Inside Sarina development: Why some locals aren’t happy about plans

A heavyweight developer has renewed plans for a takeaway, funeral parlour, service station and more in Sarina, but not everyone is keen on the revised plans. Read why.

A property heavyweight has dusted off plans to develop a parcel of former agricultural land in Sarina in preparation to sell the site to a new investor.

But not everyone is keen on the proposed development with calls to first hold a community forum and concentrate on fixing the growing number of vacant shopfronts in the centre of town.

Sentinel Property Group’s revised plan for the property along the Bruce Highway, which borders The Village residential estate, include an emergency services precinct, a 24/7 takeaway and service station with boat, caravan and truck parking, a car wash and a block of buildings with three shops.

Sentinel Property Group has lodged plans to Mackay Regional Council to develop a shopping and emergency services precinct along the Bruce Highway near the Sarina Showgrounds.

Documents submitted to Mackay Regional Council detailed the emergency services could include the State Emergency Service and an emergency call centre.

It added the “neighbourhood” style shops could feature a community care centre, funeral parlour, hardware and trade supplies store, health care service, showroom or veterinary service, and would not impact the nearby Sarina Beach Road Shopping Centre.

The parlour did not include provisions for burials or cremations.

“The proposed development will also seek to service a future need which will continue to grow as the surrounding balance land is development,” documents stated.

“For example, the balance of the site could accommodate 650-plus dwellings once fully developed and as such, will be within walking distance for a significant number of residents.”

A Sentinel Property Group spokesman said the application was put forward as the company was preparing to sell its Sarina development.

“(It is) mainly because they are busy with other industrial and retail projects, particularly in Mackay and also in Darwin, where the executive chairman Warren Ebert is this week as they are looking to buy a major shopping centre there,” the spokesman said.

But Pick A Bunch’s Mary Line said building more residential properties should take priority over new shopping centres.

Ms Line said many businesses had failed to stay in Sarina coupled with major banks shutting down their branches.

“And there’s enough takeaway places in this town, how they (Sentinel) are going to make a go of it, I have no idea,” Ms Line said.

She also said the Bruce Highway in and out of Sarina would need upgrading in addition to the development’s provisions for two new roads and the intersection with the highway.

Sarina Motor Inn duty manager Heather Howard echoed Ms Line, adding traffic was “bedlam” when the showgrounds hosted markets.

Ms Howard said while housing emergency services was an excellent idea, Sarina already had a funeral parlour and multiple GP practices.

“They really do need to have a forum (in Sarina),” she said.

“I’m wondering where they think all the potential customers are coming from?”

Mackay Deputy Mayor Karen May said while she would “absolutely” like to see current vacancies filled to create a vibrant Sarina CBD, the council did not regulate how many commercial premises could be built.

But others such as Goodes Butchery owner Don Horspool believe it is a case of build it and they will come.

“I reckon it’ll be a good idea,” Mr Horspool said.

“It’ll make the town grow.

“It’s hard to say whether it might pull some people away from the (CBD) but the last four years have been good for us.

“We can’t complain.”

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