Students driving suburb change

The rapid growth of UniSC Moreton Bay and new Council policy are driving change in Petrie.

Blocks close to the university and in surrounding roads are being targeted for new short-term student accommodation.

Hundreds of rooms are proposed in development applications - approved and being assessed - ranging from a new tower block to two and three storey buildings.

Moreton Bay City Council has also removed fees and infrastructure charges to encourage affordable student accommodation.

“The UniSC campus at Moreton Bay Central has exceeded all expectations with faster than expected expansion,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“Its rapid success has led to high demand for student accommodation that the market hasn’t been able to keep pace with.

“Boosting the local supply will help alleviate a general shortage of rental properties, which has been exacerbated by the influx of students, many renting houses to live locally.”

Plans have been approved by Council for a 20-storey (18 above ground, two below) residential tower at 3-5 Mill St beside the Gympie Rd/Anzac Ave/Dayboro Rd lights.

It would mix long-term residential and short-term student accommodation with 51 apartments and 108 units, two ground-level cafes and a roof-top restaurant.

There would also be 75 car parks in a three-level basement car park and 111 bicycle rank spaces on the 1200sqm block close to Petrie station and UniSC.

Across Anzac Ave, plans have been approved - or an eight-storey student accommodation development on 1800sqm at 1 Young St.

This will have 162 units, with 296 beds - 84 in studios and 212 in shared/dormitory rooms - with two basement levels of car parking for 52 vehicles.

Proposals for an approved 300-room mixed-used student accommodation on 3100sqm at 47 Old Dayboro Rd, Petrie, are being scaled back.

An application is now with Council for a three-storey development (down from six storeys) with 115 rooms (down from 301).

All rooms will be for a single occupant rather than shared, with parking for 39 cars and 114 bikes and there will be a ground level cafe.

Requests have also been submitted to Council to change the use of land at 51 and 53 Old Dayboro Rd to short-term accommodation. The 1000sqm is currently zoned general residential”

“Student accommodation is more than somewhere to live for our growing student population, because it is purpose-built with student needs in mind, in particular safety, convenience and affordability,” UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett said.

“Many student housing options have built-in security, support services and facilities like study spaces, shared amenities, and social space.

“These are especially important for younger students or international students who are adapting to living away from home.”