North Jacklin and Mackay City motor empires lodge applications for warehouses

Two of the biggest motor groups of a Queensland city want to build parts warehouses near their dealerships. Find out how both aim to expand their empires to benefit customers and staff.

Two of the biggest car dealership groups in Mackay have both applied, just days apart, to build parts warehouses.

North Jacklin Motor Group and Mackay City Auto Group lodged development applications with Mackay Regional Council on August 14 and 12 respectively.

The proposed developments at 7-17 Heaths Road and 29-31 Macalister Street integrate with each car empires’ clutch of businesses in Mt Pleasant and the Mackay CBD.

North Jacklin general manager John Nash said the Macalister St parts centre and showroom would abut their Subaru outlet, as well as being near their Nissan, Suzuki, Honda and Mercedes-Benz dealerships.

A development for North Jacklin Parts Store proposed on 29-31 MacAlister Street in Mackay. Photo: Contributed

Mr Nash said North Jacklin had “one parts centre that we’ve outgrown” with stock located across several facilities across the city.

“At the moment it’s a bit spread out and hard to manage,” he said.

“Moving all of our warehouse locations under one roof (means) you can be a one-stop-shop (for) service, sales and parts.

A development for North Jacklin Parts Store proposed on 29-31 MacAlister Street in Mackay. Photo: Contributed

“Obviously, we’d pick up a lot of efficiency there not only for staff, but our customers.

“It’s a win-win.”

A development for North Jacklin Parts Store proposed on 29-31 MacAlister Street in Mackay. Photo: Contributed

Documents reveal plans for “a spare parts showroom” comprising of a sales showroom, palette storage areas, offices and lunchroom below a mezzanine, alongside a carpark supporting 29 vehicles.

With design by Mackay’s own Bold Architects, the proposed building would replace a dilapidated commercial building, partially demolished sheds and a makeshift carpark.

Existing buildings at the site on 29-31 MacAlister Street are to be demolished. Photo: Zoe Devenport

While North Jacklin aims to extend its footprint from its holdings on the intersection of Gordon Street and Gregory Street, Mackay City Auto Group plans to consolidate its domain on Kay Court.

Mackay City’s Ford, Jeep, Kia, LDV, GWM Haval, and Volkswagen dealerships are all located on Kay Court, just off Heaths Rd near the Ron Camm Bridge.

Both businesses’ proposals include a parts warehouse, offices, and staff amenities, but Mackay City’s design also includes a large service workshop.

A proposed development of a showroom and workshop by Mackay City Auto Group at 7-17 Heaths Road near Kay Court, Mt Pleasant. Photo: Contributed

Mackay City Auto Group dealer principal Ky Vogler was careful to stress the proposed facility was still unconfirmed, but said its design was inspired by his own experience as a mechanic.

“The worst thing I can do is overpromise and underdeliver,” he said.

“But we would love to deliver something that benefits the community (by) attracting highly skilled staff.

A proposed development of a showroom and workshop by Mackay City Auto Group at 7-17 Heaths Road near Kay Court, Mt Pleasant. Photo: Contributed

“I’ve come from that background working in workshops (as) a mechanic.

“You were under serious pressure with no space and it was hard, so I just don't want that for my staff.

“So I want the workshop to be easy flow (between) our workshop bays, our parts warehousing, our entire admin team, and our front counter parts and service staff.”

A proposed development of a showroom and workshop by Mackay City Auto Group at 7-17 Heaths Road near Kay Court, Mt Pleasant. Photo: Contributed

Documents show the site as being between these dealerships along the Bruce Highway and the Pioneer River with its tributary Fursden Creek.

Concepts by Whitsunday Design and Drafting depict a customer vehicle drop-off alongside a reception foyer, warehouse, service workshop, lunchroom, and ground and first floor offices.

Town planning documents say “the proposed development will deliver a contemporary workshop and associated use areas that will integrate with the existing showroom development”.

Surveyed land next to Mackay City Auto Group’s dealerships along the Bruce Highway. Photo: Contributed

The proposed building would replace two large grassed and gravelled areas used as carparks and an existing residence separating them.

Both Mr Nash and Mr Vogler said independently that North Jacklin and Mackay City Auto had a friendly relationship where they “talk pretty regularly”.

Mackay Regional Council is currently reviewing both development applications.

Originally published as North Jacklin and Mackay City motor empires lodge applications for warehouses