Latest boating tech showcased at local expo

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With only four weeks to go, adventure seekers in and around North Harbour are counting the days to the 2021 Moreton Bay Caravan, Camping, Boating and 4×4 Expo .

The three-day event, billed as one of the largest outdoor expos in the state, is on from Friday to Sunday, 12-14 February at the Redcliffe Showgrounds.

With more than 180 companies showcasing their products, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover more about the latest innovations and accessories in everything from motorhomes to new holiday and touring destinations – as well as boats.

Better still, it’s all in the one convenient location and only a short drive from North Harbour.

Moreton Bay is a boaties’ paradise, so it is little wonder the expo has become a popular fixture on the calendar for locals.

Boating, fishing and other recreational activities in our region will become even easier under our plans to create a new world-class waterfront destination at North Harbour.

As the only significant new marina project between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coat, the North Harbour Marina Precinct will provide an exciting river-based connection to the Bay for everyone to enjoy.

Where: Redcliffe Showgrounds, Scarborough Road.
When: 12-14 February
Cost: Tickets range from $13 to $18 while children under 16 are admitted free.

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

Welcome to a greener way of life

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If you value connecting with wide, green open spaces and waterways, then you’ll enjoy the North Harbour way of life.

With a long list of awards and achievements already backing its reputation, North Harbour’s commitment to environmental excellence is only just beginning.

Close to the water and parkland

There’s no doubt that being able to connect with greenery and water works wonders for our wellbeing.

At North Harbour, you can immerse yourself in the great outdoors – with almost half the entire site dedicated to open, green space and parkland.

Incredibly, every house is within 325 metres of being able of spaces large enough for families to gather, picnic, play ball, meet and make new friends.

Five parks have been completed, with facilities ranging from kayaking and canoeing to playgrounds, barbecue areas, exercise equipment, and dog off-leash zones.

With 420 hectares of parklands and public open spaces planned – the equivalent of 600 football fields – North Harbour has been designed to provide a wide range of recreational opportunities for residents and the region.

Each park connects with bike and walking trails to offer a unique experience. Six kilometres of mountain bike trails have also been created, allowing visitors to enjoy the landscape in a low-impact way.

And it’s set to get even better with the upcoming declaration of the community as a Priority Development Area (PDA) by the State Government, with a 400-berth marina providing a direct connection to Moreton Bay.

The waterfront way of life allows boating enthusiasts to explore the many wonders of the region, including a magnificent array of marine life such as dugongs, dolphins and whales as well as more than 350 species of birds.

Plans also include a landmark 319-hectare riverside recreational precinct. The precinct will include wetland-based environmental offset areas.

It all adds to an impressive record of caring for the environment.

60,000 trees planted – and counting

Did you know we have planted 60,000 trees at North Harbour?  And by the time we’re finished, we’ll have planted hundreds of thousands more.

Before North Harbour, the site has had many previous uses including land for farming and as a sugar plantation.

In order to reforest and rehabilitate the area, we’re planting native trees and shrubs to encourage a sustainable wildlife habitat.

We’ve even held several Tree Planting Days to involve our community in reforesting an area along the Caboolture River – giving local families have the opportunity to plant trees they’ll be able to come back and see for years to come.

Twenty-five hectares of land has been replanted in a massive revegetation program along Caboolture River and Raff Creek.

Preserving links to the past

At North Harbour, we recognise the importance of preserving links to the site’s rich history for the benefit of future generations.

Protected under the Queensland Heritage Register, preserving the historical remnants of the site has been a priority. Signage and photographs throughout the park offer a fascinating window to the past.

One of the most exciting aspects of the North Harbour master plan is our Heritage Park along the banks of Caboolture River.

Originally North Harbour was developed as a cotton farm in the 1860s, with a company of business partners including George Raff. Raff later developed the land as a sugar cane plantation and processing works.

Naming the site “Moray Fields’’ – a reference to his origins in Morayshire in Scotland – Raff’s plantation incorporated stockyards, a sawmill, stables and sheds, as well as shops for carpenters, butchers, bakers and more.

The North Harbour team has worked with heritage experts and archaeologists at the remains of “Moray Fields”, uncovering building foundations that were not previously known.

The history of the site is showcased in a dedicated “interpretive centre” in our $3 million Heritage Park that delivers a ‘mind map’ of the site before it is experienced first-hand by visitors. The centre offers historic photographs, sketches and displays allowing visitors to appreciate the stories and significant developments from the past up to the present day.

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

Moreton Bay a treasure trove for anglers

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When you think of fishing, then Moreton Bay should spring to mind.

The Bay’s mix of open waters, sandy beaches, coral reefs, rocky shores, seagrass and sponge beds, mangrove forests, mudflats and sandbanks support a treasure trove of more than 1,000 species of fish.

And the North Harbour Marina Precinct will be the perfect location to make the most of everything the bay has to offer.

 

The star attractions

Whiting, bream, snapper, flathead, tailor, crabs and squid are among the star local attractions, with cobia, marlin, billfish and wahoo popular with the deep sea crew.

Discussions about the best spots invariably include a mix of favourite haunts including Rous Channel and Rainbow Channel, Horseshoe Bay at Peel Island, Mud and St Helena Islands, Hope Banks and the western side of Moreton, along with the bay’s extensive range of artificial reefs.

The reefs are scattered throughout and provide marine life with protection from predators, shelter from currents, breeding grounds and a rich supply of food.

Best of all, they will offer fantastic opportunities for boat owners and recreational fishers launching from the future North Harbour Marina.

The habitats created in Moreton Bay have been designed for a range of fishing techniques – including spearfishing, bottom fishing and game fishing for pelagics.

They are:

These amazing spots allow offer a variety of activities depending on the reef, from recreational fishing, including charters, spearfishing and snorkelling. While the reefs are immensely popular, boaties just need to check on arrangements for a marine park permit as well as the amount of time allowed for each visit.

To say that the reefs are expansive seems somewhat of an understatement.

The seventh reef, built by the State Government in 2018, spans 30 hectares and was constructed 1.5km north of Adder Rock Camping Ground on the beautiful North Stradbroke Island.

Comprising 38 concrete modules each weighing 17 tonnes, the reef has been designed to last more than 30 years.

 

 

Fishing a valuable part of the economy

Moreton Bay contributes significantly to the Queensland economy through a range of industries.

Fishing in Moreton Bay alone is estimated to be valued at more $175 million a year.

A 2013 State Government survey estimated there to be about 642,000 anglers in Queensland – with about one third of those living in the Brisbane region around Moreton Bay.

With a planned state of the art marine hub incorporating a 400-berth marina at North Harbour, it’s the perfect opportunity for boaties, recreational charters and fishing enthusiasts to enjoy it all.

As the only new significant marina opportunity between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, it will also  help meet a growing regional demand and become the social hub of North Harbour.

After a full day’s adventure on the Bay, come home to a smorgasbord of restaurants overlooking water, a boardwalk and a range of accommodation – creating a first-class destination not only for boaties but residents and visitors alike.

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

Marina vision comes to life in new video

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North Harbour’s plans for a game changing marina and recreational precinct have been brought to life in an exciting new video.

The video is a showcase of everything that will be on offer at Moreton Bay’s new premier lifestyle precinct, including a world-class marina, marina village and mixed residential community.

With recent confirmation that the North Harbour Marina Precinct will be declared a Priority Development Area (PDA) by the State Government, discover how it will come to life with a waterfront boardwalk, an array of restaurants overlooking the marina, scenic river activities, and so much more.

As the only significant new marina opportunity between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, the project will provide 400 marina berths, 500 dry storage docks, 562 private pontoons, and fuel facilities.

Unlocking 12km of the Caboolture River, the North Harbour Marina Precinct will also provide a massive new public recreational area.

Watch the video to learn more about this incredible opportunity for the Moreton Bay region.

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

Son and father fishing in a boat on the Caboolture River

319 hectares of family-friendly recreation

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With almost 12km of open space along the Caboolture River and 319 hectares of riverfront land, the opportunities for family-friendly recreation at the North Harbour Marina Precinct will be almost endless.

To put the size into perspective, 319 hectares of open space is 12 times larger than Pine Rivers Park in Strathpine and 7 times larger than Victoria Park in Spring Hill. It’s also 21 times larger than New Farm Park in Brisbane and almost 19 times larger than South Bank Parklands, making it one of the most substantial public recreation areas in south-east Queensland.

With such expansive riverside space, the North Harbour Marina Precinct has a unique opportunity to deliver a wide range of recreation, tourism and parkland 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.

Son and father fishing in a boat on the Caboolture River

River activities

Through collaboration with local, state and federal governments, and sporting and recreation associations, the North Harbour Marina Precinct can unlock an endless number of regional attractions and tourism opportunities.

New access to almost 12km of the Caboolture River’s southern bank will allow locals and visitors alike to enjoy new water activities or simply relax with a picnic along the water.

Keen anglers will love the great fishing with opportunities to catch mud crabs, mangrove jack (red snapper) and flathead, which are all commonly found in the Caboolture River.

A dedicated canoeing and kayaking trail along the river will offer locals with a unique new activity to enjoy with the family and will also provide great tourism opportunities for local equipment hire operators.

Two men riding their bikes on the North Harbour Mountain Bike Trail

Outdoor recreation

With 319 hectares of open space, the North Harbour Marina Precinct will be the ideal location to host a weekend sporting carnival, tournament or grand final with sporting fields expected to be included in the parkland masterplan.

Doubling up as event spaces when not used for sports matches, sporting fields can be utilised to host outdoor events such as festivals and markets, providing plenty of space for community groups to host weekend activities.

The North Harbour Marina Precinct will also include kilometres of dedicated hiking, cycling and mountain bike trails through beautiful natural surrounds.

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

Outside of the North Harbour Heritage Park Homestead

Heritage park

Expanding on the existing North Harbour Heritage Park precinct, 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.

Developed in collaboration with the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology, the 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.

So many different recreational uses all combined within one location, the North Harbour Marina Precinct will quickly become one of south-east Queensland’s most exciting waterfront destinations.

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

North Harbour features on the Urban Developer

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The announcement that North Harbour is set to be declared Queensland’s latest priority development area has featured on The Urban Developer.

After receiving bipartisan support from both Labor and the LNP, the declaration of a PDA is expected to follow the state election on 31 October.

Click here to read the full article on The Urban Developer.

The North Harbour Marina Precinct is expected to inject $707 million a year into the Moreton Bay region

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

LNP commits to North Harbour PDA

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The Liberal National Party has reconfirmed its support for the North Harbour Marina Precinct to be declared a Priority Development Area (PDA).

Federal Member for Longman Terry Young and Phil Carlson, LNP candidate for the Queensland seat of Bancroft, both paid a visit to North Harbour this week and highlighted the many benefits a PDA declaration would have for the local community.

LNP backs North Harbour PDA. Pictured (L-R): North Harbour Project Director Brian Finney, LNP candidate for Bancroft Phil Carlson and Federal Member for Longman Terry Young

Mr Carlson said he was thrilled to support the prioritisation of North Harbour.

“This project will create thousands of jobs, while delivering vital community amenities for Bancroft,” he said. “It’s just one of the reasons why Bancroft will be a great place to get a job, get ahead and raise a family.”

Mr Young said the LNP recognised how important a PDA would be for creating jobs in the Moreton Bay region.

“This development will be magnificent for the local community, creating 7700 jobs, around 1,000 new lots in the marina district and will attract new residents and investment to the area,” he said.

Advocates welcomes bipartisan support

North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney said it was fantastic news that both the LNP candidate for Bancroft and the Federal Member for Longman had pledged their support for a PDA.

“We warmly welcome the bipartisan support announced this week, which will go a long way towards ensuring the North Harbour Marina Precinct is finally delivered,” he said.

“Almost 20 years of careful planning and investigations have already taken place and we look forward to moving ahead with this truly world-class development for Moreton Bay.”

Trask Land Corporation Managing Director David Trask joined Mr Finney in acknowledging the LNP’s support for the project.

“It is great to see our community leaders united on the importance of a North Harbour PDA declaration to the future of the economy and jobs in the Moreton Bay region,” he said.

An aerial image showing the land area to be included in a PDA

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

State Government vows to grant PDA

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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has pledged to declare North Harbour a Priority Development Area (PDA) if re-elected to government.

The new commitment is a major breakthrough for the project and follows strong support from the Moreton Bay Regional Council and State Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting. It was announced after a visit to North Harbour this week.

A united front. Pictured (L-R): Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery, Division 2 Councillor Mark Booth, State Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting and North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney.

In a statement, Ms Palaszczuk said the North Harbour Marina Precinct would help to stimulate the Queensland economy and drive recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have made it clear I do not want to see red tape get in the way of job creation in this state,” she said. “The Priority Development Area mechanism is designed to unlock ‘out of the box’ projects like this that have the potential to create significant economic and community benefits.”

Decision widely welcomed

Advocates for the North Harbour marina and recreational precinct strongly welcomed the Queensland Labor announcement that it would make a PDA declaration.

Mr Whiting said he wanted to see the development go ahead in his community and a PDA declaration would create that pathway forward with great potential to stimulate the local boating industry and support 7,000 jobs during construction.

North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney acknowledged the support of Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery, Division 2 Councillor Mark Booth and Mr Whiting.

“This would be a huge milestone for the project and for the Moreton Bay region and we warmly welcome Queensland Labor’s commitment of support,” Mr Finney said.

“A PDA would pave the way for North Harbour to become a state-of-the art marine industry hub, attracting a significant portion of Australia’s $68 billion marine industry to the region and lending itself to a multitude of tourism and recreational opportunities.

“Besides a huge win for jobs, other exceptional benefits for the wider community would include opening up 12km of prime riverfront land for access and public enjoyment, including a vast new network of parkland and pathways.”

Trask Land Corporation Managing Director David Trask said: “We are excited to be at the forefront of an important new chapter in the region’s history.

“The North Harbour Marina Precinct is a vital project which will benefit this rapidly growing area for many generations to come. The timing of this announcement could not be better as it will also underpin our region’s post-COVID 19 recovery.”

Great news for industry and tourism

Other key supporters of a PDA for North Harbour also welcomed the announcement by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Shane Newcombe, Chief Executive Officer of Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism, said: ”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.

“It also has the ability to create huge opportunity for tourism, new business and industry. With those come security, diversity and confidence for those living and working in the Moreton Bay region,” he said. “There can be no greater priority, particularly at this time.”

Boating Industry Association (Australia) spokesman Neil Patchett said North Harbour would help to satisfy a growing demand for marina berths and facilities.

“More storage and maintenance facilities are desperately needed to accommodate the State’s growing interest in boating and the increase in the number of registered vessels,’’ Mr Patchett said.

“There are extensive waiting lists on moorings in places such as the Gold Coast, so North Harbour is very welcome on that front as well as its potential to support industry jobs in everything from boatyard skills, apprentices and trades to boat hire and services.”

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

Council calls on State to declare PDA

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Plans for the ‘game changing’ North Harbour Marina Precinct have been significantly advanced after a unanimous decision by Moreton Bay Regional Council to seek a Priority Development Area (PDA) from the State Government.

This week’s council decision is the latest example of strong local support for the project, which will create a world-class development for our region.

After announcing the Council move, Mayor Peter Flannery said: “At a time when jobs and growth have never been more important for southeast 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.

“Today we voted to request the State Government to declare a PDA over the site, to cut through the usual red tape and complete all the necessary planning and environmental considerations within two years.

“We already have strong local support across the political divide, and I thank both Federal MP Terry Young and State MP Chris Whiting for their enthusiastic support of this initiative to fast-track jobs and investment.

“The development would obviously provide a boost to the construction sector, and in the longer-term diversify the industry and tourism sectors of the Moreton Bay Region economy.

“This includes the creation of new specialised marine business services for the region such as boatbuilding, maintenance, repairs and more.”

Praise for leadership

North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney said: “This is tremendous news for our project, which has been rightly described by the Council as an economic and community ‘game changer’ for the region.

“The North Harbour Marina PDA will be world-class landmark destination that advances the identity, ecological health and prosperity of South-East Queensland.

“The declaration of a PDA will also deliver additional huge benefits, including a marine industry boom that will attract a significant slice of Australia’s $68 billion marine industry to Moreton Bay.

“It will also provide 8.9% of the new jobs needed in the Moreton Bay region, an ongoing $882 million annual economic contribution and the delay of $300 million in Unitywater infrastructure – a major saving for ratepayers.

“The wider community will benefit from an incredible new network of parkland and pathways, a heritage precinct and a water sports precinct on 12km of prime riverfront land that has been in private ownership for the past 160 years.”

Trask Land Corporation Managing Director David Trask said the Moreton Bay Regional Council, Mayor Peter Flannery and Division 2 Councillor Mark Booth had provided great leadership in advocating for a PDA.

“We have had strong support from all levels of government,” Mr Trask said. “Local MP Chris Whiting has also been a strong champion of our project and his support has been essential to creating 7,735 jobs over the life of the project.

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