specialized care and high-level services tailored to the local community’s health needs.

Navigating Parking at Caboolture Hospital

Access to P2 is available from both McKean Street and the All Weather Access Road. When entering the hospital campus, follow the clearly marked signs directing you to P2. Several car parking options are available for patients and visitors:

P1: Temporary drop-off zone for the Emergency Department and the Main Hospital.

P2: Best access for the Emergency Department and Caboolture Hospital Main Entry.

P3: Ideal for Outpatient Services appointments.

P8: Convenient for Community and Oral Health and Mental Health services.

P9: Designed for drop-off, pick-up, and accessible parking for Mental Health services.

Convenient Payment Options

Starting 30 October, visitors will need to press for a paper ticket upon entering the car park, which will raise the entry boom gate. Payment for parking is required upon exit and can be done at the pay stations, where you can pay with either cash or credit/debit card. At the exit gate, credit/debit card payments are accepted, while cash payments will not be available.

Pay stations are strategically located in the multi-storey car park (P2) and near the Main Hospital, Outpatient Services, Community and Oral Health, and Mental Health buildings. This approach is expected to streamline the parking experience for all visitors to Caboolture Hospital.

Published 13-Oct-2023

Moreton Bay Offers Parcels of Land to Help Address Homelessness

In an attempt to help alleviate an unprecedented acceleration in homelessness in the area, three parcels of Council-owned land, located at Morayfield in Caboolture, will be offered to community housing specialists for social, affordable, and crisis housing development.

Responding to the growing homelessness crisis, the City of Moreton Bay has taken a bold step towards addressing the issue. Announced recently, three parcels of council-owned land, located at 33 Oakey Flat Road, Morayfield, and 72 and 74 Cox Street, Caboolture, will be offered to community housing specialists for social, affordable and crisis housing development.

The three vacant parcels of land will be subject to planning scheme requirements. By the end of the year, an expression of interest will be released, inviting registered not-for-profit community housing providers or specialist homelessness services to participate in this initiative. Under a 50-year exclusive use arrangement, the selected providers will receive a peppercorn lease to develop and maintain the site.

Mayor Peter Flannery noted that the face of homelessness has already evolved which now encompasses a diverse range of individuals, including parents with young children, grandmothers, and even professionals. This, he said, highlights the critical need for additional support services to help those who have fallen into homelessness.

“Changing City of Moreton Bay’s Community Leasing Policy means we can lease council-owned land that is not needed right now, for the purpose of community housing that can put a roof over the heads of locals doing it tough,” Mayor Flannery said.

“We’re hoping this will see specialist providers interested enough to work with us to develop, maintain and manage these sites for crisis, social or affordable housing.”

President Sharin Geeves of Caboolture Community Action, a local volunteer group and homelessness support provider, commended the City Council’s action.

President Sharin Geeves said that any initiative that is aimed at addressing homelessness is welcome, especially in light of the increasing need for more support services such as food relief, housing assistance and referrals.

Cr Adam Hain, representing Division 3, pointed out that the social housing system has not been able to keep up with the growing demand and has unfortunately led to an increasing number of homeless people. He called upon community leaders and providers to work together to help address the issue of homelessness

Published 11-October-2023

Caboolture Mother Battles Brain Injury Following Stairwell Fall

A Caboolture mother is fighting for her life after a harrowing fall down a staircase on NRL grand final night, which resulted in near-fatal brain damage. Taleese Penna’s husband, Shane Penna, is determined to do whatever it takes to bring her back home to their three children.

Shortly after the NRL grand final on 1 Oct 2023, Taleese’s lost her balance while descending a steep stairwell at a friend’s house. She tumbled down the railing, impacting the back of her head on hard tiles.

Their three children, Flynn, Kora, and Azaylah, were present at the time of the accident. Mrs. Penna was immediately rushed to The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where she underwent emergency brain surgery to address swelling and clots in her brain.

A High-Impact Brain Injury

Doctors compared Taleese’s brain injury to one sustained in a high-speed car accident, highlighting the severity of the fall.

“I’ve had a very emotional week, the worst of my life,” Shane said. “She was very close to not being with us. We’ve had great recovery actions; she’s listening and taking verbal commands. She’s a fighter, a concreter’s daughter.”

Taleese remains hospitalised, and it will take at least a year to assess the extent of her brain functionality recovery. Surgeons have performed two surgeries on her brain and skull to address swelling and clots, underlining the complexity and seriousness of her condition.

Caboolture Mother, Brain injury, Taleese Penna, Shane Penna — Photo Credit: GoFundMe

A Family in Crisis

Shane, who works as a chief engineer and FIFO worker at Sea Swift, Northern Australia’s largest shipping company, now faces the challenge of caring for his wife and children. Unfortunately, he cannot return to work for the foreseeable future.

In 2015, while living in Hervey Bay, the Pennas developed the dTec Safekam, a gadget designed to send out alerts when someone is locked in a car or when the car is involved in a crash. This innovation was born out of concern for their child’s safety, and they even filmed an ad campaign for it, although no investors came forward to support their invention.

A family friend, Alanna Sherratt, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist the Caboolture mother and her family. The funds raised will cover Taleese’s extended rehabilitation costs, groceries, school fees, and other essential expenses whilst Shane takes time off work to care for his wife and children.

The Penna family now faces an uncertain future as they rally together to support Taleese’s recovery and their journey towards healing.

Published 11-Oct-2023

Burpengary Train Station Set for Major Overhaul with Year-Long Closure

Did you know that the Burpengary train station will close for most of the year starting January 2024 to allow for a complete rebuild and modernisation of the station?

Read: ‘Bay Cats’ Could Ease Bruce Highway Congestion and Boost Tourism in Moreton Bay

The closure is part of the Queensland Government’s Station Accessibility Upgrade Program, which aims to make it easier for customers to travel whether they are pushing a pram, carrying luggage, using a wheelchair or injured.

Key features

Architectural 3D render of platform view (Photo credit: queenslandrail.com.au)

The modernised Burpengary train station will include raising the platforms to be level with train doors for safer and easier boarding. A lift will also be installed to provide step-free access between the station entrance, overpass and platforms for those with mobility challenges.

Other improvements planned are hearing loops, tactile indicators, new signage and passenger information screens, CCTV and lighting. Upgraded toilets, ticket windows, seating, platform shelters and bicycle storage are also included.

To help commuters during the closure, Queensland Rail plans to operate replacement bus services between Morayfield and Narangba that will connect with regular train timetables.

Queensland Rail has also launched a survey seeking customer input on travel habits and preferences to determine the best alternative transport options when construction starts next January.

Queensland Rail Head of SEQ Scott Riedel said the feedback will be used to ensure there is appropriate alternative transport in place and help them prepare for any extra patronage at surrounding stations.

“We understand this will change the way customers travel for a period of time, but we’re committed to making our rail network accessible for everyone in the long-term,” said Mr Riedel.

Customers can fill in the survey via Queensland Rail’s website.

Read: Approval Granted: Caboolture West Takes Off with First Development

The station is targeting to reopen before the end of 2024, subject to construction timeframes. Early works have already commenced onsite ahead of the full closure.

Featured image credit: queenslandrail.com.au

Published 27-September-2023

Burpengary’s Colter Tryhorn and 50 Babies: Mater’s Remarkable Super Blue Moon Births

Did you know that 50 precious babies were born on one of the busiest-ever 24 hours at Mater Mothers’ hospitals, including Burpengary’s very own Colter Tryhorn?

Colter was among the 44 bubs who were born at Mater Mothers’ in Brisbane on 30 Aug 2023, with another six babies arriving at Mater Mothers’ across regional Queensland.

This remarkable day almost broke records, coming close to the previous highest number of babies born in a single day across Mater hospitals in South East Queensland, which stood at 52 on 18 October 2022.

Many of the parents, including Colter’s mum and dad, whimsically attribute their baby’s arrival to a rare celestial event – the occurrence of a super blue moon. For these families, the unique lunar phenomenon became the backdrop for their precious baby’s arrival, turning it into a day of exceptional births.

Burpengary, Colter Tryhorn, Mater Mothers’ Hospital — Reeya Raja and Harvey Raja-Pajaczkowski, Brodie and Mia Hawker, Ashley and Colter Tryhorn, Alex and Stephanie Cook, Andrea and Evelyn Blake. Photo Josh Woning

Mater Mothers’ Hospitals General Manager Kerri Gane said 30 August was “very close to a record-breaking day”.

“A large number of babies were born at Mater Mothers’ Private Hospital, Mater Mothers’ Hospital and Mater Private Hospital Redland, including one set of twins,” Ms Gane said.

“We had six babies arrive early and spend a few days in the Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I’m not sure what it was about 30 August, maybe it had something to do with the rare super blue moon that graced our skies that evening!”

Beyond Brisbane, the magic of the blue moon also touched the regions, where a batch of baby girls made their entrance into the world. Mater Mothers’ Private Townsville Hospital welcomed three baby girls, Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay greeted two girls, and Mater Mothers’ Private Rockhampton celebrated the arrival of one precious girl.

Colter Tryhorn and his family from Burpengary are now a part of this extraordinary chapter in Mater’s history.

Published 26-Sept-2023

Proposed Park Name Honours Scudamore Family

For over a century, there has always been a Scudamore residing in Burpengary East. To recognise their role in helping shape the suburb, a proposal is out to rename Briston Avenue Park as Scudamore Park, in their honour.

The park is aptly situated on the land they farmed for more than 40 years, a testament to their enduring legacy.

SCUDAMORE, Isabella & Brian — **Brian (left) and Isabella *Scudamore* (right)**
Photo Credit: Townsville Bulletin

Brian and Isabella Scudamore were active members of the Deception Bay Progress Association, with Brian holding the position of Vice President for a number of years.

Brian’s significant contribution to the founding of the Deception Bay Auxiliary Fire Station exemplifies their unwavering commitment to the welfare of the community.

This proposed park naming initiative underscores the profound appreciation the community holds for the Scudamore family. It stands as a symbol of the community’s gratitude for their selfless contributions throughout the years.

Moreton Bay City Council considers it a small yet meaningful gesture to acknowledge the family’s lasting impact. After all, the Scudamore family has been in Burpengary since 1917, actively engaging with the community.

As discussions progress, the potential Scudamore Park will serve as a lasting reminder of the family’s remarkable legacy, cherished by the community for generations to come.

Published 18-September-2023

Caboolture Satellite Hospital Easing Pressure on Main Hospital, Early Reports Say

The recently opened Caboolture Satellite Hospital in the rapidly developing northern suburbs of Brisbane appears to be off to a good start, according to early assessments.

Read: Caboolture Satellite Hospital Opens & Welcomes First Patients

Since opening its Minor Injury and Illness Clinic on August 3, the satellite facility has treated nearly 1,800 patients. Importantly, over 90 percent of those patients were discharged after receiving care, with only 3 percent needing transfer to another hospital.

This suggests the majority of patients are using the clinic appropriately for minor health issues. Capacity alerts at the main Caboolture Hospital also dropped significantly in August compared to 2021, with only one Tier 3 alert last month versus four in August last year.

Average visit length at the satellite clinic was two hours. Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the early results indicate the state’s satellite hospitals are successfully providing intended support.

“We built these facilities to direct non-urgent patients away from our busy hospitals and Emergency Departments, and into Minor Injury and Illness Clinics where they will receive more appropriate care,” said Minister Fentiman.

Dr Sean Clark, an emergency department physician at Caboolture Satellite Hospital, said the satellite clinic has seen strong growth in under a month of operation.

“We continue to see a wide range of presentations, mostly joint and limb pain along with some respiratory illnesses due to the time of year.”

“The right sort of patients are presenting at the facility which is positive. We work closely with the Caboolture Hospital Emergency Department and will transfer patients when appropriate. A range of clinics also run out of the Satellite Hospital, boosting a number of services for the community.”

Read: Approval Granted: Caboolture West Takes Off with First Development

Dr Clark believes it is already proving successful in providing additional health care support for the community.

Satellite facilities also opened recently in Redlands and Ripley, with more planned for Kallangur, Tugun, Eight Mile Plains and Bribie Island.

Featured image credit: Caboolture Satellite Hospital/Google Maps

Published 15-September-2023