It’s no joke: Bruce Hwy Western Alternative needed now
Published 01 April 2026
- City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery has called on the State Government to fast-track Bruce Highway Western Alternative delivery to 2032
- Planned homes and jobs at risk without urgent action
- Bruce Highway Western Alternative is Council’s priority budget ask
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery has today called for the State Government to take the Bruce Highway Western Alternative (BHWA) seriously, demanding a solid commitment to solving traffic chaos.
“It might be April Fool’s Day, but the only joke we want to talk about is that the Bruce Highway Western Alternative won’t be delivered for another 15 years!
“The congestion on the Bruce Highway in Moreton Bay is no laughing matter. Our number one budget ask is for funding to fast-track delivery of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative to 2032, instead of the current estimate of 2041.
“The real tragedy is we foresaw this. We’re the fastest growing City in South East Queensland. We are the third largest Council area in Australia. We will have a population of 1 million people in around 30 years. The Bruce Highway starts in City of Moreton Bay and is a carpark every day of the week.
“We’ve been talking about this impending Bruce Highway disaster for years, yet still there is no real action and our residents are calling for a fair return on the taxes they pay.
“We are at the point where years of delays, talk fests and failed promises has caused uncertainty for planning and investment in City of Moreton Bay, creating significant negative economic impacts that will reverberate across South East Queensland."
The Bruce Highway Western Alternative is a critical, city‑shaping project, and is essential to support access to future Waraba and Elimbah residents, enable major employment growth areas, and provide the connectivity required as City of Moreton Bay grows toward one million people.
Without urgent action, congestion on the Bruce Highway and local corridors will worsen and create serious safety concerns. Employment and economic opportunities will be slashed. City of Moreton Bay planning and investment will be at a stalemate.
“The State mandates that we add more housing across our City under the SEQ Regional Plan, and almost single-handedly we are solving the local housing crisis with our greenfield sites, so we’re certainly happy to do that heavy lifting – but how do people get around?” Mayor Flannery said.
“Our road networks are already congested with people rat running to flee the chaos of the Bruce Highway – yet we’re expected to take more traffic, without any serious investment? This will stuff up our traffic network to the point of standstill.”
“We need a solid commitment from the State to truly work with Council and urgently provide clear decisions and timelines on the Bruce Highway Western Alternative.
“City of Moreton Bay is happy to work constructively with the State. We have a proven reputation as a collaborative Council. We want proper consultation and action to ensure our City’s whole traffic network and plans for future housing and jobs don’t grind to a halt.”