News
29 October, 2025
Making tomorrow count
CITY of Moreton Bay has unveiled an ambitious vision to transform the region into one of Australia’s most connected and liveable urban areas, with plans spanning self-flying air taxis, high-capacity metros and a new ferry network known as the Bay Cats.
The “City of Tomorrow” strategy, launched before more than 250 guests at Friday’s Moreton Bay Leaders’ Forum (Oct 24), lays out Council’s priority projects as the region’s population heads towards one million residents within 30 years.
The 10-year advocacy plan calls for major state and federal investment in infrastructure ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Games, positioning Moreton Bay as a national model for sustainable urban growth.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the city’s rapid expansion demanded immediate action on transport, housing and jobs.
“We know the infrastructure our city needs to tackle congestion, unlock housing, provide employment opportunities and go green as we grow – but we cannot do this alone,” he said.
“Doing nothing is not an option.”
Top priorities include the long-awaited Bruce Highway Western Alternative to divert freight and commuter traffic from the heavily congested Bruce Highway, and a Caboolture revitalisation program combining commercial investment with new housing and transport links.
The strategy also outlines a push for express peak-hour trains on the Redcliffe line, high-capacity metro connections to Kippa-Ring, and rapid-bus links from Waraba to Caboolture.
Complementing the ground-based transport plans are proposals for a Moreton Bay ferry service and a bold entry into advanced air mobility.
The Bay Cats ferry network would connect Redcliffe Pier to Brisbane’s Riverside, easing highway congestion and offering a new tourism drawcard. Council is also working with electric aircraft developer Wisk to explore autonomous air taxi services using Redcliffe and Caboolture aerodromes in time for the 2032 Games.
Friday’s forum also brought a series of funding wins, headlined by a $15 million State Government commitment to build the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital and Education Hub on council-donated land at Dakabin.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the project would provide world-class care for native species such as koalas and sugar gliders, while easing pressure on existing facilities at Wacol and Beerwah.
Mayor Flannery said the milestone marked the culmination of years of advocacy. “It will mean injured wildlife can be treated locally rather than being driven for hours for emergency care, increasing survival rates and easing the burden on rescuers,” he said.
Wildlife Hospital Foundation director Christine West said finalising the grant meant construction could now proceed.
“We are grateful for the support of the Queensland Government and City of Moreton Bay in helping us make this vision a reality,” she said.
In another win for the region, the Federal Government announced $1.5 million to expand the city’s CCTV network, one of Queensland’s largest.
Member for Dickson Ali France said the investment would boost community safety, with more than 1800 existing cameras already assisting police through real-time alerts and licence-plate recognition.
Mayor Flannery said the funding reaffirmed the success of the Leaders’ Forum model, which since 2021 has helped deliver the Youngs Crossing upgrade and secured the Dolphins’ NRL licence.
“It shows what’s possible when all levels of government work together,” he said.
