A strong local economy means more jobs and services close to home and a better quality of life for all.

Our city already has a diverse economy, with strengths in manufacturing, agribusiness, tourism and knowledge industries. As the population grows, we want the number and variety of jobs to grow with it.

Over the next 20 years, we are aiming to grow from a $25 billion to a $40 billion economy, adding 100,000 new jobs and 16,000 new businesses to our city.

As our population grows this will mean longer commutes, higher travel costs and less time at home. It also places a lot of pressure on our public transport and adds to congestion on roads.

We have ambitious goals for our economy. To achieve them, we need to make better use of our existing employment areas and make sure there is enough land set aside for future jobs and business needs. This will help to attract the investment needed to foster local jobs, services and activity.

Planning for the economy plays a key role in shaping the everyday lives of the community. By planning where jobs, businesses and industries are located, Council can help create local employment opportunities, attract investment and support a strong, diverse economy.

We have identified that existing industrial and employment land across the city is running out. Without planning now for additional land, there won’t be enough space to provide the jobs our growing population will need.

Rural land and agriculture continues to play a vital role in City of Moreton Bay’s local economy, supporting jobs, food production and regional identity.

The planning scheme sets out which land in City of Moreton Bay can be used for business and activities that create jobs.

One of City of Moreton Bay’s strengths is our polycentric network. This means having several centres rather than one large dominant centre or

‘CBD’. This gives us the opportunity to locate jobs and services across the city where people can easily access them.

Caboolture/ Morayfield, North Lakes, Moreton Bay Central (at Petrie), Strathpine and Redcliffe are

our key major centres set to accommodate future economic growth. These places have the right ingredients to attract new businesses, create local jobs and offer people the opportunity to work closer to where they live.

We are also planning for our new (greenfield) suburbs to include local services and jobs to support their communities as they grow.

The new planning scheme will focus on supporting economic growth by strengthening our polycentric city. Through this approach each major centre

will have a clear role and direction for the future, helping them evolve into vibrant, mixed-use places that support our economy and the way we live.

At the same time, we’re exploring ways to revitalise some of our older centres by encouraging more housing, a greater mix of uses and more day and night-time activity.

City of Moreton Bay also includes important industrial areas that create jobs, support innovation, and diversify and strengthen our economy. We need to make better use of these areas to attract future focused industries and technologies. It’s

also important to protect them from incompatible development, such as housing, while ensuring any environmental health impacts, like noise or lighting, on nearby areas are well managed.

The new planning scheme may identify new industrial areas, and ways to improve how these areas interface with nearby homes and natural areas.

Download this information sheet from the document library.