Hansen Yuncken to build new Hervey Bay library, council admin building

A national construction company behind a huge interstate casino and theatre will now give Hervey Bay a new CBD.

A national building company behind an interstate casino expansion and major entertainment theatre will now give Hervey Bay a new city centre.

The Hervey Bay City Centre project, expected to cost $100m, will feature a new library, council administration building incorporating a Disaster Resilience Centre and public plaza.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Fraser Coast Regional Council announced that national construction company Hansen Yuncken would be appointed as the building contractor for the next stage of the multimillion-dollar project.

The Hervey Bay City Centre project has received $40m from the Hinkler Regional Deal through the federal government Community Grants Program.

Hansen Yuncken’s website reveals the company has been involved in the expansion of Adelaide’s SkyCity casino, University of the Sunshine Coast’s Moreton Bay Foundation building and the Sydney Coliseum.

“The appointment of Hansen Yuncken as the building contractor is an important step in the delivery of this project, with detailed design underway now and construction expected to start next year and be completed in 2025,” councillor Denis Chapman said in a statement.

A street view of the Hervey Bay City Centre redevelopment. Photo: Fraser Coast Regional Council.

In the same statement, councillor David Lewis said Hervey Bay’s future library and council administration centre would “support learning and innovation” and would be a place where the community could socialise and use centralised council services.

“More than three quarters of this development will be dedicated to community space,” Mr Lewis said.

“By improving the library’s floor space and design, we can cater for our growing population and help improve education outcomes in our region.”

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders has previously slammed the multimillion-dollar project, describing it as the “Taj Mahal” with predictions that the estimated cost of the development would blow out.

The development will include a five-level building, with the library extending over two floors as well as a facility dedicated to council staff.

There will also be multi-use community spaces.

A concept design of the Hervey Bay’s future library and council administration building. Photo: Fraser Coast Regional Council.

In a statement, councillor Zane O’Keefe said Hansen Yuncken had a “strong track record of delivering major projects” like the Hervey Bay Hospital emergency department revamp.

“Council is using an Early Contractor Involvement model for the delivery of the new Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre,” he said.

“This means that a building contractor will work with council and its architects on the final design of the building before submitting a final tender to construct the building.

“This process helps leverage the builder’s significant experience, reduces risk and ensures we have the most cost-effective design for the building.”

According to the council, local tradespeople, subcontractors and suppliers can now register their interest in the project on the council’s engagement hub.

Hansen Yuncken has been selected as the preferred tenderer to help the council in progressing the design development for the new city centre through an Early Contractor Involvement agreement.