Everything you need to know about living in Caboolture West
A tech-friendly city with plenty of green space, multiple retail hubs, schools and a rapid bus service – this is what life will be like in the $9.5 billion Caboolture West precinct.
Moreton
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The monster greenfield project known as Caboolture West was tagged for development more than a decade ago but with works being fast tracked and masterplanned community plans lodged this new suburb is starting to take shape.
It will take 40 years for the $9.5 billion development, bounded by D’Aguilar Highway to the north, Caboolture River Road to the south and west of Old North Road, to be completed.
Close to 70,000 people are expected to call the satellite city home.
There will be 12 schools, six retail hubs, a TAFE, town centre and a private hospital.
But on top of the infrastructure needs Moreton Bay Regional Council is putting plans in place to ensure this new suburb has a sense of community.
Here is what is will be like to live in Caboolture West.
RESIDENTIAL
Several big name developers, including Stockland, have lodged applications to transform large chunks of land in the first stage of Caboolture West into housing estates.
The aim is for the new region to provide a range of housing options to suit everyone from first home buyers to downsizers.
Plans, lodged so far, show the majority of estates will feature blocks ranging from 350 sqm to 500 sqm – meaning most families will still have room for a backyard, pet and even a swimming pool.
To ensure families still have plenty of room to exercise and kick a footy the estate will all include multiple parks – the 410ha AV Jennings development has proposed to nine parks each 5000 sqm in size.
AJ Jennings development, along Old North Rd, Bellmere, will eventually be home to 22,500 people – which is more than the population of North Lakes.
The masterplanned estates will also include child care centres, retail hubs, places of worship and schools.
EDUCATION
There will be three high schools and nine primary school across the Caboolture West precinct.
One primary state school is proposed for the Neighbourhood Development Plan No. 1 area.
It is yet to be decided how many of the schools will be private and state run schools.
Brisbane Catholic Education has earmarked an 1800-student prep to Year 12 college to be built in 2031 – but it will need to acquire land first.
A TAFE is also proposed to be included.
Residents will also be able to catch public transport to the USC Moreton Bay campus at Petrie.
Ms Wyeth said there was no reason Caboolture West could not set itself an ambitious community vision of having the best education opportunities.
“Having a mix of public and private schools will add to the dynamic and create a wonderful place to live,” she said.
TECHNOLOGY
Technology is a vital part of life and senior lecturer in planning at University of Queensland Stephanie Wyeth said it was important it was considered in the planning stages.
Ms Wyeth said a community development strategy should consider how we are going to set about “building communities that are connected, sustainable, friendly and inclusive”.
“Ten years ago people wouldn’t go to a coffee shop to have a business meeting now that is the way things are done – so it is important to have smart infrastructure like making sure the local park has some Wi-Fi”.
A council spokeswoman said Caboolture West would be decked out with a range of Smart Cities technology meaning all public spaces such as parks would have access to free Wi-Fi.
“Well-designed streets, parks and public spaces will be an important part of establishing a unique community identity for Caboolture West,” the spokeswoman said.
SPORT AND RECREATION
There will be something for all generations at Caboolture West from skateparks, playgrounds, sporting facilities and green space.
Approximately 1000ha of land along the Caboolture River will be transformed into a green network. There will be public access areas so residents can get back to nature.
To promote and encourage active and healthy lifestyles there will also be an extensive network of bike and pedestrian paths linking the neighbourhoods with parks and other community
facilities.
Council plans to include 10 football fields, four rugby league fields, nine touch football fields, six cricket pitches along with multiple rugby union, netball, hockey, Australian rules, softball, baseball, track and field and multipurpose fields across the Caboolture West precinct.
There will also be facilities for grid iron, dog agility, ultimate disk and BMX.
The first to be built will be a District Sports Park in the neighbourhood development plan area No.1.
It is proposed to be built next to a state school and connect with the green network corridor. Football, rugby league and netball will be accommodated.
A community hall will be co-located within the sports park along with an indoor sports facility.
HEALTH SERVICES
It is undetermined if Caboolture West will include a public hospital – meaning residents will have to travel to Caboolture to access this.
There are also current State Government plans to build new satellite hospitals at Caboolture and Bribie Island – although what services these hospitals will offer is yet to be revealed.
A private hospital is proposed along with other medical services such as GPs, clinics and allied health services.
A council spokeswoman said the council was working with Queensland Health and the State Government to ensure the “expected level of health care infrastructure is delivered in response to the needs of the growing community”.
IDENTITY AND PLACEMAKING
Having a community identity will be crucial to the success of this project.
There are many ways to do this from placemaking, choosing a name that people can identify with, creating community spaces and providing free public services.
Ms Wyeth said the Robelle Domain Parklands playground and water park at Springfield was a perfect example.
The free water park and green space also walks, bike paths and barbecue facilities.
“It has been a game changer for that community,” Ms Wyeth said. “That is the type of infrastructure that is needed in places like Caboolture West. It is going to need a place that makes visitors want to come.”
A council spokeswoman said there were plans to highlight Caboolture West’s nature features to establish a “unique city with a hinterland experience”.
Plans briefly describe hilltop parks that have uninterrupted views to the Glasshouse Mountains or the D’Aguilar Range.
The proposed Town Centre will also be a focal point.
“It will draw inspiration from its spectacular natural surrounds and bring together the unique neighbourhoods of the city,” the council spokeswoman said.
Residents will also have access to a library.
TRANSPORT
The Bruce Highway is already a traffic nightmare and this often creates problem in and around Caboolture – but all three levels of government have plans to ease congestion and provide better links to this new city.
In June the State and Federal governments announced a total of $20 million had been set aside for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative. The 10km stretch will link with Caboolture West and provide an alternative route to the Bruce Highway and help alleviate congestion and accommodate future growth in the area. The future BHWA corridor is a total length of 57km, stretching roughly between Stafford and Beerburrum.
Residents will also have access to plenty of public transport around Caboolture West and linking to Caboolture and Morayfield.
There are plans for a C-Bahn Rapid Bus System that will zip residents from Caboolture West to Caboolture Central in 10 minutes.
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