Police are asking for the public’s help after a man was seen hanging out of a car window wielding a running chainsaw along the Esplanade between Lota and Manly on Monday afternoon.
The incident occurred around 5.50pm on 11 January when witnesses reported seeing a male passenger leaning out of the rear window of a white sedan, waving what appeared to be an orange and white chainsaw.
According to Queensland Police, the chainsaw was running and being revved loudly as the vehicle travelled erratically along the bayside road.
Officers are working to identify a white four-door vehicle, believed to resemble either a Toyota Corolla or Hyundai i30, though the exact make and model have not been confirmed.
Investigators are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or captured footage on dashcam or mobile phone. Police are hoping this information will help them identify the vehicle’s registration number, owner and occupants.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or submit details through the online suspicious activity form at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersqld.com.au, quoting reference number QP2600069304.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Wynnum Road and Murarrie Road around 6.10am on Saturday, 10 January, following reports of a crash between a vehicle and a cyclist.
The cyclist, an 83-year-old man from Balmoral, was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital where he sadly passed away shortly after arrival.
The driver of the vehicle involved, a Mitsubishi Triton, was a 50-year-old man from Murarrie who did not sustain any physical injuries in the incident.
Queensland Police Service’s Forensic Crash Unit has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Investigators are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dashcam or CCTV footage from the area during the time of the incident.
Members of the public with information are encouraged to contact Policelink through the online suspicious activity form at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or by phoning 131 444.
Those who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
As summer arrives, residents and visitors in Manly are being reminded to prioritise safety on the water. With boating and recreational activity increasing across Queensland’s coastal and inland waterways, including the busy areas around Manly Harbour, authorities are emphasising that careful preparation and adherence to safety rules are essential to prevent accidents.
Queensland Water Police and partner agencies are increasing patrols to reduce unsafe boating behaviour. Their enforcement efforts focus on speeding, dangerous manoeuvres, and operating vessels under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Compliance checks are active across busy waterways, with officers taking a zero-tolerance approach to unsafe practices.
Photo credit: Jonathan Dass/Google Maps
Lifejackets remain a central focus of summer safety measures. Boaties are urged to ensure there is a correctly sized, Australian Standard-approved lifejacket for every person on board, and that they are worn when required. Properly maintained and correctly fitted lifejackets significantly increase the chances of survival if someone ends up in the water.
Preparation before heading out is also critical. Skippers should check that their vessels are in good working order, with all safety equipment accessible and functioning. Checking weather forecasts and water conditions is strongly recommended, as sudden changes can occur even in familiar areas.
Alcohol and drug use on the water continues to be a major concern. Operating a vessel while impaired is illegal and dramatically increases the risk of serious incidents. Authorities remind boaties to plan ahead, designate a sober skipper, and ensure everyone on board follows safety requirements.
Marine Rescue Queensland volunteers are ready for increased activity over the summer. Boaties are encouraged to log on with their local Marine Rescue unit and inform someone onshore of their plans and expected return. These precautionary measures can help emergency services respond quickly if an incident occurs.
Photo credit: Mahroo Azimi/Google Maps
Beachgoers are also urged to swim safely between the red and yellow flags. Even in calm conditions, unexpected currents and submerged hazards can pose risks. Surf Life Saving Queensland emphasises that following flagged areas provides the safest zone for swimming and water activity.
Queensland authorities stress that keeping waterways safe is a shared responsibility. Following boating rules, wearing lifejackets, staying sober, and preparing adequately before departure can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. With careful attention to these measures, Queenslanders — including those enjoying the waters around Manly — can enjoy the summer safely.
Investigations into what is being suspected to be the deliberate poisoning of at least six trees along the Lota Park foreshore are ongoing, with the bayside community still demanding accountability for what seems to be a brazen act of environmental vandalism.
The ocean-facing park, a treasured green corridor in one of Brisbane’s most cherished waterfront suburbs, became the target of what residents have described as selfish and calculated destruction late last year.
Cr Alex Givney addressed the incident as investigators continued gathering evidence, emphasising how deeply such vandalism affects communities like Lota. She noted that local parks hold significant meaning for residents, making the destruction particularly disappointing. Authorities have been urging anyone with information to come forward, with signs installed throughout the area seeking community assistance.
Photo credit: Google Street View
One long-time Wynnum resident reflected on what draws people to the bayside suburbs. She pointed to the green spaces running alongside the water as one of the area’s defining features—something that sets these communities apart. Watching the destruction unfold has been distressing for many locals, with Kalantzis describing the wilful damage to irreplaceable natural assets as profoundly sad and fundamentally selfish.
Serious Penalties Under Natural Assets Local Law
Those found responsible for the tree poisoning face significant legal consequences. Under Brisbane’s Natural Assets Local Law, deliberately damaging trees is classified as an offence carrying penalties that can exceed $10,000. The legislation exists specifically to protect the city’s green infrastructure and natural heritage from vandalism and unauthorised interference.
The severity of potential fines reflects the seriousness with which such environmental crimes are viewed, particularly when the damage appears premeditated and affects public spaces that entire communities rely upon.
Social media has become a flashpoint for community frustration, with bayside residents expressing their outrage and theories about the crime. Many locals have speculated that investigators may be able to determine who carried out the poisoning based on who stood to benefit most from the trees’ removal.
Photo credit: Google Street View
Some residents have raised the possibility of deterrent measures similar to those implemented elsewhere in Australia. The reference point many cite is Lane Cove in Sydney’s north shore, where authorities erected a large view-blocking banner after hundreds of trees were deliberately destroyed throughout 2023 and 2024. Whether such measures might be considered for Lota remains an open question as investigations continue.
The location and nature of the poisoning have led to uncomfortable speculation about motive. While no official determination has been made, the positioning of the affected trees, between residential properties and the waterfront, has prompted many to suspect the vandalism may have been driven by desires to enhance water views from nearby homes.
This theory, whether accurate or not, has touched a nerve within the community. It raises broader questions about the ongoing tension between private interests and public assets, and how far some individuals might go to prioritise personal benefit over community wellbeing.
The incident has galvanised community resolve to protect remaining green spaces and ensure those responsible face consequences. Residents remain hopeful that someone will come forward with the information needed to bring this case to a resolution.
Anyone with information about the tree poisoning at the Lota Park is encouraged to contact Brisbane authorities. Locals can call 3403 8888 to report any details that may assist the investigation.
Grace Collins, a Wynnum-Manly batter with Maryborough roots, has played a starring role in Queensland’s U19 women’s cricket championship triumph in Newcastle.
Collins, who now represents Wynnum-Manly District Cricket Club but began her cricket journey in Maryborough, delivered a match-winning performance of 79 runs in the final against NSW Metro on Sunday, helping Queensland claim their fifth national title in the competition’s history.
The victory marked Queensland’s first U19 championship since the 2021-22 season and broke a frustrating three-year run of final defeats to NSW Metro. It was the third consecutive year the two teams had met in the decider.
Collins’ final innings heroics came after she scored 51 runs in the semi-final victory over Victoria, finishing the tournament with an impressive tally of 237 runs across the championships.
Queensland faced early difficulties in the final at National Park, Newcastle Sports Ground, losing half their side by the 14th over after winning the toss and batting first. Collins steadied the innings with crucial partnerships, helping Queensland reach 148 runs.
The bowling attack then stepped up, with pace bowler Mia Croucamp claiming three wickets for just six runs and leg-spinner Aya Stafford taking three for 28, restricting NSW Metro to 121 runs and sealing the victory.
The tournament, which ran from 15 to 22 December across Newcastle, Central Coast and Maitland, featured nine teams competing in a mixed-format competition of T20 and one-day matches. Queensland’s triumph was particularly sweet after they had bounced back from two losses during the regular rounds to win both finals matches.
Beyond their on-field success, Queensland also took home the Spirit of Cricket Award from the championships, recognising the team’s exemplary conduct throughout the tournament.
Photo Credit: Facebook / Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club
Collins is among several regional Queensland players making their mark at state level. Queensland Cricket noted in November 2023 that the U19 women’s squad featured strong representation from regional areas, with Collins joining teammates from Warwick, Monto, Bundaberg, Emerald and Townsville.
Cricket Australia’s national development lead praised the tournament’s showcase of emerging talent. According to the organisation’s statement published on cricket.com.au, the championships demonstrated the quality of players progressing through cricket pathways towards elite levels.
For Wynnum-Manly District Cricket Club, Collins’ success adds to the club’s proud history of developing representative players. The club, founded in 1961, has become one of Brisbane’s strongest cricket clubs across all levels, with over 850 current playing members.
The victory ends a difficult period for Queensland women’s teams, which had endured several finals losses across different competitions in recent seasons. Collins and her teammates have now delivered a championship that validates the strength of the state’s female cricket pathway programs.
A long-awaited business case examining options for the Rickertt Road corridor and the Tingalpa Creek bridge duplication is moving forward, with funding arrangements and study scope still being finalised.
Funding of $500,000 has been allocated to develop a business case for the duplication of the Tingalpa Creek bridge. The funding was announced publicly before the election and later confirmed again after the election and included in the 2025–26 Budget.
The funds are assigned to the Department of Transport and Main Roads, with work underway between TMR and Redland City Council officers to determine how the project will be delivered.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
What The Business Case Will Cover
The business case is expected to examine options to improve capacity along the Rickertt Road corridor, described as running from Thorneside to Green Camp Rd.
It is also expected to assess options including duplicating or replacing the bridge, as well as upgrading single-lane sections south and north of the bridge.
Who Is Expected To Deliver The Study
The expected outcome is for the $500,000 funding to be transferred so Redland City Council can lead and manage the business case. Negotiations are ongoing about what the business case will and will not include.
A funding deed is anticipated in coming weeks, with work on the business case expected to progress over the following 12 months.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Public Response To The Study Funding
Public comments shared online show mixed views about the $500,000 allocation for a business case, including criticism of further studies and calls for construction to begin sooner.
The comments also reference long-running concerns about congestion, flooding, and the pace of progress on the corridor.
Next Steps And Funding Reality
The business case is intended to clarify options, complexity and scale for improving the corridor. Any future works would require significant State and Federal funding.
Brisbane City Council has stated the project is being delivered by Redland City Council, and that Brisbane will be consulted on designs because the project lies on the border of its local government area.
A grand historic residence in Manly that began as an exclusive seaside retreat for a wealthy banker now functions as a vital home for the Presentation Sisters.
The house, originally named ‘Culterfel’, was built around 1885. It was constructed for James Gibson, a bank manager, as a holiday home. It was one of the very first holiday houses to be built in the area, which was being developed as the ‘Manly Beach Estate’.
The home was described in an advertisement from 1887 as a “mansion worthy of the site,” positioned to take advantage of the extensive views over Moreton Bay. Mr. Gibson and his family used the house for holidays until he retired in the early 1890s and moved in permanently.
After Mr Gibson, the property was sold in 1911 to a grazier named John Henry Hart. Mr. Hart also used the home as a holiday and retirement residence. During his ownership, the house was a centre for the local community, hosting fetes and meetings.
The property’s purpose changed completely when it was purchased by Brisbane’s Roman Catholic Archbishop, James Duhig, in 1935. The Archbishop was working to establish more churches and schools in the growing suburbs.
He had already established the St John Vianney parish on nearby land where the ‘Wyvernleigh’ residence once stood. ‘Culterfel’ was immediately put to use, becoming the home for the parish priest, Rev. Father Butler. The lower level of the house was even used as a temporary mass centre for the local community.
In 1940, the house was remodelled to serve a new and lasting purpose: to become a seaside convent. The building was officially blessed and opened in January 1941 as the St Philomena’s Convent and School.
It became the home of the Presentation Sisters, an order focused on education and community outreach. The Sisters started the school from the convent building, opening with just over 80 students.
The school was later renamed St John Vianney’s Catholic Primary School and moved into a new, purpose-built schoolhouse across the road in 1953. The original ‘Culterfel’ building was formally transferred to the Sisters in 1959 and continues to serve as their convent to this day, a landmark of community service.
The 2026 Finn World Sailing Championships in Manly will be backed by Porsche Centre Brisbane, with the partnership supporting a February regatta series hosted at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
Porsche Centre Brisbane has been confirmed as a major event partner for the 2026 Finn World Sailing Championships. The partnership is linked to a February 2026 program hosted by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly, Queensland.
The partnership involves Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and the International Finn Association of Australia, with the regattas scheduled across several consecutive events during the month.
The Manly program includes the Australian Finn National Championships, the Finn Gold Cup and the Finn World Masters.
Provided information lists different start and finish dates for the Australian Finn National Championships and the Finn Gold Cup. The partnership announcement lists the Nationals running 7–12 February 2026 and the Gold Cup running 13–19 February 2026, while the event information page lists the Nationals as 7–10 February 2026 and the Gold Cup as 12–19 February 2026.
The Finn World Masters is listed consistently as 20–27 February 2026.
Event Context And Significance
The Finn is a single-handed dinghy that previously competed as an Olympic class, debuting at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. The class is known for demanding on-water competition at high performance levels.
The February series is expected to attract more than 500 competitors and supporters, according to the partnership announcement. The same source states the Finn Gold Cup will return to Brisbane for the first time in 50 years, and the Finn World Masters will be contested in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, running back-to-back with the Gold Cup.
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is based on the waterfront in Manly and was formed in 1885. The club hosts regular championship racing for members and also stages national and international regattas on Moreton Bay.
Community Response Online
Social media responses to the announcement indicate positive anticipation for the February 2026 schedule. Comments referenced hosting and servicing multiple Finn events across the month and described the period as a major sailing month for Manly.
Event updates, official notices, volunteer information and entry links are being managed through the event channels listed for each regatta. Organisers are continuing preparations ahead of the February 2026 series in Manly.
For student-athlete Kobi Walker, long-distance running has proven far more than a local pursuit. The Moreton Bay College student has spent several years progressing through school, regional and state representative levels in cross country and track and field, ultimately being selected for a college running scholarship in the United States with the Mizzou Tigers at the University of Missouri.
Kobi’s journey illustrates how involvement in school sport pathways such as Queensland Representative School Sport (QRSS) can help nurture athletic talent and open up competitive opportunities beyond traditional school competition.
Queensland Representative School Sport is a long-standing program that provides competitive sporting pathways for students across the state. It supports participation in 21 different representative sports for students aged around 10–19 years, offering structured competition from school level to district, regional and state championships.
Photo credit: Moreton Bay College
The program is coordinated across 12 regional school sport committees and oversees development and selection processes for Queensland teams. QRSS highlights the positive impact that school sport participation has on students, volunteers and officials, and underscores the community involvement that makes the program possible.
In recent years, Kobi has distinguished herself in both cross country and track and field, earning gold medals in the state championships for both the 1500m and the 5000m. Her performances at state level helped position her as an athlete capable of competing internationally and were linked to her acceptance into the NCAA system in the United States where she now competes for the University of Missouri’s cross country and track programmes.
Alongside her sporting commitments, Kobi has developed an entrepreneurial side. She established Foodie Spread, a catering and grazing platter business, in her mid-teens, and later expanded into Kobi’s Kitchen, which offers healthy meal sachets intended to encourage balanced nutrition. These ventures have become part of her broader focus on wellbeing and healthy lifestyle promotion.
Moreton Bay College supports a broad range of sports and competitive opportunities, emphasising participation and achievement across diverse activities including cross country, team sports and championship events, with many students progressing through school and external competitive pathways.
Photo credit: Moreton Bay College
Queensland Representative School Sport itself has a rich competitive history. For more than a century, students who participated in the programme have gone on to national and international success.
Among those who progressed through Queensland’s representative system are Olympic champions in athletics and swimming, as well as world champions and elite performers in a range of sports. These include standout athletes such as Cathy Freeman and Sally Pearson in athletics, Grant Hackett in swimming, Emma Snowsill in triathlon, and elite golfers and surfers who competed at the highest level. The programme also recognises the contributions of volunteer officials, referees, umpires, and teachers who support young athletes in competition.
For young athletes in Manly West and throughout Queensland, Kobi’s achievements reinforce the value of school sporting pathways. Her progression from local competition to international collegiate sport highlights the opportunities that structured representative sport can create for committed students. It also underscores how participation, resilience and community support contribute to broader personal development.
As Kobi continues her athletic and academic journey overseas, her story serves as a reminder of how Queensland Representative School Sport can provide a foundation for future success — on tracks, in classrooms and within wider communities.
For some households in Manly and Manly West, the November 2025 severe hailstorms caused significant disruption, damaging homes and cutting power. In response, targeted hardship assistance has now been activated to help eligible, uninsured residents meet essential recovery needs and begin restoring their properties.
The income-tested support extends beyond Manly and Manly West to other bayside and eastern suburbs impacted by the storms, including Gumdale, Lota, Ransome, Wakerley, Wynnum and Wynnum West. These suburbs are among 15 across Brisbane that have been included in the assistance package following property damage and service disruptions linked to the hailstorms.
The financial assistance is being delivered under the joint Commonwealth–state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). It is available to uninsured residents who meet income eligibility requirements and whose primary place of residence was damaged during the storm event. The measures are intended to help residents address essential recovery costs and return affected homes to a safe and liveable condition.
For Manly and Manly West residents, the assistance comes as clean-up and repair efforts continue across the community. While some damage was immediately visible, other issues have emerged over time as residents assess the full impact of the hail and power outages. For households without insurance, managing these recovery costs can be particularly challenging.
Three forms of Personal Hardship Assistance are available, depending on individual circumstances.
Structural Assistance Grants provide the highest level of support. Eligible, uninsured owner-occupiers may receive up to $80,000 to help repair or replace a disaster-damaged dwelling. The aim of this funding is to ensure homes can be returned to a condition that is safe and fit to live in, rather than to fund non-essential improvements.
Essential Household Contents Grants are also available to help residents replace basic household items that were destroyed as a result of the storms. This income-tested assistance can be used to replace items such as refrigerators, washing machines and beds. Payments are available up to $1,765 for individuals, or up to $5,300 for couples and families.
A third measure, the Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme, offers grants of up to $5,000 per household. This assistance is for uninsured homeowners who need support to reconnect essential services such as electricity, gas, water or sewerage where storm damage has affected safety or access.
While Manly and Manly West are among the bayside suburbs included, the assistance package also applies to other parts of Brisbane impacted by the hailstorms. Suburbs covered by the activation include Ashgrove, Bardon, Boondall, Ferny Grove, Keperra, Mount Crosby and The Gap, highlighting the wide reach of the storm system as it moved across the city.
Government representatives have noted that severe weather events are increasing in strength and frequency, placing greater pressure on households and communities. The hardship assistance has been introduced to ensure support is available for residents most affected by the storms, particularly those without insurance who meet the eligibility criteria.
Affected residents are encouraged to check their eligibility and seek information about the assistance available to them. Details about the grants, including eligibility requirements and application processes, are available through the Queensland Government’s disaster assistance website.
Support is also available through the 24-hour Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349, which can provide guidance on applications and information about other recovery services.
As Manly and Manly West continue the recovery process, the hardship assistance offers a practical form of support for eligible households working to restore their homes and essential services after last month’s hailstorms.
