Upsurge: 10 major Central Qld developments announced in 2021
From major resorts to service stations that could rejuvenate towns, here are 10 major developments announced in Central Queensland during 2021, that are set to be constructed in the years to come.
Rockhampton
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Central Queensland’s towns and cities continue to grow after an upsurge in new industries and an exodus of people from the cities during Covid-19.
New residential, retail, hospitality, tourism and industry developments are being proposed to cater for a growing population and demand for services.
Here are 10 major developments that were announced during 2021:
Gladstone Hydrogen
Gladstone is poised to be one of the world’s hydrogen energy capitals with a plethora of new projects that were announced in 2021.
A partnership with Fortescue Future Industries will create a manufacturing hub for electrolysers which split hydrogen from water.
The new Aldoga facility would generate up to two gigawatts of electrolysers annually, according to the State Government.
Japan-based Sumitomo Corporation is also a major player in Gladstone’s hydrogen future with a memorandum of understanding signed with Gladstone Regional Council, Gladstone Ports Corporation and CQUniversity on March 17, 2021.
Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni said Gladstone’s Hydrogen Ecosystem would extend to the transport sector and would power cars, buses and trucks.
A Hydrogen Park is also proposed at Derby Street and will blend with up to 10 per cent gas.
Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre
Developer ZenDev is planning a massive hotel and aquatic centre which has received over 250 positive submissions from the community.
The project, which is planned to be next to the Boyne River, would have a 50m pool and accommodation with up to 180 keys.
A development application for the hotel, marina and boat club are expected to be lodged with the Gladstone Regional Council by March next year.
The development could employ up to 80 people during construction and create 30 ongoing positions.
Taroom Weather Radar
A new weather radar is set to open soon to provide data for Central Queensland and the Western Darling Downs.
The radar will be located near the Taroom airport and will use dial-polarised doppler technology.
The federal government has spent $77.2 million on the project as part of BOM‘s plan to deliver eight new radars across Australia by June 2024.
Its completion was delayed until February 2022 due to Covid.
Agnes Water Shopping Centre
Stockwell has lodged a development application for a new shopping centre on Round Hill Road near Agnes Water.
The seven-stage development is poised to have a shopping centre, childcare centre, vet, fitness centre, and other shopfronts.
Construction is set to start in late 2021 and would take about 12 months to complete.
Gina Rinehart’s Great Keppel Island
It was revealed in 2021 that Gina Rinehart is seeking to acquire a tarnished resort off of Great Keppel Island.
Current development approvals include a 250-room beachfront hotel, 300 luxury apartments, 285 luxury villas, 900 sqm of retail shops and a 250-berth marina.
Although not confirmed, it is believed to be a $50m deal.
But there are still hurdles to the deal, including state and local government approvals.
Sunshine Coast-based developers Altum Property Group tried to buy the resort in 2019 but the State Government rejected the purchase based on a financial and managerial capacity assessment.
Pilbeam Convention Centre
Rockhampton is the only major regional city in Queensland without a convention centre but a new proposal for one is taking off.
Rockhampton Regional Council plans to redevelop the Pilbeam Theatre into a performing arts and convention centre.
Architects Conrad Gargett, who were awarded a $123,500 contract to create a concept design in 2019, have released artists impressions of the “RPACC” proposal, which would be built on the existing Pilbeam site.
They say it would “provide an opportunity to leverage on the established reputation of the Pilbeam Theatre in the community and on the regional and national touring circuits providing flexible stage-of-the-art [sic] facilities commensurate with a significant regional city.”
Former Rockhampton Bunnings
The former site of Bunnings in North Rockhampton has been sitting vacant since March 17, 2018, and there have been many speculations over the future of the massive building.
Coles owns the site and there is speculation that a supermarket might open there in the future.
A 24/7 fast food outlet was approved for the site in 2021 and will be located in the corner of the block.
It will be tenanted and have drive-through facilities.
Blackwater ‘Golden Mile’
A new service station on the Capricorn Highway at Blackwater has been dubbed as a step towards creating a “golden mile” through the mining town.
It’s understood it may be a new location for Metro Petroleum and create about 60 jobs during construction.
Central Highlands Regional Council suggested it could lower fuel prices due to increased competition.
The development was approved by the council on April 28, 2021.
Moores Creek Road Servo
A new Metro Petroleum service station is planned for Moores Creek Road, a popular rat run from Rockhampton’s southside to Yeppoon.
Plans show a service station, drive-through food and drink outlet, car parks and petrol bowsers for the proposed development, with 17,000 cars passing by each day.
The signage on the artist’s impressions show “Metro Petroleum” and “Petit Cafe”.
Emu Park Highrise
A controversial seven-storey unit and shop development at Emu Park has been planned, with development applications lodged with Livingstone Shire Council.
Developer Rob Carr plans to build the $35 million building between Archer and Pattison Streets and on Granville Street.
But almost 200 people have raised concerns about the “fugly” project, concerned that the coastal town will turn into Surfers Paradise or Noosa.
Submissions have closed and the development is yet to be voted on by the council.
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Originally published as Upsurge: 10 major Central Qld developments announced in 2021
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