Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre Archives

Dog Ban at New Petrie Lakes Walk Draws Criticisms

Pet owners have criticised the ban on dogs at the new Moreton Bay Central Lakes Walk in public comments posted after the City of Moreton Bay announced the project.

The 3km lakefront circuit opened on 20 June at the former Petrie Paper Mill site. The project cost about $6 million. It includes lake-edge paths, picnic shelters, landscaped areas and other public facilities near the North Pine River. However, pet dogs are not permitted in the lakes walk area.

City of Moreton Bay links the restriction to the precinct’s sensitive environmental setting and its wildlife, including koalas, possums and birds.

Dog Owners Question Full Ban

Several people criticised the restriction in public comments posted on social media. Some said they would not use the circuit because they could not bring their dogs. Others said they normally kept their pets on leads and were disappointed that leashed dogs were also excluded.

One commenter described the decision as unfriendly to dog owners. Another said her family would miss out on the new lakes walk despite always keeping their dog on a lead.

The comments suggest the restriction may reduce the circuit’s appeal for households that combine daily exercise with walking their pets.

Council announced the dog-free rule before the circuit opened.

Council Points to Sensitive Wildlife Area

City of Moreton Bay describes the lakes precinct as an environmentally sensitive area that supports koalas, possums, birds and other wildlife. However, the council release did not cite or summarise a specific environmental study supporting the restriction. It also did not explain whether leashed access, designated walking times or dog-friendly sections had been considered.

The discussion raises a broader question about how councils balance wildlife protection with demand for pet-friendly recreation.

City of Moreton Bay provides designated dog parks, beaches and exercise areas across the region. Council rules state that dogs are prohibited from conservation parks, reserves and foreshores unless an area has been designated for dog exercise.

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Circuit Forms Part of Larger Petrie Precinct

The lakes walk forms part of Moreton Bay Central, within the wider 460-hectare The Mill at Moreton Bay Priority Development Area.

The precinct includes the University of the Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay campus and the nearby Mill Water Park and Play Space. It will also include the planned Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre.

The venue is expected to host events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is also planned to support local sport and community use after the Games.

Mayor Peter Flannery said in June that the walking circuit gave residents an early benefit from development around the future sports centre. He also linked the project to population growth and the need for more public spaces across Moreton Bay.

The online criticism raises the question of whether Council may consider leashed access or review the restriction in future. Clearer information about enforcement and nearby dog-friendly alternatives could also help visitors plan their trips to the precinct.

Published 20-July-2026

New $6m Walking Circuit Opens at Petrie Lakes Precinct

Photo Credit: Greg Elkenhans/City of Moreton Bay/Facebook

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.

Moreton Bay Central lakes walking circuit — *Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Instagram*

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.

Petrie lakefront walking trail — *Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay/Instagram*

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

Petrie May Host Brisbane 2032’s Largest Timber Venue

Photo Credit: QLD Gov

Petrie is set to house what may become the largest mass timber venue of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as plans progress for a major indoor sports facility.

Timber Venue Planned in Petrie for Brisbane 2032

A major indoor sports centre proposed for Petrie could become the largest mass timber venue built for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The facility, known as the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, has entered procurement with design tenders now open. If delivered as planned, it will stand out as a key example of sustainable stadium construction in South East Queensland.

Located within the Mill Precinct in Petrie, the project is being overseen by the Games Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) in collaboration with the Queensland and Australian governments, as well as the City of Moreton Bay. Early works have already started at the site, and the venue has been formally included in the 2032 Delivery Plan announced in March 2025.

Timber Olympic venue — Photo Credit: QLD Gov

Timber Design and Sporting Features

The venue will feature mass timber elements across its two-hall layout, accommodating 12 indoor courts for basketball, netball, volleyball, gymnastics, futsal, pickleball, badminton, and wheelchair rugby. It is expected to seat up to 10,000 spectators. During the Games, the centre is earmarked for boxing events and may be used for other indoor competitions.

Officials have been working on the timber-focused design for over a year, aligning the venue with broader sustainability goals for Olympic infrastructure. The City of Moreton Bay will retain ownership of the facility, which is also intended to address long-term community demand for indoor sports space.

The Mill Precinct — Photo Credit: QLD Gov

Timeline and Local Contribution

The project is moving into its detailed design phase, with procurement for the Principal Design Consultant underway. Major construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion expected in 2029. Legacy operations for the local community will commence shortly after, with a transition to post-Games use in late 2032.

The City of Moreton Bay has contributed the land and enabling works, with the broader $7.1 billion Olympic infrastructure package receiving $3.4 billion in federal support. The facility’s construction within Petrie reinforces the suburb’s growing role as a regional hub and reflects a trend towards incorporating engineered timber in major venue designs.

Published 10-July-2025

Proposed Moreton Bay Indoor Sport Centre in Petrie to Proceed for the Olympics

Following a comprehensive review of the Olympic venues, it has been recommended that the new Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre at The Mill in Petrie should proceed with construction.

According to the review panel, there is a demonstrated need for an indoor sports centre to serve the northern Brisbane community based on resident demand.

Thus, establishing a community and high-performance para-sport facility is deemed crucial for creating a lasting legacy both leading up to and following the Games.

“Proceed with the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre project and increase the size of the centre to allow for greater crowd capacity and increase flexibility of sports that could be allocated for the Games and attracting future events to the venue,” the panel stated.

Set to become a significant addition to the region’s sporting infrastructure, the centre will offer nine courts, supporting amenities, and functional spaces catering to various indoor sports and community events. It is part of a broader initiative to address the deficiency in community indoor courts across South East Queensland.

Once home to the Petrie Paper Mill, the site is now slated to become Moreton Bay’s Olympic Park. It will feature a purpose-built indoor stadium with at least 7,000 seats for hosting Olympic boxing events in 2032 and beyond.

Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre — *Photo Credit: q2032.au*

The project has received favourable recommendations and is proceeding with further investigations to increase the venue’s size. A Project Validation Report is underway to ensure the centre’s thriving design and functionality implementation.

Mayor Peter Flannery envisions the facility as a venue for the 2032 Olympics and a long-term asset for the region. Post-Olympics, the centre will continue to host major sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings, ensuring the enduring legacy of the Olympic spirit in Moreton Bay.

Situated within The Mill, a 65-hectare mixed-use space, the centre aligns with the council’s vision to transform the area into a cultural hub supporting various community activities.

Formerly the site of the Petrie Paper Mill, this site has undergone significant redevelopment since its acquisition by the Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2015. With the establishment of USC Moreton Bay and the opening of a multi-million-dollar water park, the area has already begun to flourish. The addition of the Olympic Park further solidifies The Mill’s role as a focal point for community engagement and economic growth.

The announcement of the Olympics is anticipated to spur the development of supporting infrastructure, including roads and public transport, to accommodate the region’s growing population and enhance connectivity.

Published 25-March-2024