State clears the way for farmland on Brisbane fringe to be developed

The Crisafulli government has lifted the state’s objection to the development of farmland north of Brisbane, despite Labor’s previous concerns over the lack of infrastructure and potential conflict with more advanced plans for a new suburb nearby.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Jarrod Bleijie on Monday reclassified two large blocks of land at Elimbah, in a move only gazetted on Thursday, and is expected to do the same with neighbouring land.

However, it remains unclear whether any greenfield housing projects in the suburb are currently viable, and how the government will manage the state’s infrastructure pipeline through to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

The Queensland government has taken the first step towards allowing the redevelopment of farmland north of Brisbane.Credit: Nearmap

In 2023, the former Labor government updated the south-east Queensland regional plan, with ambitious targets for councils to meet demand for extra housing and new mapping to direct development.

While the most advanced greenfield development was in Caboolture West – some 30,000 homes will be built in a new suburb called Waraba over the next 40 years – the plan listed Elimbah as one of four future expansion areas in the south-east.

However, the plan made clear the government had to first address “critical matters” with the City of Moreton Bay, including the alignment of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative, water and sewer infrastructure, public transport, and environmental protection.

“The timing for the commencement of urban development at Elimbah will also be driven by ensuring urban development at Elimbah does not prejudice the timely and efficient delivery of housing and employment outcomes, and the delivery of infrastructure investment at Waraba,” the plan said.

Until this week, the farmland at Elimbah was classified as category 1, preventing development until the government and council had undertaken comprehensive infrastructure planning to address the various matters.

Bleijie has now reclassified the land as category 2, which allows development applications to be lodged and considered for an initial 67 hectares of farmland.

In a statement, State Planner Peta Harwood said the government was engaged in a “collaborative process” with Moreton Bay council, and reclassifying the land would provide an opportunity for the various matters to be addressed.

“Detailed land use and infrastructure planning are critical matters for Elimbah … and can be resolved by the council and state through the development assessment process,” Harwood said.

Moreton Bay council was contacted for comment.

The government recently released its proposed route for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative – the Moreton Motorway would connect Waraba and Elimbah to existing roads – but public consultation is ongoing and the corridor has yet to be fully preserved.

This masthead last week revealed the government had made 890 hectares of Southern Thornlands, part of Redland City Council, a priority development area.

Southern Thornlands is one of the future expansion areas in the south-east Queensland regional plan, along with Elimbah, Burpengary East, and Narangba in the north. It has space for the construction of up to 8000 new homes over the next 20 years.

Bleijie said it was a sign of the LNP’s willingness to work with councils to unlock land for greenfield housing projects and address infrastructure challenges.

Documents obtained under the Right to Information Act show Labor’s expert panel wanted the government to do more to increase density in established suburbs, by working with councils to alter the housing mix and allow for smaller homes on smaller lots.

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