City of Moreton Bay Matters - research highlights funding inequality
Published 27 August 2024
City of Moreton Bay is one of the lowest funded South East Queensland councils per capita.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the alarming underinvestment by successive State Governments in City of Moreton Bay was demonstrated by independent analysis prepared for Council.
“With one in ten Queensland voters living here, it is time for political parties to realise that City of Moreton Bay matters,” Mayor Flannery said.
The State Investment Data Review used data from the Queensland Government Investment Portal (QGIP), the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP), State budget capital statements and State Government media statements.
“Compared to Ipswich, Logan, Redland, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, with Brisbane excluded due to its sizeable population and funding, there was an obvious inequity of expenditure per capita in City of Moreton Bay,” Mayor Flannery said.
“This discrepancy in funding against our peers means City of Moreton Bay is being overlooked for key investment, and critical projects are being delayed.
The trend of underinvestment in City of Moreton Bay has been confirmed by two separate reports, namely Queensland Audit Office’s Major projects 2023: (Report 7: 2023-24) and Suburban Futures’ response to draft Shaping SEQ 2023 Update.
“The State Government is missing in action here and the data proves there is an urgent need for a more equitable distribution of State Government funding to address City of Moreton Bay’s critical needs and challenges.
This disparity of investment is further exacerbated when considering City of Moreton Bay is undergoing a population boom and will experience similar population growth to Ipswich and Logan, based on population projections to 2041.
“There is no doubt that the official under estimation of our population growth over the past decade or more has fed this under investment.
“We’re still playing ‘catch up’ to support previous growth and this widespread inequity has considerable repercussions for our residents and the future of South East Queensland.
“When examined, on a per capita basis, City of Moreton Bay residents consistently receive one of the lowest levels of funding across key portfolios.
“In the lead up to the State election in October, we will be prosecuting our case loud and clear for our fair share.
“We are calling for a frank discussion with all political parties to ensure City of Moreton Bay matters and the voices of our community are heard.”
City of Moreton Bay asks:
- More homes and services for people doing it tough in Moreton Bay. Our research shows we have fewer social housing dwellings per 10,000 people than Ipswich, Logan and Redland and ranks 4th for communities and housing funding per capita.1
- More connections and better roads in Moreton Bay. Planned major public sector infrastructure investment from 2021 to 2033 is $2.7 billion and lags behind comparable areas despite a larger and faster-growing population. By comparison, similar regions like Ipswich and Logan-Beaudesert are projected to receive investment of $6 billion. Gold Coast is set to benefit from a staggering $8.3 billion in investment. 2 City of Moreton Bay is the lowest funded SEQ Council in terms of local road networks.3
- More community infrastructure for the growing City of Moreton Bay. City of Moreton Bay grapples with one of the highest unemployment rates in SEQ but receives less that half the SEQ average in funding per capita.1 City of Moreton Bay has the 3rd highest proportion of school aged children but State funding for education is lower than the SEQ average.1 City of Moreton Bay has the highest proportion of residents affected by a long-term health condition but ranks 3rd for health funding per capita. 1
- More safety in Moreton Bay. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home and our public spaces. Further investment in technologies such as Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) and CCTV can help reduce crime and improve confidence across the community. City of Moreton Bay has led the ‘no cash for scrap’ law related to copper theft which is increasing at an alarming rate, placing a strain on local sporting clubs and organisations for repair costs.
- More care for our wildlife in Moreton Bay. Without a dedicated wildlife hospital, the need for wildlife care will only increase as our population grows and there is increased traffic movements, ongoing residential development and frequent natural disasters.
Find out more on our website.
1 SEQ average and funding per capita calculated including the following LGAs: Moreton Bay, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redland, and Sunshine Coast. Brisbane was excluded due to the area’s high population and funding, resulting in strong outliers amongst the data.
2 Queensland Major Contractors Association, 2022 Major Projects Pipeline Report.
3 QTRIP Expenditure by LGA and Road Network, 2023-24 to 2026-27 for Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Redland and Ipswich.