Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 4 of 6

Hub68 Health Precinct Approved In Ormiston

A major private hospital and integrated health precinct in Ormiston has been approved for development at 58–68 Delancey Street, advancing plans for expanded medical services in the area.

Hub68 Approval Advances Ormiston Project

The Hub68 Centre of Excellence has secured approval under Ministerial Infrastructure Designation MID-0523-0700, allowing the project to proceed on the Ormiston site.

The designation, published in the Queensland Gazette on 13 March 2026, formally allocates the land for hospital, healthcare, and education-related uses.

Ormiston hospital — Photo Credit: MID-0523-0700

Hospital And Health Facilities Planned

The development centres on a five-storey private hospital designed for up to 166 beds and 14 operating theatres.

Plans outline a broader precinct that includes a 60 to 80-bed aged care facility, a childcare centre, and spaces for medical training, education, and research.

The proposed services cover surgery, rehabilitation, cardiology, mental health care, and day infusion treatments such as dialysis and chemotherapy.

The site spans approximately four hectares at the corner of Finucane Road and Delancey Street.

Traffic Changes On Finucane Road

Access to the precinct is planned through a new signalised intersection on Finucane Road, about 360 metres west of the existing signalised intersection with Shore Street West and Delancey Street.

Planning material indicates the precinct will include around 859 car parking spaces.

Finucane Road remains a 70km/h corridor under the approved plans, with traffic impacts raised as a concern during consultation.

Hub68 Ormiston — Photo Credit: MID-0523-0700

Long-Running Proposal In Ormiston

The Hub68 proposal has been in development since 2018, when plans for a combined health, research, and education hub were first outlined.

Medical services are already operating on the site, which was previously used as a printing hall for Fairfax Media and as the headquarters of Queensland Country Press.

The location is less than three kilometres from existing hospitals in Cleveland, where parking demand has extended into surrounding streets.

Demand Pressures Identified

Project material outlines existing and projected shortfalls in hospital beds, medical specialists, and aged care capacity in Redland City.

Forecasts indicate these gaps may increase by 2041, alongside population growth and a rising proportion of residents aged over 50.

These projections form part of the justification for additional healthcare infrastructure in the area.

Delancey Street development — Photo Credit: MID-0523-0700

Community Concerns During Consultation

Consultation in 2023 highlighted concerns from nearby residents about traffic, building scale, and impacts on vegetation and local wildlife, including koalas.

Questions were also raised about reliance on private vehicles, while planning material notes the presence of nearby bus stops and train stations within walking distance.

Next Steps For The Ormiston Site

The approval clears a key planning step for the Hub68 precinct in Ormiston.

Further stages, including detailed design and construction, are expected to follow as the project progresses.

Published 20-Mar-2026

Petrol Stations Running Dry: Victoria Point’s Freedom Fuels Among Servos Left Without Supply

Some petrol stations across Queensland are running out of fuel amid a supply crunch driven by global and local pressures, leaving motorists scrambling to find a servo with supply. In Victoria Point, Freedom Fuels has been without stock for several days, and staff have no idea when the tanker is coming.

Read: Redland City Plan Shake-up: What it Means for Wellington Point and Beyond

Staff at the bayside servo confirmed that both petrol and diesel had run out, and that they had received no word on when a delivery might arrive, with one employee indicating they had absolutely no idea when supplies would return or why the delay had occurred.

The Victoria Point outage is not an isolated incident, with petrol stations across Queensland also reporting supply shortfalls.

Why are Queensland petrol stations running out of fuel?

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, and the only sea passage out of the Gulf, is being cited as a key driver of rising fuel prices and supply disruption.

Closer to home, some wholesalers are reportedly withholding bulk fuel orders from independent suppliers while they assess the longer-term impact on cargo ship arrivals. Pump prices are expected to keep climbing through the week.

Victoria Point motorists told to look elsewhere

For residents of Victoria Point and surrounding suburbs including Wellington Point, the message is clear. It is worth calling ahead before making Freedom Fuels your first stop. Staff at the site indicated the outage appeared limited to the Victoria Point location, with the nearby Freedom Fuels Capalaba branch still reported to have fuel available as of Monday.

Motorists across the Redlands were still able to find fuel at other service stations on Monday afternoon, suggesting the shortage has not yet caused a blanket outage across Redland City. However, with wholesalers holding back bulk orders and prices tipped to rise further this week, motorists may find the situation worsens before it improves.

Don’t panic buy — but do plan ahead

While there is no indication of a widespread, sustained fuel shortage across the Redlands at this stage, the supply squeeze affecting servos is real. Motorists are advised to keep an eye on fuel levels rather than waiting until the tank is on empty, and to have a backup servo in mind, particularly if Freedom Fuels Victoria Point is their usual stop.

Panic buying, if it takes hold, risks making the situation significantly worse. Bulk purchasing by drivers strips already depleted supplies faster and pushes up prices further at stations that are still receiving deliveries.

Read: Historic Radio Receiving Site Linked To Allied Wartime Operations

For now, the best advice is to fill up where fuel is available, avoid running low, and keep an ear out for updates as the supply situation develops both locally and internationally.

Published 10-March-2026

Women Leading the Way in SEQ Catholic School Communities

Communities across South East Queensland are seeing more women step into the top jobs at their local Catholic schools, with a growing number of female educators appointed as principals and heads of college in recent years. As International Women’s Day approaches on 8 March, Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) has highlighted the appointment of 29 women to principalship or head of college or campus roles over the past two years, reflecting a shift toward stronger female representation in school leadership.

From Graceville and Bardon to Mango Hill, Birkdale and Scarborough, these appointments are shaping the future of education in neighbourhoods across the region. For families, students and staff, it means welcoming experienced educators who will guide school communities through the next chapter of learning and growth.

BCE’s People and Culture Executive Cathy Heffernan said the appointments reflect a broader effort to support and prepare more women for leadership roles in schools.

“Since the program commenced, 38 per cent of participants have progressed into Head of College, Principal or BCE office leadership roles,” Ms Heffernan said.

“Beyond appointments, the program builds confidence, capability and connection, qualities that are essential for leadership in today’s educational landscape.”

*Jessica Lusk, Head of College Unity College (Secondary), Caloundra West*
*Photo Credit: Supplied*

Across BCE schools, female principalship has increased from 33 per cent in 2021 to 50 per cent in 2026. In BCE offices, women now make up 64 per cent of leadership roles, up from 48 per cent in 2021.

Many of the recently appointed leaders have participated in BCE’s Women in Leadership program, which was reimagined in 2024 to strengthen leadership pathways and build a pipeline of future-ready female leaders.

For educators like Notre Dame College, Bells Creek Head of College Jasmine Brown, the program has had a lasting impact.

“For me the program highlighted the importance of women actively supporting and advocating for one another,” she said.

“I also found the course an opportunity to connect with other like-minded women who shared the same aspirations for senior leadership.

“The impact of the program has endured well beyond its conclusion, particularly for me through the lasting professional relationships I have built.”

Jasmine Brown, Head of College Notre Dame College, Bells Creek
Photo Credit: Supplied

Since March 2024, a number of schools across South East Queensland have welcomed new female leaders, including appointments at St Mary’s College in Ipswich, St Patrick’s Primary School in Nanango, Unity College in Caloundra West, and St Francis College in Crestmead.

Other appointments span communities including Graceville, Bardon, Mango Hill, Ferny Grove, Birkdale, Zillmere, New Farm, Scarborough and Enoggera, where local school communities are now led by experienced educators committed to supporting students, families and staff.

For BCE, the growing number of women stepping into leadership roles reflects a commitment to creating inclusive leadership pathways and recognising the vital contribution women make to education and their communities.

As schools across the region celebrate International Women’s Day, these appointments highlight the strong role women continue to play in shaping the future of Catholic education across South East Queensland.

Name	Position	School	Suburb
Alison Gilbert	Principal	St Mary’s College	Ipswich
Sarah McCarthy	Principal	St Patrick’s Primary School	Nanango
Jessica Lusk	Head of College (Secondary)	Unity College	Caloundra West
Nicole de Vries	Head of College (Primary)	Unity College	Caloundra West
Andrea Hickey	Head of Campus	St Francis College	Crestmead
Bernadette Wright	Principal	Christ the King School	Graceville
Carol Seagar	Principal	St Joseph’s School	Bardon
Clare Hogan	Principal	Our Lady of Good Counsel School	Gatton
Renay Condon	Principal	St Benedict’s Primary School	Mango Hill
Louise Parry	Principal	St Thomas More Primary School	Sunshine Beach
Amanda Steer	Principal	St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School	Ferny Grove
Nadia Galetto	Head of College	St Bonaventure’s College	Flagstone
Jo-Anne Boyle	Principal	Holy Spirit School	Bray Park
Gabrielle Jansen	Principal	St Mary MacKillop Primary School	Birkdale
Cheryl Bell	Principal	St Flannan’s Primary School	Zillmere
Bianca Murphy	Principal	Holy Spirit School	New Farm
Liesl Profke	Principal	St Clare’s Primary School	Yarrabilba
Tracey-lee Cheesman	Principal	Our Lady of Fatima Primary School	Acacia Ridge
Veronica Wasiak	Principal	St Michael’s College	Merrimac
Gemma Lovell	Principal	Mother Teresa Primary School	Ormeau
Velma Erskine	Principal	St Joseph’s Primary School	North Ipswich
Megan Pidskalny	Head of Campus	FisherONE Online Education	—
Jasmine Brown	Head of College	Notre Dame College	Bells Creek
Melissa Fallarino	Head of Campus	Southern Cross Catholic College	Scarborough
Felicity Pryer	Principal	St Pius X School	Salisbury
Lisa Atholwood	Head of Campus	Emmaus College	Jimboomba
Sharon Collins	Principal	Siena Catholic College	Sippy Downs
Kate MacArthur	Principal	Our Lady of Assumption School	Enoggera
Helen Boyes	Principal	St Paul’s School	Woodridge

Published 6-March-2026

Redland City Plan Shake-up: What it Means for Wellington Point and Beyond

Proposed amendments to the Redland City Plan carry direct implications for Wellington Point residents — while much of the region faces reduced lot sizes and higher density targets, separate provisions apply specifically to the canal estates.

Read: Cautious Hope for Koalas in Wellington Point and Surrounding Suburbs

Public consultation on the changes is now open, with submissions closing on 29 March 2025.

What it means for Wellington Point

The proposed amendments set out distinct rules for canal estate properties that differ from changes applying elsewhere in Redland. Under the framework, separate provisions apply specifically to the canal estates, a category that includes Wellington Point alongside Raby Bay, Sovereign Waters and Aquatic Paradise, where properties would generally maintain a minimum lot size of 600 sqm with at least 15 metres of street frontage.

Duplex or dual-occupancy development in canal estate areas would face stricter requirements. That type of development would require a minimum 1,000 sqm site with at least 30 metres of frontage.

The broader picture across Redland

The proposed changes vary significantly across different parts of the city. In certain low-density residential areas outside the canal estates, minimum lot sizes could drop to 300 sqm, which is down from the 400 sqm standard that has applied across much of suburban Redland. Dual-occupancy development in those areas would be permitted where density does not exceed one dwelling per 350 sqm, or one per 300 sqm on corner lots.

In newer growth corridors including parts of Thornlands and the Kinross Road precinct, minimum density targets would increase to at least 25 dwellings per hectare.

At Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island, dual-occupancy homes would require a minimum 800 sqm site with a 20-metre frontage.

Craft breweries and camping sites

Not all of the amendments in the Redland City Plan are about housing. The changes also open the door to boutique-style craft breweries operating in selected industry zones. Rural landholders may also benefit, with eligible properties potentially able to host up to five small, self-contained camping sites under the proposed framework.

Read: Birkdale House Prices Jump Nearly 30% in a Year

Driveway bans on key roads

Separate notices that came into effect on 27 February designated four major roads as “limited-access” corridors — Beenleigh–Redland Bay Road, Birkdale Road, Capalaba–Victoria Point Road and Colburn Avenue.

The move, made by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, tightens or bans new or altered driveway access onto those state-controlled roads. Property owners or anyone planning to build along those corridors should review the implications of the limited-access declaration.

Have your say

The amendment notices were signed by Redland City chief executive officer Louise Rusan. Consultation opened on 2 March and closes on 29 March 2025.View the full amendment documents and have your say through Redland City’s Your Say portal.

Featured image credit: Google Maps/Picture Purrfect

Published 3-March-2026

Cautious Hope for Koalas in Wellington Point and Surrounding Suburbs

After years of decline, there is cautious hope for koalas across the Redlands Coast, with new research suggesting the population may finally be stabilising. An independent Koala Population Assessment commissioned by Redlands and undertaken by researchers from Griffith University indicates the local koala population has shown signs of stabilising in recent years, following significant declines in previous decades.

The findings build on earlier Redlands Coast koala monitoring and assessment work led by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), which has tracked koala population trends and habitat health across the region for many years.

Researchers caution that while the data does not show a continued sharp decline in recent years, overall numbers remain well below historical levels.

READ THE REPORT

Closer to Home in Wellington Point

Wellington Point forms part of an important habitat corridor linking Ormiston, Cleveland and surrounding bushland areas. Residents regularly report koala sightings in local reserves and suburban streets, particularly in treed pockets and near conservation areas.

The stabilisation trend suggests that local conservation measures, including habitat protection planning, wildlife monitoring and community reporting programs, may be contributing to improved outcomes.

However, experts emphasise that koalas in South East Queensland remain listed as endangered and continue to face significant threats, including habitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes, dog attacks, disease, and ongoing urban development pressures.

Protecting mature trees and maintaining habitat connectivity remain critical to long-term recovery.

Ongoing Local Habitat Conversations

The population update comes amid ongoing community discussion about habitat protection in areas near Wellington Point, including concerns raised about proposed tree clearing associated with expansion plans at Ormiston College.

Residents have argued that mature trees in mapped koala habitat areas play an important role in maintaining movement corridors between suburbs such as Ormiston and Wellington Point.

As growth continues across the Redlands Coast, the broader conversation remains focused on balancing development needs with environmental preservation.

Community Role Still Critical

Redland City Council’s conservation framework continues to encourage residents to report koala sightings, drive cautiously in signed koala areas, keep dogs secured, particularly overnight, and support local habitat conservation initiatives.

While the latest assessment offers cautious optimism, researchers stress that sustained community involvement and long-term habitat protection will be essential to ensuring koalas remain part of the Wellington Point landscape.

Published 25-Feb-2026

Featured Image Credit: xiSerge/Pixabay

Birkdale Canoe Slalom Venue Planned With Post-2032 Community Use in Mind

A proposed canoe slalom facility at Birkdale Community Precinct will provide ongoing training and recreation opportunities for Redlands Coast residents after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The venue will host Olympic canoe slalom events during the Games, but local paddlers and water sports enthusiasts should benefit from the facility for decades beyond the two-week sporting event. Redlands Coast is working to ensure the venue becomes a permanent training and recreation hub rather than a one-time competition site.

Building for Community Use First

The Birkdale site puts the facility within reach of paddlers across the bayside region, from Birkdale and Thorneside to Cleveland and beyond. While the venue needs to meet Olympic standards for 2032, the design process is prioritising how local clubs, schools and recreational users will access the water after the Games wrap up.

canoe slalom venue — Photo Credit: GIICA

Canoe slalom requires purpose-built whitewater courses with adjustable gates and flow patterns, making permanent facilities relatively rare in Australia. A venue at Redland Whitewater Centre would give Redlands Coast paddlers year-round access to competition-grade training without travelling to facilities in other states.

Legacy Planning Shapes Venue Design

The focus on post-Games legacy reflects lessons from previous Olympic host cities, where some venues struggled to find ongoing use after major events ended. Redlands Coast is addressing this challenge early by consulting with local paddling clubs, schools and community groups during the planning phase.

The venue will support development pathways for young athletes, host regional and national competitions, and offer recreational kayaking and canoeing opportunities for local residents. Planning is ongoing, with construction timelines and facility details yet to be finalised.

More information about the Brisbane 2032 venues and legacy planning is available through the Redlands Coast website and Olympic planning channels.

Published 8-February-2026.

Koala Habitat at Centre of Ormiston College Expansion Dispute

Residents have rallied in Redlands over a controversial proposal by Ormiston College to clear hundreds of trees, many within mapped koala habitat, to make way for a major campus expansion.

Read: Hundreds of Koala Trees to Go in Ormiston as College Pursues Expansion

Around 60 community members gathered outside the school’s Dundas Street frontage in Ormiston, holding placards and calling for greater environmental protections as the college progresses plans for new sporting facilities, boarding accommodation and an Olympic-style swimming pool.

The protest follows the college’s application under Queensland’s Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) pathway, a state-level planning process that allows certain developments to bypass local council approval.

Residents say the proposal would see the removal of more than 600 trees, including mature eucalypts considered vital habitat for koalas in the Redlands area, a region already under pressure from urban development.

Photo Credit: Facebook / Una Sandeman

The site falls within an area identified as priority koala habitat under state mapping. Environmental advocates argue clearing at this scale could further fragment habitat relied upon by the vulnerable species.

Community group Redlands2030 has also raised concerns about the transparency of the MID process, arguing that residents have limited avenues to challenge the proposal compared to standard council development applications.

Photo Credit: Facebook / Queensland Koala Conservation Collective

Ormiston College has defended its master plan, stating it has engaged environmental consultants and intends to undertake staged planting to offset tree removal. The school says the expansion is necessary to accommodate growing enrolments and modernise facilities for students.

A spokesperson for the college previously indicated that replacement planting and environmental management strategies would form part of the project, and that the design has evolved following community feedback.

The debate reflects broader tensions across South East Queensland, where rapid population growth continues to collide with efforts to preserve green space and native wildlife corridors.

Read: Koala Habitat Concerns Raised Over Ormiston College Expansion

Residents say they will continue lobbying the State Government to reconsider the scale of clearing proposed and to explore alternative design options that protect more existing vegetation.

Published 3-Feb-2026

Featured Image Credit: Craig Watson/Pixabay

Business Case Proposed for Rickertt Road and Tingalpa Creek Bridge

A funding agreement for a $500,000 business case study examining options for the Rickertt Road and Tingalpa Creek bridge bottleneck is expected within weeks.

Read: Wellington Point Community Mourns Loss of Year 12 Student

A Redland City spokesperson said council is reviewing Queensland’s proposal to develop a business case examining options for improving capacity along the Rickertt Road corridor, from Thorneside to Green Camp Road.

The spokesperson said that if council accepts the proposal, the business case would help council better understand the project’s complexities and scale, and would assist in determining whether future consideration or alternative funding pathways may be required.

Photo credit: Google Street View

The funding deed is anticipated in coming weeks, with work on the business case expected to progress over the next 12 months once finalised, according to the spokesperson.

Negotiations between the Transport and Main Roads Department and Redland City officers have been ongoing for several months to determine project delivery arrangements and the scope of the business case.

The road is one of three key arteries into Capalaba, all of which are experiencing increased traffic volumes. Residents have identified the bridge bottleneck as a priority issue for years.

Multi-council coordination

The project’s location on the border between Redland and Brisbane areas involves coordination between multiple government bodies. Brisbane’s local officials clarified that while Redland is leading project delivery, Brisbane will be consulted on designs due to the project’s location within its local government boundary.

Redland City Cr Peter Mitchell said transportation issues across Redlands, Brisbane, and Logan would benefit from a shared and coordinated approach.

Cr Shane Rendalls said the study would determine the cost-benefit analysis of either replacing or duplicating the existing bridge and upgrading the single-lane sections on both the southern side in Redlands and the northern side in Brisbane.

Cr Rendalls said these works will only be possible with significant State and Federal funding.

Read: Man Critically Injured After Birkdale Electric Skateboard Collision

Next steps

Member for Capalaba Russell Field described the funding as a critical first step in a project that has been long overdue. Mr Field said he has maintained regular contact with the Minister’s Office and TMR to monitor progress on the project.

The business case will examine various options for addressing capacity constraints along the corridor, though specific solutions have not yet been determined. The 12-month study is expected to examine options and their feasibility for potential upgrades.

Published 16-January-2026

Historic Radio Receiving Site Linked To Allied Wartime Operations

Located inland from Wellington Point, a World War II radio receiving station formed part of a critical communications network that supported Allied operations across the South West Pacific.

Read: Wellington Point Community Mourns Loss of Year 12 Student

World War II Radio Network Supporting Allied Communications

A World War II radio receiving station located inland from Wellington Point formed part of a critical communications network that supported Allied operations across the South West Pacific.

Constructed by the US Army between 1942 and early 1943, the facility—then known as the Capalaba Receiving Station—operated as a major radio hub, transmitting secure communications to the United States via San Francisco and linking command centres throughout the region.

Photo Credit: The Ram/Radschool Association Inc

Continuous Wartime Operations

Throughout the war, the station handled multiple teletype and radio telegraph circuits, servicing the entire South West Pacific Area during a period when long-distance communications were essential to military coordination and intelligence sharing.

Its role extended beyond routine traffic, providing redundancy within the broader communications network to ensure continuity during active operations.

Photo Credit: The Ram/Radschool Association Inc

Site Selection And Interception Capability

Radio interception required space, isolation and direction-based antenna systems capable of identifying the source of incoming transmissions. Land near Wellington Point provided the necessary separation from urban interference while offering favourable reception conditions.

The station was built on Willards Farm, later known as Cotton Farm, after the land was acquired to allow construction of a specialised receiving facility. The location supported large rhombic antenna systems designed for long-range reception.

The receiving building originally housed extensive rows of radio equipment along both sides of the structure. Documentation confirms the use of CW3-D Radio Receiver Assembly OA-59/FRC units, crystal-controlled receivers designed for fixed-frequency teletype and radio telegraph communications, operating in conjunction with matched rhombic antenna arrays.

Photo Credit: The Ram/Radschool Association Inc

Secure Voice Communications

In addition to radio traffic, the station supported the SIGSALY encryption system, one of the most advanced secure communications technologies of the war. This system enabled encrypted voice communications between Brisbane and overseas command centres and was never compromised.

Photo Credit: The Ram/Radschool Association Inc

Withdrawal And Legacy

By early 1946, preparations began for the US Army’s withdrawal. Following discussions regarding repairs and acquisition, the site was formally vacated at midnight on 30 November 1946 and transferred to the Postmaster-General’s Department.

Read: Birkdale Community Precinct to Host Redland Whitewater Centre as Design Search Opens

While most antenna arrays no longer remain, one complete rhombic antenna survives and is protected under State heritage listing. The site stands as a lasting reminder of the quiet but significant role played by the area near Wellington Point in maintaining Allied communications during World War II.

Published 6-Jan-2026

Photo Credit: The Ram/Radschool Association Inc

Birkdale Community Precinct to Host Redland Whitewater Centre as Design Search Opens

A major new sporting facility planned for the Birkdale Community Precinct has moved a step closer, with the Queensland Government launching a design search for the Redland Whitewater Centre ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Read: Thorneside Parks Lead Nation With Free Sports Gear Locker Trial

The project forms part of the wider Sport and Active Recreation Precinct and is intended to deliver a permanent whitewater venue with ongoing benefits for local communities.

The design phase invites architects and designers to put forward ideas that will help shape how the Whitewater Centre functions, looks and integrates within the Birkdale Community Precinct.

Design Search Underway

This stage will help inform the appointment of a design partner and guide future planning, with a focus on safety, accessibility and long-term use.

What It Means for the Bayside

Once built, the Redland Whitewater Centre is expected to support whitewater paddlesports training and competition, while also offering recreational opportunities for the broader community.

For Wellington Point and surrounding suburbs, the project represents a significant addition to the region’s sporting and recreation infrastructure.

Community Input Ahead

Community feedback is expected to form part of later stages of the project, with opportunities for residents to share ideas and considerations as planning progresses.

Officials say this approach will help ensure the centre works well for everyday users and fits within its precinct setting.

What Happens Next

After the design search concludes, submissions will be reviewed to guide the selection of a design team. More detailed plans and artist impressions are expected to follow as the project advances.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Read: Koala Habitat Concerns Raised Over Ormiston College Expansion

Published 30-Dec-2025

Posts pagination

Previous page Page 1 … Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Next page