Mackay waterfront: $4.1m to transform city by 2022
The vision for a vibrant Mackay riverfront will soon be realised as plans to re-orient the city to the blue Pioneer River are set to begin. Read about the four newly funded projects.
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Picture sitting on century-old timber with your fish and chips as a gentle breeze sweeps in from the Pioneer River.
There are kids climbing on the sculpted play element as the sun goes down and lights illuminate the pylons in the river that once supported fishing sheds, a nod to the area’s roots.
This vision for Mackay’s riverfront will soon be realised thanks to a $4.1 million funding injection that will help transform Mackay’s waterfront.
As a “final gift” to Mackay, outgoing Dawson MP George Christensen will today announce money to kickstart a transformational project that will re-orient the city to its blue Pioneer River and beachfront.
He said the funding, under Round five of the Building Better Regions Fund, would go to stage one of the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area — the Riverfront Revitalisation Project.
Mr Christensen said the money would help Mackay Regional Council deliver the first stage of revitalisation works within the riverside project area.
He said the waterfront vision, which also would help link up the Bluewater Trail for joggers and bike riders, would open up a new tourism industry and create tourism jobs.
“This is about re-orienting the city to the water – the river and the sea – and in the process building on our tourism offering and liveability,” he said.
“It was one of the final things I wanted to leave the city with, to finish off my time as the Federal MP – a final gift if you like – to help diversify our economy by boosting our tourism offering.”
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the government was focused on ensuring regions remained strong.
“Funding for these projects in Mackay and the Whitsundays is a testament to the dedication of George Christensen; he’s a fierce advocate for his electorate, and he gets things done,” Mr Joyce said.
Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the council had requested just under half of the cost of the almost $10 million project and he was thrilled Mr Christensen had been able to deliver.
He said tenders were ready to go out as soon as the money dropped and a two-month tender process would put the project on track for construction in early 2022.
“This is a tremendous boost to the waterfront project and we are now able to get it under way,” he said.
“We will see a huge public realm project from the boat ramp to Paxtons markets, including 8 River St.
“This is the start of the construction work for what will be a game changer for Mackay.
“We have opened up the vista to the beautiful Pioneer River and now there will be boardwalks, arbours and a pontoon encouraging public use and pop-up food stalls.
“That’s our vision for enabling the public to get in touch with this river system.”
The Mackay waterfront project will receive $4,125,629 through the BBRF.
Proserpine Golf Club also will receive $145,000 for irrigation and course improvement, Whitsunday Regional Council will receive $32,250 for its The Heart of our Identity: Whitsunday Arts, Culture & Heritage Plan and Greater Whitsunday Communities will
get $20,000 for building community and economic legacy in the region.
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