Petrie to Host Olympic Boxing as $205M Sports Centre Project Kicks Off

A brand-new indoor sports centre in Petrie is set to host boxing for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, placing the fast-growing Moreton Bay suburb squarely on the international sporting stage.



Construction Timeline and Cost

A $205 million Indoor Sports Centre will be built at The Mill in Petrie, near the University of the Sunshine Coast. Site work begins by June 2025, with major construction completing by 2028 to ensure readiness for the Games.

The project is being funded jointly by the Queensland and federal governments through the $1.87 billion Minor Venues Program, which supports Olympic infrastructure in suburban and regional areas.

Facilities and Features

When finished, the indoor sports centre will feature 12 multi-use courts across two large halls. These will be suitable for basketball, netball, volleyball, futsal, badminton, pickleball and wheelchair rugby. It will also include player change rooms, a café, meeting rooms, and more than 300 car spaces.

During the 2032 Olympic Games, the venue will transform into a boxing arena with a seating capacity of up to 10,000. After the Games, the space will revert to a community facility for local sports, events, and other large-scale activities.

Local Impact and Community Focus

The centre is being developed with the surrounding population in mind. Nearly 700,000 people live within a 30-minute drive of Petrie, and demand for modern indoor sporting venues in the Moreton Bay region has been rising.

Games officials stress the facility is designed for both the Olympics and long-term community use, serving local schools, clubs, and events year-round. It will be fully accessible for people of all abilities.

Sustainability Goals and Broader Legacy

The indoor centre aims for a 6-Star Green Star rating, highlighting its strong focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental performance, making it one of Queensland’s most ambitious Olympic venues. 



It forms part of a broader state plan to use the Brisbane 2032 Games as a springboard for long-term benefits, with facilities like the Petrie centre supporting lasting improvements alongside transport and tourism upgrades.

Published 11-May-2025

Plans Submitted for Major Student Accommodation in Petrie

A six-storey residential building featuring 301 student accommodation rooms and a ground-floor café could soon be built in Petrie, pending development approval.


Read: New Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre in Petrie Moves Closer to Reality


The proposed site at 47 Old Dayboro Road spans 3,162 square meters and aims to support the growing demand for student housing near the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) Petrie Campus.

Photo credit: Moreton Bay DA Tracker

Key Details of the Proposal:

  • Accommodation Types:
    • 151 Standard Studios
    • 4 Premium Studios
    • 23 Two-Bedroom Clusters
    • 25 Four-Bedroom Clusters
  • Facilities:
    • 301 bicycle parking spaces
    • 106 car parking spaces
    • A café integrated on the ground floor

The proposed development, designed by Plus Architecture, has been described by planners as an ideal addition to the area.

“The site is ideally suited to this type of development given its proximity to established centre uses, public transport facilities, and the University of Sunshine Coast Petrie Campus,” they stated.

Photo credit: Moreton Bay DA Tracker

“The proposed development aims to support the expansion of the UniSC campus under The Mill Moreton Bay PDA by increasing the supply of high-quality student accommodation,” planners explained.

They also emphasized the integration of the café, which they say will “encourage interaction among residents and the wider community.”

“Overall, the proposed development intends to strengthen neighbourhood connectivity and sustainability through its design,” they added.

Photo credit: Elliott Bledsoe/Google Maps

The planners noted the development’s focus on active transport, stating: “With consideration to the site’s proximity to the UniSC campus and its strong connectivity to existing active transport networks, this development seeks to focus on the specific parking needs of its anticipated residents. This is aligned with the purpose and rationale of the proposed development, which seeks to provide student accommodation.”


Read: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities: New Home Construction Underway in Petrie


If approved, the building would represent a significant milestone in Petrie’s transformation under The Mill Moreton Bay Priority Development Area, supporting both the UniSC campus and the broader community.

Published 24-December-2024

Petrie Parish Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Community Spirit

Our Lady of the Way Parish Petrie marked its 60th anniversary on October 20, 2024, with hundreds of parishioners gathering for Mass and community celebrations.



Margaret Plackowski, who has been with the parish since its early days, described the mid-1960s as an exciting time for the community. “It was reasonably well established, with the locals very keen to have a church here,” she said. She noted that 1966 brought significant changes as Second Vatican Council reforms began reaching local churches.

Photo Credit: Facebook / Petrie Catholic Parish

The parish’s emphasis on community has remained constant throughout its history. Plackowski recalled how prayer and rosary groups, scripture readings, and parish events were common in the formative years. “We were encouraged to always be a welcoming community, to welcome new parishioners and anybody who felt interested in learning about our Church,” she said.

Michael Marlow, baptised in the parish in 1974, became actively involved after leaving school. His participation grew from joining the youth group to eventually leading it. He highlighted the parish’s Mercy Nights during Pope Francis’ year of mercy in 2016, which featured community scripture readings and worship music on Friday nights. These events, according to Marlow, helped bridge the gap between charismatic groups and traditional parishioners.

Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge attended the anniversary celebration alongside past and present parish priests, including current parish priest Fr Geo Francis. In the parish newsletter, Fr Francis expressed gratitude to the community, describing the church’s history as “a tapestry laced with devotion, love and sacrifice.” He acknowledged the commitment of clergy, volunteers, and parishioners both past and present.

The anniversary celebrations included special recognition of the Parish’s programs and ministries, along with the editorial team that produced a commemorative history.



Looking to the future, Marlow expressed hope that the parish would become “one big family” well integrated with local schools, working together for the common good.

Published 29-October-2024

Vet Nurse from Petrie Issues Warning Over Pet Microchip Scam

Pet owners are urged to remain cautious following warnings from Petrie vet nurse Tabatha Whitehead, who has confirmed that microchips are registered for a pet’s lifetime and should not require renewal.



Whitehead, a local vet nurse at Pet Care Hub, highlighted concerns after a wave of scam emails circulated among Queenslanders, falsely claiming that pet owners needed to renew their animal’s microchip registration. She urged pet owners to know that microchips do not expire and emphasised the importance of reporting such scams to their vet immediately if they receive a suspicious email. 

Growing Concern in Queensland

The scam, which has sparked concern across Queensland, involves emails designed to trick pet owners into paying for unnecessary microchip renewal. According to Queensland Police, the fraudulent messages often use convincing language and pressure tactics, making recipients believe their pet’s safety could be at risk if they fail to act quickly.

Police have advised that these emails frequently use the names of well-known microchip companies, asking recipients to update their contact details and pay through a provided link. However, authorities and veterinary professionals, including Whitehead, have confirmed that microchips are permanent and do not require renewal payment.

Scammers tend to create a false sense of urgency to exploit pet owners.

“The Financial and Cyber Crime Group urges Queenslanders to always verify the authenticity of any request for payment, especially when it involves personal information or financial transactions,” the QPS spokesperson said.

microchip scam
Photo Credit: Pixabay

How to Stay Protected

Authorities recommend that pet owners stay alert for any emails or text messages asking for personal or payment details, especially if the requests seem urgent or unfamiliar. Scamwatch has also advised the public to avoid clicking on links from suspicious sources and to verify any claims by contacting the relevant company directly.



The RSPCA also confirmed that microchipping is a permanent form of electronic identification, and owners only need to ensure their contact information is current in case address or phone number changes.

Published 25-Sept-2024

Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre in Petrie Validated as Olympic Venue

The $205-million Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre in Petrie has passed the project validation phase, paving the way for the construction of a key Brisbane 2032 Olympic venue that will likely host boxing events and accommodate up to 10,000 spectators.



Project Details

The state-of-the-art facility, located about 30km north of Brisbane’s CBD, will feature:

– 12 multi-sport courts across two separate halls
– Capacity for 10,000 spectators during the Olympics
– A café, player change rooms, and 302 car parks
– Office amenities including meeting rooms

The centre is designed to host various sports before and after the Games, including basketball, netball, volleyball, badminton, futsal, wheelchair rugby, and pickleball.

Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre
Photo Credit: Supplied/QLDGVT

Funding and Timeline

The project will be jointly funded by the state and federal governments as part of the $1.87 billion Queensland-Commonwealth Minor Venues Program. 

Key dates include:

– August 2024: Release of Expressions of Interest for Managing Contractor and Principal Consultant
– November 2024: Expected appointment of Managing Contractor
– 2026-2028: Construction period

“This facility is earmarked to host the boxing events, will have 12 new courts and capacity for about 10,000 games goers come 2032,” Premier Steven Miles said.

Community Benefits

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery highlighted the centre’s long-term value: “With almost 700,000 people living within 30 minutes of the centre, it will also have the potential to support community events like concerts, festivals, art performances, school activities and more.”

The project is expected to create around 178 direct full-time equivalent jobs during construction. Additionally, at least 30 per cent of procurement will be sourced from Queensland SMEs, with 10-15 per cent of all project hours to be undertaken by apprentices or trainees.

Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre
Photo Credit: Supplied/QLDGVT

Emma Thomas, CEO of the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority, emphasized the expanded scope: “One of the big outcomes from this year’s Sport Venue Review was the support for an indoor sports centre in Moreton Bay with the independent panel recommending it be expanded from its original scope of nine courts to 12 courts.”



The centre is planned to be fully accessible and aims to achieve a 6-Star Green Star Building rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, underscoring its commitment to sustainability.

Published 5-Aug-2024

Man Faces Court on Arson Charges for Petrie Businesses Fire

A 35-year-old man has appeared in court for the first time, facing arson charges related to a fire that severely damaged 10 businesses in Petrie in early May.



Brenton Travis Sinn attended the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court via videolink on Thursday, June 6, 2024, after being deported from Sydney. He is charged with arson, entering premises with intent, and attempting to enter premises with intent.

Photo Credit: Facebook / Whiskey Mike Photography

According to police allegations, Sinn entered a business complex at the Beeville and French intersection around 12:20 AM on May 6. He is accused of starting a fire before fleeing the scene. The blaze caused significant damage to several businesses, including Bazza’s Bakehouse, French’s Forest IGA, and a seafood takeaway shop.

Photo Credit: Facebook / Whiskey Mike Photography

Sinn’s lawyer, Andrew Stewart, requested a brief of evidence regarding the arson charge. The court was informed that Sinn had submitted a Legal Aid application, and no bail application was made.



Magistrate Annette Hennessy ordered the brief of evidence for the arson charge to be provided by July 19. She adjourned the case to August 5 for a committal mention at the Pine Rivers Magistrate Court. Sinn was remanded in custody.

Court documents reveal additional allegations against Sinn, including two incidents of leaving service stations without paying for fuel – one in Kallangur in May and another in Nambour on April 30. He is also accused of unlawfully using a motor vehicle between May 5-10 in Sunrise Beach and on April 28 in Maroochydore.

Published 6-June-2024

Massive Fire Guts Businesses In A Small Shopping Centre In Petrie

A massive and devastating fire broke out overnight at a small shopping centre in Petrie, damaging as many as 10 businesses and prompting a criminal investigation by local authorities.



Photo Credit: Facebook / Whiskey Mike Photography

The blaze began around 12:30 am on Monday on the corner of Beeville and Frenchs Roads. An IGA supermarket, bakery, and seafood takeaway shop sustained major damage, with seven other surrounding businesses impacted by smoke.

Photo Credit: Facebook / Whiskey Mike Photography

Joseph Bijumon, owner of the French’s Forest IGA, was preparing for what is typically one of the busiest days of the year on the public holiday. But his busiest plans went up in smoke as the fire raged through his fully-stocked supermarket.

Photo Credit: Facebook / Whiskey Mike Photography

“This morning I got a security call and my cameras, they are always watching the temperatures of the fridges and freezer temperatures went up and they called me,” Bijumon recounted. He arrived to find police and fire crews outside trying to extinguish the flames.

With power cut to the entire precinct, Bijumon was forced to discard all frozen, refrigerated, and meat products from his ravaged store. “I’m okay, a bit upset, I was working hard last week for today only and the shop is fully stocked.

“There is no power at all, all my meat everything is gone.”

Fourteen fire crews managed to extinguish the flames within two hours, though the damage had been done. A spokeswoman for the impacted Bazza’s Bakehouse said the family business was devastated by the incident.

Photo Credit: Facebook / John Summerhayes

Nearby resident David Nicholson witnessed the fire’s escalation. “It gradually started spreading sideways … I think it started at the fish and chip shop and spread across to the bakehouse and onto the IGA.”



Queensland police have declared the site a crime scene as investigations continue into the cause of the destructive blaze that has left the Petrie community reeling. As Nicholson said, “People will be disappointed they can’t get their pies today.”

Published 6-May-2024

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

Empowering Individuals with Disabilities: New Home Construction Underway in Petrie

A new residence, currently under construction in Petrie, aims to enhance the quality of life of four individuals with disabilities. This project, led by the Endeavour Foundation, is designed to adhere to the national Livable Housing Design guidelines’ platinum standard, ensuring a space that caters to their unique needs.



Amelia Salmon, the Head of Property Development at the Endeavour Foundation, states that this initiative is part of the foundation’s ongoing My Home My Life program, launched in 2020. 

Since its inception, the program has allocated over $30 million towards the construction and renovation of more than 60 residential properties, including houses, townhouses, and duplexes, benefiting more than 500 individuals with disabilities.

What sets this project apart is the contribution of a generous family who donated the land upon which the Petrie home is being built.

The Petrie home, expected to be completed by the middle of the year, will feature four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Its design ensures accessibility for individuals with varying abilities, including those who rely on electric or manual wheelchairs. Additionally, it will offer essential amenities such as Wi-Fi, high-speed internet, and an open-plan kitchen with side-opening ovens and electric height-adjustable benchtops. Safety measures include fire sprinklers to provide residents with sufficient time to evacuate during emergencies.

Petrie, Endeavour Foundation, My Home My Life
Photo Credit: Endeavour Foundation

The My Home My Life program is centred around fostering independence while providing on-site support. While most furnishings will be supplied by the Endeavour Foundation, residents are encouraged to bring their personal belongings to make the space their own.

The selection of residents for the Petrie home will be determined through an expressions of interest process. 



To learn more about the Supported Independent Living home at Petrie or to lodge an expression of interest, please visit the provided link. The Endeavour Foundation’s mission is to create a brighter and more inclusive future for all.

Published 12-Jan-2023

New Plans for Petrie’s Old Village Motors Transformation Unveiled

Plans to redevelop the old Village Motors car yard on Anzac Ave in Petrie have been submitted to the Moreton Bay Council as part of a massive CBD development and expansion of the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). The proposed new building could soon be the home of incoming USC students, as well as a leisure spot for local residents.

The complex from Longfield Land Company Pty Ltd will stand on 1059 Anzac Ave and will include a 160-room student tower. The residential site will also have rows of shops and restaurants, healthcare center, gym, tavern, some offices and a Woolworths supermarket.

The developer plans to include a pedestrian connection from this building to the proposed USC Moreton Bay campus extension. Additionally, the complex development will also have landscaping, street frontages and better access to Anzac Ave. 

Photo Credit: PDOnline/Moreton Bay Council

Photo Credit: PDOnline/Moreton Bay Council



Colbury Pty Ltd, who owns the Village Motors land, gave their consent to develop the site in May 2019. 

“The development supports student living, with easy access to the on-site supermarket, cafe, tavern, gym, medical practitioners and retail shops and in proximity to existing shops, restaurants and services within the surrounding area,” the development application underscored. 

The Council, however, is still awaiting a reply from the developer with regards to some issues with the development application and they have until the end of September 2020 to address the concerns.