Dittmann’s Bucking Bull Pit approved in conciliatory gesture

The Dittmann’s bull-riding arena is tipped to bring in thousands of spectators and visitors, but the developers’ cowboy antics have been smacked down as it gets approval.

A multimillion-dollar bull-riding arena that will draw in thousands of spectators and visitors to the region has official approval, but not without a swipe at criticisms over the process.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson has welcomed the new Midge Point bull-riding arena as a new “genre of entertainment” for the region, but directed some pointed criticisms in how developers Jason and Kelly Dittmann put it all together.

Mr Williamson said the council had not been notified of the development, which opened on a rural lot in 2021.

“They didn’t apply for any permits at all,” he said.

“Didn’t advise council.

“It’s not our job to go out and look for these sorts of things.”

Mr Williamson said the builders had done a “pretty good” job on the venue, but the council had not been consulted on a range of important issues.

“It is a very good thing (to have the venue), there’s no doubt about that, but you just can’t go and put venues up like that without reference to the council because there are traffic management issues, there are waste management issues, there are some environmental issues about the people who live in the surrounding area,” he said.

“And those are the sorts of things that council is here to regulate.”

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the council had acted in a conciliatory manner towards the developers of the new bull-riding arena near Midge Point. Picture: Duncan Evans

The venue is expected to draw thousands of spectators alongside vans and caravans and Mr Williamson raised the issue of traffic safety of Midge Point Rd as something the developers should have considered with the council before the build.

“Those are the sorts of things that council has to bring them to the table for and say ‘we need to know what the management is around this, before we can approve it’.”

Mr Williamson said the council became aware of the new arena when it opened last year to a 3000 strong crowd.

“We certainly knew it was there when 3000 people turned up to the opening event,” he said.

“And they actually applied for council assistance to run that opening event.”

Mr Williamson also said complaints from the developers about a slow approvals process were “absolute rubbish.”

“There is no sense in them complaining to us that we’ve delayed it when they didn’t apply for any permits at all to start the thing,” he said.

“So I think what we’ve done is very conciliatory in terms of our reaction to this particular venue in the area.”

Despite the unorthodox manner of its development, Mr Williamson said the new arena would benefit the Mackay region by bringing in more travellers.

“They eat here, they fill up their cars here, it’s just a tremendous facility to have in the region,” he said.

“It actually caters to another genre of entertainment that we previously didn’t have here.”

Council gives its approval

A new entertainment venue has the official tick with Dittmann Bucking Bulls getting the nod for six events a year.

Mackay Council has approved the permanent bull-riding venue near Midge Point, voting unanimously to allow developers Jason and Kelly Dittman to put on up to six shows a year at the existing arena.

The council’s support opens up a new entertainment option for the region and follows months of briefings and discussions.

Councillor Justin Englert moved the motion recommending approval of the permit.

The approval is conditional, which means the reconfiguration of the existing lot must follow council regulations on a range of matters from drainage and telecommunications to ensuring an on-site water supply to fight bushfires.

The council has limited the number of events permitted at the rural property to six a year, though these could be both concerts and bull-riding events.

Visitor numbers will be capped at 4000 for each event.

‘Bring back the old country’

A bucking bull arena hailed as a premium Mackay sporting precinct is facing its final hurdle after months of ‘disheartening’ delay.

Dittmann Bucking Bulls & The Bull Pit is a purpose built bucking bull arena in Midge Point, complete with 1700-seat grandstand, food and drink shed, 495 sites for camping facilities, 600 car spaces for day visitors and 70 spaces for staff along with an ‘overflow’ camping and parking area.

Jason Dittmann from Dittmann's Bucking Bulls & The Bull Pit. Picture: Lillian Watkins

But owner Jason Dittmann said despite the The Pull Pit’s first resounding success in August 2021, he has been hit with an uphill battle to obtain a permanent permit.

“I almost pulled the plug on it last weekend,” Mr Dittmann said.

“Just waiting and waiting and waiting, and spending more and more money.”

Mr Dittmann said he had done everything “by the book”, contracting a town planner to walk him through every stage to ensure compliance with council regulations.

Mr Dittmann contracted a town planner to walk him through every stage to ensure compliance with council regulations. Picture: Lillian Watkins

He has submitted to have the land used for six bull-riding or concert type events every year, running across three days with a maximum of 4000 people at each.

“I want to run three PBR events and a mini bull riding academy,” Mr Dittmann said.

“Later down the track, in a few years, it would be great to get some concerts going, a battle of the bands for young kids starting up.”

But all these dreams have been put on hold, as Mr Dittmann and his team of 30 employees await final approval from council, just weeks before the next event scheduled for April 30.

“It’s disheartening. There’s nothing in any other facility built like this,” Mr Dittmann said.

“It’s a family thing, we have show rides coming for the kids.

“People bring their caravans and have a beer and a yarn, don’t need to drive.

“You can’t do that anywhere like in the old days.

“I’m trying to bring back the old country.”

Since being in the public eye, Mr Dittmann has had one submission opposing his project saying “a rodeo facility is not in keeping with the quiet rural atmosphere” along with other concerns about waste, traffic and location.

Mr Dittmann said he had put in place appropriate management for events including traffic controllers and open air noise level checks to address these concerns.

An officer’s recommendation suggested Mr Dittmann’s plans be approved with conditions including the facility not host more than three events per calendar year and any event must be capped at 4000 patrons. Picture: Lillian Watkins

An officer’s recommendation suggested Mr Dittmann’s plans be approved with conditions including the facility not host more than three events per calendar year and any event must be capped at 4000 patrons.

Mackay Regional Council will vote on the recommendation on Wednesday.