The Queensland Bruce Highway Western Alternative (BHWA) has locked in its Stage 2 gazettal section, marking half of the planned 60km transport corridor now confirmed, connecting Moorina and Narangba and reducing traffic on the Bruce Highway.
Selection of the 16km Stage 2 corridor follows extensive community consultation, with more than 1,000 pieces of feedback received since July 2022.
In its entirety, the BHWA will be a 60km transport corridor extending from Steve Irwin Way at Beerburrum to the North Brisbane Area.
Gazettal of the Stage 2 section will get underway in 2023, to outline the requirements for the area as a transport corridor and ensure the route is protected from future development.
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.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is prioritising liaising with landowners identified as being directly impacted by the preferred alignment.
Protection of the Stage 2 corridor as a future State-controlled road is expected to be finalised by mid-2023.
Timeframes for more detailed planning, design, and construction of the BHWA Stage 2 (Moorina to Narangba) project are not known at this time and will depend on future funding commitments.
Protecting the land from development for the full length of the BHWA is a priority for the Australian and Queensland governments.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey, said half the corridor for the Stage 2 gazettal section was now secured and locked in, marking a pivotal step in the stage, as the Moreton Bay region population is set to grow.
“We expect more than 656,000 people to move to the Moreton Bay region by 2041,” Mr Bailey said.
“This western alternative to the Bruce Highway will be essential in supporting growth and to prevent gridlock between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
“Planning ahead allows us to give certainty to local residents, and ensure we are delivering something that meets the needs of the community in the long term.
“A big thank you to all those who have engaged in the consultation and planning process so far – I encourage you to stay engaged as we progress to Stages 3 and 4.”
Mr Bailey said the release of the preferred alignment for Stage 2, gives landholders and homeowners more certainty around our future transport needs.
“I acknowledge this is a difficult time for those directly impacted. Moreton Bay is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia and we need to plan for that population growth.
“We all want to spend less time in traffic and this road project is an important part of ensuring that residents have good access to community infrastructure and jobs.
“We are already accepting early submissions and feedback on the next stages, and I recommend locals register for email updates on the project and take every opportunity to have their say,” Mr Bailey said.
Early feedback on these future stages can be provided online or by contacting the project team.
The BHWA aims to take pressure off the Bruce Highway, allowing it to service long-distance travel and freight movements.
The 8km Stage 1 section, from Moodlu to Moorina, was confirmed in late 2021.
Feature image: Preferred Alignment of BHWA. Image: Queensland Government
