More locals win contracts for Hervey Bay City Centre
Works on the new Hervey Bay City Centre community hub a key project under the Hinkler Regional Deal, have gone underground, with excavation underway for the basement car park
Construction of the $108.7 million hub – which is supported by $40 million from the Australian Government, and additional funding from Fraser Coast Regional Council, is progressing well – with national construction company Hansen Yuncken kicking off the works earlier this year.
Hansen Yuncken have now engaged four more local businesses for trade packages valued at more than $3 million, in addition to the eight local companies previously engaged for goods and services valued at more than $12 million.
This will provide a major injection into the Fraser Coast local economy, with Wide Bay Scaffolding, Meales Wide Bay Concrete Pumping, Wide Bay Crane Hire and Neumann Steel among the latest local businesses set to benefit from the project.
The new community hub will include a Disaster Resilience Centre, an expanded library over two levels, a new public plaza, and flexible spaces for meetings and events.
More than three-quarters of this development will be community space, with the new hub to be the community’s one-stop spot for learning, socialising and accessing council services.
Almost 100 foundation piles and 371 basement wall piles were created to help prepare the foundations for the new five-storey building on the corner of Main Street and Torquay Road in Pialba, and now local contractor Wombat Civil and Earthworks is excavating the single-level basement car park.
About 8,600 cubic metres of material will be removed over the five weeks of the excavation works, with the car park to provide 68 parking spaces underneath the building.
Council is also extending the car park near the current library site and Hervey Bay PCYC to provide 162 new car parks, and is exploring additional on-street parking options within the city centre.
Construction is due to be completed in mid-2026.
The Hinkler Regional Deal is a partnership between the Australian Government, Fraser Coast Regional Council and Bundaberg Regional Council that seeks to build on the area’s strengths to provide economic growth and long-term employment.
For more information on the Hervey Bay City Centre community hub, visit: https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/hervey-bay-library-administration-centre-inc-disaster-resilience-centre.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain:
“Regional communities deserve high-quality community infrastructure and multi-purpose spaces that can bring them together, which is why we’re partnering with Fraser Coast Regional Council and injecting $40 million towards this transformative project.
“From boosting community engagement, providing a dedicated space for events, and unlocking new commercial opportunities, this hub will have a huge impact in Hervey Bay – and it’s fantastic to see local contractors front and centre of this work.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm:
“This project is going to boost the excellent quality of life that locals enjoy here, while also attracting more people to experience everything that the Hervey Bay region has to offer.
“We know this new hub will have long-term benefits for this fast-growing region, but it will also unlock significant economic opportunities for local businesses right now – supporting local contractor jobs and injecting millions into the Fraser Coast economy.”
Quotes attributable to Fraser Coast Regional Councillor, Denis Chapman:This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the city centre, create jobs and drive business investment.
“There will continue to be opportunities for local businesses to secure work over the next two years.
“Any local businesses wanting to find out more about how they can get involved in this project are encouraged to contact Hansen Yuncken directly at FCLAB@hansenyuncken.com.au.”