Bespoke wedding venue to learn fate at council meeting
Developers of a new function centre at Midge Point will today learn if it will go ahead after several objections
Mackay
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Developers of a new function centre at Midge Point will today learn if it will go ahead after several objections were lodged against it.
Plans were submitted to Mackay Regional Council in April last year for a wedding and corporate events centre on Lawson St at Midge Point.
The centre, to be built of a two-hectare block, would include a specially designed 200sq m outdoor marquee and "surrounded by lush, manicured gardens complemented by onsite ponds, meandering footpaths and bridges over existing waterways".
"The marquee will be specifically constructed to dissipate noise in accordance with the recommendation made within the acoustic report submitted as part of the application to support the proposed development," council documents state.
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"The proposed development seeks to establish a bespoke concept function facility dependent upon the lush natural and landscaped surrounds of the property.
"The proposed development 'maintains the natural functions and scenic qualities of the landscape' of the site and surrounding coastal township of Midge Point.
"The proposal will remain small-scale and ensure that it 'integrates with existing and future development'."
The centre would have a maximum capacity of 150 people onsite at any one time, parking available for 21 vehicles, and guests would be bussed in and out as the primary method of transport.
It would be open from 10am to 10pm.
Developers used acoustic experts to identify issues and strategies to mitigate any concerns, including the hours of operation, receiver locations, barrier screening of the marquee and the project being compliant with relevant noise criteria.
Possible noise pollution was one of eight concerns raised in objections lodged with the council.
Others included the "inconsistent proposed land use", conflict with rural residential zone planning, the "adverse impacts on amenity", the number of carparking and bus management, increased traffic volumes, waste management and environmental impacts from effluent disposal.
Developers, in reply, noted the centre would only operate one or two days a week between Thursday and Sunday subject to bookings and volatile weather conditions during the wet season.
The council report stated "all of the submissions stated the proposed development will generate unacceptable levels of noise, at unacceptable hours".
However, the acoustic report outlined the measures to be taken to ensure minimal disruption to nearby properties.
Two submissions raised concerns about the conflict with the rural and residential zone and the type of development.
However, developers submitted buildings of one and two storeys would be consistent with the surrounding low-rise character of the area and that it was also set back from property boundaries which also aligned with neighbouring properties.
Three submissions raised concerns with a potential to adversely impact "the amenity of Lawson St and the surrounding residential area".
"The applicant has also taken careful account of the desire to preserve residential amenity for neighbouring properties, and this is evident through such aspects as the modest built form, the orientation of the … new marquee, utilisation of considerable landscaping including buffer planting at perimeters of the site, and incorporation of the recommended treatments identified through the recommendations of the environmental noise impact assessment accompanying the development application prepared by Acoustic Works," it said.
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Vendors also would be required to remove all waste and rubbish from the site which would address another concern.
It was recommended the council approve the application with the amended plans and measures to address residents' objections.
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