Real estate agent Tony Nioa shares his views on Maryborough’s CBD

A new chapter for Hervey Bay’s CBD beckons while in Maryborough a real estate expert says the success of the city centre can’t be measured by the empty shops.

Empty shops in Maryborough’s CBD have long been a common sight while for Hervey Bay the lack of a clear city centre has often been lamented.

Although empty shops that dot the main streets of both cities including Bazaar, Adelaide and Ellena streets in Maryborough and the Esplanade in Hervey Bay, veteran real estate agent Tony Nioa says it's not all doom and gloom and the purpose of the region’s CBDs are constantly evolving.

The shift towards online shopping had meant the type of businesses taking up space in the centre of town had needed to change, Mr Nioa said.

Maryborough’s jobs boom, especially with the opening of the munitions factory and with sod being turned on the State Government’s promised train factory at Torbanlea, had given the city a new lease on life.

There were fewer empty shops in the CBD as a result of people having work and because of the population growth, Mr Nioa said.

Maryborough PRD Nationwide's Tony Nioa says it’s not all doom and gloom despite empty shops in the city’s CBD.

“Even compared to four years ago it’s healthier, carparking is now harder to get (in the CBD),” he said.

Mr Nioa said the future of the CBD would be in service-based business.

“Absolutely, you can’t get a hot cup of coffee or a massage or a haircut online,” he said.

People now had a choice as to whether to work in an office or at home, but many people would choose to work in an office for the social benefits, Mr Nioa said.

That would mean more offices that did not necessarily have a street front, but would provide space for people who would use the services in the CBD, he said.

Fraser Coast deputy mayor Denis Chapman.

He said in the past six months there had been an uptick in leasing activity in Maryborough, and the there were plenty of other positive signs for the city besides the CBD thanks to the rebirth of manufacturing bringing work to the region.

“CBDs are no longer the barometer of a community’s financial stability,” Mr Nioa said.

“It’s no longer an indicator of the financial strength and capacity of an area.”

In Hervey Bay the council has made the $108m dollar decision to relocate its administration centre, transforming Main St and giving the city a real centre.

Deputy Mayor Denis Chapman and Assistant Minister for Regional Development Senator Anthony Chisholm turn the sod on the Fraser Coast council's new administration building in Hervey Bay.

The building will include a new library and disaster resilience centre, an outdoor public plaza and community spaces.

The project is being delivered under the Hinkler Regional Deal and has been funded by a $40 million commitment from the federal government and the council’s general revenue and land sales.

The project, to be built on the corner of Main St and Torquay Rd at Pialba, is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

When the sod was turned on the project last month, Deputy Mayor Denis Chapman said the project would revitalise the city’s central business district.

Empty shops in Maryborough’s CBD

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“The new development, which was decades in the making, would create a world-class city centre and civic hub,” he said.

“This project is a game changer for the Fraser Coast.

“It will create jobs, drive economic growth and pave the way for more business investment in the region.”

Councillor Jade Wellings said bringing hundreds of council employees to one location would be a fantastic economic boost for Hervey Bay.

Plans for the Hervey Bay city centre. Picture: Fraser Coast Regional Council.

“Rather than being surrounded by residential homes and packing their lunch box, employees will have the opportunity to walk to lunch, and purchase from local cafes, restaurants and retail outlets,” she said.

“The sudden increase in numbers in Pialba will likely attract new business and outside investment to the area.

“It will be fantastic to see the efficiencies gained by bringing different departments together under one roof for better collaboration, which will result in better outcomes for our region.

“By co-locating the council administration with the community’s library, there are some wonderful opportunities for the council and the community to share spaces.

“One example of this is the council chambers, which presently sits empty most of the time.

“With the new design, there will be opportunities for this to be used by the wider community for events and seminars — the opportunities are endless.

“I won’t be there to see it all unfold, but I’m excited to see what the next council do with the space.”

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