Council backs Infrastructure Australia plan to get Moreton Bay moving

Published 11 August 2020

Improving the efficiency of transport corridors between Moreton Bay and Brisbane has been identified as a national priority by Infrastructure Australia (IA) in the updated edition of the 2020 Infrastructure Priority List.

The new “Brisbane Northern Suburbs Corridor Capacity” has been included as a high priority initiative in the first report ever issued mid-year by the independent authority.

Mayor Peter Flannery has welcomed the announcement to prioritise road and public transport connectivity projects for the Moreton Bay Region.

“I’m thrilled that the state government have put this initiative forward having only met with the Minister for Transport and Main Roads last week,” he said.

“Receiving the independent stamp of approval from Infrastructure Australia is vitally important.

“The efficiency of our roads, transport logistics and public transport routes have enormous impacts on both our economy and lifestyle.

“Our council is very focused on ensuring we enhance our road network to reduce travel times and ensure people get home to their families quicker, which is why Council’s budget included $143 million for road and transport infrastructure.”

Mayor Flannery said that this report provides the imprimatur for all three levels of government to work together and deliver game changing projects across the region especially post-COVID.

“We already know that the Bruce Highway and Gympie Road are the transport lifeblood of our region and beyond,” he said.

“Since the election in March, we have been working really closely with the state and federal government to fast-track projects that reduce congestion on these arterials.

“I also welcome recent announcements around the Moreton Connector and I am keen to work with both levels of government on how we can deliver additional capacity across the Pine River which is essential to unlocking the Bruce Highway and ensuring locals can move north-south without having to use the highway.”

Projects already underway in Moreton Bay include:

• Funding from Council to the State Government to fast-track the West Moreton Arterial Corridor Study.
• $40 million in this year’s Council Budget to provide greater flood immunity to Youngs Crossing combined with $7.75 million from the Federal Government through the Urban Congestion Fund.
• $11.1 million to upgrade Henry Road including $7.1 million from Council and $4 million from the Federal Government through the Urban Congestion Fund.

“We cannot solely rely on the road network, so I am also keen to see what public transport options might come out of this initiative and I know as a member of COMSEQ we have already completed a lot of work in this area around things like faster rail,” said Mayor Flannery.

Council welcomes the two projects listed in IA’s Report for the Moreton Bay Region:

• Bruce Highway Deception Bay Road Interchange Upgrade New – parallel bridges over the Bruce Highway, near Deception Bay, to increase the capacity of the intersection and improve traffic flow.
• Bruce Highway Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way – widen the Bruce Highway from four to six lanes between Caboolture and Steve Irwin Way.