Council to lobby state government for “fast-tracked” North Harbour Marina

Moves have started to fast-track a multi million-dollar waterfront development north of Brisbane.

North Harbour development at Burpengary East.

Burpengary East’s North Harbour Marina development will be one of Moreton Bay Regional Council’s top priorities in 2019.

Councillor Peter Flannery (Div 2) moved a motion in council’s final meeting for the year on Thursday, which shores up support for the Caboolture River development.

“I moved a motion seeking for the State Government to make the North Harbour Marina and Canal Estate Site a Priority Development Area (PDA) to fast-track construction,” Cr Flannery said.

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Should a PDA be approved by the state government, it will streamline the planning, approval and development process for the marina.

North Harbour project director Peter Lightbody.

But North Harbour project director Peter Lightbody is not building his hopes up after so many years trying to get the marina component approved.

“It’s hard to think anything is fast-tracked since we’ve been doing it for 15 years,” he said.

“We welcome council’s decision. It’s a positive step forward, but it’s just the beginning of the process — not the end of the process.

“In itself it is not an approval.”

Mayor Allan Sutherland and Cr Darren Grimwade were not present for the vote after they each declared a separate conflict of interest.

North Harbour’s residential development.

Developer David Trask, who donated $135,000 to Cr Sutherland’s previous two election campaigns, owns part of the land included in the PDA proposal. While developers North East Business Park donated $2000 to Cr Grimwade.

The motion was carried unanimously by the remaining councillors.

Councillor Peter Flannery.

Cr Flannery said the current application included a 350-berth marina with 500 dry-boat stack, a riverfront commercial precinct and 1700 new housing options.

“This project will be a huge economic driver for our region,” Cr Flannery said.

“This is a special project that shows council’s support and commitment to helping not only create employment for hundreds of locals, but also provide residents with a unique opportunity to access this part of the Caboolture River for marine recreation.

“Given the size and significance of this project it should be treated as a PDA.”

The state government has not yet received an application for a PDA.

North East Business Park last week completed 680 out of 1600 lots in its residential component, which opened in April 2016.