Biggest developers in Gympie, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg named
Ambitious and prosperous companies and individuals from across Queensland and beyond have identified the Wide Bay as a place rich in opportunity for growth and expansion. We take a look at the titans investing big and making a mark in our backyard.
Bundaberg
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There’s no better time for developers to invest in the Wide Bay.
With overwhelming population growth since the pandemic, and a shortage of homes to rent and buy in the Gympie region, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg region, the need for new housing and new commercial opportunities has never been more profound.
We take a look at the tycoon titan developers taking the Wide Bay by storm, purchasing vacant lots and creating areas people can enjoy, or where more people can make memories in the safety and security of their own home.
Already they’ve generated hundreds of millions of dollars in projects and built thousands of homes - but there is more to come.
Bill Moorhead
There’s no doubt Bill Moorhead is almost a household name around Bundaberg.
Developing in Bundaberg for more than 30 years, the well-known developer has delivered a number of family-friendly community housing estates.
His newest venture, Bargara Headlands Estate in Innes Park, is currently underway, with all of the blocks snapped up lightning fast.
Mr Moorhead’s other developments in recent years include Kalkie’s Paddington Grove Estate, Moore Park Beach Estate and Parklands Grange Estate at Branyan.
Mr Moorhead is also known for his generosity to community ventures such as local sport, where he owns Bundy Big Bash cricket team, Headlands Pies, a tribute to his love of the Collingwood Football Club.
Hillscorp
They may be based in Maroochydore, but the developers at Hillscorp recognised the potential to expand their residential offerings in Hervey Bay and Gympie.
In late 2020, Alan Wheeler and Sharon Bowden recognised a likely undersupply of residential accomodation in the Wide Bay was likely to have an impact on the number of properties available for sale or rent.
The Glades is their largest residential project in Hervey Bay, consisting of a 260-lot residential estate on Doolong South Road.
Soon after, they established Parklands at Bayridge, a 253-lot subdivision across the road from The Glades.
Mr Wheeler said land prices could not financially support the development of further land due to the costs of development as well as Fraser Coast Council fees and charges.
“The land supply tightened very slowly over a long period of time,” he said.
“Demand from a new generation of young buyers as well as a number of others approaching retirement looking to downsize and the influx of people moving for the lifestyle or affordability which the region offered took prices to a point where it was once again feasible to develop new residential land estates.
“Ultimately, we choose to develop in Wide Bay as we recognised the need and wanted to meet the need of those wanting to move to the Wide Bay for the amazing lifestyle, affordability, beauty and sense of community which it provides.
Mr Wheeler said there had been no better time to develop in Gympie given the threat of natural disasters and housing shortage.
“With the recent floods and the further loss of available accommodation, particularly in Gympie, the need for new housing has rarely been so profound as it is now,” he said.
“Unfortunately, (Gympie Regional Council) is looking to introduce a new Temporary Local Planning Instruments (TLPI) which, if adopted, is likely to complicate the approval process, making the delivery of much needed residential housing more complicated, costly and difficult.
“This TLPI, if introduced, will make housing less affordable rather than more affordable.
“Given the recent floods, the timing of this TLPI could not have been worse.
“With respect to Gympie, a lot more land is needed right now, anything that can be done to speed up the delivery of this land supply will be critical, particularly in Gympie where people are now sleeping in tents, vans, and on the lounges of friends and family.”
Lightsource BP
A mega solar farm project north west of Gympie has created a number of jobs after work started in August 2021.
Lightsource BP is the developer behind Queensland’s newest solar farm at Woolooga.
More than 400,000 solar panels will be installed across 650ha of land near the Wide Bay Highway.
Lightsource BP was given approval by Gympie Regional Council to build the solar hub in December 2019.
The farm will produce 430,000 Megawatt hours of renewable energy.
Once finished, it will be capable of powering more than 63,000 Queensland homes and save more than 350,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions.
It’s the only solar project the company has brought to Queensland so far.
Shabrae Investments - Hore Family
Estate tycoons Kenneth, Catherine, Gayle and Brett Hore have developed huge housing developments across several suburbs within Maryborough, Tiaro and Hervey Bay.
Maryborough West is home to the Timbers Reserve and Tulipwood rise residential developments.
Timbers Reserve is currently underway, and when completed will comprise of 207 lots.
While investing half a million dollars into Timbers Reserve, the family was also busy at work developing projects in Eli Waters and Kawungan.
Further south in Tinana sits the current 31-lot residential estate, Kingfisher Park Estate with another 134 potentially on the cards.
Another Tinana project in their portfolio is Tinana Green Estate, which also sits nearby.
Developer, Ben Hore says he’s proud to be able to develop the area he grew up in.
“It’s my home, so I happen to think it’s the best place in the world,” Mr Hore said.
“We live in a prosperous, free nation and the eastside where we live, the climate is just spectacular, so where else would you want to live?”
Growland
A new shopping centre at Bargara is the most recent large-scale development approved for the region.
Melbourne-based company Growland, owned by Bruce Chan, was approved to develop the site at 60 Rifle Range Road after Bundaberg Regional Council approved the application in December 2021.
The project will be completed over four stages and will include a service station and showroom.
A service station and an alfresco cafe/restaurant will make up stage one of the development.
Stage two will include the creation of five speciality stores between 214-283sqm, including a bottle shop and self-serve gym, six retail stores between 84-129sq m and a second cafe/restaurant totalling 216sq m.
Stage three includes four multi-goods shops ranging from 305-309sq m, while stage four will feature a 1510sq m supermarket.
More than 200 visitor and staff car parking spaces will be built, including 10 disability spaces and 42 bicycle areas.
WIN Projects
A resident for 40 years who started his career as an apprentice carpenter, Hervey Bay’s biggest developer and real estate guru Glen Winney of WIN Projects has been involved with some of the biggest commercial projects on the Fraser Coast.
Mr Winney is currently developing Villas on Main comprising of 41 units & Marina Cove comprising of 17 apartments.
He has also developed the popular Airport service centre.
“I have had a passion for construction, real estate and development and started doing developments here in the mid-1990’s and have continued ever since,” Mr Winney said.
“I have a real affinity for Hervey Bay and always wanted to see it grow and flourish as a city and good development is vital for any cities economy and growth.
“I am focused on better town planning, quality growth , improved products and maintaining the areas lifestyle and liveability.
“My number one passion is to see Hervey Bay succeed and grow into a better city over time.”
Mr Winney’s other current projects include a commercial precinct at 7 Guest Court in Hervey Bay and a commercial precinct at 47-51 Maryborough Hervey Bay Rd.
“Hervey Bay has a very bright future and could have 100,000 people by around 2040,” Mr Winney said.
“This means a couple thousand people a year coming in here, which in turn could be 800-1000 housing type products.
“I believe because the population is getting older and we could have 36 per cent of our population over 65 by 2040 we need a bigger diversity of housing product, from retirement, lifestyle villages, townhouses, duplexes , multi-story units, etc.
“Hervey Bay’s front yard and major attraction is the water so we will get more infill development within one to three streets from the beach and a greater density of living and people want the amenity, lifestyle and convenience to live and play in the same area.
“The new CBD masterplan is a glimpse into what the future looks like for Hervey Bay.”
Santalucia Corporation & Devcon
Since 1958, Bundaberg commercial and residential development tycoon and sugar grower John Santalucia has established earthmoving and agricultural business interests before expanding with property acquisitions, development and sugar growing.
He purchased Sugarland Shoppingtown in 1992, which allowed him to expand and renovate the centre which is still in place today.
Mr Santalucia also established residential estates Santa Fe Heights at Avoca, McCarthy Grove at Avenell Heights, Coral Gardens at Kalkie and Sanctuary Park at Ashfield, to name a few.
He previously owned Bundaberg’s iconic whale building, which he sold to SSS Strawberries in 2019.
Bundaberg-based Devcon, headed by John’s son Andrew Santalucia, was appointed to develop RV Lifestyle Village Oceanside at Burnett Heads in 2019.
79 homes make up the development for residents aged 50 and over.
RV Oceanside was opened in 2021 by Oceanside CEO Phil Stewart.
Roberts Bros
“Location, location, location” is one catchphrase that comes to mind when thinking of Roberts Bros’ residential developments.
A country lifestyle in close proximity to the Sunshine Coast is the winning combination for residential and commercial developers, the Roberts Brothers.
Brian Roberts’ dad Steve and Uncle Phil Roberts have been developing for 40 years, with some of their biggest projects spanning across most of the Gympie region.
Their projects include Madill’s Toyota Showroom at Gympie, Hedley Park at Kilcoy, Grange Estate at McIntosh Creek, Chatsworth Premier and Greendale Downs at Pie Creek.
Brian Roberts says developing in Gympie gives buyers the best of both worlds.
“The Wide Bay has a lot to offer in terms of location and accessibility to the entire Sunshine Coast while maintaining a quieter country lifestyle,” Mr Roberts said.
“Gympie is a smaller version of Toowoomba with the potential to grow in all areas of residential, rural residential and industrial making it the key growth area on the coast.”
Insite SJC
From super breweries to Bargara Headlands with Bill Moorhead, Insite SJC have quickly become one of Bundaberg’s most notable consultancies for residential and commercial development.
Joining forces after merging from two companies in 2013, Insite Strategies Pty Ltd and Sommerfeld Jensen Campbell, Insite SJC has been involved in a number of projects since.
The company was most recently involved in assisting Bundaberg Brewed Drinks with their development application for their new super brewery and waste water treatment.
Insite SJC Partner David Newby says that the Wide Bay’s sudden rise in population growth has developed more interest in projects.
“People in metropolitan areas are realising Bundaberg’s got a lot of opportunity here,” Mr Newby said.
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