Category: Booth Camp

State Government vows to grant PDA

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has pledged to declare North Harbour a Priority Development Area (PDA) if re-elected to government.

The new commitment is a major breakthrough for the project and follows strong support from the Moreton Bay Regional Council and State Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting. It was announced after a visit to North Harbour this week.

 

State Government

A united front. Pictured (L-R): Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery, Division 2 Councillor Mark Booth, State Member for Bancroft Chris Whiting and North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney.

 

In a statement, Ms Palaszczuk said the North Harbour Marina Precinct would help to stimulate the Queensland economy and drive recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have made it clear I do not want to see red tape get in the way of job creation in this state,” she said. “The Priority Development Area mechanism is designed to unlock ‘out of the box’ projects like this that have the potential to create significant economic and community benefits.”

Decision widely welcomed

Advocates for the North Harbour marina and recreational precinct strongly welcomed the Queensland Labor announcement that it would make a PDA declaration.

Mr Whiting said he wanted to see the development go ahead in his community and a PDA declaration would create that pathway forward with great potential to stimulate the local boating industry and support 7,000 jobs during construction.

North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney acknowledged the support of Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery, Division 2 Councillor Mark Booth and Mr Whiting.

“This would be a huge milestone for the project and for the Moreton Bay region and we warmly welcome Queensland Labor’s commitment of support,” Mr Finney said.

“A PDA would pave the way for North Harbour to become a state-of-the art marine industry hub, attracting a significant portion of Australia’s $68 billion marine industry to the region and lending itself to a multitude of tourism and recreational opportunities.

“Besides a huge win for jobs, other exceptional benefits for the wider community would include opening up 12km of prime riverfront land for access and public enjoyment, including a vast new network of parkland and pathways.”

 

State Government

 

Trask Land Corporation Managing Director David Trask said: “We are excited to be at the forefront of an important new chapter in the region’s history.

“The North Harbour Marina Precinct is a vital project which will benefit this rapidly growing area for many generations to come. The timing of this announcement could not be better as it will also underpin our region’s post-COVID 19 recovery.”

Great news for industry and tourism

Other key supporters of a PDA for North Harbour also welcomed the announcement by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Shane Newcombe, Chief Executive Officer of Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism, said: ”North Harbour will be a game changer for this region – and not just through the thousands of jobs it will create and billions of dollars it will pump into our economy.

“It also has the ability to create huge opportunity for tourism, new business and industry. With those come security, diversity and confidence for those living and working in the Moreton Bay region,” he said. “There can be no greater priority, particularly at this time.”

 

Boating Industry Association

 

Boating Industry Association (Australia) spokesman Neil Patchett said North Harbour would help to satisfy a growing demand for marina berths and facilities.

“More storage and maintenance facilities are desperately needed to accommodate the State’s growing interest in boating and the increase in the number of registered vessels,’’ Mr Patchett said.

“There are extensive waiting lists on moorings in places such as the Gold Coast, so North Harbour is very welcome on that front as well as its potential to support industry jobs in everything from boatyard skills, apprentices and trades to boat hire and services.”

Council calls on State to declare PDA

Plans for the ‘game changing’ North Harbour Marina Precinct have been significantly advanced after a unanimous decision by Moreton Bay Regional Council to seek a Priority Development Area (PDA) from the State Government.

This week’s council decision is the latest example of strong local support for the project, which will create a world-class development for our region.

 

After announcing the Council move, Mayor Peter Flannery said: “At a time when jobs and growth have never been more important for southeast Queensland, this is a tangible way the Queensland Government can help Moreton Bay with a plan to deliver certainty of work for years to come.

“Today we voted to request the State Government to declare a PDA over the site, to cut through the usual red tape and complete all the necessary planning and environmental considerations within two years.

“We already have strong local support across the political divide, and I thank both Federal MP Terry Young and State MP Chris Whiting for their enthusiastic support of this initiative to fast-track jobs and investment.

“The development would obviously provide a boost to the construction sector, and in the longer-term diversify the industry and tourism sectors of the Moreton Bay Region economy.

“This includes the creation of new specialised marine business services for the region such as boatbuilding, maintenance, repairs and more.”

Praise for leadership

North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney said: “This is tremendous news for our project, which has been rightly described by the Council as an economic and community ‘game changer’ for the region.

“The North Harbour Marina PDA will be world-class landmark destination that advances the identity, ecological health and prosperity of South-East Queensland.

“The declaration of a PDA will also deliver additional huge benefits, including a marine industry boom that will attract a significant slice of Australia’s $68 billion marine industry to Moreton Bay.

“It will also provide 8.9% of the new jobs needed in the Moreton Bay region, an ongoing $882 million annual economic contribution and the delay of $300 million in Unitywater infrastructure – a major saving for ratepayers.

“The wider community will benefit from an incredible new network of parkland and pathways, a heritage precinct and a water sports precinct on 12km of prime riverfront land that has been in private ownership for the past 160 years.”

 

Council Park

 

Trask Land Corporation Managing Director David Trask said the Moreton Bay Regional Council, Mayor Peter Flannery and Division 2 Councillor Mark Booth had provided great leadership in advocating for a PDA.

“We have had strong support from all levels of government,” Mr Trask said. “Local MP Chris Whiting has also been a strong champion of our project and his support has been essential to creating 7,735 jobs over the life of the project.