Demolition to clear CBD site for ambitious waterfront dream

Heavy machinery will today clear what’s left of the Seafresh shed on River St in a ‘milestone’ moment

Heavy machinery is onsite at the former Seafresh shed on River St. The building is set to be demolished on Wednesday, January 20, in a milestone step towards the Mackay Regional Council developing the Mackay Waterfront PDA. Picture: Tara Miko

The last remnants of the former Seafresh warehouse on River St will be torn down today in a milestone step towards developing Mackay's waterfront.

A long-reach excavator is onsite ready to dismantle what remains of the crumbling warehouse that was slated for demolition after it partially collapsed into the Pioneer River in October.

Mackay Region Mayor Greg Williamson said the council had secured all required approvals to go ahead with pulling down the old building.

"It will be a rapid demolition; all the excavators are in place now," Cr Williamson said.

"The next step, while all this is happening, staff have been preparing a detailed design for the new public area.

 

The sign that once hung above the doors to Seafresh Seafood on River St. Picture: Zizi Averill

 

"There is money in this budget … to have the public realm started."

A pergola with seating and shaded areas was expected to be among the first installations at the cleared portion of the riverbank, plans for which were yet to be finalised before the council.

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That was expected in February, Cr Williamson said.

Elements of the riverbank development would incorporate recovered pieces of the Seafresh warehouse, such as beams and pylons if salvageable.

"The design will have a lot more seating, light and shading," he said.

"Council is encouraging the community to use the river and we will then, when that building is gone, work on connecting the Bluewater Trail.

"That will formalise that trail process."

 

Council demolishes Seafresh shed on River St

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He said clearing the Seafresh shed would help the public see the "potential that is there for what our masterplan has for reactivating the riverbank".

"This, to me, is a fantastic milestone in articulating the vision for what will be very exciting," he said.

 

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It was a major step toward the council developing its Waterfront Priority Development area which had taken three years through approval processes including planning, designing and engineering.

Cr Williamson said the first steps in the redevelopment would help people understand the project.

 

ReNew Mackay Pty Ltd has released their plans for a proposed development in the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area.

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