North Harbour Marina PDA will bring big benefits for small business owners

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Are you a small business owner based in the Moreton Bay region? You are not alone! Around 32,900 commercial operators are active in our area and more than 90% of these are small businesses.

The number of business owners choosing to work from home has never been higher as families adapt to the impact of coronavirus and recognise the lifestyle benefits that home working can offer.

This group is expected to be a big winner from an influx of new amenities, infrastructure, residents and jobs that will flow from the future North Harbour Marina Precinct.

Sarah Gaffney, the founder of home-based beauty salon, Bair Beauty, has lived in Burpengary East for more than seven years. As a mother of four, Sarah says running a home-based business has perfectly complemented her lifestyle.

 

 

“I started Bair Beauty about 14 years ago when my first child was born because I wanted to be able to work and look after my children at the same time,” said Sarah.

“Living in the Moreton Bay region has enabled me to do just that.”

Sarah is looking forward to new growth coming to the region including the North Harbour community, which will bring more than 12,500 new residents to Burpengary East once complete.

“The benefits of having a home-based business in Moreton Bay are endless due to all the new infrastructure, in particular the development of the North Harbour marina,” said Sarah.

“There are a lot of older people that have lived here for generations, but we are slowly seeing more families come to the region which is very exciting.

“Having the North Harbour Marina in the area will have unparalleled benefits not only to local businesses but also to the wider Moreton Bay region.”

Home-based businesses are already reaping the benefits of Moreton Bay’s growing population, which is forecast to surpass that of Tasmania in the next 20 years, growing from 479,639 residents to approximately 697,000 by 2041.

North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney said he recognised the important role small business played in driving the Moreton Bay economy.

“Small businesses are critical for a growing economy with high employment opportunities,” said Mr Finney.

“North Harbour Marina will support the creation and growth of small businesses in the Moreton Bay region by accommodating thousands of new residents as this exciting masterplanned community continues to evolve following a PDA declaration.

“The North Harbour PDA will attract more small businesses to Moreton Bay while also bringing unparalleled benefits to existing businesses in the region, including local home-based businesses.”

 

To find out more, register your details via the contact form.

North Harbour Marina opens a new chapter in the Caboolture River’s rich history

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A North Harbour Priority Development Area (PDA) declaration will unlock a scenic stretch of the Caboolture River, enabling future generations of Moreton Bay residents and visitors to experience this stunning location for themselves.

This 12km long missing piece of the Caboolture River will become an unrivalled destination for recreational, sporting, cultural and tourism-based activities at North Harbour Marina, delivering a connection to the open waters of Moreton Bay.

For around 160 years this riverine area of Caboolture River frontage has been disconnected from the community as private ownership made it inaccessible.

This timeline will help you understand more about the past and present as we look forward to our exciting future.

 

History of the Caboolture River and Raff Creek

How much do you know about our rich and diverse local history?

The Kabi Kabi people are the traditional custodians of the land around Caboolture, of which the Caboolture River is an important natural feature. The name ‘Caboolture’ is derived from Kabul-tur which means “place of the carpet snake” in the language of the Quandamooka people from nearby Stradbroke Island.

The first free Europeans, the Archer brothers, arrived in September 1841 when the region was still part of New South Wales. The Caboolture River was vital to the growing timber industry as local red cedar logs were rafted downstream to Deception Bay.

In 1866, the Moray Field Plantation was established on the southern bank of the Caboolture River by Brisbane politician and businessman George Raff.

Extensive sugarcane cultivation continued at the plantation until 1887 with people from the South Sea Islands working as indentured labourers to harvest and process the sugar, molasses and rum.

During the twentieth century the riverside land was used for cattle farming and as a pine plantation.

 

The North Harbour story

The concept for North Harbour was born in 2004, when a rigorous process of planning and assessment for North Harbour began. In 2006 the proposal was declared a project of State Significance by the State Government.

North Harbour received approval under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in 2012 and following subsequent State and Local Government approvals commenced residential development in 2015. The first residents moved into the North Harbour community in 2016 and North Harbour is now home to approximately 2,500 residents.

The North Harbour masterplanned community includes 319 hectares of recreational and regional open space and is expected to be home to around 12,000 residents along Caboolture River.  Further approvals are required to achieve the full vision for the community, including declaration of the Marine Precinct as a Priority Development Area.

 

To find out more, register your details via the contact form.

Special guests and locals enjoy Opera at North Harbour Heritage Park

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North Harbour’s Heritage Park precinct came to life for Songs at Twilight, a special event with Opera Queensland.

Guests included residents of the North Harbour community, locals across Moreton Bay and special guests – Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Steven Miles MP, Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor, Peter Flannery, and the Chairman and Founding Director of North Harbour Holdings Pty Ltd, Malcolm Hall-Brown.

The vast open green space at the park was filled with picnic rugs and camping chairs as dozens of local families turned out to hear the remarkable voices of Timothy Newton, Sofia Troncoso and Clarissa Foulcher.

 

Drone image by Tory Green

 

Mr Miles said Heritage Park was the perfect destination for the event.

“North Harbour Heritage Park is one of the best parks in Moreton Bay, combining the regions rich history with great amenities like walking tracks and BBQs. I know the mountain bike trail is also very popular. It’s great we can attract organisations like Queensland Opera to the region with facilities like this.” said Mr Miles.

Heritage and recreation at North Harbour

Heritage Park occupies approximately 10 hectares and preserves the history and archaeological remains of the 1860’s “Moray Fields” Plantation, providing an opportunity for the wider community to learn about the significance of this local history.

Along with heritage trails and educational signage throughout the park, the North Harbour Heritage Park also features several picnic shelters with BBQ facilities and public benches – perfect to enjoy with the family after a visit to the educational centre or walk through the trail.

Expanding on the existing park, a network of new walking trails and public facilities including picnic and BBQ areas and heritage information centre will form part of the North Harbour Marina Precinct.

“According to the Moreton Bay Regional Council, the proposed North Harbour marina and canal estate development will generate over $100 million to the local economy each year during construction,” said Mr Miles.

“It will also generate around 7,000 construction jobs and more than 800 ongoing in-direct jobs during the 10-year construction phase.

“Ensuring we deliver an economically and environmentally sustainable development for the Moreton Bay community is important and I look forward to seeing this work continue in our community.”

 

 

To learn more about the North Harbour Heritage Park, click here.

Be the first to hear the latest news and updates about the North Harbour Marina precinct by registering your details via the contact form.

Cycling enthusiasts hit the gravel for two wheel adventure

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Itching for an off-road adventure? The scenic mountain bike trails at North Harbour have become a hotspot for riders of all abilities – from beginners through to adrenalin junkies – who are jumping at the chance to explore the expansive network of tracks.

The 6km loop set on North Harbour’s beautiful river frontage in the Heritage Park area is the first professionally built trail in the expanding recreation park and has been designed to suit beginners, families, and intermediate level riders.

Super Cycles Co-Owner and northside cyclist, Jeff Munt, says the trails are a great outdoor asset for local riders, ranging from gentle gradient and smooth tracks through to moderate gradients, variable surfaces, and obstacles.

“It’s a wonderful recreation space that is very family-orientated and perfect for the beginners through to the more intermediate level riders,” he said.

“I started using the trails myself when they first opened and it’s great to take my customers out there who want to feel the dirt under their wheels but are still learning how to ride.

“The trail system is perfect for young riders and I’ve seen many families make a day of it, enjoying a picnic before hitting the trails together.”

The mountain bike trail parking/set-off point has picnic shelters and BBQs and is located not far from the start of North Harbour parkrun.

For more adventurous and intermediate riders, the trail also features several (optional) obstacles, as well as a more difficult trail offshoot which has varying terrains to put your skills to the test.

The tracks are open 6:00 am – sunset every day. Find some information about the tracks below.

Trail distances:

  • Minimum loop distance: 2.5km approx.
  • Medium loop distance: 3.75km approx.
  • Full circuit distance: 5.25km approx.

Hot Tips for the Best Mountain Bike Experience

  • Always wear a helmet
  • Only ride on trails that suit your cycling abilities
  • Ride according to trail conditions
  • Take water, first aid kit, use sunscreen and insect repellent
  • Slow down and warn other riders when approaching
  • Give way when riding downhill
  • Keep trails in good condition by not riding during or immediately after wet weather
  • Respect areas closed to riding – ride on trails only
  • Remember you are close to the river and farmland, closed areas are for your safety
  • Stay on marked trails and formed roads
  • Take your rubbish with you when you leave
  • Clean BBQs after use
  • Note that no dogs are allowed on the trail or in the Heritage Park as this is a protected area

Due to the increase traffic on the trails, there is a proposal for an expanded network of bike tracks in the upcoming 319 hectare of recreation space within the North Harbour Marina Precinct.

With such expansive riverside space, the North Harbour Marina Precinct has a unique opportunity to deliver a wide range of recreational activities that can be enjoyed by the public for many generations to come. This is a legacy opportunity that is unlikely to be repeated anywhere else in the region.

The riverfront open space also provides plenty of opportunities for families and friends to enjoy for activities such as picnics in the park, outdoor fitness classes, concerts and more!

To find out more, register your details via the contact form.