A crash involving a vehicle carrying diesel in Greenslopes caused major disruption on the Pacific Motorway, with lane closures leading to long traffic delays.
A crash on the northbound Pacific Motorway at Greenslopes on March 17, 2026 resulted in a diesel spill that affected morning traffic across Brisbane’s south.
Emergency services were called between about 5.30 a.m. and 5.45 a.m. near exit 5, where the incident occurred. Reports differed on the type of vehicle involved, with accounts describing a ute towing a trailer, a truck carrying a diesel tank, and a diesel tanker involved in a collision.
Despite these differences, it was consistently reported that diesel was released onto the roadway, requiring immediate clean-up and traffic management.
Authorities closed multiple northbound lanes following the crash, reducing traffic to a single lane for several hours. These restrictions remained in place until approximately 8.25 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. while crews worked to clear the spill.
Traffic queues extended well beyond the crash site. Congestion was reported to have reached between 14 kilometres and more than 17 kilometres at different stages of the morning.
Motorists experienced significant delays, with some sections of the motorway slowing to about 5 km/h. In other areas, traffic moved gradually at speeds of up to 45 km/h.
Flow-on congestion was also reported on nearby routes, including the Gateway Motorway northbound through Stretton.
Driver Treated And Transported
One person involved in the crash sustained a head injury. The individual was treated at the scene before being transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition.
Emergency crews remained on site for several hours to complete the clean-up and safely reopen the affected lanes.
The Greenslopes crash drew attention online, where social media users posted a mix of humour, speculation and commentary about the diesel spill and resulting delays.
By later in the morning, traffic conditions gradually improved as lanes reopened and congestion eased across the motorway network.
Ongoing Impact On Greenslopes Commuters
The incident caused widespread disruption for commuters travelling through Greenslopes during peak morning hours. The combination of lane closures and clean-up operations contributed to extended delays across multiple routes.
Police allege the crash occurred at 4:13 a.m. on 22 February 2026 on the Pacific Motorway at Greenslopes. It is alleged a black Chery Tiggo wagon, which had earlier been reported stolen, was involved in a collision with a white Toyota Camry and a silver Mazda utility.
The Forensic Crash Unit attended the scene as part of ongoing inquiries.
The 17-year-old boy, identified as being from Alexandra Hills and alleged to have been driving the Chery Tiggo, sustained a serious leg injury and was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital for treatment.
The 40-year-old male driver of the Toyota and the 30-year-old male driver of the Mazda were also taken to hospital as a precaution.
Police further allege the Chery Tiggo was stolen from a shopping complex in Capalaba on 16 February 2026.
The teenager has been charged with three counts of stealing. He also faces one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle involving publication on social media, receiving tainted property, and learner driver not being properly supervised.
He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear before the Cleveland Childrens Court on 2 March 2026.
Sat, February 21, 2026 (Allianz Stadium) – A-League – Men – Round 18 • Sydney FC 1 | Brisbane Roar FC 0
Sun, February 22, 2026 (Spencer Park) – A-League – Women – Round 18 • Brisbane Roar FC 0 | Adelaide United FC 2
Fri, February 20, 2026 (Whites Hill Reserve – Holland Park Hawks FC – Field) – FQPL1 – Men – Round 1 • Holland Park Hawks 2 | Logan Lightning 0
Sat, February 21, 2026 (Whites Hill Reserve – Holland Park Hawks FC – Field 1) – Kappa Pro Series – Women – Regional Round 1 • Holland Park Hawks 1 | SWQ Thunder 3
Sat, February 21, 2026 (Underwood Park – Rochedale Rovers FC – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1 • Rochedale Rovers 0 | Wynnum Wolves 3
Sat, February 21, 2026 (AJ Kelly Park – Peninsula Power FC – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1 • Peninsula Power 1 | Eastern Suburbs 0
Sun, February 22, 2026 (Meakin Park – Field 1) – NPL – Men – Round 1 • Brisbane Roar B 1 | Brisbane City 3
Sat, February 21, 2026 (Heath Park – Eastern Suburbs FC – Field 1) – NPL – Women – Round 3 • Eastern Suburbs 4 | Brisbane City 2
Fri, February 20, 2026 (Brisbane Entertainment Centre) – NBL – Men – Round 22 • Brisbane Bullets 77 | Sydney Kings 117
Sat, February 21, 2026 (The Gabba) – One Day Cup 2025-26 – Men – Match 6 • Queensland Bulls 260 | South Australia Men 135
Sat, February 14, 2026 & Sat, February 21, 2026 (2 Day – Ian Healy Oval) – Queensland Premier Cricket – Men 1st Grade – Round 14 • Northern Suburbs Mens 1st Grade 6-293d | Wynnum-Manly Mens 1st Grade 217
In Greenslopes, a suburb defined by major health facilities, busy arterial roads and urban parkland, koalas are not the first thing that come to mind. Yet publicly available sighting records show a citizen sighting has been reported in the suburb and more recently, others in the surrounding suburbs.
Several of those records appear in citizen-science databases, where residents log wildlife sightings with dates, locations and often photographs. The iNaturalist place page for Greenslopes includes a 2024 koala observation among the species recorded locally. It also records several more recent observations in neighbouring suburbs. These platforms do not measure population size, and multiple entries may relate to the same animal. However, they do provide verifiable evidence that koalas have been observed within the broader inner-south landscape.
Queensland’s environment department also runs an official reporting pathway via the QWildlife app and publishes an interactive dashboard of reported koala sightings. The department’s guidance makes it clear that sightings are not a population survey, and that multiple reports may relate to the same animal. However, reporting helps build a clearer picture of when and where koalas are seen.
It’s important not to over-interpret a handful of pins on a map. A koala record in a suburb doesn’t automatically mean koalas are “back” in a stable, breeding way, especially in highly built-up areas.
What these databases can do well is show where people are encountering koalas, and where repeated reports might justify extra attention: safer road design, habitat restoration, or community education.
This context matters because koalas in Queensland, New South Wales, and the ACT are listed as Endangered under national environmental law. That listing reflects broad, long-term pressures (especially habitat loss and fragmentation) and is a reminder that even small local actions that reduce injury and mortality can be meaningful.
What makes a suburb risky for koalas?
Across urban Australia, two commonly cited risks for koalas moving through suburbs are vehicle strikes and dog attacks. In the inner-south, where roads are frequent and traffic volumes can be high, managing collision risk is a practical issue — not an abstract one.
Brisbane has already debated measures such as fencing and speed limits in other koala-adjacent areas. For example, koala fencing and speed limit changes on Boundary Road and the public discussion around whether those measures are sufficient.
There is also local government documentation showing that “where strikes happen” can be mapped and assessed. A Brisbane City Council tabled paper (PDF) examines koala roadkill mitigation options around a reserve area and includes analysis intended to inform decision-making.
The practical implication is straightforward in Greenslopes. If koalas are recorded in the wider inner-south, some will occasionally travel on the ground between trees, which can bring them into contact with roads, especially near connected green spaces and drainage lines.
What’s happening locally: habitat work along
Greenslopes sits within the Norman Creek catchment, which includes pockets of parkland and creekside vegetation that support a range of wildlife. One active on-the-ground effort is habitat restoration at Greenslopes DCP, led by theNorman Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee. Their project pages describe weed control and revegetation activities to improve local habitat conditions.
It’s not necessary to label every restoration site “koala habitat” to recognise the broader benefit: healthier, better-vegetated creek corridors can improve urban biodiversity and provide more shade and canopy connectivity for many native species.
If you have time to spare, keep an eye on volunteer opportunities. Weed removal and planting days are practical, local ways to strengthen habitat quality.
3) Add native plants at home if you have space.
Backyard trees and shrubs can help connect habitat patches. Brisbane’s Free Native Plants program is a low-cost way to start, especially for renters and small gardens.
4) Drive cautiously near green spaces at night and early morning.
If you’re travelling near parks or creek lines after dark or around dawn, slow down and scan the road edges. Cautious driving reduces collision risk for all wildlife, not just koalas.
Greenslopes doesn’t need to become a wilderness to play a role in conservation. But the publicly available data suggests it’s worth paying attention. Recording sightings, restoring habitat where possible, and reducing avoidable risks are all within reach for an ordinary suburb.
A familiar community institution has found a new home in Greenslopes, with the former Coorparoo RSL & Community Club now trading as Parkside Community & Services Club.
The club has relocated to the former Greenslopes Bowls Club site on Ridge Street, just five minutes from its original Coorparoo location, marking the end of a multi-year search for a permanent base following the sale of its previous property.
The journey to this new chapter began in 2021 when the club sold its Coorparoo land. The sale was made to pay down debt and secure funds for the club’s future relocation.
Photo credit: Parkside Community & Services Club/Google Maps
What followed was an extensive search for a suitable location. After successful negotiations with Brisbane’s local officials, the club secured a lease for the former bowls club site and undertook a major refurbishment.
The club invested approximately $5 million in the relocation and refurbishment. Working with design firm Paynters, the club has redeveloped the venue with modern facilities. The site retains two bowling greens, each serving distinct purposes. One green is maintained for social use and barefoot bowls. The second is a multi-purpose green used for commemorative services to community events and activities.
Photo credit: Parkside Community & Services Club/Google Maps
The venue features the Greenhouse Bistro and an outdoor covered terrace. Members and guests can also enjoy a cafe, bar, lounge area, and function spaces. Gaming facilities and expanded parking are also available.
The venue also houses an RSL office and memorial displays to honour servicemen and women. While the legal entity remains unchanged, the name Parkside Community & Services Club reflects the club’s evolution and its new environment.
The community element acknowledges the club’s role as a social hub, whilst the services component maintains the connection to the RSL charter and veteran support that defines the organisation’s core mission.
Photo credit: Jason Collingwood/Google Maps
The choice of Parkside itself references the venue’s location adjacent to parklands, soccer fields, and a sporting precinct. The name reflects the club’s connection to its new neighbourhood in Greenslopes.
The local response has exceeded expectations, with early patronage figures suggesting strong community support for the new venue. First-month attendance reportedly reached three times the club’s initial forecasts.
The redevelopment ensures the continuation of a club with roots in Brisbane’s inner south, whilst creating a modern venue designed to serve both veterans and the broader Greenslopes community.
About Coorparoo RSL
Established in 1935 when it received its RSL Charter on 19 August, the Coorparoo and District RSL Sub-Branch Inc marked its 85th anniversary in 2020. The organisation relocated from its original home at the Coorparoo School of Arts and Memorial Hall to Holdsworth Street in the early 1960s, having occupied the Memorial Hall and RSL Sub Branch building since 1956.
Over nearly nine decades, the Sub Branch has adapted to serve changing community needs by operating as a community club. Today, it boasts over 200 members alongside more than 2,000 social members, with membership numbers rising rapidly since Parkside’s opening.
The legal entity — the Coorparoo RSL sub-branch and its RSL charter — remains the same organisation supporting veterans and community programs. The operating “club name” and venue branding have changed to Parkside Community & Services Club to reflect the new location and facilities while continuing community and veteran services.
Parkside Community & Services Club is located at 131 Ridge Street, Greenslopes.
A working group from China will travel to Brisbane to assist with the investigation into the attack on baby Luka at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner last August.
The development marks a significant step forward in the case that shocked the local community when a man poured boiling coffee over the nine-month-old infant at the Stones Corner playground on August 27, 2024.
Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian announced the formation of the working group during a press conference in Canberra, confirming that authorities are taking the matter seriously and preparing to send a working group to assist local law enforcement.
Progress in the Investigation
The suspect, a 33-year-old Chinese national, fled the scene after the attack at Hanlon Park and left Australia on August 31, 2024—just days after the incident and hours before police identified him. He has since been located in China.
Local law enforcement have been working with Chinese authorities to explore options for justice, despite China’s lack of an extradition arrangement with Australia. Under Chinese law, the country has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its own citizens for conduct that occurs outside China.
The working group will meet with local authorities to examine exactly what happened and determine how both countries can work together on the case.
Impact on the Family
Baby Luka suffered severe burns to his chest, neck, and face from the attack. The injuries required eight surgeries, including extensive skin grafts, skin needling, and laser treatments.
His mother, who had taken him to the playground to meet with a friend that day, described the incident as a cruel and unprovoked attack—a deliberate act of violence against a child.
She shared that before turning two, her son has endured more medical procedures than most adults face in a lifetime, with each one serving as a painful reminder of the attack.
What Happens Next
Local authorities confirmed they are supporting the delegation of Chinese authorities visiting Brisbane. Both agencies stated they remain committed to securing justice and are pursuing all available avenues in the case.
The collaboration between Australian and Chinese authorities represents a crucial step in seeking accountability for what happened at Hanlon Park that August morning.
Greenslopes recorded 625 offences between 4 January 2025 and 3 January 2026, according to the Queensland Police Service’s Online Crime Map. The figures reveal a suburb where theft, drug offences, and property-related incidents were most common.
The QPS heatmap shows strong concentrations of offences along the Pacific Motorway, Duke Street, Plimsoll Street, Earl Street, and Logan Road in Greenslopes. These locations align with the suburb’s main transport corridors and commercial areas, which naturally experience higher activity levels throughout the day and night.
Photo credit: Google Street View
The most common offences were other theft (excluding unlawful entry), drug offences, and unlawful entry. These categories accounted for a significant portion of all incidents over the 12-month period. The pattern suggests theft and property security remain primary concerns for residents and businesses, alongside drug-related activity in the area.
Time-of-day data shows the 2 pm to 10 pm window recorded the highest number of offences, followed by 10 pm to 6 am and 6 am to 2 pm. This evening-heavy profile indicates most reports occur during the late afternoon and evening hours when commercial activity peaks and transitions into the night.
Photo credit: QPS Online Crime Map
By day of the week, Tuesday and Friday were the busiest for reported incidents, while Monday and Wednesday saw noticeably fewer. The variation reflects changing patterns of foot traffic and activity across the suburb throughout the week.
The date-range chart indicates the highest monthly totals were recorded in March (67 offences), December (59), February (55), and April 2025 (54). The quietest month was October (40 offences), with July 2025 (66) also recording lower numbers, showing fluctuations throughout the year.
Photo credit: QPS Online Crime Map
Most incidents recorded were opportunistic thefts, drug-related matters, and property offences typical of busy inner-city suburbs with mixed residential and commercial zones. The proximity to major roads likely contributes to the suburb’s activity levels.
Overall, the data presents Greenslopes as a moderately active suburb for crime, where offence patterns correlate closely with traffic density, shopping precincts, and major thoroughfares. The statistics suggest that practical security measures, such as securing vehicles, locking doors and windows, and keeping valuables out of sight, remain the most effective ways to prevent most incidents.
More than a decade ago, Brisbane adopted the Norman Creek 2012–2031 Catchment Master Plan — an ambitious, long-term vision to restore one of the city’s most heavily urbanised waterways. Part of that transformation involves Hanlon Park / Bur’uda, a once-concrete drainage corridor that has become a green, thriving community space and a flagship example of what the master plan set out to achieve.
At the centre of that transformation is Hanlon Park / Bur’uda, a once-concrete drainage corridor that has become a green, thriving community space and a flagship example of what the master plan set out to achieve.
The Norman Creek Catchment Master Plan was launched in 2012 as a 20-year strategy to reconnect people, parks and neighbourhoods with the creek system stretching from Toohey Forest to the Brisbane River. Rather than focusing on isolated upgrades, the plan aimed to rehabilitate the entire catchment — improving water quality, restoring habitat, managing flood risk and creating accessible, high-quality public spaces.
Hanlon Park / Bur’uda: a project delivered and celebrated
Completed and opened to the public in 2022, Hanlon Park / Bur’uda represents one of the master plan’s most significant achievements to date.
Where a cracked concrete channel once rushed stormwater downstream, a naturalised, meandering creek now flows through the park. Hundreds of native trees and tens of thousands of shrubs and groundcovers were planted, creating habitat, shade and cooler conditions. Walking and cycling paths, picnic areas and a nature-based playground have transformed the park into a daily destination for families, commuters and local workers.
The project also delivered vital flood resilience, allowing water to spread and slow during heavy rain rather than surge through a narrow channel. Early ecological monitoring has shown a sharp increase in fish numbers and species diversity, demonstrating that nature is returning to the heart of the suburb.
Hanlon Park / Bur’uda has also received multiple awards and professional recognition, celebrating its excellence in design, sustainability and urban waterway transformation. These awards acknowledge the project’s innovative approach to combining landscape architecture, ecological restoration and community amenity — putting the site on the map as a national benchmark for urban creek rehabilitation.
Coorparoo Creek Park works, helping daylight sections of the creek and create new green space within a growing urban centre
Upgraded walking and cycling links along Norman Creek and connecting suburbs
Extensive revegetation and weed management, much of it supported by community volunteer groups
Improved stormwater management, reducing pollution entering the creek system
These projects collectively reflect the plan’s core idea: that waterways are not just infrastructure, but social, ecological and cultural assets.
Where we are now in 2026
With several major projects delivered, the Norman Creek program has entered a consolidation and next-stage planning phase.
Council is currently progressing concept planning and community engagement for remaining priority areas, including parts of Kingfisher Creek, Woolloongabba and upstream Greenslopes precincts. These works focus on improving connectivity, expanding habitat corridors and ensuring future developments respond better to flooding and heat.
Importantly, the master plan was never intended to be static. It allows projects to be delivered as funding, partnerships and redevelopment opportunities arise — meaning progress can be steady rather than rushed.
What to expect next
Over the coming years, residents can expect:
Further design work and consultation on remaining creek precincts
Incremental construction tied to funding and redevelopment timelines
Continued community involvement, particularly through local catchment and “Friends of” groups
Ongoing monitoring of water quality, biodiversity and flood performance
For communities like Greenslopes, this means change will continue — but in manageable stages, with visible benefits along the way.
Why it matters locally
The transformation of Norman Creek has already changed how people move through, use and value their local environment. Safer paths, cooler green spaces, improved flood resilience and richer biodiversity all contribute to a healthier, more liveable suburb.
As the master plan moves toward its final years, projects like Hanlon Park / Bur’uda stand as proof that long-term planning, backed by community support, can reshape even the most engineered urban landscapes.
Local community groups across Greenslopes are set to benefit from a funding boost, with Parkside Community & Services Club announcing the successful recipients of the inaugural round of its Community Grants Program, awarding a total of $6,700 to five grassroots organisations.
The grants form part of Parkside’s broader commitment to reinvesting locally, with up to $10,000 made available to support projects, programs and services that strengthen community connections and deliver tangible social benefits.
On behalf of Coorparoo & Districts RSL Sub Branch, Parkside Community & Services Club confirmed the following organisations as recipients of funding support:
Holland Park Girl Guides, receiving funding to replace camping equipment damaged by water, ensuring outdoor programs can continue safely for local girls
Incapacitated Service Men and Women’s Association, supporting advocacy and welfare services for veterans
St Andrews Ladies Hockey Club, assisting the club to continue providing inclusive sporting opportunities
Stones Corner Community Kindergarten, funding the creation of a frog pond and native food garden to enhance environmental learning
The Other Greenbagz, helping purchase wide-width fabric so volunteers can continue making quilts for people experiencing homelessness and vulnerability
Parkside Community & Services Club Chief Executive Officer Chris Sartori said the grants reflect the club’s vision of being more than just a venue.
“These grants are about backing the people and volunteers who quietly strengthen our community every day,” Mr Sartori said. “When you support grassroots organisations, the impact ripples far beyond the initial funding.”
All applications were assessed by Parkside’s Independent Board of Directors, with priority given to initiatives demonstrating strong community benefit and long-term impact.
The grant announcement follows the recent opening of Parkside Community & Services Club at 131 Ridge Street, Greenslopes, which features a family-friendly bistro, barefoot bowling green and modern hospitality spaces designed to bring locals together.
Further information about the club and its community initiatives is available at https://parksideclub.com.au
The Stones Corner Suburban Renewal Precinct amendment is now in effect in Brisbane City Plan 2014, becoming operational on 5 December 2025. The amendment provides a long-term planning framework for one of Brisbane’s oldest suburbs, outlining how the precinct will support growth while maintaining the area’s established character.
The amendment applies to the precinct between Gladys Street and Cornwall Street, including the Logan Road high street and surrounding areas. Stones Corner is described as one of Brisbane’s fastest-growing suburbs, and the precinct has been identified as an area where new homes and services can be supported close to existing transport and community facilities.
Stones Corner precinct (Photo credit: BCC)
The precinct plan sets out a vision focused on housing choice, improved access to local amenities and stronger physical connections within and around Stones Corner. It outlines objectives that include supporting more housing, providing opportunities for employment, education and services near public transport, maintaining the unique character of the high street, improving access to parks and community spaces, leveraging investment in the area such as Hanlon Park / Bur’uda and the busway, and improving connectivity inside and outside the precinct.
Photo credit: BCC
The process leading to the amendment becoming effective began in mid-2024, when background research and technical investigations were carried out. A draft precinct plan was released for community feedback in late 2024, giving residents and businesses the opportunity to review the proposed changes and provide comments. This feedback informed a review of the draft plan during early to mid-2025.
An updated draft plan was approved on 16 September 2025. Queensland endorsed the revised precinct plan on 1 October 2025, clearing the way for its adoption in November 2025 as part of the Eastern Corridor Neighbourhood Plan. The amendment then became effective in Brisbane City Plan 2014 on 5 December 2025.
Now that the amendment is integrated into the City Plan, the precinct has an adopted policy framework to guide future development and investment. The planning objectives reflect a balance of supporting additional housing and services while retaining the character of the Logan Road high street and improving access to community facilities.
Residents seeking more information about the precinct, the amendment or related planning matters can contact Brisbane by phone (07 3403 8888), email or through their website.
