City of Moreton Bay laments missed opportunities in State Budget

Published 12 June 2024

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery statement on State Budget:

We know our residents are struggling with the cost of living, so thank the State Government for their suite of initiatives to help City of Moreton Bay locals during this time.

As one of South East Queensland’s fastest growing areas, we are disappointed that none of our critical infrastructure asks have been taken seriously. This includes support for the important Buchanan Road investment that will open much-needed housing supply in Waraba.

While we congratulate the Government in stumping up $318 million to progress the Gympie Road bypass tunnels, we lament the missed opportunity in extending the tunnels further, instead of just dumping the problem in City of Moreton Bay.

Once again however we’re seeing a lack of foresight when it comes to planning.  This will not remove cars off the roads and return them to locals in City of Moreton Bay.  Instead, it is just shifting congestion problems into the Premier’s own backyard.

Approximately 42% of City of Moreton Bay’s workforce travels to Brisbane CBD daily, and a substantial portion of the traffic on Gympie Road originates from outside the immediate north Brisbane area, so it is disappointing that the tunnel works do not consider connectivity with routes further to the north.

Council looks forward to discussing local matters including critical infrastructure asks, the Bay Cats ferry service and Buchanan Road investment to facilitate housing supply at the Community Council meeting on 3 July.