North Harbour Marine Hub to become economic powerhouse for Moreton Bay

July 21, 2021

North Harbour is set to become a world-leading marine industry hub, fast-tracking the tourism sector and providing an economic bonanza to Moreton Bay.

Attracting a significant slice of Australia’s $68 billion maritime industry to the region, the proposed marina will deliver a new wave of employment opportunities across all facets of the boating and tourism industries. This is in addition to around 70 staff required for dry boat stacking and hardstand operations.

Assisting Moreton Bay’s vital post-COVID 19 recovery, a technology TAFE supporting local employers by producing skilled employees such as apprentice marine technicians could become a world-class training and skills development hub in a supportive environment at North Harbour. Currently there is limited resources for marine apprentices between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. An educated and skilled workforce will be essential to the industry’s growth and development in the region.

As the heart of North Harbour, the marina will consist of 400 berths, around 500 dry storage docks, 562 private pontoons and fuel facilities. Fantastic marine tourism opportunities will be created for recreational water-based businesses including bareboat yacht hire and fishing and dive charters.

The marina will seamlessly connect to North Harbour Business Park, which is expected to feature additional marine-related businesses, delivering a marine industry cluster to the north of Brisbane.

The Australian marine industry is a key driver in supporting the nation’s economy and is one of the fastest growing sectors.

Recreational and commercial fishing, transport and tourism are some of the marine-based activities that contribute the most to our total economic output.

With the North Harbour Marina Precinct set to declared Queensland’s next Priority Development Area, the project will inject a massive $707 million a year into the Moreton Bay region.

The marina alone will deliver a substantial marina village with retail, tourism and entertainment uses. The precinct will also provide 600 new apartments and 600 detached homes as part of the marina village, 800 dwellings in a canal estate.

The masterplanned community also includes 319 hectares of recreational and regional open space and is expected to be home to around 12,000 residents along Caboolture River.