Plans for new Hervey Bay CBD to promote business growth

Goodbye four fishing villages, hello modern city with a true CBD. Here’s how Hervey Bay’s business chief has reacted to the release of council’s new masterplan.

With its new headquarters, library and disaster centre as the anchor and plans for a thriving entertainment, retail and food precinct underway, the council has released its vision for the future Hervey Bay CBD.

Picture slick shopfronts, outdoor dining, everything you need within walking distance to high rise residential apartments and the great concrete wall of Pialba Place softened with the kind of greenery which cascades from modern Brisbane towers.

In its 20-year master plan for the Hervey Bay City Centre revitalisation, largely funded by the $40million contributed by the Federal Government as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal, Main St, Torquay Road and surrounding streets in Pialba are transformed.

The council said in a statement, the 20-year-plan would bring new opportunities for locals and business into the Hervey Bay CBD.

For Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Holebook, it’s been a long time coming.

She told the Chronicle the new CBD would mean “transformational change” for Hervey Bay.

“It’s going to provide us a city centre which is one of the forefront reasons for why we’re doing it,” Ms Holebrook said.

“We’ve grown from four fishing villages spread down the bay, and over the years, no firm anchorage has been provided for a city centre.

“We’re one of the few places that if you google ‘Hervey Bay’, you can’t find where the centre of the city is and you get quite lost with tourists and stuff coming in to even get yourself positioned around where you might find a city centre …”

Ms Holebrook said the plans for a revitalised CBD promoted business growth in Hervey Bay.

“It will continue to promote business growth in the area and a place of opportunity for new businesses to come in and locate within the CBD, but also for existing businesses in the area to attract more people to them and create more of a vibrant area for business and commerce, food, and culture and arts and education, all to coexist really comfortably,” she said.

Visualisations of the revitalisation of the Hervey Bay City Centre. Photo: Contributed.

Features of the master plan include improved walking, cycling and scooter networks along with public transport access.

It also includes the $90million new Fraser Coast council headquarters, library and disaster centre. 

Ms Holebrook said the idea of the master plan was to bring Hervey Bay residents to a central point.

“There’s a 1000 employees for the council, and with the relocation of council chambers from Tavistock Street to the new CBD, that will bring a lot of new consumers that probably have been a little bit starved on options for food and coffee and shopping,” she said.

“You know, when you’ve got to duck out and get something done quickly from a business perspective, it will improve all of that side of it.

“Completely what we’re trying to do with it is bringing people to a central point that they can conduct every aspect of business they want to do, and find the food and entertainment that they want as well.”

Visualisations of the revitalisation of the Hervey Bay City Centre. Photo: Contributed.

She explained the master plan was in the conceptual stages, and there was still more work to do regarding road traffic planning and the council area.

In a statement, Councillor David Lee said the new city centre offered a primary destination for food, dining and shopping experiences.

“The revitalisation of the Hervey Bay City Centre will transform it into a primary destination, a popular destination, a cultural and creative precinct, with diverse food, dining, social and shopping experiences on offer,” Mr Lee said in a statement.

“A revitalised City Centre will ensure Hervey Bay has a flourishing local economy and can compete at a state and national level for new business and industry, tourism expenditure and skilled workers.

“The plan sets out how we can celebrate the best of our region, our city and our community, while embracing our natural coastal advantages and relaxed outdoor lifestyle.”

Visualisations of the revitalisation of the Hervey Bay City Centre. Photo: Contributed.