Sod turned on controversial Hervey Bay ‘Taj Mahal’ council admin centre

The sod has officially been turned on the controversial new Hervey Bay council administration centre, with building expected to be completed by mid-2026.

The transformation of Hervey Bay’s CBD is underway with the sod turned on the city’s new $108.7 million-dollar council administration building on Thursday.

The building will include a new library and disaster resilience centre, an outdoor public plaza and community spaces.

The project is being delivered under the Hinkler Regional Deal and has been funded by a $40 million commitment from the federal government and the council’s general revenue and land sales.

Dubbed the “Taj Mahal” by detractors, including Maryborough Labor MP Bruce Saunders, the project has been a controversial one.

In July, 2023, Mayor George Seymour and councillor James Hansen were the only two to oppose awarding the construction contract to Hansen Yuncken, with those in support backing it as a choice which had to be made and a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

An artist’s impression of the Hervey Bay City Centre with the new $109million council admin centre. Photo: Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Hervey Bay City Centre Redevelopment - Plaza View. Photo: Fraser Coast Regional Council.

At the time Mr Seymour said the final price tag had been “very much different” to that first envisaged.

“I can no longer see this is a responsible use of public funds,” Mr Seymour said.

The project, to be built on the corner of Main St and Torquay Rd at Pialba, is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

The $108m contract does not include GST, which is expected to bring the price tag to about $120m.

This was significantly higher than the originally forecast cost of $93m.

Deputy Mayor Denis Chapman said it was a great day for the region.

“Three quarters of this complex that has started to be built today is going to be used for the community’s facility,” he said.

“The other quarter of it is going to bring our council staff together.”

A vacant building on the corner of Main Street and Torquay Road in Pialba is being demolished ahead of the installation of underground power and the construction of the new Hervey Bay Library and Fraser Coast Regional Council Administration Centre.

Mr Chapman said the project would revitalise the city’s central business district.

“The new development, which was decades in the making, would create a world-class city centre and civic hub,” he said.

“This project is a game changer for the Fraser Coast.

“It will create jobs, drive economic growth and pave the way for more business investment in the region.”

Assistant Minister for Regional Development Senator Anthony Chisholm said the area is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, and as more and more people chose to call Hervey Bay home, projects like these would be crucial to retaining the city’s quality of life.

“The expansion of the library and improvement of the floor space and design won’t just cater for the Fraser Coast’s growing population, it will also help improve education outcomes in the region,” he said.

“Our government is committed to honouring the commitments made under the Hinkler Regional Deal and this is one of those worthy commitments, which will benefit the Hervey Bay community and the wider Fraser Coast region for many years to come.”