Report offers glimpse of City’s economic future

With the City of Moreton Bay on track to be home to one million people in the next 30 years, a new report outlines what it will take to ensure the future is prosperous, connected and sustainable.

The economic white paper, Towards One Million: Our Moment of Opportunity, was developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) in partnership with Moreton Bay City Council.

It backs up Council’s recently launched City of Tomorrow Strategy, which calls for action across all levels of government, industry, education and community.

Mayor Peter Flannery says the white paper is a wake-up call for collective action.

“Growth is inevitable, but success is not. This report makes it clear that if we want a city that’s not just growing, but thriving, we need to act now,” Mayor Flannery says.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a future where people can live, work, and prosper locally.

“That means planning for high-value jobs, better connectivity and a resilient economy that benefits everyone.”

Mayor Flannery says the report shows deliberate planning and investment is required to achieve this vision.

Under the preferred scenario, City of Moreton Bay would lift its Gross Regional Product per capita from $45,828 to $77,366 at today’s values, create 402,000 local jobs, and more than double the number of local businesses.

The City’s economy could more than triple to $78.5 billion in about 30 years, with four in five residents working locally.

UniSC Vice Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett says the research shows strategic choices today will determine whether the City of Moreton Bay becomes a competitive, connected and liveable city.

“Moreton Bay’s growing population requires a pipeline of skilled workers, particularly across engineering, information and communications technology, science, early childhood, aged care and social assistance – which is exactly why UniSC established a campus at Petrie in 2020,” she says.

“National and international companies are moving to City of Moreton Bay and telling us that they need skills and talent to ensure that growth is not just in the size of the population, but also in the prosperity and quality of life for residents.”

The report identifies five economic imperatives: productive growth, polycentric planning, growing and attracting talent, accelerating innovation, and building resilience.

It says achieving these priorities will ensure City of Moreton Bay stands out as the place to accelerate a career, pioneer a new venture, leverage innovation, expand a business into new markets, attract forward-thinking investors, and enjoy a thriving family life.