$800million Major Harbour Announced For Hervey Bay.
Brisbane Courier Mail, May 22nd 2008 THE Urangan Boat Harbour at Hervey Bay is to undergo an $800 million facelift courtesy of a joint venture.The facelift is aimed at turning Hervey Bay into one of the most significant tourism and marine precincts on the Queensland coast.The State Government announced yesterday that a joint venture between Watpac and the Seymour Group had been chosen as the preferred developer for the project, the city’s biggest ever.The long-awaited redevelopment will provide upmarket residential apartments plus accommodation for visitors ranging from four and a half stars to backpacker class.An additional 235 marina berths will be added, a secure dry storage facility and a new tourist terminal. The ferry terminal to Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island also will be upgraded.Watpac chairman Kevin Seymour said yesterday this would enable car ferries to travel to the island from the terminal.A tavern, cafes, restaurants and shops will also be added. The redevelopment would also create a continuous public boardwalk along the inner harbour.
Mr Seymour said this would be the biggest development yet at Hervey Bay.
The closest to its scale was the airport development, at $15 million.
Infrastructure and Planning Minister Paul Lucas and the Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara announced the decision in Hervey Bay yesterday.
Mr Lucas said that subject to final development agreement negotiations, construction on the $800 million project should start next year after community and stakeholder consultation.
He said the redevelopment would result in a more functional harbour that met the needs of tourism, industry and commercial operators and the general community.
Mr Seymour said the redevelopment would cost the State Government nothing.
The joint venture would extend the harbour, provide facilities for services such as air sea rescue and ancillary support buildings.
It would also dredge the harbour and put an inner and outer skin on the harbour wall.
“In return they will sell us at market value the surplus land around the harbour,” he said.