Wide Bay Burnett

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.

We have two regional offices within the greater Wide Bay Burnett area:

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

Population

296,849 (June 2018) – expected to increase to 347,828 by 2036.

Employment

Labour force 121,648 (unemployment rate 7.6% March 2019)

Strengths

  • 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

  • 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

  • regional economic development strategy in partnership with Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC)
  • Wide Bay Burnett minerals region activation
  • Port of Bundaberg and state development area

Last updated: 24 Mar 2021