Council
12 November, 2025
Council calls on more investment to revitalise Caboolture
Moreton Bay Council is calling on the State and Federal Government to help transform Caboolture into a powerful, designated urban hub servicing the northern half of the rapidly expanding city.
By Marina Gomide
Moreton Bay Council is calling on the State and Federal Government to help transform Caboolture into a powerful, designated urban hub servicing the northern half of the rapidly expanding city.
As Moreton Bay plans for a future population of 1 million within the next 30 years, Caboolture’s activation as a Principal Regional Activity Centre was called a crucial “catalytic initiative” necessary to propel the polycentric city vision forward.
According to Council’s newly released ‘City of Tomorrow’ 10-year Advocacy Action Plan, the overarching goal for the Caboolture Revitalisation is to seek commercial and partnership investment to deliver crucial improvements in employment, diverse housing supply (including social and affordable housing), transport options, and enhanced safety and amenity.
The activation of the Caboolture CBD is expected to provide significant social and economic benefits to the central and northern parts of South East Queensland (SEQ) through its enhanced role.
According to the action plan, to pave the way for future development and revitalisation, a major infrastructure gap must be addressed immediately: a $14m stormwater drainage upgrade is required from the State and Federal Governments.
This investment is said to be essential to mitigate serious flooding issues that affect the eastern part of the Caboolture Central Business District (CBD), currently classified as a medium risk flood hazard area.
Transport connectivity is another core focus of the advocacy plan for the region, with significant plans centred on efficient movement:
• Public Transport: A rapid bus priority service connecting Waraba to Caboolture is planned within the next 10 years, integrating with rail timetabling. This addresses the critical need for improved public transport options to access growth areas.
• Open Level Crossing Removals: Caboolture is the site of two critical open level crossings earmarked for urgent removal by the State Government at Pumicestone Road and McKean Street.
Without intervention, extensive delays of up to an hour at crossings during peak periods are forecast by 2036, causing productivity and liveability losses.
In addition to these priorities, planned upgrades to the Bruce Highway between Uhlmann Road and Bribie Island Road near Caboolture are currently unfunded, contributing to ongoing congestion issues.
Caboolture is also anticipated to be a location in the northern half of the city that will experience a more compact urban form, with infill development becoming the primary growth management approach beyond 2046.
Council is actively advocating for investment to support its vision, including the attraction of government organisations and corporate companies to utilise underutilised office spaces for corporate companies, as well as opportunities for social and affordable housing.
This vision is currently being informed by an Infrastructure Coordination Plan being prepared specifically for Caboolture.
Furthermore, the region is positioning itself for future transport innovation, as the Caboolture Aerodrome is planned for activation as a pilot site for Advanced Air Mobility operators, offering opportunities for faster, cleaner, and more accessible transport networks across the SEQ region.
Beyond infrastructure, Caboolture’s future will also hinge on sustainability.
The Caboolture River has been identified as a priority catchment, with Council seeking critical funding to implement restoration projects to improve water quality and creek health.
The City of Tomorrow strategy seeks external funding to deliver essential services and infrastructure ahead of projected growth, aiming to avoid playing ‘catch up’ with demand in the next 10 years.
