QLD Govt invests $71m towards the Caboolture River Road upgrade

As part of the SEQ City Deal, the Queensland Government is investing $71 million towards the Caboolture River Road upgrade, which will support growth in the Waraba Priority Development Area (PDA) and the wider Caboolture region. 

Waraba is expected to provide up to 30,000 new homes for about 70,000 people over the next four decades, and the population will have access to around 17,000 jobs associated with employment, industrial, centre and commercial land uses. 

“We’re investing in the infrastructure the community needs and this includes $71 million to widen the Caboolture River Road to four lanes. 

“This will improve key intersections, traffic flow and provide new pedestrian and cycling paths. 

“It will also support existing residents in Morayfield and Caboolture helping to ease congestion and improve road safety. 

“We’ll continue to work with City of Moreton Bay on delivering the infrastructure Waraba needs for the future,” Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said. 

Upgrading Caboolture River Road will provide access and support to initial stages of development within the Waraba PDA while also catering to growing and future traffic demands in the growth area. 

Project map (source: City of Moreton Bay)

This upgrade will transform Caboolture River Road between Grant Road and Morayfield Road into a four-lane carriageway with two lanes in each direction, with new cycling and pedestrian paths on both sides of the road. 

The project will also include: 

• Installing additional traffic turning lanes at key intersections 

• Installing new traffic lights at the intersection of Amy and Kenneth streets 

• Upgrading the existing traffic lights at Grant Road and Morayfield Road 

• Changing access at ben Street and Lorebury Drive to left in/left out only 

Construction on this project is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed by 2028, subject to weather conditions and other factors. 

“We have a rapidly growing local community and one of the biggest issues when you have growth is providing the right infrastructure so that people can get around efficiently and safely. 

“Having effective transport infrastructure like good roads in the right places makes a very real difference to the everyday quality of life for our people. 

“That’s why I have advocated so strongly for this project because I know it will make a change for the better,” Minister for Police and Community Safety and Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said. 

The investment for the Caboolture River Road upgrade is from the Queensland Government’s $100 million contribution to the South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal Growth Areas Compact (GAC) that will help support new residents moving to Waraba and existing local communities following detailed infrastructure master planning and prioritisation by the City of Moreton Bay. 

In August of this year, the State Government announced $13 million in GAC funding as part of the $38.5 million funding for wastewater infrastructure Stage 1 of the GAC to unlock over 2,500 new houses in Lilywood, the first new suburb in Waraba. 

“City of Moreton Bay is experiencing a rapid increase in population, with Waraba just one of our many growth areas. 

“We have been calling for critical infrastructure investment and planning to enable more connectivity and housing in our City, so this funding is very welcome and highlights why the City Deal is just so important. 

“Today’s announcement will see the timely delivery of enabling infrastructure for Waraba and this is an important milestone for our City. 

“We will continue to work closely with the Queensland Government on detailed planning for the remaining $16 million allocated to City of Moreton Bay in GAC funding, including our own commitment of $10 million. We are working with the Federal Government to try and convert their loan as part of the GAC funding to fast track delivery of Buchanan Road. 

“This project, to be delivered by the City of Moreton Bay, highlights how vital SEQ City Deal funding is for our local communities,” City of Moreton Bay Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; City of Moreton Bay (1, 2); Economic Development Queensland; Infrastructure Magazine