Bundaberg Council slashes development fees to attract new housing and hotel projects

Bundaberg Regional Council has approved new development incentives offering up to 100 per cent discounts on infrastructure charges to attract housing projects and tourism investment.

Mayor Helen Blackburn said a reduction in the infrastructure charges payable for certain development types is one way the region will remain a sought after investment location.

Development incentives aimed at attracting projects that will provide significant benefits to the community and support to the region’s economy have been approved by Bundaberg Regional Council.

The new charges resolution was approved at the ordinary meeting on Tuesday, November 25, and will incorporate incentives introduced in the There’s No Place Like Home initiative and firm eligibility for projects of regional significance, reducing the cost of charges for projects such as hotel investment.

Mayor Helen Blackburn said a reduction in the infrastructure charges payable for certain development types was one way the region would remain a sought-after investment location.

“Development incentives have been made available for many years however the focus areas adapt as the needs of our community change,” Ms Blackburn said.

“Our priorities remain supporting our community by encouraging housing growth and diversity.

“By offering discounts for development that have a higher density and diversity of housing options, we hope to attract developments that offer affordable homes for our community.”

Ms Blackburn said economic growth in the region through tourism and visitation means was a council priority.

“Incentives for hotel investment and accommodation for visitors has also been identified, as we know the region’s capacity for growth in the tourism sector requires this support,” she said.

Mayor Blackburn said a reduction in infrastructure charges for certain development types is one way the region will remain a sought-after investment location.

UDIA Queensland Bundaberg Branch president Kenny Festing said the institute was aware new home buyers could not bear the full cost of infrastructure.

“New approaches are needed in this area so that development of much needed housing is not stifled by increased costs and becomes unviable to deliver,” he said.

“Incentivising denser and more diverse production aims to bring with it a lower price point enabling more consumers to transact and is a welcome addition to the incentives being offered by the Council.”

Some of the changes adopted by council include, increased discounts for community residences, residential care facilities and community care centres to 100 per cent, increased discounts on tourism accommodation, increased discounts for residential development that offers increased residential density and housing diversity, and reduced infrastructure charge discounts for Childers, Gin Gin, and partially serviced areas across the region.

Discounts for a range of land uses, including health care services, warehouses, transport depots, manufacturing industries, and renewable energy, implemented under the There’s No Place Like Home initiative were discontinued but might be eligible for discounts under the Projects of Regional Significance program, which has also had some changes made to it.

Among the changes made are increasing the monetary value of building work to $25m, capping the maximum discount of a single development to the lesser of 75% or $500,000, and removing the requirement of a development to provide a specific number of full-time equivalent jobs during operation.

The changes to the project and the infrastructure charges will come into effect from January 2, 2026.