Help shape growth in Morayfield

Community consultation for a plan to accommodate the 16,000 people expected to move into the Morayfield area over the next 20 years started today.

Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway says the Morayfield Neighbourhood Plan will help shape the look and feel of Morayfield, Upper Caboolture and Caboolture South.

Residents will be able to have their say on what they’d like to see included in the Neighbourhood Plan through a five-week community consultation period that runs until May 24.

“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.

“We’re creating the Morayfield Neighbourhood Plan with the help of the community to ensure Morayfield is a place that locals and future locals want to live, work and play for many years to come.”

Reflecting community needs

Cr Shipway says the plan is not a beautification project, but rather about ensuring Council’s planning scheme reflects the wants and needs of residents and delivers better outcomes from future development applications in the area.

“That could mean changing the zoning of certain areas, amending building height restrictions, or ensuring better connections around our commercial areas, parks, and other services.”

“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 (Div 3) says this will not only prepare local communities for future growth, but will preserve existing characteristics that make the Morayfield area unique.

“Morayfield has risen to become a bustling commercial and residential hub of Moreton Bay over the past 20 years, and now we’re going through another period of growth and change with plenty of young families moving into the area,” he says.

“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.”

Pivotal role 

Councillor Mark Booth (Div 2) says Morayfield has 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 says.

“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.”

Councillor Tony Latter (Div 12) urged all residents to take part in the community feedback process.

“Council is currently working through our first Neighbourhood Plan which was trialled in Kallangur and Dakabin, but I’m expecting to see different responses for the Morayfield area,” he says.

The Your Say Moreton Bay website includes links to a community survey and details of how to nominate for the Community Reference Group.

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