The site of the old Petrie paper mill is undergoing transformation into a major precinct featuring a Moreton Bay campus for the University of the Sunshine Coast, as well as health, retail, commercial, residential and community infrastructure to come.
The 460 hectare Priority Development Area spans the suburbs of Petrie, Lawnton and Kallangur, and is expected to generate up to 6000 local jobs, 10,000 places for university students in the first 10 years, and $950 million in annual economic benefit for the Queensland economy.
Moreton Bay Regional Council says the current works have been “well received” by the local community, with the new university foundation building opening on March 9, 2020. More than 1500 students have enrolled.
“The precinct incorporates high quality streetscapes and public open spaces, with convenient access to public transport. The supporting infrastructure being delivered by Council includes a range of new facilities for the local community – including a new regional park with adventure play, water play, BBQs, shelters and an amenities block,” Council tells StreetChat.
“In addition to delivering exciting new community infrastructure within Moreton Bay, the redevelopment project will conserve and rehabilitate large areas of koala habitat,” they say.
With the first stage nearing completion, Street Furniture Australia has supplied seating, smart furniture and bollards, specified by O2 Landscape Architecture for the safety and comfort of students, workers, residents and visitors.
Aria Seats with PowerMe Tables, Escola eBins and Wide Bollards are installed at Petrie Station, all along Moreton Parade, and up to the university precinct.
“Creating an enduring, innovative and engaging place are the key outcomes sought for this new urban centre in the Moreton Bay region – a place that connects communities and inspires where we live, work and play,” says François Vienne, Associate with O2 Landscape Architecture.
“The ‘high-amenity’ urban streetscape creates an inviting public realm for the community and visitors to gather, celebrate and journey through, and provides connections to the university, transport nodes and future development.
“The functional arrangement of the footways was carefully considered, involving car parking, lighting, street furniture, rest spots, street trees and mass planting beds, while accommodating unobstructed pedestrian circulation,” he says.
“Smart furniture was specified throughout the streetscape.”
Moreton Bay Regional Council says the precinct will showcase a range of new technologies including smart lighting and street furniture.
Escola eBins provide data for the maintenance team and asset managers around fill levels, highlighting which areas require collection most often over time, and will send immediate alerts in case of fire.
PowerMe Tables offer opportunities for students, workers and visitors to sit and charge their phones. Heath Pyatt, Foreman with contractor Eureka Landscapes, says university students have already been using the charging tables – “they thought it was an awesome innovation,” he says.
Heath says the ordering process has been enjoyable: “Street Furniture Australia’s customer service has been amazing. I haven’t felt like I’m just one order in a thousand. Great people! The products are great too.”
