Prime blocks going back on market

Pictured: The prime block of land in the middle of North Lakes, which will be going to market.

Two high-profile parcels of land will be going “to market” as Moreton Bay City Council (MBCC) looks to “generate interest and activity around” its tourism plan.

The 1.72-hectare block, opposite Westfield North Lakes, is for sale after plans for the giant Laguna development taken off the table last month.

MBCC is also looking to use around 7.6 hectares of a 45-hectare site at the entrance to Caboolture, bordered by the Bruce Highway and Lower King St.

Future council road and wetland projects put some constraints on the site, which officers recommended be leased rather than sold.

Both will undergo EOI (Expressions Of Interest) campaigns again. The first EOI for North Lakes was in 2015 and Caboolture in 2020, though there were no “outcomes” on the latter.

The proposals were unanimously supported by councillors at this week’s full MBCC meeting, with targets for hotel accommodation a major driver.

Acting CEO Paul Martins, Council’s Chief Economic Development Officer, told the meeting: “Leading to 2032 we need at least eight hotels and 1000-plus hotel rooms.

“We aim to take these sites to market to generate interest and activity around those objectives.”

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway supported the move saying: “There’s an exciting opportunity ahead of us. We know we need short-term accommodation.”

Mr Martins added “a lot of work” has been done by council officers to identify tourist demand and MBCC last year adopted its Tourism Opportunity Plan (TOP).

At Wednesday’s meeting councillors also supported sending the Chief Economic Development Officer - or a nominated delegate - to the 2023 Hotel Investment Conference Asia-Pacific (HICAP) in Singapore.

Then on to Japan to meet representatives of Council’s friendship city Sanyo-Onoda and Trade and Investment Queensland.