As Queensland’s newest Priority Development Area (PDA), Waraba represents a forward-thinking approach to urban development.
The Waraba PDA was declared on 2 August and includes about 2,900 hectares of land. It is bounded by the existing and emerging suburban areas of Bellmere, Lilywood and Wagtail Grove to the east, the D’Aguilar Highway to the north, Caboolture River Road to the south and the low hills along Old North Road to the west. It is identified as a major expansion growth area in Shaping SEQ 2023.
This designation by Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) positions Waraba as a key focus for future growth and development, designed to meet the increasing housing demands while promoting sustainable community development.
Why has the Queensland government declared the Waraba PDA?
- Waraba is one of four major expansion areas identified for growth in earlier state planning for the metro sub-region of SEQ. To realise the ultimate development vision for Waraba, the scope and cost of the infrastructure for the area need to be understood and confirmed.
- The government has declared the Waraba PDA to use the powers and functions of the Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ) under the Economic Development Act 2012 to remove uncertainty about land use outcomes, infrastructure requirements and infrastructure charges for the whole of Waraba and to facilitate the delivery of this significant future housing supply in the Moreton Bay region.
The Waraba PDA is envisaged to ultimately:
- provide diverse housing, including social and affordable options, of about 30,000 dwellings for about 70,000 people;
- facilitate the development of employment-related land uses, including retail and commercial activity centres, industrial activities and mixed industry/business uses, to meet the broader land use demands of the Moreton Bay Local Government Area; and
- deliver a broad range of civil, civic and community infrastructure and services required to support the future community.
City of Moreton Bay has welcomed the declaration of Waraba as Queensland’s newest PDA.
Waraba Priority Development Area: Queensland’s Vision for Sustainable Urban Growth
Mayor Peter Flannery said the assurance that City of Moreton Bay will retain authority for development assessment was important to ensure Council’s commitment to housing diversity and liveability was prioritised in Waraba.
“We’re planning a new city of 30,000 dwellings and an expected population of 70,000 people, so it is important we get this right,” Mr Flannery said. “We’re calling on a commitment from the state government to stump up the funding and hurry up with the delivery of critical infrastructure, so this future community can reach its full potential.
“We want to ensure the development of Waraba, and growth of City of Moreton Bay, does not come at a cost to current residents or the environment, so we will continue to put an emphasis on the need for robust planning and advocate for critical infrastructure upgrades.”
For information about upcoming engagement activities, visit yoursay.edq.qld.gov.au/waraba-pda.
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