North Harbour Marina PDA will bring big benefits for small business owners

August 23, 2021

Are you a small business owner based in the Moreton Bay region? You are not alone! Around 32,900 commercial operators are active in our area and more than 90% of these are small businesses.

The number of business owners choosing to work from home has never been higher as families adapt to the impact of coronavirus and recognise the lifestyle benefits that home working can offer.

This group is expected to be a big winner from an influx of new amenities, infrastructure, residents and jobs that will flow from the future North Harbour Marina Precinct.

Sarah Gaffney, the founder of home-based beauty salon, Bair Beauty, has lived in Burpengary East for more than seven years. As a mother of four, Sarah says running a home-based business has perfectly complemented her lifestyle.

“I started Bair Beauty about 14 years ago when my first child was born because I wanted to be able to work and look after my children at the same time,” said Sarah.

“Living in the Moreton Bay region has enabled me to do just that.”

Sarah is looking forward to new growth coming to the region including the North Harbour community, which will bring more than 12,500 new residents to Burpengary East once complete.

“The benefits of having a home-based business in Moreton Bay are endless due to all the new infrastructure, in particular the development of the North Harbour marina,” said Sarah.

“There are a lot of older people that have lived here for generations, but we are slowly seeing more families come to the region which is very exciting.

“Having the North Harbour Marina in the area will have unparalleled benefits not only to local businesses but also to the wider Moreton Bay region.”

Home-based businesses are already reaping the benefits of Moreton Bay’s growing population, which is forecast to surpass that of Tasmania in the next 20 years, growing from 479,639 residents to approximately 697,000 by 2041.

North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney said he recognised the important role small business played in driving the Moreton Bay economy.

“Small businesses are critical for a growing economy with high employment opportunities,” said Mr Finney.

“North Harbour Marina will support the creation and growth of small businesses in the Moreton Bay region by accommodating thousands of new residents as this exciting masterplanned community continues to evolve following a PDA declaration.

“The North Harbour PDA will attract more small businesses to Moreton Bay while also bringing unparalleled benefits to existing businesses in the region, including local home-based businesses.”