Morayfield South Emerging Community Area
The Morayfield South Emerging Community Area (Morayfield South) comprises of approximately 900 hectares of existing rural residential land located predominantly in the southern extents of the suburb of Morayfield.
In 2016, with the commencement of the Moreton Bay Regional Council Planning Scheme, Morayfield South was included in the Emerging Community Zone - Transition Precinct as a future growth area.
It is anticipated the Morayfield South area will be the second largest future growth area in City of Moreton Bay. Morayfield South will one day contain 9,800 dwellings and be home to approximately 26,000 people.
Morayfield South is currently under significant and increasing development pressure, with some development applications already proceeding as permitted under the Moreton Bay Regional Council Planning Scheme.
Planning, particularly for schools, parks, community facilities, sports grounds and local shops has been an ongoing concern for Council and residents in Morayfield South.
Temporary Local Planning Instrument
Council responded to increasing development pressure in Morayfield South in 2021 by introducing the Temporary Local Planning Instrument No.02 of 2021 Morayfield South Emerging Community Area (TLPI).
The TLPI included a temporary land use plan called an Interim Structure Plan.
A TLPI is a temporary planning solution that can be quickly implemented. Its purpose is to guide better planning and development outcomes in all or part of a local government area.
A TLPI gives Council time to complete more detailed planning investigations. Through the preparation of a planning scheme amendment, Council can shape a holistic, long-term plan for the area.
The originating TLPI commenced on 15 September 2021 for a period of two years. Following approval from the State Government Planning Minister and a resolution by Council on 13 September 2023, the originating TLPI was remade for a further two years until 16 September 2025 (Temporary Local Planning Instrument No.01 of 2023 Morayfield South Emerging Community Area or ‘TLPI 01/2023’).
The current TLPI will apply to new development applications made after 16 September 2023 and up to 16 September 2025.
Given the current TLPI will expire on 16 September 2025, it is proposed to request a (like-for-like) remake of the current TLPI with only minor administrative changes, and a currency period of 12 months until 17 September 2026. This will allow time to finalise the associated proposed Major Amendment No.4 - Morayfield South Emerging Community Area and Designated Bushfire Prone Areas.
Subject to Planning Minister’s approval, the proposed remake of the current TLPI will continue to guide development of the area until 17 September 2026, or a future planning scheme amendment is complete, whichever occurs sooner. While the draft planning scheme amendment is going through the statutory amendment process, the TLPI will help ensure planning controls are in place to:
- deliver a well-planned, complete community
- identify preferred locations for future social or community infrastructure and facilities
- respond to character and amenity issues in the bordering rural residential areas
- protect environmental areas.
New district sports park
The Interim Structure Plan(PDF, 3MB) includes a district sports park. The park is a key piece of community infrastructure. It will help create a cohesive and sustainable urban community.
Based on many factors, the location chosen for the sports park is between Oakey Flat Road and Trail Road with Bridges Road to the south. Construction is not anticipated to occur in the immediate future.
Future planning scheme amendment - Draft Morayfield South Structure Plan
Since the introduction of the Interim Structure Plan(PDF, 3MB), Council has undertaken more land use, infrastructure and environmental investigations.
These investigations have informed a new Draft Morayfield South Structure Plan. The plan is intended to replace the Interim Structure Plan. This has been used to inform a draft planning scheme amendment. Council lodged the draft planning scheme amendment with the State Government for review in late 2023.
The Draft Structure Plan identifies infrastructure and features to support the future growth of Morayfield South, including:
- environmental corridors to support local wildlife
- the need for new or upgraded roads to improve traffic flow
- proposed locations for new schools to service the growing community
- retail and community hubs that support new residential areas
- locations for open space, park and recreation areas to support community wellbeing.
More information about the Draft Morayfield South Structure Plan can be found on Council’s Your Say Moreton Bay website.
Next steps
Council sought feedback from the community on the Draft Morayfield South Structure Plan between 14 September and 12 October 2023. You can read about what we heard, and Council's response to the feedback in the Communications and Engagement Summary on Council's Your Say Moreton Bay website.
What the community has told us has helped inform updates to the Draft Morayfield South Structure Plan. The updated structure plan has been included within proposed amendments to the Planning Scheme that the State Government is currently reviewing. After the State Government has completed their review, there will be another chance to provide feedback during the statutory consultation period, which is expected to occur mid 2025.
After the planning scheme amendment process, which includes consideration by the Planning Minister, Council will adopt the amendment and replace the TLPI. When this occurs, all new development will be assessed against the planning scheme as amended.
For more information, visit Your Say Moreton Bay.
Find out more
For any enquiries, contact the Morayfield South Planning project team:
Stay up-to-date
Register to be kept updated about the project and notified about any future opportunities to have your say.
You can do this by clicking the +Follow button on the projects Your Say Moreton Bay webpage.