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Self-flying air taxis taking off from Redcliffe and high-capacity metros connecting Scarborough are key features of an ambitious new strategy to prepare the City of Moreton Bay for a population of one million.
Redcliffe residents could one day swap their car commute for a “Bay Cat” ferry or a self-flying air taxi under a bold new transport strategy being championed by the City of Moreton Bay.
This vision is part of the council’s ‘City of Tomorrow’ strategy, a 10-year plan presented at the recent 2025 Moreton Bay Leaders’ Forum in Redcliffe. The strategy aims to address the region’s booming population, which is expected to double to 1 million over the next 30 years. With the 2032 Games on the horizon, the council is asking the State and Federal governments for funding to build critical infrastructure now, noting that, for too long, funding has not kept pace with population growth. Mayor Peter Flannery said the city needs these projects to tackle congestion, create jobs, and unlock housing, arguing that doing nothing is not an option.
Ferries and Flying Taxis
The plan proposes major new travel options centred on the peninsula. One key idea is a Moreton Bay ferry service, dubbed “Bay Cats,” which could link Redcliffe Pier with Brisbane’s Riverside. The council believes this service could offer travel times similar to or even faster than driving on the congested Bruce Highway and would boost tourism. It is seeking $500,000 for a feasibility study and a trial service.
Even more futuristic is the push for advanced air mobility. This would involve using local facilities, such as the Redcliffe Aerodrome, as hubs for all-electric, self-flying air taxis. The council sees this as a serious transport option for the 2032 Games and is already looking at partners like Wisk, a developer of four-seat autonomous aircraft.
Earning Public Trust
Before these air taxis can become a reality, operators acknowledge a major hurdle: winning over the public. Industry insiders state that gaining public trust, both from passengers and from people on the ground, is a firm requirement for the service to begin.
Safety is being called the number one priority. The aircraft are being developed to meet the same high standards as other commercial passenger planes. In Australia, this means a rigorous certification process with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The companies involved hope to build community confidence through this process and, over time, establish a record of safe flights.
Easing the Squeeze on the Ground
While air and sea travel are on the horizon, the strategy’s highest priority is fixing the gridlock on local roads. The council is pushing for an expedited 2032 delivery of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative to divert freight and long-distance traffic.
The plan also calls for new rapid transport to better connect the city from east to west. This includes high-capacity metro lines to link Newport and Scarborough with Kippa-Ring Station, and another from Clontarf and Margate. This push comes with stark warnings: modelling shows that by 2036, boom gates at some level crossings south of Petrie could be down for an entire hour during peak periods if nothing changes. Other projects include a new peak-hour express train from Petrie and a rapid bus from Waraba to Caboolture, which is also slated for a major revitalisation.
The advocacy effort, presented at the recent Moreton Bay Leaders’ Forum, aims to build on past successes. Mayor Flannery noted that a previous forum helped secure $15 million in state funding for the new Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital.
Published Date 04-November-2025
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