Mackay councillor Martin Bella questions whether Fifth Lane steals foot traffic from businesses

A councillor has questioned whether a Mackay CBD revitalisation project is counter-productive after works reach the halfway point.

Marissa Moore, one of the artists involved in the Fifth Lane Project.

The $575,000-plus project splashing colour onto drab laneways in the Mackay CBD is being questioned after the halfway point.

Mackay Regional Councillor Martin Bella said he questioned whether the Fifth Lane Revitalisation took “foot traffic” away from Victoria St businesses — the “very heart of the city”.

“It is a shortcut, it is visually appealing to younger children and younger children are one of the drivers of impulse buying of parents,” Cr Bella said at the ordinary meeting on Wednesday.

The question was taken on notice by the council’s development services director Aletta Nugent to give an answer at the next ordinary meeting.

The laneway project between Wood and Gregory Streets began in 2013 with the council’s Activate My Place grants and Mackay City Centre — now in hibernation — providing funding for artwork.

Mackay Regional Council has injected $575,000 to prepare Fifth Lane for future community events. Picture: Mackay Regional Council

The council earlier this year injected a further $575,000 to replace pavement, upgrade water mains and install electrical provisions for future community events.

As of May, the works were 60 per cent completed.

Mayor Greg Williamson said he hoped Fifth Lane would lure people into the CBD, with a projection businesses could one day have entrances from the laneway.

He said Brisbane’s Fish Lane was the greatest laneway activation he had seen in the past decade with the project overhauling a “derelict” area and inspiring new businesses.

DJ Dameela (Dameila Thompson) and circus performer Lara Croydon pictured in Fish Lane, Brisbane. Picture: Josh Woning

“I think it’s legitimate for a (Mackay) councillor to raise a question about whether (Fifth Lane) will detract from anything,” he said.

“I have the opposing view. I think it will be an attractor for the CBD.”

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Cr Justin Englert said the laneway provided a pleasant walking experience for those parking further away from their destination, and deterred criminal behaviour.

Mackay CBD’s Fifth Lane is almost finished after the council injected $575,000 earlier this year. Picture: Mackay Regional Council

“Areas with public art have lower crime rates because it shows the community gives a stuff,” Cr Englert said.

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Originally published as Mackay councillor Martin Bella questions whether Fifth Lane steals foot traffic from businesses