In addition to $2 million in its current budget for the Riverwalk project, $625,000 has been earmarked for specific initiatives under the guidance of the newly formed City Centre Revitalisation Board. Comprising business, Council and community representatives, the Board will oversee landscaping and streetscape works, a traffic and parking strategy, detailed precinct plans and a marketing strategy.
Council has recently appointed a Revitalisation Officer to coordinate the various strategies and focus on key redevelopment and business opportunities for the City Centre.
Mackay’s City Centre Revitalisation Board will take projects from the conceptual stage to delivering concrete outcomes. Under the parking and traffic strategy, issues such as short term and long term parking needs, on street parking design and regulation, and traffic flow through the City Heart will be addressed. Mayor, Councillor Julie Boyd, said that a core element of the revitalisation strategy was the creation of seven precincts, each with distinct but complementary uses. The precincts include City Heart, Riverfront, Lifestyle Mixed Use, Mixed Use Residential, High Exposure Commercial, Wharf and Light Industry.
“Outdoor dining, street theatre, recreation and tourist attractions are the sorts of activities we envisage establishing in the City Heart precinct, along with more residential developments to keep people in the City and add to its vibrancy,” Councillor Boyd said.
Council is also lobbying for the go ahead on a proposed State Government funded multi-purpose facility for the riverfront, a major catalyst for revitalisation.
“Community consultation highlighted strong interest in the Pioneer River being recognised as a unique City natural asset,” the Mayor said. “As a result, the Riverfront Precinct would focus on creating a ‘family friendly’ recreation zone, including parks and walking tracks, boardwalks, residential accommodation and viewing platforms.”
