North Brisbane - Bruce Highway Western Alternative, planning

The Australian and Queensland governments have jointly funded planning to address current and emerging transport issues in the Bruce Highway corridor.

Planning for a new transport corridor between Beerburrum and north Brisbane is among the key initiatives and will provide an alternative route to the Bruce Highway to help alleviate congestion and accommodate future growth in the area.

Benefits

  • Improves safety
  • Increases capacity
  • Improves network efficiency
  • Increases traffic flow
  • Better road access
  • Accessibility
  • Reduces travel time
  • Contributes to economy
  • Contributes to regional growth
  • Better active transport

Key features

  • Improves access, connectivity, and travel options for existing and emerging communities.
  • Supports major expansion areas identified in SEQ Regional Plan, including Elimbah, Waraba (Caboolture West), Morayfield South, Pine Valley, and The Mill at Moreton Bay Priority Development Area in Petrie.
  • Improves safety.
  • Increases transport capacity and network resilience.
  • Supports future economic growth and development in the region.
  • Preserves and supports the existing function and efficiency of the Bruce Highway.
  • Improves travel time and reliability.

Funding

The study is funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on a 50:50 basis. Investment ID 2046348

Total investment
$20 million
Australian Government
$10 million
Queensland Government
$10 million 

Current status

Bruce Highway Western Alternative

Transport corridor planning and protection is being progressed in stages as part of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative.

Stage 1 (Caboolture West) Moodlu to Moorina – protected for a future state-controlled road in June 2022. 

Stage 2 Moorina to Narangba – protected for a future state-controlled road in June 2023.

View the alignments in the Queensland Government Development Assessment Mapping System.

Stage 3 Narangba to Bald Hills

Investigations are continuing into corridor options for Stage 3. Early feedback on the indicative study area continues to be invited. The department will keep the community updated as planning progresses. Planning for Stage 3 will continue into 2024.

Stage 4 Beerburrum to Moodlu

TMR sought feedback on possible corridor options for Stage 4 between Beerburrum and Moodlu from 30 November 2023 to 9 February 2024. All feedback received will be carefully considered and will help inform next steps, timelines and further technical investigations needed. This includes consideration of suggestions for alternate corridor alignments. TMR will keep the community informed on feedback outcomes and opportunities to provide further feedback. 

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Project map

Bruce Highway Western Alternative - November 2023

Map showing the 4 early planning stages including the Stage 4 corridor options and the Stage 3 indicative study area.

In addition to corridor planning and protection for a western alternative to the Bruce Highway, the initiative includes funding for the:

Brisbane to Sunshine Coast Rail Corridor Strategy 

The strategy will develop an investment program for the North Coast rail line between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Further investment in rail for the North Coast rail line will be staged according to the highest priorities across the transport and rail networks to meet population growth and service demand.

View the strategy for further information.

Sustainability

The department considers social, environmental, and economic costs and benefits when assessing and delivering infrastructure projects.

The transport corridor planning and protection completed so far has considered and balanced the merits of multiple factors in determining the preferred corridor alignment.

The department acknowledges the sensitive nature of planning for a new transport corridor and the associated potential future impacts.

The Queensland Government's responsibility to provide a better and safer transport network sometimes means that privately owned land may be acquired for transport infrastructure purposes. Property impacts for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative cannot be avoided and the department works closely with landowners directly impacted by the preferred alignment, surrounding property owners and the wider community.

Areas of environmental and cultural heritage are important considerations. As planning progresses for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative, the department will continue to engage with the community and key stakeholders, including the Traditional Owners, to gather feedback and plan future mitigation measures. The project will comply with relevant Australian and Queensland governments' legislation.