Caboolture Archives - Page 8 of 12

Waraba Development: New Brisbane Satellite City Confronts Soaring Infrastructure Costs

Two additional major developers have publicly highlighted the severe impact of skyrocketing infrastructure costs on Waraba, a new satellite city north of Brisbane anticipated to rival the size of Mackay.

This follows a recent withdrawal by developer AVJennings, which abandoned plans for 3,500 affordable housing lots in the area, citing excessive costs and lengthy approval delays.

Developers Call for Government Intervention

Brent Hailey, Managing Director of Orchard Property Group, urged the government to assist with substantial infrastructure projects, deeming them too costly for individual developers. He explained that developers in Waraba face dual financial burdens: local council charges and state government fees, as the area is designated a Priority Development Area (PDA).

Mr Hailey noted that PDA charges surpass local government fees, adding significant expense.

The pandemic brought unexpected hikes in costs, further complicating infrastructure development. Mr Hailey detailed how Orchard invests heavily in essential utilities like water and sewerage for its $43 million Lilywood estate in Waraba.

*Photo Credit: Lilywood Landings in Waraba*

Despite these challenges, he affirmed Orchard’s commitment to its projects, which contrasted with AVJennings’ decision to exit.

Meanwhile, Lennium Group remains optimistic about its Waraba ventures, having commenced significant earthworks earlier this year. Ian Worthington, Lennium’s Development Manager, reported substantial progress on their largest community, Lilywood Landings, which will offer 228 affordable housing lots. He acknowledged the hurdles faced due to escalating infrastructure costs but confirmed that these would not deter their ongoing developments.

Local Government and State Responses

The City of Moreton’s Mayor, Peter Flannery, criticised the State Government for the infrastructure cost escalations. In response, Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon pointed to a forthcoming $100-million infrastructure support package for Councils to alleviate some financial pressures.

As Waraba’s development continues, the dialogue between developers, local councils, and the state government remains pivotal in addressing the affordability and feasibility of expanding Brisbane’s northern corridor.

Published 2-June-2024

Gather and Feast Wins Best Caboolture Business at Pumicestone Awards

Gather and Feast in Caboolture took home the Best Caboolture Business award at the second annual 2024 Pumicestone Small Business Awards.

The gala ceremony, held at Bribie Island RSL, celebrated the region’s entrepreneurial spirit, with over 200 business owners and employees in attendance.

Gather & Feast: A Haven for Foodies and the Health-Conscious in Caboolture

Gather & Feast is a vibrant oasis where food enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals alike can gather to savour delectable dishes and unwind in a welcoming ambience. This modern Australian café has garnered a loyal following for its innovative brunch menu, commitment to catering to diverse dietary needs, and eco-conscious practices.

Beyond Brunch: A Commitment to Wellness

Gather & Feast’s commitment to health and wellness extends beyond its menu. The café sources organic and locally-sourced produce whenever possible, supporting sustainable agriculture and minimising its environmental impact. Additionally, the café offers a selection of nourishing smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and speciality coffee to complement its food offerings.

The Pumicestone Awards

With over 8,400 community votes, the awards highlighted the strong support for local businesses.

Ali King, the State Member for Pumicestone, hosted the event, which saw numerous local businesses honoured in various categories. King, a former small business owner herself, emphasised the awards’ role in showcasing the region’s diverse talent, from hospitality to childcare.

Pumicestone Awards — *Photo Credit: Facebook/ TharinaGillenStulting*

Island Dance emerged as a major winner, securing not only the Best Health, Wellbeing, and Fitness category, but also the overall Pumicestone Small Business of the Year award.

Additional awardees included KBeauty for Best Beauty and Hairdressing, Pigface Seafood for Best Hospitality Business, and Hans Electrical Service for Best Trade Business.

The Pumicestone Small Business Award winners were:

Best Beauty and Hairdressing – KBeauty

Best Health, Wellbeing and Fitness – Island Dance

Best Business and Professional Services – Our Wild Hearts Photography

Best Hospitality Business – Pigface Seafood

Best Trade Business – Hans Electrical Service

Best Retail Business – Ang&M

Best Business Newcomer – Ikigai Cafe and Workshop

Best Pet Business – Bribie Pets Supplies

Best Market and Microbusiness – Brooklyn’s Finest – American Hot Dog Company

Best Education and Childcare – Bribie Island Community Kindergarten

Outstanding Customer Service Award – Tyson from Bongaree Bubbles & Clips

Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Callum from Bribie Pets Supplies

Best Bribie Business – Island Dance

Best Sandstone Point Business – Steakout Pizzeria

Best Beachmere Business – Flamingos Ice Creamery

Best Caboolture Business – Gather and Feast

Pumicestone Small Business of the Year – Island Dance

This year’s awards expanded to include new categories like Best Pet Business, Best Education and Childcare, and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, reflecting the region’s evolving business landscape. The event also acknowledged businesses in specific locales, with accolades like Best Bribie Business going to Island Dance, Best Sandstone Point Business to Steakout Pizzeria, and Best Beachmere Business to Flamingos Ice Creamery.

The awards served as a testament to the camaraderie within Pumicestone’s business community, as entrepreneurs united to cheer on each other’s successes.

Published Date 30-May-2024

Photo Credit: Gather and Feast

Local Alicia Melton Lauded at 25th Queensland Ladies Classic

The 25th anniversary edition of the Queensland Ladies Classic (QLC) bowling tournament celebrated a hometown hero this past weekend at Caboolture Bowl.

Read: Youth Foyer Coming to Caboolture: Housing and Education Support for At-Risk Young People

Alicia Melton, a longtime force on the Tenpin Bowling Australia (TBA) women’s circuit, emerged victorious from a talented field that included defending champion Bek Martin and six-time winner Bec Whiting.

Melton’s impressive performance ensured the coveted trophy remained in Caboolture, where she will now set her sights on an even bigger stage – her debut for the Australian national team at September’s Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships.

TBA Interim CEO Ryan Edgar with Champion Alicia Melton (Photo credit: tenpin.org.au)

Melton quickly stamped her authority on the competition, firing off a blistering 977 over her first four games in the opening squad to seize an early lead. She maintained her momentum through the first eight-game block, posting a 1,758 series and 219.8 average to top the standings. Hot on her heels were Bek Martin just 11 pins back and legendary bowler Bec Whiting trailing by 27.

Day two kicked off in dramatic fashion, with six-time champion Whiting rolling a perfect 300 game to vault into the lead. But the local favourite refused to be denied her moment, battling back over the final six games.

When the pins settled, it was Melton celebrating her second QLC crown, posting a combined 12-game score of 2,987 (249 average) to edge out Whiting (3,043) and third-place Dena Buxton.

Read: Emergency Preparedness Workshop Comes to Caboolture, Offering Crucial Weather Safety Training

For the tenpin bowling community in Caboolture, Melton’s stirring triumph on home lanes serves as a fitting celebration of the Queensland Ladies Classic’s impressive 25-year legacy. With their hometown hero leading the charge, the future looks bright for women’s bowling both locally and on the national stage.

Featured Image credit: tenpin.org.au

Published 30-May-2024

Caboolture Set for 36 New Luxury Townhouses

Caboolture is poised for further expansion, with Brisbane-based Sherlock Construction Homes lodging a development application for 36 upscale townhouses.

The proposed project, located at 14 Cassowary Court, seeks to capitalise on the area’s growth, offering residents close proximity to essential amenities such as schools and shopping centres.

The planned two-level townhouses promise a luxurious living experience, each boasting three bedrooms, a single-car garage, an open-plan kitchen, and dining areas flowing seamlessly into covered terraces and private courtyards. With a modern architectural style featuring diverse materials and finishes, the development aims to complement the evolving urban landscape of the neighbourhood.

The development site, currently occupied by a house and associated structures, sits adjacent to the Halycon Retirement Community. This project follows a recent townhouse development at 32 Cassowary Court, highlighting the suburb’s ongoing transition from a rural residential settlement to a more urbanised environment.

Access to the new development is planned via a single, two-way crossover from Cassowary Court, with ample parking provisions including 62 car spaces and a service vehicle loading bay. The developer also envisions a landscaped setting with screened bin storage areas to ensure a visually pleasing environment for residents.

Sherlock Construction Homes has emphasised the design’s contemporary expression and varied colour schemes, creating an interesting and visually appealing composition.

The scale of the project aligns with medium-density development goals, providing low-set townhouses that seamlessly integrate into the surrounding landscape.

As Caboolture continues to evolve, this proposed townhouse development represents another step towards meeting the growing demand for quality housing in this thriving Moreton Bay community.

Published Date 21-May-2024

Photo Credit: DA/2024/1833

Emergency Preparedness Workshop Comes to Caboolture, Offering Crucial Weather Safety Training

To combat the growing threat of extreme weather, Moreton Bay residents are invited to a free emergency preparedness workshop by NRMA Insurance and the Australian Red Cross. This crucial EmergencyRedi™ workshop, tailored to address specific local weather risks, will take place in Caboolture, underlining the urgent need for community readiness.

Research from NRMA Insurance highlights a concerning gap in local emergency preparedness. A striking 32 per cent of Australians lack a solid understanding of the extreme weather risks pertinent to their areas. At the same time, nearly half are unaware of the necessary steps to prepare for such emergencies.

These statistics underline the critical need for targeted educational efforts like the EmergencyRedi™ Workshop.

Workshop Details and Benefits

Scheduled at 4 Hasking St in Caboolture on Tuesday, the 28th of May 2024 at 1:30 p.m., the workshops offer attendees a comprehensive plan to tackle emergencies. Participants will walk away with a RediPlan, an all-encompassing emergency strategy developed by the Australian Red Cross, featuring essential components such as key contacts, meeting places, and strategies for managing stress during emergencies.

The workshop is part of the larger Help Nation initiative by NRMA Insurance, aimed at fostering a culture of preparedness across Australia.

“Our goal is to empower residents to understand their local risks and equip them with the tools necessary for preparedness. Proactive preparation can significantly mitigate the impacts of extreme weather,” Michelle Klein, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at NRMA Insurance, asserts.

Emergency Preparedness Caboolture — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

This initiative is about immediate education and long-term safety. Over the next three years, NRMA Insurance and the Australian Red Cross plan to host thousands of such workshops, potentially preparing tens of thousands of Australians for a range of emergencies, from floods to bushfires.

About NRMA Insurance

NRMA Insurance is one of Australia’s most trusted general insurance providers, helping people protect the things they care about since 1925. It has a long proud history of working with communities to build their resilience against severe weather and keep people safer on the road.

More than three million customers across Australia choose NRMA Insurance to protect their homes, vehicles, businesses, motorcycles, boats, pets and travel.

NRMA Insurance is backed by IAG, the largest general insurer in Australia and New Zealand.

Urgent Call for Caboolture Mums: Donations Needed to Address Breast Milk Shortage

Caboolture and other hospitals in Queensland are facing a pressing shortage of donated breast milk for premature and low birth-weight babies, causing an urgent announcement from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to call for more donors to aid the shortage.

The call that was made on Thursday, the 10th of April 2024, revealed that the supply of donated breast milk in Queensland has fallen to less than only two weeks’ worth, putting hospitals in Caboolture and other neighbouring hospitals in Queensland in need.

As these hospitals face a shortage of donated breast milk, this brings out an alarming situation for premature and low birth-weight babies since breast milk serves as an essential key for their growth and development at their age.

“Currently, supply for Queensland is down to just two weeks of raw milk to send out to the hospital,” said Chris Sulfaro, Lifeblood’s Milk Service Manager.

“No babies are currently missing out but we are moving milk around to ensure there’s an adequate supply of raw milk that we can then make into pasteurised donor milk so we can continue to supply the hospitals,” she added.

Lifeblood, in collaboration with Queensland hospitals, operates a crucial network for collecting, processing, and distributing donated breast milk.

Photo Credit: *Polyn Reondanga/Facebook*

Donors are encouraged to contribute more than three litres of frozen or expressed milk, which is less than ten weeks old, to help meet the growing demand.

Residents of Caboolture who are interested in donating breast milk can find more information on eligibility criteria and registration procedures on the Lifeblood website.

After ensuring one’s eligibility, donations are collected from donors’ homes or hospital locations by Lifeblood’s dedicated milk donor coordinators, who offer guidance and support throughout the donation process.

The processing hub at Lifeblood’s Kelvin Grove centre in Brisbane oversees logistics to ensure a smooth supply chain to partner hospitals, including those donations from Caboolture.

Donated breast milk plays a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of premature and sick infants, providing essential nutrients and promoting healthy growth. By donating excess breast milk, individual mums can make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable newborns and their families in Caboolture and surrounding areas.

Published 26-April-2024

Photo Credit: Red Cross Lifeblood Website

Caboolture Woman Adds To Rising QLD E-Scooter Crash Cases

A Caboolture woman is the third person in Queensland to suffer serious injuries from an e-scooter crash in a week in Queensland.

The crash took place on Merino St just before 7:49 p.m. on Wednesday, 17 April 2024, according to Queensland Ambulance Services.

Paramedics promptly arrived at the scene and provided immediate medical attention to the woman. She was later transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for further treatment.

This incident follows another serious e-scooter accident on a Gold Coast road just two days prior, where another woman was seriously injured in a collision involving two cars and an e-scooter.

Earlier this month, a tragic accident in Bundaberg claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy. The boy suffered critical injuries when his e-scooter collided with a Suzuki Baleno at an intersection on Maynard St in Norville on 3 April . Despite the best efforts of medical professionals at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, the boy succumbed to his injuries one week after the crash.

These incidents highlight the growing safety concerns surrounding the use of e-scooters in Queensland. Authorities are urged to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of e-scooter users and the public.

Published 20-April-2024

Meet Karen-Rose Dailly: Caboolture’s Four-Year-Old BMX Prodigy

Caboolture has a new rising star, and she’s only four years old! Karen-Rose Dailly isn’t your average pre-prep student. This pint-sized powerhouse is already a state BMX champion, tearing up the track with skill and determination.

Photo Credit: Facebook/ Australian Christian College – Moreton

Karen-Rose’s passion for bikes began early. Her parents, Stephanie Holyoake and George Dailly (a BMX enthusiast himself), introduced her to dirt bikes at a mere six months old. By one year old, she was mastering a balance bike, and by two, she was competing in her first mini-wheeler race.

“She could make motorbike noises before she could talk,” Stephanie laughs, sharing Karen-Rose’s early fascination with all things two-wheeled. “We saw her interest and decided to nurture it.”

Despite being the youngest racer on the track, Karen-Rose’s competitive spirit shines. “She’s incredibly determined,” Stephanie says. “Last year, her legs hadn’t quite caught up yet, but she never gave up. By the end of the year, she was consistently placing on the podium, and often taking first place!”

While her seven-month-old sister isn’t quite ready for the BMX track yet, and her six-year-old stepsister hasn’t caught the bug, Karen-Rose has a strong support system. Her dad, George, is a passionate rider himself, and her cousins on his side of the family share her love for the sport. Together, they form a dedicated team, cheering Karen-Rose on and helping her hone her skills.

Karen-Rose can often be found racing alongside her dad on Friday and Saturday nights, training hard on the tracks around Gympie. She even proudly wears the family’s coveted “55” number, a symbol of both racing legacy and future victories.

Karen-Rose Dailly is a name to remember. This four-year-old champion is just getting started, and with her talent, determination, and supportive family, the future of BMX looks bright!

Published Date 17-April-2024

Photo Credit: Facebook/ Australian Christian College – Moreton

$5-million Windfall Changes the Lives of 16 People in Caboolture

Sixteen fortunate shoppers from Caboolture are celebrating a life-changing moment after their syndicate’s $5-million victory.

On the 15th of February 2024, 16 lucky shoppers at The Local Caboolture South bagged the Division One prize amounting to almost $5 million or $4,907,068.89.

Their luck held as their PowerHit entry also brought several divisional prizes that reached $5,164,871.49, making each ticket holder’s bank account richer by $322,804.47 each.

Sandeep Arora, the owner of the The Local Caboolture South where the winning entries were bought, also expressed her happiness over the windfall.

“It will definitely change each person’s life in different ways […] I just want to wish them all the best for the future and I hope they enjoy celebrating this winning news,” Mr Arora said.

The Powerball number was 20 and the winning numbers were 35, 34, 19, 10, 18, 15 and 5.

James Eddy, spokesman for The Lott, said that they will reach out to the registered winners, to deliver the news about their wins.

“Some of these division one winning syndicate members have already begun celebrating their good fortune knowing their bank account is about to be boosted with more than $300,000,” he said.

“While we’ll be reaching out to those winners who are registered, there are still some unregistered syndicate members who may have yet to discover their good news,” he added, calling on those who purchased a share in a syndicate for the draw to check their tickets to see if they won.

“If you purchased a share in a syndicate for the week’s Powerball draw, today’s the day to check it! If you discover you’re holding a winning share, call The Lott on 131 868 to start the prize claim process,” he said.

Published 10-April-2024

Featured Image Photo Credit: Pexels

Construction Chaos in Caboolture: Family’s Close Call with Dangerous Debris

A simple residential expansion at Connor Crescent in Caboolture has become a prolonged nightmare for locals, particularly for Quinton Reeves and his family.

The alarming incident, amidst an ongoing residential development that has been disrupting local life since 2020, underscores the escalating tensions between residents, the local council, and developers over safety and environmental concerns.

For over four years, the Reeves family has been engulfed in a maelstrom of construction-related chaos, culminating in a harrowing incident on 16th March 2024, when metal shards, propelled at high velocity, invaded their front yard, narrowly missing causing severe injury.

In a moment of alarming negligence, contractors lost control of a pressure hose, causing it to eject metal shrapnel into the Reeves’ property at dangerous speeds. This incident, captured in vivid detail through footage and photos, underscores the family’s peril.

Construction chaos Caboolture — *Photo Credit: Quinton Reeves/YouTube*

Remarkably, no injuries were reported, but the event has significantly escalated the family’s concerns and their disputes with the Morton Bay Regional Council and the developers responsible for the housing project.

“I have recovered at least five [debris] that are approximately 5 cm in length. I did witness the plumber at the time; he was trying to cover up the incident, so he went around picking it up,” he told Peter Gleeson of 4BC Drive.

“I saw him pick up at least four pieces up his end of the area. And here’s the thing, mate: they didn’t notify workplace health and safety. They tried to cover it up, and there’s been no consequences for it.”

A Community’s Cry for Change

With the challenges of living on disability, Mr Reeves has become an outspoken advocate for public safety and legislative reform. His ordeal since the inception of the adjacent construction project has been marked by blocked driveways, unmonitored heavy machinery perilously close to residential areas, and a general disregard for the community’s well-being.

The incident has only fueled his determination to seek justice and drive changes to prevent similar occurrences.

The response has been tepid despite Mr Reeves’ concerted efforts to engage with local government bodies, the Ombudsman, and the Human Rights Commission over the past three years. In a statement, the Morton Bay Regional Council pointed to the discretionary nature of enforcement action under the Environmental Protection Act (EP Act), revealing a reluctance to intervene decisively.

In the wake of this alarming incident, the call for legislative reform and enhanced accountability from both council and developers has never been louder.

Published 1-April-2024