Minister for Transport and Main Roads, The Honourable Mark Bailey, has announced the preferred route for Stage 2 of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative. A 60-kilometre transport corridor designed to take pressure off the Bruce Highway and support growth in the Moreton Bay region.
The selection of the 16-kilometre Stage 2 corridor connecting Moorina and Narangba followed extensive community consultation, with more than 1000 pieces of feedback received since July. The Minister noted that the Moreton Bay region is set to grow, with an expected population of over 656,000 people by 2041, and getting a corridor locked in early was vital to supporting growth and preventing gridlock between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
The announcement of the preferred alignment for Stage 2 gives landholders and homeowners more certainty around future transport needs, according to Minister Bailey. He acknowledged that the project is a difficult time for those directly impacted but emphasized that planning for population growth in the region is necessary. By planning ahead, the government can give certainty to local residents and ensure the delivery of something that meets the needs of the community in the long term.
Gazettal of the Stage 2 section will get underway in 2023, outlining the requirements for the area as a transport corridor and ensuring the route is protected from future development.
“We expect more than 656,000 people to move to the Moreton Bay region by 2041,” Minister Bailey said.
The Bruce Highway Western Alternative aims to take pressure off the Bruce Highway, allowing it to service long-distance travel and freight movements. Half the corridor is now secured, with the eight-kilometre Stage 1 section from Moodlu to Moorina confirmed in late 2021. Planning will start in 2023 for Stage 3 of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative, which runs from Narangba to Bald Hills, with Stage 4 to follow.
Minister Bailey encouraged locals to register for email updates on the project and take every opportunity to have their say. By engaging with the consultation and planning process, the community can help ensure that the Bruce Highway Western Alternative meets their needs and supports the growth of the Moreton Bay region for years to come.