Unveiling Moreton Bay’s ‘City of Tomorrow’

The City of Moreton Bay has unveiled a bold 10-year vision to meet the needs of its population, expected to reach one million people in 30 years, which includes self-flying air taxis, rapid transport connections, a Bruce Highway alternative and a ‘Bay Cats’ ferry network.

The City of Tomorrow strategy, to be launched at the Moreton Bay Leaders’ Forum today, outlines key projects Council will pursue State and Federal funding for including those that will contribute to the 2032 Games and legacy outcomes.

The forum is expected to be attended by more than 250 people including 26 elected representatives from all three levels of government.

The City of Tomorrow plan is focused on creating a new kind of city, in a bid to ‘shape a nation-leading urban experience for its booming population’.

A Bruce Highway Western Alternative to divert traffic from the congested Bruce Highway and revitalising Caboolture to provide greater employment, transport and diverse housing are also high on the agenda.

Mayor Peter Flannery says Council is seeking its fair share of funding for critical city-shaping projects to keep Moreton Bay moving and assist with delivery of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We know the infrastructure our city needs to tackle congestion, unlock housing, provide employment opportunities and go green as we grow – but we cannot do this alone,” he says.

“For too long, funding from successive State and Federal governments has not kept up with our population growth, which has continually exceeded projections.

“With our population predicted to double to one million in the next 30 years, not to mention the 2032 Games fast approaching, we need to deliver critical infrastructure now to improve our road networks, transform our public transport networks and deliver economic opportunities.

“Our unprecedented growth presents both enormous opportunities and challenges. Now’s the time, for the State and Federal Governments, to provide an infrastructure plan that integrates with the growth we are experiencing.

“Doing nothing is not an option – lack of funding for major road and transport projects is hindering our ability to service growth areas and provide much-needed housing.

“Congestion will also increase to unsustainable levels, while our modelling shows that by 2036 boom gates could be down for an entire hour during peak periods at open level crossings south of Petrie.”

Mayor Flannery says the biennial Leaders’ Forum – an opportunity for representatives to put politics aside and pledge to work collaboratively – has delivered substantial outcomes since first being held in 2021. These include fast-tracking the Youngs Crossing upgrade and the successful backing of the Dolphins’ NRL Licence bid.

City of Moreton Bay’s top asks

• Bruce Highway Western Alternative: Highest priority project to provide critical connections across the city and divert traffic from the Bruce Highway to better accommodate long-distance travel and freight. Council is seeking an expedited, 2032 delivery commitment (currently estimated for 2041) and funding partnership between State and Federal governments.

• Rapid transport connections: Secure planning support, funding and delivery commitments for priority public transport to improve east-west connections across the city and faster connections to key centres across SEQ. This would include a new peak-hour express train on the Redcliffe Peninsula line from Petrie to Strathpine express to the CBD/Bowen Hills, high-capacity metro from Newport/Scarborough to Kippa-Ring Station and from Clontarf/Margate to Kippa-Ring Station, and rapid bus from Waraba to Caboolture.

• Caboolture Revitalisation: Commercial and partnership catalytic investment, to provide greater employment and transport options, greater supply of diverse housing including social and affordable housing and safety and amenity improvements. This includes State and Federal funding towards a $14 million stormwater drainage upgrade that will unlock opportunities.

• Bay Cats: A Moreton Bay ferry service to increase tourism opportunities ahead of the 2032 Games, which would reduce congestion on the Bruce Highway while offering an alternative mode of transport with similar or faster travelling distances between key locations such as Redcliffe Pier and Riverside in Brisbane. Council is seeking a $500,000 funding contribution towards feasibility and business case investigations and ultimately a trial of a commuter service.

• Advanced air mobility: Advanced air mobility opportunities to be delivered through SEQ regional partnerships, with a focus on setting up the city to be a leader in this evolving industry, which is expected to assist with transport operations for the 2032 Games. Activate Council facilities, like the Redcliffe and Caboolture aerodromes for advanced air mobility operators such as Wisk, a leading Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company and developer of the world’s first self-flying, all-electric, four-seat eVTOL air taxi.