Boom on horizon at Burpengary East
A proposal to make North Harbour a Priority Development Area, facilitating more than $1 billion in construction and creating thousands of jobs looks set to get the green light.
If re-elected, the Palaszczuk Government has pledge to make the precinct at Burpengary East a Priority Development Area.
And it’s a promise the LNP says it will honour, if elected at the State Election on October 31.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the PDA declaration 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,” she explains.
How it came about
State Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting says Moreton Bay Regional Council wrote to the government proposing a PDA to facilitate the North Harbour development.
“I want to see the North Harbour development go ahead in my community and the PDA declaration will create a pathway forward,” Mr Whiting says.
“If it stacks up, the $1.2 billion expansion of North Harbour will deliver a 2,000-dwelling canal estate, 400-berth marina, recreational space and environmental area. It also has great potential to stimulate our local boating industry and will support 7,000 jobs during construction.”
Perfect timing
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,” Mayor Flannery says.
“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.
“It’s especially important in the north of our region, where unemployment levels have been higher than the state average.”
Unlocking potential
Mayor Flannery says the benefits will be felt for decades to come, with the creation of a new marine industry to support a 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,” he explains.
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.
Super-charging the economy
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 says.
“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.”
Cr Mark Booth (Div 2) said the development would create a huge economic boom that will put Burpengary East on the map and generate local job opportunities for residents.
“It’s exciting to see this area, right in the heart of Moreton Bay, getting the attention and support it deserves,” Cr Booth says.
“I know locals are looking for certainty in these uncertain times, which is why we’re advocating for projects that will create new opportunities for them on the road to economic recovery.
“This is great progress for our growing region, and I am eager to see this development come to fruition.”
Welcome news
Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism CEO Shane Newcombe says he fully supports the proposal, which would unlock Burpengary East’s potential, create much-needed jobs and help fire up the region’s economy.
“The opportunities this proposed development could deliver are exciting and I’m pleased it will be considered and assessed as a Priority Development Area.”
State Development Minister Kate Jones says the PDA declaration would pave the way for the North Harbour proposal to be properly considered, but is not a green light for the development.
“The proponents need to do further work to demonstrate to the community and to government that this development stacks up,” she says.
“The government needs to see the careful assessment of planning, infrastructure costs and environmental issues resolved. We also have to consider the cost to the taxpayer to deliver and maintain the public infrastructure required to support the project like roads, schools, public safety and amenities.”
Bipartisan support
LNP candidate for Bancroft Phil Carlson says: “I'm thrilled to support the prioritisation of this project. This project will create thousands of jobs, while delivering vital community amenities for Bancroft.
“It's just one of the reasons why Bancroft will be a great place to get a job, get ahead and raise a family with an LNP government.”