Economic Update

Hinkler Hall of Aviation celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of the Queensland Tourism icon on Tuesday 08 December.

The team assembled a small exhibition showcasing the development of the project, and provided a special glimpse into many of the other untold Hinkler and early aviator stories through a special week long exhibition in the JA (Lex) Rowland Gallery.

Council's Café 1928 continues to be the premier destination in the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens,welcoming thousands of hungry visitors keen to sample in-house delights and quality coffee - not bad for a small outlet that opened ‘from scratch' just a year ago! 

Council Manager Tourism Craig Hodges said the management and team at Café 1928 had provided delicious food and drinks throughout 2009, and had a bright and exciting menu and function service planned for 2010.

Council has approved the development of an Aldi Supermarket located on the corner of Greathead Road and Walker Street in Kepnock. The proposed supermarket has a gross floor area of 1537 square metres together with 94 parking spaces.  The supermarket will be accessed via the recently constructed round-a-bout from Greahhead Road.

The development of this supermarket further indicates the confidence the commercial sector has in the future growth potential and prosperity of the Bundaberg Region. 

Council has given preliminary approval to the single biggest development ever undertaken in Bundaberg.  The Kensington Masterplanned Community on the former Rifle Range site is adjacent the Bundaberg Airport

The preliminary approval covers an area of 114.5 hectares and proposed 115 airpark access lots, 510 conventional residential, 10.7 hectares allocated to a village centre and 2.8 hectares allocated for medium density housing along with over 115 hectares of parkland.  The proposed development will set a new benchmark for a quality master planned residential community in Bundaberg of a size not previously seen.

Bundaberg Regional Council recently held its second Business Leaders Breakfast, showcasing the high calibre of local business operating within the region.  Over 100 local business leaders were entertained and inspired by guest speakers - John Hall from Industrial Hemp Australia, who spoke on industrial hemp and the benefits for the Bundaberg and North Burnett regions; John McLean from Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, who highlighted the company's exporting efforts, and Michael Vella of Megatoy who discussed how a Bundaberg based company is accessing international markets.  It was an excellent morning and certainly highlighted the successful businesses and opportunities that exist in our region. 

Bundaberg Regional Council is progressing the upgrade of the Bundaberg Regional Airport. The lengthened runway extension is now complete extending from 1,560m to 2,000m and has the capacity to take jet aircraft. 

Construction of the terminal (Jeff Lennox Builders Pty Ltd) is currently being finalised, with the cafe fitout nearing completion.  The upgraded terminal, to be completed mid February with security systems in place by the end of March, will cater for jet services and will include key features such as checked baggage screening, secure departure lounge and baggage carousel.

The Bundaberg region is serviced by Bundaberg Regional Airport, which currently has some 120,000 commuters per year, of which 85% are business travellers.  The number of commuters to the region is significantly growing each year.  On average, over the past six years, passenger numbers have increased by 14.49% per year.

Bundaberg Regional Council is developing the ‘Bundaberg Regional Aviation and Aerospace Precinct' masterplan, which aims to develop the Bundaberg region's aviation and aerospace industry by building a critical mass of local capacity to ensure sustained growth and export opportunity.