The top 13 Bundaberg projects transforming the region in 2025
From an innovative lifestyle resort with productive use gardens to a drive-through bakery, there is no shortage of new developments planned for the Bundaberg region. See what’s coming.
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From an innovative lifestyle resort with productive use gardens to a drive-through bakery and even a billion dollar health precinct.
There is not shortage of new developments planned for the Bundaberg region with plenty of growth happening in our city.
See what is coming for the area and when you can expect completions below:
Premier Airport Motel
Earlier this year, the Bundaberg City Council approved changes to the MVP Airport Motel.
The owners will change the room configuration and increase its capacity by 12 rooms while also featuring more parking space.
The project is slated for Airport Drive, Kensington, and is expected to generate more than 50 additional jobs.
The next stage of planning is underway while council awaits permits for building, plumbing and drainage work and operational works.
Bundaberg’s largest hotel development in 20 years to cost developers nothing.
State of the art precinct
Construction of a precinct at Moore Park Beach will be developed this year to improve the region’s recreational and community facilities.
The project has received Queensland government funding through the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program, and will feature a community annex with three buildings, to house a community hub, a men’s shed, a storage and thrift shop.
It will feature a modern playground, upgraded footpaths linking public spaces, and a focus on sustainability through the use of recycled water for irrigating the sports field.
Aquatic Centre for Walker Street
Construction for the new aquatic centre opposite the Bundaberg Multiplex on Walker Street is expected to be finished in the second half of this year.
The facility features three additional pools including a 10-lane 50m competition pool, indoor lap pool and a heated hydrotherapy pool.
Sport and Recreation portfolio spokesman Carmen McEneany said the facility was a game-changer for competitive swimming in our region.
“Our athletes will have access to world-class facilities, helping them reach new heights in their training and performance,” Ms McEneany said.
“Beyond competition, the centre will also provide a place for locals of all levels to develop their skills, promote health and fitness, and foster a strong community spirit.”.
Billion dollar boost for health precinct
Construction has started for the $1.2 billion Bundaberg Hospital project, which is expected to be completed in 2027.
The new facility will feature more than 400 beds, including 320 overnight beds, a larger emergency department, additional operating theatres, and an expanded range of outpatient and diagnostic services.
Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said the new hospital will “drastically increase bed capacity, accessibility, and opportunity for greater expansion of services”.
56-lot residential subdivision for city’s north
A site of 6.6-hectares of land at 23 Loeskow St will be subdivided into 56 housing blocks.
It has 65m of frontage on its eastern boundary and 26.5m on King S on its southern boundary.
New roads and a drainage reserve are slated for development which will be carried out over four stages.
The site, covers 66,030m² and is currently undeveloped.
Kepnock drive-through bakery
A drive-through bakery, currently operating in 47 locations around Australia, is being proposed for Kepnock.
An application submitted to the Bundaberg City Council, outlines plans for a 267.5m² single-storey building to house the bakery, which will operate daily from 5am to 10pm.
The development will feature a single-lane drive-through with space for up to seven vehicles, 15 carparking spaces, including one for people with disabilities, and four bike racks.
Landscaping around the site’s boundary are also included in the plans, in an attempt to soften the areas while preserving clear sightlines along Santalucia Boulevard.
McDonald’s plan for Kepnock
Despite concerns from Kepnock residents, a 24/7 McDonald’s will be located at the southwest corner of the Kepnock Town Centre site, adjacent to Kepnock High School and residential properties on Glen Court and Yates Court has been green-lit.
The proposal outlines a fast-food restaurant with a 450m² footprint will operate 24/7, offering 33 parking spaces and a dual-lane drive-through with room for up to 20 vehicles.
A traffic assessment included in the application predicts an additional 180 vehicles per hour entering the shopping centre as a result of the McDonald’s development.
Approval for the shopping centre was originally granted on the condition of restricted trading hours, with operations limited to 9pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends.
New McDonalds at Kepnock opposed by community group
Shopping village slated for Bargara
Bargara residents have been long anticipating BluePoint Bargara Pty Ltd’s proposed shopping centre at Rifle Range Rd.
The development is expected to generate 213 jobs in the long term, including 18 full-time construction jobs during the development phase, as well as an additional 142 full-time indirect jobs in the wider community.
There are plans for 252 carparking spaces, two new access points; one provided on Hughes Rd and the other on Rifle Range Rd; and two new dedicated pedestrian access points.
Facelift for ANZAC Park
Stage one of Bundaberg’s ANZAC Park construction kicked off in September 2024 after a lengthy planning process and $5m grant from the Federal Government.
While an expected completion date is still to be determined, Bundaberg residents can look forward to a number of exciting additions to the park.
Stage one of the redevelopment project includes a dedicated ANZAC and entertainment lawn including a memorial site and flagpole to host future Anzac Day services.
Memorial plinths, undercover barbecue areas, park bench seating and pathways are included in stage one of the upgrades, with a heavy focus on accessibility.
Lifestyle resort near Bargara
Solana Lifestyle Resort is a Queensland-based over-50s resort developer, known for its projects along the coast.
The Stockwell Development Group intends to build a new 403-home Solana Lifestyle Resort at Bargara, located on a 17ha block of land between Windermere Rd, Hughes Rd, Wearing Rd, and Seaview Rd.
Solana Bargara Pty Ltd bought the eastern portion of the site for $8.55 million in August 2024, according to RP Data records.
The Steendyk family has owned the western part of the land since 2011 and has given their consent for the resort’s construction on their property.
Solana Lifestyle Resort developer reveals plans for Bundaberg expansion
Thabeban food amenities
A Development Permit has been approved for a mixed-use site at 1 & 2 Channel Lane, 336 Goodwood Rd, Thabeban.
This year residents will see a new food and drink outlet, and Ampol service station built
Plans submitted to the council detail the two food and drink outlets, service station, and a tyre repair centre, which will span three buildings.
Vegetation, shrubs and trees are included in the report to support a positive streetscape amenity and to screen the acoustic barriers along the common boundaries.
Relocatable homes outside Bundaberg
Developers Ingenia Communities has submitted an application for innovative relocatable homes located on Penny Lane and Gorlicks Rd, Branyan.
The report outlines plans for 138 dwellings to be equipped with “pockets of productive gardens”, for localised dwellings to enjoy.
Within the proposal, there is an evident highlight on responding to social and community needs, with attention to formalised seating, picnic areas, and scenic nature trails adjoining existing ponds, lakes and open green spaces designed for picnic areas and outdoor living.
Despite the ambitious project, there has been some backlash within the community, one resident submitting a letter to the council over the application.
200-lot subdivision approved for Innes Park
Surf Australia submitted an application to convert a 1-lot subdivision into a 205-lot subdivision on land less than 20 minutes from Bundaberg Central.
It has been a long and winding process for developers after the initial project proposal was approved in 2008.
Most recently, an application for an extension was granted after more than a year-long wait.
The application was submitted in October 2023 and was approved by the council early this year, February 4, 2025.
The land slated for development is on at the corner of Back Windermere and Innes Park roads
It is currently covered in sparse, semi-mature vegetation and drains generally to the east by way of a broad and shallow water course feature.
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