Work to start on Urangan Boat Harbour master plan
The state government has announced that work will begin on a master plan for Urangan Boat Harbour, the home of whale watching tours and other essential tourism drivers.
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Work is set to begin on the long-awaited Urangan Harbour master plan, which will bring long-term vision to the home of Hervey Bay’s whale watching fleet.
The announcement was made on Thursday by Hervey Bay MP Adrian Tantari and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace.
“Urangan Harbour plays a critical tourism role as gateway to Hervey Bay’s recently accredited whale heritage site as well as providing all-tide deepwater access to recreational boaties from far and wide,” Mr Tantari said.
“The harbour also provides a place for commercial operators and other maritime-related businesses to thrive.
“The master plan will provide a long-term vision that will guide decision-making and future development to support recreational and commercial boating activities and a sustainable maritime and tourism industry.
“The master plan will be developed with the community and stakeholders to make sure the harbour remains a bustling precinct for business and recreation and I look forward to making sure everyone is involved as we do the planning.
“I am thrilled the Miles government has heard my call for the need for a comprehensive plan for the future of Urangan Harbour – something I have worked towards since my election.
“Once complete, the plan should bring an exciting future for the harbour precinct.”
The plan will deliver a blueprint to guide decision-making, development and investment to support a sustainable maritime industry, a statement from the state government said.
Past suggestions about what could be included in the plan have included everything from a cruise terminal to a theme park or high rise apartment buildings.
The harbour is a strategic maritime asset and a gateway to the Great Sandy Marine Park and K’gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area.
It also supports maritime-related activities including community groups, volunteer marine rescue, government services, marinas, hospitality venues, fishing fleets and maintenance facilities.
The planning process will incorporate community and stakeholder feedback, high level technical investigations, background research and the latest recreational boating demand forecasting.
The master plan will outline future land use intent and redevelopment opportunities to ensure the harbour’s continuing role in the region’s economic growth.
In recognising the economic potential of Urangan Harbour, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (which owns the Urangan Harbour) will partner with Economic Development Queensland to deliver a master plan that also considers the broader harbour precinct.
Master planning of Urangan Harbour has been listed in the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan as a key contributor to tourism and economic development in the Fraser Coast region.
Preliminary project planning is already underway, with further details to come when the master planning process formally starts in mid-2024.
Public consultation is expected to begin in early 2025 with a final master plan anticipated by late 2025.
It comes after plans were announced in 2021 for a $60m hotel development, set to replace a caravan park near the marina.
“Urangan Harbour is a key tourism and maritime destination and has the potential to become an anchor within the Fraser Coast region’s tourism sector,” Mrs Grace said.
“There is land around the harbour that is under-utilised and there is potential for economic redevelopment, particularly to capitalise on the local status of Hervey Bay as a whale heritage site and the appeal of the region of a tourist destination.
“The strategic master planning of Urangan Harbour will be the first step on its path to revitalisation.
“Ultimately it will aim to attract new investment in residential and commercial land uses to leverage and further develop Urangan Harbour’s role as the region’s home for whale watching, boating enthusiasts and recreational fishers.”
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