Too often, regional planning is reactive—focused on short-term budgets, election cycles, or fixing yesterday’s problems. But if the Fraser Coast is serious about creating a thriving, sustainable future, we need to start thinking 50 years ahead, not five.
By 2075, Hervey Bay and Maryborough could look vastly different. Our population will grow. Our demographics will shift. Climate pressures will intensify. Technology will transform the way we live, work, and build. The question is: are we planning for that future now, or just patching the present?
A 50-year vision doesn’t mean locking in every detail. It means establishing a bold framework: where will our health precincts go? How will we move people efficiently across the region? What land do we protect? What land do we unlock? How do we diversify our economy beyond tourism and aged care? Where do we want our children—and their children—to live, work, and thrive?
Other cities have done it. Greater Geelong has a 50-year community vision. So does Western Sydney. These long-term plans guide infrastructure, education, housing, and investment—and give private industry the confidence to align with public goals.
The Fraser Coast Property Industry Association believes the time is right for our region to build its own long-term vision, led by council but co-designed with the community and key stakeholders. Let’s imagine a Fraser Coast with high-speed rail access, cutting-edge hospitals, vibrant urban centres, and world-class green space—and then work backwards. A budget can fix potholes. A vision can change a generation.
It’s time to lift our eyes from the next five years and focus on the next fifty.
Because the decisions we make today are already shaping the Fraser Coast of 2075. Let’s make sure we’re proud of what we leave behind.
