The transformation of the Hervey Bay City Centre will start within months after Fraser Coast Regional Council today awarded the tender to develop a new community hub to national construction company Hansen Yuncken.
Cr David Lee said the Australian Government was partnering with Council through the Hinkler Regional Deal to revitalise the Hervey Bay City Centre, and the cornerstone was the development of a new Library and Council Administration Centre.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the Hervey Bay City Centre, create jobs and drive economic growth and investment. We must do it right,” he said.
“Council has today officially given the project the green light with Hansen Yuncken awarded the contract to finalise the design and construct the new building.
“Work is about to get underway on undergrounding power in the area, which is expected to be completed by November, paving the way for construction of the new building to then start.”
Cr Jade Wellings said the building would be a community hub including an expanded library over two levels, a new public plaza, and flexible spaces that could be booked for meetings or events both day and night.
“The new Library and Council Administration Centre will be a place to support learning and innovation, and a place where the community can come together to socialize and benefit from centralised Council services,” she said.
“More than three-quarters of this development will be dedicated to community space.
“By improving the library’s floor space and design, we can cater for our growing population and help improve education outcomes in our region.
“Our young children deserve a quality library to assist in giving them the best start to life, our students deserve to have somewhere they can do their study while living locally and our aging population deserve to have somewhere they can build friendships and stay connected.
“As well as that, our staff deserve to have a modern and fit-for-purpose work environment so they can more efficiently and effectively provide much needed and loved services to the whole Fraser Coast. I’m proud that we are able to offer these things to our community.”
Cr Zane O’Keefe said Hansen Yuncken had a strong track record of delivering major projects, such as the Hervey Bay Hospital Emergency Department redevelopment and the University of Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay Foundation building.
“Hansen Yuncken were initially selected in November 2022 to assist Council in progressing the design development for the new Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre through an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) agreement,” he said.
“This process helps leverage the builder’s significant experience, reduces risk and ensures we have the most cost-effective design for the building.
“The design and construction contract is being awarded as a Guaranteed Maximum Price tender, which provides cost certainty and protects against future cost overruns.
“Council will also share in any cost savings if the cost falls below the Guaranteed Maximum Price.
“This is a very significant project with the development occurring progressively over the next three years and completion due by June 2026.
“While there will be some disruption during construction, the end result will be a major transformation of the area into a community and civic centre that will set the standard for other developments and pave the way for business investment into our growing city.”
The Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre (incorporating a Disaster Resilience Centre) is a commitment under the Hinkler Regional Deal.
The contract has been awarded for a price of $108.7 million, and is funded by a $40 million Australian Government commitment, Council’s general revenue and land sales.
More details about the Hervey Bay Library and Council Administration Centre project is available on Council’s Engagement Hub website at: https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/hervey-bay-library-administration-centre-inc-disaster-resilience-centre
Article and images submitted by Fraser Coast Regional Council
