North Harbour PDA: first 249 homes start while 3,700-home plan awaits scheme

What's happening

Just under a year after the North Harbour Priority Development Area was declared at Burpengary East in Moreton Bay, works have started to support the first 249 homes. The Good Builder reported the progress on 31 July 2026. The PDA covers about 421 hectares east of the Bruce Highway, bounded by the Caboolture River, and is planned for more than 3,700 homes in total.

The article points out the gap between the headline number and what can be built today. Under the Interim Land Use Plan, only the Early Release Area is open for housing. By the article's estimate, about 250 homes are available for development now, not 3,700. Its advice to readers was: "Read the timeline, not the total."

The key details

The PDA is split into two precincts. Precinct 1, the Early Release Area, was earmarked for the "immediate early delivery of approximately 200 homes", and works now support 249 dwellings, mostly terraces and detached homes. Precinct 2, the Investigation Area, covers the rest of the PDA. New urban development there is restricted until the development scheme is finalised, although existing lawful, temporary and interim uses can continue.

• Area: about 421 hectares
• Total planned homes: more than 3,700, including villas, detached houses and apartments
• Marina: 400 wet berths, a dry stacker for 500 boats and 511 private pontoons
• Other uses: marine industry, retail, tourism, open space and a hotel
• Projections: nearly 2,000 jobs and $456 million a year for the Moreton Bay economy at full delivery

Burpengary East's population has grown 43% since 2021, and Moreton Bay is forecast to reach 792,700 people by 2046. EDQ assesses development applications within the PDA, and infrastructure charges follow the City of Moreton Bay's charging schedule.

Timeline and next steps

• 30 July 2025: PDA declared, and the Interim Land Use Plan takes effect
• August 2025 to July 2026: integrated land use and infrastructure planning
• Mid-2026: works start for the first 249 homes
• August–September 2026: public notification of the proposed development scheme and development charges plan, for at least 30 business days
• January 2027: scheduled finalisation of the development scheme

Why it matters for developers and landowners

PDAs can move faster than standard council processes. North Harbour went from declaration to works in under 12 months. But the land actually released depends on the final development scheme. Until that is adopted, most of the area remains restricted.

For landholders and buyers looking at the northern Moreton Bay corridor, January 2027 is the milestone to watch. The final scheme and charges plan will set out where and how the remaining land can be developed, and what infrastructure contributions will apply. Those details matter more to site value than the 3,700-home headline.

Frequently asked questions

How many homes are planned at North Harbour?

More than 3,700 homes across the 421-hectare PDA. Only the Early Release Area, where works support 249 homes, is currently open for housing.

When will the North Harbour development scheme be finalised?

Finalisation is scheduled for January 2027, after public notification in August and September 2026.

Where is the North Harbour PDA?

At Burpengary East in the City of Moreton Bay, east of the Bruce Highway and bordered by the Caboolture River.

Source: The Good Builder, published 31 July 2026. This article is an independent summary and commentary by GC Prestige based on the original report — read the source for full details.