Woollam Constructions nabs big tender to refurbish 8 River St

The cost to refurbish the blighted 8 River St has blown out but councillors say the price rise is worth it. DETAILS

Damage to the property at 8 River Street along the Pioneer River in Mackay. Picture: Documents supplied to Mackay Regional Council

A major Queensland builder will refurbish a crumbling food and beverage spot on the Mackay riverfront despite the project coming in at nearly double the council’s budget.

Councillors voted to grant Woollam Constructions a $3.75m contract to refurbish 8 River St, formerly the home of the Maria’s Donkey and Don Daniels restaurants.

Woollam, led by Mackay native Craig Percival, was the only contractor to submit a tender.

Mackay Regional Council had put aside $2.44m in its Capital Works budget for the project.

The dilapidated 8 River Street along the Pioneer River in Mackay. Picture: Contributed

Based on Woollam’s $3.75m bid, the council requires a further $375,049 to cover a 10 per cent contingency for project risks plus $377,790 for “below the line costs” such as overheads, statutory fees, project management and supervision.

With council expenditure to date totalling $40,000, the project now has an estimated total cost of $4,543,407, producing a $2.1m shortfall.

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Russell Seymour said a new design for piers into the water had raised costs “but in a good way”.

“Now the building can be utilised as a viewing deck in the front and also have the substructure will outlast any cyclone or any flood conditions on the river,” he said.

Detailed drawings of the project have not yet been released but Woollam will refurbish the decayed structure of the building and make it into a food and beverage facility.

Councillor Englert said the site would sit “directly over” the water.

“This is part of the great activation of the Pioneer River,” he said.

Woollam will refurbish the decayed structure of the building and make it into a food and beverage facility. Picture: Contributed

“Even though it is a substantial investment by the residents and ratepayers of this region, there is no doubt that the return on that investment will be high.”

The councillors voted unanimously for the project and also to designate it “a critical council project” to secure extra funding for it from the upcoming 2023-34 budget.

An artist's impression of a revitalised Mackay riverfront. Picture: Contributed

The council also voted to award SMC Marine Pty Ltd a $2.44m contract to build a floating pontoon at nearby Bluewater Quay.

Deputy Mayor May said the pontoon would provide centralised access to the river for commercial and recreational watercraft to load and unload.

“This pontoon will promote access for river cruises, barbecue boats and jet skis as well as recreational vessels such as kayaks and tinnies,” she said.

The two riverfront votes follow a $5.5m revitalisation of River St near the Paxtons Markets and the announcement that Mackay brewer Red Dog will open a second outlet at Bluewater Quay.