This draft strategy provides a roadmap to achieve our goal that by 2033 our Moreton Bay will be a network of well-planned and connected places and spaces, enhancing lifestyle, accessibility and employment choices.

Our region is currently experiencing significant population growth and investment in infrastructure from the State and Federal governments. This draft strategy provides a roadmap to guide our actions and those of our partners. It outlines a series of guiding principles and outcomes for the region, as well as the actions required to achieve our long-term vision on the road to 2042. This will ensure that the region develops in a sustainable, coordinated manner.

Our region is currently experiencing significant population growth which places significant demand on our aging infrastructure. For us to make improvements to this infrastructure and provide services to our communities, investment from all levels of government and the private sector is needed.

Greater infill development in existing neighbourhoods will also be necessary as we grow. The existing neighbourhoods will require improved rail services, public transport connections and infrastructure to, and within, our region to support the anticipated growth.

Significant population growth will require the construction of new dwellings in strategic locations that efficiently use land and existing or planned infrastructure. These locations will need to consider the availability of additional industrial land options, and diverse and affordable living choices across the region. This draft strategy guides these critical deliverables to ensure our region’s future prosperity.

The Urban Growth Boundary will show our preferred location for future urban development, encourage compact urban growth, and avoid expansion into valuable agricultural or environmentally important land. It will ensure there is sufficient land and opportunity to support our future urban housing and employment needs, while protecting 75% of the region for rural and natural landscapes.

We’re guided by state and regional planning policy and use the planning scheme to manage local growth and development, in accordance with state legislation. This draft strategy will inform future planning in the region, including our planning scheme, and advocates for sustainable growth for the future.

This draft strategy is not a legal document, but rather long-term roadmap of how we intend to manage growth in the region, primarily from a land use and infrastructure planning perspective.

This draft strategy includes extensive community engagement, data from our Moreton Says surveys, and responds to growth challenges affecting the region. Our planning scheme continues to guide development applications and occurrences on individual properties. This draft strategy will better inform our communities of our aspirations for growth over the next 20 years and how we will achieve these aspirations.

We play a critical role in ensuring a balanced approach to environmental protection and growth management. The Urban Footprint is identified in the South East Queensland Regional Plan (ShapingSEQ) and is expected to provide sufficient land to accommodate urban growth to 2041. Efficient use of land in our region identified within the Urban Footprint is required in order to avoid further expansions to the Urban Footprint, and the potential for impacts on natural and rural areas. Guided by ShapingSEQ and a defined Urban Growth Boundary, we’re committed to maintaining 75% of the region as rural and natural landscapes without urban development.

Sustainability will drive existing and new initiatives, such as flood and biodiversity monitoring, urban greening, reducing energy and resource consumption, and active transport improvements. Our proposed Environment and Sustainability Strategy outlines our strategic direction for ensuring healthy environments, sustainable lifestyles and planning for and responding to climate change and its impacts.

This draft strategy does not include specific development proposals for the region. Rather, it guides growth in line with the region’s needs and research undertaken to understand our community’s future needs. To improve housing choice, our planning scheme allows for residential development of various types and heights. However, it is important to understand that there are a lot of housing options between low-rise separate housing and high-rise development, i.e. duplexes, terrace houses, etc. This draft strategy recognises the importance of a range of density in certain locations.

While our planning scheme allows for medium density housing, there remains plenty of opportunities for this to be provided. To help realise these opportunities, we have assembled an Infill Housing Expert Panel to unlock these opportunities and deliver better housing choice for everyone.

The SDGs are an internationally recognised and accepted blueprint to address common social, economic and environmental issues and have been committed to by the Australian government.