Inside 10 major development projects planned for Bundaberg

Ambitious and game-changing projects worth many millions of dollars will take the region into the 21st Century and beyond.

CHANGE IN THE AIR: Concept plans released for the $19 million redevelopment of Anzac Park in Bundaberg.

Bundaberg has long managed to balance a facade of easy living while maintaining an active business sector and innovative hub.

The region’s growth does not appear to be slowing down, with multiple development projects at various stages of approval and completion.

Here are just 10 of the more significant projects that, if they come to fruition, will forever change the business landscape of the region.

Anzac park redevelopment

CHANGE IN THE AIR: Concept plans released for the $19 million redevelopment of Anzac Park in Bundaberg.

The Bundaberg Riverside Recreation Park is a $19m redevelopment that is expected to increase amenities in the Bundaberg CBD and represents one facet of the Riverside Masterplan and the Civic & Cultural Precinct Strategic Vision.

The Bundaberg Regional Council previously released plans for this multimillion-dollar redevelopment of Anzac Park alongside the plans for a new aquatic centre (see below).

The NewsMail previous reported construction was expected to create 47 full-time equivalent jobs directly, with a flow-on of 58 FTE jobs.

State and Federal Government funding is being sought to complete this project.

Bundaberg Regional Aquatic Centre

BUILDING BUNDY: Design images for the new Bundaberg Aquatic Centre.

The vision for a state-of-the-art aquatic centre at Bundaberg West recently surfaced in headlines as the Bundaberg Regional Council allocating $6.6m to the project.

In July, a Bundaberg Regional Council spokesperson said the first step for this project was to complete the detailed design.

The spokesperson said the council was yet to seek tenders on the process. All stages are expected to be delivered in three years.

“Stage one of the project is expected to cost about $30 million,” the spokesperson said.

“Anzac Pool will remain operational during construction until a transition timeline to the new aquatic facility can be finalised.”

Community hub

BIG PLANS: The Bundaberg Regional Council will turn the former Blockbuster building, Wintergarden Theatre, into a community hub. Photos: Bundaberg Regional Council.

The redevelopment of Bundaberg’s Wintergarden Theatre, the old Blockbuster, will be among the first projects undertaken in the civic and cultural precinct.

Council executive director of strategic projects and economic development Ben Artup said the council bought the building in 2019, and planned to turn it into a community hub with improved accessibility, while honouring the heritage of the infrastructure.

Mr Artup said design work was underway, with an estimated timeline of a fit-out halfway through next year and opened to community groups come 2023.

Civic and Cultural Precinct

PRETTY AS A PICTURE: Bundaberg Regional Council release dthe concept drawings for the Civic and Cultural Arts Precinct.

The Bundaberg Regional Council’s plan to revitalise the CBD with the Civic and Cultural Precinct is a long-term vision for the city centre.

As previously mentioned the community hub and redevelopment of Anzac Park contribute to this plan, but it’s not all that’s on the drawing board.

A new art gallery has also been mentioned as part of this vision.

As outlined in the council’s 2020 advocacy document, the strategic vision generally focuses on land bound by the Burnett River to Woondooma Street, and Maryborough Street to Barolin Street.

It states, the strategic vision outlines how the council would, over time, deliver a new Regional Art Gallery and other civic, entertainment and community facilities as part of an integrated precinct-based approach.

In April 2020, the council received $120,000 from the state government to help prepare the business case for the new Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery.

Moore Park Beach Masterplan

BEACHSIDE PLANS: Bundaberg Regional Council voted on the masterplan proposed for the Moore Park Beach community at the recent ordinary meeting. Source: Moore Park Beach Masterplan 'Spaces and Places' report

The masterplan identified as Moore Park Beach Spaces and Places was endorsed by the Bundaberg Regional Council as an approved master plan at an ordinary meeting on Tuesday, April 27.

According to the meeting’s agenda, the council engaged InsiteSJC to assist in the development of a Masterplan for a Community Hub centred around several key facilities within Moore Park Beach, including the Community Hall, the Surf Life Saving Club and the Holiday Park.

The NewsMail previously reported the Spaces and Places plan extends from Claude Dooley Park and Palm View Drive at the northwestern end, along Pacific Boulevard to the Moore Park Beach Holiday Park and to Lassig Street at the southeastern end.

The report recommends the project could be split across several development stages, the first of which includes the surf lifesaving club and a community deck.

Bundaberg Hospital Redevelopment Project

BIG PLANS: Artist impressions of the redeveloped Bundaberg Hospital.

The detailed business case for a new Bundaberg Hospital is ‘nearly complete’ according to Wide Bay Hospital and Health Board Chair Peta Jamieson.

She previously told the NewsMail, a comprehensive analysis of the social, economic, sustainability and financial impacts of the proposed hospital had been carried out, along with peer reviews and business case drafting.

“Currently, the detailed business case is progressing through the Queensland Health investment assurance process and once this review is complete it will be presented for consideration by the Queensland Government,” Ms Jamieson said.

The preferred site on Kay McDuff Drive was announced last year, while the concept design plans were released to the public for community consultation earlier this year.

Paradise Dam

Safety works on Paradise Dam are about to wrap up with a report due to the government about the next steps by the end of the year.

The lowering of Paradise Dam’s spillway has caused tension throughout the Bundaberg community with respect to water security.

A Sunwater spokesperson said Sunwater’s actions in relation to Paradise Dam had been about protecting both lives and livelihoods.

“Lowering the spillway has improved the safety of communities living downstream, but further work needs to be done to strengthen and stabilise the dam and ensure it meets current safety guidelines,” a Sunwater spokesperson said.

“Post-tensioned anchor trials have been just one of several activities undertaken to help determine the scope of this work.

“Post-tensioned anchors are steel cables that can be installed vertically through the dam and into the bedrock to improve resistance to sliding and overturning from the force floodwaters place on the dam wall.”

To read more about the post-tensioned anchor testing click here.

A Sunwater spokesperson previously told the NewsMail an options report and recommendation would be provided to the Queensland Government, which is expected to make a decision about the long-term future of Paradise Dam by the end of 2021.

Super brewery 

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks CEO John McLean.

While the plans and timeline are currently on ice for the ‘future brewery’, here’s what we know about the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks vision for a super brewery.

Last year the NewsMail reported the family and board of management behind Bundaberg Brewed Drinks decided to delay construction of the proposed Future Brewery, which was originally planned to start in 2020.

Due to the uncertainty associated with coronavirus and the potential economic impact on Bundaberg Brewed Drink’s sales, supply chain and global markets over the next 12 to 18 months, the future brewery plans will revisited towards the end of 2021

In March 2020 it was reported that the development has been earmarked for construction on the corner of Kay McDuff Drive and the Bundaberg Ring Road.

The site is said to include storerooms, a brewing area, separate access for heavy vehicles and a research lab as well as an increased office and administration area over 3500 sqm.

Pacific Marine Base at Bundaberg

Pacific Tug Group is set to start works on a new marine base at the Port of Bundaberg in the coming weeks.

Work on Pacific Tug Groups’ plan for the Pacific Marine Base in Bundaberg is expected to begin at the site this year after years of planning.

The new marine base is expected to provide a number of services including transhipment, sea and harbour towage, land base logistics, lines handling, technical services as well as project support.

Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Tug Group Chris Peters previously said the new Pacific Marine Base would be state-of-the-art.

Revamped recreational precinct

Works on the new Bundaberg recreational precinct pavilion and ticket booth are well underway.

Construction of the multi-million dollar Bundaberg’s recreational grounds revamp is expected to be completed by October.

The work in this project includes a new entrance administration building with ticket booths and meeting rooms.

Bundaberg Regional Council spokesman for sports and recreation Vince Habermann said the build had created new jobs for locals.

“The area was highlighted for an upgrade through a masterplan completed early last year which suggested improvements including an entry statement, flexible event spaces, expanded accommodation and landscaping be featured,” he said.

“Current works include a new entrance administration building with ticket booths, meeting rooms for events and community organisations, and small office space for event co-ordination.”

Originally published as Inside 10 major development projects planned for Bundaberg