Report reveals economic plan for a booming City of Moreton Bay
Published 09 December 2025
- City of Moreton Bay’s economy could more than triple to $78.5 billion in approximately 30 years with four out of five residents working local.
- A polycentric city model will reduce commute times and improve liveability by concentrating jobs and services in multiple connected centres.
- Collaboration between government, industry, education, and community is essential to deliver innovation, resilience, and sustainability.
City of Moreton Bay is on track to become home to one million people in the next 30 years, and a new report shows what it will take to make that future prosperous, connected and sustainable.
A new economic white paper, Towards One Million: Our Moment of Opportunity, developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) in partnership with City of Moreton Bay, strengthens the evidence for Council's recent City of Tomorrow Strategy, which sets the framework for coordinated action across all levels of government, industry, education, and community.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the report is a wake-up call for collective action.
“Growth is inevitable, but success is not. This report makes it clear that if we want a city that’s not just growing, but thriving, we need to act now,” Mayor Flannery said.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape a future where people can live, work, and prosper locally.
“That means planning for high-value jobs, better connectivity, and a resilient economy that benefits everyone.”
The report shows that achieving this vision will require deliberate planning and investment.
Under the preferred scenario, City of Moreton Bay would lift its Gross Regional Product per capita from $45,828 to $77,366 at today’s values, create 402,000 local jobs, and more than double the number of local businesses.
This transformation will position City of Moreton Bay as a competitive economic hub within South East Queensland, while preserving 75% of the City’s land for natural and productive landscapes.
UniSC Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett said the research shows that strategic choices today will determine whether City of Moreton Bay becomes a truly competitive, connected, and liveable city.
“Moreton Bay’s growing population requires a pipeline of skilled workers, particularly across engineering, information and communications technology, science, early childhood, aged care and social assistance – which is exactly why UniSC established a campus at Petrie in 2020.
“National and international companies are moving to City of Moreton Bay and telling us that they need skills and talent to ensure that growth is not just in the size of the population, but also in the prosperity and quality of life for residents."
The report identifies five economic imperatives: productive growth, polycentric planning, growing and attracting talent, accelerating innovation, and building resilience.
These priorities will ensure City of Moreton Bay stands out as the place to accelerate a career, pioneer a new venture, leverage innovation, expand a business into new markets, attract forward-thinking investors, and enjoy a thriving family life.
Mayor Peter Flannery said that City of Moreton Bay’s future success depends on aligning government, industry, education, and community to deliver the infrastructure, skills, and innovation needed for a city of one million people.
Download Towards One Million: Our Moment of Opportunity here: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Business-Investment/Economic-Strategy