Why the Mill is being opened up to the world

The Mill university precinct at Petrie will step up its search for the world’s best hi-tech infrastructure next month.

Expressions of interest (EOI) are to be released for a new wave of sustainable energy and data innovation projects at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) site.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery is giving industry leaders early notice, to ensure the best are ready to transform the 460ha Priority Development Area into Australia’s top knowledge and innovation hub.

“These EOIs will begin a national and international search to host best-practice telecommunications and data infrastructure right here in Moreton Bay,” Mayor Flannery says.

“The first EOI will explore opportunities for a data centre site at The Mill to meet the digital needs of our region, including improved connectivity, faster processing times and high-quality secure data storage services for businesses and our community.

“The second EOI will investigate opportunities to establish sustainable and commercially viable-energy production and distribution at the Mill precinct, such as solar farms, thermal systems, water treatment and re-use, and more.”

Future-proofing The Mill

The Mayor say Council is ‘looking outside the box’ for projects that improve sustainability to add value to future tenants and assure future investment.

“This isn’t about catching up, it’s about catapulting us forward into the 22^nd Century,” the Mayor says. “Council has already been approached by several data centre operators looking to locate in our neighbourhood, and it’s no secret why.

“A data centre strategically placed at the Mill perfectly complements the knowledge and innovation vision for precinct and provides an access point to the soon-to-be-completed international undersea cable at Maroochydore.”

The cable will deliver Australia’s fastest telecommunications transmission speeds to Asia and the second fastest to the USA.

New road plans

Council’s 2020-21 Budget has $25 million for site works including road and streetscaping, completing the district park, including adventure and water play facilities and concept design for the Dohles Rocks Rd connection to Mill Central.

The EOIs will be released to market from August to September, with Council’s review and assessment scheduled for October to November later this year.

To register for Council tenders via LG Tenderbox, visit: www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Council/Procurement/Tenders

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