Water works start at Moreton Bay's new city

Above: From left - Mayor Peter Flannery, Minister Grace Grace and Unitywater CEO Anna Jackson at the sod turning in Waraba.

The first sod has been turned on major water and waste-water infrastructure for the new Waraba Priority Development Area (PDA), west of Caboolture.

An initial $38.5 million from the Queensland Government will enable the development of Waraba’s first 2500 homes in the new suburb of Lilywood.

The wastewater works, including a wastewater pumping station, are being delivered by Unitywater with private developers.

State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace was joined by Mayor Peter Flannery and Unitywater CEO Anna Jackson to officially start the project.

“Waraba will play a very important role in our Homes for Queenslanders Plan and this initial funding will deliver the first essential services for a future city of around 30,000 homes,” Minister Grace said.

“This announcement is only the beginning with another $87 million in Miles Government funding to come for essential infrastructure for Waraba.”

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the funding will “provide a foundation for the ultimate network for a community of around 70,000 people”.

“City of Moreton Bay has been instrumental in advocating for the timely delivery of enabling infrastructure for Waraba so the funding announcement by the Queensland Government is an important initial milestone.

“Importantly, this includes the funding of essential council infrastructure like the upgrade to Caboolture River Road.”

Unitywater CEO Anna Jackson said water and wastewater networks “are essential to protect public health, enable economic growth and ensure environmental sustainability”.

“We are starting with the construction of a wastewater pumping station, four-and-a-half kilometres of wastewater rising main, and seven odour control units,” she said.

The State Government funding includes $25.5 million in low interest loan through its Building Acceleration Fund (BAF) and $13 million from its $100 million contribution to the South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal Growth Areas Compact (GAC).

A further $87 million in State funding from the GAC will be earmarked for essential infrastructure to help develop the new city following detailed infrastructure master planning with the City of Moreton Bay.