A new Moreton Bay ferry service to the Brisbane CBD is among the 10-year vision for the City of Moreton Bay.
Mayor Peter Flannery unveiled the forward-thinking plan, which also includes autonomous electric air taxis ahead of 2032 and high-capacity metros, at a recent Leaders Forum.
Mayor Flannery said the aim was to identify key initiatives that would shape the region as “a nation-leading urban experience for a booming population’ and secure State and Federal funding.
He said a Bruce Highway Western Alternative to divert traffic away from the congested Bruce Highway and revitalising Caboolture to provide greater employment, transport and diverse housing was also high on the agenda.
“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 said.
Mayor Peter Flannery said Council was seeking its fair share of funding for critical City-shaping projects to keep Moreton Bay moving and assist with delivery of the 2032 Games.
“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 1 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.”
City of Moreton Bay’s top asks in its City of Tomorrow strategy include:
- 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, including a new peak-hour express train on the Redcliffe 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.
