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Petrie TAFE Centre of Excellence: What $60 Million will Build for Locals

Petrie students who want a career in manufacturing or the trades will soon have a purpose-built TAFE centre a short walk from the train station.

The Queensland Government announced the news this week and said Queensland company FKG Group has been appointed as contractor. Petrie is the second of four such centres to begin construction across the state. Rockhampton got going earlier this year.

What is Planned for the Site

TAFE Centre — *Photo Credit: Artist Impression/ Supplied*

An Advanced Manufacturing Hub sits at the heart of the plan. Around it, the government says, will be training space for metal fabrication, engineering and trades, plus instrumentation labs and rooms built for industry to work alongside students. The Department of Trade, Employment and Training lists construction, engineering and electrotechnology as the centre’s main focus.

The hub is aimed at the region’s manufacturing sector, which both the state government and the City of Moreton Bay describe as a billion-dollar industry. Designs are still subject to change, the department notes.

Why Petrie?

So why build here? Part of the answer is the land. The centre will go up at Moreton Bay Central on a site the City of Moreton Bay transferred for the project. The council says it is the third-largest local government in Australia by population, so a large pool of future students lives close by.

Nearby, the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre is planned as a venue for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mayor Peter Flannery said the land transfer should lead to more jobs in high-demand fields and strengthen the area’s name as a hub for education and technology.

What Locals and Leaders are Saying

For Kerri-Anne Dooley, the Member for Redcliffe, the appeal is simple. Manufacturing and construction matter in her area, and a campus close to home means thousands of people can study without leaving the community. Ariana Doolan, the Member for Pumicestone, agreed and said the training should lead locals into rewarding careers.

TAFE Queensland chief executive Tim Rawlings focused on the learning itself. He said students and apprentices will get hands-on training in advanced manufacturing, construction, engineering and electrotechnology. Close ties with employers and government, he said, should keep courses in step with what workplaces need and send graduates out job-ready from day one.

Manufacturing Minister Dale Last added that a skilled workforce is key to the industry’s future growth.

Part of a Bigger Plan

Petrie is one piece of a $201.1 million state investment. The other centres are planned for the Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, where the focus will be marine training. The government describes the four centres as an election commitment.

Minister Ros Bates said communities across Queensland need more tradies and skilled workers, and that the new facility is meant to help fill those gaps while supporting housing, infrastructure and Games preparations. The government points to a predicted peak shortfall of 50,000 construction workers, though it has not said where that figure comes from.

No completion date for the Petrie centre has been announced.

Published Date 07-October-2026

Wyllie Park Trial Brings Homelessness Support Closer to Petrie

Photo Credit: Google Maps

For people experiencing homelessness in Moreton Bay, Wyllie Park in Petrie has become a temporary place to pitch a tent while staying within reach of local outreach and housing support during a 12-month trial.

Support Takes Shape Around Wyllie Park Trial

Encircle Community Services has been preparing for the camping ground by working with accredited organisations and services on a regular roster of support for people staying at Wyllie Park.

Its HOAP team was already visiting the park and other locations across Moreton Bay before the camping ground was announced. The team will continue attending Wyllie Park twice a week alongside other support services.

Just 650 metres from the park, Encircle’s Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre is also preparing for a possible increase in people seeking help.

The organisation has long advocated for safe locations close to support services where people experiencing homelessness can have some stability while accessing further assistance.

Other recognised support organisations, including government departments, will have ongoing access to campers at Wyllie Park, with services able to assist people towards secure accommodation.

Community organisation Nourish Street Inc also visited the site in late August as preparations were under way. At the time, it reported that people already staying in the park had described interactions with other park users as generally going well, with little tension.

Its update also raised the importance of support and pathways into housing operating alongside the camping area.

A Temporary Place to Stay

The Wyllie Park trial has 30 designated tent sites for no more than 60 people, with registration now open.

Campers must be at least 18 and registered to receive housing or housing support through the State before a site can be allocated.

Stays are limited to 21 days at a time and a maximum of 42 days in any rolling 12-month period. Longer stays may be considered at the authorities’ discretion.

The camping ground is free, but only tents can be used for overnight stays. Caravans, camper trailers, camper vans and motorhomes are not permitted to remain overnight.

Wyllie Park trial — *Photo Credit:* *Nourish Street Inc*/Facebook

Park Facilities Remain Shared

Preparations at Wyllie Park have included designated camping sites, lighting and security measures. The camping ground has toilets, waste bins and other public amenities, while showers were also identified among the facilities available to campers.

CCTV and regular security patrols are in place. Fires and generators are prohibited, while animals are not allowed except for guide, hearing or assistance animals.

The wider Wyllie Park remains available to the public, with campers required to keep their sites tidy, keep paths clear, minimise noise and use signed parking areas.

The camping ground is not intended to replace emergency housing, crisis accommodation or homelessness support services. Instead, the Wyllie Park trial operates as a temporary camping option while local organisations continue outreach and assistance for people seeking more secure accommodation.

Updated 20-September-2026

New Petrie TAFE Centre Could Expand Trade Training In Moreton Bay

A new TAFE Centre of Excellence planned for Petrie is taking shape, with plans for the proposed $60 million facility revealing how it could expand training opportunities across construction, engineering, and other skilled industries.

Read: Construction Set for 2026 on Petrie’s $60 Million TAFE Centre of Excellence

The four-storey facility is proposed for Moreton Bay Central on Moreton Parade and would provide training space for up to 450 students. The development application covers about 5700 square metres, with plans for practical training areas, classrooms, specialist facilities and student services.

Specialist training planned for Petrie

The project includes a strong practical training component, with specialist workshops proposed for carpentry, electrical and plumbing, as well as other high-demand trade disciplines.

Construction, engineering, and electrotechnology are key areas identified for the centre, which will also include an advanced manufacturing hub. State officials said the hub is intended to support the Moreton Bay region’s manufacturing industry and provide opportunities in high-tech and high-demand sectors.

The proposed facility is also designed to support different pathways into training and employment. Its planned functions include apprenticeship pathways, industry-led learning, trade qualifications and workforce upskilling.

Inside the building, the layout would include a range of spaces for training, learning and student services. The ground floor is proposed to contain training areas, storage and a food and drink outlet. The first floor would include staff and student services, amenities, a student kitchen, seminar rooms and specialist learning areas.

Upper levels would provide general and specialist classrooms, along with technology-focused facilities. A VR/XR hub and industrial simulation tower are also included in the plans, alongside the general and specialist teaching spaces.

Parking and operating hours

There would be 73 car parking spaces, along with four motorcycle spaces and parking for 29 bicycles. The proposal also allows for the potential addition of another 38 car spaces if required. The centre is planned to operate during a typical academic calendar year, with proposed weekday operating hours from 7am to 5pm. Occasional night classes could run until 9pm.

Major Projects has been engaged by the department to project manage construction of the new facility. A head contractor has not yet been appointed. Queensland has previously identified the Moreton Bay Centre of Excellence as a $60 million project scheduled for delivery by 2028. The project information also identifies Petrie as its location and confirms its focus on construction, engineering, electrotechnology and advanced manufacturing.

Read: Site Secured for $60 Million TAFE Centre of Excellence in Petrie

The proposed TAFE would add vocational education and specialist industry training to the Moreton Bay Central precinct, where the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Moreton Bay campus is already located. The project remains subject to the relevant planning and construction stages, with the head contractor yet to be appointed.

Published 8-September-2026

Petrie Campus Scholarship Program Reaches Milestone Supporting Nearly 100 Undergraduates

Twenty-three students scattered across the bustling North Lakes, Petrie, Mango Hill and Kallangur corridor are suddenly finding room to breathe as fresh financial backing targets the escalating costs of modern higher education.

Strengthening the Local Pipeline

Why should a bright academic future depend entirely on the state of a bank account? Local leaders refuse to let household budgets dictate who gets to succeed. Operating out of the Petrie campus, the annual City of Moreton Bay Scholarship Program has steadily built a reliable net for local learners since 2020.

Ninety-one students have now navigated their university years with this backing, transforming raw potential into professional capability right where they grew up.

Adapting to Economic Realities

Bursaries jumped from $2,000 to $2,500 this year, responding directly to the pinch of inflation. Administrators also introduced the programme’s inaugural Indigenous Study Support Bursary, widening the gates for regional participation. Beyond these sixteen flexible cash grants sit seven major undergraduate scholarships, each worth $8,000 annually for the entire duration of a degree.

Could a few thousand dollars really mean the difference between dropping out and earning a diploma? For many young adults juggling rent and textbooks, the answer is an absolute yes.

Fueling Tomorrow’s Economy

Petrie is expanding at breakneck speed. Where will the region find the engineers, teachers, and innovators it needs tomorrow? The answer is sitting in today’s lecture halls. By removing financial barriers, the collaborative initiative ensures homegrown talent stays put rather than drifting away to bigger cities.

Graduates step straight from campus into local enterprises, feeding their newly minted expertise back into the neighbourhoods that supported them from the start.

Updated 2-September-2026

Inside the Plans for Petrie’s New $60-Million TAFE

Architect's perspective. Subject to change. Photo Credit: Dept of Housing and Public Works

Trade workshops, an industrial simulation tower and virtual-reality training spaces are among the features planned for Petrie’s new $60-million TAFE, with the development application providing the clearest look yet at what is proposed for the Moreton Bay Central site.

The four-storey building would accommodate up to 450 students in about 5,700sqm of floor space, with training focused heavily on construction and allied trades. Plans show practical training areas on the lower levels and classrooms and specialist facilities above, including spaces for carpentry, electrical and plumbing training.

The proposed campus would be built at Moreton Bay Central, near UniSC Moreton Bay and Petrie railway station.

Funding has been committed and procurement is under way, but the project remains at the planning and tender stage. The lodgement of a development application does not mean development approval has been granted, and construction has not been confirmed as having started.

Trade Workshops Anchor the Ground Floor

Much of the hands-on training would take place at ground level, where the plans provide workshops, training areas and storage as well as a food and drink outlet.

Construction, engineering and electrotechnology have been identified as key training areas for the Petrie campus, while the funded project also includes an Advanced Manufacturing Hub. Among the more distinctive features shown in the plans is an industrial simulation tower extending through the building.

Upper levels would contain classrooms, seminar rooms, staff and student services, amenities and a student kitchen, along with specialist teaching spaces. A VR/XR hub is also included, bringing virtual and extended-reality technology into the training mix.

It is a different layout from the sprawling workshops often associated with trade training. At Petrie, practical areas, classrooms and specialist facilities would be stacked across four levels.

Room for 450 Students

The proposed TAFE has been designed for up to 450 students, with planning material indicating normal weekday operating hours of 7am to 5pm and occasional evening classes potentially continuing until 9pm.

Plans show 67 standard car bays, two accessible spaces and four motorcycle spaces, as well as parking for 29 bicycles. Provision has also been identified for another 38 car spaces if required.

The campus would sit close to Petrie railway station, giving students travelling from North Lakes and other communities along the Redcliffe Peninsula line a direct rail connection to the precinct. Wider planning for Moreton Bay Central also provides for pedestrian links between the station, education area and surrounding development.

$60 Million Across Several Years

The $60 million attached to the project is government funding to construct the Moreton Bay TAFE Centre of Excellence, rather than the value of an awarded building contract.

The original funding program provided $60 million over three years, with $6.6 million allocated to commence delivery in 2025–26. Procurement has since progressed, with four preferred contractors invited in June to tender for the first stage of the Petrie and Caloundra TAFE projects.

A builder had not been announced by 19 August, when the Department of Housing and Public Works was still listing the head contractor for the Petrie project as “yet to be appointed”.

The Government has previously forecast construction starting in 2026 and completion in 2028, subject to construction market conditions and material supply. Those dates remain the project timetable; the planning material does not establish that building work has begun.

TAFE Joins Petrie’s Education Precinct

The new campus is planned within the former Petrie paper mill precinct, where UniSC opened its Moreton Bay campus in 2020.

Moreton Bay Central has continued to develop around the university, with education, employment, recreation and other uses planned across the site. The TAFE would add a substantial vocational-training presence, particularly in construction, engineering, electrotechnology and advanced manufacturing.

For Petrie, the development application puts considerably more detail around what the new campus could look like on the ground. Subject to the remaining planning and procurement steps, workshops, classrooms, simulation facilities and digital training spaces would all be brought together in a four-storey building within walking distance of the railway station.

Published 1-September-2026

New Tent Camping Site Announced for Wyllie Park in Petrie

A new free camping site for tents will be provided at Wyllie Park in Petrie, giving people experiencing homelessness another place to stay during a 12-month trial.

Read: Supreme Court Halts Plan to Clear Kallangur Homeless Encampment

The site was approved by the City of Moreton Bay and will offer a voluntary, no-cost camping option for people unable to access crisis accommodation, emergency housing or paid camping grounds.

Wyllie Park is on Gympie Road, close to Petrie train station, the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Moreton Bay campus and The Mill Waterpark. The existing overnight camping area has toilets and refuse facilities, with CCTV monitoring and regular security patrols planned.

A place close to support services

Encircle Community Services CEO Barb Power said demand for affordable and social housing was continuing to exceed supply, placing greater pressure on local services.

“Demand for affordable and social housing continues to exceed supply which is putting increased pressure on already stretched local services and is leaving those experiencing homelessness feeling like they have nowhere to go,” Ms Power said.

Ms Power welcomed the Wyllie Park site, saying it would provide people experiencing homelessness with an option close to support services, where they could have greater stability and not fear being moved on.

The site’s proximity to public transport is another practical feature, with Petrie train station nearby. Its existing facilities mean the trial will use an established overnight camping area with toilets and refuse facilities.

The new site is intended to provide an alternative to people sleeping rough in other public parks and spaces. The City of Moreton Bay has stated that Wyllie Park is not intended to replace crisis accommodation or longer-term housing.

Twelve-month trial

The 12-month trial will provide time for the new camping arrangement to operate under the planned monitoring and security measures. CCTV monitoring and regular security patrols are planned, while the voluntary arrangement will provide another option for people experiencing homelessness.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the initiative was not a solution to homelessness across the region.

“The fact is we have seen an increase in people using our parks and public spaces, and there has been a reduction in services by crisis accommodation charities facing funding cuts,” Cr Flannery said.

Cr Flannery said the site was an attempt to balance the needs of residents with those of people experiencing homelessness.

Read: Hope Centre Moreton Opens Doors To Homeless During Cyclone

The site will provide people experiencing homelessness with a free place to camp in Petrie, with basic facilities, nearby public transport and a location that Encircle says is close to support services. The 12-month trial will show how the new arrangement operates and whether it provides the stability described by its supporters.

Published 18-August-2026

Free Camping Site Opens at Wyllie Park in Petrie

A free camping site in Moreton Bay has opened at Wyllie Park in Petrie. For people who need somewhere to stay, it gives a no-cost option in a monitored public space.

The site sits within an existing overnight camping area. It has toilets and refuse facilities. City of Moreton Bay says it will also keep watch through CCTV and regular security patrols.

Council responds to pressure on parks

Mayor Peter Flannery said the site is not crisis accommodation or long-term housing. He said the State Government remains responsible for those services.

Still, he said Council has seen growing pressure on public parks and open spaces. That pressure has pushed Council to look for a practical response.

Division 8 Councillor Jim Moloney said Council faced a difficult task. He said it does not run crisis accommodation. However, he said public parks have come under increasing pressure.

Cr Moloney said Wyllie Park offers a viable alternative to public parks. He also said it provides a free camping option for people who need it.

A place close to support

Council says the site is voluntary and no-cost. It also says the location keeps people close to support services.

That matters. For people living rough, distance can make every step harder. A site near help may offer a little more stability when life is already uncertain.

Encircle Community Services welcomed the move. CEO Barb Power OAM said the organisation has long pushed for better housing outcomes and stronger support for people experiencing homelessness.

She said demand for affordable and social housing continues to exceed supply. That shortage, she said, keeps pressure on already stretched local services.

Ms Power said the free camping site in Moreton Bay may give people a place with more stability. She also said it could help them stay near the support they need.

A local issue with no easy fix

Council has been clear that the site is not a solution to homelessness across Moreton Bay or South East Queensland. It has also called on the State Government to back not-for-profit groups that provide crisis accommodation across the region.

Even so, the move will be noticed across North Lakes and surrounding suburbs. Housing stress is not something that sits in the background anymore. It shows up in local conversations, in service demand, and in the strain on public spaces.

The new free camping site in Moreton Bay is a practical step, not a final answer. But in a climate like this, practical steps still count.

For now, Wyllie Park is open as a free camping option for people who need it.

Published 12-August-2026

Mt Maria College Reveals New Crest Ahead of 2027 Name Change

Mt Maria College has revealed the crest that will represent the Petrie school when it becomes St Marcellin Catholic College. The new identity marks the next stage of a transition announced by the college, following two years of consultation with students, parents and staff.

The college announced in April that it will formally adopt the St Marcellin Catholic College name in January 2027. Planning will continue throughout the remainder of 2026.

New signage, branding and uniforms will form part of the transition. The college previously said uniform changes would be phased in to avoid extra costs for families. It also indicated that the existing college colours would remain largely unchanged.

Principal Kerry Maher said the identity would support the college’s future direction while retaining values already established within the school community.

New name strengthens Marist identity

St Marcellin Catholic College will take its name from St Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers. His approach to education centred on young people, faith, compassion and personal relationships, and those principles already shape its work with students.

Maher said the new name gives the school a clearer identity and expresses its Marist character more directly. She also linked the change to student growth, wellbeing and strong learning outcomes.

The school’s Marist values include family spirit, simplicity, presence, love of work and care for people who need support. Those values would play a greater role in shaping the school’s future.

Crest links faith, heritage and place

The new crest places a cross at the centre of the design, representing Jesus Christ and the school’s Catholic identity. A heart represents the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, while the Auspice Maria symbolises Mary’s protection. The emblem also reflects the college’s Marist identity.

Photo Credit: Supplied

An Indigenous Bunya Pine acknowledges the history and heritage of the local Gubbi Gubbi people. The symbol gives the crest a clear connection to the Petrie area.

A lantern represents the call for members of the school community to bring light to others through their actions.

The motto, “Lead by Example”, appears beneath the crest. It draws on 1 Timothy 4:12 and encourages students to show leadership through the way they speak, live and serve.

Mt Maria and Kolbe histories will remain

The transition will not erase the school’s earlier identities. The school will continue to recognise the history of Mt Maria College and the former Kolbe College. Both names form part of the college community’s history in Petrie.

During Catholic Education Week, the college shared material from Kolbe College’s foundation year with Brisbane Catholic Education. It also shared a 25-year celebration publication featuring the Kolbe College and Mt Maria College logos together.

Student programs set to continue

The college has also emphasised that its central work with students will remain unchanged. It will continue to offer academic and vocational pathways for different interests and post-school goals. These include university preparation, industry experience and mixed learning options.

Programs named by the college include the Scholars Program, Industry Recruits, STEM Innovators, Inquiry Learning and the Integrated Learning and Pathways Program.

Career education will continue across Years 7 to 12. Sport, instrumental music, student leadership and pastoral programs will also remain.

The school also plans to retain camps, retreats, work experience, excursions and industry visits. Arts opportunities include the college band, vocal group, dance troupe and the Luminaire Art Extension Program. Students will also continue to take part in representative sport and community service initiatives.

The school said its staff would keep focusing on knowing students individually and helping them build confidence, skills and purpose.

Consultation shaped the decision

Parents, students and staff took part in consultations during 2024 and 2025. According to the college, participants wanted continued improvement, a strong sense of purpose and an identity that would support students into the future. The feedback also showed support for high expectations in learning and a strong focus on student wellbeing.

Published 30-July-2026

Milly Brings Matilda’s Legacy To Petrie

A nine-metre kangaroo has hopped into Petrie, with Milly now standing proudly at The Mill Water Park and Play Space as a new local landmark for City of Moreton Bay.

The giant replica of Matilda, the mascot of the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games, has been named Milly in honour of the old Mill site, now known as Moreton Bay Central. The sculpture sits beside the future Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, linking one of the city’s best-known family destinations with its sporting future.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said Milly represents both the city’s history and its role in the road to Brisbane 2032.

“Forty-four years ago, Matilda announced Queensland to the world. Today, her spirit returns,” Mayor Flannery said.

“Milly will stand here as a proud, daily reminder of the role our City continues to play in shaping the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I hope she inspires the next generation of local athletes to set their sights on competing in 2032.”

A family gift with a second life

Milly was generously donated to the community by the O’Keeffe family, giving the much-loved sculpture a new home in Moreton Bay.

For creator David Joffe of Natureworks, the project was about preserving something familiar and giving it another chapter in the public eye.

“We didn’t just build a giant kangaroo — we helped save an Australian icon and give it a new life for future generations,” Mr Joffe said.

“Rather than disappearing into storage or being lost forever, she’s now part of a community Playground where families and children can enjoy her every day.”

Artist impression of the new Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre

Mr Joffe said the project was “a fantastic example of recycling in the best possible way”, with the sculpture now able to be enjoyed rather than forgotten.

A local icon with a story to tell

1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games gold medallist Robert de Castella also welcomed Milly’s arrival, saying Matilda was unforgettable for many Australians.

Matilda at the 1982 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Photo Credit: NFSA

“You could not miss her. She was the face of those Games, and for a lot of us she is the first thing we picture when we think back to 1982,” Mr de Castella said.

“What those Games did was show a generation of Queensland kids that the world would come to us, and that we belonged on that stage.”

He said the sculpture’s new home was especially meaningful with the Brisbane 2032 Games approaching.

“There will be young athletes running around this park today who could be competing in 2032, so this is a really exciting day.”

For Moreton Bay families, Milly adds a touch of nostalgia, a strong local talking point, and a playful landmark for children visiting one of the city’s favourite community spaces.

Published 24-July-2026

Petrie Intersection to Test AI Traffic Lights in Australian First

Drivers across Moreton Bay could soon spend less time waiting at red lights, with the City of Moreton Bay preparing to test an artificial intelligence-powered traffic signal system for the first time in Australia. The trial will take place at the intersection of Moreton Parade and Paper Avenue in Petrie.

By late 2026, existing traffic signal controllers will be replaced with next-generation hardware that works with the current in-ground vehicle detection system. The council will also install advanced traffic detection sensors to collect more detailed information about road users. These sensors can identify cars, trucks, cyclists and pedestrians, helping the system respond more accurately to changing traffic conditions.

The pilot aims to improve traffic flow by allowing traffic lights to respond to real-time conditions instead of following a fixed sequence. If successful, the technology could reduce delays at intersections, ease congestion and cut the time vehicles spend idling at red lights.

A decades-old traffic system gets a modern update

Australia’s long-standing traffic signal method uses a phase-based system dating back to the 1980s. Under this approach, traffic lights follow a set order, even as traffic volumes change throughout the day.

The new system uses a movement-based approach instead. It analyses vehicle movements in real time and adjusts signal timings to match current traffic conditions. The technology manages individual traffic movements without being tied to a fixed sequence or grouping of traffic lights, helping traffic move more efficiently through intersections.

According to the City of Moreton Bay, the system combines artificial intelligence with advanced traffic algorithms to support smoother traffic flow. It can also prioritise higher traffic volumes, including public transport, as traffic conditions change throughout the day.

Cutting unnecessary waits at empty intersections

One of the biggest changes for motorists could be shorter waits when an intersection is clear.

The technology is designed to reduce unnecessary delays created by traditional traffic signal timing. Council says it will also reduce the transition time between conflicting traffic movements, including the all-red interval when every direction is stopped, while maintaining safe operating margins. As a result, drivers may spend less time waiting when there is little or no cross traffic.

The City of Moreton Bay also expects the system to reduce vehicle emissions because cars will spend less time idling at intersections.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the City of Moreton Bay believed the trial had the potential to improve daily travel for residents by reducing unnecessary delays and managing traffic more efficiently. He also said the technology could better respond to changing traffic patterns throughout the day while maintaining safe operating margins.

If the pilot proves successful, the City of Moreton Bay plans to test the technology at a more complex intersection.

Published 6-July-2026