Work starts on Bundaberg's first hotel development in 20 years
The tourism industry hopes it's the start of a long-awaited hotel building boom for the city, which has struggled to attract significant short-term accommodation development.
Construction has commenced on Bundaberg's first hotel development in two decades. A recent report highlighted the region's accommodation shortfall, noting an 800-bed nightly deficit. The new hotel, located on Airport Drive, is projected to conclude its construction by mid-2027, with an anticipated opening later next year. Bundaberg, positioned four hours north of Brisbane and a prime tourism destination for the southern Great Barrier Reef, has not experienced substantial short-term accommodation development in the past two decades, according to the Bundaberg Regional Council.
The proposed 4.5-star, three-story hotel will comprise 97 rooms and is situated across the road from the Bundaberg Airport.
Bundaberg's Mayor Helen Blackburn expressed concern over the persistent demand for accommodation, emphasizing that the region is consistently 800 beds short every night. She highlighted that this development marks a significant step in addressing the existing gap. The longstanding presence of aging motels in the area has deterred hotel developers due to their lower room rates, which may deter potential investors.
The project's developer, MVP, expressed optimism that the new hotel would rejuvenate Bundaberg's hospitality sector, attracting more travelers to the region and serving as a preferred choice for visitors. The hotel's funding was provided by MyState Limited, with the chief executive, Brett Morgan, affirming the clear demand for such a facility. He also noted that the hotel will generate approximately 50 permanent jobs.
Bundaberg's Tourism chief executive, Duncan Littler, underscored that the hotel will cater to both leisure and business travelers. The region already receives over 750,000 visitors annually, who stay for more than 2 million nights. Littler expressed hope that such investments could encourage additional tourism operators, including potential airlines, to invest in the region.
Mayor Helen Blackburn mentioned that several other accommodation applications are in the pipeline, though she did not provide further details. She reiterated the council's efforts to attract various accommodation providers, including hotels, student accommodations, and aged care facilities, recognizing the region's need for such establishments.
Construction is scheduled to conclude by mid-2027, with the hotel expected to welcome its inaugural guests later that year.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
