Council protects future jobs in Narangba East

Published 09 May 2025

• Proposed 12 month pause on urban development in Narangba East.
• The proposed Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) area is 447ha and approximately 365 properties.
• Property owners can still carry out improvements to their properties.
• TLPI will give Council time to advance strategic planning for this area.
• There are no proposals for Council to acquire or resume land for industrial development in this area as a result of the proposed TLPI.

City of Moreton Bay has taken vital steps to preserve parts of the Narangba East Rural Residential Investigation Area for critical future employment-generating land uses, expected to create up to 10,500 new local jobs.

This week, Council resolved to request a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) from the State Government, that will put a pause on urban development in the area for the next 12 months, if approved.  

Mayor Peter Flannery said this was an important step to prevent further fragmentation of the investigation area through development approvals that are out of step with the planning intent for the area. 

“It’s been well-documented that Australia is in the middle of housing supply crisis and City of Moreton Bay hasn’t been immune to this issue,” he said. 

“We’re actively working to address this locally with major growth fronts across the City, including the Waraba Priority Development Area, but little is being said about the enterprise and employment land crisis that inevitably follows major population booms like the one we’re experiencing. 

“That’s why City of Moreton Bay is seeking to fulfil our long-standing intent to transition parts of the Narangba East Rural Residential Investigation Area into valuable employment-generating land uses that can support up to 10,500 new jobs. 

“The proposed Temporary Local Planning Instrument simply allows us time to advance strategic planning for this area without making the potential developability of the area more difficult. We’ve proposed a 12-month timeframe to ensure we give certainty to landowners, industry and the community as soon as we can; we’re getting on with the job. 

“Property owners can still carry out improvements to their properties under the current zoning rules, such as adding an extension or a shed to their property. However, the Temporary Local Planning Instrument would not support urban development such as residential subdivisions if our request is approved by the Queensland Government. 

“We will continue to engage with the community and stakeholders to form a long-term plan for this area so we can provide the community with certainty as soon as possible.” 

Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway said the State Government’s ShapingSEQ plan outlines that City of Moreton Bay must accommodate 125,800 new homes and a minimum of 85,400 new jobs by 2046. 

“While we have major growth fronts at Waraba, Morayfield South and future land reserves at Elimbah, amongst other growth fronts, which are dedicated to addressing housing shortages, we don’t have any other areas like the Narangba East Rural Residential

Investigation Area that can make a significant difference to our State directed local employment targets in the short to medium term,” she said. 

“Last year we received our Urban Areas Employment Lands Investigation (UAELI): Land Supply Update 2024, which identified land targets that could produce up to 25,400 new jobs and $9 billion worth of economic value for our local economy. 

“Parts of the Narangba East Rural Residential Investigation have the potential to make up a significant portion of that number if we get the planning right now. 

“The investigation area consists of 300 hectares of developable land that is well suited for these uses, in part because of its proximity and accessibility to the Bruce Highway. 

“It also has easy access to the rest of Moreton Bay, as well as the Brisbane Airport, Port of Brisbane, and Brisbane CBD, which means we can attract a wide range of businesses and create better jobs for locals. 

“By allowing Council to formalise an official plan for the investigation area, we will be able to deliver a better planned and cohesive community for our residents for the long-term.” 

For more information, please visit our Your Say Moreton Bay webpage for the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI)?

A TLPI is a statutory instrument which sets out planning and development assessment policies to protect all or part of the local government area from adverse impacts in urgent or emergent circumstances.

A TLPI is a short-term mechanism that can be introduced quickly and may suspend or otherwise affect the operation of certain parts of a planning scheme for up to two years.

The Planning Minister has discretion to take urgent policy interventions in rare circumstances where it can be demonstrated that there are significant risks of serious adverse cultural, economic, environmental or social conditions occurring from development, and that these risks will be increased through the delay in Council carrying out a standard planning scheme amendment.

Refer to the State Government's website (https://planning.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/plann...) for more detailed information on a TLPI.

Why is Council requesting a TLPI for the Narangba East Planning Area?

Council commenced the Narangba East Planning Investigation in 2023, following long-term planning studies that began in 2010 to explore future uses for the area.

Findings from recent economic feasibility and supply/demand studies highlight:

• There has been a decline in available industrial land in the city, especially in general and light industry zones.

• The southern part of the city, which is popular due to its access to Brisbane, could run out of general industrial land by 2031, coinciding with Brisbane's industrial land being depleted.

• Narangba East is well-positioned near key transport routes, making it ideal for future enterprise and employment uses.

• Parts of the Narangba East Rural Residential Investigation Area have the potential to be transformed into a regionally significant new enterprise and employment precinct with the potential to deliver ~10,527 direct + indirect full time equivalent jobs and ~$1.257B direct + indirect valued add contributions to the City of Moreton Bay economy.

Development pressure within parts of the Rural Residential Investigation Area are ongoing, as evident by several urban residential development applications that were lodged after the Narangba East Planning Investigation began in 2023. These premature development applications, along with the potential for further applications seeking similar land use outcomes, threaten to compromise the ability for Council to undertake coordinated planning and engage with the community and other stakeholders to determine a long-term land use plan for the area.

Will there be consultation on this TLPI?

No. The Planning Act 2016 allows Council to prepare a TLPI in response to an urgent issue of social, environmental and/or economic consequence. If approved, the TLPI will be effective for up to one year. During this time, Council will expedite planning and we will be seeking input from the community, and undertake further land use and infrastructure planning investigations to inform a future planning scheme amendment.

The details of the TLPI will be made publicly available subject to the approval of the State Planning Minister and it is adopted by Council.

Who approves a TLPI?

The TLPI requires approval by the State Planning Minister before Council can adopt it.

How long is this TLPI effective for?

If approved, the TLPI is proposed for a period of twelve (12) months instead of the regulated maximum period of twenty-four (24) months, to support expedited planning in this area.

Why can I not view the proposed TLPI?

The proposed TLPI cannot be made without the approval of the State Planning Minister. While Council are of the view that the circumstances of Narangba East satisfy the ‘tests’ required of a TLPI under the Planning Act 2016, the document must remain confidential until the State Planning Minister has made their decision.

Should the Planning Minister approve the making of the proposed TLPI, we will provide information that assists affected and interested parties to understand the effect of the TLPI and the outcomes it is seeking to achieve.

What does the proposed TLPI mean for my land use rights and property values?

If the proposed TLPI is approved by the State Planning Minister and it is adopted by Council, the TLPI will:

• maintain and support the current development and land use rights for landowners that is consistent with the rural residential zoning of the land; and

• restrict inconsistent and premature urban development, including subdivision, that could potentially limit orderly development and the future use of parts of the Rural Residential Investigation Area for future enterprise and employment activities.

Given the proposed TLPI maintains and supports existing rural residential land use rights, and its proposed 12-month duration, the TLPI is not expected to have a significant impact on property values.