Mackay Regional Council to waive infrastructure fees in eco retreat and childcare centres

A new secluded $1.8m eco-retreat is planned for Cape Hillsborough, while two childcare centre proposals are set to receive a significant discount.

A new $1.8m secluded eco-retreat set amid the Cape Hillsborough national park is set to receive a $17,000 discount by Mackay Regional Council as the project forges ahead.

Xanthe Lodge will offer six eco cabins, each with one bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, dining, living room, carport and deck and will be about 100 sqm in size for a “unique nature-based accommodation” that does “not replicate mainstream accommodation”.

Each cabin will be built from hardwood sourced from nearby timber mill Platypus Timbers at Kuttabul and will be individually powered via rooftop solar, with battery storage, while water will be collected and stored in tanks at each site.

The development, driven by Benita and Dylan Vallance, was lodged in July 2022 and given the green light in December and will take form over six stages.

Xanthe Lodge will offer six eco cabins set on 17 acres of bushland at 62 Smalleys Beach Rd, Cape Hillsborough about 40 minutes north of Mackay. Pictures: Mackay Regional Council documents

The first two stages will involved the construction of two cabins, totalling $600,000, but the completed development will also include internal driveways, pathways, multiple pergolas and barbecue areas, as well as a children’s play areas totalling about $1.8m and a total capital investment of $2.6m.

The nature-based holiday accommodation will be set on 17 acres of bushland at 62 Smalleys Beach Rd, about 40 minutes north of Mackay and is aimed at “families or couples who wish to spend a few days away in the privacy of the bush”.

Each cabin will be built from hardwood sourced from nearby timber mill Platypus Timbers at Kuttabul. Pictures: Mackay Regional Council documents

The total infrastructure charges total $51,818.40 however the first two stages only total $17,272.32 for which council is recommended to agree on a 100 per cent concession as the project is earmarked to “stimulate growth, diversify and add value to the economy of the Mackay region.

The project is also set to generate seven jobs with the Vallances committed to using local contractors and suppliers.

Fees to be chopped for proposed childcare centres

Councillors are also recommended waive 75 per cent of the infrastructure charges for two childcare centres at Beaconsfield and Andergrove.

Ink Developments Pty Ltd lodged the proposal in February 2023 for a new $3.725m facility at 710 Cutler Dr, Andergrove that will cater to 100 children. Pictures: Mackay Regional Council documents

Ink Developments Pty Ltd lodged the proposal in February 2023 for a new $3.725m facility at 710 Cutler Dr, Andergrove that will cater to 100 children at the 2761 sqm site comprised of six indoor rooms.

The centre, which should be up and running by July 2024, will have 29 car spaces with 10 drop-off spots and 19 for staff, operate between 6.30am and 6.30pm, and create 19 full time jobs.

The council has been advised to sign off on dropping infrastructure charges from $98,257.45 to $24,564.36 at tomorrow’s meeting.

Griffith Group has plans for a $3.7m childcare centre that will cater for 110 children at a 2478 sqm, ranging from infants to kindergarten, space at 106-108 Eaglemount Rd, Beaconsfield. Pictures: Mackay Regional Council documents

Griffith Group has plans for a $3.7m childcare centre that will cater for 110 children at a 2478 sqm, ranging from infants to kindergarten, space at 106-108 Eaglemount Rd, Beaconsfield.

The proposed centre will be a single storey facility with a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces with landscaping and acoustic fencing located along the neighbouring boundaries to minimise any amenity concerns.

Construction for the centre is set to begin late 2023 and should be running by December 2024, creating about 22 new full time positions for educators, support staff, administrators and maintenance personnel.

The council has been advised to sign off on dropping the infrastructure charges from $67,651.55 to $16,912.89 at tomorrow’s meeting.

Originally published as Mackay Regional Council to waive infrastructure fees in eco retreat and childcare centres