Strathpine Archives - Albany Creek News

Local creativity takes centre stage at Pine Rivers Art Gallery

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay Galleries and Museums

Albany Creek and Strathpine locals don’t have to travel far to see some of the region’s best emerging and established artistic talent, with the Moreton Bay Art Prize 2026 now on show at Pine Rivers Art Gallery.

The annual exhibition brings together 36 shortlisted artists from across the City of Moreton Bay, offering a snapshot of the people, places and stories shaping the region’s creative community.

This year’s first prize has been awarded to Elimbah-based artist Rachel South for Sun-Kissed Chestnut (2025), a richly detailed painting that turns something as familiar as hair into a striking and almost landscape-like work.

A closer look at the everyday

South’s painting is part of an ongoing series exploring hair as both a personal detail and a broader visual landscape. In Sun-Kissed Chestnut, warm copper and chestnut tones are used to capture strands of hair in close detail, creating a work that feels both intimate and expansive.

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay Galleries and Museums

Judge Dr Simon Degroot praised the painting for the way it transforms an everyday subject into something monumental. He noted South’s technical skill in capturing light, texture and movement, and said the work encourages viewers to slow down and look more closely.

South’s wider practice explores connections between nature, the body and emotion, drawing inspiration from the natural environments of the Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast regions.

Stories that feel close to home

While the winning work is a highlight, the broader exhibition offers plenty for local visitors to connect with.

Second prize was awarded to Lucie Verhelst for The Dance of Compassion (2026), a textile work that invites people to think about empathy, vulnerability and the quiet strength found in human connection.

Third prize went to Redcliffe artist Blair Garland for Greetings from Redcliffe (2025), a handmade album featuring 19 painted portraits of local homes. The work reflects on the changing face of suburban neighbourhoods and the distinctive houses that can disappear as areas grow and redevelop. For residents in Albany Creek, Strathpine and nearby suburbs, that theme may feel especially familiar.

Highly commended works included Belinda Krumm’s Garland of Beads (2025), a large-scale ceramic installation shaped by 108 community wishes for the future; Shan Michaels’ Narratives We Wear (2026), a textile work exploring identity, connection and belonging; and Mel Brady’s Grasp the sparrow’s tail (2026), a personal reflection on grief, family and memory.

A local outing worth making

Mayor Peter Flannery said the Art Prize highlights the depth of creative talent across Moreton Bay and shows how arts and culture help build connected, vibrant communities.

For Albany Creek and Strathpine residents, the exhibition is a simple way to support local artists and enjoy a cultural outing close to home. Visitors can also have their say by voting in the People’s Choice Award before Saturday 18 July.

The Moreton Bay Art Prize 2026 exhibition is on display at Pine Rivers Art Gallery, 130-134 Gympie Rd, Strathpine QLD 4500, Australia.

Published – 17 July 2026

Breakthru Opens Strathpine Employment Hub to Support People with Disability into Work

Breakthru has opened a new employment centre in Strathpine, expanding disability employment services in Brisbane’s northern suburbs and helping more people access tailored support to find meaningful work.

Read: Strathpine Welcomes Revival of Iconic Country Club Hotel

The new Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) office at Shop 9, 454 Gympie Road is part of a rollout of 30 employment centres across Queensland and New South Wales by Breakthru, which is part of the Royal Rehab Group.

The Strathpine office is expected to support more than 320 people with disability by providing practical, tailored assistance to help participants find meaningful employment aligned with their skills, interests and long-term goals.

The expansion comes as Australians with disability continue to face significant barriers to employment. According to figures cited by Breakthru, people with disability are about twice as likely to be unemployed as those without disability, while workforce participation sits at 53.4 per cent compared with 84 per cent for people without disability.

The Inclusive Employment Australia model provides flexible, person-centred support tailored to each participant’s skills, interests and goals, recognising that every person’s employment journey is different.

Supporting long-term career goals

Photo credit: Google Maps/Breakthru Strathpine

Among the first participants connected with the Strathpine service is local resident Elijah Tullberg, who lives with autism and joined Breakthru several months before the office officially opened.

With support from the organisation, he has secured work as a shopping centre security guard, obtained the licences needed for the role and is working towards his long-term goal of joining the police force.

Mr Tullberg said having a job had enabled him to support his young family while working towards a comfortable future. He also encouraged other people living with disability to recognise their abilities and pursue their ambitions, saying the support he received had helped him overcome challenges on his employment journey.

His experience reflects the program’s focus on helping participants pursue meaningful, long-term employment.

Building more inclusive workplaces

Royal Rehab Group Chief Executive Officer Matthew Mackay said the expansion represented an important step in delivering person-centred disability employment services that align with each participant’s skills, interests and goals.

He said meaningful employment can foster independence, valuable skills and a stronger sense of purpose. He also said the expanded network would enable Breakthru to work with more employers to help build stronger, more inclusive communities across Queensland and New South Wales.

The Strathpine office officially opened on 18 June at a launch attended by Federal Member for Dickson Ali France.

Read: University Study Hub Launches in Strathpine

Breakthru provides disability and employment services across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria through a person-centred model that tailors support to each individual’s circumstances and career aspirations. The organisation is part of the Royal Rehab Group, a not-for-profit provider of rehabilitation, disability and community allied health services with a history spanning more than 125 years.

The new Strathpine employment hub provides another nearby option for people with disability in Brisbane’s northern suburbs seeking support to find meaningful employment and work towards their long-term career goals.

Published 2-July-2026

Strathpine’s Dr Terry Named Australian Young Dentist of the Year at National Awards

Dr Yi Pu, locally known as Dr Terry, has won Australian Young Dentist of the Year at the 2025 Australian Dentistry Awards, strengthening his reputation as one of the country’s rising leaders in oral health. The founder of Platypus Dental in Strathpine, he is a familiar face to thousands of patients across Brisbane’s north, with his practice also named a national finalist for New Practice of the Year at the same ceremony.

The awards were presented at a gala ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall on 9 December 2025, drawing nominees and finalists from across the country in the inaugural year of the Australian Dentistry Awards. For the Strathpine community, the national recognition confirms what many patients have known for some time: the practice at 5/32 Dixon Street is doing something measurably different from the dental industry around it, and the profession has now taken formal notice.

A Deliberate Departure from the Corporate Path

Dr Terry graduated from the University of Queensland in 2015 and launched Platypus Dental in Strathpine, building it from scratch at a time when the received wisdom in dental education was that independent practice ownership was a diminishing proposition. The rapid corporatisation of the Australian dental industry across the 2010s had concentrated market share in large group practices, and many graduates were advised to seek employment within those structures rather than invest in building something of their own.

Dr Terry chose a different path. He built Platypus Dental around a model centred on transparency, longer consultations, ethical procurement and team culture, believing that patients who encounter that approach become the most reliable source of growth any practice can have. The practice has grown from zero to more than 2,000 patients and runs consistently fully booked weeks in advance, a result that reflects sustained community trust rather than marketing spend.

That philosophy extends to how Dr Terry approaches the economics of running a practice. When health professional support staff wage increases came into effect in January 2026 under the Health and Allied Services award, Platypus Dental responded by absorbing the additional cost rather than passing it on to patients, committing to hold treatment fees steady until at least June 2027. Dr Terry reduced his own income to make the commitment workable, describing it as a straightforward expression of where Platypus Dental places its priorities.

What the Award Recognises

The Australian Young Dentist of the Year award, presented by Australasian Dentist magazine, recognises practitioners who combine clinical excellence with a broader positive impact on their profession and community. The New Practice of the Year finalist recognition sits alongside it as an acknowledgement that Platypus Dental has not simply delivered strong individual outcomes but built an organisation that operates with genuine coherence between its stated values and its daily practice.

Platypus Dental holds accreditation from the Quality Innovation Performance framework, carries membership of the Australian Society of Implant Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and operates as a Guided Biofilm Therapy certified clinic. It uses Australian-made dental materials wherever possible and supports local suppliers. Dr Terry is currently completing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Melbourne alongside his clinical work, deepening his leadership capability as the practice grows.

Platypus Dental, founded by Dr Terry — *Photo Credit: Google Maps*

For Dr Terry, the recognition matters because of what it signals about the model itself: that a purpose-driven, independently owned practice built on transparency and ethical care can compete at a national level against well-resourced competitors, and that the communities that support that kind of practice are making the right call.

Serving Brisbane’s North

Platypus Dental serves patients from Strathpine, Albany Creek, Petrie, Brendale, Lawnton, Warner and across Brisbane’s northern corridor. The practice offers general dentistry, dental implants, All-on-X full mouth reconstruction, clear aligners, wisdom tooth extraction, Airflow dental spa treatments, teeth whitening and sedation. It accepts all health funds and holds preferred provider status with a number of major funds.

Bookings can be made at platypusdental.com.au or by calling (07) 3881 2887. The practice operates Monday to Friday with extended hours and is located at 5/32 Dixon Street, Strathpine.

Published 1-March-2026.

New Artist Impressions Outline Country Club Hotel Project In Strathpine

Photo Credit: Comiskey Group

New artist impressions have been released for the Country Club Hotel project in Strathpine, providing a clearer look at a large hospitality and entertainment venue currently under construction on Gympie Road.

Project Overview

The Country Club Hotel is being built at 90 Gympie Road, Strathpine, opposite Pine Rivers Park. The development has been described as a $50 million project and is expected to open in early 2026, with other material indicating a broader 2026 opening timeframe.

The project is being delivered by the Comiskey Group and is designed as a multi-use venue combining hospitality, recreation and live entertainment.

Strathpine Country Club Hotel — Photo Credit: Comiskey Group

Planned Facilities

Plans released for the Strathpine site show a wide range of indoor sporting and leisure facilities. These include an arcade, eight bowling lanes, pickleball courts, virtual baseball simulators, karaoke rooms and half-sized basketball courts.

The venue is also planned to include several dining areas and bars, along with both indoor and outdoor seating spaces. Large-screen viewing areas are incorporated into the design, allowing for live sport and event broadcasts within the venue.

entertainment venu — Photo Credit: Comiskey Group

Live Music And Outdoor Spaces

An outdoor beer garden forms part of the plans and includes a stage intended for regular live music performances. The venue has been promoted as providing opportunities for local musicians to perform as part of its entertainment offering.

Adjacent Uses On The Site

The Country Club Hotel will sit alongside additional facilities within the same precinct. Plans include a Guzman y Gomez outlet and food precinct, as well as a 6,000 square metre Area 51 indoor play centre.

Material released for the project describes the Area 51 facility as an indoor recreation space designed for families and groups, featuring a range of activities typically associated with large-scale play centres.

hospitality development — Photo Credit: Comiskey Group

Historical Context

The new venue takes its name from the former Country Club Hotel, a long-running Strathpine pub that operated from the late 1950s through to the early 2000s. The earlier hotel was also used as a wedding venue during its years of operation.

An archival photograph of the former Country Club Hotel on Gympie Road, dated to around 1970, is held within a local library collection, reflecting the site’s place in Strathpine’s hospitality history.

What Comes Next

Construction at the Gympie Road site is ongoing. Once completed, the Country Club Hotel is expected to add a new mix of dining, sport, recreation and live entertainment options to Strathpine, contributing to the area’s evolving hospitality landscape.

Published 27-Jan-2026

Strathpine Level Crossing Named Queensland’s Worst for Morning Congestion

Photo Credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads

For almost two hours every weekday morning, traffic on South Pine Road grinds to a halt as boom gates near Strathpine Station stay down to let trains pass, making it the most congested level crossing in south-east Queensland.

Growing Delays in a Growing Community

From 5 am to 10 am, motorists face closures totalling an average of one hour and 50 minutes, according to new Queensland Rail data released in mid-October 2025. The figures show Strathpine has the longest morning downtime of any Brisbane crossing, prompting renewed calls from transport experts and advocacy groups for upgrades to ease congestion.

*Photo Credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads*

Strathpine’s crossing sits at a critical junction where commuters from northern suburbs merge onto South Pine Road to reach Gympie Road or the Bruce Highway. Each train movement halts traffic in both directions, backing up vehicles past shops, schools and bus routes.

Transport experts say the cause is a mix of factors: more passenger trains, added freight services and higher dwell times at nearby stations. Queensland Rail confirmed that 111 weekly services have been added to the timetable over the past year, meaning more frequent gate closures. With new projects like Cross River Rail expected to increase services further, residents fear the wait times could grow even longer.

Plans and Promises

The state government has identified 13 priority level crossings for removal or upgrade across the south-east rail network. Strathpine’s crossing has been highlighted by advocates as needing priority attention, though it is not yet confirmed in the current removal list.

At other locations, such as Beams Road in Carseldine, replacement works are already under way with a new four-lane overpass funded by a $235 million partnership between federal, state and local governments. Similar upgrades are planned along the Logan and Gold Coast lines. Advocacy groups argue that crossings with the longest downtimes, such as Strathpine, should be next in line, given its impact on both local businesses and commuter safety.

Experts Call for Faster Action

Griffith University transport researcher Matthew Burke said when boom gates are closed for more than a third of the peak hour, congestion becomes a serious problem. He noted that if rail frequency continues to rise without parallel upgrades, some crossings could see nearly an hour of closures within a single hour of traffic.

The RACQ echoed those concerns, saying long closures at Strathpine and other sites increase risks for frustrated drivers and pedestrians. The motoring body continues to support grade-separated solutions, such as overpasses or underpasses, as the safest and most efficient long-term fix.

What It Means for Locals

For Strathpine residents, the long delays are now a familiar part of the morning routine. Extended closures cause longer travel times for motorists and buses using South Pine Road. With the region’s population and train network both expanding, the crossing’s limitations are being felt more sharply than ever.

Advocacy groups have urged the government to set clear timelines for future crossing upgrades across the region. Until then, the sound of warning bells and the sight of flashing red lights will remain a familiar frustration for thousands each morning.

Published 20-October-2025

Strathpine Welcomes Revival of Iconic Country Club Hotel

Earthworks are set to ramp up next week on a major new hospitality and entertainment venue in Strathpine, with the Comiskey Group progressing construction of its $50 million Country Club Hotel.

Read: University Study Hub Launches in Strathpine

Situated on a five-hectare site along Gympie Road—directly opposite Pine Rivers Park—the development is expected to open next year and will serve as both a hotel and indoor recreation hub. The large-scale project is being constructed just 500 metres from the site of the original Country Club Hotel, which once stood as a popular local landmark before being demolished in the early 2000s.

First established in the late 1950s, the original Country Club Hotel earned a strong local following as a popular pub and a well-known spot for weddings.

“My first job back in the day was at the old Country Club, working at the liquor barn! The original Country Club Hotel was demolished about 15 to 20 years ago, but it stood for around 20 to 25 years before that. Anyone from the area would know of it. We wanted to honour one of Strathpine’s most beloved past locals, which is why we’ve named the new venue The Country Club Hotel. It really is a full circle moment for me; from stocking shelves at the old Country Club to owning the hotel that commemorates it.”
-Comiskey Director David Comiskey

Site preparation has already begun, with significant earthmoving planned in the coming weeks. The scope of the project includes extensive groundworks to support infrastructure on what is understood to be a flood-prone area. Around 1000 concrete piers will be installed to hold up a suspended car park above the flood line, a task expected to take several months with the help of two specialised piling rigs.

Once completed, the new Country Club Hotel will offer a broad range of attractions, blending traditional pub amenities with family-friendly and active lifestyle features. Plans include indoor and outdoor dining areas, bars, live music spaces, a gaming room, a beer garden, and an arcade.

In addition, the venue will house modern leisure facilities such as an eight-lane bowling alley, two pickleball courts, two virtual baseball simulators, four karaoke rooms, and a pair of half-sized basketball courts.

Food lovers can also look forward to a steakhouse and an American-style barbecue pit, further enhancing the venue’s appeal as a casual dining and social destination.

Read: New Free Walk-In Mental Health Centre Coming to Strathpine

The Comiskey Group, a family-run business with a track record of entertainment and hospitality projects, has positioned this development as a tribute to Strathpine’s history. Naming the venue after the original hotel, the developers hope to reignite a sense of community nostalgia while delivering a fresh entertainment precinct for locals and visitors alike.

Published 15-July-2025

Vacant Strathpine Home Destroyed in Suspicious Early-Morning Blaze

A vacant house on Rosewood Drive, Strathpine was completely destroyed in a blaze that authorities are treating as suspicious, following an emergency response in the early hours of Monday morning.

Queensland Fire Department crews were dispatched to the scene at approximately 2.15am after reports of the blaze. Two fire crews worked swiftly to contain the flames, successfully extinguishing the fire within 30 minutes of their arrival at 2.45am.

The property, which was reportedly listed for sale at the time of the incident, sustained complete destruction from the fire. No injuries were reported as the house was unoccupied.

Queensland Police have established a crime scene at the location and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire. The suspicious nature of the blaze has prompted authorities to examine all potential causes and circumstances.

The incident adds to ongoing concerns about property security in the area, particularly for vacant homes. Local residents may notice increased police activity in the vicinity as investigators continue their work.

Emergency services responded efficiently to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties, minimising the potential impact on the broader Strathpine community.

Police are continuing their investigation and anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information through the online reporting system at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The investigation remains ongoing, with police examining all available evidence to determine how the fire started.

Published 8-July-2025

University Study Hub Launches in Strathpine

Photo Credit: Google Maps

A new University Study Hub has opened in Strathpine, providing local students with dedicated learning facilities and support services closer to home.

Suburban Education Access Expands in Strathpine

Strathpine is now home to Queensland’s first Suburban University Study Hub, part of a national initiative designed to increase tertiary education access for students in outer metropolitan areas.

Located on Gympie Road, the hub supports students enrolled in university or TAFE by offering a study environment within their local community. The project is one of 15 new hubs opening in 2025 across 17 outer metro locations.

Addressing the Participation Gap

National data shows that while nearly half of Australians aged in their 20s and 30s hold a university degree, outer suburbs like Strathpine have significantly lower participation—around 15 per cent. The new hub aims to help bridge this gap by removing practical barriers to study.

The hub provides workstations, quiet rooms, meeting areas with video conferencing, high-speed internet, and academic support services including tutoring and mentoring. Staffed access is available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, with extended unstaffed access from 6 a.m. to midnight daily.

Strathpine University Study Hub — *Photo Credit: JasonClarkeMP/Facebook*

First Local Student Registers

The first student to register, a Bachelor of Science candidate named Robert, shared that the facility offers a safe and supportive study space for those without access to reliable equipment or quiet areas at home. He highlighted the benefit of being able to study locally without needing to commute.

First student of the study hub — *Photo Credit: Aus Gov Department of Education/Facebook*

National Strategy and Local Impact

The Strathpine hub is part of the Federal Government’s $66.9 million plan to expand University Study Hubs from 34 to 69 sites nationally. The local site is expected to support up to 80 students in its first year and up to 200 within two years.

Operated by The BUSY Group, the same organisation will also establish a second site in Beenleigh later in 2025.

Looking Ahead

With facilities now operational, the Strathpine University Study Hub is positioned to increase participation in tertiary education across Moreton Bay and north Brisbane. The Department of Education continues to monitor outcomes as part of its broader access and equity agenda.

Published 31-May-2025

Young Man In Hospital After Serious Workplace Incident In Strathpine

A 22-year-old man has been left with life-threatening injuries after a serious workplace accident in Strathpine, sending shock through the local business community.

What Happened On Site

The incident occurred just before 1:30 pm on Friday at a commercial loading dock on Gympie Road, where a young man was reportedly injured while unloading a truck. Emergency services arrived to find him with life-threatening chest injuries. Early reports suggest he may have been caught or struck during the job.

He was treated at the scene and rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in critical condition. The Gympie Road business has not been named, and it’s unclear if operations have paused, though no other injuries were reported.

Authorities Respond To Serious Injuries

Paramedics arrived within minutes of the triple-zero call, finding the man in a critical state and working quickly to stabilise him. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening chest injuries but was later listed as stable.

Police supported emergency crews at the scene while managing the area. Workplace Health and Safety officers launched an investigation and visited the site later that day to begin their review.

Investigation Now Underway

Police and workplace investigators are examining what safety procedures were in place at the time of the incident. Investigators will be looking into whether proper safety practices were followed and whether the truck unloading area met the required regulations.

While no official cause has been confirmed, authorities have not ruled out mechanical issues or potential human error. The outcome of the investigation may take several weeks, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of witness statements required.

Community Reaction And Workplace Safety

The incident has caused concern in the Strathpine community, where many locals work in industrial and logistics jobs. Residents were shocked, pointing to the area’s strong ties to warehousing and delivery businesses.

Regulators continue to focus on safety at loading docks, particularly in busy commercial zones. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has urged businesses to follow proper procedures and ensure workers are trained around heavy machinery.

Published 26-May-2025

Strathpine Clinic Offers Lifeline for Elders with Culturally Safe Ageing Care

Photo Credit: Moreton Atsichs/Facebook

A new health clinic in Strathpine is helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders stay healthier for longer, with access to specialist ageing care that puts cultural respect at its centre.

Culturally Safe Health Services Come to the Northside

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healthy Ageing Clinic (HAC) now runs weekly in Strathpine and Caboolture, alternating Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is a partnership between Metro North Health and MATSICHS, supported by the Queensland Dementia and Frailty Network.

*Photo Credit: Better Together – Our Health, Our Way/Facebook*

Strathpine’s clinic helps close long-standing health gaps for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by offering specialist geriatric care in a trusted, culturally safe setting.

*Photo Credit: Moreton Atsichs/Facebook*

The clinic supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over, as well as their immediate family members, promoting community and family wellbeing.

A Focus on Ageing, Frailty and Dementia

The clinic helps Elders manage ageing-related health issues with assessments for memory, mobility, fall risks, and medication use.

Dementia care is a key focus, along with support for age-related frailty and disability. Geriatric specialists deliver care in a culturally safe setting where patients feel respected and understood.

Community-Led and Clinically Backed

Metro North Health, through its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Team, has played a guiding role in setting up the clinics. Their work with MATSICHS ensures services are not only clinically sound but also embedded in community values and trust.

While many mainstream services fail to reach older Indigenous patients in ways that feel safe or welcoming, this model aims to change that. Staff at the clinic work closely with patients to offer care that reflects both medical needs and cultural identity.

How to Access the Clinic

To attend the clinic, patients need a GP referral to Metro North’s Geriatric Service. It runs Tuesdays, alternating between MATSICHS Caboolture and Strathpine.

The Strathpine site is located at 496–498 Gympie Road, and the Caboolture site is at 5 James Street. For those seeking more information, the Caboolture Satellite Hospital can be contacted on (07) 3049 9755.

Published 6-May-2025