Tracey McPhee Councillor Division 4 Bundaberg Regional Council

04/09/2026

🌅 SUNSET DRINKS & CANAPÉS | TASTE BUNDABERG FESTIVAL 🍴🍹

What a beautiful way to officially launch the Taste Bundaberg Festival 2026 tonight!

Set beside the Burnett River at River Cruz Café, Sunset Drinks & Canapés was a chance to celebrate something pretty special about our region, the growers & producers, the chefs and hospitality businesses as well as the incredible variety of fresh produce grown right here in our own backyard. 🌱🍓🥑🍅

The launch was also part of Council’s Safe Spaces, Thriving Places initiative, demonstrating the possibilities and value of activating spaces that are traditionally busy during the day, but much quieter after dark. 🌙✨

Activating our public spaces at night can deliver benefits well beyond the immediate economic boost to surrounding businesses. It creates opportunities for people to connect and builds a stronger sense of community and belonging, which in turn helps create places where people feel comfortable spending time.

And importantly, busy, well-used spaces can also discourage unwanted and antisocial behaviour. When we create reasons for people to positively occupy our public places, we help make them more welcoming for everyone.

A huge congratulations to the Council team who pulled tonight together and helped get another Taste Bundaberg Festival underway. 👏

And a special mention to Yvette, who is heading up our Safe Spaces, Thriving Places initiative and continuing to explore how we can rethink and activate our spaces in different ways.

Tonight was a great example of what is possible. 💡

Now it’s time to Taste Bundaberg! 🍴🌱

There is so muc

04/09/2026

Next week is Queensland Child Protection Week and this year’s theme is “Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation to Action”. A big thanks to Impact Community Services for producing this video of local leaders promoting this year’s theme. Keep an eye open for the full video.

04/09/2026

Great opportunities available for apprentices and trainees. Tag someone you know who may be interested 👇

🎓 Earn while you learn and develop the practical skills you need to kick-start an exciting new career!

Applications are now open for a range of 2027 apprenticeships and traineeships with Bundaberg Regional Council.

If you're eager to learn, gain hands-on experience and build a rewarding career one of these opportunities could be perfect for you.

🔗 Apply now:
https://bunrc.au/r/Working-for-Council

03/09/2026

🎺🚂 SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT! 🚂🎺

For the first time, Bundaberg Municipal Band is taking its music on the move, literally!

On Sunday 13 September from 12pm–1pm, members of bundy.brass will climb aboard the Australian Sugar Cane Railway and play live music as the train makes its way around the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens! 🎶🌿

What a fun way to spend a Sunday lunchtime!

🥪 Pack a picnic and find yourself a beautiful shady spot around the gardens
☕ Grab lunch or a coffee at Café 1928
🌳 Settle in, relax and listen as Bundy Brass passes by on their laps of the gardens
🚂 And enjoy one of Bundaberg’s much-loved attractions doing something completely new!

There should be plenty of lovely spots along the railway route to hear and see them as they go past.

A big shout-out to the Australian Sugar Cane Railway for getting behind this unique idea and helping make it happen. 👏

📍 Bundaberg Botanic Gardens
📅 Sunday 13 September
⏰ 12pm–1pm

Picnic, gardens, brass music and a cane train. That’s a pretty good Bundy Sunday! 🎺🚂🌿

Tag someone you’d take along! 👇

01/09/2026

💜 Calling all carers! 💜

If you care for a family member or friend living with disability, mental ill health, a chronic illness, or who is frail aged, this free afternoon tea is a great opportunity to connect, learn and explore what's available to support your goals too.

☕ Free Afternoon Tea for Carers
📅 Wednesday, 16 September 2026
🕞 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
📍 Wellways Bundaberg Carers Hub
14 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg

Meet Anne and the local Carer Gateway team to learn about Wellways' FREE Vocational Pathways Program, designed to support carers interested in:
🎓 Study
💼 Employment
🤝 Volunteering
🌱 Planning for the future

It's also a chance to ask questions, meet other local carers and enjoy a relaxed afternoon tea in a welcoming environment.

📩 To RSVP or find out more email [email protected] or call 0488 679 127.

Caring for someone else is a significant role—it's important to make time to support yourself too. 💜

01/09/2026

🏛️ Did You Know? Bundaberg’s Saltwater Creek Bridge Has Been Standing Since 1894 🏛️

As restoration works prepare to begin on the heritage-listed Saltwater Creek Pedestrian Bridge, I thought it was worth sharing a little of the remarkable history behind this iconic local structure.

Originally built in 1894, this bridge wasn’t designed for pedestrians at all — it was first constructed as part of the railway line connecting Bundaberg to the Woongarra district during the region’s early sugar industry expansion.

A few fascinating pieces of its story:

📍 Plans for the railway began in the 1880s
🚂 The line officially opened on 9 July 1894
🏗️ It was privately constructed with support from Robert Cran of the Millaquin Sugar Refinery
🏛️ The Queensland Government took ownership in 1912
🔩 In 1965, the bridge was strengthened using steel girders repurposed from the Gold Coast

More than 130 years later, this bridge remains an important physical link between Bundaberg East and our CBD, but also a reminder of the history that helped shape our region.

I know closures can be frustrating, but preserving heritage assets like this matters. Sometimes restoration isn’t just about fixing infrastructure — it’s about protecting pieces of our story for future generations. ❤️

🎥 You can learn more about the upcoming works here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fslRf_4IfJE

31/08/2026

📢 Open Council Tenders 📢

Are you a local business or supplier looking for opportunities to work with Council? There are currently a number of tenders open:

🏗️ TEN/3090 – Supply of Concrete Culvert Components
📅 28 August 2026

🛣️ TEN/3095 – Barolin Esplanade Pavement and Guardrail Renewal
📅 20 August 2026

🏚️ TEN/3083 – Disposal of Old Showgrounds, 45 Burrum Street, Bundaberg West
📅 14 August 2026

🗑️ TEN/2893 – Waste Management Facilities Maintenance
📅 14 August 2026

💧 TEN/3069 – Detailed Design of Childers Wastewater Treatment Plant
📅 14 August 2026

To view these tenders, download documentation and lodge a submission, visit: https://www.brcnow.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/council-notices/

If you’re interested in supplying goods or services to Council, you’ll also find helpful information, procurement contacts and guidance here: https://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/Business/Working-with-Council

Please feel free to share this with businesses or organisations that may be interested.

31/08/2026

Congratulations to the Bundy SES Crew on their recent state recognition and award 🏆
Bundaberg Regional SES Unit

31/08/2026

New spot in town for your morning brew ☕️

☕ A splash of pink, the aroma of freshly made coffee and a welcoming atmosphere are bringing a burst of energy to the Bundaberg CBD, with Rozie Coffee Bar recently opening its doors.

Read more about it here 👉 https://bunrc.au/r/rozie-coffee-bar

📍Find Rozie Coffee Bar at 28 Quay Street, Bundaberg Central and 7/302 Branyan Drive, Avoca.