Why did John Oxley choose the Brisbane River area for a penal settlement?

John Oxley chose the Brisbane River area for a penal settlement primarily because he sought a location that was remote from Sydney and suitable for a new, stricter penal establishment.1

During his 1823 exploration of Moreton Bay, Oxley encountered three castaway sailors who directed him to the river. Following his assessment of the region, he recommended the site for the purpose of housing colonial recidivists. This decision aligned with the broader colonial policy of the time, which, influenced by the reports of J.T. Bigge, emphasized the use of isolated, severe penal settlements to manage dangerous convicts.123