Development application at Hervey Bay’s Woolshed Backpackers site

A decades-old backpacker hostel at Hervey Bay will be knocked down in favour of a 52-apartment development if an application to the Fraser Coast council is approved. SEE THE PLANS.

Hervey Bay's Woolshed backpackers hostel could soon be transformed into an up-market holiday apartment block.

Plans for a modern apartment complex with resort style pool at the site which currently houses Hervey Bay’s Woolshed Backpackers hostel can be revealed.

Should the development application be approved, the existing 90’s-era hostel and surrounding structures would be knocked down to make way for 52 modern apartments of mixed short-stay and residential use.

According to planning documents lodged with the Fraser Coast council on behalf of Waiwira Australia Pty Ltd director Brent Gemmell, the apartments at the 181 Torquay Rd, Scarness site would be located in two separate buildings, both three-storeys high.

Concept images submitted by Bloc Designs show landscaping throughout the sprawling property and around the central “recreation” area between the two buildings, surrounding a resort-style pool with umbrella-shaded sun lounges and a separate spa area.

A concept image showing the spa area with the resort-style pool in the background.

The 4054sq m site which fronts Torquay Rd and backs on to the East St mobility corridor is zoned as “medium residential” and the application claims the size and tallest point of 11m would not be out of character with the surrounding buildings (apartment complexes are located on either side).

“The site is located within an older mixed-use locality that has been subject to recent gentrification trends with the construction of contemporary unit complexes and the renovation of some of the older residential properties,” the documents read

“It is apparent the site has access to all urban services with overhead power supply, constructed drainage, reticulated water and sewer and telecommunications.”

Hervey Bay's Woolshed Backpackers hostel could soon be transformed into an up-market holiday apartment block.

“The development will provide a significant range of accommodation formats from large two-bedroom layouts to medium and small studio or single bedroom units.

As the application is primarily for “short term” accommodation, the applicant submits the “the development is a natural accommodation progression from the existing backpacker accommodation”.

Concept images show subtropical landscaping throughout the property grounds.

However, he would like to “provide an option for longer term rental of the units (exceeding three months) which would be “dictated by the operational outcomes and occupancies”.

“This form of development of the site allows the effective utilisation of the vacant land, suitable infill development, additional residential

accommodation in a highly accessible location,” the application reads.

Woolshed Backpackers continues to operate as a hostel in the interim.

A date for the proposed building works has not yet been set.