The Development of Bundaberg (1881 - 1930)

New Infrastructure

The 1880s saw the establishment of many of Bundaberg's churches. In 1881, the Bundaberg General Hospital opened, with the Lady Chelmsford Hospital, a maternity hospital, opening in 1909. 1912, saw the first government high school established in Bundaberg. This later became Bundaberg State High School and moved to its current premises on Maryborough Street in 1920.

Agriculture and Sugar

In the 1880s, Bundaberg became an established sugarcane growing area (Bundaberg is the only Queensland sugar district where the full sugar cycle, from cultivation to refining to distilling, occurs),and to process the cane, mills were needed. In 1882, Millaquin Mill began production, followed later by the Bingera and Fairymead mills.

During the 1880s/1890s, Kanakas (Melanesian Islanders) were brought to Bundaberg and used as labour to clear land and work the sugar plantations. Conditions for these workers were hard, with regular reports of inadequate food and medical attention. Kanakas were used in the cane fields until 1901, when legislation was passed prohibiting the entry of any further Islanders into Australia, and the full repatriation of the Kanakas to their islands of origin from 1906.

Commerce and Civic Development

In 1881, Bundaberg was incorporated as a municipality, and Alderman Richard Ruddell becomes the first Mayor of Bundaberg. The Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce was formed on the 1st of August 1882. Bourbong Street began its development as the business centre of Bundaberg.

The late 1880s saw a number of significant engineering structures built: In 1891 the Burnett River Railway Bridge opened and the Burnett River Traffic Bridge opened in August 1900.

In September 1899, the current Kennedy Bridge (a small scale replica of the Burnett River Traffic Bridge) was opened.

In 1902, Bundaberg was officially recognized as a town rather than a municipality, and by 1913 was further designated as a City.

1911 saw the commencement of the first motored public transport.

Electricity was provided to Bundaberg during 1915/1916.

In 1920, the Airdome Picture Theatre opened. (This later became named The Crest and finally The Moncrieff Theatre).

All City streets sealed with bitumen in 1928.

Bundaberg's population continued to grow from 200 in 1872 to 5516 in 1913.