The Queensland Government has chosen a new suburb at Caboolture West as the site for a pilot to fast-track land supply in South East Queensland, with the provision of water and sewerage a priority.
Deputy Queensland Premier and Minister for State Development and Planning, Steven Miles, said the State Government’s Growth Areas Delivery Team’s first priority was to identify a site, allowing the state and council to work with the private sector and utility providers to support future housing needs.
“Neighbourhood Development Plan 1 within Caboolture West, will be the first pilot site in a future growth program which will unlock growth, housing choice and affordability,” Mr Miles said.
“Work will also identify the infrastructure necessary to support more affordable, livable communities.
“This is all part of the government’s economic recovery plan, to create more jobs and development in our state.
“The specialist team moved quickly to identify the area within Caboolture West in Moreton Bay as the perfect pilot site.
“The area was identified as a major expansion area within the South East Queensland Regional Plan, and as a pilot, has land challenges typically found in SEQ.
“The department is already working with the Moreton Bay Regional Council, Unitywater, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and landowners on the initial stage and ongoing development of this area.
“Working together on the pilot, we can test, evaluate and learn from a coordinated effort to plan for future housing needs.”
Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan, said the Moreton Bay region had experienced significant growth in recent years.
“To support this pilot, the Queensland Government has awarded $10.5 million in loan funding from the Building Acceleration Fund to deliver water supply and sewerage networks, and a sewerage pumping station,” Mr Ryan said.
“It is expected that 100 new jobs will be generated as part of this infrastructure work alone.
“The provision of water and sewerage will be instrumental in kick-starting the delivery of up to 3,000 new homes in Caboolture West Neighbourhood Development Plan 1.
“The site is expected to eventually provide approximately 30,000 homes for around 70,000 people.”
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor, Peter Flannery, welcomed the announcement that Caboolture West NDP1 would be the pilot site, saying it’s exactly what’s needed to boost land supply and support growth.
“Caboolture West will be the next big thing in South East Queensland but we need to ensure we get the infrastructure and land use planning right before work starts, so I want to thank the Palaszczuk Government for their support for NDP1,” Mr Flannery said.
“Caboolture West will ultimately be the size of a regional city; supporting 17,000 jobs and delivering many social benefits including new health and education centres, along with new sport and recreation facilities.
“In NDP1, we are expecting to see a diverse range of housing options with walkable neighbourhoods, several local parks, a district scale sports facility, a primary school, local shopping facilities and at least 70 hectares of green space with pedestrian and cycle paths along the Caboolture River to ensure our newest residents will have a lifestyle to boast about.
“Critical to the success of this project will be upgrades to roads, footpaths and cycleways in the area to support its growth, provide travel efficiencies for the existing communities that surround the NDP1 area and of course make this master planned community a desirable place to live.”
Unitywater Executive Manager for Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Amanda Creevey, said the new water and sewerage infrastructure would provide essential services critical to creating healthy communities.
“We’re proud to have led the initiative to secure funding that will deliver essential infrastructure to a significant growth area in South East Queensland,” Ms Creevey said.
The landowners group spokesperson Tim Connolly said it’s encouraging to see all levels of government, utility providers and landowners collaborating to bring land to market sooner.
To find out more about the Growth Areas Team visit here. More information on the Building Acceleration Fund is available here.
