queensland police Archives - Springfield Lakes

Authorities Target E-Bike Rideouts in Springfield and Ripley

Authorities are ramping up enforcement against organised e-bike “rideouts” occurring weekly across South East Queensland. Officers are specifically targeting areas in Springfield and neighbouring Ripley, where they allege youth groups use social media to coordinate group rides on non-compliant, high-powered devices.

Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler, from the Queensland Police Road Policing and Regional Support Command, confirmed that the service is allocating extra resources to Springfield, Ripley, North Lakes, Mango Hill, and the Gold Coast. Specialised teams now use digital intelligence to enact targeted responses to these gatherings.

Police allege that footage uploaded online shows groups using devices reaching speeds of 90 kilometres per hour, performing one-wheel stunts, and riding in large convoys through suburban streets.

Digital Monitoring and Police Strategy

QPS monitors these activities through its Digital Intelligence Coordination and Engagement (DICE) team. This unit tracks rideout announcements and helps coordinate the operational response. Online posts frequently discuss police patrol locations and offer tips on how to avoid interception.

Authorities describe these behaviours as posing a significant risk to the community. Officials emphasize that youth groups on e-devices are considered vulnerable road users who endanger themselves and the public when they disregard standard road rules.

Safety Trends and Operation X-Ray Surety

Following 14 e-mobility fatalities across Queensland in 2025, authorities launched Operation X-Ray Surety. This statewide enforcement campaign ran from 3 November 2025 to 26 January 2026 to curb rising road trauma.

Between 3 November and 23 December, police issued 2,124 fines related to e-mobility devices. The most common offences included:

Failure to wear a helmet: 1,652 fines
Use of prohibited roads: 207 fines
Carrying passengers: 72 fines

Chief Supt Wheeler suggested that Christmas gift-giving likely increased the number of these devices on the road. He urged parents to ensure any e-bike they purchase complies with Queensland law, which requires motors to cut off at 25 kilometres per hour and limits power output to 250 watts.

North Lakes and Mango Hill Context

Springfield and Ripley Context

Springfield and Ripley sit within Ipswich’s rapidly developing Greater Springfield region, approximately 23 kilometres southwest of Brisbane CBD. The area’s master-planned communities include extensive cycling paths and recreational infrastructure that attract e-bike users, though illegal high-powered devices exceed specifications for safe use in shared spaces.

Springfield’s population has grown from approximately 5,000 in 2003 to over 70,000 across Greater Springfield suburbs including Springfield, Springfield Lakes, Springfield Central, Brookwater, and Augustine Heights. The rapid development created suburban street networks where youths organise group rides.

Ripley, located west of Springfield, underwent similar master-planned development through the early 2000s. The Centenary Highway extension to Ripley completed in 2008 improved connectivity whilst creating additional road infrastructure where non-compliant e-bike activity occurs.

Both suburbs contain substantial youth populations. The demographic profile contributes to e-bike adoption amongst teens seeking transport independence before obtaining driver licences.

Legal Requirements and Potential Penalties

Queensland law classifies any e-bike exceeding 250 watts or a 25 km/h assisted speed as a motor vehicle. Consequently, these devices require registration, insurance, and a valid motorcycle licence.

Riders of non-compliant devices face a ‘compliance package’ of fines that can exceed $1,600, covering registration, insurance, and licensing offences simultaneously.

Police hold the authority to impound devices suspected of being involved in an offence. While owners can often go to court to seek the return of their property, a magistrate may order the permanent forfeiture or destruction of devices that are heavily modified or deemed a persistent public risk.

Community Views and Infrastructure

Community sentiment remains divided. While many residents express frustration with dangerous riding, others advocate for better infrastructure. Some community members suggest that the Brisbane 2032 Olympics provide an opportunity to build dedicated high-speed cycling networks that could safely accommodate evolving e-mobility technology.

Critics of the current crackdown argue that the speed capabilities of some modern devices—reaching up to 100 km/h—require them to be regulated as motorcycles rather than bicycles. Meanwhile, police continue to encourage residents to report dangerous behaviour or organised rideouts via Crime Stoppers.

Published 08-February-2026.

Frontline Police Deployment Boosts Springfield and Nearby Suburbs

Photo Credit: QPS

Springfield has received an additional frontline police officer following the graduation of 118 new constables, with further deployments also made across Ipswich and Goodna.

Graduation Marks Major Intake

A graduation ceremony held on 5 December, 2025 welcomed 118 new officers into the Queensland Police Service. The intake forms part of a high-volume recruitment year, bringing the total number of officers sworn in during 2025 to almost 1,200.

The graduates join more than 1,000 First Year Constables already inducted this year, with a final cohort scheduled to graduate later in December.

Deployments Across Ipswich and Springfield

As part of the Southern Region deployment, five officers have been assigned across the Ipswich district, with one officer allocated to Springfield, Ipswich, Goodna, Karana Downs and Yamanto. The placements contribute to increased frontline coverage across established and growing residential areas.

The wider Southern Region distribution also includes placements in Toowoomba, Gatton, Kingaroy, Dalby and St George, contributing to increased frontline coverage across both urban and regional areas.

Diverse Experience Among Recruits

The graduating officers range in age from 18 to 54 and bring experience from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including education, healthcare, defence, social services, hospitality and trades.

Recruitment activity during 2025 included record attendance at academy open days in Brisbane and Townsville, alongside the largest graduating cohort recorded in more than three decades earlier in the year.

Springfield police deployment — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Ongoing Recruitment and Training

Recruitment remains active, with more than 840 recruits currently undergoing training and over 1,160 applicants progressing through the recruitment process.

Future graduations are expected to continue increasing frontline capacity across Queensland, including Springfield, Ipswich and Goodna.

Published 5-Jan-2026

Fatality Free Friday Comes to Orion Springfield Central for Safer Roads

Photo Credit: Australian Road Safety Foundation/Facebook

Every year, hundreds of Australians are killed in road crashes, and Orion Springfield Central is joining a national push to bring that number down to zero, if only for one day. The centre will host Fatality Free Friday on 30 May, a community safety event encouraging locals to commit to better choices behind the wheel.

A National Call for Safer Driving

Fatality Free Friday is led by the Australian Road Safety Foundation and is now in its 18th year. The campaign challenges drivers to think differently about how they act on the road. While the goal is to avoid any road deaths on a single day, organisers say the deeper aim is to create lasting change across every day of the year.

*Photo Credit: Australian Road Safety Foundation/Facebook*

In 2023, 1,273 people lost their lives on Australian roads. The campaign points to risky driving behaviours, known as the “Fatal Five”, as the most common cause of these crashes. These include speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distraction, not wearing seatbelts, and fatigue.

Local Action at Orion Springfield Central

To support this message, Queensland Police and local emergency services will run a public event at Orion Springfield Central from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is designed for families, young drivers and community members to learn more about road safety.

Police and emergency services will be at the event with displays, safety tips, and real-world insights into crash risks. Attendees can take a pledge to drive responsibly, while the Crime Prevention Unit will offer advice on managing distractions, fatigue, and safer choices in a relaxed, community-focused setting.

Community Commitment

Organisers say the strength of Fatality Free Friday lies in community involvement. The event at Orion Springfield is one of many happening across the country, but local participation gives it meaning. Every pledge taken is a small step toward preventing future harm.

While road safety campaigns often target offenders, this one is different. It asks everyone, not just drivers, to think about the choices they make around traffic, whether they’re crossing the street, cycling, or even riding as a passenger. The aim is to build habits early and reinforce them often.

A Reminder That One Day Can Make a Difference

Fatality Free Friday may focus on a single day each year, but it sends a clear message: road safety is a shared responsibility. By encouraging people to reflect on their driving habits, events like this one hope to change attitudes and ultimately save lives.

The team at Orion Springfield Central hopes the community turns out, gets involved, and leaves with knowledge that could protect them or someone they love.

Published 23-May-2025

Farewell Held for Ipswich Inspector Jay Notaro Who Vanished in Surf

Photo Credit: Queensland Police/ Facebook

Hundreds of people gathered in Brisbane to honour Queensland Police Inspector Jay Notaro, a respected officer who served the Ipswich area and was last seen near Byron Bay.

The memorial service was held weeks after Inspector Notaro, who had just turned 45, disappeared in March, with his surfboard later found at Broken Head, just south of Byron.

An extensive air, sea, and land search was carried out by both New South Wales and Queensland police, alongside surf lifesavers, SES personnel, and volunteers, but he was not found. His disappearance was noted after he did not report for duty at the Ipswich police station.

A Family’s Heartbreak

Jay Notaro — *Photo Credit:* *Queensland Police Service Rugby League/ Facebook*

Inspector Notaro’s younger sister, Hayley Tunny, shared with those at the memorial that saying goodbye to her brother felt unreal and heartbreaking. She spoke about the strong bond she shared with Jay and their brother Troy, noting they were not just siblings but best friends who supported each other through life’s challenges and celebrated successes. Ms Tunny described their upbringing in a low-income household, mainly with their mother in housing commission.

She recalled Jay’s early love for rugby league, which often led to injuries, including a broken leg he unknowingly played on for weeks. This toughness stayed with him as he continued to play footy for many years, including police footy, and closely followed the NRL.

Ms Tunny expressed sadness that Jay, who was wonderful with children, never became a father. She also shared that her newborn son, Mars Jay Phoenix, was named after his uncle and that she would ensure her son learns about his “incredible uncle.”

Cherished Memories from Friends

Claire Campbell, a friend of Inspector Notaro, said he was “truly one in a trillion” and that her favourite memories involved laughter within her family. She mentioned that they knew him before he joined the police and that he never changed.

Ms Campbell shared a poignant story about their last conversation with Jay on his 45th birthday, which included laughing about a stolen car trailer and Jay’s positive response to videos of her sons playing touch football.

Wade Osborne, a friend since grade five, noted that Jay preferred not to have a fuss made but would have been proud of the many lives he touched. Mr Osborne described his friend as steady, loyal, and humble, someone you could always count on.

He fondly remembered their numerous surf trips to places like Fiji, WA, Moreton, DI, Yamba, and even a Sydney wave pool, and spoke of the banter and stories that made these trips special. Mr. Osborne stated that Jay leaves a void but also many years of laughter, stories, lessons, and love.

A Dedicated Police Career

Detective Sergeant Jason Orman, who met Inspector Notaro in the police academy, described him as the hardest worker among junior investigators. He noted that Jay would tease you directly but fiercely defend you when you weren’t present.

Sergeant Orman said Jay, who joined the service at 21, grew into his role, with his policing style and leadership skills evolving over 23 years of service to Queensland. He humorously recalled Jay’s promotion to detective sergeant in Moranbah in 2012, saying he was the only applicant. Sergeant Orman emphasised that Jay earned his stripes, including helping to solve a complex domestic violence homicide, and lived by the values of honesty, loyalty, and respect.

Acting Commissioner Shane Chelepy stated that Inspector Notaro served with integrity, professionalism, and pride. He detailed Jay’s career path, which saw him promoted to senior sergeant of the Gold Coast Water Police in 2018, then officer-in-charge of Coomera Police Station in 2022, and finally to inspector in 2024, working in the southern patrol group in the Ipswich District, which includes Springfield Lakes.

Inspector Notaro received numerous citations and medals throughout his career. Acting Commissioner Chelepy presented Jay’s parents, Deborah and Blair, with the Queensland Police Meritorious Service Medal, which recognises significant contributions over an extended period. He said Jay strived to be the ultimate professional, a man of humility and integrity.

Published Date 20-May-2025

Door Locking Feature Saves Woman from Carjacking in Springfield Lakes

Photo Credit: Pixabay / aitoff

A woman almost fell victim to a carjacking incident in Springfield Lakes one Sunday evening, but she escaped unscathed, thanks to an automatic door locking feature in her car.

On Sunday, 25 June, the woman was about to drive into her driveway when a man approached her with a knife. He tried to open the door, but she was able to speed off. The woman then pretended to call the police, which scared the man away.

The woman was shaken by the experience, but she’s grateful that she’s okay. She’s also grateful for the automatic door locking feature on her car, which she believes saved her life from the attempted carjacking incident.

This incident is a reminder that carjackings can happen anywhere, even in seemingly safe neighbourhoods like Springfield Lakes. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings and to take precautions to protect yourself, such as locking your car doors and keeping your valuables out of sight.

If you’re ever confronted by a carjacker, don’t resist. Try to stay calm and cooperate with the attacker. Once the attacker has left, call the police straight away.

The Queensland Police are investigating this incident and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Springfield Lakes residents, please take precautions to protect yourselves from carjacking. Lock your car doors, keep your valuables out of sight, and be aware of your surroundings. And if you ever see something suspicious, don’t be afraid to call the police.

Published 30-June-2023