Hervey Bay’s Sheraton gets tick from council in narrow vote

A controversial Sheraton resort that will transform Hervey Bay’s landscape has been approved despite a heckling crowd and one major change. Vote in our poll and leave your comments on the website.

The councillors of the Fraser Coast have voted to approve the beachfront Sheraton at Hervey Bay by a narrow margin of 6-5, with one change — it will be now be 18 storeys rather than the 21 storeys initially proposed.

The council meeting was moved to the Hervey Bay Golf Club on Wednesday, July 24, to allow for the number of people wanting to attend and witness the watershed vote.

The proposed development was the first item on the agenda.

Sunny Beach Land director Dan Cuda briefly addressed the council meeting regarding the development.

He said the developer would consider reducing the towers by up to three floors if that was an amendment agreed to by council.

The proposed $445 million five-star Sheraton resort in Hervey Bay will include Australia’s deepest themed dive and snorkelling facility, with plans to create a natural oasis as the hotel’s centrepiece.

Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott voted in favour of the development as it was proposed, while Mayor George Seymour voted against the building.

Mr Truscott said it was a “legacy-making day” and that the Fraser Coast public had been overwhelmingly in favour of its approval.

He said he had been contacted by hundreds of people and even stopped on his morning walks as people sought to express their support for the project.

He said “it takes guts” to move the region forward, asking his fellow councillors not to be motivated by fear when it came to casting their vote.

New councillor Sara Faraj voted in favour of the development with the three-storey reduction, while Councillor Zane O’Keefe opposed it.

Division 4 Councillor Daniel Sanderson said he would also support the proposal with its amendment.

He said the new proposal would see Hervey Bay open a new door to prosperity.

Mr Sanderson said he believed he was acting on behalf of the majority of the community.

He was repeatedly interrupted by people in the public gallery against the development, at times making it hard to hear Mr Sanderson speak.

Councillor John Weiland spoke against the development, saying he was not against the development but the form it would take.

He said the study of the environmental impact of the development seemed to be limited in scope.

Councillor Michelle Byrne said she would pledge her support for the development.

Concept designs for the new Sheraton Resort in Hervey Bay.

She said housing availability and affordability were at the forefront of her mind.

Sustaining flights between Hervey Bay and Melbourne was also spoken of by many of the councillors voting in support of the development.

Councillor Lachlan Cosgrove said it was an “overbearing” building, adding that he would be voting against the development.

He said the sheer dominance of the structure over the natural environment was contrary to what should be built on the Esplanade.

Councillor Phil Truscott told the crowd to remain quiet while he spoke as interruptions continued from those opposed to the development.

He then spoke in favour of the development, urging people not to be afraid of changing, adding that change was “nothing new”.

Mr Truscott said the Fraser Coast needed to stop being Queensland’s retirement capital.

He said 89 per cent of people surveyed wanted the development.

Councillor Michelle Govers said she had hoped to negotiate the development down to 15 storeys as she felt that would be a good compromise.

Councillor Denis Chapman thanked everyone who made a submission for and against the project, along with the council’s engineers and others involved in the development.

He said the Sheraton development was “top-class quality” and he would be voting in favour.

Concept designs for the new Sheraton Resort in Hervey Bay.

Speaking after the vote, Mr Cuda said the group had voluntarily agreed to reduce the project height from 21 storeys to 18 storeys in response to community feedback.

Mr Cuda said the approval was the trigger for a major economic, employment and social boost for the Fraser Coast region.

“We thank Councillors for listening to the community, recognising the huge benefits that will flow from this project, and having the faith in us to deliver a world-class outcome for Hervey Bay,” he said.

“We also extend our deepest appreciation to Hervey Bay residents and the wider Fraser Coast community for their incredible support for a Sheraton Resort Hervey Bay.

“While we understand and appreciate that not everyone was in favour of this proposal, we are very grateful for the overwhelming feedback received and thank everyone for their interest in the project and their willingness to participate in the discussion.

“There is no doubt the Sheraton Resort Hervey Bay will be a catalyst for continued growth and progress that will ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for the Bay.

“We are committed to seeing this project through and creating a landmark development that will put our region on the world stage today and for future generations.”

Mr Cuda said Sunny Beach Land would review the council’s approval conditions and actively begin planning for the project’s commencement.

The development would feature a mix of residential, resort, retail and luxury entertainment options, including 424 private apartments in addition to hotel rooms, business lounge, fitness centre, international standard 400-seat function and conference space and a destination rooftop bar overlooking the bay.

It would generate an estimated 1350 new jobs across the life of the project.

For the new councillors who were voted in at the March 2024 election, it could be the biggest decision of their four-year term, only a few months in.

Dozens of people attended the council meeting and some spoke about the proposed development during public participation.

There was standing room only in the security-guarded room where a rowdy crowd, which appeared to be largely made up of people of retirement age.

Some could be heard heckling despite repeated requests by the mayor to respectfully listen.

The council meeting being held at Hervey Bay Golf Club. The proposed 21-storey Sheraton is a source of hot debate.

Earlier, former Division 5 councillor Jade Wellings spoke in favour of the development, while retired councillor David Lewis, who was replaced at the last election in Division 6 by Lachlan Cosgrove, spoke against it.

Ms Govers asked if the developers would consider going down to 15 storeys, but has been told that would mean the development would not be economically viable.

There has been ongoing debate surrounding the development in the past few months.

Concerns have been raised surrounding the health of Hervey Bay’s coral reefs if the development was to go ahead.

Others say the development will mean more accommodation and housing for Hervey Bay and the chance for unprecedented investment in the region.