Moreton Motorway battle ramping up

Published 5:09am 30 April 2025

Words by Nick Crockford

A battle to save Elimbah homes and businesses in the path of the new Moreton Motorway, has entered a crucial new phase.

Community consultation has been extended to May 14 at 5pm, for feedback on the route for Stage 4 of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative.

The extension was welcomed by campaigners "quite worried" by the initial short timeframe to prepare effective submissions.

Now dubbed the Moreton Motorway, Stage 4 will run 12.6kms from the D’Aguilar Highway at Moodlu to Steve Irwin Way at Beerburrum.

Its first two options, through the middle of Elimbah, were met with fierce opposition and ditched by Transport and Main Roads (TMR) after 12 months.

A third route, further west of the township, was released by TMR last month, but residents are still unhappy and want changes.

The latest proposed routes for Stage 4 of the Moreton Motorway.

In fact, an online survey showed 88 per cent are “not happy at all” with the proposal, while 10 per cent believe it is the “best possible option”.

Submission support workshops are running for those currently and previously affected by the Stage 4, as well as the wider community.

Spokesperson Kim Litchfield says "we don’t see this as the final route", despite TMR's website suggesting routes further west were "ruled out."

“We understand the need for infrastructure and it’s needed quickly. We understand growth is coming and there will be a highway.

“But we want the best outcome for the community and the region.

"The community is relieved and grateful for the extension. We were quite worried. We needed extra time for the effectiveness of the submissions.

Routes TMR says were shortlisted for Stage 4 with the ditched first option on the right.

“We want it (Stage 4) outside the urban footprint to minimise the impact on farms and homes.

“There is still room to get a better outcome for the community and a route that will work.”

Many on the campaign’s Objection to Current Bruce Highway Alternative– Stage 4 Route Option Facebook page agree.

Catherine Miles wrote: “They should go further out west so as not to affect houses at all other properties. Like the turf property. Businesses are important.”

Cherie Lund said: “Needs to be further west or widen M1 again”, while Stuart Saunders feels: “There is little to no care about the impact to people’s lives.”

Planned and proposed routes for each section of the new Moreton Motorway

Stage 4 is the northern section of a 50km Moreton Motorway from Beerburrum, through Waraba (Caboolture West), to Petrie. Stages 1 and 2 have been gazetted.

TMR says “significant consideration” was given to waterways, vegetation and cultural heritage, avoiding Mount Elimbah (The Saddleback) and Mount Miketeebumulgrai.

Bridges are proposed at Whittington, Child, Brucknell, Old Gympie, Twin View and McDougall Rds. Overpasses at Beerburrum Rd and across the railway line.

TMR says construction is "expected to be more than a decade away".

Visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/north-brisbane-bruce-highway-western-alternative-planning for further details.