Caboolture Archives - Redcliffe Today

Short-Term Rail Disruptions to Affect Caboolture, Redcliffe and Shorncliffe

Residents in Caboolture, Redcliffe and Shorncliffe are set to experience short-term but widespread rail disruptions, with train services suspended across key northern lines during early April as part of major network works across South East Queensland.

From April 3 to April 11, multiple train lines including the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Redcliffe Peninsula and Shorncliffe lines will be impacted while large-scale infrastructure works are carried out across the rail corridor. During this period, rail replacement buses will operate to keep passengers moving.

Northern lines affected in early April

The closures are part of a coordinated shutdown across the network to allow several major rail projects and maintenance works to be completed at the same time. These include Cross River Rail supporting works, upgrades on the Sunshine Coast line, improvements to the Logan and Gold Coast corridor, new digital signalling systems and general track maintenance.

While the disruptions on the northern lines are shorter than those affecting the southside, they will still impact daily commutes for thousands of passengers travelling between outer suburbs and Brisbane’s CBD.

Longer travel time for commuters

For commuters in Caboolture, Redcliffe and Shorncliffe, the changes will mean replacing train journeys with buses for several days in early April. This is likely to result in longer travel times and possible transfers depending on the route.

Transport authorities have advised that both express and all-stops rail replacement buses will be available, along with regular bus services. In some cases, regular bus routes may provide a more direct option for passengers heading into the city.

Dates	Lines Impacted	What It Means for You
3–11 April	Caboolture, Redcliffe, Shorncliffe and other lines	Train services replaced by buses
After 11 April	Most northern lines return to normal	Services resume, fewer disruptions

After April 11, services on these northern lines are expected to return to normal, while closures continue on other parts of the network, particularly on the southside.

Plan ahead for travel

Transport authorities are encouraging commuters to plan ahead, check journey options before travelling and allow extra time during the closure period. Changes may vary across different lines and days, so passengers are advised to stay updated through official transport channels.

Although the disruptions are limited to just over a week for northern suburbs, they form part of a broader program aimed at improving the reliability and capacity of the rail network across South East Queensland.

Published 31-March-2026

Featured Image Credit: Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0

Giant Hail Smashes Redcliffe as Storms Sweep Through Brisbane’s North

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

Residents say the sky darkened without warning before giant hailstones slammed into homes and cars in Redcliffe and nearby suburbs, putting the Moreton Bay region at the centre of a fierce storm outbreak that cut power to tens of thousands across south-east Queensland.

On Monday, 24 November, the Bureau of Meteorology reported hail as large as 11 centimetres in several suburbs as a powerful storm front swept from the New South Wales border through Brisbane, Redcliffe, and the rest of Moreton Bay, then further north to the Sunshine Coast. Destructive winds and intense lightning brought down hundreds of powerlines as the system moved towards Caboolture, Strathpine, Redcliffe, Maroochydore and Caloundra.

Life on the peninsula as the storm arrived

In Redcliffe, the storm rolled in fast. The air felt heavy and strange, and many people stepping outside for a moment saw the sky shift colour before the first stones fell. Some residents watched hail the size of golf balls bounce down their driveways before larger chunks began smashing into cars and windows. Others hurried to move vehicles under cover, but the worst of the storm arrived too quickly for many to prepare.

As the storm peaked, videos and photos posted online showed lawns turning white and gutters overflowing with hail. The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that the northern edge of Brisbane and the coastal strip through Redcliffe and Caboolture sat directly in the path of the strongest storm cells. Moreton Bay logged some of the highest numbers of damage calls as families worked late into the evening trying to limit further water damage to their homes.

Across the region, emergency crews moved rapidly between jobs, but the number of calls from Redcliffe, Deception Bay, Strathpine and Caboolture quickly built up. Residents said the sound of hail hitting metal roofs was so loud that some struggled to hear each other indoors. When the gusts hit, they pushed branches against windows and sent loose items skidding along footpaths.

Warnings that came long before the first hailstone

Earlier in the day, the Bureau of Meteorology posted a public alert warning that very dangerous storm-producing giant hail was pushing north through Brisbane towards Caboolture. The message said severe thunderstorms were already affecting the Brisbane CBD, Redcliffe, Strathpine, Maroochydore and Caloundra. Many in Moreton Bay who saw the alert later said they did not expect the storm to escalate as quickly as it did.

By late afternoon, Energex had more than 600 fallen powerlines and more than 525,000 lightning strikes had been recorded. Around 95,000 homes and businesses were still without electricity the next morning, with Moreton Bay among the worst affected.

The storm left families stepping into yards covered in debris, listing damaged roof tiles and branches scattered across lawns. Neighbours checked in on one another, sharing torches, blankets, and updates as crews worked late into the night. Volunteers offered help online, helping households patch windows, move broken items and clear driveways so people could leave for work the next day.

Published 25-Nov-2025

Redcliffe to Brisbane by Ferry? Bay Cats and Air Taxis in Bold City Plan

Photo Credit: Wisk Aero

Self-flying air taxis taking off from Redcliffe and high-capacity metros connecting Scarborough are key features of an ambitious new strategy to prepare the City of Moreton Bay for a population of one million.

Redcliffe residents could one day swap their car commute for a “Bay Cat” ferry or a self-flying air taxi under a bold new transport strategy being championed by the City of Moreton Bay.

This vision is part of the council’s ‘City of Tomorrow’ strategy, a 10-year plan presented at the recent 2025 Moreton Bay Leaders’ Forum in Redcliffe. The strategy aims to address the region’s booming population, which is expected to double to 1 million over the next 30 years. With the 2032 Games on the horizon, the council is asking the State and Federal governments for funding to build critical infrastructure now, noting that, for too long, funding has not kept pace with population growth. Mayor Peter Flannery said the city needs these projects to tackle congestion, create jobs, and unlock housing, arguing that doing nothing is not an option.

Ferries and Flying Taxis

The plan proposes major new travel options centred on the peninsula. One key idea is a Moreton Bay ferry service, dubbed “Bay Cats,” which could link Redcliffe Pier with Brisbane’s Riverside. The council believes this service could offer travel times similar to or even faster than driving on the congested Bruce Highway and would boost tourism. It is seeking $500,000 for a feasibility study and a trial service.

Even more futuristic is the push for advanced air mobility. This would involve using local facilities, such as the Redcliffe Aerodrome, as hubs for all-electric, self-flying air taxis. The council sees this as a serious transport option for the 2032 Games and is already looking at partners like Wisk, a developer of four-seat autonomous aircraft.

Earning Public Trust

Before these air taxis can become a reality, operators acknowledge a major hurdle: winning over the public. Industry insiders state that gaining public trust, both from passengers and from people on the ground, is a firm requirement for the service to begin.

Safety is being called the number one priority. The aircraft are being developed to meet the same high standards as other commercial passenger planes. In Australia, this means a rigorous certification process with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The companies involved hope to build community confidence through this process and, over time, establish a record of safe flights.

Easing the Squeeze on the Ground

While air and sea travel are on the horizon, the strategy’s highest priority is fixing the gridlock on local roads. The council is pushing for an expedited 2032 delivery of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative to divert freight and long-distance traffic.

The plan also calls for new rapid transport to better connect the city from east to west. This includes high-capacity metro lines to link Newport and Scarborough with Kippa-Ring Station, and another from Clontarf and Margate. This push comes with stark warnings: modelling shows that by 2036, boom gates at some level crossings south of Petrie could be down for an entire hour during peak periods if nothing changes. Other projects include a new peak-hour express train from Petrie and a rapid bus from Waraba to Caboolture, which is also slated for a major revitalisation.

The advocacy effort, presented at the recent Moreton Bay Leaders’ Forum, aims to build on past successes. Mayor Flannery noted that a previous forum helped secure $15 million in state funding for the new Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital.

Published Date 04-November-2025