Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan and Infrastructure Plan
Region at a glance
The Wide Bay Burnett is one of Queensland’s most diverse and productive regions. From coastal cities to rural communities, the region is well placed to accommodate growth, attract new residents and support expanding industries. It encompasses the local government areas of:
- Bundaberg Regional Council
- Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council
- Fraser Coast Regional Council
- Gympie Regional Council
- North Burnett Regional Council
- South Burnett Regional Council.
Wide Bay Burnett’s population is projected to grow to around 415,000 people by 2046. With population growth concentrated in key centres and an ageing population, there is an opportunity to deliver well-planned communities to support current and future residents.
The region’s economy is diverse, underpinned by strong agricultural production, manufacturing and resource industries, alongside growing service sectors such as health, education and tourism. Emerging opportunities in energy, critical minerals and waste are expected to support future economic growth and job creation.
World-class visitor destinations, including K’gari (Fraser Island) and the Great Sandy Marine Park, combined with ongoing investment in transport, digital and social infrastructure, support the region’s continued growth. By aligning land use, housing, infrastructure and economic development, the Wide Bay Burnett is well placed to accommodate growth, attract investment and support prosperous communities into the future.
At the same time, the region faces ongoing challenges related to housing supply, workforce attraction and retention, infrastructure provision and natural hazards. Coordinated planning will be critical to managing growth, supporting communities and strengthening the region’s long-term prosperity.
Population
– 310,730 (2021, ABS census), growing to 359,190 to 414,775 people by 2046 (QGSO 2023 edition, medium and high series)
Dwelling projections
between 25,800 - 48,945 new dwellings required by 2046 (QGSO 2023 edition, medium and high series)
Gross regional product
$18.76B (2024, NIEIR)
Small households
(1-2 people)
63% by 2046 (QGSO 2023 edition, medium series)
People over 65 years old
27% (2021, ABS census), increasing to 35% by 2046 (QGSO 2023 edition, medium series)
Detached dwellings
87.8% (2021, ABS census)
Conservation areas
9% of Wide Bay Burnett is conservation areas (conservation park, national park)
Plan at a glance
The Queensland Government is committed to developing new regional plans covering every corner of the state.
The draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan and Infrastructure Plan 2026 (draft regional plan) was gazetted (
244.0 KB) on 31 July 2026, and open for public consultation from 31 July to 14 September 2026. It is a contemporary, fit-for-purpose plan, focused on strengthening housing and economic growth, while aligning infrastructure needs for the region.
The draft regional plan was prepared in partnership with local government and relevant state agencies. It sets out the 20-year vision and strategic direction for the region across five key themes: housing, thriving economy, ecotourism and biodiversity, healthy and liveable communities, and infrastructure.
For the first time, the Wide Bay Burnett infrastructure plan is included as an appendix to the regional plan – linking land use and infrastructure planning in one place. This ensures transport, water, energy, digital and social and community infrastructure are planned together to support growth.
By 2046, Wide Bay Burnett’s population is expected to grow from 310,730 (2021) to between 359,190 to 414,775 people, requiring between 25,800 and 48,945 new homes - about 1,030 to 1,960 annually.
Key outcomes
- Increasing supply of housing in new and established communities and higher density in appropriate, well-serviced locations.
- Setting housing targets to align with the Queensland Government’s goal of one million new homes by 2044.
The Wide Bay Burnett economy is underpinned by strong agriculture, manufacturing, resource industries and other established sectors which have long contributed to the region’s prosperity. Building on these strengths, the region is well placed to capture emerging economic opportunities and strengthen its role as a key contributor to Queensland’s economy.
Key outcomes
- Supporting economic growth and diversification across both urban and rural parts of the region.
- Strengthening regional centres and priority sectors as focal points for jobs and investment.
- Protecting industrial land, primary production, and regionally significant economic assets to meet current and future employment needs.
The draft Wide Bay Burnett Infrastructure Plan provides the strategic direction for infrastructure planning, ensuring infrastructure priorities are aligned with growth, land use outcomes, and broader Queensland Government initiatives.
The plan establishes a clear approach to coordinating infrastructure across the region through infrastructure planning policies, strategies and future planning considerations for transport, water, energy, digital connectivity, and social and community infrastructure. These elements support informed decision-making, help guide local planning, and provide a basis for responding to the region’s future infrastructure needs.
All maps can be viewed within the draft regional plan and infrastructure plan.
More information
Draft regional plan ( 85.6 MB)
Read the full document.
→Draft infrastructure plan appendix ( 85.6 MB)
Read the infrastructure plan appendix from page 88.
→2023 Regional plan ( 14.8 MB)
View the current plan.
→2023 Infrastructure supplement ( 3.1 MB)
View the current infrastuture supplement.
→Consultation
Consultation on the draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan and Infrastructure Plan 2026 was open from 31 July to 14 September 2026. Feedback from residents, businesses, community groups, industry and government stakeholders will help inform the final plan and ensure it reflects the region's opportunities, challenges and long-term priorities.
The draft plan is now under review. All properly made submissions are being considered as part of the finalisation process, with the final Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan and Infrastructure Plan to be released following completion of this review.
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Enquiries
If you have any questions about the draft plan, please email WBBRPIPSubmissions@dsdip.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 14 Sep 2026