Opportunities for local contractors with new Council building

Local tradies and sub-contractors are being urged to register their interest in participating in the construction of the new Fraser Coast Regional Council library and administration building in the Hervey Bay City Centre.

Cr Jade Wellings said while the project was still in the design phase, expressions of interest were currently being sought from head contractors, with construction work expected to start in 2023 and be completed by 2025.

“Council is partnering with the Australian Government through the Hinkler Regional Deal to improve local economic outcomes and create opportunities in the Hervey Bay City Centre,” she said.

“In developing a new Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre (incorporating a Disaster Resilience Centre), we want to create a building that sets the benchmark for business, investors and developers.

“The Library and Council Administration Centre will be a central civic hub where individuals, professionals and families can come to learn, network, socialize and benefit from Council services.”

Cr Denis Chapman said the project would create more jobs for local people, with tradies and subbies encouraged to register their interest in working on the new Hervey Bay Library and Administration Centre via Council’s Engagement Hub website - https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/

“Council wants local businesses to help bring the community’s vision for the Hervey Bay City Centre to life,” he said.

“There is a short online form to fill out to register some details about your business. Council will also be holding information sessions in mid-June for those interested.

“It’s important to note that registering your interest is not a guarantee of the work, as the head contractor will ultimately be responsible for organising sub-contractors and doing due diligence before developing any sub-contracting agreements.”

Cr David Lee said the project was a “once in a generation opportunity” to reshape the city centre in Hervey Bay to create jobs, and to drive economic growth and business investment.

“The development of a new Fraser Coast Regional Council Library and Administration Centre is a key element of the Hervey Bay City Centre Master Plan, which was finalised and adopted by Council earlier this year, following significant community consultation,” he said.

“This is about being bold and building for the future. It’s about creating a social, economic and cultural heart in Hervey Bay.”

Cr Wellings said the current Hervey Bay library had about 225,000 visitations a year and was only half the size it should be to meet Australian and Queensland library building standards.

“By improving our library’s floor size and design, we will have the opportunity to improve and build on our programming, offering excellent learning opportunities and hopefully make a contribution to lifting our region’s overall education standard,” she said.

“The new library will be more than double the size of the current library with a range of modern, community spaces to ensure we can cater for our growing population over the next 20 years and beyond.”

The building work will be funded through a combination of Australian Government funding ($40 million), Council land sales and Council borrowings.

More details about the Hervey Bay Library and Administration Centre incorporating a Disaster Resilience Centre project is available at https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/hervey-bay-library-administration-centre-inc-disaster-resilience-centre

Additional background

The Hinkler Regional Deal for the Bundaberg-Hervey Bay region is an Australian Government initiative in partnership with the local Councils that seeks to build on the area’s strengths to provide economic growth and long-term employment.