Petrie university campus gets funding to secure up to 3600 student places

THE cloud of doubt hanging over University of the Sunshine Coast’s Petrie campus has been lifted this week.

Petrie University Mill Central artist concept of the view from the station pedestrian crossing.

THE cloud of doubt hanging over University of the Sunshine Coast’s Petrie campus has been lifted this week with almost $70 million allocated to secure thousands of student placements.

The future of the campus was “at risk” as a result of a two-year Federal Government funding freeze on university placements across the country. USC vice-chancellor Greg Hill and Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland claimed the campus was in doubt as a result of the funding freeze.

However, Education Minister Simon Birmingham said that the university campus remained a “key priority” for the government.

Federal LNP MP for Dickson Peter Dutton and MP for Petrie Luke Howarth on Monday announced funding of $69.4 million over three years, from 2019-20, for student placements at the campus.

The funding would provide for 1200 student bachelor places when the new campus opens in 2020 then 2400 bachelor places in 2021.

There would also be funding for 3600 ongoing places from 2022.

“It will create jobs and revitalise local small businesses as well as making a university education more accessible for local students,” Mr Dutton said.

“Luke Howarth and I have committed to give significant federal support for this project.

“We have delivered $35 million in grant funding as well as a concessional loan for infrastructure projects. This helps guarantee student places and supports the local economy.

“We said it would go ahead and it will.”

Mr Howarth said he was excited about the opportunity the university would create for young people in the region.

“The project is somewhat out of sight, out of mind at the moment, but by 2020 – in just two years – having this new campus open will really help our young people study locally for the jobs of the future.”

USC’s chief operating officer Dr Scott Snyder was informed of the funding guarantee in Canberra this week.

“This is great news,” Dr Snyder said. “We are very, very pleased that the Federal Government has secured student places for the new campus so that young people in the Moreton Bay region can really engage in the knowledge economy and make the most of the opportunities it will present.”

Preparation work at the Mill at Moreton Bay site has continued amid speculation that the Petrie campus was in doubt.

The work included relocation of sewer mains, vegetation removal and bulk earthworks in the area bounded by Gympie Road, Paper Avenue and the Petrie train station.

Once completed, the preparation work would enable USC to begin construction on its foundation buildings, which is expected to begin in the middle of this year.

Construction activity is carried out between Monday to Saturday, 6.30am to 6.30pm. Night and weekend works have been undertaken when required to minimise traffic disruption.

Sewer relocation works continue from mid-February, which will impact access to the carpark on the eastern side of Petrie train station via Paper Avenue.

The felling of trees at the site near the train station and along Anzac Ave has had a mixed reaction from residents, some of who preferred the site to remain undeveloped.

The council said it is working with koala monitoring experts to deliver an environment plan for the site.