Council protects future jobs in Narangba East

Published 09 May 2025

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.