Council develops advocacy priorities which are aligned with the needs of our community and reflect a strong commitment by Council.
These priorities ensure other levels of government understand the opportunity to support the Bundaberg Region to become a vibrant, liveable and connected community.
Council advocacy consists of direct advocacy with state and federal government, submissions to public consolations and inquiries and with local stakeholders and industry.
The Port of Bundaberg provides a vital link connecting the region’s industry with domestic and international markets.
Unlocking the Port’s potential through expansion and commodity diversification is a key priority for Bundaberg Regional Council, the State and Gladstone Ports Corporation.
This is supported by advocacy for infrastructure upgrades and activation of the Bundaberg State Development Area to position the port as a catalyst for regional trade and industry growth.
Council is undertaking advocacy in collaboration with the Port of Bundaberg trade group to foster new opportunities for port utilisation.
Rapid population growth is driving housing shortages and rising property prices, threatening the region’s reputation for affordability. This creates barriers for first-home buyers and attracting skilled workers relocating to the region in all sectors of the economy.
The Bundaberg Local Housing Action Plan (BLHAP) was created to respond to a range of immediate, emerging and longer-term housing challenges in the Bundaberg Local Government Area.
For more information about the Bundaberg Local Housing Action Plan use the link below.
>> Bundaberg Local Housing Action Plan
Reliable, affordable and well-connected air services are essential to the economic productivity, liveability and long-term sustainability of regional Australia.
For the Bundaberg Region, aviation connectivity underpins key sectors including tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, health services and professional industries, while also enabling residents to access essential services, employment opportunities and family connections.
Promote Bundaberg Regional Airport as the entry point to the Southern Great Barrier Reef and regional experiences through Council’s Tourism Partnership Agreement.
Council has advocated directly with airlines to introduce new routes out of the Bundaberg Regional Airport and provided a joint submission with Bundaberg Tourism to the Productivity Commission’s Determinants of Regional Airfares Inquiry.
Council recognises the importance of trunk infrastructure such as water, stormwater, roads to unlock new housing. That is why Council sought funding through the Residential Activation Fund to invest in infrastructure to accelerate the delivery of new housing.
Telecommunications and digital infrastructure are essential to keeping communities, local business and the region connected. Council works with industry, government and local stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve connectivity across the region.
Council has also progressed a number of smart projects (i.e. public Wi-Fi, smart parking and CCTV) to address specific challenges/opportunities within council and across the community that will bring a variety of benefits including operational efficiency, cost reduction, improved service delivery and economic benefits.
CBDs are important to regional cities and the Bundaberg Region is no different - it’s the heart of our community.
Council has established a project aimed at celebrating and enhancing our city centre to facilitate a social, economic and infrastructure uplift of the Bundaberg CBD.
For more information about the Safe Spaces, Thriving Places use the link below.
>> Safe Spaces, Thriving Places
There is a shortage of short term and long term accommodation across the aged care and palliative care sectors, student accommodation and hotel and tourism accommodation. These shortages impact the ability to attract workers, students and tourism activities.
In 2025, Council commissioned Tourism and Hospitality Services Australia (THSA) to produce a detailed study of hotel demand in the Bundaberg Region.
The study identified the Bundaberg Region’s accommodation sector faces a significant gap in quality and capacity. Demand for hotel accommodation is expected to increase placing additional pressure on the sector.
Download the Hotel Demand Feasibility Study report using the link below.
Hotel Demand Feasibility Study(PDF, 3MB)
Council has supported the development of a new hotel located at Airport Drive, Kensington through the Projects of Regional Significance initiative.
For more information about the Projects of Regional Significance use the link below.
>> Projects of Regional Significance
Council is working with local education facilities, major projects and regional stakeholders to identify solutions to short term accommodation issues to ensure the region can respond to changing needs and ensure suitable accommodation exists for the future population and visitors.