We’re happy and we know it!

Even the whales know it – that’s why thousands come back every year to play on the Fraser Coast. People living on the Fraser Coast are officially the happiest in Australia, based on 10 years of research into national wellbeing by Deakin University.

But what is it that feels so good about living, visiting, playing and doing business on the Fraser Coast?
Is it the clean white beaches and the fishing, boating and marine life of Hervey Bay; the pure paradise of Fraser Island with its towering rainforests; the glorious parklands and century old streetscapes of Maryborough; or the quaint country towns, charming locals, historic pubs, and natural wonders of Tiaro and the rural hinterland?

The answer is all of the above – Our Fraser Coast is the complete package.

The Fraser Coast is a growing region with a lifestyle that is hard to match. It is safe – children can still ride and walk to one of more than 60 schools – and there are employment opportunities for skilled workers. The Fraser Coast figures prominently in the ‘regions to watch’ lists circulated by property investment gurus.

The region already sustains a growing skilled workforce in industries including tourism, aviation, rail (manufacture of rolling stock and locomotives), heavy engineering, manufacture of mining equipment, sugar, forestry, timber milling, agriculture and marine industries, boat building and fishing. It has road, rail and air transport infrastructure including daily direct jet flights to Sydney with access to all other capital cities and potential international markets as well as daily flights to Brisbane.

The water supply has doubled in size with a $26 million upgrade of Lenthall Dam and $100 million is being injected into the district’s power supply.

The new power lines to the region will improve telecommunications, especially broadband internet access, linking the Fraser Coast to the world.

Under a deal between Ergon and the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s telecommunications company, Widelinx, and the University of Southern Queensland Fraser Coast Campus, residents and business will have access to a new fibre-optic cable link that is being strung with the power lines.

Veteran developer and one of Queensland’s wealthiest men Kevin Seymour has plenty of faith in the future of the Fraser Coast. His consortium of Watpac and the Seymour group is heading up the biggest project on the region’s horizon – the $800 million development of the Urangan Harbour and surrounding marina in Hervey Bay.

You can download the Economic Profile 2009 here. (2 MB)