B3 developments returns to Mackay after five-year hiatus, reapplies to develop 108-unit building

After approvals lapsed during the pandemic, plans for a 108-unit apartment building in the Mackay CBD are back on track. SEE THE PLANS.

108 units have been proposed for the Mackay CBD, bringing much needed housing stock to the region after years of arrested development. Photo: Documents contributed to council.

An ambitious development sidelined by the pandemic is looking to get back on track as a NSW developer works with council to bring new housing to a regional CBD.

The construction of an apartment building housing 108 units and a storefront at 44-52 Victoria St, Mackay is looking to forge ahead after a more-than-five-year hiatus.

Hamid Bechara of B3 Developments — a Sydney-based developer — said the project was previously approved, but approval lapsed due to an “oversight” towards the end of 2019, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The plans submitted to council also include two spaces for retail tenancies on the ground floor. Photo: Documents contributed to council.

Now six years later the plans have been resubmitted in the hopes council will grant approval for construction in the Mackay priority development area.

Documents submitted to council reveal the building will be 14 storeys tall and each floor will consist of a combination of one-bedroom units and two-bedroom units.

The single-bedroom apartments will vary in size and typically include a large living room with a separate dining and kitchen space, a hallway containing the laundry, bathroom and a separate bedroom.

Each floor will house a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Photo: Documents contributed to council.

The two-bedroom apartments will also vary, but will typically include a ensuite bedroom, second bedroom and, in some cases, a study space.

All apartments will have a private balcony, a private parking space and be serviced by the building’s two elevators.

What the council proposed the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA) could look like.

Apartments on level three will have access to terrace spaces in lieu of balconies and levels one and two will be dedicated to providing a minimum of 90 parking spaces to the building, as well as 108 bicycle spaces.

The ground floor will also house parking, as well as a rubbish room, a foyer, service desk and two retail and commercial tenancies.

One of these tenancies will be 25 sqm and the other will be 100 sqm, with the aim to have a food or drink outlet in one of these spaces.

Both tenancies will open onto the entry terrace with frontage onto Victoria St.

Development is proposed for 44-52 Victoria St in the Mackay CBD PDA precinct.

Mr Bechara said “we’re in talks with council every second day and they’re pretty keen to get it activated”.

He said the estimated cost of construction would be $27m, but was unable to specify when construction would be able to commence.

If it moves forward, the development at 52 Victoria St could provide much needed housing to the region.

The Mackay priority development area was launched in 2018 and since then has delivered upgrades to the bluewater trail, the opening of Red Dog Riverfront at Bluewater Quay and the opening of a pontoon at Bluewater Quay.