Bundaberg council backs Turtle Sands $28m upgrade with infrastructure discount

A $28m redevelopment at a popular beachside caravan park will include luxury villas and glamping tents.

Turtle Sands, Coral Cove caravan park

Bundaberg Regional Council is continuing its support of major developments within the region, including the NRMA Parks and Resort’s nature-based accommodation Turtle Sands, through its Projects of Regional Significance initiative.

The motoring body bought the long-established family holiday park in 2022 and embarked on a $28m makeover, including new state-of-the-art villas, a premium beach house, glamping tents and turtle-shaped swimming pool.

The redevelopment of the Mon Repos accommodation facility was recently granted full discount of infrastructure charges by Council through the PORS scheme.

Turtle Sands, Coral Cove caravan park’s turtle shaped pool.

Council’s PORS program recognises projects which will provide a significant economic boost to the region.
The program defines significant projects as those with a monetary value of $15m or greater or providing more than 50 direct local jobs.

While projects which meet one of these thresholds automatically qualify under the program, the council can also consider how projects provide special community benefit.

Qualifying projects are eligible for a discount of up to 100 per cent off the infrastructure charges levied for the development.

According to its application, the upgrade to Turtle Sands will be completed in two stages.
Stage one is already finished and features 115 of the park’s 127 sites developed.

This includes 17 cabins, nine tent sites, 20 studio apartments, 69 serviced sites, and a pool.

Stage two will finalise the development, adding a bunkhouse with 12 rooms for educational and group tourism markets, along with a barbecue/camp kitchen and a pool lounge.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said the decision to provide the full infrastructure charge discount highlighted the importance of the project in bolstering the local tourism industry, which contributed over $400m annually to the region’s economy.

Turtle Sands, Coral Cove caravan park glamping rooms

“With tourism playing such a vital role in our local economy, it’s crucial that we support projects like the Turtle Sands Caravan Park upgrade,” mayor Blackburn said.
Guests checking in between October and April, when thousands of loggerhead turtles nest and hatch, have to sign a turtle protection promise to safeguard the super-cute creatures.

The full project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Projects already supported under the program include Gina’s Table and the expansion of Okara’s operations at the Port.

Originally published as Bundaberg council backs Turtle Sands $28m upgrade with infrastructure discount