Page 12 - BOL Dec22/Jan23 Holiday Edition

Moreton Bay Wins

National Award

for City Pitch

Moreton Bay Regional Council’s “We already manage a larger population “The great part is that a city reclassification
proposal to be reclassified as a city has than the Australian capital, Canberra, will come at very little cost to ratepayers,
received the Australian Government’s which is a big task, but it also provides a and we have no obligation or intention
tick of approval by winning the 2022 unique opportunity to shape our future. to go out and change signage until our
Local Government National Award for current signs require replacing.
Regional Growth. “We need to make the right decisions
now to both protect our way of living “I’m so proud of the work we’ve done so
Driven by Council’s discussion paper, and provide further opportunities for our far regardless of this award, but it is great
Reimagining Our Moreton Bay, the residents and businesses. recognition that we’re on the right track.”
proposal received high praise for its
ambitious goal to strengthen investment Moreton Bay’s City Reclassification
and improve liveability in Moreton Bay. “ Proposal underwent significant
community engagement in early 2022
Mayor Peter Flannery said the win proved and the submission is currently with the
Council was on the right track with its I’m so proud of the Electoral Commission for formal review.
proposal to put Moreton Bay on the map work we’ve done so
nationally and reclassify itself as a city. far regardless of this

“It’s a huge honour for Council to receive award, but it is great
such high praise from the Federal recognition that
Government and to beat out more than we’re on the right
300 other Australian councils to take out
the top prize,” he said. track.

“This just reinforces all the hard work
we’ve put into our proposal to officially
be recognised as a city and to ensure “Becoming a city will help us to define
Moreton Bay is front and centre when I go what our city looks like before population
to Canberra to discuss federal funding for growth happens to us - and we can avoid
key projects that will make our region an becoming another concrete jungle like
even better place to live. the Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney CBDs.

“Moreton Bay is the third largest Council “We want to get on the front foot now so
in the country and we’re one of the we can create a city we want, by building
fastest growing too, which means we on the many urban centres we already
need infrastructure to keep pace with have across the region and better connect
population growth and to deliver the them so that there is no central point.
facilities that our residents deserve.