Fraser Coast council reveals plan to keep Tiaro going after bypass

It’s known for its coffee beans and bacon but a country stopover on the highway between Gympie and Maryborough risks becoming a ghost town once the Bruce Highway bypass is complete. Now, plans to make Tiaro a tourist destination in its own right have been revealed.

Tiaro will be plugged as a ‘stop, stretch and refresh’ to draw travellers off the Bruce Highway and into the hinterland town once it’s bypassed.

New and upgraded recreational and community projects have been blueprinted in the Tiaro Community Plan 2022-2032, which is intended to generate economic and social development for Tiaro.

“The plan gives Council and the community a road map to guide us when considering projects to pursue and when applying for grant funds,” Councillor Phil Truscott said in a release.

The strategy outlines 21 key initiatives to allow Tiaro to flourish as a stopover destination between Gympie and Maryborough beyond the completion of the Tiaro Bypass.

Tiaro bypass concept design.

In addition to upgraded facilities and street beautification, it boasts a new commercial district along the bypass entry point, Tiaro signage on the highway and more parking to promote the ‘stop, stretch and refresh’ concept.

According to the Tiaro Community Plan, four highest priority Signature Projects include:

• Mary River Turtle Tourism/Education Centre.

• Upgrades to Tiaro Recreation Grounds and Tiaro Memorial Park.

• Market recreation facilities and attractions locally and online.

• Promoting Tiaro as a ‘stop, stretch and refresh point’ along the Bruce Highway.

The Bruce Highway bypass will feature two connection points to Tiaro to gain access to the township, compared to the highway currently cutting through the town.

The town’s business folk appear to have little concern for their operations despite the change in traffic.

“I think it’ll be good, actually,” Tiaro Royal Hotel owner Don Parmenter told the Gympie Times on Friday

Don Parmenter and wife Sally bought Royal Hotel at Tiaro a year ago.

Tiaro Meats and Bacon co-owner Frances Connors said the business would be happy when the bypass was complete.

Her store has become immensely busy even with a full team of staff on due to current highway traffic running past her store.

“Those who want to come will still come,” Ms Connors said on Friday.

Australian transport specialist Dr Bruno Parolin‘s report Kempsey Post Bypass Impacts found that while there was substantial fear that a 2013 Pacific Highway bypass would the kill New South Wales town, the economy actually rocketed.

Tiaro Butcher.

Along with 249 new jobs, gross annual business turnover also grew from $96 million to $133.4 million, and more than 81 per cent of the town‘s 92 businesses said it had stayed the same or improved.

The Tiaro Community Plan was constructed by the Tiaro Community Working Group in association with the Fraser Coast Regional Council and feedback from Tiaro residents.

“The development of the plan started in 2020 with the formation of the Tiaro Community Plan Working Group,” Cr Truscott said.

“The group also worked with the Department of Transport and Main Roads on the Bruce Highway bypass of Tiaro.

“Following a series of workshops, meetings, community survey and business workshop, the community plan was prepared.”