Moreton Bay Regional Council’s predicted growth, plan to become city
A council north of Brisbane is preparing for growth so big it will exceed the population of Tasmania, with huge plans for better roads and infrastructure to accommodate the boom. SEE WHAT’S COMING
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A regional council north of Brisbane is preparing for a wave of up to 25,000 new locals to move to the area, with big plans for better roads and infrastructure to accommodate the city-sized population.
Moreton Bay Regional Council was preparing for a wave of 16,000 people to move into the Morayfield area over the next 20 years by creating a Morayfield Neighbourhood Plan.
However, now a council spokesperson has confirmed the area’s population projection has since increased — with the growing numbers meaning the region could be re-classified as a city.
Originally the area was expected to grow from being home to approximately 500,000 to 690,000 by 2041.
But now, it is more likely to reach upwards of 750,000 local residents in about 20 years’ time.
According to council documents, within 10 years, Moreton Bay will have more residents than the state of Tasmania. About 30 people will move to the region every day over the next 20 years.
As a result of this predicted population growth, Moreton Bay Regional Council is considering the potential of reclassifying Moreton Bay from a ‘regional’ to a ‘city’ council under the Local Government Regulation 2012.
Changing council’s classification to city will also bring the region into line with the other councils adjoining Brisbane, including Redland City, Ipswich City, and Logan City. The Moreton Bay council is larger than all these neighbours in terms of geographic area, population, and number of local businesses.
According to council documents, residents did not want to sacrifice what they love most about the region — the open spaces, nature, and affordability of the area.
Council has put forth that by transitioning from a regional council to a city council, locals could have access to up to 100,000 new jobs, more infrastructure, and improved roads.
To accommodate the expected population growth, improvements to transport connectivity and safety, traffic congestion, parks, bikeways and pathways will be included.
The big plans also include connecting centres to the bay by using the space next to waterways as movement corridors, with council saying the vital east/west links would allow movement across the city on foot, bike or scooter and join existing centres.
Petire could also become South East Queensland’s northern business hub, in a location already boasting a train station, university, businesses, and a planned Olympic venue.
Better links between coastal suburbs are also on the cards, which could allow for walking or cycling from Woorim to Woody Point, while plans also include the return of a bay ferry from the Pumicestone Passage near Bribie Island to Redcliffe.
Meanwhile the region’s hilltop villages have become a new focus for tourism.
However the plans are not all upshots, with population growth expected to impact amenity in busy city centres and open the gate to taller buildings sooner.
Council documents also made clear there was no intention to have one CBD but rather to keep the most central areas as Caboolture, North Lakes, Redcliffe and Strathpine, with Morayfield to join the list — a five-week community consultation period is now underway for its new neighbourhood plan.
Councillor Mark Booth (Division 2) said Morayfield had a key role to play if Moreton Bay Regional Council transitions into a city.
“Morayfield has long been one of the main urban centres of Moreton Bay, but it will be even more pivotal if we move toward a polycentric city,” he said.
“Many people from the northern part of our region visit Morayfield for their retail shopping, to see health professionals and other services, so it’s important that our planning reflects their needs.”
Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway said once this plan was formalised it would help shape the look and feel of Morayfield, Upper Caboolture and Caboolture South in the wake of major growth in the region.
“Moreton Bay is the fifth fastest growing council area in Australia and plenty of that growth will happen in and around the Morayfield area over the next 40 years,” she said.
“But that doesn’t mean Morayfield needs to lose its current day characteristics or unique features in order to cater for that growth.”
She said catering for the expected influx in residents meant possible changes to zoning and amending building height restrictions.
“This will set a long-term vision for the area and will have a direct impact on planning and development outcomes for many years to come.”
Councillor Adam Hain (Division 3) said Morayfield had become a bustling commercial and residential hub over the past 20 years, and it was now facing its next phase of growth as young families move into the area.
“We want to make sure that our planning for the next 10-20 years reflects the expectations of the community so we can build a future for our children to grow.”
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