Bundaberg-Fraser Coast’s top 14 tourism development priorities named
Posted by editor (editor) on Nov 23 2009
2009 >>

Redevelopment of the Hervey Bay Marina, development of Fraser Island Indigenous experiences, a Bundaberg riverside tourist precinct and a Bundaberg hinterland tourism route are among projects considered a high priority for the Bundaberg-Fraser Coast regions, Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said today.

Mr Lawlor said 14 major proposed tourism investment projects had been identified as part of the Bundaberg-Fraser Coast Tourism Opportunity Plan.

“This plan is a guide to help public and private investment and infrastructure come together to meet residents’ and visitors’ needs to ensure the two regions’ tourism potential is realised while preserving their character and diversity,” Mr Lawlor said.

The catalyst tourism projects are:

Bundaberg
• Riverside Tourist Precinct
• CBD Hotel and Conference Centre
• Port Marina Precinct and Air and Sea Services
• Regional Turtle and Marine Centre
• Hinterland Touring Route
• Culinary Tourism Experience
• Bundaberg – Fraser Coast Coastal Wilderness Link

Fraser Coast
• Fraser Island Visitor Site and Infrastructure Upgrades
• Fraser Island Boutique Eco-lodge
• Fraser Island Indigenous Tourism Experiences
• Hervey Bay Marina Redevelopment and World Heritage Biodiversity Interpretive Centre
• Hervey Bay Food and Beverage Attraction
• Maryborough Historic Precinct and Cultural Walk
• Fraser Coast Convention and Entertainment Centre

“The Tourism Opportunity Plan (TOP) has been more than 12 months in the making and was developed as a partnership between Tourism Queensland, Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism and Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism,” Mr Lawlor said.

“Formerly known as the Regional Tourism Investment and Infrastructure Plan, the name was changed to better reflect the plan’s role in identifying tourism opportunities.

“It involved extensive consultation with a broad range of government, industry and community stakeholders across the regions.

“Some initiatives proposed by the TOP are already underway, such as the development of a North Burnett tourism strategy focussing on a touring route through the region and investigation of reinstating sea ferry services between Bundaberg Port Marina and Lady Musgrave Island.

“The TOP also lists an additional four catalyst infrastructure projects to support the ongoing growth and sustainable development of tourism across the two regions.

“These are Bundaberg Airport re-development; Hervey Bay coastal light rail; Bruce Highway upgrade and Bundaberg and Fraser Coast regional road network upgrade and signage.

“Tourism is a major industry for Bundaberg-Fraser Coast with 1.57 million domestic and international visitors travelling to the regions in the year ending June 2009.

“For the two regions to continue to prosper and grow, we need to identify new opportunities.

“As part of the State Government’s 10-year Queensland Tourism Strategy, Tourism Opportunity Plans are being developed for each of the state’s tourism regions.”

Tourism Queensland Acting CEO Steve McRoberts said Bundaberg-Fraser Coast already featured a wide variety of quality tourism products and experiences, but for the destinations to continue to flourish they must explore new opportunities.

“The investment opportunities identified in the plan and its implementation would create a whole range of investment and employment opportunities for Bundaberg-Fraser Coast,” Mr McRoberts said.

“The plan also places the regions in a better position to attract infrastructure funds and alerts private investors to projects that have the support of state and local governments.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Bundaberg-Fraser Coast and opens the door to a whole range of new possibilities for their tourism industries.”

Last changed: Nov 26 2009 at 11:49 AM