New 16 storey development set to come before Fraser Coast council

Just a month after the Fraser Coast council voted to approve a controversial 18-storey development in Hervey Bay, a proposed 16-storey development will be put to a vote.

The report prepared for the council supports the building of the new development proposed by HBC Build Australia Pty Ltd, which would see the council land at Hillyard St in Pialba acquired for $5 million.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council will vote on the possibility of another high-rise hotel near the foreshore when it meets later this month.

Just weeks after approving the controversial 18-storey Sheraton Hotel project after a tight vote, the council will be asked to consider another large development.

The report prepared for the council supports the building of the development proposed by HBC Build Australia Pty Ltd, which would see the council land at Hillyard St in Pialba acquired for $5m.

The proposal for the site is a mixed use commercial development, including an 152-room Radisson Hotel standing 10 storeys and 150 over-50s Sunlife apartments with a roof terrace standing at 16 storeys and would include a thoroughfare to the Seafront Oval.

The proposed multipurpose residential and resort complex would include a wellness centre, conference room, restaurant and bar and a food and retail precinct.

“The project is anticipated to support benefits to the local economy through the creation of jobs and high-density living within the Fraser Coast,” the report stated.

The report prepared for the council supports the building of the new development proposed by HBC Build Australia Pty Ltd, which would see the council land at Hillyard St in Pialba acquired for $5 million.

“The project is proposing to create a thoroughfare from the city centre through to Seafront Oval, further enhancing the development of a central CBD precinct.”

According to the document, the council purchased the land for $3,410,000 as a possible future site for the Fraser Coast Regional Council Administration Centre.

However the council and community hub was now being built in Main St and the Hillyard St site had been identified as surplus land.

In July 2023, the council decided by resolution to sell the land.

In the report currently before the council, land banking was identified as a possible risk of the sale, where developers purchased land but did not develop it, or non-completion of the project.

To mitigate risk, the council had outlined in the tender an agreement to grant development lease contract, which meant the council would still retain ownership of the land until the contractor fulfilled their obligations as per their development plans.

The report recommended that the council accept the offer and enter into a contract with HBC.