$70 million plan to put Bargara South on the map

IT’S been two years in the planning but developer Bill Moorhead’s multi-million dollar, 36.9ha coastal Headlands development application has now been lodged.

Developer Bill Moorhead talks about his newest development between Bargara and Innes Park, with the application lodged with council this week.

IT'S been two years in the planning but Bargara developer Bill Moorhead's multi-million dollar, 36.9ha coastal Headlands development application has now been lodged with Bundaberg Regional Council.

>> VIEW A HI-RES IMAGE OF THE PLAN 

After 11 pre-lodgement meetings with the council and State Government, Mr Moorhead is excited to reach the significant milestone of a project he hopes will leave a lasting legacy in the community and region he's passionate about.

No Caption. Picture: Carolyn Booth

With special consideration given to limiting the project's environmental impact, the proposed development would include a best-practice water sensitive urban design on the village green to ensure stormwater runoff was clean enough to drink, turtle-friendly lighting and native vegetation areas.

Mr Moorhead said the meetings with the council had been positive and he hoped the State Government would see its potential.

"The council officers have been fantastic to deal with," he said.

"They have been professional and competent to ensure they look after the best interests of the community.

"Hopefully the State Government will see the overall potential benefit for the community, environment and economy by not putting up too many hurdles."

Mr Moorhead's family-owned company Multilow is the company behind the development and in an Economic Impact Study commissioned by Lawrence Consulting, the total direct and indirect benefits during the construction phase was projected to generate $160 million and result in the creation of 560 jobs.

The report also projects the flow-on benefits to be a further $170million to the region and an additional 887 jobs, while the residential component of the project would generate annual local rates revenue of $870,000 on completion.

The staged development would begin with 35 lots to the south and the sewage pump station. "I'd like to start physical work on the site in the next 12 months," Mr Moorhead said.

With more than 300 mostly residential lots, Mr Moorhead said digital terrain modelling was used to ensure the majority have ocean views.

But no one will have exclusive access to the beachfront, with Mr Moorhead believing that is an area everyone should have access to.

"One hundred per cent of the foreshore will be owned by the community. It will be a little bit like between Nielson's and Kacy's," he said.

Mr Moorhead is also committed to calling the development, which lies between Bargara and Innes Park, Bargara South. 

Blocks are expected to be priced from about $150,000.

Originally published as $70 million plan to put Bargara South on the map