A new $6 million walking circuit has opened at Moreton Bay Central in Petrie, adding lakefront paths, picnic shelters and landscaped green space to the former paper mill site.
The Moreton Bay Central Lakes Walk is a 3km circuit around the lakes precinct, providing waterside access and public recreation space beside the area planned for the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre.
The project opened on 20 June and forms part of the ongoing activation of the former Petrie Paper Mill site, which has been reshaped into a major precinct anchored by the University of the Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay campus.
The upgraded lakefront area includes walking trails along the edge of the lakes, picnic shelters and green spaces designed for families, visitors and community groups.
Moreton Bay Central Lakes Walk Opens in Petrie
The Moreton Bay Central Lakes Walk adds another public space to a precinct already used by families and visitors, including those visiting the nearby Mill Water Park and Play Space.
The new circuit has also been developed beside the planned Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, a venue connected to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
While the Games remain six years away, the walking circuit has opened ahead of that major event, giving residents access to the upgraded lakeside area well before the Olympic and Paralympic period.
The project is intended to provide green space for visitors to the sports centre during the Games, while also serving as long-term public infrastructure for City of Moreton Bay residents.
Former Paper Mill Site Continues to Change
Moreton Bay Central, formerly known as The Mill, is a 460-hectare Priority Development Area in Petrie.
The site is located at the old Petrie Paper Mill and is now anchored by the UniSC Moreton Bay campus. The lakes precinct forms part of the broader Moreton Bay Central area, where public open space, recreation areas and major facilities are being developed.
The new walking circuit continues the transition of the former industrial site into a public precinct used for education, sport, recreation and community activity.
The lakefront works have been designed to make the edge of the lakes more accessible, with paths and landscaped areas giving visitors more ways to move through and use the precinct.
Wildlife Area Will Remain Dog-Free
Dogs will not be allowed in the Moreton Bay Central Lakes Walk area because of the sensitive environmental setting.
The precinct is home to wildlife including koalas, possums and birds. The restriction has been put in place to protect the area’s natural setting and the animals that live there.
The environmental setting is a key part of the lakes precinct, with the walking circuit running through an area that combines public access with wildlife considerations.
Funding For The Petrie Project
The Moreton Bay Central Lakes Walk was funded through a mix of government and council contributions.
The project received $3,106,291 from the Australian and Queensland governments through the SEQ City Deal Liveability Fund. City of Moreton Bay contributed $2,944,569.
The SEQ City Deal is a partnership involving the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors South East Queensland. It supports projects intended to provide long-term benefits across South East Queensland, including City of Moreton Bay.
Published 29-June-2026
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