‘Vibrant’ development to retain seaside town’s charms

Resident’s shape Seaforth esplanade future as masterplan approved by Mackay council

The Seaforth Esplanade Masterplan was approved by Mackay Region Council at the Wednesday meeting. Picture: Mackay Regional Council

A monumental development for a sleepy beachside town will retain the history and charm of Seaforth's past while catering to its future needs.

The Seaforth Esplanade Masterplan was approved by Mackay Region Council at the Wednesday meeting.

Mayor Greg Williamson said masterplan showcased the enormous potential of the 5.77-hectare site.

"We want to transform the Seaforth Esplanade into a vibrant and exciting space where

residents and visitors to the area can spend quality time with their family and friends," Cr Williamson said.

Mackay Regional Council has big plans to overhaul the Seaforth Esplanade into a destination hub. Picture: Mackay Regional Council

"The swimming enclosure will be retained as a unique attraction for Seaforth and the plan

recommends creating a new recreational hub by expanding and upgrading the existing

picnic area and public amenities opposite the enclosure."

The masterplan report was the result of 16 weeks of community consultation, with Seaforth residents sharing their vision for their town's future.

"Community feedback was used to tailor the projects to meet the needs of residents both

now and into the future," Cr Williamson said.

Seaforth may soon become a day trip destination under the Mackay Regional Council's proposed upgrades. Picture: Mackay Regional Council

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The masterplan report said residents were widely supportive of the project, but were concerned too much development would destroy the town's charms.

"The community is very sentimental about features within the reserve such as the wading

pool and (palm and mango) trees," it said.

"There was strong community support to retain the mango trees and concerns that the Seaforth Esplanade could be overdeveloped. "

It said residents asked for the existing trees to be retained, but were supportive of the wading pool being replaced by a safer water play feature.

It said Seaforth residents asked for the existing trees to be retained, but were supportive of the wading pool being replaced by a safer water play feature. Picture: Mackay Regional Council

Resident asked for an playground upgrade, fitness equipment, more pathways, and turtle-friendly lighting.

Seaforth's love of fishing has made its mark on the plan, with the council to do a feasibility study for a fish cleaning station in later development stages of the Seaforth Camping Grounds.

The council has provided funding for Stage 1 of the masterplan in 2020-21, with further stages dependant on the availability of future funding.

A view of the swimming enclosure at Seaforth Beach. Picture: Mackay Regional Council

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But the pandemic has dampened some of the building enthusiasm.

"Given the financial impacts of COVID-19, the council's capacity to fund delivery of the entire scope proposed for Stage 1 may be compromised," a development services report said.

"To assist in mitigating this risk, officers will consider various options to deliver components planned … including investigating options to split Stage 1 into smaller sized work packages to enable funding to be allocated and to spread construction over several consecutive financial years," it said.

The Seaforth Esplanade Master Plan was one of two projects given the tick of approval, with the Woodlands District Park Master Plan in Andergrove also passed on Wednesday.

 

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