Hervey Bay (Wide Bay–Burnett Region): 78 Estates [Apr 2024]

Hervey Bay is a regional city, located along the south-eastern coastline in Queensland and approximately 93.2 square kilometres in area, forming part of the Wide-Bay Burnett Region and administered by the Fraser Coast Regional Council. 

Located 290 kilometres north of Brisbane, the coastal city contains 20 suburbs, an airport, a hospital, city centre, commercial and industrial areas, residential areas, beaches, parks and 14 schools. The urbanised area is surrounded by rural land holdings and the agriculture industry. 

The regional city boundary is located along the O’Regan Creek corridor and Toogoom Cane Road in the west, the Great Sandy Strait coastline to the east and the Coral Sea coastline to the north. 

The long south boundary is located along the Lexy Road, Cork Road, Cragnish Road, Sand Road, Nikenbah Dundowran Road, lower Mountain Road, Scrub Hill Road, Christensen Street West, Main Street, Samarai Drive, Maggs Hill Road, Hebblewhite Road, Doolong South Road, Shore Road West, Shore Road East and Raward Road, Springs Road, Harper Road and property.

A local road network is found throughout Hervey Bay, providing access to the city suburbs and surrounding townships via the local network of roads. Boat Harbour Road and Pialba Burrum Heads Road provide west and east connections through Hervey Bay, whilst Maryborough Hervey Road, Booral Road and Dundowran Road provide north and south connections linking to Maryborough and the major arterial road.

The heart of Hervey Bay is located in the easter portion of the city on Main Street in the suburb of Pialba. The Hervey Bay City Centre is undergoing a Master Plan process to provide for the Revitalisation, strengthening its regional identity, role and function as a place for investment and business and the social and cultural heart of the city. 

The structure plan for the City Centre will provide opportunities for the city centre to expand, supporting long term growth of core precinct land use activity. The structure plan also provides growth areas for areas of higher density residential living, accommodation and limited mixed uses, as reflected in the Structure Plan within the Master Plan (2021-2041) prepared by Fraser Coast Regional Council.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council, part of the Wide Bay Burnett Region is experiencing a period of significant growth and change that will provide opportunities for its people and businesses. While there are no current Priority Development Areas (PDAs) or land within Hervey Bay that have been identified by EDQ for land redevelopment, the Queensland Government recently released the Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan 2022 for community consultation to add provide a 25-year vision.

Draft Wide Bay Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan

To address the changes occurring in Hervey Bay and other neighbouring cities, the Queensland State Government has announced a review of the existing Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan (2011). The review is an opportunity to address the last decade of changes and provide long-term vision.

The Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan (2022) is currently out for community members’ consultation, with the feedback providing the councils and the state government an opportunity to identify and recognise shared challenges that need to be catered for. This can include matters such as access to housing, employment, transport and freight links, and protection of farming land and environmental values, that extend over council boundaries. 

Current changes identified in the interactive mapping are:

• Large areas highlighted as a priority agriculture area
• Hervey Bay has been included in the Toogoom to River Heads priority living area.

Priority Living Areas

The rezone of Rural land to Residential under the Master Planned Neighbourhood zone affects approximately 1,200 hectares to accommodate a range of housing forms as well as a range of complementary services and activities to meet the needs of future residents. The rezone also included 42 hectares of land within the existing Light Industry Zone.

Priority Agriculture Areas

The rezone of Rural land to Residential under the Master Planned Neighbourhood zone affects approximately 1,200 hectares to accommodate a range of housing forms as well as a range of complementary services and activities to meet the needs of future residents. The rezone also included 42 hectares of land within the existing Light Industry Zone.

Growth Areas

By 2041 the Wide Bay Burnett Region is estimated to accommodate upwards of 350,000 people, equating to an additional 54,090 people. This population is anticipated to be predominantly drawn to the coastal communities of the region, and the existing centres which include Hervey Bay.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council is aware it needs to promote the unique regional identity, with Hervey Bay identifies as a key centre undertaking and planning major civic revitalisation projects within the Central Business District with open space and focus on well designed places for people, to create informal interactions and to generate a sense of vibrancy.

The city heart of Hervey Bay is located within the Pialba commercial centre area, which is currently undergoing a revitalisation project for new spaces, a library and a cultural hub for the area. The new district business centre for Hervey Bay provides future investment opportunities, investigating new locations for the future residential housing choice and diversity, with connected services and infrastructure.

Sustainable Growth Strategy 2031

For the last 10 years, this document has been the guiding tool for Fraser Coast Regional Council as it set about informing the development of a new planning scheme for the entire local government area regarding the strategic interests of the State Government, as reflected in the Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan (WBB Regional Plan). The overall sustainable growth strategy has been outlined got Hervey Bay and provides the following information:

• Fraser Coast Regional Council’s Proposed Settlement Pattern
• Network of Centres; ≈ Key Transport Infrastructure
• Protected Areas of Queensland
• Future Employment/Industry Investigation Areas
• Hierarchy of Activity Centres; and ≈ Future Community Areas

The Fraser Coast also seeks a settlement pattern strategy to deliver the objectives and outcomes established by the Wide Bay Burnett Region Plan, while also recognising the planning vision, long term sustainability and well-designed cities (including Hervey Bay) of the Fraser Coast.

Great Sandy Marine Park Zoning Plan – 2022 Review

The Great Sandy Marine Park is located in the Wide Bay-Burnett Region and extends from Double Island Point in the south to Baffle Creek in the north. The marine park covers an area of approximately 6,000 square kilometres and includes Hervey Bay. The plan will see changes to the Great Sandy Marine Park zoning plan to address long-term conservation of wildlife and their habitats and preserve and enhance the region’s lifestyle and economic strengths.

Suburb Summary