As the Bundaberg Region grows, Council is taking positive steps to plan, guide and promote economic development in the region.
Throughout 2025, Council’s Economic Development team made big strides in a range of areas to support current and future strength in the region’s economy.
New 10-year economic strategy
In August, Council released a draft economic development strategy, which aimed to guide Council’s actions to promote economic growth within the region over the next 10 years.
Public feedback was sought from community and industry, with an online survey conducted and in-person consultation sessions held in Bundaberg, Gin Gin and Childers.
The information gathered will inform the Bundaberg Region Economic Development Strategy 2025-2035, which will be finalised and shared with the community in early 2026.
Jobs and training
Bundaberg Careers Expo in May was a standout success with over 2,000 students from 10 local schools attending, along with 300 community members, to connect with 80 exhibitors.
Bundaberg Jobs Commitment continued to deliver positive outcomes for young people with approximately 5,300 students participating in programs like industry engagement sessions and immersion days.
Three year nine students from St Luke’s Anglican School won the 2025 Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Award with their idea for a wellbeing application, ‘Thryve’, which they were able to develop with mentoring and guidance opportunities offered through the program.
The Green Jobs, Bright Future for Bundaberg program wrapped up in 2025, a successful partnership between Bundaberg Regional Council and TAFE Queensland which saw more than 150 participants receive free training in green industry technologies including sustainable energy systems and electric vehicle servicing.
Business and tourism
Council’s efforts to attract hotel development in the region were fuelled by a compelling report produced from hundreds of local survey responses.
The Hotel Demand Feasibility Study, released in July, provided Council with a valuable resource to share with potential investors of new accommodation in the region.
As part of its Sister City program, Council hosted guests from Nanning China for Lunar New Year, and three Councillors visited Bundaberg’s Sister Cities in China and Japan.
Council also met with international investors in the region and held flag raising events for Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea national days.
The first Outdoor Living and Camping Expo for the Bundaberg Region was held in September, attracting thousands of visitors over the three-day event.
Council renewed its commitment to small business, signing a new Small Business Friendly Commitment that will introduce a Small Business Friendly Action Plan, to be developed in collaboration with local businesses and Chambers of Commerce.
Increased collaboration with the agriculture industry was also on the agenda, with Council signing a Memorandum of Understanding with key agricultural industry bodies.
Funding and advocacy
Council was successful in securing $11 million from the State Government’s Residential Activation Fund to support six key construction projects aimed at unlocking more than 10,000 new homes for the region.
The projects include a $7.7 million boost towards the Millbank Wastewater Treatment Plant and $1.5 million boost towards the Childers Wastewater Treatment Plant Detailed Design.
Council also secured $43,000 in grant funding from the State Government Secure Communities Partnership Program to upgrade CCTV in the Bundaberg CBD and Safe Night Precinct.
Advocacy activities continue in support of Council’s Safe Spaces, Thriving Places initiative through advocacy on legislation and enforcement of State Government policies, and attracting large events to the region through an agreement with Sports Marketing Australia.
