Moreton Bay slated for 3,700 new homes, retail and riverfront parkland

The Queensland government has declared a new priority development area (PDA) at North Harbour in Moreton Bay, 40 kilometres north of Brisbane, which will see the delivery of 3,700 homes, including 200 dwellings fast-tracked through an early release area within the precinct.

The $2.74 billion North Harbour masterplan, led by Mas Architecture Studio, also includes a "world-class" 400-berth marina, and tourism and retail precincts, along with "the biggest riverfront parkland in Southeast Queensland," the architecture firm notes. A communique from the practice describes the vision for the site as "a booming new waterfront hub."

The site in Burpengary East is currently home to 4,000 residents and a 280,000-square-metre business park. Under the proposed masterplan, the new residential and mixed-use development would be met with over 1,000 acres of open space parkland adjacent to the Caboolture River, host to a heritage park and mountain bike trail.

Director of MAS Architecture Studio Nick Symonds welcomed the Queensland government's designation of the North Harbour PDA as a sign of action in the current housing climate.

"The North Harbour precinct will meet urgent housing needs, but it also represents the future of bayside living in Southeast Queensland," Symonds commented.

"We're not just building homes. We're designing a place that's sustainable, well connected, and built for a modern Queensland lifestyle. With the Olympics approaching, this puts Moreton Bay in a prime position to shine nationally."

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie added, "This declaration brings Queensland another step closer to delivering one million homes by 2044."

"Dedicated maritime industry infrastructure, tourism and hotel precincts are expected to generate nearly 2,000 jobs and add $456 million to the regional economy each year for the region's long-term prosperity."