Emerging hotspot: Developers discuss future for Bundy

FROM sunny beaches to produce-laiden plains, it's no secret Bundaberg has a lot to offer.

DEVELOPMENT: Principal of REMAX Precision Real Estate Scott Mackey and director of AEP Developments Andre Hayek at the UDIA meeting yesterday. . Picture: TAHLIA STEHBENS

FROM sunny beaches to produce-laden plains, it's no secret Bundaberg has a lot to offer.

And nobody believes in the city more than the real estate agents and developers who are pushing our region ahead in leaps and bounds.

Yesterday afternoon, the Urban Development Institute of Australia met to discuss Bundaberg's economic growth, with new developer and director of AEP Developments Andre Hayek making the trip up from NSW.

Mr Hayek recently acquired a block of land with help from REMAX principal Scott Mackey, and is set to spend $40million developing over-50s lifestyle resort Bargara Shores in Innes Park North.

"I haven't been this excited about a project for a lot of years," Mr Hayek said.

The Sydney-based developer has been working in the sunshine state for over 12 years and said Bundaberg was a prime location ready for expansion.

"From our research, and from a lot of the research in the slides that were shown today during the UDIA meeting, (Bundaberg) is really on the cusp of moving north," he said.

"We believe we're getting in before a lot of this growth is going to happen, and we believe that we're probably one of the first outside Bundaberg to identify that. And we're excited."

In Mr Hayek's opinion, height restrictions along the esplanade would be limiting for future growth in the area.

"We are talking about the environment here, that's probably the major issue about knocking something like that back," he said.

"But if developers and council and locals can work together... bringing a new style of development to the area would attract a lot of other developers, maybe even a big hotel resort company.

"To get a big resort or a hotel company to come into Bundaberg or Bargara... you need to go higher. If we could find a solution so we're not affecting the environment due to light, it would be fantastic for the area."

Mr Mackey said the UDIA meeting is held fortnightly.