Council Takes Over Management and Commits Funding

As part of the revitalisation plan, the City of Moreton Bay has taken over management of Old Petrie Town and committed an initial $2.5 million investment to begin restoring buildings and infrastructure across the site. The council formally assumed responsibility for operating the site from 1 July 2025, taking over from YMCA (Y Queensland), which had managed the site for more than 25 years.

The funding will be used to begin implementing a master plan focused on restoring heritage buildings, improving safety, and upgrading facilities to ensure the site can continue operating as a community and visitor destination. The restoration will be staged over time to minimise disruption to existing tenants, businesses, and community groups that operate from the site.

While many buildings will be restored and upgraded, some structures that have fallen into disrepair may need to be closed for safety reasons as part of the process.

Supporting Local Businesses and Community Groups

A key part of the plan is to support the existing businesses, markets, and community organisations that already operate within Old Petrie Town. Council has indicated that new lease agreements will be offered to existing commercial tenants and community groups to ensure continuity and stability during the transition and redevelopment period.

Old Petrie Town has long been used for markets, events, historical displays, small shops, and community activities, and the revitalisation plan aims to strengthen this role rather than replace it. The goal is to maintain the site’s historical character while improving the overall visitor experience and making the precinct more sustainable in the long term.

A Historic Site with Tourism Potential

Old Petrie Town is a historic village set across approximately 48 acres of parkland, making it one of the more unique heritage-style destinations in the Moreton Bay region. The site has long been a popular destination for weekend markets, events, and historical displays, but many buildings and facilities now require restoration and upgrades to remain viable into the future.

The revitalisation project is expected to focus not only on restoring buildings but also on improving the overall experience for visitors. This could include upgraded event spaces, improved amenities, better signage, and more regular events and activities designed to attract both locals and tourists.

How This Will Impact the Petrie Area

The revitalisation of Old Petrie Town is part of a much broader transformation happening across the Petrie and Moreton Bay Central area. The region is already undergoing major development through projects such as the University of the Sunshine Coast campus and the broader redevelopment of the former paper mill site into a mixed-use precinct with education, housing, and commercial development. This broader redevelopment is expected to support thousands of jobs and students in the area over time.

Revitalising Old Petrie Town complements this wider development by adding a tourism, events, and cultural destination to an area that is increasingly becoming known as an education and business hub.

In practical terms, projects like this typically lead to:

• Increased visitor numbers to the area
• More demand for cafes, restaurants, and retail businesses
• More local events and weekend markets
• Increased tourism and day trips
• Greater demand for accommodation in nearby suburbs
• Flow-on economic benefits for local businesses

Rather than being a standalone project, the Old Petrie Town revitalisation forms part of a long-term strategy to increase economic activity, preserve local history, and improve lifestyle and recreational opportunities for residents in the Moreton Bay region.

The Bigger Picture

The Moreton Bay region is one of the fastest-growing areas in South East Queensland, with significant investment being planned across transport, education, sports infrastructure, and business precincts to support population growth and job creation. Major projects across the region are designed to ensure the area can support a rapidly growing population while also creating local employment opportunities and improving liveability.

Within this broader growth strategy, Old Petrie Town plays an important role as a cultural and tourism destination. By restoring and revitalising the historic village, the council is aiming to preserve an important part of the region’s history while also ensuring it remains economically viable and relevant for future generations.

Summary

The revitalisation of Old Petrie Town represents both a preservation project and an economic development opportunity. With council investment, a restoration master plan, and a focus on supporting existing businesses and community groups, the project aims to turn the historic village into a more active, better maintained, and more widely visited destination.

As the Petrie area continues to grow into a major education, employment, and infrastructure hub, projects like the Old Petrie Town revitalisation will help ensure the area also develops a strong cultural, tourism, and community identity — not just new buildings and infrastructure, but places for people to visit, gather, and experience the history of the region.