Moreton Bay Region is calling for tech companies to help drive The Mill 2.0

Moreton Bay Region is calling for tech companies to help drive The Mill 2.0

A new wave of sustainable energy and data innovation projects will be at the forefront for the next stage of works at The Mill PDA, with expressions of interest (EOI) to be released next month.

Moreton Bay Region Mayor Peter Flannery said he wanted to give industry leaders early notice of the competitive process, to ensure the best of the best are ready to transform this 460 hectare Priority Development Area into Australia’s foremost 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,” he said.

“The first EOI will explore opportunities for a data centre site at The Mill to proactively 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.

“We’re looking outside the box for projects that improve sustainability to add value to future tenants and assure future investment to set the Mill up for success.

“This isn’t about catching up, it’s about catapulting us forward into the 22^nd Century.

“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, allowing us to future-proof the Mill, the USC campus, our local businesses and residents for enhanced digital capacity.

Moreton Bay Region well-placed for global investment

“More than this, Moreton Bay Region will be well-placed to attract global investment from companies with big data usage, who will be looking to leverage our strong economic performance, growing population, capital city convenience without the cost, and idyllic lifestyle.

“I look forward exploring these innovative projects to realise our bold vision for this precinct and the extended Moreton Bay Region.”

Not only does 2020 mark the opening of University of Sunshine Coast’s (USC) new Moreton Bay campus, Council’s 2020-21 Budget commits a further $25 million to this game changing site for works including:

• Completion of the Stage 1 road and streetscape network within Mill Central.
• Completion of the district park, including the oval, adventure and water play facilities, amenities, BBQ areas and parking.
• Upgrade to Wyllie Park, including enhanced landscaping in line with its local heritage significance.
• Koala Habitat revegetation and habitat plantings on remediated land once occupied by the old paper mill.
• Works to the site’s existing gravel lakes precinct to eventually see it returned as a community asset.
• Concept design for Dohles Rocks Road connection, which will be a new road linking Mill Central to Dohles Rocks Road.
• Ongoing economic and town planning works to facilitate the strategic attraction of business and community uses within The Mill Central precinct.

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