A world-class company with experience overseeing multiple shopping centre and entertainment precinct projects in regional Queensland and significant commercial building developments in Brisbane will manage the delivery of a number of projects on the Fraser Coast under the Hinkler Regional Deal.
At a special meeting today, Fraser Coast Regional Council endorsed the appointment of Savills as the Program Manager for the delivery of the Hervey Bay City Centre and the extension of Boundary Road to Urraween Road projects. The Council also approved a new local governance structure to assist delivery of these projects including a Fraser Coast Local Representatives Forum consisting of community representatives.
Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino welcomed the decision by the Fraser Coast Regional Council, saying it would deliver great outcomes across the Fraser Coast.
"The Hinkler Regional Deal is important to the region. I welcome the appointment by the Fraser Coast Regional Council of an experienced program manager to ensure that projects progress," Assistant Minister Marino said.
Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said delivering on the projects committed to is a key priority and an experienced team will ensure construction can commence as soon as possible.
"Delivery is so important for the region right now and a program manager on board is an important step to getting key projects under way across Hervey Bay," Mr Pitt said.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Mayor George Seymour said the Hinkler Regional Deal would help build on the region's strengths to grow the economy and provide more long-term job opportunities on the Fraser Coast.
"The funding from the Australian Government will deliver transformational projects that have been on the drawing board for decades," Mayor Seymour said.
"It will mean Council can redevelop Hervey Bay's city centre and move ahead with a missing link in the Fraser Coast road network - the extension of Boundary Road to Urraween Road.
"These are massive projects that will roll out over the next four to five years and we are delighted to have a company such as Savills working with Council, given their extensive commercial and project management expertise and excellent relationships with markets.
"The Hinkler Regional Deal provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise the heart of Hervey Bay and make the Pialba CBD the city's primary destination for commercial activity, cultural engagement, education and social recreation.
"Having a world class company as the program manager will help us develop a world class precinct."
Cr Seymour said there would be significant opportunities for local contractors and suppliers to benefit as construction gets under way in coming years.
"The Hinkler Regional Deal will deliver really important local projects and we are confident that private investment will follow from the opportunities and confidence created by the strong government commitment," he said.
Fraser Coast Regional Council also today agreed to establish a Fraser Coast Local Representatives Forum to provide an ongoing community voice offering local knowledge and insight to support the Hinkler Regional Deal projects in Hervey Bay.
The group will be chaired by Regional Development Australia Wide Bay Burnett Director Scott Rowe and include representatives from business, education, tourism, community groups and the development industry. It will complement the Deal's Local Partnership Forum, which provides regional community insights to the Deal as a whole.
Cr Denis Chapman, Cr Jade Wellings and Cr David Lee were today appointed as Fraser Coast Regional Council's representatives on the Fraser Coast Local Representatives Forum.
Key initiatives for the Fraser Coast from the Hinkler Regional Deal include:
· $40 million towards various projects to redevelop the city centre of Hervey Bay;
· $24 million to flood proof Torbanlea-Pialba Road;
· $9.2 million for the redevelopment of the Hervey Bay Airport;
· $7.7 million for the Boundary Road extension; and
· $7 million to establish a new hospice in Hervey Bay.
An example of some of the projects Savills has worked on include:
· The Cairns Entertainment Precinct;
· The Gold Coast Cultural Precinct;
· The Willows Shopping Centre in Townsville;
· The Smithfield Centre in Cairns;
· New Toowoomba Hospital;
· Grand Central shopping centre redevelopment in Toowoomba;
· Legacy Way Tollroad Control Centre in Brisbane; and
· Riparian Plaza - a commercial and residential development in the Brisbane CBD.
