Mackay riverfront transformation under way | Pictures

Mackay’s much-anticipated riverfront development is coming to life – with timber from the original fishing shed erected ready for the new arbour. See the progression.

The much-anticipated riverfront development is coming to life – with timber from the original fishing shed erected ready for the new arbour.

The public realm space along River St is transforming before our eyes with a goal to be complete by Christmas.

The waterfront vision, which also would help link up the Bluewater Trail for joggers and bike riders, is to open up a new tourism industry and create tourism jobs by reorienting the city to the water.

There will be a boardwalk, arbour, pontoon and, hopefully, pop-up food stalls and buskers once it opens.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the project was on track for the general public to use the space by the end of the year.

“They’ve done all the concreting and the pavilion columns have been stood up,” he said.

“Those poles, we’re using as much timber as possible from the original warehouse that was there because the timber that’s come out of that is absolutely outstanding.

“Almost full tree trunks we used in those days; so that creates a story in itself.

“The story will be something we get our historians and placemaking people onto.

“We want to link that storyline back to what was there as part of Mackay growing up because that’s where all the sugar was exported from initially.

“Over the next couple of weeks, you’ll see the trusses and the roofing go on those columns; that forms the arbour in that area.

“The next thing is the seating pods – some high seating pods, planter boxes, craned into position.”

Mr Williamson asked residents to be aware there are permanent traffic changes in place between Carlyle and Lawson Sts.

He said that part of River St was now one-way, with drivers only able to travel west, not east.

“We will amalgamate all of that parking along River St to become angle parking,” he said.