Critical infrastructure needed to support future housing development across the Bundaberg Region has received a major boost, with several projects awarded funding under Round Two of the Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund.
The program helps ensure essential infrastructure like water, sewerage, roads and power is in place, unlocking more land to support growing communities.
Bundaberg Regional Council has been awarded $46.9 million through the latest funding round, supporting multiple major projects across the Ashfield and Elliott Heads growth areas.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said the investment would help address current infrastructure constraints and support more residential development.
“This funding will help deliver the essential infrastructure needed to support thousands of future residential lots across the Bundaberg Region,” she said.
“By investing in water, sewerage and transport infrastructure we can help remove some of the key barriers to development and support the delivery of more housing as our region grows.”
In addition to the Council-led projects which received funding, a number of developer-led Bundaberg Region projects were also supported through the Residential Activation Fund, valued at $32 million.
“I was pleased to write letters of support to champion these applications and secure additional funding for our region,” Mayor Blackburn said.
The Bundaberg Regional Council projects boosted by funding include:
Ashfield Growth Precinct
Funding for critical trunk sewerage infrastructure will support the development of around 5,000 residential lots in the Ashfield Growth Precinct, with potential for a further 1,600 lots.
Existing sewerage network capacity is a major constraint on development, with further residential growth unable to proceed until the infrastructure is upgraded.
The new trunk sewerage infrastructure will allow multiple approved developments to progress, including immediately supporting around 1,130 lots in the future development area north of FE Walker Street.
Elliott Heads and coastal corridor
Funding will support a package of infrastructure projects aimed at improving transport connections and providing the water and sewerage capacity needed to support growth between Elliott Heads and Bargara.
Back Windermere Road
The unsealed section of Back Windermere Road between Barolin Homestead Road and Atkinsons Road/Elliott Heads Road will be upgraded, improving the road’s safety, reliability and ability to handle increasing traffic.
The upgrade will also complete the final connection in the North/South Distributor corridor, providing a more direct link between the coastal communities of Elliott Heads and Bargara.
Back Windermere Road intersection
The intersection of Back Windermere Road, Coral Cove Drive and Barolin Homestead Road will be upgraded to a single-lane rural roundabout.
The intersection is identified as trunk infrastructure in Council’s Local Government Infrastructure Plan, with the upgrade expected to improve safety, capacity and traffic flow as residential development in the area increases.
Water and sewerage infrastructure
New trunk water and sewerage infrastructure along Back Windermere Road will provide the network capacity needed to support around 3,000 planned residential lots in the Elliott Heads Growth Precinct.
The project includes approximately 3.62 kilometres of new trunk sewerage rising main and 3.62 kilometres of new trunk water main.
The infrastructure will help overcome existing capacity constraints and support approved and planned developments, including future stages of South Beach Estate.
Supporting regional housing growth
The projects form part of Round Two of the Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund, which has been increased to $1 billion to help councils deliver the enabling infrastructure needed to support housing development.
The fund supports essential infrastructure such as water, sewerage, roads and power, with at least half of Round Two funding to be allocated to rural and regional Queensland.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the overwhelming response to the Residential Activation Fund highlighted its critical role.
“We’re literally building momentum,” he said.
“Homes are already out of ground and keys are being handed over thanks to the Residential Activation Fund, which is delivering new housing supply, fast.”
