Self-flying air taxis, metros, Bay Cats: City unveils visionary agenda
Published 24 October 2025
- City of Moreton Bay has unveiled an ambitious advocacy strategy to meet the needs of its booming population, which is set to double to 1 million in the next 30 years
- Unveiled at Moreton Bay Leaders’ Forum, the ‘City of Tomorrow’ strategy outlines key projects Council will pursue State and Federal funding for, including those that will contribute to the 2032 Games and legacy outcomes
- The 10-year plan is focused on creating a new kind of city, with vital road infrastructure including a Bruce Highway Western Alternative and transport options such as Bay Cats, rapid transport connections, and even autonomous aircraft
Autonomous electric air taxis ahead of 2032, a Moreton Bay ferry (Bay Cats) and high-capacity metros are key initiatives in City of Moreton Bay’s bold push to shape a nation-leading urban experience for its booming population.
A Bruce Highway Western Alternative to divert traffic away from the congested Bruce Highway and revitalising Caboolture to provide greater employment, transport and diverse housing is also high on the agenda.
These catalytic initiatives are outlined in Council’s ambitious ‘City of Tomorrow’ strategy unveiled at the 2025 Moreton Bay Leaders’ Forum on Friday, which was attended by more than 250 people including 26 elected representatives from all three levels of government.
Mayor Peter Flannery said Council was seeking its fair share of funding for critical City-shaping projects to keep Moreton Bay moving and assist with delivery of the 2032 Games.
“We know the infrastructure our City needs to tackle congestion, unlock housing, provide employment opportunities and go green as we grow – but we cannot do this alone,” he said.
“For too long, funding from successive State and Federal governments has not kept up with our population growth, which has continually exceeded projections.
“With our population predicted to double to 1 million in the next 30 years, not to mention the 2032 Games fast approaching, we need to deliver critical infrastructure now to improve our road networks, transform our public transport networks and deliver economic opportunities.
“Our unprecedented growth presents both enormous opportunities and challenges. Now’s the time, for the State and Federal Governments, to provide an infrastructure plan that integrates with the growth we are experiencing.
“Doing nothing is not an option – lack of funding for major road and transport projects is hindering our ability to service growth areas and provide much-needed housing. Congestion will also increase to unsustainable levels, while our modelling shows that by 2036 boom gates could be down for an entire hour during peak periods at open level crossings south of Petrie.”
Mayor Flannery said the biennial Leaders’ Forum – an opportunity for representatives to put politics aside and pledge to work collaboratively – had already delivered substantial outcomes since first being held in 2021 including the fast-tracking of the Youngs Crossing Upgrade and the successful backing of the Dolphin’s NRL Licence Bid for Moreton Bay.
And at the third biennial Leaders Forum today, it was confirmed that the State Government will provide $15 million in funding for the establishment of the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital and Education Hub.
“It’s great that funding is now locked in for this much-needed wildlife hospital in Moreton Bay, which we advocated strongly for at our last Leaders’ Forum in 2023, months after we set aside a $3 million parcel of land,” Mayor Flannery said.
City of Moreton Bay’s top asks in its City of Tomorrow strategy include:
- Bruce Highway Western Alternative: Highest priority project to provide critical connections across the City and divert traffic from the Bruce Highway to better accommodate long-distance travel and freight. Council is seeking an expedited, 2032 delivery commitment (currently estimated for 2041) and funding partnership between State and Federal governments.
- Rapid transport connections: Secure planning support, funding and delivery commitments for priority public transport to improve east-west connections across the City and faster connections to key centres across SEQ, including a new peak-hour express train on the Redcliffe line from Petrie to Strathpine express to the CBD/Bowen Hills, high-capacity metro from Newport/Scarborough to Kippa-Ring Station and from Clontarf/Margate to Kippa-Ring Station, and rapid bus from Waraba to Caboolture.
- Caboolture Revitalisation: Commercial and partnership catalytic investment, to provide greater employment and transport options, greater supply of diverse housing including social and affordable housing and safety and amenity improvements. This includes State and Federal funding towards a $14 million stormwater drainage upgrade that will unlock opportunities.
- Bay Cats: A Moreton Bay ferry service to increase tourism opportunities ahead of the 2032 Games, which would reduce congestion on the Bruce Highway while offering an alternative mode of transport with similar or faster travelling distances between key locations such as Redcliffe Pier and Riverside in Brisbane. Council is seeking a $500,000 funding contribution towards feasibility and business case investigations and ultimately a trial of a commuter service.
- Advanced air mobility: Advanced air mobility opportunities to be delivered through SEQ regional partnerships, with a focus on setting up the City to be a leader in this evolving industry, which is expected to assist with transport operations for the 2032 Games. Activate Council facilities, like the Redcliffe and Caboolture Aerodromes for advanced air mobility operators such as Wisk, a leading Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company and developer of the world’s first self-flying, all-electric, four-seat eVTOL air taxi.