Located in north Queensland, Mackay Regional Council is capitalising on the host of positive population, investment and development statistics it has yielded this financial year, and has its sights firmly fixed on implementing a variety of proactive economic development initiatives across the region.
Mayor Col Meng said the region’s thriving industries play a pivotal role in employment, population growth and long term sustainability.
“Council has an enormous role to play when it comes to sustaining and accommodating the region’s growth by planning for and providing suitable infrastructure,” he said. “Population growth is an opportunity to improve liveability, however, growth often results in the need for additional or upgraded infrastructure, such as roads and public transport.
“We are actively looking to State and Federal Governments to assist us to provide this.”
In a bid to improve road networks well into the future and accommodate the region’s rapid growth, Councillor Meng is also pushing to secure Federal funding for a ring road that will provide an alternate route for large industrial vehicles.
Council’s recent Invest Mackay Tour of the region recently saw representatives from financial institutions, industry and the Regional Development Australia Board converge in Mackay to inspect more than $1 billion worth of infrastructure projects in a single day, in a bid to further stimulate investment in the region.
Council has also held a series of discussions with major national financial institutions about the need for better lending practices for local developers.
The goal of these consultations was to make investors, local business leaders and financiers aware of the types of investment opportunities that exist in the region by providing them with relevant and up to date data on Mackay’s economic climate.
Councillor Meng said this year alone, more than half a billion dollars worth of development was under way – a statistic Council was proud to tout to prospective investors through the Invest Mackay Tour.
Last year, Mackay Regional Council also welcomed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of investment in residential infrastructure.
“Based on State population projection figures, Mackay will experience an average annual projected population growth of three per cent over the next decade, resulting in about 160,000 people living in the region,” Councillor Meng said. “This is a projected increase of more than 40,000 people by 2021.
“Statistics such as this reflect the strength of our economy and as a result, the delivery of infrastructure is a top priority for Council.
“Roads, new buildings, bridges and other assets are the focus of this financial year’s budget, with $142 million allocated to capital projects that will result in major flow on effects for the Mackay region. Mackay Regional Council is fully committed to maintaining this positive cycle of growth, investment and development.”
Tourism and Economic Development portfolio Councillor, David Perkins, said Council has also invested in Mackay’s City Centre through the development of a new website.
Launched in October, the website, which was an initiative of the City Focus Advisory Committee, is an innovative and effective communication tool that is suitable for all demographics – from tourists to locals, business people and shoppers.
“Mackay’s City Centre is a bustling hub of retail activity that plays a pivotal role in providing an extensive range of entertainment, business and retail services to the wider region,” Councillor Perkins said. “As the major centre for shopping in the region, it is vital that this important precinct has its own website to showcase the range of services and businesses it has to offer our community and beyond.”
For more information on Mackay Regional Council’s economic development initiatives, visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au
