HomepageNews Archives - Page 47 of 57

Caboolture’s Cultural Milestone: Abbey Museum Undergoes Major Expansion

A new art gallery and cafe will soon be added to the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology in Caboolture, part of a $1.7-million expansion project that aims to elevate the museum’s status as a cultural hub in the region.

The upcoming Abbey Art Gallery and Museum Cafe is designed to showcase pivotal artworks, some unseen before, including Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. A highlight of this collection includes artworks dating back to the 1400s, featuring pieces from Rubens and a fresco fragment from Milan Cathedral.

Plans for the museum — Photo Credit: Abbey Museum

Edith Cuffe, the Chair of the Abbey Museum Board, anticipates that this extension will attract an additional 7,000 visitors in its first year, thus enhancing the museum’s appeal and offering a unique blend of historical and contemporary experiences.

Abbey Museum Cafe — Photo Credit: Abbey Museum

Enhancing the Abbey Medieval Festival Experience

In addition to the art gallery and cafe, the project includes a $400,000 allocation for infrastructure improvements.

This is particularly significant for the Abbey Medieval Festival, the southern hemisphere’s largest celebration of medieval Europe, which annually attracts over 20,000 visitors.

The festival’s growth and development are expected to benefit immensely from these upgrades, which may include grandstand-style seating, lighting, and a power network.

Community and Economic Impacts

Abbey Museum render — Photo Credit: Abbey Museum

Known for its rich collection spanning from the medieval to the Renaissance periods, the museum is the beneficiary of funds from a $2.1-million commitment from the State that aims to elevate the museum’s status as a cultural hub in the Moreton Bay Region.

The project is expected to be an economic catalyst for the region. MP for Pumicestone Ali King highlighted the Abbey’s iconic status and its role in attracting families, school groups, and medieval enthusiasts.

This development is seen as a critical step in boosting tourism, creating construction jobs, and supporting local businesses, thereby strengthening Caboolture’s identity as a prominent destination.

The art gallery and cafe, along with the enhanced festival infrastructure, are anticipated to be completed by June 2024. This ambitious project marks a significant milestone for the Abbey Museum and Caboolture, setting the stage for a bright future filled with cultural richness and historical depth.

Published 14-Nov-2023

Zero-Tolerance Policy Over Dog Attack in Morayfield That Left Four People Injured

A zero-tolerance policy for dangerous dogs and a drive to promote responsible pet ownership to protect community safety are behind the decision to seize a dog responsible for a recent attack that left a 31-year-old man in Morayfield with significant open wounds on his right forearm.

Read: Suspicious Fire Investigation on Grant Road

The Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed the man was treated at the scene on Grothe St around 11:00 a.m. on November 2, before being transported in stable condition to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Three other victims were also injured in the attack. A 41-year-old woman suffered punctures and abrasions and was taken to Caboolture Hospital. Two others, a 25-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, sustained abrasions and were also brought to Caboolture Hospital for treatment.

Paramedics said the disturbing incident occurred on a quiet suburban street. Police were called to the scene as well.

The dog responsible has been seized by Moreton Bay Regional Council for investigation. Council spokesperson said the dog was not previously known to Council. During the investigation, the animal will be held at the pound.

Dog owners in Queensland can face hefty fines and penalties if their pet attacks someone under the state’s Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008. The law requires owners to take reasonable precautions to ensure their dogs do not harm people or other animals.

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

Section 194 of the Act makes it illegal for owners to fail to restrain their dogs from attacking or causing fear. Fines scale based on the severity of injury.

Queensland authorities take dog attacks seriously. Owners found in violation of the law can expect harsh legal and financial consequences. The legislation underscores the responsibility pet owners have to protect community safety.

Featured image credit: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels

Published 6-November-2023

Caboolture Feasts and Beats Returns to James St Precinct for a Vibrant Evening

The vibrant suburb of Caboolture is gearing up to host the much-anticipated Caboolture Feasts and Beats event, set to transform the James St Precinct into a lively hub and it’s free for all ages!

Happening Saturday, 4 Nov 2023, this annual extravaganza promises a feast for the senses, featuring delicious food, live entertainment, and a family-friendly atmosphere that’s free for all to enjoy.

A Musical Extravaganza

This year’s Caboolture Feasts and Beats boasts an impressive line-up of local musicians set to grace the Ray White Wamuran Main Stage.

The musical journey begins at 4:30 p.m. with the soulful tunes of Tayiha, followed by the mesmerising melodies of Ander Harlem at 5:45 p.m., and concluding with the rhythmic beats of J-Funk at 7:00 p.m.

These talented artists promise to keep the crowd entertained with their unique sounds.

A Culinary Delight

One of the highlights of this event is the array of food trucks, offering a diverse range of cuisines to tantalize your taste buds.

From delicious plant-based burgers by GrassfedVegan, to tasty Brazilian BBQ by Brazzo Boys, flavorsome lemonade by Lightbulb Lemonade, and yummy soft-serve by Ice Cream 4 Me, make sure to check out the delicious food and drink options available at the event. Whether you’re craving international flavours, classic comfort food, or gourmet treats, there will be a meal to satisfy everyone’s cravings.

It’s the perfect opportunity to explore a world of culinary delights right in the heart of Caboolture.

Fun for All Ages

Caboolture Feasts and Beats is designed to be a family-friendly event, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy. For the little ones, there’s free face painting to bring out their creativity and imagination, making it a memorable experience for the entire family.

This event is made possible through the support of various strategic sponsors and organisations:

City of Moreton Bay
Ray White Wamuran
Moreton Alert
Ausbuild
UniSC
Brisbane Whale Watching
Village Motors
Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club
Richardson & Wrench Caboolture

It’s a celebration that promises to unite the community and create lasting memories for all who attend.

Published 31-Oct-2023

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