Mackay Airport proposes workers accommodation village to ease rental crisis

An ambitious proposal is hoping to make a dent in the crippling rental and workforce accommodation shortage that is ballooning the number of job vacancies in Mackay. SEE THE DESIGNS.

Design renders for a proposed workers accommodation precinct at Mackay Airport. Picture: Greater Whitsunday Communities

An ambitious proposal is hoping to make a dent in the crippling rentals shortage that is ballooning the number of job vacancies in Mackay.

There has been more than 1600 vacant jobs in the Mackay region at any one time since the outbreak of Covid.

And with people flocking to Queensland’s tropical north in the wake of the virus, the rental vacancy rate of 0.5 per cent has forced many into homelessness.

Mackay Airport is now seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified groups keen to build a major accommodation precinct to ease the critical strain on workforce accommodation options.

The concept derives from the Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit in August which pulled together developers, mayors, architects and community advocates to workshop how to stymie rising homelessness rates.

Mackay Airport head of operations Adrian Miles said the airport was a “crucial gateway” and was committed to supporting the region’s economic growth and “overall experience for workers and residents alike”.

Design renders for a proposed workers accommodation precinct at Mackay Airport. Picture: Greater Whitsunday Communities

“To this end, we are exploring the overall demand for development of a permanent workers accommodation precinct on a designated portion of land,” Mr Miles said.

The accommodation precinct would feature high quality, flexible accommodations with studio, one-bed or two-bedroom units.

Design renders for a proposed workers accommodation precinct at Mackay Airport. Picture: Greater Whitsunday Communities

Design renders for a proposed workers accommodation precinct at Mackay Airport. Picture: Greater Whitsunday Communities

Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays chief executive Rob Cocco said it could be the long-term solution to the region’s housing concerns.

“This is an opportunity for multiple sectors to collaborate effectively to explore solutions for our short-term accommodation needs,” Mr Cocco said.

“Lack of housing continues to impact a wide range of industries across our community, including tourism, agriculture, government and resources.

“Mackay Airport is an ideal and highly accessible location for a project of this kind.

“We strongly support the proposal and believe there will be many local businesses keen to explore this concept further.”

Interested parties are invited to submit their EOI by the end of November by emailing [e-mail].

Visit greaterwhitsundaycommunities.org.au for more information.