10 upcoming developments: What’s in the pipeline for Maryborough and Hervey Bay
From a new tavern in Dundowran to a 17-storey hotel development in Urangan, here are 10 of the biggest developments coming to the Fraser Coast in 2024 and beyond.
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Exciting developments are in the works across the Fraser Coast at the moment, while others are currently before the council.
The region is booming, with the completion of several projects in the past year, including the new 7-Eleven service station at Maryborough, the city’s new Red Rooster outlet, Forty Winks, Hervey Bay’s new Bunnings superstore and a new childcare centre in Hervey Bay.
But there are plenty of others that are in the works or preparing to open their doors.
The developments bring the prospect of more employment, entertainment, restaurants, homes and businesses to the region.
Here are 10 projects going ahead or proposed on the Fraser Coast.
Dundowran - tavern, daycare centre and shops
A new development that will include a tavern, multiple shops, a supermarket, childcare centre and service station at Dundowran has been approved by Fraser Coast Regional Council.
The development to be built at the corner Pialba-Burrum Heads Rd and Drury Lane proposes an “extensive range of retail and commercial land uses over six lots”, according to documents submitted to the council.
“Six separate development applications, over each proposed lot, have been lodged for the ultimate centre development,” the documents read.
The development will include a service station, two food and drink outlets with a drive-through facility, a tavern and a childcare facility.
Guzman y Gomez, Maryborough
Mexican takeaway giant Guzman y Gomez’s outlet in Maryborough is taking shape on Alice St.
The site was previously home to an auto electrical services shop.
According to the development application, the eatery will be open 24 hours, seven days a week.
It will also include a two-lane drive-through.
It comes after Guzman y Gomez opened a store on Main St in Hervey Bay in 2021.
Pialba – Spotlight, Anaconda and Harris Scarfe
The first stage of this eagerly awaited development is set to open its doors just before Christmas.
The$80 million dollar Spotlight and Anaconda development is quickly taking shape on Boat Harbour Drive, Pialba, not far from the new Bunnings store on Main and Mcliver Streets.
Spotlight Group executive deputy chairman Zac Fried said the main building was expected to open just before Christmas, with a second building to open shortly after in the new year.
The development will bring Anaconda to the Bay for the first time, while Spotlight will find a new home.
It will also see the return of retail outlet Harris Scarfe to Hervey Bay after it closed its doors during the Covid pandemic.
“If all goes to plan, it will be open before Christmas,” Mr Fried said.
“We’re very excited to bring back Harris Scarfe and bring Anaconda to Hervey Bay.”
Maryborough – Energy Storage Industries — Asia Pacific battery manufacturing factory
A battery manufacturing factory being built in Maryborough will bring new jobs to the region.
Built by Energy Storage Industries — Asia Pacific the $70 million project promises to “produce low-cost, long-life, environmentally friendly batteries that allow large-scale energy storage” and is the first of its kind in Australia.
ESI director Stuart Parry said the facility would help the company establish a reliable and environmentally friendly energy storage industry in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
“Our products are essential to Australia’s renewable energy future,” Mr Parry said.
“Our batteries have a 10 to 14-hour storage capacity and a life cycle of 25 years — something that is not provided by other battery technologies.
“The low-cost, environmentally friendly electrolyte also means that the product is ideally suited to remote locations, national parks and the Great Barrier Reef.”
New Fraser Coast Council administration buildings
Tens of millions of dollars is set to be spent on new council administration buildings in Hervey Bay and Maryborough.
Last year, the plans for Hervey Bay’s future library and council administration centre were revealed as part of a $100m project that will give the beachside community an impressive CBD.
A new public plaza, library, council administration centre and community spaces are some key features.
The redevelopment, to be built on the corner of Main St and Torquay Rd, will include a larger Hervey Bay Library, and Council Administration Centre which incorporates a Disaster Resilience Centre.
Meanwhile, in August, after months of debate, the council voted to build Maryborough’s council admin and customer service centre at The Hub at 350 Kent St, and renovate the existing library on Bazaar St.
Urangan – $60 million hotel development
A $60 million investment in Hervey Bay tourism infrastructure is set to change the face of Urangan Marina.
The investment, which has been kickstarted by the State Government, has the potential to create more than 200 local jobs and extensive economic opportunities for the Fraser Coast region.
The centrepiece of the Marina Square development is a 144-room, four-star hotel, the construction of which would see 210 jobs created: 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.
Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said the project will prove a boost for 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,” Mr Tantari said.
“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.”
Maryborough – new service station and BP redevelopment
An application to upgrade a Maryborough petrol station, which will mean houses removed to make way for a car wash and convenience store, has been approved with conditions by the council.
The application for the BP at the intersection of Maryborough’s Saltwater Creek Rd and Woodstock St, went before the Fraser Coast Regional Council in May.
Councillor Paul Truscott said while the proposal was approved, conditions were put in place.
These included limiting the hours of operation from 4am to 10pm daily for the service station, 6am to 8pm Monday to Saturday for the car wash and 7am to 6pm on Sundays.
Nikenbah – New Fraser Coast basketball centre
Basketball on the Fraser Coast is one step closer to having a new home, now that council has approved a funding agreement for the first stage of a multimillion-dollar facility.
The $3m basketball stadium, which will be built at the Fraser Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct at Nikenbah, will include two indoor courts and an outdoor court.
Mayor George Seymour spoke in support of the Hervey Bay Basketball Association’s proposed facility at the council meeting in September.
“This type of infrastructure is so very important for our community,” Mr Seymour said.
Deputy Mayor Denis Chapman said it was great that basketball could now be at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct.
Eli Waters – new Aldi development
A new supermarket has been proposed for Hervey Bay, with a development application lodged for an Aldi store at Eli Waters.
The selected site for the 8000sq m development is at the corner of Serenity Drive and Pialba-Burrum Heads Road.
There are three Aldi stores on the Fraser Coast – one at Maryborough, one at Urraween and one at Urangan.
If the project is approved, developing the site is expected generate 30 store jobs as well as construction jobs.
The store would initially serve a population pool of 20,567 people and an additional 1847 people by 2031, the proposal said.
While catering to Eli Waters and Dundowran, the development application notes the intersection of Serenity Dr and Pialba-Burrum Heads Rd will need to be upgraded to handle increased traffic.
Torbanlea – $229m train factory
The first look at Torbanlea’s $239m train factory has been revealed after an announcement was made regarding the purchase of another site which will produce sub-components for train car bodies.
The Hyundai Rotem Corporation will establish a $30 million stand-alone local presence on the Fraser Coast with the purchase of an industrial site and plans to establish a factory to produce sub-components for train car bodies.
It means components typically made overseas can be made in Maryborough, and creates 20 jobs.
Hyundai Rotem CEO Yong-Bae Lee said the Maryborough factory would be operational in 2025 and would provide the roll forming to be used for rail car bodies at the Torbanlea train manufacturing facility.
“Queensland does not currently have roll forming capability, and such components have historically been made overseas,” he said.
“We believe this investment strengthens Queensland’s rail manufacturing capabilities while creating new jobs in the region.”
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Originally published as 10 upcoming developments: What’s in the pipeline for Maryborough and Hervey Bay
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