Both major parties throw support behind $2.7 billion marina project
A $2.7 billion project that will create 7000 jobs will be fast-tracked regardless of which major party wins the upcoming State Election.
Moreton
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Both major parties have pledged to declare a Priority Development Area at North Harbour giving the green light to a $2.7 billion project that will create 7000 jobs.
Developers plan to build a 400-berth marina at the site along with 600 new apartments, 600 homes and 800 homes in a canal estate.
And with 319 hectares of recreational and regional open space it will be the largest riverfront parkland in southeast Queensland.
Both the State Labor and LNP parties have confirmed that if elected on October 31 they will support the fast-tracking of the project.
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LNP Candidate for Bancroft Phil Carlson, was at the North Harbour development with LNP MP for Longman Terry Young and Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor to confirm its support.
The LNP had supported the fast-tracking of the development in 2015.
“The PDA cuts red tape and allows for the fast-tracking of the allowable planning,” Mr Carlson said.
“This PDA has the ability to bring 7,700 jobs to the region. Part of this development planning process will include making allowances for significant infrastructure including a local school for the fast-growing community.”
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the development would help stimulate the Queensland economy and drive recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I have made it clear I do not want to see red tape get in the way of job creation in this state,” the Premier said.
“The declaration of a PDA at Burpengary East will enable the proposal to be assessed under the Planning Act 2016.
“This site sits outside the ShapingSEQ urban footprint. The Priority Development Area mechanism is designed to unlock ‘out of the box’ projects like this that have the potential to create significant economic and community benefits.”
State Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting said the development had: “great potential to stimulate our local boating industry and will support 7,000 jobs during construction”.
Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery thanked both Labor and the LNP for responding to Council’s calls to support new industry, construction and jobs in Moreton Bay Region.
“The North Harbour PDA is a $2.7 billion project that’s expected to create 7,000 jobs and inject many billions more directly into our local economy,” Cr Flannery said.
“I’m heartened that both Labor and the LNP have heard our calls and acted in the interests of locals.
“This is a huge coup for the Moreton Bay Region and exactly what we need to help us recover from the huge financial impacts of COVID-19 by boosting the construction sector and diversifying local industry.
“The ongoing benefits will be felt for decades to come with the creation of a new marine industry to support a brand-new 400-berth marina through boatbuilding, maintenance, repairs and more.
“The third prong is the creation of a Mixed Industry and Business Area (MIBA) centred around the marina village that includes local retail, tourism and entertainment uses.”
This project will also provide 600 new apartments and 600 detached homes as part of the marina village, 800 dwellings in a canal estate, along with an extensive 319 hectares of recreational and regional open space – the largest publicly accessible riverfront parkland in South East Queensland.
North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney said the PDA is projected to inject a massive $707 million into the Moreton Bay Region every year.
“This would be a major milestone for the project and for the Moreton Bay region,” Mr Finney said.
“A PDA would pave the way for North Harbour to become a state-of-the art marine industry hub, attracting a significant portion of Australia’s $68 billion marine industry to the region and lending itself to a multitude of tourism and recreational opportunities.
“Besides a huge win for jobs, other exceptional benefits for the wider community would include opening up 12km of prime riverfront land for a water sports precinct, as well as a vast new network of parkland and pathways.”
Federal LNP MP for Longman Terry Young said a Priority Development Area (PDA) for the North Harbour Marina development would be fantastic for the local community.
“The LNP back in 2015 said that if elected, it would establish a PDA over the North Harbour Marina, fast-tracking development in the area,” he said.
“This development will be magnificent for the local community, creating 7700 jobs, around 1000 new lots in the marina district and will attract new residents and investment to the area.”