Priority call for 7700 new jobs

Moreton Bay Regional Council is calling on the State Government to back a plan that will create new industries and thousands of jobs and homes at North Harbour.

Councillors today voted unanimously to request a Priority Development Area (PDA) be declared over the planned marina at Burpengary East to fast-track its development.

The proposal would include 600 new apartments and 600 detached homes as part of the marine village, an 800-dwelling canal estate and a 400-berth mixed-use marina.

Mayor Peter Flannery says the project could create 7735 jobs and boost the local economy by $2.74 billion during the construction phase alone.

Crucial plan

“At a time when jobs and growth have never been more important for South East Queensland, this is a tangible way the Queensland Government can help Moreton Bay with a plan to deliver certainty of work for years to come,” he says.

“Today we voted to cut through the usual red tape and complete all the necessary planning and environmental considerations within two years.

“The development would obviously provide a boost to the construction sector, and in the longer-term diversify the industry and tourism sectors of the Moreton Bay Region economy.

“This includes the creation of new specialised marine business services for the region such as boatbuilding, maintenance, repairs and more.”

Game changer

Federal Member for Longman Terry Young says the North Harbour Marina project would be a gamechanger for the region.

“It is crucial for our community, especially with the economic impacts of COVID-19, that red tape be cut on job-creating projects like this so they can progress as soon as possible,” Mr Young says.

State Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting says he will lobby colleagues over the PDA.

“This will mark a real turning point for the creation of job opportunities and a world-class community in Burpengary East,” Mr Whiting says.

New industry

Councillor Mark Booth (Div 2) says approving a PDA would support construction and development by stimulating new marine industry, tourism, retail, commercial, residential development as well as significant community infrastructure.

“I’m also incredibly buoyed by the developer’s proposal for 319ha of open space along a 12km stretch of the Caboolture River, which has been in private ownership for over 160 years,” Cr Booth says.

The proposed development will also go a long way to accommodating Moreton Bay Region’s booming population growth.

The State Government set Council a target of 88,300 new dwellings by 2041 in the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017.

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