Our Industry
Current leaders
For latest information on the size, value add and export performance of each of the below sectors visit Bundaberg’s economic profile id site
Bundaberg has three hospitals, each planning major expansions over
the coming years.
By 2026/27 the Queensland Government will replace the Bundaberg Base Hospital with a new hospital including significantly more level 5 tertiary services.
The Friendly Society Private Hospital is also investing $26 million into
new cardiac facilities. Many other private and public health-related
investments are being planned across Bundaberg.
Investment and business opportunities:
- General construction and medical supply chain
- Medical specialists
- Allied health and disability services
Bundaberg is positioning itself as a university city – a place where education is at the centre of our city, while still maintaining existing campuses and facilities.
The region is looking at new opportunity to reinvigorate our TAFE campus along with a new education campus in the heart of Bundaberg CBD.
Other investments are underway for new student accommodation and STEM facilities that will take advantage of a growing domestic education market.
Bundaberg’s largest university, Central Queensland University is also gaining international CRICOS accreditation for degrees in agriculture, along with seeking to expand locally delivered program in engineering.
Investment opportunity:
- Student accommodation
- Alternative and special education schools
Bundaberg’s agricultural industry is expanding each year. The region
already produces over $1 billion in agricultural output per annum, yet
could produce more with investment in local farming systems.
While crops such as macadamias and avocados have driven growth in
the regions agriculture sector in recent times, crops such as speciality
nuts, medicinal cannabis and others are expected to deliver future
waves of growth.
These crops, and others will take advantage of the region’s perfect
conditions for all year round growing and stable water supply.
Investment opportunity:
- Macadamia and avocado farming,
- Nuts and berry farming
- Aquaculture farming
- Feedstock for bioenergy and bioproducts
Located at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, opportunity
exists for tourism experience and accommodation providers to establish new products in Bundaberg that leverage the region’s unique environment and location.
Recent new operators such as Bundy Food Tours, Lady Musgrave Experience and Kalki Moon Distilling & Brewing have all won tourism
awards in relatively short timeframes through leveraging untapped
opportunities in Bundaberg.
The region is supported by Bundaberg Tourism which can assist
potential operators understand our visitor market and plan new
investment
Investment opportunity:
- Eco-tourism
- Visitor accommodation (including resorts)
- Culinary tourism experiences
- Nature-based and sustainability tourism
For more information on tourism in the region visit https://www.bundabergregion.org/corporate
Future leaders
As the world becomes increasingly advanced and interconnected, new sectors must keep up with the latest demands. Bundaberg businesses are leading the way in innovation and research and development and most importantly the commercialisation of real world ideas.
Agricultural technology
Leveraging off the local agricultural base, the region is specialising in
the development and use of technology in agricultural, known as Ag-
Tech.
CQUniversity’s Institute for Future Farming Systems assists farmers
with world leading, non-invasive and precision agricultural techniques,
while a new Ag-Tech Precinct/ Accelerator will ensure the region
grows Australia’s next generation of agricultural leaders.
In 2020, a new Ag-Tech Precinct will be established in Bundaberg
that will drive innovation and investment in the region’s potential as a
national Ag-tech centre of excellence.
Investment and business opportunities:
- Ag-tech developers and companies
- Data analytics organisations
- Ag-tech start-ups and investors
With an abundance of agricultural land already growing commercial
volumes of feed stock, Bundaberg is attracting innovative companies
producing bioenergy and bioproducts.
The region is already a national leader in solar energy use, with
untapped potential to turn existing feed stocks, and agricultural waste,
into viable forms of bioenergy and bioproducts.
The region has adequate industrial land in proximity to utilities and
feed stocks, with the Port of Bundaberg already exporting biofuels to
various Asian markets.
Investment and business opportunities:
- Bioenergy and bioproduct manufacturers
- Biotech companies and technical services
- Bioenergy export services
Case Study – Bundaberg bioHub
A regional bioHub aggregates organic waste and wastewater to produce energy, water and other bio-products. It provides infrastructure as a service to local industry and Councils.
Utilitas Group (Utilitas) established a local laboratory in 2018 and is now repurposing the retired Bundaberg East Wastewater Treatment Plant to digest local industrial liquid waste for the recovery of biogas for transport fuel and the manufacture of high value fertiliser and clean water.
A pilot plant trial carried out through early 2019 successfully digested the industrial liquid waste and produced viable liquid fertiliser. Crop trials of the fertiliser demonstrated successful application to local horticulture.
The site has existing laboratory facilities occupied by Bundaberg Regional Council and Utilitas. The Bundaberg bioHub will also accommodate the integration of a solar farm and warehouse facilities available for other local tenants. There is capacity to receive additional organic wastes and produce more fuel, fertiliser and water.
Bundaberg has a long history of food and beverage manufacturing, with iconic brands such as Bundaberg Sugar, Bundaberg Rum and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks located in the region, to name a few. As Australia’s largest food producing region, nowhere else in Australia is better positioned to develop new high-quality advanced food and beverage products.
Examples of new beverage manufacturers include Kalki Moon Gin Distilling and Brewing and Bargara Brewing Company. Examples of new food product manufacturers include Farm Fresh Fine Foods and Gin Gin & Dry Gourmet Dried Foods.
Investment and business opportunities:
- Niche health and wellness food products
- Food and beverage processing operations (including freeze dried)
- Micro breweries and distilleries
Bundaberg Regional Council is working to expand the capability of its
local business sector to supply Australia’s growing defence industry.
This initiative is building local industry skills and capabilities to service
Queensland’s defence training facilities and supporting industry to
partner with prime contractors to win large defence work projects.
In 2012, Bundaberg Regional Council and Gladstone Ports Corporation
established the technical feasibility for the Port of Bundaberg to
accommodate a future naval base. Achieving the aspiration, would be
a game changer for the region Industry is based upon:
Investment and business opportunities:
- Defence facilities
- Engineering, facility and land management contractors
- Specialist defence supply organisations
