Mackay council considers new homes, child care, and dog park
Mackay council will decide whether a beachside community will score a new dog park at its monthly meeting on Wednesday. SEE THE PREVIEW.
Mackay
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mackay. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Mackay regional council September ordinary meeting will review applications by developers for discounts on a childcare and housing development and determined whether or not Slade Point will receive a dog park.
12 New Units – East Mackay
New units could be open to renters as early as 2026 in East Mackay if a 12 unit development on Willoughby Crescent goes ahead.
Vacant for more than a decade, developers have tried to build units and even shops on the plot since 2010.
The latest application comes from Faye Phillips Investments which has an approved development permit to build 12 one-storey, two-bedroom units at four and six Willoughby Crescent.
Each unit will be single story and fully self-contained, including an open kitchen, dining and living room, garage, main bathroom, separate ensuite and laundry.
The development will cost approximately $3.9m and will create 14 full time jobs during construction.
Council estimates the development will have a total economic impact to the region of $8m.
Located just minutes away from Queens Park and the CBD it is believed the development has the potential to encourage further development in central Mackay.
Faye Phillips Investments has asked to be exempt from the estimated $198,632 it is required to pay in infrastructure fees and to receive a discount to water and sewer service connection fees.
It has been recommended to council these discounts be applied with the condition development be completed prior to September 25, 2026.
Jake Street Early Learning Centre – Ooralea
Construction could soon begin on a new child care centre in Ooralea, first proposed in July 2023.
Ooralea Farming is aiming to transform a plot of canefield in Ooralea into a large-scale 120-child facility.
The proposed development at 23 – 25 Schmidtkes Rd, Ooralea, will include 8 x activity rooms, 1 x cot room for up to 8 children, 2 x outdoor play areas, staffroom and kitchen, multiple toilet amenities, multiple prep areas and various storage areas.
Development is scheduled to commence later this year with the centre open by late 2025 and will cost approximately $5m.
The completed child care centre will create and support 19 full time jobs including educators, support staff, administrators and maintenance personnel.
Ooralea Farming has requested a 75 per cent concession to their infrastructure charges — estimated at $104,633 — prior to construction commencing.
It is also requested a reduction in water and sewer connection fees.
It has been recommended to council these discounts be applied on the condition the development be completed and in use before September 25, 2026.
Slade Point dog park
After receiving a petition from Slade Point residents in October 2023 asking for a new dog park council has found a potential location.
Four locations were identified for the new park including: the stretch of beach accessible from Swallow Street Park, Lamberts Beach Lookout Park, Cumberland Park and Wren Street Oval Park and adjoining Swift Street Reserve were proposed as potential locations.
After consideration, council has proposed developing a fully fenced dog park in the cleared portion of Swift Street Reserve near Wren St Oval Park.
The estimated cost of building the park and connecting it to the water supply is $150,000 and, as of writing, no discussion or consultation has been undertaken with adjacent property owners.
It has been recommended council support the petition and allocate funds for its construction in the 2025/2026 budget.
More Coverage
Originally published as Mackay council considers new homes, child care, and dog park
The biggest stories in mining for 2024
Four deaths, buyouts, collapses, a fire, and a hefty fine. It’s been big year for mining and Queensland sites are on notice after a concerning pattern of incidents.
Blood everywhere, shattered glass: Drunk dad’s Christmas hostel assault
A drunk father visiting his kids on Christmas morning turned violent towards their mother and a worker, leaving a crime scene of blood of broken glass for police.
Mackay Whitsunday sexual offenders in court in 2024
From a mother who sexually exploited her four-year-old son for the promise of $10k, to a man who repeatedly raped his step daughter over three years, here are 13 sexual offenders who faced court in 2024.
Four trapped as car crashes into gully
Four people were trapped in their car after a ‘serious’ crash into a Central Queensland gully.
Stolen firearms missing after skateboard used to pinch safe
A burglar who used a skateboard to slide a safe out of a Queensland home was caught with his fingerprints at the scene — but multiple stolen guns are still in the community for Christmas.
Qld teen, 14, taking solo Japanese adventure
A Mackay teen is preparing to spend the next 12 months away from her family, living and going to school in Japan as the youngest in her program. See what she hopes to gain.