Economic development

Bundaberg Region’s agricultural, forestry and fishing sector is worth approximately $1.2 billion. The sectors competitive advantage is built on the region’s agreeable sub-tropical climate and rich soil catering to a vast variety of crops and aquaculture products. 

• Bundaberg is considered the food bowl capital of Australia
• 50 per cent of Australia’s macadamia production occurs in the Bundaberg Region
• Largest passionfruit growing region in Australia
• Home to the largest chilli company in Australia
• Largest growing region by land area for avocado and only one of two locations in the world where Shepard avocados are grown.

Source: Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, 2019

For more information on the latest horticulture statistics in the region, please view the Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 2017/18.

Bundaberg’s health and aged care sector realised an output of $870 million for 2017/18.  Driving the sector are those aged over 65 years accounting for 21 per cent of Bundaberg’s total population.  The health care and aged sector is one of the largest employers in the region encompassing 6,496 employees.  The Queensland government have announced their financial commitment to a business case for a new hospital which is anticipated to be completed by 2026/27.

The tourism and hospitality sectors in the Bundaberg Region were worth approximately $301 million in 2017/18. The sectors share to gross regional product was a considerable 3.5 per cent and its share to direct regional employment was 5.6 per cent. Tourism experiences have helped attract domestic and international tourists to the region. These include such experiences as:

• Lady Musgrave
• Paddock to plate tours
• Whale watching
• Camper caravanning
• Fishing adventures
• Wildlife encounters at Snakes Down Under

Most recent data from Tourism Research Australia shows domestic tourism to the region up 15 per cent and the average spend per domestic tourist also up 7 per cent.

An average number of 19,000 backpackers to the region annually also supports the regional economy.

The manufacturing sector in the Bundaberg Region produced an output of $977 million in 2017 /18. The region has a strong machinery and equipment engineering sector which includes companies such as:

• Superior Pak
• Canetec
• Agri Con Equipment
• AUSTMAC
• Stubbs Engineering
• Adds Up Engineering
• Farmall Pty Ltd
• Walkers Engineering

However, the fastest growing and largest contributor in terms of output is food, beverage and vegetable manufacturing and processing which includes such companies as:

• Farm Fresh Fine Foods
• Pacific Gold Macadamias
• Macadamias Australia
• AustChilli
• Bundaberg Brewed Drinks,
• Bundaberg Rum
• Kalki Moon
• Bargara Brewing Company

The companies listed above are leading the way in terms of innovative practices and investment in research and development. Our region is increasingly becoming a leader in the export of quality fresh fruit, vegetable, seafood and beverage products around the world.

The property and construction sector produced $983 million worth of output during 2017/18.  The strongest sub sector is construction services which makes up $520 million of output.  The sector is a leading employer with 2,700 full time equivalent positions.  Driving the sector over the next decade will be a number of key private and public infrastructure projects including the new Bundaberg hospital.

The education and training sector produced a total output of $273 million in 2017/18.  The sector has a strong primary and high school representation per head of schooling population.  The solid family demographic with children aged under 14 years supports the economic success of this sector.