Queensland’s Wide Bay Burnett is the place to establish general aviation and aerospace related industry. Renowned for its relaxed lifestyle and a world famous location for iconic tourism destinations like Fraser and Lady Elliot Islands, scenic rural centres and the Bunya Mountains, the region is also now fast becoming a premier aviation destination.

The region has excellent flying weather and topography, is serviced by aviation-friendly local governments and is a very cost competitive location. This adds up to an attractive package for the business leader – more flying days, fantastic lifestyle and local council decision makers within reach.

READ ON AND DISCOVER WHY MORE BUSINESSES ARE CHOOSING TO LOCATE THEIR AVIATION AND AEROSPACE BUSINESSES IN THE REGION…

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

GENERAL AVIATION MANUFACTURING

The region is home to Queensland’s three light aircraft manufacturers:

• Jabiru Aircraft P/L is based in Bundaberg and produces two seat trainers as well as microlight factory built and ‘kit planes’. The Jabiru is exported throughout the world. Jabiru Case Study (.PDF)
• Hervey Bay’s Seabird Aviation Australia manufactures the Seabird Seeker which is an innovative observational platform suitable for emergency services, recreation and military roles. Seabird Case Study (.PDF)
• A new all-metal two seat trainer is being produced by Dean Wilson Aviation at Kingaroy. This robust aircraft has been specifically designed to cope with the demands of flight training. Dean Wilson Case Study (.PDF)

ENGINE MANUFACTURING

Camit Pty Ltd produces 4, 6 & 8 cylinder air cooled 4 stroke aircraft engines, which are wholly manufactured and tested in-house. Camit manufacture the JABIRU aircraft engines which are exported worldwide.

AVIONICS

One of Australia’s most innovative avionics companies, Microair Avionics is producing leading edge transceiving and transponding equipment for the Australian and the international aviation industry and is engaged with Air Services Australia in the development of leading edge ADS-B GPS based surveillance and navigation equipment. Microair Avionics Case Study (.PDF)

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV)

With clear skies and excellent weather conditions, Kingaroy is a prime venue for UAV activity. The Queensland Government is working with key stakeholders to develop an international UAV test and training facility. The Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation (ARCAA) UAV Outback Challenge is held in Kingaroy in September each year.

MAJOR AIRPORTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Fraser Coast, Bundaberg and South Burnett councils are all undertaking master-planning of their airports to keep up with the future expansion of flights and industry growth. Hervey Bay invested over $13 million in redeveloping the ‘Fraser Coast’ airport in 2006, but rapid growth has meant a new plan is again underway.  Kingaroy offers opportunities for pilot training and has space available for aviation manufacturing or other aviation related services.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

PRO-ACTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Local governments have recognised the aviation and aerospace sector as a priority industry in which to develop business and attract new industry to the region. The airports in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Kingaroy and Maryborough are owned by regional councils and the local Airport User Groups have developed good working relationships with the owners.

INDUSTRIAL LAND

All major airports have industrial land suitable for aviation related activities in close proximity to the airport. The land is fully serviced and is suited to many types of businesses and includes airside land freehold and leasehold at Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Major road, rail, energy and telecommunication networks are well provided for across the region. The geographic centre of the region is only three hours drive or less than an hour’s flight to Brisbane and Australia Trade Coast.

LOW COSTS

The region is a very cost competitive location for the aviation industry, particularly compared to metropolitan airport precincts. At time of writing, there are no landing fees at most airports and when compared to other locations in Australia, Queensland offers the lowest pay roll tax, low labour costs and cheap cost of living but maintains a high quality of life.

TAKING THE REGION TO THE WORLD

The region has many companies that are exporting their goods and services globally; Jabiru, Seabird Aviation Australia and Micorair to name a few. The Wide Bay Australia International Airshow held in Bundaberg every second year, is Australia's largest General Aviation Airshow and showcases the regions capabilities to an international audience.

CAPABLE WORKFORCE

Queensland’s aviation history is entwined with the Wide Bay Burnett. The region has a suitably qualified workforce for most business management or skilled and semi skilled positions.

EDUCATING A FUTURE WORKFORCE

Three universities service the region, the Fraser Coast University of Southern Queensland is based in Hervey Bay, University of Central Queensland has a campus in Bundaberg and the University of the Sunshine Coast services the Gympie region. Bundaberg’s Central Queensland University campus holds aviation theory courses and a number of high school's run aviation courses in their curriculum for school students. TAFEs can be found in every major centre.

The TALENT program has been established across the Wide Bay Burnett to link school students directly to advanced manufacturers. The program has been designed to promote manufacturing and engineering jobs as an attractive option to the region’s youth. North Bundaberg High School has developed an Aviation studies course in conjunction with the local campus of Central Queensland University.

Click here to download a print friendly version of the Aviation Wide Bay Burnett Brochure (.PDF)