MEDIA RELEASE

 

North Harbour Planned for Climate Change

4 December 2009

 

The proposed North Harbour on the southern bank of the Caboolture River has been planned to withstand the full effects of climate change.

Northeast Business Park director Neil Morris said the $628 million master planned community would be developed at almost four metres above the current average sea level, well beyond the anticipated impact of sea level rises.

Mr Morris said Moreton Bay Regional Council required development to be at least 3.23 metres above sea level and North Harbour comfortably exceeded that requirement.

“Scarborough is built at 1.73 metres so the heartache caused by significant rises due to climate change will be felt elsewhere in the district long before North Harbour,” Mr Morris said.

He said the project would also be developed above the 1 in 100 year (Q100) flood level and an independent study showed the planned flood mitigation strategies would ensure there was no flooding impact on neighbouring properties.

The Queensland Government Coordinator-General has recommended North Harbour be approved, satisfied that the project is well within climate change guidelines.

The self-contained community will ultimately be home to 5500 residents and will be a substantial shot in the arm for the local economy with the expectation of up to 1500 jobs during construction and 14,000 fulltime positions within the completed development.

But Mr Morris said the construction of the 900 berth marina and dredging of the navigation channel in the lower reaches of the Caboolture River was an integral part of project, providing the stimulus for the development of 160 hectares of business park.

“If you build the marina, a marine industry service precinct will follow. That is a fundamental part of the project and will be an early focus,” he said.

Moreton Bay Regional Council is expected to consider its approval of the project in the coming weeks, but support for the marina and the associated business development has received a huge tick from marine and business organisations.

Prominent Queensland boat builder Bill Barry-Cotter, founder of both Maritimo and Riviera, said the marina would see the emergence of a marine industry cluster that would provide significant jobs and growth.

“The marina provides a focus, and with it will come jobs and a substantial consolidation of the industry in the Caboolture region,” he said.

Marine Industry Association of Queensland General Manager Don Jones said the North Harbour project was critical to the ongoing growth and development of the industry north of Brisbane.

“The industry is desperately undeveloped and there is tremendous pent up demand, but the marina can be the catalyst for a significant marine industry cluster similar to what has been created on the Gold Coast,” Mr Jones said.

The Bribie Island Volunteer Marine Rescue Commodore Bob Dempsey said the marina would provide a great resource for medivacs and search and rescue operations.

“In terms or servicing, refuelling and access to Caboolture Hospital, North Harbour is going to be an enormous asset,” Mr Dempsey said.