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In this episode of Fraser Coast Property Brief, Glen Winney speaks with Trevor Groeneveld, Managing Director of GHG Development, about what it really takes to turn raw land into a finished residential community.

Trevor shares his journey from civil construction and infrastructure contracting to property development, including the growth and sale of ITS Pipetech, and how that experience shaped his approach to major projects.

The conversation focuses on Christensen Ridge at Ghost Hill, a 400-plus-lot residential development in Hervey Bay. Trevor explains the challenges behind developing steep, rocky and vegetated land, from engineering and approvals to drainage, sewer infrastructure, finance, presales and rising costs.

This episode gives listeners a practical look at why land development takes years, why finished lots are becoming more expensive, and what needs to change to improve housing supply across the Fraser Coast.

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THE FRASER COAST IS BIGGER, OLDER AND STILL GROWING

How much has the Fraser Coast changed over the past 25 years?
In 2001, the region had around 71,206 residents. By 2021, that had grown to 111,032, and the latest 2025 estimate places our population at approximately 122,924.

That is more than 50,000 additional residents since 2001.

But the bigger story is not only how many people live here. It is also who lives here.

Our median age is now 51, and more than 38% of residents were aged 60 or older at the 2021 Census.

In Episode 1 of the Fraser Coast Property Brief Winter Series, Glen Winney looks at what this population growth and ageing profile mean for housing, health services, infrastructure and the future of our region.

One number to remember: 122,924 residents.

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Tourism has long shaped the Fraser Coast economy, but what needs to happen next?

In this episode of Fraser Coast Property Brief, Glen Winney sits down with David Hay from Staywise Advisory to unpack the future of tourism across Hervey Bay, K’gari and the wider Fraser Coast.

With more than 30 years in hospitality, tourism operations, resort management and regional tourism boards, David shares a grounded view of where the region is performing well, where the gaps sit, and what needs to change if the Fraser Coast wants longer stays, stronger visitor spend and a more resilient year-round tourism economy.

The conversation covers the strength of the domestic drive market, the growth of Hervey Bay Airport, the need for more land-based tourism products, the impact of the K’gari name change, higher-end accommodation opportunities, and why a stronger tourism vision matters for local businesses, investors and the wider community.

From whale watching and World Heritage experiences to five-star hotels, food tourism, public spaces and red tape, this episode looks at what comes next for one of the Fraser Coast’s most important industries. David’s outline frames the episode around tourism growth beyond whales and K’gari, with a focus on practical recommendations and future priorities.

The numbers behind the conversation show why this matters: the Fraser Coast recorded 845,000 domestic overnight visitors, 2.61 million domestic visitor nights and $719.2 million in total domestic visitor spend for the year ending December 2025. International visitors stayed longer on average, at 5.8 nights, showing a clear opportunity to build stronger product, accommodation and packaging.