Retail, Commerce & Services

Commercial Development

Service roles exist in the health, education, retailing, public administration, business, entertainment and recreation sectors. Retail activity is the highest employment sector in the City. There are three key locations that ensure there is a high level of competition resulting in quality products at lower prices for the consumer.

The CBD

Bundaberg City Council has already spent considerable resources on the redevelopment and beautification of Bundaberg's main street, Bourbong Street, to create pedestrian friendly services and a retail precinct. A Police Beat has also been co-located in the pavilion to ensure a safe shopping environment. Flanked by the picturesque Burnett River and Marina, the CBD boasts a mix of business and personal services, department stores and specialty shops. The CBD is characterised by alfresco dining and sidewalk cafes against a backdrop of restored heritage buildings, landscaped parks and gardens.

A Cultural Civic CBD Masterplan is a key project being undertaken by the Bundaberg City Council for the CBD, which will enhance the area both aesthetically and economically and will create more activities and traffic to the area.

Sugarland Shoppingtown

Sugarland Shoppingtown, located on the City's southern outskirts, is a modern shopping complex and is home to a variety of national retailers, supermarket chains and department stores. It provides the consumer with a relaxed, air conditioned and user friendly shopping experience with all the convenience of a food court, parking and city-wide bus services.

Hinkler Place & Hinkler Mall

Located on the southern fringe of the CBD, this complex provides another pleasant and competitive alternative for the shopper. Enclosed within its modern walls are a large supermarket chain, department stores, eateries, specialty shops and medical facilities. Hinkler Mall is located directly opposite these facilities.

The Hinkler Mall is currently undergoing major redevelopment, with developers Mirvac investing $35 million into the integration of Hinkler Place and Hinkler Mall, which will create a more spacious shopping centre.

Leasing Costs

There are a variety of leasing options for commercial operations. Rents for retail space in major shopping centre in Bundaberg are estimated between $500 to $900 per square metre, while rates in the CBD and its fringe are lower at $240 and $130 per square metre, respectively.

Commercial rates in the City range from $75 to $100 per square metre depending on the attributes of the individual building.