Not everyone wants to talk about council announcements and land strategy, but this one could shape the next 20 years of building work just north of Brisbane.

If you’re in the game builder, tradie, estimator, or just someone who wants to stay ahead then what’s happening in Moreton Bay right now is worth a look.

We’ve been following the momentum for a while. But as Pete said on The Good Builder Daily Dose last week,

“Moreton Bay is where it’s at. If you’re a Queensland builder, gee… you could just log into that region, get a few displays in Caboolture West, and you’d have a solid pipeline of work.”

Let’s break down why.

Just before Easter, the Queensland Government quietly gave the green light to open up a massive stretch of farmland in Elimbah for development.

Elimbah sits just north of the fast-growing Waraba region (formerly Caboolture West), which is already pegged to house 70,000 people in coming decades. Until now, that Elimbah land was off-limits. Now, it’s fair game and that changes everything.

“They’re going to allow investigations to be undertaken, look at infrastructure needs, and start moving this towards a developable state,” Pete explained. “Elimbah will be hot on the heels of Waraba. It’s the next wave.”

Here’s the thing: South East Queensland needs homes. Fast.

According to the SEQ Regional Plan, the area needs to accommodate over 2 million more people by 2046. A huge chunk of that pressure falls on councils like Moreton Bay, who are now stepping up.

For builders and trades, that means:

• More land is coming online
• Big infrastructure is getting planned
• Estates are already selling out.

Stockland’s display village in Caboolture West? Oversubscribed.

Lillywood Landing’s master village? Gone.

Builders aren’t just sniffing around, they’re already moving in.

The groundwork is real. This isn’t just flashy renders and PR spin.

• Waraba PDA (Priority Development Area): Will deliver 30,000 homes, nine primary schools, three secondary schools, a private hospital, and a TAFE. Infrastructure Progress: An initial $38.5 million has been allocated for critical water and wastewater infrastructure, supporting the first 2,500 homes in the new suburb of Lilywood. Affordable Housing Commitment: The Waraba PDA mandates that 25% of homes be set aside for affordable and social housing, aligning with the Queensland Government’s Homes for Queenslanders Plan.
• The Mill at Moreton Bay (Petrie): This 460-hectare mixed-use precinct includes USC’s Moreton Bay campus, commercial and retail zones, and new housing.
• Elimbah (New Growth Precinct): Recently unlocked for planning and infrastructure scoping. This area’s expected to pick up overflow growth from Waraba.
• Bruce Highway Western Alternative: This major road project is gaining steam, aiming to relieve traffic pressure and make west-of-the-Bruce growth areas viable.
• Developers like ID_Land are buying big with $1 billion worth of land at Rocksberg, near Elimbah, for a 3,000-lot residential project.

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery has been vocal about getting infrastructure built early, not late.

He recently called for the region to be prioritised ahead of the 2032 Olympics, warning that:

“If the Bruce Highway Western Alternative isn’t underway soon, we’ll be in gridlock.”

In short? The local council wants the growth, and they’re planning ahead.

Pete summed it up perfectly on the pod,

“The council’s really proactive. They can see what Moreton Bay can become and they’re actually backing it with planning and infrastructure.”

If you’re a builder or in the supply chain, there are a few things to keep an eye on:

• New project announcements – Whether you’re looking for work or trying to set up display homes, now’s the time to make calls.
• Infrastructure tenders – Roads, schools, and services will need builders and subcontractors across the board.
• Land data tools like OpenLot – Pete reckons tools like this are gold for figuring out where the demand is landing. “They show what areas buyers are actually looking at,” he said.
• Council engagement – Moreton Bay Regional Council is open to working with builders. If you’re planning something, now’s the time to engage.

Sometimes it’s all noise. Buzzwords. A few media releases and nothing changes.

But this one feels different.

Waraba is already booming. Elimbah is now unlocked. The Mill at Petrie is rising fast. And the council’s not dragging its heels, they’re pushing hard to make it work.

Let us know what you think.

Author: The Good Builder

The Good Builder is a media platform that provides news and insights for Australia’s home building industry. From exclusive stories and curated insights to bold industry perspectives, we deliver the news and updates that keep builders, suppliers, and the entire home building industry inspired and ahead of the curve.