Market sounding to begin for Hills District Community Place

Published 14 February 2025

City of Moreton Bay is inviting industry feedback for a possible mixed-use community development at 303 Dawson Parade, adjacent to Leslie Patrick Park, in Arana Hills.

The market sounding will build on community consultation already delivered at the beginning of the project.

Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway said the initial market sounding was an opportunity for industry to bring new concepts to the table and broaden the sphere of what could be possible at the site.

“We are interested to see the opportunities that will come in from this work,” Councillor Shipway said.

“We’re committed to preserving City of Moreton Bay’s natural environment, whilst balancing our needs for housing and community offerings, to create vibrant, sustainable, and connected spaces to serve our residents for many years to come.

“During this phase, we will test industry interest in a mixed-use community hub development model that balances commercial viability with strong community benefits.

“By engaging with the market early, Council aims to understand potential delivery models, investment appetite, and any constraints that may impact feasibility.

“As part of the exercise, we’ll be asking respondents to include community facilities like a library, PCYC and community centre in their ideas.

“Council’s aim of engaging with industry experts is to ensure we can maximise opportunities at the site in the most effective way possible.”

Councillor Matthew Constance (Div 10) said he’s looking forward to seeing the site at 303 Dawson Parade becoming even more of a hub for the local community.

“I’m really excited to see this next step in the ideation and iteration of plans for the Hills District Community Place.

“We want to see ideas that are ambitious, innovative, and community-centric, ensuring that this space becomes a model for future community developments.

“The market sounding process is a chance for visionary enterprises to contribute to planning a vibrant, future-ready precinct that balances essential services with economic and social benefits.”

Read more about The Hills District Community Place here.