Wide Bay boom defies statewide housing slowdown

While much of Queensland’s housing market has cooled, the Wide Bay region is charging ahead with a robust increase in residential construction.

While much of Queensland’s housing market has cooled, the Wide Bay region is charging ahead with a robust increase in residential construction. (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

While much of Queensland’s housing market has cooled, the Wide Bay region is charging ahead with a robust increase in residential construction.

A statement issued by Construction Skills Queensland on Monday, September 2, said Wide Bay stood out as “one of few areas in the state to experience growth in residential approvals, with an impressive 5.5 per cent increase in approvals in the 12 months from June 2023 to June 2024”.

“The region is poised for a significant construction boom, with $2.7 billion in total construction activity to be delivered across building and engineering sectors,” the statement said.

Proposed housing developments at Gympie and Hervey Bay will form key parts of a developers’ $800 million plan to create a pipeline of over-50’s accommodation along Australia’s east coast.

While much of Queensland’s housing market has cooled, the Wide Bay region is charging ahead with a robust increase in residential construction.

Also in Hervey Bay, initial works will soon be underway in construction of the $450 million Sheraton Resort and apartments, and the Fraser Coast Council also recently approved another multi-storey Radisson Hotel for the Bay.

The true cost of the Paradise Dam rebuild near Bundaberg will not be known until at least the end of 2025, but Sunwater chief executive Glenn Stockton confirmed he expected the project to surpass the $1.2bn currently budgeted by the state and federal government.

In response to this, CSQ will visit Hervey Bay this week, urging businesses and workers to take advantage of $1 million in available training funds.

Concept designs for the new Sheraton Resort in Hervey Bay. While much of Queensland’s housing market has cooled, the Wide Bay region is charging ahead with a robust increase in residential construction.

This initiative is part of CSQ’s $52 million 2024-25 Training Plan, designed to expand Queensland’s workforce capacity.

“Although the housing boom has tapered off in other parts of the state, Wide Bay remains a hotbed of activity, with continued housing activity underway alongside major infrastructure projects and the rise of renewable energy developments,” the statement read.

CSQ CEO Geoff Clare said the Wide Bay construction sector would continue to face pressure as it tackled large-scale projects such as the Paradise Dam Upgrade and Munna Creek Solar Farm, alongside a strong pipeline of residential developments.

“Wide Bay’s house-building activity is defying the state trend, with residential approvals up 5.5 per cent from 2022-23,” Mr Clare said.

“CSQ anticipates over $2.7 billion worth of construction work to be delivered in the region over the next 12 months.

“CSQ is encouraging trade and site workers, as well as subcontractors, to enhance their skill sets, obtain new work tickets, and seize this opportunity.”

There were 1202 apprentices employed across the region in the industry, a number that had held steady following an 11 per cent jump in 2023.

Construction Skills Queensland is an independent industry-funded body supporting employers, workers, apprentices and career seekers in the building and construction industry.

Funded by an industry training levy, it works with students, schools, employers, apprentices, trainees, industry partners, training providers and individuals across Queensland to build capability at every level of business.

For further information visit www.csq.org.au or call 1800 798 488.

Originally published as Wide Bay boom defies statewide housing slowdown