Why Moreton Bay Region

Why Moreton Bay

There’s never been a more exciting time to invest in the Moreton Bay Region

The key northern growth corridor to Brisbane, the Moreton Bay Region is recognised as one of the fastest growing areas by population with a strong and growing economy.

As Australia's third-largest local council, by population, spanning laid back beaches and bays to pristine rainforest and hinterland, the Moreton Bay Region is where business meets lifestyle.

The Moreton Bay Region is strategically located 30 minutes north of Brisbane CBD and connected to key national and international export markets through major transport infrastructure: the Bruce Highway, Gateway Motorway and Redcliffe Peninsula and Sunshine Coast Rail Lines connecting to the Port of Brisbane, Brisbane Domestic and International Airports, and Australia's newest International airport, the Sunshine Coast Airport.

The region's ideal location, coupled with competitively priced residential and commercial premises and land underpins a strong economic performance that continues to attract residents, a highly-skilled workforce and new businesses.

Looking to invest in Moreton Bay?

There are a range of business and investment opportunities currently available from commercial to tourism and industrial to retail. For more information contact council's Economic Development team on (07) 3205 0555 or email economic@moretonbay.qld.gov.au.

Economic update

The Moreton Bay Regional Council Economic Update presents key regional economic and demographic statistics of the region to inform your next investment in the Moreton Bay Region.

Previous versions

Previously the Economic Dashboard, which was first released in July 2019 with updates scheduled approximately every six months. View previous versions of the Economic Dashboard: 

Information in this document has been obtained from a number of sources. For questions or further details on document sources, contact council’s Economic Development team on (07) 3205 0555 or email economic@moretonbay.qld.gov.au.

Economy

An economy as diverse as the region with industry ranging from manufacturing and logistics in the south to nationally significant agriculture in the north.

Fast facts

  • $17,950 million Gross Regional Product
  • 479,639 people, additional 210,000 residents by 2041
  • 32,900 registered businesses
  • 118,800 local jobs

Workforce

Home to leading manufacturers in construction, machinery, agribusiness and beyond.

Fast facts

  • 37.8 years median age
  • 237,000 people in labour workforce
  • $650 weekly personal income
  • 14% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher
  • 7.3% unemployment

Projects

The Mill at Moreton Bay

Council have engaged in a transformative project known as The Mill at Moreton Bay. This Priority Development Area (PDA) will be home to the first greenfield university built in Australia in 20 years and will attract unprecedented catalytic infrastructure and investment to the region.  This major knowledge and innovation hub is expected to deliver 6000 jobs and almost $1 billion into the regional economy each year .

Located at Petrie on two train lines with a major university campus at its core, the Mill at Moreton Bay provides world-class opportunities for education, employment, lifestyle and investment to support the region’s growing population. 

This year marks a major milestone for The Mill at Moreton Bay with the new USC Moreton Bay Campus foundation facility set to open at The Mill at Moreton Bay in February 2020.

Within a decade, 10,000 students will call this campus home, lifting the region's tertiary participation rate from unacceptably low levels. Council's vision for this site - 20 hectares bigger than the Brisbane CBD - is that it will become home to innovators, research facilities, health and knowledge centres and importantly provide civic space for the community.

View additional information about The Mill at Moreton Bay, including updates on this catalytic project.

Major Regional Projects

Major regional infrastructure projects such as The Mill at Moreton Bay and the $1 billion Redcliffe Peninsula Rail Line  underpin new, exciting opportunities for continued economic development, employment growth and business confidence into the future .

  • Council’s $655 million 2019/20 budget will provide more than $227 million for capital works with a focus on community infrastructure and healthy and active lifestyle opportunities including:
    • $112 million on road and transport networks to improve connectivity, travel time and transport options
    • $54 million to rehabilitate, protect and enhance the natural environment, plus an additional $24.2 million towards management of waterways and coastal areas
    • $34 million on sport and recreation including $5 million towards construction of the new Griffin Sports Complex and $3.2 million for the next phase of the Nathan Road Sporting Precinct, Rothwell.
  • $925.5 million is being spent on Bruce Highway upgrades between Pine River and Caloundra Road interchange.
  • The $1 billion Redcliffe Peninsula Rail Line will service 618,000 residents by 2036 and 39 new residential developments.

Other important regional projects include: Caboolture Hospital expansion, New Special School Caboolture, Redcliffe Hospital upgrade, Dakabin Train Station upgrade and Griffin State School expansion.

 

Every effort has been made to ensure that these statistics are of the latest available information up to December 2019.