16 exciting developments in pipeline for Fraser Coast
There are 16 major developments under construction or in planning across Maryborough and Hervey Bay, including shopping centres, resorts, restaurants, taverns and shops, creating thousands of new jobs. DETAILS. PHOTOS.
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A new era beckons for Hervey Bay after an 18-storey Sheraton Hotel was approved at Torquay and a 16-story Radisson Hotel project is planned for Pialba.
In addition, the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s new administration and community hub is under construction, as is work on the new Torbanlea rail facility.
Here are 16 of the most exciting and expensive developments in the pipeline on the Fraser Coast.
Sheraton Hotel
Approved by the Fraser Coast Regional Council in early 2024, the $450 million Sheraton Hotel development will feature a mix of residential, resort, retail and luxury entertainment options, including 340 private apartments and more than 200 hotel rooms, a business lounge, fitness centre, international standard, 400-seat function and conference space and a destination rooftop bar overlooking the bay.
It is expected to generate an estimated 1350 new jobs across the life of the project.
After the council meeting in July, Sunny Beach Land Pty Ltd director Dan Cuda said the approval was the trigger for a major economic, employment and social boost for the region.
However it’s not all smooth sailing for the development, with the Fraser Coast branch of the Wildlife Preservation Association Queensland asking the Planning and Environment Court to overturn the council’s decision to approve it.
The appeal followed a GoFundMe campaign led by former Fraser Coast councillor Sue Brooks asking people to help “right a wrong”.
Opal Apartments
Modern apartments are set to replace an aged motel on the Esplanade at Hervey Bay.
Planning documents show the Fraser Coast council has approved the application to turn the existing Shelly Beach Motel at 509 The Esplanade, Torquay into Opal Shelly Beach Apartments.
The brick buildings are to be demolished so a new seven-storey complex offering a mix of residential and holiday/short stay accommodation can rise in their place.
This would make it similar in height to the six-storey plus basement Oaks Resort at Urangan while still being significantly lower than other proposed projects in the region including landmark 21-storey twin towers at 408 the Esplanade, Torquay.
“It is a reasonable expectation that a 20m high development as envisaged by the planning scheme would cast shadows on several adjacent properties,” the application on behalf of Opal Developments states.
High end units
A high-end housing development will replace a seafront motel if the Hervey Bay RSL Services and Memorial Club’s latest plans are approved.
The commercial company behind the club, which also owns Salt and the Bayswater under Oaks Resort, Sea Bar 469 under Allegra Resort and recently launched Hervey Bay Mini Golf at Torquay, wants to build eight multi-level units at 517 the Esplanade (at the corner of Margaret St), Urangan.
Should the application be approved, the existing Hervey Bay Motel including all buildings and the swimming pool, would be removed.
According to planning documents lodged with the council by Insite SJC, the development comprises two residential buildings which are to be “of an attractive, contemporary design set within landscaped grounds”.
Radisson Hotel and over-50s complex
HBC Build Australia has proposed building a 10-storey Radisson Hotel with 152 rooms and a 16-storey Sunlife over-50’s complex with 150 apartments, along with a wellness centre, multipurpose conference room, restaurant and bar, and food and retail precinct.
The sale of a $5 million block of land owned by the council will be the first step in bringing the residential apartment complex development and 10-storey hotel to the region.
A motion on the matter went before the August 2024 council meeting, with councillor Lachlan Cosgrove successfully moving an amendment requiring a report to come back confirming the final details of the development before the contract is signed.
Acting Fraser Coast council CEO Gerard Carlyon said the council had sought expressions of interest to buy and develop the council-owned land at 7-19 Hillyard St in Pialba, across from Seafront Oval, accepting a $5million tender from HBC Build Australia, subject to conditions.
“The Hillyard St land is in a strategically important location, which is why council sought proposals for the site that would help revitalise the Hervey Bay City Centre, leverage the benefits that flow from the new council building and deliver on the 20-year master plan for the area.”
Dundowran tavern, daycare and shops
A new McDonald’s is coming to Hervey Bay’s fast-growing western fringe after a commercial complex in the Dundowran Industrial Park was given the council green light.
It’s understood the development at the corner of Drury Lane and Pialba Burrum Heads Rd is likely to be known as BayWest Town Centre.
Development permits were already in place for two fast food outlets, a tavern, supermarket and specialty shops, health services precinct, service station and childcare centre.
Just before Christmas however, a request for “minor changes” to all six permits (eg slight altering of dimensions, boundaries and carparking spaces) was submitted to the council by town planning firm Tract Consultants on behalf of Cinque Developments No 2 Pty Ltd.
The revised plans included artist’s impressions for a McDonald’s, which had previously only been rumoured to be a likely tenant.
“Since the original development applications were lodged, commercial negotiations with potential and interested tenants have continued and tenancy requirements are required to be updated to meet national brand standards and retail offering expectations for preferred tenants,” the application states.
Concept images submitted as part of the application show the scale of the project, including the proposed tavern, which would include indoor and outdoor dining, a functions room, Keno and gaming area.
According to the planning documents, approval was given for the project “notwithstanding” conflicts with the medium impact industry zone, because the application was able to be supported by “higher order provisions within the settlement pattern theme” of the western suburbs as long as “reasonable and relevant” conditions were complied with.
Battery factory
Australia’s first manufacturing plant for grid-scale batteries with a commercial-scale factory will be built in Maryborough.
The state government announced in September 2024 that its $25 million investment had attracted another $40 million of international private funding to help establish the commercial-scale manufacturing factory for iron-flow batteries.
The government’s $25 million debt and equity investment attracted $40 million from a UK-based investment fund to accelerate the development of the local industry and secure its future in the state.
Early works have begun at the Maryborough site which, when fully operational by mid-2029, will create up to 273 full-time jobs.
Flow battery technology has the potential to deliver longer duration energy storage of up to 14 hours, which is vital as the world continues to decarbonise and increase its generation of clean and renewable energy, a state government statement said.
The government’s investment will position the company to solidify meaningful relationships and potential collaborations with publicly owned energy corporations.
New council and community hub
Construction of Hervey Bay’s new council administration building and community hub is well underway.
The construction of the $108.7 million hub, which is supported by $40 million from the Australian government under the Hinkler Deal, and additional funding from Fraser Coast Regional Council, is progressing well with national construction company Hansen Yuncken kicking off the works earlier this year.
Hansen Yuncken have now engaged four more local businesses for trade packages valued at more than $3million, in addition to the eight local companies previously engaged for goods and services valued at more than $12million.
Wide Bay Scaffolding, Meales Wide Bay Concrete Pumping, Wide Bay Crane Hire and Neumann Steel are among the latest businesses set to benefit from the project.
The community hub will include a Disaster Resilience Centre, an expanded library over two levels, a new public plaza, and flexible spaces for meetings and events.
More than three-quarters of the development will be community space.
Construction is due to be completed in mid-2026.
Councillor Denis Chapman said the development was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the city centre, create jobs and drive business investment.
The Hinkler Regional Deal is a partnership between the Australian government, Fraser Coast council and Bundaberg council that seeks to build on the area’s strengths to provide economic growth and long-term employment.
Marina Square
A $60 million investment in Hervey Bay tourism infrastructure will change the face of Urangan Marina.
The investment, which was kickstarted by the state government, has the potential to create more than 200 local jobs and extensive economic opportunities for the region.
The centrepiece of the Marina Square development is a 144-room, four-star hotel, the construction of which would create 210 jobs: 175 during the build and 35 full-time roles in the long-term.
The facilitation agreement with Hervey Bay Boat Club and Club Property Solutions signals an important step in the development of Marina Square at Urangan Harbour.
Former Hervey Bay Labor MP Bay Adrian Tantari said the project would boost jobs and apprenticeships.
“This will mean more work for our tradies and the local construction industry, and that will drive growth in our tourism industries,” he said at the time.
“It will also commence the redevelopment of the boat harbour that has been talked about for some time, enhancing Hervey Bay’s reputation as the premium whale watching destination in Australia.”
Hervey Bay basketball centre
The first sod was turned on Hervey Bay’s new $2.8 million multipurpose basketball centre at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct in October 2024.
Hervey Bay Basketball Association president Matthew Baker said the club had grown rapidly in recent years and after many years of advocating for a home of their own they were thrilled the new state-of-the-art centre was underway.
The centre will provide new indoor and outdoor courts for the sport’s 600 local players.
“We would like to thank Fraser Coast Regional Council for their investment in the future of the Fraser Coast,” he said in a statement provided by the council.
“This project will be the largest indoor multipurpose sports facility on the Fraser Coast and a huge asset to our community.”
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said construction was expected to be finished by June 2025.
“The new multipurpose facility was a key element in the Fraser Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct Master Plan, and it’s part of council’s broader commitment to fostering a healthy, active and vibrant community,” he said.
Over-50’s development
A $100 million over 50’s community development is under construction and the first stage of the project more than 90 per cent sold.
A ceremonial sod-turning event for the Liven Beach Road community was held on site, officiated by Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour, alongside representatives of land lease community owner and operator Liven Communities and future residents.
The next stage of new homes was then fast tracked to meet demand, according to a statement from the developers.
The first luxury homes at the land lease community were almost sold out within days.
Centrally located in Urraween and 300m from Stockland Hervey Bay Shopping Centre, Liven Beach Road will offer 132 homes and leisure and entertainment options.
Motel Now development
A major development which would offer short-term housing and holiday accommodation has reached the next stage of the application process with the Fraser Coast council.
The Motel Now proposal is for 101 “architectural eco cabins” to be built on the old car wrecking yard site at 612 Alice St, Maryborough.
According to planning documents lodged by IRBS Pty Ltd, the cabins would be a mix of family, studio and accessible units – some of which would be leased out to tenants for a maximum of three months while others would be available for business travellers and tourists via “24-hour contactless, self-managed bookings”.
In the documents, the project is pitched as one that would “assist in providing greater housing supply to the area while still providing ample short-term accommodation” amid a “critical” shortage and also be a driver of economic growth.
“The proposal aims to provide short-term accommodation in Maryborough which is in proximity to major tourism generators and infrastructure projects,” the application reads
“The proposal will not adversely impact adjoining properties and aims to appropriately integrate with the surrounding development and streetscape … the height, bulk, scale and siting of the proposal are generally consistent with the requirements of the planning scheme.”
Kookaburra Hostel makeover
The colourful Kookaburra Hostel could soon be spruced up and relaunched with a watering hole open to the public.
According to plans lodged with the Fraser Coast council, the hostel, which was once popular with budget travellers but has since turned into a rundown boarding house, would undergo a major makeover.
It’s the first effort to revamp the site since local hospitality identity and the site’s former owner George Kotis operated an authentic blue and white themed Greek eatery there in the mid 2000s.
Mr Kotis had planned to open a new restaurant at WetSide Water Park but sadly died on the eve of the launch in 2010.
The 1940s-era 2613 m2 site at 4-6 Charles St, Pialba was originally a convalescent home.
The planning documents state that even though the site has a long history of being used for its proposed purpose as a backpacker’s hostel, it had not operated as one for eight-10 years meaning previous approvals had lapsed and a new application was needed.
New service station at Possum Paradise
The prime corner block that housed Hervey Bay nursery Possum Paradise for three decades will become a fuel station and food outlet.
It comes after the public notification period for the development application on the corner of Boundary Rd and Senorita Pde, ended this week.
The property, which is home to the reimagined Possum Paradise Landscape Supplies and no longer serves as a nursery and cafe is owned by longtime Ray White Hervey Bay boss Glenn Fallon and local lawyer Don Gayler, who are both listed in the planning documents.
A post on PPLS social media page also flagged the plans for a “drive-through coffee and food outlet with a shop and small fuel/charging facility”.
“It is on the corner (of an) unused section of the property and will not affect the landscape yard or surrounding housing,” the post read.
“We will still be providing the same great service and products with plans to also expand our products.”
According to the application documents, the 1ha block at 82 Boundary Rd, which also has frontage on Senorita amid residential blocks would get new separate single-storey buildings – one the 470m2 service station with covered bowsers and the second, a 228m2 food outlet with drive-through.
St Helens development
A major subdivision is set to transform almost 27ha of land at St Helens, forever changing the landscape of Maryborough’s northeastern entrance.
An application to divvy up six allotments near the soon-to-be-upgraded intersection at Saltwater Ck and Hibiscus roads into 233 residential lots is before the Fraser Coast council and subject to a public notification period.
The plans, submitted on behalf of the River Heads Property Group, also show a number of commercial lots, allowing for a single level retail block at the entrance to the estate.
If approved, lots would range from 400-1000sq m, the larger of which would allow for “dual occupancy outcomes” while common areas would be maintained by contractors.
The application claims the site, between the Dundathu rural residential area and the urban area at the northern extent of Maryborough is not “impeded significantly by environmental and infrastructure constraints” nor is it an “isolated pocket” within the city and subject to the effecting provision of infrastructure it has “several attributes which make it desirable for future urban development”.
“The subject land is being investigated for extension of the reticulated water and sewer supply,” the application reads.
“If approved, this application will be required to make infrastructure contributions.
“There may be “bring forward” costs associated with out of sequence development and these issues can be addressed in an infrastructure agreement with council”.
Pialba development
A residential block close to the Pialba beach and CBD redevelopment will be home to a new apartment complex should an application with the council be approved.
The five-storey complex comprising of 56 units would be built at 11-15 Watson St, Pialba, a street back from the Esplanade.
According to application documents, the existing four-bedroom home, sheds and pool at 11 Watson St, Pialba, which sold in May, 2023 for $1.25 million, would be demolished to make way for the new complex which would encompass that land as well as the vacant blocks beside it.
The complex would have an onsite pool and spa and feature a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments “in contemporary architectural form”.
“ … There is little or no impact on the adjoining/adjacent land uses notwithstanding the small additional height of the proposed building pursuant to the acceptable solutions in the planning scheme code,” the application reads.
“Each unit is provided with a private balcony to cater for private open space outcomes as well as the development of a communal facility located on the northeastern and southeastern sides of the site.”
Second Maryborough McDonald’s
Maryborough will get its second McDonald’s restaurant if plans for the fast-food giant to be built at a Bruce Hwy site are approved.
The new store would be in the same block currently occupied by a Caltex service station, Oliver’s food outlet and Bakehouse 13 at the vacant lots 52-53 Enterprise Circuit – an estate that can be veered into from the highway at Maryborough West.
The new store, drive-through, McCafe, two-storey play centre and 30-space carpark would cover 2800m2.
Documents submitted to the Fraser Coast Regional Council by McDonald’s Australia Limited show the application for the new store has moved through initial stages and is now entering the “public notification” period.
While the application is for a “material change of use” (the space where the store would go is currently designated for a service station), McDonald’s submits it’s not a major change because it previously had a store in the same area many years ago.
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