$191,634 infrastructure concessions to bring Mackay closer to hosting international-level cricket

The ‘exciting’ incentive provides a welcome boost plus a deadline for the Great Barrier Reef Arena project which is poised to bring major sporting events and entertainment to North Queensland.

The man preparing to take the helm of a $24 million Mackay arena redevelopment is welcoming a $191,000 incentive that delivers a deadline for the project.

Great Barrier Reef Arena facility manager John Stock said Mackay Regional Council’s decision to grant $191,634 in infrastructure concessions was an “exciting” show of cross-sectional support for the arena.

Great Barrier Reef Arena facility manager John Stock says they are busy working on securing bigger and better matches for Mackay’s newest arena. Picture: Heidi Petith

“We’ve got good support from federal and state governments and now council is contributing,” the former Queensland Cricket general manager said.

The councillors’ decision to approve the concessions came with conditions including the arena at Harrup Park Country Club needing to be built using local contractors and suppliers and be ready to open by June 23, 2023.

Mr Stock said they were already liaising with Australian Football League and Cricket Australia which included discussions for the arena to gain its ICC accreditation to host international cricket matches.

“The council already have agreements in place with the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Heat,” he said.

And he said Harrup Park general manager Adrian Young would use his background in the music industry to lure entertainers.

Great Barrier Reef Arena facility manager John Stock, Harrup Park Country Club general manager Adrian Young and grounds manager Bruce Bridger, testing out the lawn ahead before the first MI Scaffold Bash for Cash held at the arena over the May Day weekend, 2021. Picture: Heidi Petith

Councillor Michelle Green said the arena would be a “boon” for Mackay’s tourism, entertainment and sporting sectors including the capacity to host tier one cricket and AFLW matches.

Cr Green said Harrup Park Country Club was partnering with tourism bodies and the Mackay Airport to fully realise the redevelopment that would add 54,000 visitor nights to the region per year.

“(The concession) is a small sum in exchange for the significant and valuable social and economic benefits this project will provide now and into the future and it has my full support,” she said.

Cr Laurence Bonaventura also supported the project but queried whether the council had data-checked the developer’s claims the project would generate 90 jobs during its construction.

Development services director Aletta Nugent was tasked with providing a response.

It detailed Wohlsen Consulting was engaged with running the numbers for the proposed arena back in April 2020.

“Wohlsen Consulting has provided a disclaimer that states they have no conflict of interest and provides all analysis, opinions and conclusions with complete commercial independence,” council documents state.

The core aspects of the development including building a new northern stand on the northern side of the main playing field, a new “Northern Green” entertainment precinct and public open space, improving the TV filming and broadcasting infrastructure and a new public plaza and pedestrian connections to Juliet and Kippen Sts.

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