Pioneer Valley Outdoor Tourism Hub to receive $80,000 Mackay council concession

The developer behind a new multimillion tourism hub in the Pioneer Valley is poised to receive a further $80,000 discount at Wednesday’s council meeting - but there are a number of strict conditions.

Plans are lodged to build an “Outdoor Tourism Hub”, a two-storey, 12 room accommodation on a vacant lot in Finch Hatton, west of Mackay. Photo: Contributed

The developer behind a new $6.5m Outdoor Tourism Hub in the Pioneer Valley is poised to receive an $80,000 discount on the project, but there are a number of strict conditions including it must be completed and in use in two years.

Fishing Pty Ltd via Brisbane-based Planz Town Planning has already been given the green light to build a two-storey, 12-room accommodation and tour centre at 18 Drew St in Finch Hatton.

The exciting project, dubbed a “world-class tourism facility”, will take advantage of the best of the new $27m mountain bike trails, barramundi fishing and rainforest trails in the stunning region, west of Mackay, and is tipped to attract a new visitor demographic.

The hub, which is one of six eco-tourism projects to share in $9.2m of state government funding, is expected to lure 3200 visitors and rake in $2.9m in revenue each year, supporting up to 23 operational jobs for tour guides and hospitality workers.

Plans are in play to build an Outdoor Tourism Hub, a two-storey, 12 room accommodation on a vacant lot in Finch Hatton, west of Mackay. Photo: Contributed

It includes seven double rooms, with shared facilities or ensuites, and five single rooms with shared facilities, with 12 enclosed car park spaces plus three lounge areas, a kitchen and food preparation area and an indoor and outdoor dining area.

The property will also have dedicated secure boat parking.

The developer is seeking a 100 per cent concession from Mackay Regional Council on infrastructure charges totalling $79,452.56 submitting the project will deliver “immediate benefits” to the area’s economy including providing “much needed accommodation for visitors to the region”.

“The project will provide a new style of accommodation offering to the Markay market, creating the potential to attract a greater range of tourists,” the developer submitted.

It was also suggested this project promoted new tourism experiences while support current tourism assets within the Mackay region and by adding to the already existing accommodation offerings “visitors may increase their time … and increase their daily spend”.

It was noted that “granting significant concessions can leave the council exposed to similar claims in the future and that a potential infrastructure funding gap could present”.

But it was suggested the risks could be mitigated through various measures.

It was recommended that Mackay Regional Councillors today approve the concession request, but this will be dependant on the project completed and in use by July 26, 2025, the developer use local contractors and suppliers and the council must incur no extra infrastructure costs.