Pitch for "critical" funding

City of Moreton Bay has revealed its 10 "priorities" which need essential funding from the next Australian Government.

They form Council's Moreton Bay Matters campaign, ahead of the 2025 Federal Election (on or before May 17), "to ensure our City can remain liveable and affordable”.

Mayor Peter Flannery said meetings have already been held with LNP leader Peter Dutton and senior representatives of the Labor party. 

The funding pitch includes infrastructure, communications, transport, crime prevention and education projects ranging from $1.85 million to more than $100 million. 

It follows a similar Moreton Bay Matters campaign - which the Mayor said it was "very successful" - before the State Election last year. 

Moreton Bay Matters Federal Election Priorities 2025:

Fair share of Tax revenue – Guaranteed one per cent of Commonwealth tax revenue and honouring the $100 million for Waraba infrastructure under the SEQ City Deal.  Council says any further cuts to Financial Assistance Grants, which fund services, would “threaten financial sustainability”.

Buchanan Road Upgrade - $600,000 for the project business case and $100m for construction to connect transport networks and support housing growth. Upgrading to a four-lane arterial road linking Morayfield Rd and the Bruce Highway is seen as “vital to the success of Waraba”.

Bruce Highway Western Alternative – A 2032 commitment with Federal and State Governments to fast-track planning, design and construction of the 60km Moreton Motorway. It will go through Waraba – planned to have 27,000 homes and 70,000 residents – but currently with only one entry/exit via Caboolture River Rd.

Moreton Bay Ferry Service (Bay Cats) – Funding for a business case for a ferry network linking coastal hubs, easing congestion, improving travel times and providing sustainable tourism opportunities.

Crime prevention and public safety - $3 million for surveillance including lighting, hoon prevention and CCTV cameras. Key needs are CCTV in crime hotspots, improved lighting in car parks at sports and community centres and funding for anti-hooning measures.

Fair access to mobile and NBN in rural areas – call to cut red tape and then funding for mobile black spots and better broadband in “NBN-deprived areas”. Council says many residents and businesses still lack “equitable access to telecommunications services, especially in peri-urban areas”.

Network congestion during disasters – push for a public safety national broadband to prioritise emergency alerts and give first responders priority access. In the 2022 floods, network “visibility was a major issue”. Council says closing gaps in remote and rural areas and preventing network congestion in emergencies is “crucial”.

Local Disaster Co-ordination Centre – Appeal for $30 million for an LDCC at Petrie to support first responders in emergencies. The Gold Coast Disaster and Emergency Management Centre “exemplifies” how such facilities “enhance community safety”, says Council.

Changing Place facilities – Call for $1.85 million for three permanent ($500,000 each) and one portable facility ($350,000) with specialized equipment such as height adjusted adult changing tables and ceiling hoists, for people with disabilities and high support needs.

Wildlife Education Centre – Request for $10 million for a wildlife education centre, at the planned Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital in Dakabin. A centre would educate school children, support university study for veterinary students and train wildlife carers and volunteers.