ReNew Mackay wins contract to build in Waterfront PDA’s Riverfront, City Centre precincts

Mackay council has officially awarded a tender for the first private investment on key properties within the Riverside and City Centre precincts. The decision, described as ‘momentous’, is the culmination of five years’ work.

ReNew Mackay has won a contract to build the first privately-owned component of the Riverfront and City Centre precincts as part of the Waterfront Priority Development Area.

The catalytic project was costed at more than $300m to be built over stages, the first of which was the 10-storey development on Brisbane St in the Mackay CBD.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson made the announcement after a one-hour confidential discussion at the end of the ordinary meeting of council on Wednesday.

ReNew Mackay Pty Ltd has won a tender to develop properties in the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area.

Mr Williamson said it was a “momentous occasion” after five years of work which included aligning planning schemes, adopting the PDA and the council buying six blocks in 2020.

Mackay Regional Council bought this building along Wood St that was home to Retravision to become part of the Waterfront PDA.

These included the car park on the corner of Gregory and River streets, the former Retravision building at 12-18 Wood St, 1-5 Wood St, a car park on the corner of Brisbane and River St, 6 River St where the former Seafresh shed was and the currently occupied 8 River St.

Heavy machinery onsite at the former Seafresh shed on River St before it was demolished. Picture: Tara Miko

“These (purchases) were to say to developers who were interested, we want to party up with you if you come up with a decent proposal,” Mr Williamson said.

“We had seven (developers) return.

“Out of that, we narrowed it down to two and it eventually became one.”

Mr Williamson said the multinational Sentinel Group had been in the running but did not submit the final round of documentation.

He said ReNew Mackay put together an exciting and “very, very composite” plan which incorporated council-owned properties.

“We’re not just handing over blocks of land, they’re going to buy them from us but they won’t buy them until there’s a number of boxes that have been ticked,” he said, adding this included finances and development approvals.

ReNew Mackay had earlier announced its plans included providing a home for the revival of a Mackay RSL Club.

Mr Williamson said the accepted tender marked the start of private investment to rejuvenate the Riverside and City Centre precincts.

“Importantly, the agreement is a commercial arrangement for council and will set out time frames by which the developments have to be undertaken to help ensure this transformation happens in the short to medium-term,” he said.

Mr Williamson said ReNew Mackay’s “really exciting” prospectus not only outlined a home for the RSL but also vertical retirement villages and office spaces with possible provisions for a day hospital.

He said tenders had just closed for public realm works between the Bluewater Quay and the Mackay Fish Market, expected to cost more than $9m.

“We can see shovels in the ground from halfway through next year I’d say,” he said.