Kedron Café and Stafford Heights Butcher Share A Local Food Success Story 

Kedron and Stafford Heights have more than two award wins to celebrate, with Farmhouse and Rode Meats recognised as Queensland favourites after years of building their names around local produce, loyal customers and the kind of everyday service that keeps communities coming back.



Kedron And Stafford Heights Winners Reflect Local Loyalty

Farmhouse in Kedron and Rode Meats in Stafford Heights have been named among Queensland’s All the Best winners, with the two businesses recognised in separate food categories after a record 74,630 votes were cast across the 2026 campaign.

Farmhouse, located at 9 Somerset Road in Kedron, was named Best Café, while Rode Meats, at 269 Appleby Road in Stafford Heights, was named Best Butcher. The awards covered 15 categories, including cafés, butchers, bakeries, burger shops, fish and chip shops, pizzerias, pubs, gyms, florists, tourism attractions and other local favourites.

While the titles mark a public vote result, the story behind the two winners is also about consistency. Both businesses have built their identities around food, produce and repeat local support. Their connection is also practical, with Farmhouse noting that Rode Meats already supplies it with produce.

Rode Meats
Photo Credit: Rode Meats/Facebook

That link gives the recognition a stronger local thread. One winner serves meals from a Kedron café grounded in regional produce, while the other has spent decades trading as a Stafford Heights butcher. Together, their wins show how local food businesses can grow through daily trust, steady service and a clear sense of place.

Farmhouse Kedron Carries A Produce-Focused Story

Farmhouse’s story is tied to the memory of Farmer Joe’s, a family-owned produce store that closed in 2009 to make way for a new road. Farmer Joe’s had been remembered as a community hub, and Farmhouse has shaped its own identity around fresh food producers, family farms and local and regional supply.

The café presents itself as a tribute to dairy farmers, local farms and fresh food producers. It says it buys from many local and regional producers and aims to add more farmers to its list each season. That focus gives the Kedron café a clear point of difference beyond its Best Café title.

Its approach is simple but effective: bring food from farms to plates with as little fuss as possible. That idea sits at the centre of the café’s public story and helps explain why its win carries weight with customers who value local food connections.

Farmhouse operates from 6:30am to 2:30pm, seven days a week, and offers food, drinks, catering and bookings. After being named Best Café in Queensland, the business marked Queensland Day with lunch and drink specials and acknowledged its team and supporters.

Rode Meats Builds On More Than Four Decades In Stafford Heights

Rode Meats has been part of Stafford Heights since 1980. The family-owned butcher operates from Rode Road Shopping Centre and lists beef, chicken, lamb, pork, roasts, sausages, low-and-slow meats and ready-to-go items among its products.

Its Best Butcher recognition adds to earlier honours listed by the business, including a 2020 Brisbane butcher title and a 2020 Australia’s Best Continental Sausage award. Those earlier achievements help give context to the latest win, showing that the All the Best result is not a sudden appearance but part of a longer record of recognition.

Before the winners were announced, Rode Meats had already been leading the butcher category leaderboard. The public vote put the Stafford Heights shop ahead in a competitive field and drew attention to the strong support behind the business.

The butcher’s profile has also grown online, helped by apprentice butcher Ethan Johns and sausage-making content that attracted wide attention. One video received more than 5.8 million views, showing how a traditional local trade can reach far beyond the shopfront while still being rooted in everyday craft.

A Shared Food Story With A Local Connection

The recognition of Farmhouse and Rode Meats stands out because the two businesses are connected beyond the winners list. Farmhouse has publicly noted that Rode Meats already supplies it with produce, giving the awards a direct local supply link.

That connection makes the story more than a simple list of winners. It shows one local business supporting another, with the café and butcher each playing a role in the area’s food scene.

For Farmhouse, the Best Café title reflects a business shaped around farmers, producers and community support. For Rode Meats, the Best Butcher title adds to decades of Stafford Heights trading, earlier awards and growing public attention.



The All the Best winners were announced on Wednesday, 3 June, ahead of Queensland Day on Saturday, 6 June. For Kedron and Stafford Heights, the result places two local food names on a Queensland-wide winners list while highlighting the value of steady support, trusted supply and businesses that continue to grow from their local base.

Published 4-June-2026

Kedron Community Shaken After Wrong-Way Driver Causes Multi-Vehicle Crash

A wrong-way collision in Kedron has left a local motorcyclist fighting serious injuries after a multi-vehicle pileup disrupted a major suburban intersection.



The incident unfolded around 8:30 a.m. on 3 June when emergency responders rushed to Gympie Road at the junction of Kedron Street. Early police investigations point to a white Volkswagen T-Roc crossing over onto the incorrect side of the road. 

This sudden movement forced an immediate and unavoidable collision with a white Hyundai i30, turning a routine morning drive into a scene of chaos for local residents.

Multi-Vehicle
Photo Credit: Queensland Police

The force of the initial crash created a dangerous chain reaction. The Hyundai was pushed directly into the path of a grey Honda motorcycle, severely impacting the rider. Emergency medical crews quickly treated the 46-year-old Albany Creek man at the scene before transporting him to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. 

Authorities confirmed his condition as serious but stable, while noting that no other drivers or passengers involved required medical treatment for physical injuries.



Local law enforcement is now turning to the public to piece together the exact cause of the crash. Officers stated that any bystanders or passing drivers who might have captured the event on dashcam video should come forward to share their recordings with police. Community cooperation remains essential for the ongoing investigation to ensure local road safety measures are properly addressed moving forward.

Published Date 04-June-2026

Stafford Heights Butcher Leads Queensland-Wide Vote For Best Butcher

A Stafford Heights butcher shop is leading a Queensland-wide public vote to name the best butcher in the All The Best competition, with Rode Meats sitting first on the latest leaderboard as local food businesses compete for community support.



Rode Meats Tops The Butcher Leaderboard

Rode Meats, based on Appleby Road in Stafford Heights, is currently listed in first place in the butcher category. The Bellmere Butcher on Bellmere Road is ranked second, while The Butcher Shoppe on Wynnum Road in Cannon Hill is third.

The competition asks Queenslanders to vote for their favourite businesses, food outlets and destinations across 15 categories. These include butcher, bakery, cafe, burger joint, fish and chip shop, florist, gym, hairdresser or barber, ice cream shop, pizzeria, pub, beach, camping and 4WD spot, bánh mì place and tourism attraction.

For the butcher category, the contest has become a friendly race among local shops, with public voting, social media attention and creative sausage-making helping draw interest.

Rode Meats
Photo Credit: Rode Meats/Facebook

Stafford Heights Shop Builds On Decades Of Trade

Rode Meats describes itself as a family-owned and operated butcher shop in Stafford Heights. The business has been operating since 1980 and is located at the Rode Road Shopping Centre.

The shop supplies beef, chicken, lamb, pork, roasts, sausages, low-and-slow meats and ready-to-go items. It also lists past recognition, including a 2020 Brisbane butcher title and a 2020 Australia’s Best Continental Sausage award.

Its current position in the All The Best butcher category adds to a period of wider attention for the business. Apprentice butcher Ethan Johns has helped Rode Meats build a large online following, with one sausage-making video receiving more than 5.8 million views.

Queensland butcher
Photo Credit: Rode Meats/Facebook

Social Media Adds Flavour To The Contest

The butcher vote has also highlighted how Queensland shops are using social media to show how their products are made. The Bellmere Butcher has drawn attention for unusual sausage combinations, including hot chips with rump steak and pepper gravy, slow-cooked brisket with mac and cheese, and spicy ramen.

Rode Meats has been noted for its growing following, team focus and planned expansion, with two more sister stores expected to open in Brisbane within the next year.

All The Best
Photo Credit: Rode Meats/Facebook

Although the competition has been described as a battle among butchers, the tone remains friendly. The contest is centred on local support, customer loyalty and the public vote rather than direct rivalry.

Voting closes on Thursday, 28 May. Each vote gives the voter one entry into a prize draw for a Queensland Day prize pack valued at more than $1,800, including All World Annual passes, a Skypoint dining experience and a Flight Centre travel voucher.



Winners will be announced on Wednesday, 3 June, ahead of Queensland Day on Saturday, 6 June. Rode Meats remains the Stafford Heights name at the top of the butcher leaderboard.

Published 25-May-2026

Kedron Brook tops Microplastic Count in QUT Study of Brisbane Creeks

Kedron Brook, which flows east through Enoggera, Stafford, Grange and Lutwyche before reaching Moreton Bay, carries the highest load of microplastic particles in its sediment of any of the Brisbane creeks examined in a new Queensland University of Technology study. 


Read: Stafford’s Next Chapter: A Suburban Shift Along Kedron Brook


The research, published in the journal Environmental Pollution, found a median abundance of roughly 4,400 microplastic items per kilogram of dry sediment in the brook.

The study analysed sediment samples from Kedron Brook, Bulimba Creek, and Enoggera Creek, taking samples at six sites along each waterway, from the upstream headwaters right down to estuarine level, across four sampling periods over the course of a year.

What is driving the load in Kedron Brook?

Photo credit: CC BY-SA 4.0/Q8682/Wikimedia Commons

Lead researcher and QUT PhD candidate Heshani Mudalige, from QUT’s School of Chemistry and Physics, said the brook’s passage through commercial and industrial areas played a central role in driving the microplastic figure up. 

Construction activity, single-use plastic disposal, food packaging waste and nearby recreational areas all contribute to elevated levels of polyethylene — the most abundant plastic type found in the brook’s sediment. Stormwater runoff from residential households, sports fields and parks adds further to the load.

The brook’s extensive flat areas, surrounded by impervious surfaces such as roads and car parks, create conditions where microplastics carried by runoff are deposited and retained.

Microplastic levels in Kedron Brook peaked in March, which Ms Mudalige attributed to high-flow conditions during the summer wet season pushing plastic particles into the sediment.

The dominant plastic types found across all three creeks were polyethylene (PE), used widely in packaging, bottles and pipes; polypropylene (PP), common in food containers and sportswear; and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Polystyrene (PS) was also present in Kedron Brook’s sediment.

How did the other creeks compare?

Bulimba Creek recorded the second-highest microplastic abundance at approximately 4,100 items per kilogram of dry sediment, with its load peaking in November. Ms Mudalige said Bulimba Creek flows through predominantly residential and commercial areas, with construction and maintenance sites contributing high amounts of PE as well as PP and PMMA, likely sourced from food and consumer packaging, textiles, industrial raw materials and household plastics.

Enoggera Creek recorded the lowest load of the three at approximately 2,800 items per kilogram. The presence of Enoggera Dam was identified as a key factor, with the dam regulating streamflow from upstream and trapping a significant portion of microplastics before they can travel further downstream.


Read: Kedron Brook Set for Major Transformation in Olympic Lead-up


A first step toward quantifying Moreton Bay’s microplastic inputs

Associate Professor Prasanna Egodawatta, Heshani Mudalige, and Professor Godwin Ayoko (Photo credit: qut.edu.au)

Associate Professor Prasanna Egodawatta, from QUT’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, described the study as a first step towards quantifying how much plastic pollution reaches Moreton Bay from land via the stormwater pathway. He said heavily urbanised catchments in South East Queensland are significant contributors to that pollution, and that the physical characteristics of a creek, its shape, slope and flow behaviour, determine how microplastics move through it.

Ms Mudalige said the overall findings indicate that seasonal variability exerts a dominant influence on microplastic abundance, while land use and the intensity of human activity in each catchment also shape how much plastic accumulates in the sediment.

Published 25-May-2026

A Passport, Three Stamps and a Reason to Revisit Wilston Village

If you live anywhere near Wilston, chances are you already have your usual rotation.

Maybe it’s pizza at Antica, recently named Best Italian Restaurant in Brisbane’s northern suburbs for 2025, which probably didn’t surprise many locals. Maybe it’s a Friday schnitzel or a Wednesday Black Angus rump to get over the midweek hump at Frankie Brown.

Maybe you’ve ducked into Parade for a gift and somehow left with three things you didn’t know you needed. Maybe you’ve told yourself you should properly check out Mumbleberry one day.

Or perhaps a salon appointment at Fruition, fresh off being named both Australian Salon of the Year and Queensland Hairdresser of the Year for 2026, is more your speed.

That’s the thing about Wilston Village. Even locals who know it well tend to experience it in fragments. A dinner spot here. A quick coffee there. A post office run when something needs sending.

But the village along Kedron Brook Road has become far more than a convenient collection of familiar stops. Now there’s a fresh reason to look at it differently.

Shop, Stamp & Win

Supported through Brisbane City Council’s Growing Precincts Together program, Shop, Stamp & Win is a Wilston Village promotion designed to reward locals for exploring participating businesses across the precinct.

From now until June 10, you can pick up a Wilston Village passport, collect stamps as you shop, dine or visit participating businesses, and you’ll join a raffle draw to win one of ten $100 Wilston Village vouchers.

Click through the mechanics to find out how:

The most interesting part isn’t the prize. It’s the excuse to break routine.

And because a passport challenge only works if the destinations are worth the detour, we’ve grouped the participating businesses by mood, appetite and mission.

So where should those stamps take you? That depends whether you’re chasing a long lunch, a practical errand, a little retail therapy or a proper reset.

The Food & Wine Trail

For many locals, Wilston Village starts with food. Whether you’re planning a proper sit-down meal, a casual catch-up or simply figuring out what’s for dinner, this stretch of the passport is arguably the easiest to fill.

The Shopping Expedition

Not every Wilston Village outing starts with a shopping list. Sometimes it starts with “just a quick look” and ends with the perfect gift, something unexpected, or a few purchases you’ll happily justify later.

“Me” Time

Some Wilston Village visits are less about discovery and more about self-care, whether that means a little pampering, a proper reset or finally making time for yourself.

Quick Stops

A good village isn’t just about long lunches and little indulgences. It’s also about the practical places that quietly make life easier — the post office run, the newspaper or magazine pick-up, or the travel experts you’re grateful to have nearby when a trip needs more than a quick online search.

After you’ve had your fill of the Village, don’t forget: once you’ve collected your three stamps and submitted your passport, there are ten $100 dining and retail vouchers up for grabs.

For those who know it well, Wilston Village hardly needs an introduction; but familiar places are often the easiest to overlook. Shop, Stamp & Win is a good excuse to revisit an old favourite, try somewhere new, and perhaps discover your next regular — with a shot at $100 along the way!

Published 22-May-2026

Shop, Stamp & Win is a Proud Promotional Partner of Brisbane Suburbs Online News. This is an advertorial.

Rare New Mexican Flavours Arrive in Stafford Through a Three-Generation Family Love Story

The trusted hospitality team behind local favourites Farmhouse and Oh Boy, Bok Choy is bringing a culinary experience rarely seen in Australia to Stafford by launching a 90-seat authentic New Mexican taqueria rooted in a deep family history.



A Family Legacy 

mexican
Photo Credit: Sancho’s Taqueria

Sancho Taqueria & Tequileria is slated to launch at Stafford Central in early to mid-June 2026. Rather than simply chasing the latest dining trends, owner Amanda Scott has built the venue around her family’s personal connection to the American Southwest. Her father moved to New Mexico as a child, where he fell in love with the local culture and language. He later married Scott’s mother in Albuquerque and honeymooned in Santa Fe, making the region’s food a staple in their household.

Scott shared that her parents’ affection for the region shaped their family history, and now her own children are the third generation to embrace this heritage. She explained that her father’s passion for the area led him to learn Spanish, study in Madrid, and develop a deep appreciation for Hispanic literature. The restaurant actually takes its name from Sancho Panza, the famously loyal sidekick in her father’s favourite Spanish novel, Don Quixote.

The Red or Green Question

mexican
Photo Credit: Sancho’s Taqueria

Diners will find a menu that steps away from standard contemporary Mexican fare. Instead, the kitchen focuses on the landlocked cuisine of New Mexico, which blends Native American Pueblo, Spanish, Mexican, and American frontier influences. Developed alongside consultant chef Julius Villamor, the taco-heavy menu is largely gluten-free and relies on the traditional Indigenous agricultural staples of corn, beans, and squash.

Visitors will also get to experience New Mexico’s official state question regarding their chilli sauce preference: red or green. Guests can choose a rich and earthy red sauce, a savoury and herbaceous green sauce, or simply ask for “Christmas” to get a portion of both. Everything is made from scratch, favouring deeply charred and smoked flavours. 

mexican
Photo Credit: Sancho’s Taqueria

Traditional regional baked goods will also make an appearance, including pillow-shaped fried pastries known as sopapillas and anise-spiced shortbreads called bizcochitos, which hold the title of New Mexico’s official state cookie. Scott noted that the new location draws heavily on her family’s past cultural connections, local produce, and the expertise of her staff.



Sunset Aesthetic and Curated Spirits

The drink selection focuses heavily on a carefully chosen range of tequila and mezcal. Signature cocktails are named after various New Mexican towns to complement the food. The Pueblo Margarita, for example, mixes reposado tequila with prickly pear syrup, fresh lime, orange bitters, and a chilli-tajin rim to create a colour that looks just like a mountain sunset. Drinkers will even find a map on the back of the beverage menu to help them locate the towns that inspired their drinks.

The design of the space completely avoids common visual clichés like hanging sombreros or chillies. Instead, the bright, understated dining room, bar, laneway, and al fresco areas are decorated in burnt oranges, hot pinks, and ochre undertones to mimic golden hour in the Sandia Mountains. Scott mentioned that the venue will feel like an unexpected escape on an ordinary street, allowing guests to forget their location, and will sprawl out much like their previous restaurant concepts.

Published Date 22-May-2026

Labor Retains Stafford After Kedron Voters Drive Sharp LNP Surge


Labor retained Stafford after voters across Kedron and Brisbane’s inner north delivered a strong swing towards the Liberal National Party in one of the closest contests seen in the electorate in recent years.



The Stafford by-election, held on 16 May, saw Labor candidate Luke Richmond edge ahead of LNP challenger Fiona Hammond after preference flows pushed him past the line following a tense night of counting. 

While Labor retained the seat once held by late MP Jimmy Sullivan, the result reflected shifting voter sentiment in suburbs including Kedron, Stafford Heights and Gordon Park.

The LNP secured more than 40 per cent of the primary vote, recording a swing towards the governing party in an electorate that has traditionally leaned Labor. The final result remained uncertain late into election night as postal votes and preferences continued to be counted.

Kedron Booths Show Stronger Support for the LNP

Results across Kedron polling booths showed stronger support for the LNP than in previous elections. Voters raised concerns about housing affordability, traffic congestion, rising household costs and pressure on local infrastructure as both major parties fought to win over undecided residents.

Labor’s primary vote dropped significantly compared with the last state election, while the LNP improved its position in several booths across the electorate. An election analyst noted the swing against Labor was significant compared with previous results in Brisbane’s inner north.

The Greens also played a major role in the outcome. Unlike previous elections, the party issued an open how-to-vote position rather than directing preferences to Labor. Despite that, a large share of Greens preferences still flowed back to Richmond during the final count.

Steven Miles Under Pressure After Close Stafford Result

The result has intensified scrutiny on Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles, who campaigned heavily throughout Kedron and surrounding suburbs during the short by-election campaign.

Speaking after the count, Mr Miles said Labor had expected a difficult contest given the large number of candidates and Ms Hammond’s profile as a former Brisbane city councillor. He maintained that holding the seat showed the party was rebuilding after its defeat at the 2024 state election.

However, senior figures within the LNP quickly framed the outcome as a political setback for Labor. Premier David Crisafulli described the swing towards the government as unexpected, while Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie argued the result showed dissatisfaction with Miles’ leadership.

Housing and Cost Pressures Shape Local Debate

Campaign discussions frequently focused on local issues including housing and transport. Residents across Kedron and Stafford pointed to rising rents, overcrowded roads and concerns about future development in established neighbourhoods.

Ms Hammond centred much of her campaign on long-term planning and cost-of-living pressure, while Mr Richmond focused on health services, schools and maintaining investment in local facilities.

At campaign events and polling booths, voter concerns frequently centred on local economic pressures rather than broader party messaging. Several reports linked the swing to concerns about mortgage repayments and housing affordability.

The by-election was triggered after Mr Sullivan’s passing in April. Mr Sullivan, who represented Stafford since 2015, was known for his local campaigning work across the electorate. His passing influenced the tone of the campaign across the electorate.

Preferences Decide the Final Outcome

As counting continued into Sunday, Labor’s lead remained dependent on preference distributions rather than first-choice votes alone. Postal voting heavily favoured the LNP, while Greens and minor-party preferences helped Mr Richmond move ahead in the final tally.

The outcome means Labor keeps the Stafford seat, while the swing recorded in Kedron and nearby suburbs is expected to draw attention from both major parties ahead of the 2028 Queensland election.



Published 19-May-2026

Hidden Dangers on Brisbane Paths Leave Stafford Pet Owner with Massive Vet Bill

A Stafford pet owner is enduring every dog lover’s worst nightmare after a routine riverside walk left her young spaniel fighting for survival against a highly toxic drug ingestion. 



pet
Photo Credit: GoFundMe

Demi Hagenbach took her dog, Swiftie, for a regular outing between Newstead Park and New Farm Park on Sunday, May 10. During the walk, the spaniel consumed an unknown substance off the ground, which her owner suspects was human faeces. Later that evening, the dog began exhibiting highly erratic behaviour, including severe panting, drooling, and aimless circling that lasted for hours.

After a local emergency clinic initially sent them home, Hagenbach rushed the rapidly deteriorating dog to the Animal Emergency Service in Underwood. Medical professionals conducted a urine test that revealed a shocking diagnosis. The young dog had ingested a massive amount of methamphetamine, THC, ecstasy, and ibuprofen. 

pet
Photo Credit: GoFundMe

Veterinarians noted that the severe neurological symptoms, which included body tremors and difficulty walking, meant the animal required immediate sedation and oxygen support. Swiftie spent five days in the intensive care unit battling internal bleeding and a secondary urinary tract infection.

The financial toll of the emergency quickly matched the emotional devastation. The intensive care treatment cost up to $3,000 per night, rapidly exhausting Hagenbach’s annual pet insurance limit of $15,000. Medical staff warned that the dog requires ongoing constant observation and potentially a $5,000 MRI to check for meningitis or an internal brain bleed, making her recovery far more complex than initially expected.



pet
Photo Credit: GoFundMe

In response to the escalating crisis, Grace Hagenbach organised a community fundraiser to help cover the staggering veterinary debts and necessary surgical interventions. The family stated that any leftover funds would be directed to the Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation to support further research into diseases affecting local pets.

Published Date 19-May-2026

Woody Point Man Charged Over Alleged Kedron Motorbike Theft Attempt

A 26-year-old Woody Point man has been charged after police allegedly found him interfering with a motorcycle behind a hotel in Kedron.



Late-Night Patrol Leads To Kedron Charges

Police said officers were conducting proactive foot patrols near a Kedron hotel about 11.30pm on Saturday, May 9, when they heard a motorcycle rev before stopping suddenly.

Officers located a motorcycle at the rear of the premises and allegedly found a man attempting to interfere with the bike using a screwdriver. Police also identified damage to the motorcycle’s ignition.

The man allegedly tried to flee when approached by officers.

He has been charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, wilful damage, possession of an implement used in the commission of an offence, and assault police.

motorcycle security
Photo Credit: QPS

Stafford Allegation Added After Further Inquiries

Further investigations, including forensic examinations, led police to charge the man in relation to the alleged theft of another motorcycle from a residence on Guntur Street, Stafford, on April 30.

The man was remanded in custody and was expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 11.

Kedron motorbike theft
Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Motorcycle Security Reminder After Kedron Case

Police used the Kedron matter to remind motorcycle owners to take basic security steps to reduce the risk of theft.

Motorcycle owners were urged to keep keys with them, remove keys from ignitions when parked, and use handlebar or fork locks. Police also encouraged the use of disc locks with audible alarms, secure storage, motorcycle covers, fixed anchor points, GPS trackers, and remote engine immobilisers that meet Australian standards.

Owners were also advised to vary where they park and choose well-lit areas where possible.



Anyone with information has been asked to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers, using reference numbers QP2600891948 and QP2600837096.

Published 12-May-2026

Number Plate Thefts Rise Across North Brisbane as Residents Warned to Secure Cars

A string of stolen number plates across North Brisbane has pushed police to warn drivers that a small piece of metal on the back of a car can quickly become a tool for bigger crimes. In just 24 hours, officers received seven reports of registration plates being taken from parked vehicles in suburbs stretching from Sandgate to Hamilton, raising concerns among residents already dealing with vehicle break-ins and theft across the city.



The warning was issued on May 8 by Sgt Jodie Murray through the Queensland Police Service after thefts were reported in Kedron, Hamilton, Northgate, Wilston and Sandgate.

Police said stolen registration plates are often attached to other vehicles to avoid detection during criminal activity, including fuel theft, traffic offences and the use of stolen cars. The practice can also leave innocent drivers dealing with toll notices, fines and police inquiries linked to offences they did not commit.

North Brisbane suburbs see sharp increase in plate thefts

Officers from the Gateway District Crime Prevention Unit said the recent cases appeared opportunistic, with thieves targeting vehicles parked on streets and in open areas where screws could be removed quickly.

Police are now encouraging drivers to replace standard screws with anti-theft fittings designed to make number plates harder to remove. The special one-way screws can only be taken out using equipment carried by police.

The crime prevention unit has been distributing free anti-theft screw packs to North Brisbane residents through an online request program first introduced several years ago. The packs include screws and vehicle security information aimed at reducing repeat offences.

Photo Credit: QPS

Residents urged to rethink where vehicles are parked overnight

Police are also advising residents to use locked garages, gated driveways or off-street parking whenever possible, particularly overnight.

Vehicle-related theft has remained a concern across parts of Brisbane, with registration plates often targeted because they can be removed in less than a minute using common tools.

The Queensland Police Service North Brisbane crime prevention page states that securing plates properly can reduce the risk of stolen identifiers being used in further offences.

Authorities are asking anyone who notices suspicious behaviour around parked vehicles to report it through Policelink or anonymously through Crime Stoppers Queensland.

Photo Credit: QPS

Community concern grows as stolen plates linked to wider offences

For many drivers, the theft of a number plate may appear minor compared with car theft, but police say the impact can spread far beyond the original crime scene.

Once stolen plates are attached to another vehicle, they can complicate investigations and create stress for vehicle owners who later receive notices connected to offences committed by someone else. 



Published 12-May-2026