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Fudge And Santino Pulled From Mud Pit At Morayfield Construction Site Beat The Odds

Two koalas pulled from a muddy pit at a Morayfield construction site have made a full recovery after weeks of intensive care and been released back into the wild. Both animals were in a serious condition when rescuers arrived.

Read: Koala ‘Doggy Door’ Trials in Toorbul Aim to Save Wildlife from Roads

Fudge and Santino, both male, were found trapped together at the bottom of a 1.5-metre-deep hole on the construction site, discovered when a worker went to place a wooden pole into the pit and heard movement below.

Photo credit: Facebook/Wildlife Rescue Queensland

On closer inspection, what at first appeared to be a single animal turned out to be two koalas trapped in the mud at the bottom of the hole. It is not known how long the pair had been down there before help arrived.

Rescuers from Wildlife Rescue Queensland attended the scene and carefully retrieved both animals using nets. The koalas were hypothermic, covered in sludge and had ingested mud. Their condition was serious.

Wildlife Rescue Queensland noted on Facebook that Fudge in particular required “intensive care and critical support for an extended period of time.”

Weeks of care before the road to recovery

Once the pair were stabilised, the challenges were not over. Both koalas were also found to be suffering from additional conditions, including cystitis and dental disease, which added to the complexity of their care.

Fudge and Santino were transferred to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, where they spent between seven and nine weeks receiving ongoing treatment and monitoring. Fudge required intensive care and critical support for an extended period, but both animals ultimately pulled through.

Wildlife Rescue Queensland wrote on Facebook: “Thanks to the dedicated team at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, both boys made a strong recovery and were able to be released back where they belong.”

The rescue is a reminder of the risks construction activity can pose to local wildlife, particularly in areas where development and koala habitat intersect.

Wildlife Rescue Queensland is urging locals across the Moreton Bay region to report any koala sightings, whether the animal appears healthy or not.

Read: Wildlife in Caboolture Area Get New Homes as Water Project Progresses

“If you spot a koala in the Moreton Bay region, whether healthy, sick, injured, or orphaned, please call 0478 901 801,” the organisation said. “Every reported koala sighting is important. Our rescue team is available 24/7.”

As for Fudge and Santino, after everything they went through, they are back where they belong.

Featured image credit: Facebook/Wildlife Rescue Queensland

Published 7-May-2026

Fewer Carriages and Longer Wait: The New Daily Grind for Caboolture Commuters

Thousands of local families and workers across the Caboolture region must now prepare for a massive reduction in rail services as a maintenance crisis forces the majority of the network to a standstill.

The changes begin on Tuesday, 5 May, when nearly 300 train services will be cut from the daily schedule across Queensland. For those living in Caboolture, the usual frequency of trains will be replaced by a timetable that looks more like a Saturday morning than a busy work day. While extra services are being planned for the busiest parts of the morning and afternoon, the overall number of available trains is dropping significantly.

A Network Under Pressure

The decision to scale back the timetable comes as Queensland Rail struggles with a growing number of broken-down trains. Currently, about 20 per cent of the entire fleet is sitting in repair yards rather than on the tracks.

Maintenance staff have been involved in a long-running dispute over wages and working conditions, which has led to a backlog of repairs for things like faulty doors, electrical systems, and signaling equipment. Because there are not enough safe trains available to meet the normal schedule, the government has decided to run fewer services to ensure the ones that do run are reliable.

Impact on Daily Travel

For those catching the train from Caboolture, the impact will be felt most during the middle of the day. While peak hour trains will run every 15 minutes, off-peak services will only arrive every 30 minutes. Further north, the Sunshine Coast line between Caboolture and Nambour will see gaps of up to 90 minutes between trains during quiet periods.

Beyond just the frequency of the trains, the physical size of the fleet is shrinking too. Many six-car trains have been swapped for three-car sets, meaning there is less room for everyone on board. Local passengers are being warned to expect much more crowded carriages and longer boarding times at every station.

Beyond the Local Lines

The disruption is spreading far beyond the suburban commute and is starting to affect regional travel and local events. The upcoming NRL Magic Round is expected to draw 150,000 fans, and authorities are already looking for private trains and extra buses to help move the crowds.

Travel to the far north is also changing, with coaches replacing trains between Townsville and Cairns. Even freight services that carry goods across the state are facing delays. Officials have stated that these reduced timetables will remain in place for the foreseeable future until the maintenance issues are resolved.

Seeking a Resolution

The situation remains stuck as different groups fail to reach an agreement. Maintenance workers have expressed frustration, stating they are willing to work but feel they are being pushed out of their roles. Meanwhile, transport officials argue they cannot pay staff who are only performing part of their duties. A key deadline is set for 7 May, which may determine if legal action is taken to get the trains back to normal. Until then, every person using the rail network is encouraged to use digital journey planners to check for the latest updates before leaving home.

Published Date 06-May-2026

Photo Credit: Translink

Caboolture Hooning Complaints Rise By More Than 30 Per Cent

Hooning complaints across the Caboolture Police Division have risen sharply, with preliminary police figures showing a more than 30 per cent increase as residents in nearby communities report repeated dangerous driving, burnouts and convoy-style activity.

Complaints Rise Across Caboolture Division

The Caboolture Police Division recorded 351 hooning-related traffic complaints in 2025, up from 262 in 2024.

The increase of 89 complaints has sharpened attention on road safety concerns across the area, including in Elimbah and Moodlu, where residents have described hooning as becoming more frequent over the past 18 months.

Locals have reported burnouts on main and residential roads, groups of vehicles travelling together, smoke reducing visibility and near-misses at intersections. Concerns have also been raised about loud tyre noise frightening horses and dogs, along with skid marks affecting local streets.

Elimbah And Moodlu Residents Report Repeated Incidents

Residents in Elimbah and Moodlu have described a shift from occasional incidents to repeated activity several nights a week.

The behaviour reported by locals includes vehicles gathering or travelling in groups, burnouts near roads used by residents, and smoke creating visibility concerns. Some residents also said repeated complaints had left them feeling their concerns were not being adequately addressed.

The issue has become both a safety and amenity concern for affected communities, with residents pointing to risks for road users, pedestrians, animals and nearby properties.

Caboolture hooning complaints — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Police Patrols Continue In Caboolture Area

Police said officers were aware of concerns in the Elimbah area and were following up information provided by the community.

Local patrols are using data and intelligence to identify hotspots linked to hooning and dangerous driving. Moreton Highway Patrol also conducts proactive patrols and speed detection in Caboolture, Elimbah and surrounding areas, including the Bruce Highway, using marked and unmarked vehicles.

Police have said unsafe driving behaviour is being targeted through road safety operations and patrols.

Wider SEQ Operation Adds Enforcement Context

The Caboolture concerns come amid wider anti-hooning activity across South East Queensland.

Operation X-ray Antler ran over four consecutive Saturdays from 4 October to 25 October 2025 and targeted hooning across several districts, including Moreton. The operation resulted in 405 traffic infringement notices.

The operation involved visible and covert enforcement strategies, including the use of unmarked motorbikes to patrol known hotspots. It also recorded notices to appear, drink-driving charges, drug-driving charges, vehicle impoundment or forfeiture actions and evade-police matters.

Public Reports Sought On Dangerous Driving

Police have urged anyone who witnesses hooning or dangerous driving to report it through Policelink.

For Caboolture-area residents, the complaint figures point to a continuing local road safety issue. With reports increasing and patrols continuing, police are using community information, data and intelligence to identify hotspots and respond to dangerous driving.

Published 1-May-2026

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Clayton Park Is Getting Its Biggest Upgrade in Years, and Beachmere Families Won’t Have to Wait Long

Construction is underway on a major upgrade to Clayton Park near the Beachmere foreshore, with new playground equipment, barbecue facilities and improved amenities set to be completed by late June 2026, weather permitting.

The $800,000 project marks the park’s most significant upgrade in years, backed by a $500,000 funding commitment and a $300,000 contribution, transforming the existing green space into a more accessible, well-equipped destination for families, visitors and local residents of all ages.

New equipment across the whole park

The upgrade centres on a brand new all-ages playground featuring slides, a swing bay and a carousel, built on accessible rubber surfacing that supports safer play for children of all abilities. A new shade structure will sit above the play area, addressing one of the most common limitations of existing outdoor playgrounds in Queensland’s climate.

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

Beyond the playground itself, the project also delivers new picnic shelters, new barbecue facilities, sandstone block seating and renewed gardens throughout the park. The combination of shaded seating, cooking facilities and new planting is designed to make Clayton Park a more comfortable and welcoming space for extended family visits, not just a quick stop.

Clayton Park upgrade — Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

A park that already does a lot

Clayton Park sits close to the Beachmere foreshore and is already one of Beachmere’s most versatile outdoor spaces, featuring grassed areas, a dog off-leash area, footpaths, fixed exercise equipment and a large skate bowl.

The adjacent caravan park and motel make it a regular stop for visitors to the region as well as a daily destination for local families. The playground and barbecue upgrade builds on that existing footprint without displacing any of the current facilities.

Construction is expected to be complete by late June 2026. Until then, a section of the park may be impacted while works are underway. For the latest updates on construction progress, follow the City of Moreton Bay’s Facebook page.

Published 30-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

Could This Plant Be on Your Property? Moreton Bay Warns of Invasive Weed Found in Morayfield

A highly invasive weed capable of overrunning an entire hectare of land in just six months has been found in Morayfield, and Moreton Bay is urging residents to stay vigilant as biosecurity officers work to stamp it out before it takes hold.

Read: Moreton Bay’s Award-Winning Wildlife Network Puts Bribie and Morayfield on the Map

Morayfield residents are being put on notice after Tropical soda apple, a highly invasive weed listed as a prohibited invasive plant under Queensland law, was detected at a site in the suburb, with Council biosecurity officers working to prevent the plant from spreading further across the region.

The find at Morayfield is separate from a cluster of detections in the Stony Creek and Neurum areas, where the weed has been confirmed on 18 properties out of 40 inspected along Stony Creek and the Lower Stanley River. Together, the detections have prompted Moreton Bay Regional Council to deploy its biosecurity team to work directly with affected landholders.

What is Tropical Soda Apple?

Known scientifically as Solanum viarum, Tropical soda apple, or TSA, is a perennial shrub native to South America that can grow up to two metres tall. It is covered in sharp, thorn-like prickles up to 12mm long that can injure both people and animals. The plant produces small yellow fruit and white flowers, but its impact on the landscape can be severe.

Left unchecked, TSA spreads at an alarming rate, forming dense thickets that block livestock from accessing water and shade. It can displace native vegetation and hosts a range of plant viruses known to damage fruit and vegetable crops including potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant. The fruit is also potentially poisonous to humans if consumed in large quantities.

The weed is a prohibited invasive plant under Queensland’s Biosecurity Act 2014.

Mayor Peter Flannery said Council’s biosecurity officers were on the ground supporting landholders with identification, treatment and property management plans.

“Council is concerned TSA may become established so our biosecurity officers are supplying direction to landholders on how to identify, treat and remove the weed which can pose a serious risk to pastures, horticulture, natural areas, crops, livestock and even humans,” Mayor Flannery said.

The initial detection in the Stony Creek area was made by a contractor working in the region. The contractor, familiar with TSA from previous work in New South Wales where the plant is more prevalent, spotted it and uploaded a photo to the iNaturalist app, which confirmed the identification. Council believes the weed may have arrived via cattle that had grazed on infested land, possibly in NSW, before being moved to the region.

Invasive Weed — Mayor Peter Flannery with Biosecurity Officer Barry Sullivan (Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay)

“The weed’s seeds are usually spread by animals that feed on the fruit,” Mayor Flannery said. “In this case, we believe the weed may have been spread to the Stony Creek area by cattle that had consumed Tropical soda apple from an infestation elsewhere, possibly in NSW, although it’s impossible to know for sure.”

As for the Morayfield detection, Mayor Flannery said that site appeared to be unrelated to the Stony Creek finds, with investigations still ongoing and conclusions yet to be determined.

In Florida, which shares a broadly similar subtropical climate to south-east Queensland, TSA infested more than half a million hectares in just five years, costing landowners millions of dollars annually. Council says early detection and reporting are key to preventing a similar outcome in the region.

Council is asking the entire community to keep an eye out for the weed, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas. If you spot a shrubby plant with yellow fruit, white flowers and sharp prickles on your property or nearby, do not ignore it.

Read: Two Morayfield Parks Merges to One, Major Road Works Begin

Sightings should be reported immediately to Biosecurity Queensland online, by phoning 13 25 23, or via the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. The initial Stony Creek detection was made via the iNaturalist app, highlighting how community awareness can play a vital role in early identification.

Featured image credit: City of Moreton Bay

Published 30-April-2026

Sandstone Point Veteran Takes Dragon Boat Journey To National Titles

At Lake Kawana, Sandstone Point’s John Butler is carrying more than sporting ambition into the Australian National Dragon Boat Championships. The 72-year-old former Army serviceman is among thousands of paddlers competing at the national titles, bringing with him a story shaped by discipline, recovery and the pull of team sport.

From Sandstone Point To The Queensland Crew

Butler, a member of Dragon Boat Pumicestone, was selected for Queensland’s Sen C Division squad for paddlers aged over 60. His place in the team followed a demanding selection process that included push-ups, pull-ups, planking, water sessions and a timed 2km effort on a rowing machine.

The championships at Lake Kawana run from April 18 to 23, with more than 76 clubs represented and 370 races scheduled. For Butler, the event marks another step in a sport he first took up three years ago.

After six months of training with the Queensland Sen C crew, Butler believed the team had a strong opportunity to compete for gold.

Sandstone Point veteran — *Photo Credit: John Butler/Facebook*

A New Rhythm After Army Life

Butler’s sporting path follows a 47-year Army career that included deployments to Afghanistan, Malaysia, Timor, Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. He was promoted to Warrant Officer 1 and served with infantry units before later working with Army Reserve battalions.

John Butler — *Photo Credit:* *Anthony MacGregor*/Facebook

After leaving the Army, he faced challenges in maintaining his physical and mental wellbeing. He began looking for a sport that would keep him active while taking account of his age and injuries from military service and earlier sporting activity.

Dragon boating came through a connection at Meals on Wheels Bribie Island, where he volunteered. A come-and-try session led to further involvement, and after attending a regatta, the sport became a serious commitment.

For Butler, dragon boating offered the teamwork and camaraderie he had known in the Army, while also providing a full-body workout in a supportive environment. He has credited the sport with helping his physical wellbeing and supporting him in managing PTSD and anxiety.

*Photo Credit:* *Dragon Boat Pumicestone*/Facebook

Dragon Boating And Community Support

The connection between dragon boating and the Invictus spirit is central to Butler’s story. Both are linked through physical and mental wellbeing, inclusion and a shared environment where participants can feel understood and accepted.

The national championships have also highlighted the wider community behind the sport. Volunteers played a major role across the event at Kawana, helping keep the competition running and supporting the experience for paddlers.

For the Sandstone Point veteran, the championships are not only about medals. They also reflect the value of finding a new team, a new challenge and a place on the water where discipline, recovery and community meet.

Published 29-Apr-2026

Photo Credit: Australian Dragon Boat Federation/Facebook

Caboolture Hospital Launches Queensland-First Post-Discharge Support Service

Caboolture Hospital has launched Queensland’s first nurse-led Medical Discharge Support Service, giving patients from both medical and surgical wards a direct line to an expert clinical nurse consultant for up to 30 days after they leave hospital, in a move that aims to significantly reduce unnecessary emergency department presentations across the Moreton Bay region.

The service, led by Clinical Nurse Consultant Lynette Smith, officially commenced on 30 March 2026. The service operates as a phone-based point of contact, allowing patients to consult the nursing team from home regarding recovery concerns. This provides an immediate alternative to presenting at an emergency department or seeking a standard GP appointment for non-urgent post-hospital queries.

“Patients can contact the service within 30 days of leaving hospital to receive advice and support from our nursing team,” Smith said. “We’re helping with all aspects, from wound care and pain management to answering questions about recovery and coordinating referrals to GPs or outpatient services.”

The model makes Caboolture Hospital the first site in Queensland to extend the discharge support concept beyond surgical patients to cover medical ward discharges as well.

The problem it was built to solve

The statistics behind the new service reveal the scale of the gap it fills. Queensland data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program shows that one in ten post-operative patients presents to an emergency department within 30 days of being discharged, often with questions or concerns that do not require emergency-level care.

Photo Credit: Clinical Excellence Queensland

For a busy regional hospital like Caboolture, which serves one of the fastest-growing catchment areas in Queensland, that translates to a significant and largely avoidable burden on its emergency department. Patients who have just had surgery or been discharged after a medical admission are often uncertain about what is normal in their recovery, when to worry, and who to call. Without a clear answer, many default to the ED.

The Discharge Support Service is designed to be the answer to that question. A trained Clinical Nurse Consultant on the other end of a phone call can assess a patient’s concern, provide clinical advice, arrange a referral to an appropriate service or, where genuine emergency care is needed, direct the patient accordingly.

Built on an award-winning foundation

The new service extends the proven model of PODSS, the Post-Operative Discharge Support Service first developed and piloted at Metro North Health’s Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service in Brisbane.

PODSS was designed specifically for surgical patients and proved its value quickly. In its first five weeks of operation at STARS, the service received more than 305 calls covering everything from pain management and wound care queries to more serious complications requiring rapid referral.

The results were strong enough that six further Queensland hospitals, including sites in Mackay, Cairns, Rockhampton, Brisbane, Ipswich and on the Gold Coast, have since adopted the model. Several hospitals, including Queensland Children’s Hospital, Redcliffe Hospital and Gold Coast University Hospital, have chosen to self-fund ongoing PODSS operations based on the clinical outcomes and high patient satisfaction they experienced.

Caboolture’s Discharge Support Service takes that foundation and widens the net. Where PODSS covered surgical patients, the new service also encompasses patients discharged from medical wards, the first time this expanded model has been implemented anywhere in Queensland.

“I’m passionate about making a positive difference in our patients’ recovery journeys and ensuring they feel supported once they leave hospital,” Smith said.

A phone call that can change a recovery

For Caboolture and Moreton Bay residents who have recently been discharged from Caboolture Hospital’s medical or surgical wards, the Discharge Support Service is available for 30 days from the date of discharge. Patients with concerns about their recovery, wound care, pain levels or any aspect of their post-hospital health are encouraged to use the service rather than waiting or presenting to an emergency department for non-urgent concerns.

For more information about the Discharge Support Service and other services at Caboolture Hospital, click here or call Caboolture Hospital on 07 5433 8888.

Published 29-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: Metro North Health

Silent, Elusive, and Endangered: How Moreton Bay Uncovered a Thriving Greater Glider Population

What started as a single known population of endangered Southern Greater Gliders tucked away in Upper Caboolture has quietly grown into one of the region’s most exciting conservation discoveries in recent years.

Read: Moreton Bay’s Award-Winning Wildlife Network Puts Bribie and Morayfield on the Map

As recently as 2023, Sheep Station Creek Conservation Park was the only confirmed location of the Southern Greater Glider within the City of Moreton Bay. Today, that number has jumped to 11 sites, a dramatic expansion of the known range of a species that, until now, many assumed was barely hanging on in the region.

The breakthrough didn’t come from satellite imaging or scientific modelling. It came, in large part, from two dogs with very good noses.

German Shepherd Ada and English Springer Spaniel Stanley, both trained to detect greater glider scats, spent the past three years sniffing through 40 Council-owned reserves and various Land for Wildlife properties alongside Council’s Environmental Services team and the National Environmental Science Program.

DNA analysis of the scats collected by the dogs confirmed Southern Greater Gliders at 10 locations across Cedar Creek, Cashmere, Moorina, Bunya, Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious, in addition to the original Sheep Station Creek site.

The Southern Greater Glider is no small find. Listed as endangered, the cat-sized marsupial, sometimes called the “flying koala” for its fluffy appearance and eucalyptus-heavy diet, is one of Australia’s most cryptic animals. Despite its distinctive large ears and long fluffy tail, it spends its days hidden inside large tree hollows, emerging only at night and making virtually no audible noise. Spotting one without knowing where to look is, to put it plainly, a matter of luck.

Meet Ada and Stanley, the Dogs Behind the Discovery

That’s precisely why the detection dogs proved so valuable. Their handler, animal trainer Nicky Wright, said both Ada and Stanley were raised and trained specifically for this kind of survey work, with Ada also cross-trained on koala scats.

“We would try to use fire trails and tracks to walk on and send the dog off; when they find a scat they demonstrate a change in behaviour and then present their find,” Wright explained.

“Ada sometimes found koala scats, which look very different to that of a greater glider. On some sites we found so many greater glider scats there was no longer the need to keep looking!”

It’s a detail that speaks to just how significant some of these newly confirmed populations appear to be.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the results were a meaningful development for a species under pressure across much of its range.

“We thought it didn’t make sense that Southern Greater Gliders would only be living at Sheep Station Creek Conservation Park given the amount of suitable habitat in our City,” Flannery said. “We’ve been incredibly pleased to discover so many places where the marsupial has been hiding out.”

“The substantial presence of this endangered species is yet another example of the exceptionally rich biodiversity that exists in our City.”

The project is far from finished. Council is preparing to deploy thermal drone technology to search for Southern Greater Gliders in reserves where the terrain is too rugged or inaccessible for ground surveys, following a successful trial already completed at Sheep Station Creek Conservation Park.

Residents across the City of Moreton Bay are also being asked to keep their eyes open. Council has been distributing flyers encouraging locals to look for Southern Greater Gliders on their own properties. You don’t need specialist equipment. A regular torch will do. The gliders have a distinctive golden eye shine that reflects back in the beam of a light at night.

If you spot one, reporting it matters. Sightings from the community play a genuine role in building a clearer picture of where this species is living and how best to protect it.

Read: Wildlife in Caboolture Area Get New Homes as Water Project Progresses

For a marsupial that makes no sound and hides in hollow trees, the Southern Greater Glider has a way of turning up somewhere unexpected, as Moreton Bay is now finding out, one scat at a time.

Residents who spot a Southern Greater Glider on their property are encouraged to report the sighting to the City of Moreton Bay. For more information, visit the Council’s website.

Featured image credit: City of Moreton Bay

Published 28-April-2026

Construction Starts on Beachmere’s $295 Million Over-50s Waterfront Community

Construction has officially begun on GemLife Beachmere Waterfront, a $295 million over-50s land lease development on Gillian Street in Beachmere that will deliver 335 homes across a 62-hectare site beside the Caboolture River, with first residents expected to move in by the end of 2026.

GemLife Managing Director and Group CEO Adrian Puljich marked the start of works at a sod-turning ceremony on 23 April, joined by local community representatives.

The three-year project is expected to create around 400 jobs across housing construction, resort amenities and road upgrades, including new turning lanes and the widening of a section of Beachmere Road. A further $2.5 million will be spent on infrastructure as part of the development.

For a coastal township that has long sat in the quieter corners of Moreton Bay’s growth story, the scale of investment arriving on Gillian Street represents a significant shift.

A site designed around what’s already there

One of the most striking aspects of GemLife Beachmere Waterfront is how much of the 62-hectare site will remain untouched.

More than 80 per cent of the site will remain untouched, headlined by a 52.1-hectare wetland reserve. GemLife will rehabilitate this natural corridor before formally transferring the land to the City of Moreton Bay as a permanent, protected public asset.

At the heart of the site, an existing 1.1-hectare artificial lake with a tidal connection to the Caboolture River will be preserved and enhanced as a central feature of the community. A network of walking and cycling trails will thread through the wetland reserve, giving residents direct access to one of the bayside region’s most significant natural corridors.

GemLife Beachmere Waterfront is located 58 kilometres north of Brisbane in Beachmere, a coastal rural town, close to Beachmere Shopping Centre, local restaurants and Main Beach, with Caboolture just 15 minutes away.

What life inside will look like

The $15.5 million Country Club will anchor the community’s social heart, overlooking both the lake and the Caboolture River. Inside, residents will find an indoor heated pool, cinema, hall, bar and café, salon, golf simulator, lawn bowls, art room and dance floor, alongside a separate Summer House with an outdoor pool.

The homes themselves are designed around the sub-tropical climate, with open-plan indoor-outdoor living, generous outdoor spaces, solar panels connected to battery storage and access to GemLife’s 5G wireless internet network. Two-bedroom plus multipurpose-room homes are priced from $815,000. A weekly site fee covers all maintenance, management and amenities, with no stamp duty, entry or exit fees applicable.

Meeting a real gap in Moreton Bay’s housing supply

The Beachmere development addresses a genuine and growing demand. Early interest shows a distinct regional draw; while around a third of enquiries are coming from locals within a 30-kilometre radius, nearly half are from buyers in the 30 to 100-kilometre bracket looking to secure a spot on the coast.

The land lease model GemLife uses is distinct from a traditional retirement village. Residents own their homes outright and lease the land beneath them, retaining 100 per cent of any capital gains if they choose to sell, with no exit fees attached. That structure, combined with a one-level home format right-sized for active over-50s, has driven strong demand across GemLife’s existing Moreton Bay communities.

GemLife Beachmere Waterfront is GemLife’s fourth land lease community in Moreton Bay, joining GemLife Moreton Bay in Burpengary East, GemLife Bribie Island and GemLife Elimbah, bringing the total number of homes it is delivering across the region to more than 1,685.

The City of Moreton Bay is expected to welcome 210,000 additional residents over the next two decades, and GemLife has consistently positioned its regional investment around that long-term trajectory.

When to expect the first homes

GemLife Beachmere Waterfront will be released to market in June, in line with the opening of its onsite sales office. The first homes are expected to take shape from mid-2026, with first residents anticipated to move in before the end of 2026.

For more information or to register interest, visit click here or contact GemLife directly on 1800 GEMLIFE.

Published 27-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: GemLife

Morayfield South Set for 26,000 Residents as New Planning Rules Move Forward

Morayfield South is being mapped out to house about 26,000 people, with new roads, schools and stricter bushfire building rules proposed as part of a major planning shift by the City of Moreton Bay.

The proposal follows community consultation held from 13 October to 7 November 2025 and was endorsed at a council general meeting on 22 April 2026, where councillors agreed to seek approval from Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie.

Detailed structure plan reshapes how Morayfield South will function

The City of Moreton Bay has put forward Major Planning Scheme Amendment No.4, outlining not just where growth will occur, but how the suburb will be designed day to day. According to a City of Moreton Bay media release, the plan introduces a structure that connects homes, schools and public spaces through a network of roads, pathways and community hubs.

Planning documents show the proposal goes further than earlier versions of the area’s blueprint. Environmental corridors have been expanded and refined to better protect vegetation and link green spaces across the suburb. New walking and cycling routes are also planned alongside these corridors to connect residents to parks, schools and local centres.

Changes to the road network are also included, with a revised road hierarchy designed to handle future traffic while avoiding sensitive environmental areas. A previously proposed road link between Oakey Flat Road and Clark Road has been removed after further assessment found it could impact an environmental corridor.

Key changes shift earlier plans for transport and local centres

Some earlier ideas for the suburb have been reworked or removed entirely. Planning documents indicate a previously proposed train station has been taken out of the plan following further investigation and advice from the State Government. The surrounding land has instead been reallocated for new neighbourhood development while retaining environmental protections.

Community feedback has also led to changes in where key facilities will be located. A local centre and community hub originally planned for one area has been moved to the corner of Hauton Road and Blewers Road, while some district parks have been relocated to better meet expected demand and accessibility standards.

Council planning material indicates the suburb will be built around walkable neighbourhoods, where homes, shops and services are positioned within close reach of each other, supported by active transport links.

Click to Enlarge
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Bushfire rules extend across Moreton Bay suburbs

Beyond Morayfield South, the amendment also changes how bushfire risk is managed across the wider City of Moreton Bay. The proposal removes existing exemptions that allowed some buildings in residential, township, centre and industry zones to avoid meeting national bushfire safety standards.

Under current rules, certain homes and facilities can be built in bushfire-prone areas without complying with National Construction Code requirements. The amendment would extend those requirements to more building types, aiming to improve safety outcomes as development continues across the region.

Community feedback shapes final proposal

Residents who took part in the consultation process will be able to review how their feedback was considered, with Cr Tony Latter noting community input was used to refine the proposal before it was sent to the State Government.

The final decision now rests with the state, which will review the amendment and determine whether it can proceed, either as proposed or with conditions. If approved, the City of Moreton Bay will formally adopt the changes and begin implementing the updated planning framework.

Published 27-April-2026

Featured Image Credit: Supplied