Mackay Airport applies to start Milton Street Precinct earthworks
Work could soon begin on a 23ha site poised for new shopping centres, healthcare services, retail shops, e-commerce distribution warehouses and more.
Regional News
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Mackay’s newest business precinct is moving closer to fruition with an application lodged to council to begin earthworks at the site.
Mackay Airport has submitted a request to the council begin operational works on Stage 1 of its Milton Street Precinct which will create unused land into potential retail and commercial space.
The precinct was first floated more than 10 years ago, with councillors in 2012 including Alison Jones and Dave Perkins objecting to its inclusion in the draft Mackay Airport Land Use Plan, with one reason being the centre would detract from the CBD and the commercial centre not yet built at Ooralea.
But Mackay Airport managed to smooth Mackay Regional Council’s concerns with Chief Operating Officer Garry Porter in early 2020 announcing it had opened expressions of interest for the project with available sites ranging from 1000 sqm to 50,000 sqm.
“Milton Precinct offers enormous potential for a broad range of current and future aviation related industries including freight and cold storage as well as non-aviation related industries such as advanced manufacturing, technology, entertainment, education, mining and operations,” Mr Porter said at the time.
Stage 1 of the Milton Precinct fronts Milton St, Boundary Rd East, and Bridge Rd and covers 23ha over five lots or subdivisions.
The earthworks application now before the council states the development will require adding 25,000 cubic metres of fill to ensure the lots “can achieve flood immunity”.
It further states future commercial or retail businesses will support the “growth, viability and economic diversity” of the Mackay Airport but will not be of the “type, nature or scale” to cause “adverse amenity impacts” on surrounding residential land.
The latest Mackay Airport Land Use Plan released in September 2022 states the precinct’s buildings will positively contribute to the streetscape with footpath awnings, landscaping, drinking fountains and other elements to boost attractiveness for pedestrians.
“Development in this precinct capitalises on the high exposure from the Milton St and will include e-commerce distribution centres, retail warehouses, shopping centres, showrooms, offices, healthcare services and other uses that are attracted by the logistics offered by the airport,” the plan states.
To express your interest, phone Cairns and Mackay Airport’s Patrick Bellot on 0416 945 827.
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Originally published as Mackay Airport applies to start Milton Street Precinct earthworks
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