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The announcement that the Federal Government will reinstate funding to Community Legal Centres has come as a huge relief to local Community Legal Centres that largely rely on funding from both State and Federal Government.

“This funding came too close to falling off a cliff and I’m very pleased that the Federal Attorney-General has seen sense and agreed to guarantee funding or Community Legal Centres,” State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP said.

“It should never have got to this point, but I’m pleased our local Community Legal Centres – including Moreton Bay Regional Community Legal Service here in Caboolture – now have the funding and certainty they need to get on with the vital job they do.”

Susan Lamb MP, Laurie McMahon, CEO of Moreton Bay Regional Community Legal Service, Rick Williams MP and Mark Ryan MP in front of the Caboolture Neighbourhood Centre. 

Federal Attorney-General George Brandis today reportedly announced the May 9 Federal Budget would include $39 million of funding for community legal centres and $16.7 million for indigenous legal services over three years.

Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said the Palaszczuk Government recently announced $51.3 million of combined State and Federal Government funding for 36 Community Legal Centres across Queensland for the next three financial years.

“We’ve managed to find extra funding for CLCs, but simply weren’t able to fill all the gaps left by the Turnbull government’s decision,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“We just hope this hasn’t come too late for some people, and that vulnerable members of our community haven’t been left in distress because of George Brandis finally noticing people beyond his ivory tower.

“I would like to acknowledge the advocacy of Community Legal Centres, the Queensland Law Society, the Bar Association of Queensland and other legal stakeholders, and local MPs, who have fought for this funding to be rightfully restored.”

The Palaszczuk Labor Government had also announced a state-wide funding increase for Community Legal Centres (CLCs), which will help offset funding  from the Federal LNP Government.

The funding increase will ensure that Moreton Bay Community Legal Services Inc. is in a position to continue to assist people in need of legal advice in the Caboolture area.

State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP, joined with State Member for Pumicestone, Rick Williams MP, and Federal Member for Longman, Susan Lamb MP, in welcoming the funding announcement, which was part of a package of state-wide funding totalling $51.3 million in State and Commonwealth funding.

“I’m very pleased that Moreton Bay Regional Community Legal Service will benefit from this funding injection of over $392,000,” Mr Ryan said.

“This means that local people who are struggling, who are vulnerable, who need legal advice will still be able to access a local Community Legal Centre.

“CLCs need funding certainty so they can continue to do their valuable work in the community,” Mr Williams said.

“The Palaszczuk Government called on the Turnbull Government to reverse the cuts and give CLCs the funding certainty they need, given that this funding is primarily utilised by the needy in our community.”

“We know how vital CLCs are and its welcomed news that the State Government is able to step up and keep the doors open here,” Ms Lamb said.

Police established a crime scene following the discovery of possible human remains at a pine forest in Caboolture.

At this stage, it is too early to confirm further details about the discovery.

UPDATE 7/04/17:

Detectives have confirmed a body located in a grave in the Beerburrum State Forest on Monday is that of missing 22-year-old Albion man Samuel Thompson.

A post mortem examination has been conducted which indicates Mr Thompson was seriously assaulted, however, investigators are awaiting pathology results in respect to the cause of death.

Samuel went missing on the 7th of March, he was last seen leaving his apartment that morning.                                  

His car, a distinct orange Ford Mustang with the number plate ‘Sammo’ was found abandoned, with the windows down near Byron Bay.                                                          Photo credit: QPS Media

Mr Thompson’s family have been advised of the post mortem results.

Two men have appeared in court charged with one count each of murder and interfering with a corpse in relation to his alleged murder.

They have been remanded in custody and are due to reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court next month.

Photo credit: QPS Media

The new south-bound bridge over the Caboolture River on Morayfield Road is entering the final stages of construction.

Local residents are being given the opportunity to be among the first members of the public to cross it.

State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP, and State Member for Pumicestone, Rick Williams MP, are running a competition for local residents to walk across the new Caboolture River Bridge before it opens to traffic in the coming weeks.

Susan Lamb MP, Mark Ryan MP and Rick Williams MP at the Caboolture River Bridge construction site.

“Before the road surface is poured and the traffic starts rolling, Rick and I will be leading a small group of community members to walk across the new bridge,” Mr Ryan said.

“While it is still a little way from being fully completed, it is now at a point in the construction that allows a lucky few to be the first to walk over the bridge.”

“This is all about community and the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to upgrade much needed infrastructure and we want community members to be amongst the first to go across,” said Mr Williams.

The walk will take place on Saturday 8 April 2017.

To enter, simply email the Morayfield Electorate Office at morayfield@parliament.qld.gov.au with your name, address and contact phone number by Monday 3 April 2017.

For safety reasons, only 12 lucky locals will be able to walk across the bridge at this event.

Winners will be notified on Tuesday 4 April 2017.

The original single-lane southbound Caboolture River Bridge was built in 1918, and widened to 2 lanes in 1987. The 2-lane northbound bridge was later built in 1994.

The older part of the southbound bridge was 98 years old and nearing the end of its useful life. Investigations confirmed the bridge needed to be replaced for structural and safety reasons. In 2014, load limits were applied restricting heavy vehicles to the left-hand lane.

Replacing the southbound bridge is a priority and the Australian and Queensland governments have provided funding of $17.1 million under the Bridge Renewal Program to replace the bridge.

The existing southbound bridge has now been demolished and construction of the new 2-lane bridge is underway. The new bridge will include a 3m shared pedestrian and cyclist path, separated from the road by a metal barrier.

Completion is expected later this year.

Hundreds of shoppers in the Morayfield Shopping Centre were evacuated this afternoon after an alarm signalled something was amiss.

A gas leak in Big W, caused by the airconditioning, was quickly contained by Queensland Fire and Emergency Service crews.

The Shopping Centre was ventilated and atmospheric testing was conducted before giving the all clear and allowing shoppers to return.

Two people were treated at the scene by Paramedics but did not require hospitalisation.

Police also attended the scene to ensure shoppers were safely evacuated and did not return into the store until the all clear was given.

The gas leak comes just days after residents in the vicinity of the Morayfield Shopping Centre complained of smelling gas.

If residents smell gas in their area, the Moreton Bay Regional Council advises residents to call the Department of Natural Resources and Mines on 13 74 68 during business hours, or 000 and ask for the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to investigate.