In every edition of Council, we shine a spotlight on one local government from across Australia. Whether it’s new infrastructure, an innovative technology project, a leading sustainability initiative or a community connection, we want to highlight the best of our local governments and share some valuable knowledge to other place makers across our nation. This edition, we spoke to the Fraser Coast Regional Council.
1. What is the population size and land area of your council?
As of June 2024, the Fraser Coast had a population of 118,505, making it the 12th largest local government area in Queensland.
The Fraser Coast Regional Council spans approximately 7117 square kilometres, encompassing a stunning variety of landscapes – from national parks and state forests to picturesque beaches, iconic whale encounters, and the world-renowned K’gari (Fraser Island).
2.How many employees work at your council?
As of March 31 this year, Council had 1126 employees.
3. Who is the mayor?
Fraser Coast’s Mayor is George Seymour, who has been Mayor since May 2018, after serving as the Division 10 Councillor from 2012.
Mayor Seymour worked as a solicitor, a disability support worker and ran the region’s youth homeless shelter prior to his council election. He works closely with communities across the Fraser Coast to improve the health and liveability of the region.
Mayor Seymour’s goal is to ensure the Fraser Coast is a vibrant, healthy and active community.
4. Who is the CEO?
Ken Diehm is the CEO of Fraser Coast Regional Council and has been since June 2017.
He brings over 39 years of experience in local government leadership to the role. Throughout his extensive career, Diehm has developed a strong reputation for driving organisational performance, fostering community outcomes, and leading with integrity and purpose.
In 2024, Diehm’s leadership was recognised by the Local Government Managers Association who awarded him the Manager of the Year Award.
Ken’s personal and career goal is to make a positive difference in the community he serves and in the lives of the people he works with.
5. What is the council’s annual budget?
Council’s total budget in 2025/26 is $527 million.
6. Can you give us a breakdown of spending for the budget year ahead?
Key highlights of Council’s 2025/26 budget include:
- $180 million – water, waste and sewerage
- $128 million – roads, bridges, footpaths, coastal protection and drainage
- $89 million – economic development, tourism and major projects
- $40 million – parks, pools, playgrounds and cemeteries
- $15 million – arts and cultural facilities
7. What is your council’s vision for the community and its future?
Fraser Coast Regional Council is committed to strategic growth and liveability, ensuring the Fraser Coast remains a region where older residents can age comfortably, and younger generations see a bright future to live, work and raise families.
Through forward-thinking infrastructure planning, Council aims to provide essential services and facilities in a timely manner to meet the demands of a growing region.
Sustainability remains a key focus, with efforts to responsibly manage both built and natural environments to enhance resilience and liveability for current and future generations.
8. What makes your council area special?
The Fraser Coast is a region like no other – home to the world’s first Whale Heritage Site, the gateway to World Heritage-listed K’gari, and rich with history, nature and culture.
In the year to September 2024, the Fraser Coast welcomed 1.73 million visitors drawn to the region’s natural wonders, world-class diving, hidden beaches, and its reputation as Australia’s premier destination for up-close humpback whale encounters.
9. What are some of the unique challenges the region faces, and how does council overcome these?
The Fraser Coast is the fastest growing region in the Wide Bay Burnett, with more than 1800 new residents each year since 2016.
Alongside this growth, Council faces significant social and economic challenges:
- Over a third of the population is over 60, and most rely on welfare
- 44 per cent live with a long-term health condition, and over 10 per cent need daily assistance due to disability
- Median household income is about $500 below the state average
- Fraser Coast faces higher unemployment, lower education levels and rising homelessness
This combination of growth and disadvantage strains the community’s ability to fund the services and infrastructure it needs.
To help Council overcome these challenges it strongly supports restoring Financial Assistance Grants to at least one per cent of federal taxation revenue to ensure Councils like Fraser Coast remain financially sustainable.
Council strongly values the Queensland Government’s funding programs and supports their continuation and expansion to meet growing regional needs. Ongoing subsidies – such as a dedicated water and sewerage program – are also essential to help councils maintain and upgrade ageing infrastructure.
10. How is your council addressing climate change and reaching sustainability goals
Fraser Coast Regional Council is taking strong action on climate change, with a big focus on waste management.
The council is working towards a circular economy by encouraging composting at home, increasing the number of public recycling bins, and running campaigns to help people recycle correctly.
Earlier this year, Council opened a $31 million state-of-the-art recycling facility in Maryborough to boost recycling rates, cut landfill, and turn waste into useful products like park benches and kitty litter.
On K’gari (Fraser Island), Council is protecting the island’s unique environment with strict waste rules, promoting biodegradable products, and improving waste services for locals and visitors.
Fraser Coast Libraries offer programs like the Seed Library and Plant to Plate, helping residents grow their own food and boost biodiversity through free seeds, workshops, and resources.
Council is developing sustainability, climate, and natural environment policies to guide future strategies. Current initiatives include updating flood mapping with climate scenarios, implementing the Coastal Futures Strategy to manage coastal hazards, and working toward Reef Guardian Council status to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.
These initiatives help build community, promote sustainability, and make it easier to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce.
11. What is an exciting community program or initiative council has coming up in the future, or already underway?
Council is working with the Queensland Government and the Fraser Coast Bicycle Users Group to continue developing the Mary to Bay Rail Trail.
The aim is to repurpose the disused rail corridor between Maryborough and Hervey Bay as both a tourist attraction and a local recreational route, increasing connectivity for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.
Rail trails across Australia are growing in popularity, particularly with cyclists. It can be a tourism drawcard that could inject millions into the local economy while also benefiting locals who want to explore the great outdoors by walking or riding along the trail.
Significant work has been done in recent years to improve and expand the trail, and more is planned in the future, with the ultimate aim of connecting the heritage city of Maryborough to the seaside city of Hervey Bay.
12. Can you tell us about an interesting urban development project in
the region?
Fraser Coast Regional Council is transforming the Hervey Bay City Centre by developing a community hub, which will include a new regional library, a Council administration centre, a Disaster Resilience Centre and an outdoor public plaza for events, markets and live music.
Council has partnered with the Federal Government through the Hinkler Regional Deal to build this $100 million world-class city centre.
Construction for this exciting hub is now about halfway and is expected to be completed in mid-2026.
Fraser Coast Regional Council is pushing forward with many projects including the construction of the Fraser Coast Water Grid, upgrades to the Hervey Bay Airport Terminal and construction of a multi-purpose indoor sports facility at the Fraser Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct.
13. How is your council embracing digitisation and growing its technological capabilities?
Fraser Coast Regional Council is halfway through a major business transformation, rolling out mobile solutions to its outdoor teams for tasks like infringements, works requests, and timesheets. In the office, staff now benefit from a central customer knowledgebase and AI-assisted Call Centre support. Council has held GenAI workshops for managers and introduced smart parking technology. Its IT Steering Committee now also oversees Operational Technology, boosting collaboration across teams like Water and Libraries to better use digital tools and data.
