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‘Count on a Queenslander’: Brisbane’s Thomas Sugget Recognised for Years of Volunteering With St John Queensland

A Brisbane volunteer whose work with St John Queensland has taken him from the front lines of major public events to emergency evacuation centres has been recognised in this year’s QLD Day Awards with the Count on a Queenslander award.

Read: Nundah Father Scores Life-Changing $2-M Windfall

Thomas Sugget received the honour at a ceremony in Brisbane, one of six award categories recognising individuals and organisations whose contributions reflect the values, resilience and community spirit Queenslanders are known for. The award is a fitting title for someone who has given 13 years of voluntary service to St John Queensland, the organisation whose state headquarters is located in Nundah.

For Mr Sugget, the recognition points firmly back to the people around him.

St John Queensland — Photo credit: LinkedIn/Thomas Sugget

“From being a First Responder at large scale events to working in evacuation centres, to developing programs, I’ve had the opportunity to see Queenslanders during periods of excitement and joy, as well as during significant adversity,” he said in a statement released alongside the awards announcement.

“One of the biggest things that continues to make me want to volunteer my time is my fellow volunteers, who give their time to support others.”

It is a grounded reflection for someone whose service record spans emergency response, program development and community support across more than a decade. St John Queensland’s Nundah headquarters serves as the base for this kind of volunteer work across the state, giving Mr Sugget’s contribution a local dimension that resonates close to home.

Recognising Queensland’s Finest

The 2026 QLD Day Awards drew more than 600 nominations from across Queensland, with recipients selected across six categories: Local Legends, Count on a Queenslander, Philanthropic Great, Posthumous Great, Institution Great and Individual Great. The awards are presented ahead of Queensland Day on 6 June, marking the date in 1859 when Queensland was proclaimed a separate colony.

Mr Sugget was one of four recipients in the Count on a Queenslander category, joining Alina Graham from Quilpie, Russell Wall from the Sunshine Coast and Natalie Jarrott, also from the Sunshine Coast. Other notable recipients across the broader awards included Major General Stephen Day DSC AM as Individual Great and the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, recognised as Institution Great in the Ekka’s 150th year.

Premier David Crisafulli presented the awards at the Brisbane ceremony and praised all recipients for the consistency of their commitment.

“They show up, year after year, for their communities without being asked and without expecting anything in return,” he said.

Read: The Therapy Dogs Turning Brisbane Airport Into a Happier Place to Travel

A Local Connection Worth Celebrating

For Nundah, Mr Sugget’s recognition carries a particular local resonance. Whether responding at large scale events, supporting communities in evacuation centres or developing programs, Mr Sugget has demonstrated what it looks like to genuinely show up for others.

The full list of 2026 QLD Day Awards recipients is available at www.qld.gov.au/qldday.

Published 8-June-2026

Nundah Father Scores Life-Changing $2-M Windfall

A Nundah father has suddenly become a multi-millionaire following a routine afternoon stop at his local hotel where he won a massive two million dollars.

The North Brisbane resident secured the jackpot on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. The fortunate dad took home a total win of $2,026,759.60. When speaking with game officials the next morning, the man explained that he was completely overwhelmed and shocked by the sudden turn of events, admitting he felt a bit lost about what steps to take next.

The winning ticket was purchased at the Prince of Wales Hotel, located at 1154 Sandgate Road in Nundah. The man noted that he and a friend had just finished a nearby work shift and decided to pull over at the venue before making their way home. While unwinding at the hotel, he decided to buy a ticket and put on a game.

Checking the ticket against the live numbers proved to be a surreal experience for the pair. The winner mentioned that he initially expected a much smaller payout. Realisation slowly hit when they saw the full two million dollar figure, leading to an extended back-and-forth exchange of disbelief between the two friends as they tried to confirm the news was actually real.

Though the life-altering sum has yet to fully sink in, the Queensland father has already mapped out a few clear goals for his newfound wealth. He stated that the windfall arrived at an ideal time and that he intends to secure the future of his children by helping them out financially. He also plans to use the funds to clear outstanding bills and handle regular ongoing living expenses. A proper celebration with his loved ones is on the cards as soon as the cash is officially transferred into his bank account.

The local business shared in the excitement of the major win. Hotel spokesperson Nick Stein stated that the entire venue experienced an incredible wave of energy after the announcement, making the staff and patrons feel as though they had all shared in the victory. He added that the team always finds it highly rewarding to see a regular customer take home a major prize.

The Nundah win adds to a busy period for the game across the region. Throughout 2025, mainland players in the eastern states enjoyed over 78 million winning tickets that distributed more than $1.2 billion in total prizes. That period created 17 millionaires, including three major winners from Queensland. Among those state wins was a Biggera Waters resident who secured a $4.4 million payout. In total, Queenslanders walked away with more than 28 million winning tickets worth upwards of $466.5 million at local pubs and clubs during 2025.

Published Date 04-June-2026

The Therapy Dogs Turning Brisbane Airport Into a Happier Place to Travel

Photo Credit: Brisbane Airport/Facebook

Suitcases roll past departure gates while children gather around fluffy puppies at Brisbane Airport, where therapy dogs have become part of the school holiday rush.

The therapy dogs will return to Brisbane Airport during the June and July 2026 school holidays, bringing another round of wagging tails and puppy cuddles to both the Domestic and International terminals.

Sessions at the Domestic Terminal will run from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on selected Tuesdays and Thursdays, while International Terminal visits are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on selected Fridays.

Where Airport Stress Meets Puppy Cuddles

Holiday travel can turn even the calmest traveller into a bundle of nerves. There are crowded check-in queues, delayed flights, teary goodbyes, and children running low on patience before the plane even leaves the ground. It’s exactly the kind of environment Therapy & Support Animals Australia had in mind when the organisation partnered with Brisbane Airport to launch the country’s first airport therapy dog program.

Since then, the dogs have become a familiar sight during busy travel periods. Labradoodles, cavoodles, groodles and labradors now spend their school holiday shifts moving through the terminals with handlers, greeting travellers looking for a lighter moment before boarding.

Photos and videos shared across Brisbane Airport’s Facebook and Instagram pages show passengers lining up for photos, puppies sprawled across terminal floors and airport workers stopping by for a quick visit during shifts.

The Dogs Travellers Remember After the Flight

The therapy dogs may only work two-hour sessions, but for many travellers, the interaction stays with them long after take-off. Over the past three years, the dogs have comforted nervous children afraid of flying, grieving families travelling for funerals, and FIFO workers missing their own pets after weeks away from home.

Brisbane Airport Corporation communications executive Sarah Whyte previously said the airport expected the dogs to be popular, but the response quickly grew beyond what staff had imagined. Airline crews, retail workers and airport staff now regularly stop by the therapy dog areas alongside passengers.

The program also includes puppies in training, some just over 10 weeks old, giving young dogs early socialisation in a busy public setting filled with rolling luggage, loud announcements and constant movement.

A Holiday Tradition Taking Over the Terminal

The airport’s first therapy dog sessions were introduced as a short trial in the Domestic Terminal back in July 2023. Within months, the program expanded into the International Terminal after receiving strong feedback from travellers and staff.

Now, many passengers actively look forward to the dogs returning during school holiday periods. According to Brisbane Airport’s own travel advice page, the dogs are there specifically for public interaction under handler supervision. Unlike assistance dogs travelling with passengers, these therapy dogs are brought into the airport to mingle with the public and help ease stress during busy travel periods.

And in an airport handling tens of millions of passengers each year, those few minutes of connection seem to be leaving a lasting impression.

Published 28-May-2026

Nundah Looks Ahead As Toombul’s Next Chapter Takes Shape

Photo Credit: Toombul by Irvine

For many in Brisbane’s north, Toombul was more than a shopping centre. The long-vacant Nundah site is now being shaped for a new chapter, with plans for a retail-led precinct that would bring shops, dining, open space and stronger connections back to one of the area’s most familiar locations.

Toombul’s Next Chapter Begins In Nundah

For decades, Toombul was part of everyday life in Brisbane’s northern suburbs. It was a place for groceries, errands, food court stops, bus connections and casual catch-ups, sitting beside Kedron Brook and close to surrounding neighbourhoods that had long relied on it as a local hub.

That role changed after the 2022 Brisbane floods, when the former Toombul Shopping Centre closed and was later demolished. The large site at 1015 Sandgate Road has remained one of Nundah’s most closely watched vacant properties, with many locals waiting to see what would happen next.

A new direction is now taking shape, with Irvine Group preparing a master plan for a staged redevelopment of the flood-affected site. The proposal is being framed around a renewed retail precinct, public spaces, dining, transport links and flood-resilient design.

Irvine Group acquired the site in late 2025 and is working with Urbis on the planning process. The master plan is intended to set the broader structure for the precinct, including future land uses, building areas, public spaces and how people would move through the site.

The first-stage application has not yet been lodged. Current project details indicate it is expected to be lodged in late July 2026, with assessment to follow before any construction can begin.

Toombul redevelopment — *Photo Credit: Toombul by Irvine*

Retail Remains At The Heart Of The Toombul Plan

The proposed first stage is focused on bringing retail back to Toombul. Current details point to a department store, supermarket or grocery store, food court and specialty retail tenancies as part of the initial retail precinct.

No specific tenants have been confirmed. The final mix of shops is expected to be settled closer to each stage of delivery, once detailed designs are further progressed and market conditions are clearer.

The broader plan also includes dining areas, public spaces, landscaped areas, pedestrian links and residential components. While residential uses are proposed as part of the wider site, the main focus remains on restoring Toombul as a place for everyday shopping, services and social activity.

The site has been identified as serving a primary catchment that includes Nundah, Clayfield, Kalinga, Hendra and Northgate, reflecting its long-standing role across Brisbane’s inner north.

Flood Resilience Shapes The Future Site

Any return of Toombul must also respond to the site’s flood history. The former centre was heavily affected by major flooding, and the new proposal places flood resilience at the centre of the design approach.

The future precinct is expected to consider building form, site levels, layout and landscape treatments to improve how the site performs during major rain events. The project is planned as a multi-year redevelopment, delivered progressively in stages.

Green and open space is also proposed along the Kedron Brook edge of the site. Plans point to landscaped areas, shaded spaces and improved pedestrian movement, with the precinct intended to feel more open and easier to navigate than a traditional enclosed shopping centre.

The proposal also includes stronger links through the site and better connections to existing transport, including the Toombul bus interchange and nearby Toombul Train Station.

Nundah Toombul site — *Photo Credit: Toombul by Irvine*

A Familiar Local Hub Reimagined

Community feedback is now part of the planning process, with residents being encouraged to register for updates and share what shops, services and public spaces they would like to see included.

The project team has acknowledged strong local interest in the return of everyday retailers similar to those that operated at the former centre. However, no retailers have been formally named.

Construction is being targeted for April 2027, subject to the first-stage application being lodged and assessed. Until then, the project remains in the planning phase, with the master plan intended to guide Toombul’s gradual return as a retail, dining and community-focused precinct.

The proposal marks a significant step towards a renewed use for a site that has carried both practical and personal importance for generations of locals.

Published 26-May-2026

Banyo Researcher Sounds Warning as AI Chatbots Land in Every Queensland State School

Every Queensland state school will have access to a state-built artificial intelligence chatbot by the start of June 2026, but a Brisbane-based education researcher is warning that students need structured guidance to use the technology effectively.

Read: Music and Arts Boost for Banyo School with New Hall Upgrade

Dr Luke Rowe, an AI in learning expert from Australian Catholic University’s National School of Education, based at the McAuley Campus in Banyo, says the evidence is clear: handing students a chatbot without structure or purpose is unlikely to produce meaningful educational outcomes. Students need structured guidance about what AI is, how it works, and what it should and should not be used for.

Photo credit: Google Maps/Australian Catholic University, Brisbane Campus

Dr Rowe argued that conversations about AI need to begin early and happen regularly, covering not only its potential benefits but also its environmental impact and the ways it can be misused. He draws a firm distinction between learning with AI and learning about AI, and believes schools need to carve out dedicated time for the latter rather than simply folding the technology into existing subjects.

When students lack the foundational research and critical thinking skills that proper AI use demands, he warns, they risk outsourcing their learning rather than deepening it. The teacher and fellow students remain rich resources in any classroom, he says, and should not be ignored just because a new tool has arrived.

What is Corella AI?

Photo credit: LinkedDepartment of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business

Corella AI is a $1.5 million chatbot program developed in-house by the Queensland Department of Education. So far, access has been limited to Year 9 and 10 students, with parental consent required. From June, Year 7 and 8 students will also be brought on board, and the department is in discussions with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority about integrating the program into senior schooling.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek described Corella as a tool for the future, saying the rollout was designed to help students engage with AI responsibly and think critically about the information they encounter.

According to the department, students will be able to use Corella to brainstorm ideas, check, draft and revise work, conduct research, and summarise information. Because the software is hosted on the department’s own infrastructure, the department says students can safely upload material they would ordinarily access in the classroom.

For teachers, the picture looks somewhat different. Corella gives staff access to training modules that support lesson planning and the creation of assessment tasks, though it cannot be used for grading. Dr Rowe sees real value in this: when AI handles time-consuming administrative work like building assessment rubrics, teachers can redirect that effort toward activities that more directly benefit their students.

Not everyone feels the rollout has been handled transparently. P&Cs Queensland, the peak body for parents and citizens associations, released a formal position on AI in schools this week. Chief executive Timothy Horne said parents feel they have not yet been brought into the conversation, and that while there is genuine interest in AI among Queensland families, there is also real concern about how much the technology is creeping into the classroom.

Read: Speed Awareness Monitors Back on Duty as Nundah Students Return to School

For families in Nundah, Banyo, and the surrounding suburbs, the Corella expansion is worth keeping a close eye on. With an AI in education expert based right here at ACU’s Banyo campus, the local community is well placed to be part of the broader conversation about what responsible AI in schools actually looks like.

Published 25-May-2026

Nudgee Angler Lands Monster Fish During Aussie Junior Fishing Classic

“Time spent fishing is time well spent” has become a guiding motto for Nudgee teenager Nate Willcox, whose love of Brisbane waterways is now leading to big catches in a national junior competition.

The 15-year-old recently landed several standout catches during the April round of the Aussie Junior Fishing Classic, including a 122 cm threadfin salmon and a 105 cm jewfish caught in local waters.

Run by Queensland organisation 2 Bent Rods, the competition gives young anglers aged between 3 and 17 the chance to fish anywhere in Australia while competing across multiple categories.

Growing Up Around Nudgee’s Waterways

Nate said he has loved fishing for as long as he can remember, with many of those early experiences happening alongside his mum, stepdad and relatives.

“My whole family loves going fishing,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if we catch anything or not, it’s always good to spend time together and have a bit of rivalry on who catches the biggest fish.”

Fishing trips around Nudgee Beach and the Port of Brisbane eventually turned into something more serious as Nate began targeting larger species including jewfish, threadfin salmon and giant trevally.

He said the Port of Brisbane remains one of his favourite places to chase jewfish and threadfin, while Nudgee Beach is his preferred spot for whiting and flathead using yabbies and soft plastics.

Monster Catches During National Competition

During the April competition, Nate reeled in a 122 cm threadfin salmon using live herring and 20 lb leader. On the same night, he also hooked a 105 cm jewfish while chasing cod using live tailor bait.

Photos shared from the event also show Nate holding an 85 cm flathead caught in shallow water near Bribie Island, along with a giant trevally landed on a topwater stick bait.

His favourite species, however, remains the mulloway, also known as jewfish.

“My favourite fish to catch is the Mulloway/Jewfish, especially when they get over that metre-10 mark,” he said.

Junior Fishing Event Continues to Grow

The Aussie Junior Fishing Classic started as the Queensland Kids Fishing Classic before expanding into a national competition over the past two years. According to 2 Bent Rods, the event was created to encourage young people to spend more time outdoors while building confidence through recreational fishing.

The competition now includes categories covering fish species, crab catches and environmental activities such as rubbish collection while fishing.

Organisers say the event has attracted families from across Australia as interest in youth fishing continues to grow.

Photo Credit: Supplied

More Than Just Catching Fish

While Nate’s catches have attracted attention online, he said one of the best parts of the competition is the chance to spend more time outdoors with mates and family.

“I can’t wait for the next AJFC so I can have an excuse to go fishing more but also to spend time with mates and get off screens,” he said.

Another quote that has stayed with him is simple: “Chase fish, not drama and attention.”

The next Aussie Junior Fishing Classic will run from June 27 to July 12. The competition allows young anglers aged between 3 and 17 to fish from almost anywhere in Australia, provided they are fishing legally within local rules and regulations.

Participants can enter catches across 15 categories, including species divisions, crab catches, most species caught and even a rubbish collection category designed to encourage care for waterways and the environment.

The event began as the Queensland Kids Fishing Classic before rapidly expanding into a national competition as more families joined from across the country. Organisers say the competition was created to give young people a fun and supportive way to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with family and build confidence through recreational fishing.

More information is available through the 2 Bent Rods website and the AJFC Facebook group.

Published 25-May-2026

The Creek That Runs Through Nundah and Nudgee Has the Most Plastic of Any in Brisbane, New Research Finds

Wikimedia Commons

Kedron Brook, the waterway that winds through Brisbane’s north before emptying into Moreton Bay at Nudgee Beach, carries the highest plastic microparticle load of any creek studied in the city, according to new research from Queensland University of Te chnolo gy.

The finding comes from a year-long study published in the journal Environmental Pollution, which examined microplastics in the sediment of three Brisbane creeks: Kedron Brook, Bulimba Creek and Enoggera Creek.

For residents in Nundah, Nudgee and the suburbs along the brook’s lower stretches, the results put into scientific focus something many may have long suspected: the waterway that runs through their backyards is carrying the weight of decades of urban runoff.

Kedron Brook recorded a median abundance of approximately 4,400 plastic microparticles per kilogram of dry sediment, the highest of the three waterways. Bulimba Creek came in second at roughly 4,100 items per kilogram, while Enoggera Creek recorded the lowest load at approximately 2,800 items per kilogram.

A waterway shaped by what surrounds it

The research team, led by PhD candidate Heshani Mudalige from QUT’s School of Chemistry and Physics, sampled six sites on each creek from their upstream headwaters down to estuarine level, repeating the process four times across a full year to capture seasonal variation.

*Photo Credit: CC BY-SA 4.0/Q8682/Wikimedia Commons*

The results point squarely to land use as the driving force behind Kedron Brook’s elevated plastic load. The brook passes through commercial and industrial areas along its journey to Moreton Bay, including the Brisbane Airport precinct, where ongoing construction, single-use plastic disposal, food packaging waste and adjacent recreational areas all add to the plastic burden washing into the waterway.

Stormwater runoff from residential households, sports fields and parks further upstream in suburbs including Mitchelton, Stafford and Grange contributes to the accumulation.

“Kedron Brook has extensive flat areas surrounded by impervious surfaces which favour depositing of microplastics through runoff and the retention of them,” Mudalige said.

The dominant plastic types found across the waterways included polyethylene, polypropylene and polymethyl methacrylate, with Kedron Brook specifically showing high levels of polyethylene alongside polypropylene and polystyrene.

These are, in other words, the everyday materials of suburban life, broken down into particles small enough to travel undetected through stormwater drains and into the creek system.

Mudalige found that seasonal variation played a significant role in the plastic load. Kedron Brook’s levels peaked in March, driven by high-flow periods from summer rains that deposit and trap particles in the sediment. By September, its load had dropped to its lowest point.

The brook’s path to Moreton Bay

Kedron Brook originates in the Upper Kedron and Ferny Grove area before winding through Keperra, Mitchelton, Everton Park, Stafford, Grange, Lutwyche, Wooloowin, Clayfield and Hendra. In its lower reaches, it becomes the Kedron Brook Floodway, passing through Nundah and Nudgee before discharging into Moreton Bay at Nudgee Beach.

The brook’s relatively flat gradient in these lower suburban stretches means plastic particles slow down and settle into the sediment rather than flushing through.

Associate Professor Prasanna Egodawatta, from QUT’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a co-researcher on the study, described highly urbanised creek catchments in South-East Queensland as major contributors to microplastic pollution in Moreton Bay.

“This study is a first step towards quantifying land-based microplastic inputs to Moreton Bay via the stormwater pathway,” Professor Egodawatta said. “The hydrologic and hydraulic characteristics of a creek, shaped by its morphology and longitudinal profile, dictate microplastic transport processes within the system.”

Enoggera Creek’s comparatively lower plastic load came with an explanation of its own. The Enoggera Dam sits upstream, regulating flow and trapping a significant portion of the plastic load before it travels further downstream, effectively acting as an unintended filter.

A first step, not a final answer

The research team, which also included Professor Godwin Ayoko from QUT’s School of Chemistry and Physics and Professor Ashantha Goonetilleke from Civil and Environmental Engineering, framed the study as foundational groundwork rather than a complete picture.

Understanding how much plastic reaches Moreton Bay through the stormwater pathway is still being mapped, and this study provides the first comparative data set across three catchments with distinct land-use profiles.

For Nundah and Nudgee residents who swim, fish or simply walk along the brook’s final stretches, the research underlines the connection between what ends up in street drains kilometres away and what accumulates in the waterway that passes their suburb before reaching the bay.

The full study, Catchment characteristics and land-use influence on microplastics distribution in freshwater sediments, is available through the journal Environmental Pollution.

Published 25-May-2026

Kangaroo Bus Lines Appointed Official Transport Partner for WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027

Kangaroo Bus Lines, a family-owned bus company with a depot in Banyo, has been appointed Official Transport Partner for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2027.

Read: Former Mick Doohan Raceway Site in Banyo Hits the Market

Softball Australia and the tournament’s Organising Committee confirmed the partnership, with the Redcliffe-hosted event set to run from 5 to 11 April 2027.

The appointment means KBL will deliver transport operations for athletes and officials attending the tournament, with the company committed to ensuring every journey is safe, reliable and on time.

A Local Business on the World Stage

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A post shared by Sarah Loh (@softball_australia_ceo)

KBL has served southeast Queensland for more than 47 years, building its reputation as a reliable and community-connected operator. The company’s local expertise and community connection were highlighted by Softball Australia as key strengths underpinning the partnership.

Softball Australia CEO Sarah Loh said she was “delighted” to confirm the partnership, describing KBL as “a proud, family-owned business with deep roots in the region.” She said the company’s team would “play a critical role in ensuring athletes and officials from the world’s top eight softball nations experience Australia at its very best, with every journey safe, reliable, and seamless.”

Every bus on the road, she wrote, “represents local expert drivers, local businesses showcased to an international audience, and local pride on display to the world.”

Photo credit: Facebook/Kangaroo Bus Lines

KBL CEO Darren Webster said the appointment reflects the dedication of his staff and the high standards the company works to uphold every day. He noted that while KBL has built its name through local community service, being trusted to support world-class sporting teams on the international stage is something the company is extremely proud of.

Read: Hartley Farmhouse Remains a Rare Link to Banyo’s Rural Past

The stakes at Redcliffe next April will be considerable. The Finals will serve as the first Olympic qualification event for softball on the road to the LA28 Games in Los Angeles, with one Olympic berth available for the top-ranked nation at the tournament, excluding the USA as host nation.

Published 22-May-2026

Nudgee Dog Thwarts Early Morning Intruder and Sparks Community Security Drive

Photo Credit: myPolice Brisbane North

A tiny Nudgee dog has become a local sensation after successfully chasing a prowler away from his family home, proving that even the smallest family pets can be highly effective in adding to the security of a home.

A resident living in the coastal North Brisbane suburb reported to local authorities in mid-May that an unknown man had walked onto the side of the property and attempted to enter through an unlocked door. The sudden intrusion immediately alerted Buddy, a three-year-old Jack Russell terrier, who was sleeping inside.

The Four-Legged Alarm System

dog — *Photo Credit:* *myPolice Brisbane North*

Upon sensing the intruder, Buddy immediately began barking, growling, and chasing the man, which caused the offender to flee the area empty-handed before he could breach the main living space.

North Brisbane Police later praised the small dog for his bravery, noting that his quick reaction likely prevented a serious property offence from occurring.

As a reward for his protective instincts, Buddy was treated to a special dinner of hot chicken and a bone by his grateful owners, who described him as a deeply cherished member of their family household.

Rethinking Local Home Defence

The close call has prompted local police to urge residents to review their daily security habits, emphasizing that simple preventative measures are the most effective way to avoid becoming a victim of a break-in.

Authorities noted that opportunistic thieves actively look for quick targets and prefer to operate completely undetected in quiet neighbourhoods. A barking dog disrupts this plan by immediately drawing unwanted attention to the intruder, making pets an invaluable line of defense for suburban streets.

Practical Steps to Deter Opportunistic Thieves

dog — *Photo Credit:* *myPolice Brisbane North*

To assist the community in safeguarding their homes, police are encouraging neighbours to conduct their own property safety assessments based on official security guidelines. Security experts recommend looking at a home through a layered approach, focusing on making it as difficult as possible for a thief to gain entry or to slip away unnoticed with stolen goods.

Additionally, homeowners should focus on increasing visibility around their properties, such as clearing away overgrown bushes or utilising sensor lights, so that any suspicious behavior can be easily seen from the street or by adjacent neighbours.

Staying Vigilant Together

Law enforcement officials stressed that locking doors and windows should be a consistent habit, even when the entire family is at home. Residents are advised to take notice whenever a neighbourhood dog begins barking unexpectedly and to safely investigate what might have caused the disturbance. Any suspicious people or unfamiliar vehicles spotted idling in local streets should be reported to the police via Policelink as soon as possible, while any active emergencies should be directed to Triple Zero immediately.

Published Date 20-May-2026

Nundah Hub Offers Free Workspace to Help Local Businesses Thrive

Brisbane entrepreneurs and small business owners can now skip the expensive city office rentals and tap into a completely free, fully equipped community workspace operating right in the heart of Nundah.

The initiative comes at a perfect time, as May marks Queensland Small Business Month. Local operators can visit the Suburban Business Hub on business days from 9am to 4pm to access these facilities. To keep the community moving forward, the venue changes its focus on Wednesdays by halting regular co-working to host dedicated educational sessions.

On these days, the council joins forces with government departments and corporate networks to deliver specialised workshops. For those still needing a desk mid-week, local council libraries step in to provide alternative spaces.

The hub provides a spacious 100-square-metre layout designed to adapt to various business needs. Up to 50 people can gather in the air-conditioned facility, which features movable desks, whiteboards, and a digital screen for presentations.

It also includes practical amenities like a kitchen with tea and coffee facilities, accessible bathrooms, and a unique local artist display wall. While visitors need to bring their own connection cables and find parking on the surrounding streets, the council provides free wireless internet to all guests.

The main goal of the facility is to give suburban business owners the same advantages as big city companies. Beyond saving money on rent, users can book tables two days in advance or simply walk in to collaborate with other local professionals.

By offering professional meeting spaces and regular networking events close to home, the hub gives neighbourhood businesses a practical way to learn new skills, share ideas, and build stronger economic roots within the community.

Published Date 17-May-2026