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
Investment and business opportunities:
- General construction and medical supply chain
- Medical specialists
- Allied health and disability services
- Student accommodation
- Alternative and special education schools
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
- Alternate plant-based protein – plant protein extract and formulation/ texturizing, beverage distilling, health foods, condiments and confectionary.
- Controlled environment horticulture – for food production, medicinal cannabis, component manufacturing.
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.- Ag-tech developers and companies
- Data analytics organisations
- Ag-tech start-ups and investors
- Facility created for the purpose of advancing agricultural innovation and technology in the region. The Centre allows for easy collaboration between stakeholders as well as providing excellent facilities for learning, development and networking.
- Policy driven levers – Council is committed to implementing – Towards Net Zero Bundaberg strategy. This is one of the first by a Queensland Council – and sets an ambitious pathway for our region to achieve a net zero future. It will see 1 million tonnes of carbon removed from our environment. A strategy that will create jobs, and attract investment, while making our region cleaner and greener.
- Hydrogen (Qld energy and jobs plan) green hydrogen and green ammonia production associated supply value chain components including storage, compression, refuelling, water treatment, green ammonia production, transport mobility, hydrogen electrolysers, hydrogen energy storage systems and components and green hydrogen exports.
- Renewable component manufacturing (Qld energy and jobs plan) solar panel manufacturing, wind turbine, tower blade manufacturing, EV chargers and electrolysers.
- Battery manufacturing (Qld battery strategy release), mineral processing, chemical processing, cell manufacturing, battery precursor manufacturing, assembly packs, for – long duration storage, micro grid, home storage and industrial applications, defence and mining sector
- Recycling and waste management – organics processing, solar panel recycling, ag plastics plastics and e-waste.
- Bioenergy and bioproducts – 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
