Urgent funding needed for critical infrastructure

Published 31 March 2025

In the lead up to the Federal election, as one of Australia’s fastest growing and population rich Councils, City of Moreton Bay is calling for an urgent focus on critical infrastructure to unlock increased housing.

“A fair share of funding is vital with 535,000 residents and 240 new residents each week every week; I reiterate a fair share of funding is vital to deliver the critical infrastructure required for our rapidly growing community,” Mayor Flannery said.

Last week’s Benchmarking South East Queensland report from the Council of Mayors South East Queensland noted that South East Queensland (SEQ) will not become a highly productive economy without stronger connections of all kinds – especially transport.

It warned that SEQ was at risk of becoming a microcosm of Los Angeles – locked in to traffic congestion, compromised liveability, corroded services, and unbridgeable social divides.

“With Councils only receiving 3% of tax revenue, with a funding allocation the same as it was in the 1970s, it is beyond comprehension to think that local Government can continue to provide everyday services expected of them, while at the same time funding major infrastructure projects too,” Mayor Flannery said.

“Today, I call for a fairer share of funding and ask our local candidates to remember that City of Moreton Bay Matters.

“To help manage City of Moreton Bay’s growth and future-proof our city, we need more funding for infrastructure to tackle congestion and unlock housing. To be clear to our Federal candidates, as a Council we have supported your growth agenda, and it is now time to provide the funding for the infrastructure to match the growth.”

“We welcome the Albanese Government’s commitment to an 80/20 funding model for the Bruce Highway, but we too can play a critical role in tackling congestion and issues with the Bruce Highway right here in City of Moreton Bay.

“We have provided solution after solution to alleviate the pressure on the Bruce Highway; pressure that will continue to grow exponentially as our population bursts at the seams.

“Community perception is that other levels of Government are sitting on their hands, and Council is the only one listening.

“City of Moreton Bay suffers from the Bruce effect. Any investment currently on the table linked to major infrastructure is tied to this national road that just cuts the City in half. It does not contribute to the broader infrastructure required for 535,000 residents and 240 new residents every week.

“We are calling for a serious investment in important congestion busting projects that are ready to be delivered and can alleviate local traffic and commuter chaos now, and in readiness for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We need a firm commitment to not only construct a Bruce Highway Western Alternative, but to also deliver critical east-west connections, such as the Buchanan Road Overpass and corridor to accommodate the future growth of our city.

“There’s more to Moreton Bay than the Bruce Highway and we need urgent solutions now to deal with the already crippling congestion across our city.

“Of critical concern to us is housing and employment land opportunities. We have multiple growth fronts but without catalytic infrastructure, we are missing out on opportunities to fast-track housing and provide the jobs that should accompany this housing growth.

“We welcome election commitments that support housing initiatives including the funding of $5 billion from the Opposition for enabling infrastructure like water, power, and sewerage to unlock housing development but again, this is something needed sooner rather than later.

“City of Moreton Bay also 100% backs the Local Government of Queensland’s call for a fair share of tax revenue.

“I am hopeful that the collaborative might of all of Queensland’s 77 local Government areas will see the Federal Government pay attention to this funding allocation that is the same as it was in the 1970s.

Find out more on our website.