jobs created over the
lifetime of the project
Almost 20 years in the making, the North Harbour Marina Precinct is on track to become Queensland’s next Priority Development Area – opening the way to a jobs and economic bonanza for the Moreton Bay region.
The landmark project will transform more than 570 hectares of prime waterfront land into a world-class lifestyle destination designed to amaze, excite and inspire. It will trigger a $2.74 billion economic boost and generate an estimated 6,547 new ongoing jobs.
The Queensland Government is currently reviewing a Priority Development Area (PDA) request made by City of Moreton Bay after a unanimous council vote, and amid overwhelming support from other community leaders.
A positive declaration would fulfill this long-held vision for a 400-berth marina, waterfront retail and entertainment village and vibrant maritime industry for the Burpengary East location. It will also lead to the creation of an incredible 319-hectare waterfront open space recreation area – the largest in South East Queensland – and unlock for public enjoyment 12km of Caboolture River frontage that has been in private ownership for the past 160 years.
Other major community benefits would include the delivery of a diverse range of new dwellings, improved water quality for the region and assisting Unitywater to delay the need for $300 million in ratepayer funded Unitywater infrastructure spending.
To follow the story of North Harbour Marina, register your details here.
“This will mark a real turning point for the creation of job opportunities and a world-class community in Burpengary East. As the State Member, I am as keen as ever to see a job generating marina built at Burpengary East.”
– Chris Whiting MP, State Member for Bancroft
“This will mark a real turning point for the creation of job opportunities and a world-class community in Burpengary East. As the State Member, I am as keen as ever to see a job generating marina built at Burpengary East.”
– Chris Whiting MP, State Member for Bancroft
The declaration of a PDA at North Harbour will be the catalyst for a massive economic and jobs boost for the Moreton Bay region.
Research shows the project will create more than 6,500 ongoing positions once construction is complete. It will meet almost 9% of City of Moreton Bay’s job creation target together and provide further employment opportunities for the wider South East Queensland community.
The anticipated economic benefits are also massive. Respected property research group Urbis found the Marina Precinct alone would generate an additional $1.24 billion boost for the construction industry, rising to an extraordinary $2.74 billion across the wider North Harbour masterplan.
The project’s expected long-term economic contribution is equally impressive. North Harbour would contribute $882 million a year to the Queensland economy, of which more than $760 million, or 90%, would be directly injected into the Moreton Bay region every year.
A North Harbour Marina PDA has been regularly referred to by all levels of government as a “game changer” for the future prosperity of the Moreton Bay community. The economic and employment benefits put this catchphrase beyond any doubt.
“It is crucial for our community, especially with the economic impacts of COVID-19, that red tape needs to be cut on job creating projects like this so they can progress as soon as possible.”
– Terry Young MP, Federal Member for Longman
“It is crucial for our community, especially with the economic impacts of COVID-19, that red tape needs to be cut on job creating projects like this so they can progress as soon as possible.”
– Terry Young MP, Federal Member for Longman
Enjoying the great outdoors will take on a whole new meaning for residents and visitors to the Moreton Bay region under a North Harbour Marina PDA. From a new boating paradise to an unrivalled 319 hectares of stunning riverfront parkland, the project provides amazing recreational opportunities that will last for generations.
For the past 160 years, the riverine area of North Harbour has been disconnected from the community, locked under private ownership and inaccessible to everyone. That situation will change after the declaration of a PDA, unchaining a 12km long section of the Caboolture River for recreational, sporting, cultural and tourism-based activities.
Imagine a weekend spent exploring kilometres of walking and cycling tracks, canoeing with the kids or watching them play at the sports fields, fishing in the river, visiting the environmental centre, attending a community event or outdoor concert, strolling along the promenades or simply relaxing in acres of riverfront parkland – this is the vision for a lasting legacy at North Harbour.
And to ensure this precious opportunity is preserved for future generations, the plan allows for very careful preservation of environmental values through rehabilitation of riparian areas and conservation of wetlands.
“At a time when jobs and growth have never been more important for South East Queensland, this is a tangible way the Queensland Government can help Moreton Bay with a plan to deliver certainty of work for years to come.”
– Councillor Peter Flannery, Mayor, Moreton Bay Regional Council
“This is a hugely exciting development that will help steer Moreton Bay through the coronavirus pandemic and prosper on the other side – all that’s needed now is State Government support.”
– Councillor Mark Booth, Division 2, Moreton Bay Regional Council
“At a time when jobs and growth have never been more important for South East Queensland, this is a tangible way the Queensland Government can help Moreton Bay with a plan to deliver certainty of work for years to come.”
– Councillor Peter Flannery, Mayor, Moreton Bay Regional Council
“This is a hugely exciting development that will help steer Moreton Bay through the coronavirus pandemic and prosper on the other side – all that’s needed now is State Government support.”
– Councillor Mark Booth, Division 2, Moreton Bay Regional Council
A North Harbour Marina PDA fills in the missing piece of Moreton Bay, providing a scenic, river-based connection to our much-loved Bay which also brings huge community and economic benefits.
As the only significant new marina opportunity between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, the project provides for 400 berths, 500 dry storage docks, 562 private pontoons and fuel facilities. Tourism opportunities include ‘bareboat’ yacht hire, fishing and diving charters, conference and hotel facilities, and much more.
North Harbour addresses a current disparity in our region’s economic and industry prospects in comparison with the southern Moreton Bay area, allowing us access to a significant slice of Australia’s $68 billion annual maritime sector. The waterfront marine precinct will be ideal for a wide range of activities, including boat building, vessel maintenance, repairs and marine training, while at the same time servicing marine industry activities requiring easy access to the highway and local demand.
It will also connect seamlessly to North Harbour Business Park, which is expected to feature additional marine-related businesses, delivering a marine industry cluster to the North of Brisbane. Combined, this important new industry will deliver many hundreds of skilled jobs and inject more than $100 million a year into the local economy.
The wide range of benefits a North Harbour PDA delivers means you won’t need to own a boat to enjoy Moreton Bay’s new landmark destination – but it certainly wouldn’t hurt!
From boardwalk cafes and restaurants to a supermarket, tavern, specialty stores, farmers market and vibrant public spaces and promenades, North Harbour Marina will be the social heart of this thriving new riverside community.
A diverse range of housing will accommodate all lifestyle needs and budgets, including townhouses, terrace homes, apartments, detached homes and waterfront estate homes. In total, the precinct is expected to provide around 2,000 new dwellings over the next 10 years.
Besides addressing a critical shortage of high-quality residential options for the region, the Marina Precinct would also attract skilled professionals and business leaders seeking a luxury waterfront lifestyle, adding further diversity to the families who call North Harbour home.
This delightful new waterfront village setting will be a huge drawcard for visitors to the region, adding another option to Moreton Bay’s growing list of must-see places and must-do attractions for regional, interstate and international tourists, along with local day-trippers.
“North Harbour will be a game changer for this region – and not just through the thousands of jobs it will create and billions of dollars it will pump into our economy, but also in its ability to create huge opportunity for tourism, new business and industry.”
– Shane Newcombe, CEO, Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism
“The North Harbour Marina PDA will be world-class landmark destination that advances the identity, ecological health and prosperity of South-East Queensland.”
– Peter Hooke, Director, North Harbour Holdings Pty Ltd
“North Harbour will be a game changer for this region – and not just through the thousands of jobs it will create and billions of dollars it will pump into our economy, but also in its ability to create huge opportunity for tourism, new business and industry.”
– Shane Newcombe, CEO, Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism
“The North Harbour Marina PDA will be world-class landmark destination that advances the identity, ecological health and prosperity of South-East Queensland.”
– Peter Hooke, Director, North Harbour Holdings Pty Ltd
Environmental excellence has been at the core of planning for North Harbour, which has achieved highly sought-after EnviroDevelopment accreditation, an independent assessment of outstanding performance across waste, energy, materials, ecosystems, water and community. North Harbour has been awarded accreditation for all 6 EnviroDevelopment categories.
The North Harbour master plan maximises the amenity of the Burpengary East reach of the Caboolture River while respecting adjoining bushland for the passive enjoyment of generations to come. This grand, meandering river frontage will also be safeguarded as the North Harbour Marina is developed.
Specific environmental benefits under a North Harbour PDA include further rehabilitation and protection of the banks of the Caboolture River, improved water quality to support biodiversity and additional revegetation of riparian areas.
Around 57 hectares of advanced offset for marine vegetation has been completed, while 40 hectares of terrestrial vegetation for endangered marine plants is also under way. Other work includes 13 hectares alongside 1.5km of river frontage replanted with native species and 140,000 native seedlings planted on the Raff Creek riparian corridor.
The new 319 hectares of regional open space will be integrated with those areas already protected as part of earlier approvals at North Harbour.
“With key enabling infrastructure already in place, we are ready to create this vital legacy project for Queensland once appropriate planning approvals are received.”
– David Trask, Managing Director, Trask Land Corporation
“With key enabling infrastructure already in place, we are ready to create this vital legacy project for Queensland once appropriate planning approvals are received.”
– David Trask, Managing Director, Trask Land Corporation
North Harbour Marina was first envisioned almost 20 years ago and has been one of South East Queensland’s most rigorously planned and assessed projects. It was declared a Significant Project by the State Government in 2006, around 10 years before the first residents moved into their new homes at North Harbour.
In 2009, the Queensland Coordinator General accepted an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared for the project and recommended full approval, including the North Harbour Marina Precinct, subject to a range of conditions. Since that time, further planning and environmental approvals have been granted and the North Harbour Marina component of the project has become a top priority for the City of Moreton Bay.
North Harbour received approval under the Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) in 2012 and a four-step process to facilitate the marina approval was agreed with MBRC and the State Government. The first residents moved into the North Harbour community in 2016.
In 2018, North Harbour was named Queensland’s best residential subdivision in the prestigious Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Qld Awards for Excellence. UDIA judges said North Harbour showed excellence in many categories, including planning, community, sustainability and urban design.
North Harbour’s extensive parklands and open space at Burpengary East took out top honours in the Parks and Recreation category at the prestigious 2021 UDIA Queensland Awards for Excellence.
North Harbour’s open space includes seven parks, free events such as yoga and parkrun, and features 6km of riverside mountain bike trails, walking trails, and educational recreation facilities which showcase the history of the original “Moray Fields” settlement at the Queensland Heritage Registered site.
The State Government, in December 2023, recognised the proposed marina site within the State Government’s SEQ Regional Plan 2023 update, and added the marina site into the urban footprint for the first time. Whilst inclusion in the urban footprint does not guarantee the necessary approvals for the marina, we consider this a significant step towards the declaration of the North Harbour PDA and subsequent application / approval processes.
By 2035, North Harbour will be a world-class destination for recreation and tourism, sensitively integrated with regional open space, jobs, business and marine industries, all set amid modern community living and affordable, innovative housing.
The North Harbour Marina Precinct is a joint proposal by North Harbour Holdings and Trask Land Corporation. Each organisation has more than 26 years of development experience in Queensland with a focus on the Moreton Bay region.
The partners have received widespread recognition with awards including marine industry, tourism industry, construction industry and urban development awards, and have specialist expertise in marina development and operation, the marine industry and mixed-use waterfront development.
North Harbour Holdings and Trask Land Corporation have the proven track record and financial capability to progress the project in line with Council and Queensland Government intentions.