Revealed: Inside Fraser Coast’s biggest development pipeline
Eleven game-changing developments are reshaping the Fraser Coast landscape as the region experiences its biggest construction surge.
Several transformative developments are set to enhance the Fraser Coast’s appeal as a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike, positioning it for an exciting future.
Known for its stunning natural beauty, including the World Heritage-listed K’gari, the region is now embracing a wave of innovation and growth.
The Fraser Coast experienced unprecedented development growth in 2024, with the value of commercial projects soaring from less than $300 million in 2019 to nearly $3 billion last year.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the region was progressing rapidly, with new lots and development applications more than doubling compared to pre-Covid levels.
“Development statistics for 2024 confirm the Fraser Coast is a regional Queensland powerhouse, consistently punching above its weight,” Mr Seymour said.
“In 2024, council processed 1000 development approvals, received 4453 building lodgements, and approved a record 1130 new titled lots – paving the way for the Fraser Coast’s continued population growth and construction boom in 2025.”
New land lease development
The first residents have moved into a new Hervey Bay land lease community, with 40 more people expected to join them later this year.
Less than one year since its launch, AVID Property Group’s Vantage Hervey Bay land lease community has welcomed its first residents – Heike and Michael Duggin, who made the 1000km move from Townsville to Hervey Bay.
AVID general manager land lease communities Manuel Lang said the arrival of the first residents within the business’s first year was reflective of the strong demand for flexible over 50s living solutions.
Residents will start their next chapter in a new home designed and built by the developer’s award-winning builder arm, Villaworld Homes by AVID, and enjoy exclusive access to a $16.5 million clubhouse and lifestyle amenities currently under construction by Hutchinson Builders.
Over 50s community
A $100m over 50s community development is now under construction in Hervey Bay, with the first stage of the project already 90 per cent sold.
A ceremonial sod-turning event for the Liven Beach Road community was held on site, officiated by Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour, alongside representatives of land lease community owner and operator Liven Communities and future residents.
The next stage of new homes has been fast tracked to meet demand, according to a statement from the developers.
Almost selling out within days of the project’s launch, the first homes will be followed by the second stage featuring 18 dwellings priced from $565,000.
The sod-turning event was a double celebration as the Hervey Bay development is the first project for Liven Communities, a Queensland-based provider of luxury homes and resort-style facilities for over 50s.
Centrally located in Urraween and 300m from Stockland Hervey Bay Shopping Centre, Liven Beach Road will offer 132 homes surrounding more than 1000sqm of leisure and entertainment options.
Liven Communities manager of developments Steven Wright said the strong early interest from buyers was a credit to the project’s design, location and affordable pricing.
Fraser Coast Council’s community hub
The Fraser Coast Regional Council’s Community Hub is halfway through construction, marking a step forward in revitalising the heart of Hervey Bay and centralising council services.
Located on the corner of Main St and Torquay Rd, Pialba, the community hub is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the city centre, create jobs, drive business investment and deliver lasting benefits for residents of all ages, according to Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour.
“More than three-quarters of this development will be community space, including a new library, meeting rooms, creative areas and places to learn, connect and relax,” he said.
“This will be a space for everyone, whether you’re studying, discovering new technology, attending a workshop, borrowing a book or just looking for a quiet place to read.”
Mr Seymour said local businesses have been integral to the hub’s construction, with $25m already being awarded to local companies.
Wondunna housing development
A proposal submitted to Fraser Coast Regional Council would turn a 23ha Wondunna property into 97 lots to add on to an existing housing estate.
The application submitted to the council by Kega Finance aims to reconfigure a Doolong South Rd property as part of the existing Pinnacle Estate, which has already sold four stages out of a planned 10.
In 2012, the site was approved to be configured into 105 lots but has undergone several revisions and is now being submitted at a reduced number of 97.
Two additional lots will be positioned at the south of the development to “protect and buffer the scenic amenity of the ridge line”, according to the application.
These subdivisions would range in size from 508sqm to 1129sqm, and would be built in five stages.
The currently vacant Wondunna lot is part of an emerging community zone, a portion of Hervey Bay’s vacant land that is aimed to accommodate future population growth.
Sheraton Resort
The developer behind the biggest resort of its kind north of Brisbane remains determined to build Sheraton towers in Hervey Bay, despite delays caused by a slow-moving appeal in the Planning and Environment Court.
The planned Sheraton resort, which includes a six-level hotel and 12 storeys of residential apartments, solidified its place on Hervey Bay’s Esplanade at Torquay after it won a slim 6-5 council vote on July 24, 2024.
It would feature a mix of residential, resort, retail and luxury entertainment options, including 340 private apartments, in addition to more than 200 hotel rooms, a business lounge, fitness centre, international-standard 400-seat function and conference space and a destination rooftop bar overlooking the bay.
Sunny Beach Land director Dan Cuda told this publication plans “have not changed to deliver a world-class, five-star resort and apartments project for Hervey Bay that were approved by the Fraser Coast Regional Council”.
“This approval followed an extensive and wide-ranging process that included hundreds of pages of expert reports and analysis, and thousands of submissions from community members in support of the project,” he said.
Kawungan shopping complex
A new shopping complex at Doolong Rd in Kawungan has been approved by the Fraser Coast Regional Council.
The development, which was proposed by Fabcot, will include a new Woolworths supermarket, food and drink outlet, health care service, office and childcare uses.
“The site has largely been cleared of vegetation and is mowed lawn, with the exception of some patches of sparse vegetation throughout the site and along the waterway which traverses the centre of the site south to north,” the development proposal read.
“The site slopes from the eastern and western boundaries to the central waterway line running south to north through the site.”
Hervey Bay Central Shopping Complex
One of Hervey Bay’s fastest growing residential areas could soon become a major shopping precinct amid revelations of new plans for a commercial hub.
The Stockwell Development Group wants to open the Hervey Bay Central Shopping Centre next door to the proposed Solana Hervey Bay Over 50s Lifestyle Resort, set to be built near the corner of Chapel Rd and Main St, Nikenbah.
The centre would include a new supermarket, specialty shops, medical services, drive-through bottle shop, tavern, swim school, gym, and childcare centre on the 3ha block.
If approved, it would be built in four stages, with supermarket, shops, and medical centres first cab off the rank.
The tavern and another set of shops would follow, then the indoor sports and recreation facilities.
The childcare centre would be the last piece of the puzzle.
Opal Apartments
Modern apartments are set to replace an aged motel on the Esplanade at Hervey Bay.
Planning documents show the council has approved the application to turn the existing Shelly Beach Motel at 509 The Esplanade, Torquay into Opal Shelly Beach Apartments.
The brick buildings are to be demolished so a new seven-storey complex offering a mix of residential and holiday/short stay accommodation can rise in their place.
This would make it similar in height to the six-storey plus basement Oaks Resort at Urangan while still being significantly lower than other proposed projects in the region, including landmark 21-storey twin towers at 408 the Esplanade, Torquay.
“It is a reasonable expectation that a 20m high development as envisaged by the planning scheme would cast shadows on several adjacent properties,” the application on behalf of Opal Developments states.
Radisson Hotel and Sunlife over-50s complex
HBC Build Australia has proposed building a 10-storey Radisson Hotel with 152 rooms and a 16-storey Sunlife over-50s complex with 150 apartments, along with a wellness centre, multipurpose conference room, restaurant and bar, as well as a food and retail precinct.
The sale of a $5 million block of land owned by the council will be the first step in bringing the residential apartment complex development and hotel to the region.
A motion on the matter went before the August 2024 council meeting, with councillor Lachlan Cosgrove successfully moving an amendment requiring a report to come back confirming the final details of the development before the contract is signed.
Dundowran shopping complex
A new McDonald’s is coming to Hervey Bay’s fast-growing western fringe after a commercial complex in the Dundowran Industrial Park was given the council green light.
It’s understood the development at the corner of Drury Lane and Pialba Burrum Heads Rd is likely to be known as BayWest Town Centre.
Development permits were already in place for two fast food outlets, a tavern, supermarket and specialty shops, health services precinct, service station and childcare centre.
Just before Christmas, however, a request for “minor changes” to all six permits, including slight altering of dimensions, boundaries and carparking spaces, was submitted to the council by town planning firm Tract Consultants on behalf of Cinque Developments No 2.
The revised plans included artist’s impressions for a McDonald’s, which had previously only been rumoured to be a likely tenant.
Hervey Bay basketball centre
The first sod was turned on Hervey Bay’s new $2.8m multipurpose basketball centre at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct in October 2024.
Hervey Bay Basketball Association president Matthew Baker said the club had grown rapidly in recent years and after many years of advocating for a home of their own they were thrilled the new state-of-the-art centre was underway.
The centre will provide new indoor and outdoor courts for the sport’s 600 local players.
“We would like to thank Fraser Coast Regional Council for their investment in the future of the Fraser Coast,” he said in a statement.
“This project will be the largest indoor multipurpose sports facility on the Fraser Coast and a huge asset to our community.”
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said construction was expected to be finished by June 2025.
“The new multipurpose facility was a key element in the Fraser Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct Master Plan, and it’s part of council’s broader commitment to fostering a healthy, active and vibrant community,” he said.
