HERVEY Bay has long been a retreat for retirees, reflected in its median age of 51, but this idyllic retirement haven is at risk of stagnation if we don’t address the urgent question: How do we retain and attract youth to ensure the city’s future? Our focus on maintaining a retirement lifestyle is understandable, but we must recognise that if we don’t invest in the next generation now, the community and its vital industries—especially healthcare—will struggle to survive.
The property and development landscape in Hervey Bay must evolve to reflect more than just the needs of retirees. The demand for diverse, affordable housing is growing, yet our current development model largely caters to an older demographic. If we continue down this path, young professionals and families will find it increasingly difficult to live, work, and thrive here. Can we afford to become a city that offers little beyond a retirement lifestyle?
Attracting young people requires more than just houses—it demands a vision. We must integrate education, health, and technology sectors into our development plans. Without a shift towards creating jobs in healthcare and other industries, Hervey Bay’s economy and essential services will face a dangerous decline. How will our hospitals and local businesses survive if the population continues to age without a steady influx of younger, working residents?
Balancing growth with lifestyle preservation isn’t just a possibility; it’s a necessity. The question remains: Are we willing to disrupt our own comfort to ensure that Hervey Bay’s future includes the very generations that will sustain it?
With GLEN WINNEY - President - FCPIA
