Maryborough and Hervey Bay’s 10 upcoming developments
These are 10 of the biggest developments coming to the Fraser Coast in 2024 and beyond, from a new tavern in Dundowran to a 17-storey hotel in Urangan.
The Fraser Coast is currently home to exciting developments, while others are awaiting council approval.
Several new developments have been completed in the region 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.
However, there are plenty of others in the works or preparing to open.
There will be more employment, entertainment, restaurants, homes, and businesses in the region as a result of the developments.
On the Fraser Coast, there are 10 projects underway or proposed.
Tavern, daycare center, and shops at Dundowran
Fraser Coast Regional Council has approved a new development that will include a tavern, multiple shops, a supermarket, childcare center, and service station at Dundowran.
According to documents submitted to council, the development to be built at the corner of Pialba-Burrum Heads Rd and Drury Lane proposes an “extensive range of retail and commercial uses over six lots”.
The documents state that six separate development applications were filed for each proposed lot.
There will be a service station, two food and drink outlets with drive-through facilities, a tavern, and a childcare center.
Guzman y Gomez, Maryborough
On Alice Street, Guzman y Gomez’s Maryborough outlet is taking shape.
Previously, the site housed an auto electrical service shop.
The eatery will open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, according to the development application.
A two-lane drive-through will also be included.
In 2021, Guzman y Gomez opened a store on Main St in Hervey Bay.
Pialba – Spotlight, Anaconda and Harris Scarfe
Just before Christmas, the first stage of this eagerly anticipated development will open its doors.
In Pialba’s Boat Harbour Drive, not far from the new Bunnings store at Main and Mcliver Streets, the $80 million Spotlight and Anaconda development is quickly taking shape.
A second building will open shortly after in the new year, according to Spotlight Group executive deputy chairman Zac Fried.
As part of the development, Anaconda will be brought to the Bay for the first time, while Spotlight will find a new home.
Harris Scarfe, which closed its doors during the Covid pandemic, will also return to Hervey Bay.
It will be open before Christmas if everything goes according to plan, Mr Fried said.
Harris Scarfe and Anaconda are very excited to return to Hervey Bay.”
Maryborough – Energy Storage Industries — Asia Pacific battery manufacturing factory
The construction of a battery manufacturing factory in Maryborough will create new jobs.
It 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.
Director Stuart Parry said the facility would help ESI establish a reliable and environmentally friendly energy storage industry in Australia and Asia Pacific.
The future of renewable energy in Australia depends on our products, Mr Parry said.
Unlike other battery technologies, our batteries have a life cycle of 25 years and a storage capacity of 10 to 14 hours.
As a result of its low cost and environmental friendliness, the product is ideal for remote locations, national parks, and the Great Barrier Reef.
New Fraser Coast Council administration buildings
New council administration buildings will cost tens of millions of dollars in Hervey Bay and Maryborough.
As part of a $100m project, Hervey Bay’s future library and council administration centre were revealed last year.
Public plazas, libraries, council administration centers, and community spaces are among the new features.
On the corner of Main St and Torquay Rd, the redevelopment will include a larger Hervey Bay Library and a Disaster Resilience Centre.
In August, the council voted to build a council office and customer service centre at The Hub at 350 Kent St, and renovate the existing library on Bazaar St.
Urangan – $60 million hotel development
Urangan Marina is set to undergo a $60 million makeover as a result of a $60 million investment in Hervey Bay tourism infrastructure.
More than 200 jobs could be created and extensive economic opportunities could be created for the Fraser Coast region as a result of the investment, which has been kicked off by the State Government.
Marina Square’s centerpiece is a 144-room, four-star hotel, whose construction would create 210 jobs: 175 during construction and 35 full-time positions in the long term.
Marina Square at Urangan Harbour is taking a significant step forward with the facilitation agreement with Hervey Bay Boat Club and Club Property Solutions.
Adrian Tantari, member for Hervey Bay, said the project will boost apprenticeships and jobs.
“This will mean more work for our tradies and the local construction industry, and that will drive tourism growth.” said Tantari.
In addition, it will begin redeveloping the boat harbour that has been discussed for some time, which will enhance Hervey Bay’s reputation as one of Australia’s premier whale watching destinations.”
Maryborough – new service station and BP redevelopment
The council has approved an application to upgrade a Maryborough petrol station, which will require houses to be demolished to make way for a car wash and convenience store.
In May, the Fraser Coast Regional Council approved the BP application at the intersection of Saltwater Creek Rd and Woodstock St in Maryborough.
While the proposal was approved, conditions were put in place, according to Councillor Paul Truscott.
The hours of operation for the service station were limited to 4am to 10pm daily, those for the car wash to 6am to 8pm Monday through Saturday, and those for the service station on Sundays were limited to 7am to 6pm.
Nikenbah – New Fraser Coast basketball centre
After council approved a funding agreement for the first stage of a multimillion-dollar facility, basketball on the Fraser Coast is one step closer to having a new home.
A $3m basketball stadium will be built at the Fraser Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct at Nikenbah, with two indoor courts and one outdoor court.
At the September council meeting, Mayor George Seymour supported the Hervey Bay Basketball Association’s proposed facility.
“This type of infrastructure is so crucial for our community,” Mr Seymour said.
The Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct is now home to basketball, according to Deputy Mayor Denis Chapman.
Eli Waters – new Aldi development
A development application has been lodged for an Aldi store at Eli Waters in Hervey Bay.
This 8000 sq m development is located at the corner of Serenity Drive and Pialba-Burrum Heads Road.
On the Fraser Coast, there are three Aldi stores – one at Maryborough, one at Urraween, and one at Urangan.
Building the site will create 30 store jobs as well as construction jobs if the project is approved.
A population pool of 20,567 people would initially be served by the store, and another 1847 would be served by 2031.
Despite catering to Eli Waters and Dundowran, the development application notes that the intersection of Serenity Dr and Pialba-Burrum Heads Rd will need to be upgraded to handle increased traffic.
Torbanlea – $229m train factory
It has been revealed for the first time what Torbanlea’s $239m train factory will look like following an announcement about the purchase of another site that will produce train car sub-components.
With the purchase of an industrial site on the Fraser Coast, Hyundai Rotem Corporation will establish a $30 million stand-alone local presence and establish a factory to make subcomponents for train cars.
Maryborough can produce components typically made overseas, creating 20 jobs.
Yong-Bae Lee, CEO of Hyundai Rotem, said the Maryborough plant would be operational in 2025 and would provide roll forming services for the Torbanlea train manufacturing facility.
Currently, Queensland does not have roll forming capability, and such components have historically been imported.
This investment strengthens Queensland’s rail manufacturing capabilities while creating new jobs.”