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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photo Credit: QPS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A night at the Caboolture rodeo took an unexpected turn for Sunshine Coast resident Mark Emsden when he discovered a two-metre red-bellied black snake clinging to his vehicle’s bonnet as he travelled home along the Bruce Highway.
Emsden spotted the reptile whilst driving at 110 kilometres per hour on the highway. The snake had apparently hitched a ride from Caboolture and crawled along the bonnet before appearing at the windscreen.
“It was a fantastic night but this was definitely unexpected on the way home,” Emsden said, describing how the snake stretched the entire length of the bonnet with its head at the windscreen while its tail remained wrapped over the bull bar.
Despite the shock of seeing a venomous snake on their moving vehicle, Emsden and his passengers were struck by the sight of the reptile’s distinctive bright red belly scales.
In an effort to avoid harming the animal, Emsden reduced his speed to approximately 40 kilometres per hour and maintained this pace for between five and 10 kilometres, hoping the snake would safely depart from the vehicle.
The reptile remained on the bonnet for about five kilometres before the driver was able to pull over at a McDonald’s restaurant. However, by the time the vehicle stopped, the snake had vanished, presumably into the engine bay.
“There’s obviously quite a few little nooks and crannies for it to have got into, but we couldn’t believe such a big snake just disappeared,” Emsden explained.
The family opted to leave the vehicle parked on the street overnight rather than in their garage and conducted further checks the following day, though the snake’s whereabouts remained unknown.
For Emsden’s passengers, who are new residents to the Sunshine Coast, the encounter served as an eye-opening introduction to local wildlife.
Red-bellied black snakes are commonly found throughout eastern Australia and typically inhabit areas near water sources such as rivers, creeks and wetlands. The species generally grows to between 1.5 and 2 metres in length and is distinguished by its glossy black upperparts and characteristic red or pink belly.
While the species is venomous, it is not typically aggressive and usually retreats when approached by humans. According to Australian Geographic, there have been no recorded human fatalities from red-bellied black snake bites in Australia.
An 11-year-old Moreton Bay boy is being recognised for extraordinary bravery after stepping in to help during a medical emergency on a hiking track in the Glass House Mountains, where his calm actions supported others in a moment that stunned experienced adults.
The incident occurred during a bushwalk in the Glass House Mountains on 12 October 12 2025. Izak was hiking with his father, Karl, when they came across a man who was unconscious on the trail. The man was not part of their group.
Karl contacted Triple Zero (000), while Izak remained with the patient and began CPR, drawing on his Scouts training. Other hikers, including members of the DC Hikers group and a fellow walker named John, arrived shortly after. Those present later described Izak as calm, focused and steady as he helped guide bystanders through chest compressions while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
Despite the efforts of everyone on scene, the man sadly did not survive. Hikers said the man was not alone in his final moments and was surrounded by people who acted quickly and with care.
Recognition from Paramedics
Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics who attended the scene later acknowledged Izak’s actions, saying his confidence and willingness to step forward stood out in a high-pressure situation.
Izak was formally presented with a Certificate of Bravery and a Queensland Ambulance Service teddy bear at Narangba Ambulance Station. His family attended the presentation, which recognised his leadership and composure during the emergency.
Members of the DC Hikers community later shared their reflections, saying Izak’s behaviour showed maturity beyond his years and left a strong impression on everyone present. They also expressed ongoing sympathy for the man who passed away and his family, noting the compassion shown by those who responded on the track and by emergency crews.
The Glass House Mountains are a popular destination for bushwalkers from Moreton Bay and surrounding regions.
Publicly visible murals and a sculpture at the Caboolture Watchhouse in Caboolture have transformed the King Street building into a site of cultural storytelling and community learning.
The Caboolture Watchhouse, located on King Street, became a visual landmark in August 2021 following the completion of large-scale artworks on its exterior walls. The artworks were designed to be viewed from the street and form part of the public environment in Caboolture.
Two murals were installed on opposite sides of the building, complemented by a stainless-steel sculpture positioned along the top of the wall.
Photo Credit: QPS
Indigenous Stories Along The Western Wall
The western wall features First Nations artwork created by Indigenous artist James Doyle, who lives locally. The mural incorporates native wildlife and cultural symbols connected to Indigenous lore and shared values within the region.
Imagery includes cranes, black cockatoos, water, vegetation and meeting places, representing stories passed between generations. The artwork was designed to support cultural understanding and identity, with a focus on education and respect across communities.
Photo Credit: QPS
Working Dogs Honoured In Mural
On the eastern wall, a separate mural depicts five serving police dogs from the Moreton district. The artwork captures the dogs’ individual characteristics and presents them as working partners within the local policing environment.
One of the dogs featured is Police Dog Reaper, known for his focused and reliable working style. Reaper is depicted as “Mr Serious” in the mural, reflecting his reputation during active service.
Police Dog Reaper retired from duty in May 2025 after serving with the Moreton Dog Squad since July 2017. Now aged 10, Reaper concluded a career marked by the successful tracking and detention of offenders, as well as locating missing people.
Although not bred as a police dog, Reaper displayed traits that, with development, led to his long service record. Following his retirement, Reaper remains with his handler and family. Of the dogs featured in the Caboolture Watchhouse mural, his retirement leaves Police Dog Gator as the only one still actively serving.
Karbul-Ture And The Name Caboolture
Mounted above the murals is a stainless-steel carpet snake sculpture titled Karbul-Ture. The name reflects the origin of Caboolture, meaning “home of the carpet snake” in local First Nations language.
The sculpture acknowledges the cultural connection between the area and the carpet snake, a symbol long associated with Caboolture and widely recognised within the local community.
Photo Credit: QPS
Educational Resource Released In 2022
In July 2022, an additional Indigenous mural and the carpet snake sculpture were formally unveiled during NAIDOC Week. An accompanying educational booklet titled Stories of the Lore and the Law was released later that year.
The publication explains five interconnected stories depicted in the mural and includes language elements from Gubbi Gubbi, Gungarri and Widi. A digital version featuring illustrations and videos was also made available for community and school use.
Since their installation, the murals and sculpture at the Caboolture Watchhouse have remained a prominent public feature along King Street. Despite changes to how the building is used, the artworks continue to present local stories, cultural identity and history to the Caboolture community.
New clubhouse facilities at Caboolture Rugby League Club are moving closer after a construction tender was awarded for a staged redevelopment of the club’s facilities.
In a September 2025 update, City of Moreton Bay committed to helping deliver a new clubhouse for the Caboolture Snakes Rugby League Club, with plans described as set to kick off in early 2026.
By 16 December 2025, a tender had been awarded for the project, which is valued at $14.5 million and will be delivered across two stages.
The staged redevelopment is set to deliver a range of new facilities. The December 2025 project scope includes club offices, change rooms, public amenities, kitchen and canteen facilities, and tiered outdoor seating for spectators.
Earlier plans released in September 2025 also detailed stage one works including a main operations building with changerooms, first-aid space, referee room, club offices, a retail store, and a modern score and media booth.
Stage two was described as including a kitchen and clubroom, an internal formal seating area with a game-day viewing platform, and an outdoor alfresco area.
Infrastructure And Shared Use
The December 2025 update states the project includes water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, intended to benefit co-located clubs and enable future expansion of the precinct.
The same update indicates the upgraded amenities and other facilities are expected to benefit not only the rugby league club, but also other local sporting groups that use the site, including table tennis and boxing.
The December 2025 project description includes accessibility measures intended to support people with disability, including accessible public amenities, seating, kitchen facilities and a scoring booth.
The redevelopment also includes fully accessible change rooms described as better catering for female teams.
Funding And Timeframes
The project includes $3 million in funding through the Investing in Our Communities (IiOC) program. Stage 1 is due for completion in early 2027, while Stage 2 is expected to be finished in mid-2028, weather permitting.
An award-recognised accessibility plan is guiding new Changing Places facilities across Caboolture, Burpengary, Bribie Island and South Pine to support residents with higher support needs.
City of Moreton Bay’s Changing Places Network Plan was publicly acknowledged in November 2025 for its approach to improving access for people with high support needs. The plan was developed through consultation with community members, service providers and specialists and is the first of its kind prepared by a local government in Australia.
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay
Why These Facilities Matter
Changing Places amenities support people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. Each facility includes specialised features such as a height-adjustable adult change table, ceiling hoist, peninsular toilet, privacy screen and, in some instances, a shower.
The facilities address concerns including restricted fluid intake, prolonged use of soiled clothing, changing on bathroom floors and unsafe manual lifting, which may affect both individuals and carers. Findings from national reporting highlight higher rates of social isolation, loneliness and access difficulties among people with disability, reinforcing the need for appropriate public amenities.
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay
Existing Network Including South Pine
As of July 2024, three Changing Places locations were operating across the region: South Pine Indoor Sports Centre, Redcliffe Library and Albany Creek Aquatic and Leisure Centre. These form the base of a long-term rollout guided by the network plan.
New Facilities for Caboolture, Burpengary and Bribie Island
Several future locations have been identified:
Burpengary Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre, with completion planned for 2026
Woorim Beach on Bribie Island, proposed to open by late 2025
Caboolture Pool and Fitness Centre
Caboolture Regional Environmental Education Centre
Additional future facilities are planned for Centenary Lakes, Pine Rivers Park and Suttons Beach.
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay
Planning for Future Demand
The plan responds to a projected increase in residents with profound or severe disability, with estimates reaching 52,000 people by 2041.
Expanding access in Caboolture, Burpengary, Bribie Island and South Pine supports long-term participation in sport, recreation, education and community events.
The network plan will continue to guide staged delivery of new facilities, with Bribie Island’s Woorim Beach site scheduled for completion in late 2025 and Burpengary following in 2026. Caboolture locations remain in development as part of broader accessibility upgrades across the region.
A Caboolture resident turned a routine morning of cooking breakfast into a life-changing event after claiming a division one prize worth one million dollars.
The massive win was part of a lucky streak for the Moreton Bay region, which saw two local households take home a combined total of $1.2 million recently. The million-dollar victory occurred during the Weekday Windfall draw on Tuesday, November 19, while a second win was recorded nearby in Bellmere the following Monday.
Breakfast Interrupted
The new millionaire from Caboolture was busy frying sausages when he received the call that would change his life. He admitted to officials that the shock of the news caused him to burn his breakfast, but he did not mind the culinary mishap. He described himself as the happiest person in the world after realizing he held one of the two nationally winning entries.
He plans to share the excitement with his local community immediately. The winner mentioned he is good friends with the owner of the newsagency where he purchased the ticket and intends to visit the shop to take a celebratory photo. His winning System 8 entry was secured at The Local Caboolture South at Market Plaza, with the lucky numbers being 43, 26, 35, 25, 42, and 13.
Regarding his plans for the money, the man has a clear vision for his future. He stated that he intends to spend approximately $50,000 to fix up his home. Additionally, he plans to adopt a dog to keep him company. Before getting started on the renovations, however, he told officials he would try to finish his sausages and enjoy a Red Bull to celebrate.
Family Celebration Shakes the Floor
Just days later, a woman in the neighbouring suburb of Bellmere experienced her own stroke of luck. She won $200,000 in a lucky draw, a surprise that arrived while her entire family was visiting. She recounted that the celebration was so intense, with everyone jumping and screaming, that they felt the house shaking beneath them.
The win arrived just in time for the holiday season. The mother explained that the funds would boost her bank account and help her family significantly. She plans to use part of the winnings to purchase a new car for her daughter as an early Christmas gift. Like the Caboolture winner, she also intends to use the remaining money to complete various small projects around her house. She admitted she was still in shock and would need time to calm down before making final decisions.
