Council bolsters commitment to business growth

Published 11:00am 16 October 2021

Moreton Bay Regional Council has launched an investment campaign to attract new business to the region.

With the news this week that the Dolphins will become the NRL’s 17th team, Mayor Peter Flannery says there has never been a better time to show the nation what the region has to offer through the Invest Moreton Bay campaign.

“Moreton Bay’s economic reinvention continues to power forward with a record budget of $743 million…and an unequalled spend on economic development programs and initiatives.

“We’re proudly home to 29,000 businesses and are committed to supporting their growth, resilience and innovation.”

Mayor Flannery says Council’s commitment to supporting local businesses is demonstrated in the Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS), which this week won the national gong for Strategic Thinking at the Economic Development Australia Awards.

He says Council’s Small Business Friendly Council initiative and the establishment of two private sector boards to give direction to The Mill at Moreton Bay and the REDS are a further sign of the region’s commitment to business.

Booming business ecosystem

“Our unique combination of affordable living, employment opportunities, natural environment, and access and investment in essential infrastructure makes our region the perfect place to invest, live, work and play.

“Investors seeking to grow their business have an unrivalled opportunity to take advantage of one of the fastest growing business ecosystems in Australia, and a Council dedicated to supporting business and industry to flourish.”

Mayor Flannery says that includes The Mill at Moreton Bay, which is ripe for digital technology investment, medical research facilities, and advanced manufacturing operations; the Caboolture West development - a brand new city that’s being built from scratch with 30,000 dwellings to accommodate 70,000 residents; and the Scarborough Harbour Masterplan, which will make Moreton Bay Region the epicentre of Australia’s $74 billion marine industry.

“Moreton Bay is the undeniable engine room of southeast Queensland, with a population and employment boom empowering its economy to reach $40 billion by 2041,” Mayor Flannery says.

“Its strategic location is within a 30 minute drive of Brisbane’s port and airport, and a talent pool of over one million people.

“Already home to a labour force of 241,000 people, more skilled workers are continually being drawn to the enormous opportunities offered by the region.

Ripe for investment

“The region is an economic goldmine ready for a rush of multi-billion dollar region-building projects, supporting incredible job opportunities for local and future residents.”

Mayor Flannery says business investors in Moreton Bay will reap the benefits of high-speed, reliable data connectivity without capital investment and high operating costs.

Under the $10 million Helios Project by Titan Fibre Networks, neutral cable operator Torus Networks will create a 140km backbone of dark fibre cable running through the region.

“By 2026, Deloitte Access Economics forecasts Australia will have over 1.1 million technology workers, with Moreton Bay providing the technological infrastructure to bolster southeast Queensland businesses as they grow and connect to the world,” Mayor Flannery says.

Find out more about Invest Moreton Bay here.