Public Notice

Pursuant to section 59 of the Economic Development Act 2012 the Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ) gives notice that public notification of the proposed development scheme for the Waraba PDA has commenced.

The MEDQ invites you to make a written submission about the proposed development scheme between 18 May to 2 July 2026 (the submission period).

For further information visit here: yoursay.edq.qld.gov.au/Waraba-pda

Phone: 07 3452 7880
Email: [email protected]
Post: Economic Development Queensland, GPO Box 2202, Brisbane, 4001

Key details

The Waraba Priority Development Area (the PDA) was declared by regulation on 2 August 2024.

The PDA is envisaged to develop over 40 years into a vibrant community for people to live, work, learn and play. It will accommodate a population of around 65,000 people in about 25,000 homes and provide for approximately 17,000 jobs in various employment and activity centre locations.

Waraba will be an attractive place to live in the City of Moreton Bay with a broad range of housing choices, community facilities and employment opportunities designed with, and connected by, an efficient transport network and expansive greenspace network. Planning and development of the Waraba PDA is designed to integrate with existing and emerging communities in the adjoining suburban areas.

The PDA includes approximately 2,880 hectares of land that is bounded by the existing and emerging suburban areas of Bellmere, Lilywood and Wagtail Grove to the east, the D’Aguilar Highway to the north, Caboolture River Road to the south and to the west by the low hills along Old North Road.

Development Scheme

The proposed Development Scheme (the Scheme) is the statutory planning instrument that will guide land use and development within the Waraba PDA. It functions as the policy framework which future development applications are assessed with.

The Scheme establishes the vision for Waraba’s long-term growth. It explains how land will be used and developed over time to deliver well‑planned neighbourhoods with homes, jobs, centres, schools, parks, services and infrastructure. The scheme provides clear guidance to ensure development is coordinated, connected and integrated with surrounding communities.

Public Notification

Public notification provides an opportunity to review the proposed Development Scheme and make a written submission. Submissions received during the notification period will be considered as part of finalising the scheme.

Public notification period: 18 May 2026 to 2 July 2026

 

How to make a submission

Submissions can be made to the Minister for Economic Development Queensland (MEDQ) during the public notification period, which runs to 2 July 2026.

For information about upcoming engagement activities and how to make a submission, please visit the Waraba PDA Have Your Say page.

Waraba PDA Interim Land Use Plan (ILUP)

The Waraba PDA ILUP is a temporary planning instrument which regulates development in a PDA until the PDA Development Scheme is finalised.

The ILUP is in effect while detailed planning and community engagement is undertaken as part of the Development Scheme preparation process.

Development assessment

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is taking responsibility for assessing development applications.

In relation to the changes to the Development Assessment delegation, EDQ is committed to assisting Moreton Bay City Council (Council) and applicants manage a seamless transition of assessment and decision-making arrangements.

EDQ is working with Council on a transition process. During this time, Council will continue working on existing applications currently under assessment.  As Council progresses with these existing assessments, Council will liaise closely with EDQ on any decisions.  Applicants will be contacted by EDQ should significant matters arise with current applications or in the event of staff changes arising from the transition.

New applications or requests for pre-lodgement meetings can now be submitted with EDQ through our Customer Portal.

Any urgent queries can be directed to [email protected].

 

Frequently asked questions

EDQ is now responsible for assessing development applications in the Waraba PDA. New applications or requests for pre-lodgement meetings can be submitted through EDQ’s Customer Portal.

EDQ is now responsible for assessing water and sewer network applications in the Waraba PDA. New applications or requests for pre-lodgement meetings can be submitted through EDQ’s Customer Portal.

During the transition process, Council will continue working on development applications currently under assessment. As Council progresses the assessment, Council will liaise closely with EDQ on any decisions.

Development applications properly made before the Waraba PDA declaration continue to be assessed and decided by the Moreton Bay City Council under the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act). Refer to section 44 of the Economic Development Act 2012 (ED Act).

Existing development approvals are not impacted by the declaration of a PDA. Refer to section 45 of the ED Act.

Section 45 of the ED Act enables a cancellation or a minor change application to be lodged for a Planning Act development approval, despite the Waraba PDA’s declaration. These types of applications can be lodged and assessed under the Planning Act.

Now the PDA has been declared, development proposals (other than a cancellation or minor change to a Planning Act development approval) must be lodged and assessed as a PDA development application under the ED Act.

Conditions compliance and plan sealing assessment for approval issued under the Planning Act will be carried out by Council in accordance with the Planning Scheme requirements. If the Planning Act approval is for a ROL/MOU, any subsequent Operational Works application, including water and sewerage infrastructure, shall be lodged to EDQ under the ED Act.

For PDA development approved:

  • by Moreton Bay City Council (under delegated authority) before 18 May 2026, conditions compliance and plan sealing assessment will continue to be carried out by Council.
  • after 18 May 2026, conditions compliance and plan sealing assessment will be carry out by EDQ. In particular, operational works required as part of a PDA approvals issue after 18 May 2026, will be carried out under the EDQ Certification Procedure Manual (CPM).

Infrastructure

The Infrastructure Funding Framework (IFF) establishes interim infrastructure plans and charging policies to fund delivery of a range of local and state infrastructure and services required to support future development in the Waraba PDA.

The IFF applies to PDA applications in the Waraba PDA until such time as the Development Scheme takes effect.

 

Infrastructure Activation Fund

The Infrastructure Activation Fund is a $2.4 billion investment by the Queensland and Australian Governments to fast-track homes within key growth areas over the next five years.

Across Queensland, the program will unlock or accelerate 51,368 new homes, with 20,547 supporting first home buyers. Within the Waraba PDA, this includes supporting the delivery of approximately 16,845 new homes to mid-2034, with 6,738 supporting first home buyers.

Led by EDQ, the program will support the delivery of these homes over the next eight years by investing in key catalyst infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer upgrades. The investment will unlock development ready land specifically in the Waraba, Southern Thornlands and Mount Peter PDAs and other key growth areas.

Further information regarding the program is available on the Infrastructure Activation Fund page.

Waraba PDA Boundary Map

Last updated: 22 May 2026
South East Queensland
Bounded by Bellmere, Lilywood and Wagtail Grove to the east, D’Aguilar Highway to the north, Caboolture River Road to the south and Old North Road to the west
2,900ha
PDA
PDA Regulatory Map
View Waraba PDA Map
Key Information
Proposed Development Scheme
PDF • 10 MB
Interim Land Use Plan (ILUP)
PDF • 5 MB
Infrastructure Funding Framework (IFF)
PDF • 14 MB

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