Inside major projects coming to Gympie, Fraser Coast, Bundaberg
More than $6.9b in major infrastructure work is on the cards for Gympie, Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast, spread across seven large scale projects. These are the major works in the pipeline for the coming years
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An infrastructure boon across Gympie, Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast is showing no signs of slowing down with more than $6.9b earmarked to be spent in the regions constructing seven major projects in the coming years.
From new green energy hubs to the long-awaited completion of main road upgrades, these are the biggest projects earmarked to be delivered according to the by the Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline group.
Bundaberg Hospital, $300m
It has been dubbed one of the biggest projects in the Bundaberg region’s history and it is now another step closer to fruition.
The detailed business case for Bundaberg’s new hospital has been submitted to the State Government for review.
The business case will help the Queensland Government make decisions about the future design, staging and funding of the project, with the preferred site state-owned land off Kay McDuff Dr about 5km south of the CBD.
Tiaro Bypass, $336m
A concept design for the highly anticipated $336 million Tiaro Bruce Highway bypass has been released detailing the route of the new road designed to improve safety and speed up trips between Maryborough and Gympie.
The concept design includes 9km of four-lane highway across Tiaro complete with interchanges north and south of the town.
Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Barnaby Joyce said the upgrade would address safety, flood immunity and traffic efficiency issues on the Bruce Highway.
Paradise Dam spillway, $420m
The State Government has determined Paradise Dam will be completely rebuilt following detailed investigations and extensive safety works.
It comes after work to lower the dam’s spillway and install the temporary crest were completed earlier this year amid ongoing concerns about the dam’s structural capacity.
Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water, Glenn Butcher said the dam would be rebuilt to full capacity.
“From the start of this process we’ve said the solution must deliver water security and safety for the people of Bundaberg – this option delivers both,” Mr Butcher said.
Borumba Pumped Hydro dam, $800m
Borumba Dam could soon be joining Queensland’s electricity grid as the state government investigates whether the popular tourist waterhole could become the home of a pumped hydro-electricity plant.
Seqwater has reportedly completed a pre-feasibility study for such a project, provided it to the Queensland Government for further evaluation, and a business case on the proposal is expected to be finished by the end of 2023.
Pumped hydro plants generate electricity by allowing water from elevated dams to run downhill through a turbine to a lower dam.
This water is then pumped back up to the main dam and the process is repeated.
Gympie Bypass, $1.28b
The long-awaited project is being built in two distinct stages of two parts, according to the ANZIP: the $1b southern contract, and a $289m northern one.
Construction of the last of three new interchanges as part of the Bruce Highway Bypass through Gympie is well underway, with bridge piling work starting at Curra in early December 2020.
The upgrade will deliver a new 26km, four-lane divided highway between the existing Bruce Highway interchange at Woondum, south of Gympie and Curra.
Queensland Rolling Stock Expansion Program, $1.8b
This project will involve building 65 new six-car trains for Queensland Rail’s fleet at a purpose built facility at Torbanlea.
The new trains are expected to be needed across the next decade.
Forest Wind renewable energy hub, $2b
A proposed $2 billion wind farm in the Tuan Forest between Gympie and Maryborough is about to face its next hurdle on the way to approval thanks to a detour to the Federal Government.
The proposed 1200 megawatt project will soon be assessed by the Federal Environment Department to determine if it complies with environment laws for the area.
The company said in its latest public update it was preparing the necessary Request for Information report to submit to the department.
ANZIP’s website said work is expected to begin on the wind farm in January 2022.
Coalition drops major Bruce Highway funding bombshell
Queensland’s deadliest highway would receive a major funding boost under a reinstated 80:20 split if the Coalition wins the federal election in 2025.
Woman in 20s airlifted after motorbike crash near Gympie
Paramedics and the rescue helicopter rushed to a popular motorsport park northwest of Gympie on Thursday afternoon after the rider was thrown from her bike.