Page 15 - Best Of Local Mag June24 Edition

Mayor Calls on State Government

to Support Growth

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery Alternative (BHWA) and Buchanan Road fastest-growing city, we expect better
has strongly criticised the Queensland projects to come online to facilitate and will hold the State to account when
State Government for its inadequate housing. The State has been talking their budget comes down in June. Our
response to the housing crisis and about the BHWA for years but it’s just roads, public transport, and health
failure to support the region’s rapid another case of infrastructure lagging services are struggling to keep up
growth. In a forthright statement, behind privately-funded development.” with the current demand and without
Mayor Flannery emphasised the urgent immediate investment from the State
need for infrastructure investment and Mayor Flannery underscored the State Government, we risk falling further
strategic planning to accommodate Government’s failure to match its behind,” he said.
the increasing population and bolster rhetoric with action. “It’s all well and
the local economy. good for the State to mandate growth The current call for support by our
targets for Councils but they need to local government, comes as Moreton
“AV Jennings’ recent announcement to support that growth. Developers need Bay continues to attract families and
terminate their option for development certainty. They can’t just sit on paddocks businesses due to its relatively affordable
at Caboolture West (Waraba), due and wait for their day in the sun!” housing and strategic location near
to expected costs not aligning with Brisbane. However, this rapid influx of
their forecasts, is a timely reminder for In addition to infrastructure, Mayor new residents has put pressure on local
Government,” Mayor Flannery declared. Flannery also highlighted the need for services and amenities, making state
“There is no doubt that infrastructure federal support. “With Councils only intervention vital.
and development costs have increased receiving 3% of tax revenue, it is up to the
- we’re seeing that across the board. State and Federal Governments to make The landowner that AV Jennings had
However, we will not meet the State a real contribution to infrastructure a development option with remains
Governments’ own mandated housing that will unlock City of Moreton Bay’s committed to achieving outcomes at
targets if catalytic infrastructure is not huge growth area, so that housing Waraba, a key growth area for South
prioritised.” targets can be met. The Federal Budget East Queensland. When completed,
claimed to have a solution to ease Waraba will be the size of Mackay,
The Moreton Bay region, encompassing infrastructure bottlenecks and better providing 30,000 homes for around
areas such as Redcliffe, Caboolture, connect essential services to homes 70,000 residents.
and North Lakes, has seen substantial such as roads, water and power, and
population growth in recent years. called for an increase in housing supply, Mayor Flannery’s appeal highlights the
According to the Australian Bureau of but not a dollar has been offered to City pressing need for a coordinated and
Statistics (ABS), the region’s population of Moreton Bay for this purpose.” committed approach from both state and
was approximately 470,000 in 2021. federal governments to infrastructure
Projections indicate this number Mayor Flannery did not hold back in his and economic development and his
could reach around 660,000 by 2041, criticism of the State Government’s lack timely, pre-budget notice that the
highlighting the need for significant of action. When addressing the current State Government’s current approach
infrastructure improvements. state of funding, Mayor Flannery said, is insufficient to meet the needs of one
“The current lack of response in funding of Australia’s fastest-growing regions,
The Mayor pointed out several key areas the enormous growth challenge that serves as a crucial call to action.
where support is urgently needed. “We City of Moreton Bay faces is quite frankly
really need the Bruce Highway Western inadequate. As South East Queensland’s

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