Bundaberg CBD revitalisation plans are back on the table as Bundaberg Regional Council investigates how it can stage upgrades to meet community priorities within current financial means.
A detailed design of the CBD was delivered in 2019 and it’s now back on the agenda following the launch of Council’s Safe Spaces, Thriving Places project.
Mayor Blackburn said the CBD revitalisation design, which underwent significant community consultation during its conception, had stood the test of time.
“We’ve dusted off the plans to review them and from our expert staff to the Councillors around the table we all agreed that the work done to date remains current,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“The proposal would modernise our CBD, create more shade and community event spaces and improve the flow of traffic.
“While we’re currently focussed on working with all relevant organisations and agencies to make our CBD a safe space, our vision is to ensure it continues to be a thriving place.
“This goal would be significantly boosted through these infrastructure design outcomes which would encourage more outdoor dining and events within our CBD.
“On review of the plans it was also clear that community feedback received at the time, from residents and businesses alike, continues to reflect current sentiment and challenges for this space.”
Mayor Blackburn said, while the designs delivered in 2019 remained current, Council could not commit to delivering any works without further planning.
“What we now need to do is investigate how we can rescope and adapt these plans and begin to deliver elements of the design which prioritise the changes that will create the biggest impact for our community without resulting in excessive financial burden on Council or our ratepayers.
“This is an important project which we’re committed to progressing however we have worked hard to repair our financial sustainability so we’re making sure we take a measured approach to the next steps.”
As Council reviews its revitalisation plans the focus will be on:
- Increasing public space for events, activations and exploration
- Adding more shade
- Improving parking concerns and maintaining seating capacity
- More outdoor dining
“We want to update the infrastructure in our CBD so it continues to reflect our unique identity, remains a hub for the Bundaberg and Wide Bay regions and celebrates our heritage and environment.
“By enhancing the experience everyone has when they visit the city centre we can make people want to stay longer, explore further and reclaim the vibrancy of our CBD.”
Feedback has been heard
The creation of the original design underwent significant community feedback.
This included community consultation sessions as well as a Community Reference Group which consulted on the design and was made up of a broad cross-section of community and CBD trader representatives.
Some of the issues highlighted by residents included:
• Potential cost impacts for community
• Construction timing impacts for businesses
• Footpath accessibility
• Quality of signage and awnings
• Parking availability
Mayor Blackburn said Council believed these points continued to reflect current community sentiment and consideration of these matters would help to guide the revised approach.
Read more about the Safe Spaces, Thriving Places project on Council’s website.
If you kept us at $8 million surplus PA we could quickly finance it or repay a short term loan to get it going.
25 – 26 $8 million
26 – 27 $16 million
27 – 28 $24 million
29 – 30 $32 million (CBD rework payed off)
If we got assistance from the state government or federal government on-top this would enhance things greatly. I believe the CBD rework is the second cheapest of the announced plans at $30 million.
We could also move to higher debt level similar to what Fraser Coast is doing. Fraser coast recently announced borrowing $244 million for some newer projects on top of using the regional deal & other money for there upgrades. We likely need this sort of extra undertaking for other more costly projects anyway. As the population of the region grows it should become easier to repay a larger loan all you have to do is decide on how much debt you think we can handle in the shorter term while the growth happens.
More cement equals more heat. Need to cool the space
I hope the council can move forward in revitalising the C B D. It is currently a nightmare to deal with parking and must be a real benefit to businesses for more people traffic. The Redland Council revitalised Wellington Point and the area is now a thriving eating place and a exciting place to visit.
i hope that council levy becomes discounted
too much really , more people move to remote area as bundy becomes too expensive to live
also more people come from city and not enough parking spots ,
Merry Christmas
Please make it more wheelchair friendly. It has been dangerous for many years, and please find help and housing for the drug affected and people with mental health issues, as many people I know are frightened to even go to chemist warehouse. How about above ground parking like at aldi in Maryborough st. I`m sure there`s a vacant car yard, or the council car park opposite Target available. Wouldn`t it be better to have a Mall from one side of the street to the other, if you are intending on having eateries there? it would make it easier to access, not only for patrons, (for elderly and handicapped) but restaurant owners as well, and a lot less car fumes.
About time something was done, the centre of Bundaberg is an absolute disgrace. Hope something will be done to eliminate traffic coming through as well. I wonder if anybody will finally introduce new shops and get rid of all the empty ones.
What about a parking building, or two. Whoops forgot, these cost money.
Yes Wellington Point is a pleasure to visit but can’t say I have done any business in the centre of Bundaberg for some years.
I feel that something has to be done about the parking. There are so many accidents due to having to reverse out of parks. I like the look of the sails but only in addition to the pavilion. It is a huge waste of money if the pavilion is demolished.
Less concrete, more shade
Have been hearing redevelopment for at least the last fifteen years, you need to start at the bottom with garbage bins that make you want to vomit, watched a worker replace one you could smell metres away and he couldn’t give a stuff. One thing you can guarantee about this city it will never win a tidy town competition
under this current council our rates have sky rocketed even though mayor blackburn said during her election campaign she would fight to keep them down along with the ten percent discount hahaha what a lie now instead of fixing our roads to accomodate our traffic issues which are a major problem everywhere in this town council will now waste more money trying to fix a main street that never should have been changed into the nightmare that council created in the first place
Could we try some sort of crowd funding to help accelerate some of the plans? I know each rework is a considerably more expensive idea then previous crowd funded projects but you never know just how much we could raise. Especially if vested Business owners that have the spare capital got involved.
I think what Bundaberg urgently needs and has for decades, is a multi story car park. The CBD is dying from a lack of parking. The money keeps being spent on less urgent things which has more to do with beautification instead of necessities.
I am 3rd generation of my family to live in Bundaberg. Have rented and operated a business in Bourbong st. have watched the many changes over decades. Council has tried to do upgrades to the CBD and it seems to get back to where they are now. Unless council can bring more people to this centre it will keep on declineing suffering to the satalite shopping centres which council approve. Make it easier for developers to build multistorey apartment buildings within the CBD to build up the density of people to use the businesses there. Rents are far to high for a small business to be profitable.A facelift without other strategies will still take the CBD in the same direction it is in now.
The CBD revitalization lessons from the previous version should ring alarm bells. Look at what happened: parking angles wrong, traffic flow slower, pavers replaced and re-bedded multiple times, stores empty due to customers not able to move quickly through CDB traffic, drugs in toilets, anti-social behavior increased, limited access for emergency and delivery vehicles, banked up traffic due to crossings etc. Now time to change and add more of the same – NO Way. If history taught us anything then return the CDB to 2 lanes and make the CDB thrive again.
With every new land development comes more rates paid to the council so why increases every year? Regardless, it was also planned years ago for a multi level CBD parking tower. This, along with more direct flights out of Bundaberg, should be on the Councils first priority list.. the rest can follow.
WHY? oh thats right i keep forgetting, its been good enough for decades for locals, but we have to around town now making it look lovely for the victorians
No.Just No.
You have plenty of other debts allready.
Just try to think about value for money projects.
NOT the new swimming pool fiasco,(yet to see anyone using it)
Not the old ANZAC pool site whatever it is (hills of Gallpoli ???).
Just stick to spend less,do things for less,re use things you pull down.
Basicly,Have Half a Clue,
Concrete v grass. Wow, no idea
If I remember correctly the shade sales are for other areas. They are keeping the Pavilion just locking the toilets & adding new toilets else where.
We have about $40 million more debt then Hervey Bay to start with so if we borrow ~$200 million that should put both cities on ~$300 million debt. Essentially 3x the debt for Bundaberg & 5x the debt for Hervey Bay but it would allow us to make a good start on the plans in place & would create a tremendous amount of jobs in both Cities.
The jobs would have a huge flow on effect injecting ongoing cash into our economy. Cash that the shops need to have confidence & growth. If we did this both Cities would be revived it’s likely that we would return to a shopping seen similar to before the 2008 GFC started the mess.
Bundaberg has something HerveyBay dose not the name is attached to several products that benefit from our tourism. Bundaberg Ginger-beer, Bundaberg Rum, Bundaberg sugar. We could seek sponsorships to enhance our towns appeal bringing brand awareness.
We might be able to get sponsorships for other large companies as well.
We funded a brunette bridge repair back in the 90s with a town meeting where everyone who came along put up $20,000 it was super funded in no time. A considerably bigger & more employed town could do so much.
I say yes, let Mal Formans brilliance in post flood recovery be finalized. It was his plan for his second term it’s a shame he could not run for mayor again. I would see revitalizing the CBD as a prime investment opportunity needed for our full recovery allowing our businesses to reach new heights. Giving us a once in a life time chance to put COVID, The Floods & The GFC behind us for good.
Our region is transforming from low socio economic to higher & it always would have it only makes sense to make the town look the part. It’s not just the southerners, the youth are getting work, the businesses are growing benefiting from record growth in GDP, tourism & construction. The amount of pensioners is increasing that also increases the regions GDP & incomes.
If we really want to thrive we need to stop living like we are a highly unemployed area getting unemployment benefit.
Hit David Batt up see if he can push throw some new assistance? Paul Neville & Keith Pitt were brilliant at it getting us a multiplex, regional deals & more. David Batt is a extremely capable person you have picked our federal MP well for a 3rd time. Tom Smith be able to help to? Our state wasn’t hit as hard by COVID as NSW & VIC so we might have some extra capacity.
Our region is going through a golden age things are looking way up it should be supported so it can continue.
In the main concept photo of the rounder-bout to the side there’s a cafe/eatery that overlooks the area with glass windows, it appears to be above the Metro Hotel. This would be a great addition if it could happen. https://www.archipelago.com.au/project/bundaberg-cbd-revitalisation
I think you have room to convert much of Woongara Street, Mclean street, Walla street & Tantitha street in the CBD to side Angled Parking.
Central parking in Bourbong street between Tantitha street & the bridge Angled parking could also be changed to angled parking allowing 2 rows of parking in the middle.
Most of Quay Street has space to change to Angled parking on the slower non river side of the street.
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There’s a foot bridge hidden behind the Bundaberg Social Club (formally Rowers on the river) This leads to a area in East Bundaberg near The Red Shed Seafood. There’s a patch of unused land here that could be converted into a car park. Allowing an easy walk over the footbridge to the CBD.
There’s land next to Jerrys Op Shop that could host a small car park.
Similarly some more of Kendals Flat could be converted into a carpark. There’s also a large piece of land on Flint street called the Bywash park it only has grass & power poles on it. If it only has grass on it ypou may as well use it as a car park.
There is significant further space available in Bundaberg West that could have angled parking put in place.
I agree with Karl Spain – plenty of land around, to convert to car parks, without building a gruesome, multi storey, concrete car park, which I believe, would detract from the CBD. Angled parking certainly creates more parks. Concrete is hot, too hot to trot. The CBD & surrounds, need far more trees & greenery. A shame the Council removed so many trees and greenery. Bundaberg is seen as a tropical paradise, gateway to the Coral Reef & islands, and I think any design should reflect this. The Bundy Council has way too much debt – created by an un-necessary Olympic Pool, & complex that barely gets filled. Spend less, & concentrate on projects that are value for money. I think lessons can be learnt, from the revitalisation of Wellington Point. More shopping Malls created to walk though, one street to the other. More outside dining. Upgrades done in the past, were just bandaids and obviously haven’t worked. Old buildings should be enhanced, and upgrades encouraged, to reflect the historic significance of the town.
Much of our in-fracture spending is payed for by the federal government, state government & regional deal efforts. With further effort from our council in the form of saving & investing over multiple budgets. Debt is usually from operations expenses or emergency response not in-fracture spending.
It would be atypical for us to follow what Hervey Bay is doing but we do need to get the projects that need doing done. As long as the debt is manageable & spent well I don’t mind. Considering we went through a GFC, 2 floods, bush fires & COVID ontop I don’t think our debt looks bad at all. Townsville is on $400 million debt already. Sunshine Coast has also announced $262.3 million for in fracture. Mackay expects to increase it’s debt by $200 million over the next 10 years for further comparison.
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As for the aquatics center if you were keeping a close eye on Loraine Pyefinch wish lists each pool was hidden inside of them. They were sitting on that thing for ages, it was largely saved for. We certainly did not need it but what is done is done try to make the most of it otherwise it’s just waste.
Guys think long term infrastructure we are planning now needs to be able to cater for the population in 2050+ there projecting Bundaberg to have 3x the population it dose now. The aquatics center is actually appropriate for the future needs of our region. With the additional water feature at Anzac park for young familes & possibly even more like a waterpark ontop.
They absolutely cannot leave the CBD the way that it is even with the notion of building out Kepnock shopping area & the notion of another shopping area being added near Glen Lodge. The Olympics is going to cause growth, The baby bonus kids are barely starting to leave home they will need increasing amounts of infrastructure & accommodation.
The Nina Cunningham era CBD was built for a 1990s population with little need to accommodate for growth. It’s barely kept up with the addition of a second bridge & ring road to reduce unnecessary traffic flow. Now we are in the start of a growth explosion that may not end.
Might want to get Archipelego to put the plans back up then so new residents can look at them as well. Including the work for Quay street & the cultural precinct as well. All up it’s $105 million. ($30 mill for CBD rework, $20 million for Quay Street/Anzac park & $55 million for the cultural precienct)
Some of it is here
https://www.landscapearchitectureprojects.com/projects/2018/8/10/bundaberg-cbd-revitalisation
https://www.investbundaberg.com.au/project/bundaberg-civic-and-cultural-arts-precinct/
Considering a key document developed under mayor Blackburn the Bundaberg integrated transport strategy mentions both the CBD rework & Riverside masterplans I never thought it was off the cards.
As a matter of fact the only project that has been announced as pulled was the rail trail that has been picked back up by independent locals.
Others might find this interesting https://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/planning-building/documents/appendix_a2___review_of_emerging_strategies.pdf
It’s sort of an overview of al the plans currently I think.
As for the new update for the CBD and it is proposed to demolish the current central pavilion as to put up shade sails, plants and string lights as the replacement. Really???? Why is this even a consideration as –
1. The current building serves very well for weather situations, provides a stage area for local entertainment and just for people to sit in a central area maybe for social connection or waiting.
2. What a waste of money, that we don’t have as surplus, really and even if we did there is more important things that need funding in the community.
3. Shade sails will not provide the social area or weather protection like the existing structure
4. If it is considered to stark a building for the new look update then get and hang large size baskets of plants/ferns from the roof and some slight changes to the walls each end which would soften the appearance (render). Totally possible to give a “plant and string lights effect”.
^There is no plan to demolish the central pavilion or police beat. Photo is from a early draft concept back when Mal Foreman was mayor. Not sure why they didn’t use something newer.
In newer documentation that was available until Helen Blackburn won.
The shade sales & renewed seating are the area in front of target for use by eatery customers.
Central pavilion & police beat is intact in the designs.
There’s also hard mushroom like shade features, new toilet locations & extra trees for other sections.
That’s 3 mayors in a row that wanted this done. Lets get it going investing in our CBD is investing in job creation & the health of our busisnesses.
A fantastic idea. A vibrant & refreshed CBD would likely bring our property values up, create new jobs, accelerate our economy.
Farms are only 25% of our GDP & employ large amounts of backpackers that spend little while they are here. It’s very important that we diversify by supporting the growth & security of other sectors.
Hervey Bay has very similar plans in action to Bundaberg. We started years before them & have more workers & better employment. Hervey Bay seems to have overtaken us as they are already starting meanwhile we are foundering between mayor changes. If Hervey Bay can do it so can we.
It’s also apparent that other Cities north of us have started on similar plans as well. These are larger cities though. Hervey Bay is similar sized to Bundaberg & there for a better benchmark.