Council advocacy plan secures $800 million

Published 21 May 2025

• Council advocacy plan secures $800 million to boost City of Moreton Bay
• Key projects activated include the delivery of Youngs Crossing Bridge and upgrade this year, and design for a new Buchanan Road
• Local projects such as footpath and road upgrades brought forward

Delivery of significant infrastructure and strategic city-building projects has been boosted through almost $800 million secured by Council.

Mayor Peter Flannery said City of Moreton Bay’s first Advocacy Plan has achieved outstanding outcomes for the City, mostly generated from State and Federal Government grants.

“Since we adopted our first Advocacy Plan in 2021, almost $800 million in additional funding has been secured, and Council has driven numerous legislative changes, resulting in significant benefits for our communities and more broadly the whole State.

“This was a strategic approach, focusing on priority projects including upgrading Youngs Crossing Road, a TAFE Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing, the Caboolture River Road Upgrade and our Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital.

“Separate to these large City-wide milestone projects, as Deputy Chair of the Council of Mayors SEQ I have been pleased to help negotiate the SEQ City Deal. This enabled over $45 million from the SEQ Liveability Fund for the City, and $71 million from the Growth Area Compact for Caboolture River Road.

“Simultaneously, we capitalised on other emerging opportunities not listed in the Advocacy Plan like the establishment of a Homeless Health Outreach Team, a Parliamentary inquiry into copper and other metals theft and funding from the Growth Acceleration Fund for Unitywater infrastructure at Waraba.

“Council worked with the Redcliffe Dolphins to secure the17th NRL license, commissioned a Bay Cats demand study and thanks to sustained advocacy saw the introduction of legislation to strengthen animal management laws.

“City of Moreton Bay, through a highly regarded collaborative approach, has a proven record of capitalising on opportunities for the benefit of the community.

“We were the first Council in Australia to successfully bring together representatives from all levels of government to convene a Moreton Bay Leaders’ Forum, the next to be held in October 2025.

“As Australia’s third largest local government area with 27 elected representatives across the City, this forum is critical.

“Working together across all levels of Government is key to ensuring our communities thrive.

“Councils only receive 3% of tax revenue and rates simply cannot cover the cost of what it takes to deliver and maintain infrastructure and services.

“City of Moreton Bay is actively working in the background to elevate key projects and secure important funding to achieve our community vision.

“Our rapid population growth means we have to work harder to alleviate the burden on residents paying for much-needed assets, now and into the future, that support our community.”

Cr Brooke Savige (Div 1)

Cr Brooke Savige (Div 1) said leveraging the State Government’s commitment to build a new Bribie Island Bridge was a major win for the community.
“Today, Bribie is home to almost 21,000 residents who regularly commute to work and to other services across the bridge, so this is a critical need.  We were strong advocates for ensuring critical active transport links were improved. Securing $1.5 million from SEQ Community Stimulus Program for the Sylvan Beach foreshore renewal shows just how important tourism is to the island, as well as ensuring we are investing in quality spaces for locals to enjoy our enviable outdoor lifestyle.”

Cr Mark Booth (Div 2)

Cr Mark Booth (Div 2) said the funding commitments to upgrade Mazlin Park in Beachmere, and a lighting upgrade and CCTV at the Burpengary Sports Complex were important local achievements for Division 2.
“It was also a coup to have the Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex selected as the Brazilian women’s teams training venue during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. With city growth front of mind, the recent declaration of the North Harbour PDA is a huge milestone for the whole community.”

Cr Adam Hain (Div 3)

Cr Adam Hain (Div 3) said securing $71 million for the Caboolture River Road upgrade was a significant milestone that would provide a crucial road corridor for the population now and into the future.
“I’m also delighted that funding has been committed towards the refurbishment of the former PCYC building in Toovey Street and the new Caboolture PCYC under construction, continue to provide important sport and youth development programs.”

Cr Jodie Shipway (Div 4)

Deputy Mayor Cr Jodie Shipway (Div 4) said Council leading the push for legislative change to alleviate scrap metal and copper theft was a huge win and made an impact more broadly statewide.
“Critical to the future of the City too was the funding and implementation of the garden organics waste collection service. Locally, $450,000 in state funding from the SEQ Community Stimulus Program saw an upgrade to North Lake’s Kinsella’s Sports Complex with tiered seating and shade.”

Cr Sandra Ruck (Div 5)

Cr Sandra Ruck (Div 5) was thrilled to open the Deception Bay Skate Park upgraded as part of Council’s Skate Park Renewal Program with funding from the Federal Government.
“The state funding contribution of $3.75 million towards construction of a new Deception Bay SES Depot was not only a win for the local area but the City more broadly.”

Cr Karl Winchester (Div 6)

Cr Karl Winchester (Div 6) said securing $12.13 million for the Suttons Beach Pavilion redevelopment project will see a move from design to construction phase, bringing us one step closer to a new building for the community and Redcliffe visitors to enjoy.
“It is terrific to see the State help fund our Peninsula Support Hub, that will help tackle the homelessness crisis providing a new facility for local service providers The Salvation Army and The Breakfast Club.”

Cr Yvonne Barlow (Div 7)

Cr Yvonne Barlow (Div 7) said the allocation of Council land at Dakabin and an allocation of State Government funding of $15 million for a dedicated Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital was a real win for local wildlife and their carers filling a concerning gap in the SEQ wildlife hospital network.
“Funding for the intersection upgrade at Alma Road and Marsden Roads at Dakabin is also very welcomed.”

Cr Jim Moloney (Div 8)

Cr Jim Moloney (Div 8) said state and federal funding contributions to upgrade Youngs Crossing Road would improve the flood immunity, safety and vehicle carrying capacity, for this critical road link and allow for the City’s forecast growth in population, development and traffic volumes.
“I am also pleased to see funding from the SEQ Liveability Fund towards the Lakes Activation at The Mill precinct.”

Cr Cath Tonks (Div 9)

Cr Cath Tonks (Div 9) said the federal government’s election commitment of $1.6 million toward new facilities for the Kumbartcho Sanctuary and Nursery in Eatons Hill will ensure that volunteers can continue to protect and maintain this unique rainforest on the South Pine River for visitors to enjoy.
“The funding contributions towards the state-of-the-art Women’s Centre of Excellence and Youth Academy at South Pine Sports Complex have played a pivotal role in bringing this project to life.”

Cr Matt Constance (Div 10)

Cr Matt Constance (Div 10) said the intersection upgrade of Gordon Road and Ferny Way will accommodate traffic growth and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
“Funding for active transport improvements at Cabbage Tree Creek was also secured to enhance outdoor recreation activities for our local community.

Cr Darren Grimwade (Div 11)

Cr Darren Grimwade (Div 11) said funding to upgrade the intersection of Young Road/Oakey Flat Road and Sovereign Drive was critical to our City’s connectivity.
“I’m also delighted to see funding for the Samford Parklands Village Green upgrade secured, to further activate this space.”

Cr Tony Latter (Div 12)

Cr Tony Latter (Div 12) said locally the upgrade of the Lindsay Road Sports Complex will deliver great benefits to residents and many sporting organisations who use the facility.
“In another future focus, the Wamuran Irrigation Scheme was also completed allowing recycled water to irrigate horticultural crops, enable local growers to better plan for their business growth, and reduce nutrient discharge into our waterways.”