Major projects changing the Bundaberg coastline
Projects involving the creation of thousands of new homes and apartments will change the look and feel of the Bundaberg region’s coastline – here are 10 of the most ambitious developments.
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The world is rapidly changing, as is Bundaberg.
The region’s population has risen 11 per cent in the past decade and new population projection data shows the region’s population will increase from 100,118 at the last Census to 114,091 in 2046, an increase of about 14 per cent.
Queensland’s booming population is predicted to surpass 7 million by 2046, with some regional areas predicted to grow at phenomenal speeds, as interstate migrants from NSW and Victoria seek out affordable living.
It has given regional Queensland town planners and developers plenty to think about and plan for.
In the past 12 months multiple multimillion-dollar developments have been lodged with the Bundaberg Regional Council, approved and or constructed.
They are the projects that will change the landscape of the region, in particular the coastline.
Bargara
Seaview Road Developments Relocatable Home Park
A master planned relocatable home park was proposed for Seaview Road at Bargara in December 2022.
The development will involve 232 homes as well as a clubhouse, pool, bowling green and tennis court. Some of the two and three-bedroom homes will feature extensions to accommodate caravans and RVs.
It’s proposed residents would purchase and own their own dwelling and gain access to the extra facilities including the gym, bowling green, tennis court and other recreational areas.
The development is aimed at retirees, but the application noted Bundaberg’s coastal strip was experiencing a surge in housing demand.
Hibiscus Cove – Five Storey Apartment Building
Bargara has been the centre of controversy when major apartment building complexes have been proposed and the Hibiscus Cove development was no different.
The ocean front building will offer five stories of living, with 28 three-bedroom apartments, each with balconies and terraces at 25 and 27 Esplanade Bargara.
Each floor will include three-bedroom apartments with kitchens, dining rooms, laundry rooms and balcony access.
The 18m tall development includes 57 parking spots, 50 of which will be in the basement car park, a pool and a focus on natural landscaping.
Community members were disappointed by the development, and said in January of 2023 no community consultation took place.
Palm Lakes Resort
The final stages of the massive Palm Lakes Resort Retirement village at Rifle Range Road were proposed to the Bundaberg council in January 2023.
Stages 16-20 of the more than 500 home village are expected to be built with a focus on relocatable homes and caravan facilities.
The homes will feature double garages, and the site will have the capacity to park and store 85 boats or caravans.
The village already has indoor and outdoor pools, bowls greens, clubhouses, a bowling alley, cinema, billiards room, arts and crafts room and a bar and dining areas.
Palm Lake Resort, directed by Gold Coast-based Water Elliott, proposed the extension include a dog park, vehicle wash down bay and recreational building.
The recreational building will be “purposely designed” to cater to a range of group activities including pilates, exercise classes, special events, dance classes and social gatherings.
Late Night Supermarket
After being approved for development by the Bundaberg council in December 2021, developers of the Bargara shopping centre have their sights set on an expansion.
The Rifle Range Road development is applying for a 24/7 drive-through takeaway restaurant and gym to be added to the site.
The development lodged on behalf of BluePoint Bargara Pty Ltd will also include a supermarket, restaurant, gym and service station.
The initial application applied for standard operating hours, but the most recent one lodged in January 2023 called for extended operating hours.
Golf Club Bargara
Despite being one of the most controversial projects submitted to the council, a major Club Bargara development was approved in April 2023.
The building will replace the existing club house at 120 Miller Street, Bargara, which overlooks Kelly’s Beach.
The development will include a new clubhouse and retirement facility with 48 units along with short term apartments.
The six-storey building sparked controversy for a number of reasons, mainly raising concerns over artificial light and the impact on nesting turtles.
The development application was lodged in August 2022 by Brisbane developer Ethos Urban on behalf of the Bargara Golf Club.
Nielson Park redevelopment
The Bundaberg council is still open to public feedback on its master plan to redevelop Nielson Park in Bargara.
A concept design document and survey were released on Friday, June 16, with the survey scheduled to close at midnight on Sunday, July 16.
The master plan is working off previous community consultation which identified the need for more barbecues and sheltered picnic tables.
Improved seating and dining areas are also proposed for the Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club, with a new car park with more than 40 spaces near the club.
New bicycle pathways and improved pedestrian thoroughfares are also included in the master plan.
Elliott Heads
South Beach Master Plan
The South Beach Master Plan officially broke ground in August 2022, a project 10 years in the making and one of the biggest in Bundaberg’s history.
The plan includes 2000 homes, a retail centre, commercial area, extension to the existing school, tourist park, a 320-lot retirement resort, medical centre, and aged care facilities.
The first homes made available at the site sold within a matter of days, and the development was applauded for the “meticulously” designed plan which aimed at minimising any environmental impacts.
New parks, playgrounds, pathways, bikeways and new trees will also be part of the new build.
Retirement Resort
A high density housing complex was proposed in January 2023 for Welch Street at Elliott Heads, as a relocatable home park and aged care accommodation.
The development is planned to tie in with the massive South Beach development and will include more than 300 “state-of-the-art” dwellings along with pool, clubhouse, community gardens and walking track.
The single story dwellings will be either two or three bedrooms, and available in 10 different architectural styles.
The retirement resort will be managed by Oasis Communities, which “maintains a strong focus on over 50s manufactured home estates”.
Burnett Heads
Burnett Heads Gateway Marina
Groundwork has already begun on the $250m Burnett Heads Gateway Marina complex, with local residents snapping up apartments before they are built.
The development will offer 46 high-end apartments with marina and ocean views alongside apartments, shops and cafes.
Two five-storey buildings will house 23 apartments each overlooking 318 berths in the developing cyclone-proof marina.
The project is aimed at bringing in those who have been priced out of other luxury markets such as Noosa, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
Agnes Water
The Solana
Work has already begun on the 201 home development by Former Olympic medallist Mark Stockwell.
Approved in 2021, the Solana will offer a new shopping centre and retirement lifestyle resort at Agnes Water with the first homes expected to be ready for residents late 2023.
The houses will be a mix of two and three bedroom homes featuring contemporary finishes and fixtures including solar panels, airconditioning and stone bench tops.
The resort will also include a community centre, a share facility with a cinema, craft room, lounge, kitchen, library and hall.
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