Draft plans to allow apartment buildings of up to 15 storeys in Ferny Hills and Arana Hills are open for community feedback, as a new industry report warns of growing delays to apartment supply across south-east Queensland.
The City of Moreton Bay put the proposals out for public consultation in March, targeting two precincts currently dominated by single-storey detached homes. The rezoning is part of a broader response to a 2023 regional planning report that called on south-east Queensland councils to accommodate hundreds of thousands of additional residents by 2046. The consultation period has been extended and closes on 24 April 2026.
Pipeline Pressure
Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay
A report by urban consultancy firm Urbis warns that the region’s apartment supply is at risk. Beyond 2027, around 35 per cent of the pipeline is considered to carry a moderate to high risk of delay. Urbis points to two main pressures: escalating construction costs and the expected pull of subcontractors and tradespeople toward Olympic infrastructure projects ahead of Brisbane 2032.
Urbis partner Paul Riga has said apartment completions are expected to remain “well under the targets that are needed” over the next three to five years.
Those figures coincide with significant population growth in Queensland. Property analytics firm Cotality reports that Queensland absorbed more than a quarter of Australia’s total population growth between early 2020 and the end of 2025, more than any other state. New home completions in Queensland over that same period accounted for less than 20 per cent of the national total.
Local Concerns
Photo credit: City of Moreton Bay
Residents have formed a community group, Ferny Hills Futures, which has publicly stated it does not oppose greater housing density in principle. However, the group has flagged gaps in the draft documentation, including a lack of detail on master planning, design, infrastructure upgrades, and natural hazard mapping. The group cited those gaps as contributing to the mixed response from the broader community.
City of Moreton Bay councillor Matt Constance has described the rezoning process as being at the “very early stages” and identified infrastructure as a “key challenge” and “priority focus” for the council. He said a detailed infrastructure plan would be developed in consultation with the state government and utility providers once the final rezoning report is complete.
Residents can lodge feedback on the draft plans via the City of Moreton Bay website before the consultation period closes on 24 April 2026.
Arana Hills and Ferny Hills could see major changes to their suburban landscape, with new planning proposals opening the door to higher-density housing in key areas.
The City of Moreton Bay has since extended the consultation period to 4:00 p.m. on April 24, 2026, and has urged residents to refer to official project information amid reports of misinformation circulating in the community.
Growth targets driving changes across local suburbs
Council’s statement confirms the scale of change facing the region, as it works to meet targets under the Shaping SEQ 2023. The plan requires Moreton Bay to prepare for more than 300,000 additional residents and over 125,000 new homes by 2046.
Council leaders have indicated that population growth is unavoidable and must be planned carefully to avoid strain on services and the environment. Rather than expanding further into undeveloped land, the approach focuses on increasing housing in already built-up areas.
This means directing future development into well-connected parts of Arana Hills and Ferny Hills, particularly near public transport, shopping centres and existing community services.
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay
Higher-density pockets proposed near transport and centres
The draft plans outline potential zoning and building height changes aimed at supporting more housing in selected areas. Council representatives have indicated that higher-density development would be concentrated in pockets, including around the Ferny Grove train station and the Arana Hills commercial centre.
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay
While the official release does not specify exact building heights, it confirms that changes are being considered to allow more diverse housing types. These may include apartments, retirement living and specialist accommodation, giving residents a broader range of housing options within their own communities.
Housing supply concerns raised alongside development plans
The planning push comes amid wider concerns about whether enough new homes can be delivered across South East Queensland. Industry analysis has suggested that a large share of the apartment pipeline could face delays in the coming years due to rising construction costs and labour shortages.
There are also expectations that major infrastructure projects linked to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games may draw workers away from residential construction, placing further pressure on housing delivery timelines.
At the same time, population growth in Queensland has outpaced new home construction in recent years, adding to the urgency around planning for future supply.
Community response highlights need for clearer detail
Locally, the proposals have prompted mixed reactions. Concerns raised include the need for clearer planning around infrastructure, design standards, and how natural risks and environmental impacts will be addressed.
Council representatives have acknowledged that infrastructure planning remains a key challenge and have indicated that more detailed work will follow after the current consultation phase. They encourage residents to review official materials, including draft Future Direction Reports and frequently asked questions, to better understand what is being proposed.
Officials have also stressed that the plans are still at an early stage and that community feedback will play an important role in shaping the final outcome.
It is a little-known fact that the most decorated war dog in Australian history is commemorated in Warner with a dedicated park and statue following her miraculous survival in Afghanistan.
Sarbi was not an ordinary pet but a highly trained member of the Australian special forces. Born in late 2002, the Labrador-Newfoundland cross was a specialist in detecting explosives. Before she ever stepped foot on a battlefield, she helped protect the public during the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Her skills were eventually required in the Middle East as part of Operation Slipper, where her main job was to sniff out improvised explosive devices to keep her human teammates safe. Those who worked with her described her as a gritty and determined worker who saved many lives during her time in uniform.
The Long Road Home
The most famous chapter of Sarbi’s life began during her second tour of duty in 2008. During a heavy ambush in the Khaz Oruzgan region, a rocket exploded near her, and a gunshot severed the clip on her lead. In the chaos of the battle, she disappeared.
For three weeks, soldiers searched for her, but she was eventually declared missing in action. For thirteen months, the fate of the dog remained a mystery until an American soldier spotted her with a local man in a different province. After seeing that she responded to military voice commands, the soldier helped reunite her with the Australian Army. Her return was seen as a massive boost for the soldiers who had never given up hope of finding her.
After her long ordeal, Sarbi was eventually brought back to Australia to live a quiet life with her original handler. Her service was recognised with several major awards, including the RSPCA Purple Cross, which is given to animals that show incredible bravery. She was also given the War Dog Medal and the Canine Service Medal. Although she passed away from a brain tumour in early 2015, her presence is still felt in the northern Brisbane area.
Local families now gather at the park on Brownell Street to enjoy the playground and walking paths, all while passing the statue that stands in her memory. Her story has also helped inspire the creation of Australia War Animal Day, held on the 24th of February, where people wear purple poppies to remember the contribution of animals in conflict.
The story of the brave dog ended peacefully in retirement, but her physical legacy remains accessible to the public. Beyond the green spaces of the Warner park, her preserved remains were eventually donated to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
This ensures that future generations can learn about the bond between soldiers and their animals. Today, the park in Warner stands as a place for the community to come together, reflecting a story of survival and the strong connection between a dog and her country.
Dr Corinne Lendon is preparing to travel to Papua New Guinea as part of the first Vets Beyond Borders mission to the country, contributing to a volunteer effort delivering veterinary care and community education in areas with limited access to animal health services.
Dr Lendon is among a group of Australian veterinary professionals selected for the inaugural deployment to Papua New Guinea. The mission marks an expansion of Vets Beyond Borders’ work across the Asia–Pacific, focusing on communities where veterinary services are not readily available.
Dr Lendon has spent decades working in communities across Africa, Asia and Australia, often in environments where access to veterinary care is limited. Her work centres on animal welfare and conservation, with a focus on applying practical skills in resource-constrained settings.
The Ferny Grove veterinarian will be joined by a team of veterinarians and veterinary nurses travelling to Papua New Guinea for the two-week deployment. The group includes veterinarians Dr Helen Todd from Dee Why, Dr Helen Purdam from Canberra, and veterinary nurses Helen Spry from Inverell, Nikki Hohmuth from Canberra, and Ruby Swanston from Erina.
Together, the team will work in collaboration with the RSPCA of Papua New Guinea, supporting local veterinary services and contributing to animal welfare initiatives through treatment and community education.
Dr Lendon’s participation forms part of a broader team of veterinarians and veterinary nurses assembled for the mission. The deployment sits within a wider effort to extend veterinary services into underserved areas, supported by programs that enable volunteer placements across the region.
The organisation behind the mission operates across the Asia–Pacific, delivering veterinary support, training and community education. Its work focuses on improving animal welfare through collaboration with local partners and practical, on-the-ground assistance.
Extending Reach Into Underserved Communities
The Ferny Grove-based deployment represents a new stage in regional outreach, with Papua New Guinea identified as an area where veterinary access remains limited. The mission contributes to ongoing efforts to deliver essential services while supporting community education and local veterinary capacity.
Albany Creek is part of the wider Moreton Bay conversation after a new high-tech parking patrol vehicle began operating in regulated zones to detect overstays and illegal parking.
Albany Creek Attention Turns to Smarter Parking Checks
The new patrol vehicle is fitted with number plate recognition technology, GPS and high-resolution cameras, allowing it to monitor regulated parking areas more efficiently. When a vehicle is detected as having overstayed or parked illegally, the system captures time-stamped images and location data. That material is then reviewed by officers before any infringement notice is issued by post.
The vehicle is operating in regulated areas including North Lakes, Redcliffe, Caboolture, Strathpine and Petrie, while foot patrols continue as part of the broader monitoring approach.
The rollout has been presented as a response to increasing parking demand across Moreton Bay, with the aim of improving access to available spaces and keeping turnover moving in busy centres. The broader parking framework focuses on safety, accessibility and fairness for road users, particularly in town centres, school zones and growing residential areas.
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay
Drivers are expected to follow local signs and parking rules, including requirements around clear road space, intersections, driveways, footpaths and roadside areas. The stated intent is to reduce congestion, support access and keep traffic moving through areas where demand is highest.
Mixed Views as Albany Creek Follows the Debate
Public reaction has been divided. Some residents have backed stronger enforcement, arguing that better compliance could improve safety and reduce obstruction in busy locations, including areas near schools. Others have questioned whether faster and more efficient monitoring addresses the underlying shortage of parking spaces, with concerns raised about whether the system will feel more punitive than practical.
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay
Some comments also raised concern about how the technology may affect people already under pressure, while others argued that motorists who park lawfully have little to fear.
For Albany Creek, it is less about a single street and more about a wider regional shift in how parking rules are being enforced. The introduction of the vehicle marks a move towards technology-led monitoring across Moreton Bay, with existing regulated areas now subject to a more automated form of oversight while still relying on officer review before penalties are issued.
Thousands of local lap swimmers and families in Albany Creek are bracing for a massive logistical reshuffle as the officials initiate a top-to-bottom refurbishment of their highly trafficked aquatic centre.
Work on the extensive upgrade is scheduled to begin on 5 May 2026, marking a significant investment in the longevity and safety of the popular community hub. The renovation project will require the total closure of the indoor program pool for approximately seven weeks, while work on the outdoor 50-metre pool will extend until mid-August.
During this time, construction crews will strip away the existing pool shell finishes, repaint the surfaces, and completely replace all underwater tiles, including the specific finger grip tiles located at both ends of the 50-metre pool. Further structural updates include the installation of compliant depth and warning tiles, new wet-deck grates, and the replacement of backstroke anchors, posts, and stair handrails.
The moveable bulkhead will also undergo a complete refurbishment, alongside improvements to the surrounding concourse and pool furniture. Council representatives stated that these improvements are part of an ongoing effort to maintain and modernise crucial community infrastructure, ensuring high-quality facilities for the long term.
Rather than leaving members high and dry during the months-long closure, facility management has arranged a comprehensive relocation strategy to keep the community active. Swim-only members and visit pass holders are being offered seamless access to both the Ferny Hills Pool and the Lawnton Aquatic Centre at no additional cost.
Those who prefer to stay dry also have the option to temporarily convert their swimming passes into gym memberships for the duration of the construction, while others can choose to simply suspend their accounts until the upgrades are complete. Management staff noted their commitment to clear communication and a smooth transition throughout the renovation period, acknowledging the disruption while focusing on the long-term benefits for the area.
The reshuffle requires significant coordination for local sporting groups, particularly the competitive swimming squads. To maintain consistency in their training schedules, Junior, Intermediate, State, and National squads are being temporarily relocated across the Ferny Hills and Lawnton facilities. These relocations are carefully split between morning and afternoon sessions to accommodate the large influx of athletes. For casual fitness enthusiasts, morning SwimFit sessions will be integrated into existing groups at Ferny Hills, though evening sessions are temporarily paused.
Meanwhile, facility leaders are actively finalising alternative arrangements for GOswim lessons and aqua aerobics classes. These plans include potentially hosting classes at partner pools and introducing gentle, land-based fitness sessions directly at the Albany Creek location, ensuring that all age groups and fitness levels remain engaged while their primary pool receives its much-needed facelift.
A major transformation is planned for James Drysdale Reserve, with the City of Moreton Bay moving to turn the Bunya site into a large-scale sports and recreation hub designed to meet the needs of a fast-growing community.
The plan outlines staged upgrades across the 29-hectare reserve in response to rising demand for quality sporting and community spaces.
Growing demand drives long-term vision
Moreton Bay has been working on the revised master plan for several years, following earlier planning in 2015 that no longer matched current conditions. Changes in waste management operations meant the reserve could not expand into nearby land as originally expected, prompting Council to rethink how the existing space could be used more efficiently.
At the same time, population growth across the Hills District and Albany Creek areas has increased pressure on local sporting facilities. Council identified the need to plan ahead to support both current users and future residents.
Community input shapes the design
Consultation played a central role in shaping the revised plan. In 2023, Council engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including sporting clubs, user groups and nearby organisations.
This process involved surveys, workshops and meetings aimed at understanding how the reserve is currently used and what improvements are needed. Feedback highlighted gaps in facilities, concerns about future changes, and a shared interest in creating a more functional and inclusive space.
The master plan includes a wide range of proposed upgrades designed to support multiple sports and community activities. These include new courts, upgraded playing fields, shared clubhouses and improved open spaces.
Plans also feature a multi-level car park with additional courts, athletics facilities, expanded baseball areas, and outdoor fitness and play zones. Spaces for events and spectator seating are also included to support larger gatherings and competitions.
These additions aim to create a more flexible and accessible precinct that caters to different age groups and interests, while supporting local clubs that have used the reserve for many years.
Part of a broader community network
The project is not being planned in isolation. Council has indicated the reserve will work alongside nearby sites such as Leslie Patrick Park and other future community locations to form a connected network of recreational spaces.
While the master plan has now been adopted, development will take place in stages over time, depending on funding and priorities. Council has already allocated some budget for early improvements, with further works expected in the coming years.
The long-term goal is to ensure James Drysdale Reserve continues to serve as a central gathering place for sport, recreation and community life as the area grows.
Australia’s largest distributor of printable materials has opened a purpose-built Experience Hub at its Brendale site on French Avenue, giving print, sign, packaging and textile businesses across the Albany Creek and Brendale corridor hands-on access to the country’s most comprehensive range of production technologies under one roof.
Ball and Doggett launched the Experience Hub at an exclusive industry event on 18 March 2026, drawing more than 50 guests from the print, sign and graphics, packaging and textile sectors for an afternoon of live demonstrations, industry networking and technology exploration.
Designed to provide customers with a hands-on opportunity to explore, test and compare a wide range of print and finishing technologies, the Experience Hub represents Ball and Doggett’s commitment to innovation and customer support in the evolving sign, display and packaging markets.
The Brendale site on French Avenue sits squarely in the industrial heart of Brisbane’s northern growth corridor, a short drive from Albany Creek and surrounded by the manufacturing and trade businesses that line the Strathpine Road and South Pine Road precincts.
For the print and signage businesses operating throughout this part of Brisbane’s north, the Experience Hub removes a significant barrier: the need to travel interstate, attend a trade expo or rely on a sales brochure to evaluate high-value production equipment before committing to a purchase.
What the Experience Hub Offers
The Experience Hub currently carries a diverse line-up of equipment available for demonstrations, from wide-format printers and finishing equipment to CNC routers, lasers, DTF printers and heat presses. It also holds a selection of consumables and substrates, allowing visitors to experience full workflow demonstrations from print through to finishing.
The launch event showcased live demonstrations across wide-format printing, finishing, cutting, laser technology, CNC routing and garment decoration, with technologies on display from Roland DG, Mimaki, HP, Kongsberg, Kornit Digital, IECHO, Eclipse DTF and Impact CNC, alongside finishing and specialty production equipment.
The mezzanine level of the hub displays wide-format machines, and the space is configured as a working production environment rather than a showroom, meaning visitors see equipment running real jobs rather than standing idle behind glass.
Photo Credit: Ball and Doggett/Instagram
Rob Brussolo, Ball and Doggett’s general manager for Sign, Display and Digital, described the hub as a space where production challenges can be discussed openly and ideas can be tested in a live environment.
The hub’s design philosophy centres on bringing together technology partners, equipment specialists and customers in one place so they can work through problems together and explore possibilities beyond traditional markets, including diversification into new and emerging product categories.
A Company Built on Australian Print Industry Foundations
Ball and Doggett is Australia’s largest distributor of printable materials and consumables, and is part of the OVOL Japan Pulp and Paper Group. The company’s principal activities focus on the sale and distribution of paper products, printing inks, digital finishing equipment and wide-format equipment, and the supply of publication-grade papers to the web offset printing industry. Its Queensland operation is based at 7-9 French Avenue, Brendale, and services print and sign businesses across the state.
In addition to the equipment demonstrations, the Experience Hub carries a selection of consumables and substrates, and Ball and Doggett will continue adding equipment ahead of further programme milestones.
The hub will operate as an ongoing resource for the industry, hosting regular demonstrations, training sessions and industry events, with customers able to book visits to see specific equipment in action or work through a production challenge with the team’s equipment specialists.
Opportunities for TAFE and Vocational Training
Brendale’s French Avenue precinct serves as one of Brisbane’s key industrial hubs, housing trade suppliers, manufacturers and service businesses that underpin much of the northern suburbs’ commercial activity. The arrival of a dedicated equipment experience centre of this scale is a significant addition to that ecosystem, particularly for the small and medium print and sign businesses that make up the bulk of Ball and Doggett’s Queensland customer base.
For business owners across Albany Creek, Strathpine, Petrie and the broader Moreton Bay corridor, the Experience Hub closes a gap that has long pushed decision-making about major equipment purchases onto the floor of interstate trade expos or into the hands of catalogue-based sales calls. Being able to drive to Brendale, run a job on a machine, test a substrate and speak to a specialist on the spot changes the quality of those decisions, and ultimately the quality of the work those businesses can offer their own customers.
The hub also opens a practical pathway for TAFE and vocational training providers in the region. Representatives from TAFE Coomera attended the March launch event, signalling early interest in how the facility could support hands-on skills training for the next generation of print and sign technicians in Queensland.
Visiting the Experience Hub
The Ball and Doggett Experience Hub is located at 7-9 French Avenue, Brendale. Customers and industry partners can book a demonstration visit or enquire about upcoming events and training sessions by contacting their local Ball and Doggett representative or visiting ballanddoggett.com.au/the-experience-hub. General phone enquiries for the Queensland site can be directed to (07) 3490 5800.
Families across Albany Creek, Murrumba Downs, and Eatons Hill are gaining access to a massive range of professional-grade sports coaching and wilderness exploration programs for the cost of a single cup of coffee.
The City of Moreton Bay is preparing to launch a series of outdoor experiences to help young people move away from digital devices and back into the natural environment. Residents in the northern suburbs can choose from high-energy activities like hip hop dancing and stand-up paddle boarding, or more traditional skills such as fishing and camping.
These sessions are scheduled to take place during the upcoming Easter school holiday break. To ensure these opportunities remain accessible for every household, the council has capped the price of all activities at a maximum of five dollars, with many offered entirely for free.
Exploring the Northern Trail Network
Photo Credit: Supplied
Beyond organised classes, the region offers an extensive network of trails that allow for self-guided exploration through local bushland. Residents in Eatons Hill can utilise the Kumbartcho recreation trails, while those in Murrumba Downs have easy access to the John Oxley Reserve.
For those willing to travel slightly further toward the valley or the coast, the rail trails at Samford and Caboolture provide long-distance paths for walking. More rugged options are also available at the Brian Burke Reserve and the Godwin Beach Reserve for those seeking a quiet escape into nature.
Adrenaline and Youth Fitness
Photo Credit: Supplied
Teenagers looking for more intense physical challenges can head to Burpengary to test the new Lagoon Road Mountain Bike trails. This specific facility features technical elements like wooden berms, dirt jumps, and tabletops designed for various skill levels. Alongside the bike tracks, a dedicated fitness program coincides with Queensland Youth Week.
This includes specialised sessions such as strength and conditioning, HIIT workouts, and a specific program for teenage girls in Deception Bay. Local leaders suggest that these trails and classes offer a healthy way for the younger generation to stay active and build connections within their own community.
While the council encourages everyone to enjoy the diverse treks and parks, they also remind visitors to follow basic safety protocols. This includes carrying enough drinking water and staying on the marked paths to protect the local environment. Sharing the tracks with other walkers and riders is also a priority to make sure the holidays remain safe for all participants. Information regarding these activities will be available for booking starting on 26 March.
A key step has been reached in a long-awaited road safety project, with expressions of interest now open for the duplication of the Linkfield Road overpass across Gympie Road, near Brendale.
The overpass will be widened to four lanes and rebuilt with a six-metre height clearance, up from the existing 4.7 metres. The change targets a known safety problem that has caused repeated disruptions along one of northern Brisbane’s most heavily used arterial roads.
Photo credit: TMR
Funded jointly to the tune of $176 million, with $125.5 million from federal and $50.5 million from the state, the project represents one of the most significant road investments in the region in recent years.
Expressions of interest for the overpass duplication have been combined with those for the nearby Beams Road and Gympie Road intersection upgrade into a single procurement process. Authorities say the combined approach will improve coordination, provide greater certainty for industry, and keep traffic moving throughout construction.
Photo credit: TMR
Bridge strikes have been a recurring problem at the Linkfield Road overpass, with trucks clipping the structure on multiple occasions in recent years and causing delays while safety inspections were carried out.
Lifting the clearance to six metres is expected to substantially reduce that risk. Transport authorities have described the location as a major arterial road, and the upgrade is expected to benefit both everyday commuters and freight operators moving goods through the broader South East Queensland network.
The EOI process is a standard early stage in procurement, allowing suitably qualified contractors to register their interest before a formal tender is issued. No construction start date has been confirmed.
Further updates are expected as the process moves forward, and project information is available through the Transport and Main Roads website.
