Master plan residential community

Land within this area will become a "North Lakes" style development. map from ECQ website

A MASTER-planned residential development, tipped to boost Caboolture's economic growth, is planned for West Caboolture.

It is expected to be more than twice the size of North Lakes and compares with Caloundra South which is projected to have 50,000 residents.

The land which was originally marked as investigation land is roughly bound by Caboolture River Rd, Bellmere Rd and North Rd and comprises tens of thousands of hectares of land.

It is envisaged that about 60,000 homes would eventually be built over the span of the life of the project which could be from 25 to 50 years.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said the master plan declaration today by Minister for Local Government Paul Lucas represented one of the most significant planning decisions in our region's history.

"We have worked closely with the State Government over many years to deliver the right outcome for the Caboolture area and the Minister has now given the green light for the project to move forward," he said.

"Community feedback will be pivotal to how we plan for and design this new community, giving local residents a real say on what they want to see.

"With community input and the very best designers and planners on the job, I predict Caboolture West will be a sought-after location to live, work and play.

"It will mean that more established suburbs such as Caboolture, Morayfield and Burpengary will also benefit from new development and facilities, retail and commercial business in their local area."

Mayor Sutherland said koala conservation and habitat protection would be central to how council and the State Government managed this new development.

"We must manage growth, maintain the beauty and integrity of the area and work with all levels of government to provide the right infrastructure including roads, public transport, childcare, schools, health, police and emergency services for this community."

Division 12 Cr Adrian Raedel whose area covers the new master-planned community welcomed the decision.

"Today (Friday) we have seen some exciting news for the Caboolture district, the future economic growth for the Caboolture district will be driven by this project,'' he said.

"I wish to emphasise that this plan does not take away from the Principal Activity Centres of Caboolture/Morayfield.

"This development will bring jobs to an area that desperately needs a boost, already I have been in contact with a group which has a keen interested in establishing a large integrated university into the site.

"My goal will be to represent the current and future residents of the area through this process to deliver positive outcomes for new and existing residents."

He said the council would need to ensure that the project was not just about driving the economy but also took into account environmental and liveability aspects as well.

He said there would be 50,000-70,000 homes and as part of the project there would be schools, some commercial development, a neighbourhood style shopping centre .

Division 3 councillor and deputy mayor Greg Chippendale said he was delighted with the news and the main benefit he saw was that the new area would reinforce the principal activity centre for Caboolture/Morayfield.

"Naturally that is good for business and employment and both of these are close to my heart,'' he said.

Candidate for mayor Chris Whiting said the council was not ready to handle such a big project and it would need to be properly resourced - otherwise it could be a disaster. "We have to have the infrastructure right for this,'' he said.

Amendments to council's planning scheme will be drafted over the next two years along with a new structure plan for consultation with the community.