Words by Nick Crockford
The Moreton Bay Region is changing fast with a succession of major developments, starting, under construction and finishing in coming months.
They range from a multi-million dollar hospital extension to an asphalt plant, retail centres, restaurants and road works.
Here is an update of those you will see and a guide to what the developments will look like when completed.
North Lakes Junction
Excavation is complete and roadwork well under way on the new North Lakes Junction development on Anzac Ave, opposite North Lakes Dr.
On a 7899sq m site, there will be 14 shops ranging from retail to health and medical services, offices, fitness and beauty and cafes, with two more tenancies on the upper level.
There will also be 30 two and three-bedroom residential units for rent at the rear of the development, separate from the commercial buildings and with private access.
The estimated completion date is late 2021.
Maccas Strathpine
A new McDonald’s restaurant in Strathpine is expected to be completed and open by mid-December creating around 100 jobs.
The 3000sq m site, on the corner of Old Gympie Rd and Mecklem St, will have a 420sq m restaurant and close to 40 car parks.
It is targeted to open on December 14 with a mix of casual, full-time and part-time roles.
Caboolture Hospital
The $394.6 million redevelopment of Caboolture Hospital is gathering pace with major construction work about to start.
From Monday September 21, all non-urgent patients, visitors and hospital staff will enter through a temporary main entry.
Emergency drop-off will still be at the front of the hospital with vehicle access via McKean St. It is expected this continue until late 2022.
By 2023, there will be a new five-storey clinical services building, 130 new beds, refurbished areas of the existing hospital, expanded health services and a new multi-storey carpark.
McKean Medical Precinct
This stand-alone private medical centre, at 120-124 McKean St, Caboolture, will be built by extending an existing building.
This will create a modern facility with a range of medical businesses directly across the road from the main Caboolture Hospital, which is undergoing a huge four-year expansion program and Caboolture Private Hospital
Construction on the McKean Medical Precinct is currently planned to start in January 2021 and take about six months.
Bolton Clarke Fernhill, Caboolture
One of the biggest developments in Caboolture’s CBD, Bolton Clarke Fernhill aged care home in King St, is set to open this month.
The $48 million first stage will create a multi-storey home for more than 160 residents. The rest of the project will follow in years to come.
It is expected to include underground carparking, supported living units and a retail precinct to cater for the growing needs of the Caboolture community.
Morayfield road widening
Work is under way on the next phase of a major upgrade by Moreton Bay Regional Council to Oakey Flat Rd in Morayfield, between Ashbrook Dr and Lakeview Rd.
The $10.7 million six-month project will include widening and lane duplication of more than 1km of road, intersection upgrades, pathway improvements and streetscaping.
Around 13,000 vehicles use this road each day and that will double in 10 years. More than 680 trees will be planted to compensate for those lost though the widening.
Downer Asphalt Plant
A new $20 million asphalt manufacturing plant being built in Brendale will be the most advanced in Australia - and create more jobs for the Moreton Bay Region.
Downer has begun work on 11.5 hectares, in Leitchs Rd, which will have an asphalt plant, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) processing plant and a Reconomy facility.
The site, which should be ready in March 2021, will become a repurposing hub where recycled road material will be part of the production of new high-quality asphalt.
This will replace Downer’s 40-year-old plant two kilometres away in Kremzow Rd, securing jobs for more than 40 staff and creating more in the future.
Strathpine Centre
The front of Strathpine Centre is changing fast as work gathers pace on a new three-stage development facing Old Gympie Rd.
A new casual dining area will be at the centre of the expansion. It started in March and is due to be completed in 2021.
Upgrades to the entrance and Food Court itself are in the final stages and due to reopen this year.
There’s more news here
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