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Strengthening Wide Bay Burnett

Wide Bay Burnett banner

Recognised as the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef and based around the major centres of Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Gympie, Maryborough, Kingaroy and Gayndah, the region possesses significant natural resources including the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and the RAMSAR-listed Great Sandy Strait wetland. Two-thirds of the state's softwood plantation resources are found in the Wide Bay Burnett's timber and forestry industry, while sugar, fruit, vegetables, nuts and beef are also major commodities.

Two regions service the greater Wide Bay Burnett area:

  • Bundaberg Burnett Regional Office: servicing the council areas of Bundaberg, North Burnett and South Burnett Regional Councils and the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council.
  • Fraser Coast and Gympie Regional Office: servicing the council areas of Fraser Coast and Gympie Regional Councils.

These regional offices are part of the network of 11 regional offices across Queensland supporting businesses to mature, grow and invest.

View all upcoming events and opportunities on the events page.

Support is facilitated via one-on-one interactions, information, presentations and workshops (both online and face-to-face).

A number of pre-recorded sessions are also available on how to promote your businesses’ products and services to others.

Strengths of the Wide Bay Burnett

  • largest region by population outside of South East Queensland
  • region accounts for approximately 10 per cent of Queensland’s agricultural production
  • abundant fertile agricultural land, mineral wealth and natural resources
  • gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef
  • two-thirds of states’ softwood plantation resources found in timber and forestry sector
  • natural resources like World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and RAMSAR-listed Great Sandy Strait
  • State Development Area and Port of Bundaberg
  • two university campuses

Main industries across the Wide Bay Burnett

  • engineering
  • fisheries/ aquaculture
  • food and agriculture
  • industrial precincts
  • tourism
  • agriculture
  • manufacturing
    • transport equipment manufacturing
    • food and beverage products
    • primary metal and metal production
    • fabricated metal production
    • machinery and equipment
    • rail manufacturing
  • defence
  • aeronautical
  • education
  • health and social services
  • marine
  • beef processing
  • renewable energy
  • retail

Key projects across the Wide Bay Burnett

  • development of the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan
  • supporting Train Manufacturing and associated supply chain
  • facilitation to support the growth of food and beverage manufacturing
  • Wide Bay Burnett minerals region activation
  • Port of Bundaberg and State Development Area

The Department of State Development and Infrastructure understands business and provides potential investors with tailored support to help them investigate investment opportunities within the region.

Find out more in:

Further information

Find out more about this diverse region or contact one of our Wide Bay Burnett regional offices.

Last updated: 24 May 2023