Council commemorates 1 year as City of Moreton Bay

Published 07 August 2024

At today’s Council meeting, City of Moreton Bay commemorated one year of officially being a City.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the City declaration was truly a coming-of-age moment.

“Not only did it signal our renewed ambition, but it also gave us a significant opportunity to be heard.

“As one of Australia’s fastest growing local government areas with an estimated population of 1 million in the next 30 years, and on our first year anniversary as a City, we say loud and clear, City of Moreton Bay matters.  

“It matters to those lucky enough to live here and for our businesses based here, so it should matter to politicians too. 

“The City of Moreton Bay declaration recognised our important contribution to the Queensland economy and shone a spotlight on what we want to achieve, and the people we represent.

“We have already seen our innovative polycentric city model bring opportunities, including the expansion of the local job market, to benefit our rapidly growing population.

“It’s this strategic investment in the potential of our existing centres and townships, rather than funnelling all our resources into a single centralised CBD, that makes City of Moreton Bay unique.

“As we committed however, Council continues to balance City of Moreton Bay’s growing economic progress with environmental sustainability and community wellbeing.

“The last 12 months have seen us shine a light on what can be achieved, when a stable and committed team of Councillors and staff have a strong vision and innovative ideas, complemented by a collaborative approach.

“Working together with stakeholders, across community, business, industry and all levels of Government, we are future proofing our City, to ensure liveability and prosperity is always front of mind.

Mayor Peter Flannery said there had been too many significant moments over the last 12 months to note them all, however key to the City’s sustainable growth, and in line with Council strategies, he noted the following as key achievements:

• After planning for more than 15 years, Waraba was announced Queensland’s newest Priority Development Area
• Our 12 growth fronts will almost single-handedly solve the South East housing crisis.
• Successful advocacy for critical infrastructure resulted in co-funding by the State for the detailed design phase of the Buchanan Road upgrade and all levels of Government funding construction of the long-awaited Youngs Crossing Bridge.
• A major project kicked off to revitalise the Caboolture CBD.
• City Deal funding will see a new building at Suttons Beach to replace the old pavilion, a new splash park, playground and boardwalks at Centenary Lakes, and an active and public transport connection between Bongaree and Woorim plus a major changing places facility at the beach to complement our accessible beach matting.
• City Deal will also support activation of The Mill Lakes precinct – opening up this important natural area for the public to enjoy. 
• Our very own Olympic venue, the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, will be built at The Mill Precinct - a hub of innovation, technology and education.
• Data from our University of Sunshine Coast campus at Petrie has shown over 40% of students are the first in their family to study and 70% of all students on the campus are City of Moreton Bay residents.
• We upgraded the Woodford Waste Transfer Station and the Dakabin Waste Management Facility while announcing the collection of garden organic waste, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfill.
• Growing green as we grow, we have committed to net zero emissions by 2039 for our Council operations.
• As the level of government closest to the community, we’ve seen first-hand the impact homelessness is having in our City, and although the responsibility of other levels of government, Council has stepped in to waive development fees and infrastructure charges for affordable and social housing, offered Council land under a peppercorn lease to community and homelessness service providers, and started building the new Peninsula Community Support Hub.
• Our new CEO, Scott Waters has reorganised Council’s senior leadership structure to ensure that we address, and prepare for the growth in front of us, as well as deliver the services our communities expect now.

Mayor Peter Flannery said: “Today, as we commemorate one year as City of Moreton Bay, I am extraordinarily proud of what our Council team has achieved. I’d like to thank Council staff and my fellow Councillors for their commitment to our vision.”