Billion-dollar proposal
A MASSIVE billion-dollar development that will change the face of Elliott Heads has been unveiled.
The 248ha residential and commercial development will feature more than 3000 houses as well as a range of other facilities, including a chemist and medical centre and tourist accommodation.
The developers are also planning for schools, playing fields and walking trails.
Advertisements to be published in national newspapers as well as the NewsMail today are designed to spark interest in the proposal.
Developer Stan La Vin, of Elliott Heads Estates, said he was one of a consortium of four partners.
"Our objective is to do the hard work and get approval, then bring in major developers to do the construction," he said.
Mr La Vin said there was an unfulfilled need for coastal housing generated by the mining boom, and the Bundaberg region was ideally suited to fill that need.
He estimated the development would create 530 jobs during construction and 1000 on completion.
"The rates income to Bundaberg Regional Council will increase by more than $6 million a year, ultimately," he said.
Mr La Vin said the project had been seven years in the approval process and was now at the decision stage with the council.
"Now the council will take a close look at every aspect," he said.
"Projects of this type take longer than smaller developments to get moving, but once they're in motion they quickly gather momentum."
Mr La Vin said his company had an option to buy land for the project from farmer John Manera.
He said there was provision for carbon dioxide offsets on an additional 138ha parcel of land with a good water supply.
Mr La Vin said he expected it would take 15-20 years to complete the project.
Bundaberg mayor Lorraine Pyefinch said the council's planning staff had been working on the project for years.
She said the council supported well-designed and well-managed projects.
FACILITIES
2ha town centre.
20ha tourist and RV park.
Hotel, bistro and bottleshop.
Supermarket, medical centre.
