The development of residential areas in Queensland is changing the land-use purpose of agricultural soil.

In the Coral Cove area, construction has begun on a master-planned residential complex worth $1.1 billion. The DevCore Property Group project involves the creation of up to 1,200 lots ranging from 375 m2 to 1000 m2. Currently, approval has been granted for 400 lots, with another 600 lots under review by the Bundaberg Regional Council. A similar $2 billion project is being developed in Elliot Heads, where approximately 2,600 homes are planned.

Population growth and landscape changes are raising concerns among local residents regarding the burden on existing infrastructure. President of the Bargara Progress Association Jon Belmonte notes the discrepancy between current capacities in healthcare, education, and social services and the needs of the growing community. There is a need to expand the network of emergency services, including police, fire, and medical units.

The Queensland Government has allocated $52 million from the Residential Activation Fund for upgrading trunk infrastructure in the Bundaberg region. These funds are directed towards road reconstruction, as well as water and sewage network improvements. Local government representatives, particularly Cr Statham-Blair, point to the need for coordinated efforts between the state, federal government, and the regional council to bring service levels in line with demographic changes.

Local residents are also noting increased traffic flow on key roads, such as Elliot Heads Road and Back Windermere Road, expressing doubts about the infrastructure's ability to cope with intensive land development. Although the new projects do not involve the construction of high-rise buildings, the large-scale residential development is significantly transforming coastal areas that were traditionally used for agriculture.