Moreton Bay Archives - Caboolture Today

Cyclone-Damaged Dohles Rocks Seawall to Be Replaced Under Major Moreton Bay Project

The Dohles Rocks Seawall, a decades-old barrier protecting the Pine River foreshore in Moreton Bay, is set to be completely rebuilt after years of deterioration and severe cyclone damage, with local residents now being asked to help decide where future access points to the waterfront should be located.

The existing seawall has protected the shoreline since the 1960s, but has steadily weakened due to age, tidal forces and coastal weather. Damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March 2025 accelerated concerns about the structure’s condition, prompting plans for a full reconstruction project.

Community Input Sought Before Design Is Finalised

Moreton Bay Council has opened a public consultation process focused on one key question: where people should be able to access the water once the new seawall is built.

Under the proposed design, the number of access stairs and small boat launch points along the foreshore will be reduced. Council representatives are seeking feedback from residents, fishers, boaters, walkers and other regular users of the area before detailed engineering plans are completed.

Community members are being encouraged to complete an online survey and identify preferred locations for access points using an interactive map. Feedback is being accepted until 4 p.m. on 29 June 2026.

The project team is also scheduled to meet residents during community pop-up sessions near the main boat ramp on 6 June and 10 June.

New Design Aims to Strengthen Erosion Protection

The reconstruction proposal centres on a rock armour seawall, a design commonly used in coastal environments to absorb wave energy and reduce erosion.

Council documents show the new structure would stretch about 540 metres along the foreshore, extending from the existing main boat ramp to the eastern end of Dohles Rocks Road. The seawall is expected to be between six and seven metres wide and include a concrete crest wall positioned above the rock structure.

Artists impression of the reconstructed seawall
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Project planners state the design was selected following an assessment of engineering, environmental and planning considerations. The preferred option was identified as a durable long-term solution capable of managing wave action and boat wake impacts while reducing future maintenance requirements.

Protection Against Erosion, Not Flooding

The reconstruction is intended to address coastal erosion affecting the foreshore and nearby public assets.

Council has stated that the seawall is not designed to protect the area from river flooding, storm tide inundation or long-term sea level rise. Instead, the project focuses on stabilising the shoreline and maintaining the safety and usability of the waterfront precinct.

Before the full reconstruction begins, temporary stabilisation works may still be carried out in sections considered most vulnerable. The current seawall will be demolished and removed as part of the project.

Construction is currently expected to begin in mid-2027, subject to funding availability, statutory approvals, weather conditions and other project requirements.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Published 3-June-2026

Caboolture Abbey Medieval Festival Marks 35 Years of Living History

Caboolture’s Abbey Medieval Festival is preparing to mark 35 years of living history at Abbeystowe, where jousting, re-enactments, markets, music and family activities will again bring the medieval world into view.

Caboolture Festival Marks 35 Years Of Medieval Tradition

For 35 years, the Abbey Medieval Festival has brought the sights, sounds and spectacle of the Middle Ages to Caboolture. In 2026, the long-running event will return to Abbeystowe for another milestone celebration of living history, with re-enactors, jousters, performers, merchants and visitors gathering across the festival grounds.

The festival is scheduled from 10 to 12 July 2026, beginning with Friday Family Fun Day on 10 July before the Weekend Tournament takes place on 11 and 12 July. The event will again centre on medieval life across Europe and the Middle East from 600 to 1600AD, presenting history through performance, craft, combat, food and family activities.

Rather than presenting history behind glass, the Abbey Medieval Festival turns it into a full weekend experience. Visitors can move through encampments, watch combat demonstrations, browse market stalls, see performers and take in the atmosphere of a festival built around pageantry, skill and historical interpretation.

Medieval Life Comes Back To Abbeystowe

The 35th year will bring back many of the elements that have shaped the Abbey Medieval Festival’s identity. Listed activities include jousting, knight combat, Birds of Prey, archery, children’s activities, entertainment, markets, food and drink, and the Stag Inn.

Across the grounds, hundreds of re-enactors from around Australia help recreate aspects of medieval life. Their displays cover combat, arts, crafts and practical skills from across 1,000 years of history, with demonstrations that can include swordsmanship, chivalry, armour, siege weaponry, costuming, weaving, pottery, illumination and music.

The result is a festival that blends performance with learning. Families can watch tournament-style displays, children can take part in activities, and visitors can see how medieval clothing, tools, crafts and traditions are brought to life by people who study and practise them.

*Photo Credit: Abbey Medieval Festival/Facebook*

Museum History Behind The Milestone

Behind the festival is the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, which hosts the event as its largest annual gathering. The festival supports the museum’s operations, the care of its collection and its education programs.

The museum’s collection includes objects from around the world, dating from prehistory to the end of the 19th century. Its medieval and renaissance collection holds more than 200 works of art and artefacts, giving the festival a direct connection to the history it presents outdoors at Abbeystowe.

Festival patrons will have access to the museum during the Tournament Weekend. Wristbands can also be used for museum entry until the end of the calendar year, extending the festival experience beyond the weekend itself.

Abbey Museum — *Photo Credit: Abbey Medieval Festival/Facebook*

Tickets And Festival Support

Accommodation and ticket packages for the tournament weekend have been promoted through Holiday Hub Bribie Island, with weekend tickets included for guests who book eligible accommodation. The limited Royal Suites VIP package is listed as sold out.

The event also relies on volunteers working behind the scenes across many parts of the festival, including gates and ticketing, information support, joust arena support, children’s activities, market support, parking and traffic, program sales, hospitality and general site support. Volunteer applications for 2026 are now closed, while photography and videography applications are handled separately.

As the Abbey Medieval Festival reaches its 35th year, the Caboolture event is set to return with the same mix of history, spectacle and community atmosphere that has made it a fixture at Abbeystowe.

Published 27-May-2026

Photo Credit: Abbey Medieval Festival/Facebook

Can a Robotic Hawk Save Moreton Bay Strawberries?

A robotic hawk has been flying above strawberry farms in Moreton Bay as growers in Bellmere battle flocks of lorikeets and corellas that can wipe out thousands of dollars’ worth of fruit in just days.

The drone, known as RoBird, sweeps low across the fields like a bird of prey, sending nuisance birds scattering above one of Australia’s largest strawberry-growing regions.

The trial began in Bellmere in May through a partnership involving Hort Innovation, Canadian drone company AERIUM Analytics and the City of Moreton Bay.

The RoBird drone being trialled in Shepparton, Victoria between November 2025 and May 2026.
Photo Credit: AERIUM Analytics/Supplied

For local growers, the problem has become hard to ignore.

During overcast weather, large flocks of birds descend on ripe strawberry fields and tear through fruit faster than workers can pick it. Farms near trees and bushland are often hit the hardest.

At TSL Family Farms in Bellmere, which operates under the Taste’n’See strawberry brand, growers have spent years trying to protect crops from repeated bird attacks. Some weeks bring losses that climb well into the tens of thousands.

According to the City of Moreton Bay, farms in the region can lose between $50,000 and $200,000 worth of strawberries within a single week during severe bird activity. This pressure lands heavily in a region where strawberries are a major part of the local economy.

Moreton Bay Plays Major Role in Australia’s Strawberry Supply

Moreton Bay produces about one in every four punnets of strawberries sold in Australia, with farms across Bellmere, Caboolture and surrounding districts supplying fruit to supermarkets across the country.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery with RoBird at Taste’n’See farms in Bellmere, Queensland.
Photo Credit: Supplied

The region’s strawberry industry contributes around $100 million annually and supports growers, seasonal workers, transport operators and local businesses tied to the harvest season. But protecting the fruit has become increasingly difficult.

Growers have long relied on gas cannons, reflective tape and noise deterrents to keep birds away. Many say the methods lose effectiveness once birds become used to them. Some systems have also caused frustration for nearby residents because of the noise during harvesting periods. This has driven interest in newer technology that can protect crops without harming wildlife.

A Drone Designed to Think Like a Predator

Unlike a standard farm drone, the RoBird is built to imitate the movement of a hunting raptor. The aircraft glides, circles and dives above strawberry rows in ways designed to trigger a natural fear response from pest birds. Instead of simply making noise, the drone attempts to convince birds that a predator is actively hunting nearby.

Earlier Australian trials reported by AERIUM Analytics showed strong reductions in bird activity and fruit damage after repeated flights over crops. Researchers involved in the project say the goal is to create a long-term deterrent rather than a short-term scare tactic.

The Bellmere demonstrations drew growers and berry industry representatives from across the region, including members of Berries Australia, who attended field trials to observe how the drone performed above local farms.

Farmers Hope for Relief Before Peak Season

Even small reductions in crop damage could make a major difference during harvest season. Rising labour costs, unpredictable weather and tighter profit margins have already placed pressure on Queensland strawberry farms in recent years. Losing trays of fruit to birds only adds to the challenge.

Drivers travelling through Bellmere during the growing season may now spot the dark-winged drone circling low above the paddocks while workers move through rows beneath it.

The national RoBird project is expected to continue until 2028 as researchers monitor how birds respond over longer periods and across different growing conditions.

A close-up image of the RoBird drone from AERIUM Analytics.
Photo Credit: AERIUM Analytics/Supplied

Whether the robotic hawk becomes a permanent part of farming in Moreton Bay is still unknown. But for growers watching birds descend on valuable crops each season, the trial is giving the region a new option at a time when many say traditional methods are no longer enough.

Published 26-May-2026
Featured Image Credit: AERIUM Analytics/Supplied

World Turtle Day Shines Spotlight on Bribie Island Conservation Efforts

Bribie Island’s beaches are becoming one of the few places in Queensland where cooler sand temperatures may still help produce male turtle hatchlings, giving marine experts and local volunteers fresh hope for the future of Australia’s loggerhead turtles as warming conditions reshape nesting beaches further north.

Ahead of World Turtle Day on 23 May, the City of Moreton Bay confirmed that 26 loggerhead turtle nests were recorded on Bribie Island during the latest nesting season. The nests were tracked between November and April by the volunteer group Bribie Island Turtle Trackers, which patrols beaches across the island during breeding months.

The figures may appear small beside Queensland’s major nesting regions near Bundaberg and the Great Barrier Reef. Still, researchers and conservation groups say beaches like Bribie Island are becoming more important as rising temperatures affect turtle breeding patterns across Australia.

Warmer Beaches Are Changing Turtle Hatchling Ratios

Marine turtles do not develop sex in the same way humans do. Instead, the temperature of the sand surrounding the eggs determines whether hatchlings are male or female. Scientists working across Queensland have found that hotter nesting beaches are increasingly producing female hatchlings at much higher rates.

According to information shared by the City of Moreton Bay, sand temperatures on Bribie Island averaged about 27 degrees Celsius during the latest nesting season. That is lower than some northern Queensland beaches where temperatures above 29 degrees have been linked to heavily female hatchling populations.

The issue has become a growing concern for conservation workers monitoring turtle populations across Queensland. Research and conservation programs at places such as Mon Repos near Bundaberg and parts of the Great Barrier Reef continue to track how climate conditions are affecting nesting success.

On the southern Great Barrier Reef, Heron Island has also become a major focus for turtle monitoring, particularly during breeding and hatching season when visitors and researchers gather to observe nesting activity along the shoreline.

Bribie Island Residents Are Taking Part in Turtle Protection

Long before hatchlings begin moving towards the water, local volunteers are already on the beach before sunrise checking dunes, marking nests and recording turtle activity.

The Bribie Island Turtle Trackers work alongside Moreton Bay council officers to monitor nesting sites and help reduce threats around breeding areas. Council teams have installed shade structures near vulnerable nests and adjusted lighting near some beachfront locations to reduce the risk of hatchlings becoming disoriented at night.

Artificial light remains one of the biggest dangers for newly hatched turtles. Hatchlings naturally move towards moonlight reflecting off the ocean, but strong lighting from homes, streets and beachfront areas can pull them inland instead.

Community education campaigns across Queensland have increasingly focused on practical changes residents can make during nesting season. Conservation groups encourage people living near beaches to switch off unnecessary outdoor lighting at night, avoid walking across sand dunes and keep dogs under control near nesting areas.

Volunteer-led programs are also expanding in other parts of the state. The Australian Marine Conservation Society recently highlighted community volunteers in Queensland helping turtle hatchlings safely reach the ocean during breeding season.

Queensland’s Turtle Conservation Efforts Stretch Beyond Bribie Island

Queensland remains home to some of the world’s most important marine turtle nesting sites. Six of the world’s seven marine turtle species have been recorded in Moreton Bay waters, while beaches along the Great Barrier Reef support major nesting populations for loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles.

Programs run through Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service continue to monitor turtle migration, breeding success and long-term survival rates through tagging and conservation work.

Elsewhere in Queensland, other turtle species are also facing pressure from habitat changes and flooding. Recent reporting examined ongoing efforts to protect the endangered Mary River turtle, which remains one of the state’s most vulnerable freshwater species.

Across coastal communities, conservation workers say local involvement continues to shape the success of turtle protection programs. Beach patrols, responsible boating, reduced light pollution and community awareness campaigns are all playing a role in helping hatchlings survive their first journey to sea.

Small Actions on the Coast Can Shape a Turtle’s Survival

Turtle season has become part of the rhythm of coastal life in Bribe Island. Early morning beach walks now often include checking for turtle tracks in the sand, while volunteers continue sharing nesting updates with local families and visitors.

As World Turtle Day draws attention to turtle conservation around the world, beaches on Bribie Island are showing how local communities can support species that have travelled Australian waters for millions of years.

Each successful nest on the island adds another generation to a species facing growing environmental pressure along the Queensland coast.

Published 22-May-2026
Featured Image Credit: Supplied

Pine Rivers Art Gallery Hosts Moreton Bay Art Prize Exhibition

The Moreton Bay Art Prize is returning to Pine Rivers Art Gallery with a free exhibition of shortlisted local artworks, alongside an outdoor display that brings selected pieces into high-traffic locations across Moreton Bay.

Local Art Takes Focus At Pine Rivers Art Gallery

The Moreton Bay Art Prize is back for its 32nd year, bringing together local artists through a free public exhibition at Pine Rivers Art Gallery.

The exhibition will run from 30 May to 18 July and will feature 36 shortlisted artists competing for the 2026 prize pool. The works were selected by a professional panel, with entries assessed on their ideas, technical execution and originality.

The annual prize is open to artists aged 18 and over who live in Moreton Bay, as well as Kabi Kabi, Turrbal and Jinibara First Nations artists living in Australia. There is no fixed theme or category, allowing entrants to submit original works of their choosing, provided they were created within the previous 24 months.

The result is a broad exhibition shaped by individual practice rather than a single subject, giving visitors the chance to see a varied selection of works from artists with local and cultural ties to the region.

Outdoor Art Prize Extends The Moreton Bay Art Prize

The gallery exhibition is accompanied by the Outdoor Art Prize, which places selected works beyond the gallery setting.

Six artists have had their works displayed on banners in high-traffic locations across Moreton Bay. The outdoor display runs from 18 May to 15 June, giving the prize a public presence before and during the early part of the Pine Rivers exhibition.

The outdoor element adds another way for residents and visitors to encounter the shortlisted creative work, with selected pieces appearing in everyday locations as well as inside the gallery.

Pine Rivers Art Gallery — *Photo Credit: Supplied*

Prize Pool And Public Voting

The 2026 prize pool totals $10,000.

The first-place artist will receive a non-acquisitive prize of $5,000. Second place carries $3,000, third place carries $1,500, and the People’s Choice Award carries $500.

The winners will be announced at the awards night on Saturday 11 July. This year’s winning entries will be selected by guest judge Dr Simon Degroot, Program Director of Visual Arts at Queensland College of Art and Design at Griffith University.

Members of the public can also take part by voting for the People’s Choice Award. Voting remains open until the final day of the exhibition on Saturday 18 July.

Pine Rivers Exhibition Open To All Ages

Entry to the Moreton Bay Art Prize exhibition is free, and the display is suitable for all ages.

With the main exhibition at Pine Rivers Art Gallery and outdoor works appearing across Moreton Bay, the 2026 program gives audiences several ways to view the region’s artists before the prize winners are named.

The exhibition continues a long-running local art prize that supports both emerging and established artists, while giving the public access to a wide range of recent original work.

Published 20-May-2026

Photo Credit: Supplied

More Than 16,000 Homes Planned for Waraba Under New Funding Agreement

Waraba is set to become one of Queensland’s biggest housing growth areas after a $2.4 billion infrastructure funding agreement has cleared the way for thousands of new homes in the fast-growing Moreton Bay region.

This will help deliver major road, water and sewerage upgrades needed to support more than 16,000 homes in the Waraba Priority Development Area, where the future population is expected to reach around 70,000 people.

Pressure builds as Moreton Bay population climbs

Families moving into South East Queensland have placed growing pressure on housing supply across Moreton Bay, where new estates have expanded rapidly over the past decade. Local leaders say infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with demand, particularly in outer suburban growth corridors.

Waraba, formerly known as Caboolture West, has been identified as one of the region’s largest future residential communities. The area sits between Caboolture and Wamuran and has been earmarked for large-scale housing development for several years.

The latest package is aimed at speeding up the infrastructure needed before more homes can be built. That includes upgrades to roads, sewerage systems, water services and other essential works linked to new neighbourhoods.

Thousands of homes tied to infrastructure rollout

The City of Moreton Bay said the funding would help support the delivery of more than 16,000 homes by mid-2034 within the Waraba Priority Development Area.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the region’s population growth had made housing infrastructure a major issue for councils across southeast Queensland. He said the funding would help accelerate housing construction in a region expected to continue growing strongly over the next 30 years.

Federal Housing Minister Clare O’Neil stated that the agreement would support more Queenslanders entering the housing market, including future residents in Moreton Bay.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie also linked the project to broader housing supply pressures, saying infrastructure delivery was essential before large-scale home construction could move ahead.

Long-term planning reshapes the Waraba corridor

Waraba has increasingly become a focus for long-term urban planning as southeast Queensland prepares for continued population growth. Planning documents for the area have projected schools, shopping centres, transport links and community facilities alongside future housing estates.

While large sections of the development are still years away from completion, the infrastructure agreement marks one of the biggest funding commitments tied to the project so far.

Construction timelines and detailed delivery schedules for the infrastructure works are expected to be released in later stages by state agencies and development authorities.

Published 20-May-2026

Bellara Home Care Nurse Recognised During International Nurses Day

A Bellara-based home care nurse who once worked in the laundry and dry-cleaning industry has spent the past 17 years helping older Moreton Bay residents stay in their homes instead of moving into aged care facilities, as demand for in-home support continues to grow across the region.

International Nurses Day will be marked on May 12, with Carinity recognising nurses working across Queensland, including Moreton Bay registered nurse Mark Lister. The long-serving nurse now works with Carinity Home Care, supporting seniors living throughout the Bribie Island and Caboolture region.

Lister moved into nursing nearly two decades ago after being inspired by family members already working in healthcare. Since joining Carinity, he has worked in several aged care roles, including frontline infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, his work focuses on helping seniors remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. That includes assessing new clients, developing falls prevention plans and providing clinical care to older residents across the Moreton Bay area.

The Bellara-based service has become part of daily life for many local families caring for ageing parents and relatives at home. Across Queensland, demand for home care services has increased as more older Australians choose to age in familiar surroundings rather than move into residential care.

Long-Term Care Builds Strong Community Connections

Lister’s work regularly brings him into homes where families are managing complex health conditions, mobility challenges and social isolation among elderly relatives.

According to Carinity’s Bribie and Caboolture home care service, nurses and support teams assist seniors with clinical care, daily living support and health management while allowing them to remain connected to their local communities.

Carinity executive manager Heidi Wiebe said aged care nursing required patience, compassion and specialised skills, particularly when supporting older people with changing health needs. She said families and residents regularly expressed appreciation for the work performed by nursing staff across the organisation.

The organisation has operated community services in Queensland since 1949 through aged care, disability support, youth services and chaplaincy programs. Moreton Bay remains one of the growing regions for in-home aged care support due to its large retirement population and expanding senior community.

International Nurses Day Shines Spotlight on Regional Healthcare Workers

International Nurses Day is held each year on the birthday of modern nursing founder Florence Nightingale. The annual event recognises nurses working across hospitals, aged care, disability support and community healthcare services.

While many healthcare workers are seen in hospitals and emergency departments, home care nurses often spend years building relationships with residents inside local neighbourhoods and retirement communities.

In Bellara and the surrounding parts of Moreton Bay, those visits can involve everything from wound care and medication management to helping older residents avoid falls and hospital admissions.

For families balancing work, caregiving and medical appointments, home nursing support has become an important part of keeping elderly relatives safe and connected to the community.

Published 11-May-2026
Featured Image Credit: Supplied

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

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

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