Mackay Council to vote on Kool Beanz Academy’s South Mackay proposal

A state-of-the-art childcare centre will go ahead but developers behind the South Mackay facility will have a whopping reduction on what it pays to build it. Read why the council went above its own policy to support the centre.

A controversial proposal to turn a near-century old home into a two-storey childcare centre in South Mackay has received a $134,000 discount in a big win for the region’s parents.

The council voted 9-2 to give the developer a 75 per cent discount on its infrastructure charges, which works out to about $134,000 against its net charge amount.

Gold Coast company Kool Beanz Academy will build the state-of-the-art centre at 86 Juliet Street, South Mackay, which will cater to 95 children, including those with special needs.

Documents state the development would deliver economic growth outcomes in alignment with the council’s policy and planning objectives.

Kool Beanz requested to increase incentives to 75 per cent, above the council’s general policy of 50 per cent, and Councillor Alison Jones said the region’s desperate need for more childcare and services for disabled children justified the expanded incentive.

“I just want to make sure this need is attended to,” she said.

The documents suggest this was within the council’s discretion to consider as it would generate significant long-term economic benefit for the region.

The proposed Kool Beanz Academy to be built at 86 Juliet St, South Mackay, opposite Harrup Park. Picture: Kool Beanz Academy

Councillor Martin Bella voted against the concession and argued that because the developer had already committed to the region, a concession to attract them here was not needed.

“We are merely handing dollars over to them,” he said.

The council documents state the development should go ahead based on the current demand for child care places, the expected increase in the 0 to 4 year old cohort and the need for workforce participation.

The centre’s 75 per cent concession is dependent on the development being completed and used by June 22, 2024.

The council also demands it incurrs no additional infrastructure costs and the developer use Mackay or regional-based contractors and suppliers were used throughout construction.

The controversy surrounds the proposal’s plan to use a 99-year-old restored home that currently exists on the block, opposite Harrup Park.

The existing 99-year-old home will be relocated to another site to make way for the development. Photo: Contributed

It has called into question Mackay’s current heritage protection policy.

At the time plans were made public, Kool Beanz managing director Bruce Coulson stressed the existing restored home at the corner block would be relocated, not demolished.

“When we set out, we were never going to destroy the house,” Mr Coulson said.

The birds eye view of the proposed South Mackay Kool Beanz Academy. Picture: Kool Beanz Academy

“We wanted to find someone who could buy the house, love the house, enjoy the house.

“The house is not being destroyed, it will be put to a site and loved and lived in again.”

Developers plan to retain existing trees and said it was something they incorporated over many other Kool Beanz centres.

The Kool Beanz facility would create an estimated 94 childcare positions and 30 jobs.

The centre would specialise in care and education for children with special needs, specifically Autism.