Mackay’s old Commonwealth Bank building on Victoria St under offer

After years of falling into further disrepair and sprouting greenery from its gutters, there’s ‘incredibly exciting’ change afoot for Mackay’s oldest commercial building.

The old Commonwealth Bank along Victoria St in Mackay is under offer. Picture: Heidi Petith

There is a small but energising kindle of hope a change is coming to what is arguably the Mackay CBD’s biggest and most embarrassing eyesore.

After years of falling into further disrepair and sprouting greenery from its gutters, an offer has been made to buy the old Commonwealth Bank, Mackay’s oldest commercial building.

Mackay City Property agent Fred Dubois sought expressions of interest for the property at 63 Victoria St in late 2023, with realcommercial.com.au in late January stating it was “under offer”.

Mr Dubois told this publication he could not discuss the potential sale as it was “confidential”.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said the building’s status change was “fantastic to see”.

“It’s the first sign of movement that we’ve seen in eight years,” Mr Williamson said.

“I hope something comes of it.”

Squatters were living inside the old Commonwealth Bank along Victoria St in Mackay and had even installed their own rudimentary letterbox. Picture: Heidi Petith

In February last year it was revealed the bank had become a shelter for homeless youth but the following month, Mr Williamson said squatters were moved on as the owners arranged for evaluations to ready the property for sale.

Councillor Fran Mann said it was “incredibly exciting” to learn the former bank could soon change hands.

“I know the level of distress there has been for many years that the (refurbishment) work was stalled and it just seemed that it was impossible to get it going again,” Ms Mann said.

Work at the property came to a crashing halt in 2014 after red tape spurred the late Graeme Arman to order tools down just six weeks out from “finishing the facade”.

The building was constructed in 1880 by Southall and Tracey for the Australian Joint Stock Bank and was state-heritage listed in 1992.

“I hope that whoever buys (the bank) gets the work restarted ASAP,” Ms Mann said.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing (it).”

Originally published as Mackay’s old Commonwealth Bank building on Victoria St under offer