North Harbour PDA guaranteed - no matter who wins
Published 16 October 2020
Council’s campaign to have a Priority Development Area (PDA) declared at North Harbour has been successful, ensuring this job-generating project will unlock new industries and opportunities no matter who wins government.
Mayor Peter Flannery thanked both Labor and the LNP for responding to Council’s calls to support new industry, construction and jobs in Moreton Bay Region.
“The North Harbour PDA is a $2.7 billion project that’s expected to create 7,000 jobs and inject many billions more directly into our local economy,” Mayor Flannery said.
“I’m heartened that both Labor and the LNP have heard our calls and acted in the interests of locals.
“This is a huge coup for the Moreton Bay Region and exactly what we need to help us recover from the huge financial impacts of COVID-19 by boosting the construction sector and diversifying local industry.
“It’s especially important in the north of our region, where unemployment levels have been higher than the state average.
“The ongoing benefits will be felt for decades to come with the creation of a new marine industry to support a brand-new 400-berth marina through boatbuilding, maintenance, repairs and more.
“The third prong is the creation of a Mixed Industry and Business Area (MIBA) centred around the marina village that includes local retail, tourism and entertainment uses.”
This project will also provide 600 new apartments and 600 detached homes as part of the marina village, 800 dwellings in a canal estate, along with an extensive 319 hectares of recreational and regional open space – the largest publicly accessible riverfront parkland in South East Queensland.
North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney said the PDA is projected to inject a massive $707 million into the Moreton Bay Region every year.
“This would be a major milestone for the project and for the Moreton Bay region,” Mr Finney said.
“A PDA would pave the way for North Harbour to become a state-of-the art marine industry hub, attracting a significant portion of Australia’s $68 billion marine industry to the region and lending itself to a multitude of tourism and recreational opportunities.
“Besides a huge win for jobs, other exceptional benefits for the wider community would include opening up 12km of prime riverfront land for a water sports precinct, as well as a vast new network of parkland and pathways.”
Cr Mark Booth (Div 2) said the development would create a huge economic boom that will put Burpengary East on the map and generate local job opportunities for residents.
“It’s exciting to see this area, right in the heart of Moreton Bay, getting the attention and support it deserves,” he said.
“I know locals are looking for certainty in these uncertain times, which is why we’re advocating for projects that will create new opportunities for them on the road to economic recovery.
“This is great progress for our growing region, and I am eager to see this development come to fruition.”