Local investor proposes medical centre for old Sizzler site

A developer that owns the former Sizzler site near the Bundaberg CBD has submitted new plans to council after an application for a motel was given the green light.

Health care in the region could receive a significant boost if a development application for a new medical centre s given the greenlight by council.

Health services close to the Bundaberg CBD could receive a boost if a development application for a new medical centre on Bourbong St is given the green light by council.

The application lodged with Bundaberg Regional Council on April 23 by Insite SJC on behalf of Joseph Formosa Investments proposed a medical centre with three tenancies for allied health services at 222 Bourbong St, Bundaberg West.

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Health care in the region could receive a significant boost if a development application for a new medical centre s given the green light by council.

Directed by Gerald Formosa, property data shows the local investment firm bought the 3510sq m site from Sizzler Australia Pty Ltd for $1.5 million in May 2021.

Long-term Bundaberg locals will recall Sizzler served its last slice of cheese toast on the site in February 2017, followed by Korean barbecue chain Meekak which closed in March 2020.

Joseph Formosa Investments lodged a development application for a three-storey motel on the site which was approved by council in September 2020, and the existing building was demolished.

But since the hotel application was approved, the developer has lodged a new application for the medical centre.

The latest application proposed a single-storey medical centre to be built on the vacant site in three stages, including a dedicated ambulance bay and 47 parking spaces.

Plans included in the proposal show a centre with three tenancies to be built in three stages, with 47 car parks and landscaping between the building and Bourbong St.

The building, designed by award-winning local architect Tomas O’Malley, will have “a high-quality architectural design” to “reinforce the development’s status at the entrance to the city” that would contribute towards the revitalisation of the area, the proposal said.

Close to the CBD, Bundaberg Base Hospital and Bundaberg train station, the proposal said the medical centre would be easily accessible to visitors and residents and would be of particular benefit to people staying in the nearby motels and backpackers’ accommodation.

The proposal said nearby restaurants and retail stores will also receive an increase in trade from the medical centre employees and clients.

Nearby restaurants and retail stores would also receive an increase in trade from the medical centre employees and clients, the proposal said.

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A traffic assessment included in the application estimated 93 vehicles would access the centre during the day with 19 in the evening peak hour, using the existing driveway on Bourbong St and a second access road connecting to Bingera St and another Bourbong St driveway 40m west of the site.