Canecutters Drive Park renewal

Council is excited to announce that the playground in Canecutters Drive Park is almost complete after its major transformation. We expect works to be finished by the end of April 2021, weather permitting.

We would also like to inform you that Council has been able to accelerate the delivery of Stage 2 which will see the old exercise equipment replaced with a new outdoor gym. Works on this stage will be starting soon. The new outdoor gym will feature 7 items of new fitness equipment and 2x ‘playfit’ zones used by trainers.

Initial works will include the removal of the old fitness equipment and associated area of hardstand. At the same time, we will remove the sections of damaged garden edging and take the opportunity to carry out much needed clearing of understory vegetation that has become overgrown. In addition, some new works are planned to address several drainage problems currently impacting the northern end of the park. This work needs to occur before replanting can begin to rejuvenate the park’s landscaping.

Unfortunately, three small sized trees will need to be removed. This includes a Paperbark tree which has died, an African Tulip tree and a Yellow Flame tree. African Tulip trees are extremely harmful to native stingless bees and for this reason, this species of tree is being removed from the park. Information about the threat to native bees will be posted on site beside the tree to inform park users and to help educate the public about this serious issue. The small flame tree will be removed to allow the outdoor gym to be installed. All three of these trees will be replaced elsewhere in the park with a more appropriate species.

Some additional pruning will be done to lift tree canopies to improve visibility and passive surveillance in the park. The lawn in the small garden spaces formed at the junction of the paths will also be mulched to improve the health of the existing fig trees.

Vegetation works are expected to commence early May, 2021, with the remainder of works commencing early June 2021, weather permitting. Residents are advised that some areas of the park will be closed off to complete these works, some noise and dust disturbance is expected with various plant and equipment on site

Council apologises for any inconvenience caused and we appreciate your patience during these works.

If you have any queries, please contact Martin Joseph of Mackay Regional Council on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).