Petrie Paper Mill begins transformation into university hub

The Moreton Bay region’s transformation into a university hub is well under way.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joined Member for Kallangur Shane King and Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd to tour the site of a new University of the Sunshine Coast campus on the old Petrie Paper Mill site.

Ms Palaszczuk said demolition work would soon be finished as the university moved towards its first intake of students by 2020.

Ms Palaszczuk said the university project would provide a major boost to education and jobs, both key priorities for the Government.

“The Moreton Bay university campus will cater for up to 10,000 students in the first 10 years, with the site expected to lead to the creation of 2800 ongoing jobs,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The Moreton Bay Region is experiencing strong growth, so the addition of new jobs is essential to maintaining a strong economy.

“The addition of higher education places will ensure the economic strength of this important growth corridor well into the future and is very much in line with the Government’s Advance Queensland agenda.”

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said State and Federal funding and support were essential to the delivery of the university precinct.

“The Moreton Bay Region is one of the fastest growing urban areas in the country, with a predicted population growth of 40 percent over the next 20 years,” Mayor Sutherland said.

"It’s imperative that we are putting plans in place now for jobs and education places that will service the future residents of this region.

“We have already achieved a number of key milestones for this university project, including securing a site in an excellent location at the junction of the Caboolture and Moreton Bay Rail lines and securing a university partner. The soon to be opened Moreton Bay Rail line also makes this the right time and place for the establishment of this university precinct.

“We will continue to speak with the state and federal governments about support into the future.

“This university precinct is not only going to be great for people living in its immediate vicinity, but for everyone in the region.”

Member for Kallangur Shane King said the university would transform the local community.

“We have a fantastic community and great local businesses,” Mr King said.

“Having our own university will help those businesses grow and our community transform into university town with all the associated infrastructure.”

Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said the precinct would be well-place in the community and benefit from local transport infrastructure.

“People like Bernard Salt have said this is the best place in Australia to build a university,” Ms Boyd said.

“It’s right where the North Coast Rail Line will meet with Moreton Bay Rail Line which means local students and students from around Brisbane will have easy access.”

When the USC campus at Petrie opens in 2020, it will offer more than 30 courses, including law, business, science, engineering and many more.

For more information, including images and flyovers, visit www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/uniprecinct

Media contact: 3719 7000