Council
21 November, 2025
Moreton manufacturing reaches record growth
Moreton Bay’s manufacturing sector is accelerating at record pace, with new data showing strong growth, rising innovation and increasing adoption of artificial intelligence across local industry.
Moreton Bay’s manufacturing sector is accelerating at record pace, with new data showing strong growth, rising innovation and increasing adoption of artificial intelligence across local industry.
The city, already responsible for 37 per cent of all domestic and international print manufacturing exports in South East Queensland, is now seeing major expansion in other manufacturing sectors.
More than 100 industry representatives attended the recent Megatrends in Manufacturing forum, underscoring the region’s growing momentum.
Manufacturing remains one of the city’s economic pillars, employing more than 10,000 residents and contributing $1.5 billion annually in exports.
“Events like Megatrends help local businesses innovate, upskill and connect with research and government to future-proof their operations,” City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said.
One of the strongest performers is Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing, which recorded 15 per cent jobs growth and an 11 per cent rise in value-add between 2023 and 2024, bucking the downward trend seen across SEQ.
Council said this growth supports its long-term goal of a $40 billion economy by 2041, built through close partnerships between government, industry and education.
AI adoption is rapidly reshaping the sector. National data from the AI Adoption Tracker shows 28 per cent of manufacturing businesses surveyed are already using AI—changes that are quickly filtering into the Moreton Bay region.
At the Megatrends event, Darren Ramia-Topp from The Industry Factory said the shift to AI was becoming essential.
“Manufacturers are starting to see real value in AI, especially in streamlining operations and developing the skills to lead their teams through the changes that AI is creating,” he said.
