Hervey Bay Library & Admin Building Inc Disaster Resilience Centre

Fraser Coast Regional Council is seeking proposals to help revitalise the Hervey Bay City Centre through the development of prime land across from Seafront Oval.

Deputy Mayor Denis Chapman said Council-owned land at 7-19 Hillyard Street in Pialba was now officially on the market, with expressions of interest sought to buy and develop the land to provide maximum social and economic benefits for the Fraser Coast.

“Council is partnering with the Australian Government to build a better lifestyle for the Fraser Coast by creating a world-class city centre and civic hub in Hervey Bay,” he said.

“Council bought land in Hillyard Street in Pialba in 2019 as a potential site for a new administration centre but subsequently decided to co-locate the new administration centre with a new library on the corner of Main Street and Torquay Road.

“The Hillyard Street land is in a strategically important location and Council is seeking a development partner for the site to help revitalise the Hervey Bay City Centre, leverage off the benefits that flow from the new Council building and deliver on the 20-year master plan for the area.

“It provides an opportunity to develop a greenfield, mixed-use commercial building providing high-density permanent residential living or tourist accommodation in the form of short-stay apartments or a hotel.

“One scenario is for an integrated hotel and conference/meeting/event facility, while there is also an opportunity to establish a public pedestrian overpass or walkway to Seafront Oval.

“A revitalised City Centre will ensure Hervey Bay has a flourishing local economy and can compete at a state and national level for new business and industry, tourism expenditure and skilled workers.”

Cr Chapman said proposals would be assessed on their ability to achieve and complement the outcomes of the Hervey Bay City Centre Master Plan.

“To realise the full potential of this site, Council has engaged Colliers to market the site nationally with Tony Nioa the local agent representative,” he said.

“This is an important parcel of land in the heart of Hervey Bay and we will retain it if we don’t get the right development proposal.

“We are looking for someone who is ready to invest and develop the land now to help breathe new life and opportunities into the Hervey Bay City Centre.”