Finch Hatton local area planning

World Trail to complete surveying works!

International trail experts, World Trail, will be surveying the proposed trail network for the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails project over the next two weeks, weather permitting.

Two teams will be "ground truthing" the wilderness trails from Eungella to Finch Hatton and the remaining trails on the hills behind Finch Hatton.

As part of this work, they will be assessing the terrain and mapping their preferred trail alignments.

To date, World Trail have mapped 37 kilometres of our trails, and they will complete the remaining 63 kilometres over the next two weeks.

To stay up-to-date on the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails project, subscribe to project update emails on the right-hand side of this page.

The Queensland Government has contributed $500,000 towards this project including the detailed design of the trailhead and environmental assessments.

Explore our epic trails at the Pioneer Valley Show!

You can check out our mountain bike trailhead site, see our newly restored Cattle Creek Mill building and learn about the exciting Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail project at the Pioneer Valley Show. Plus - hear about local planning in the Valley.

When: Sunday, June 12, 2022 (9am to 1pm)

Where: Cattle Creek Mill building, across the road from the Finch Hatton RSL

Visit the display to go into the draw to win a mountain bike and one of two $200 bike vouchers. T&C's apply.

Finch Hatton and Eungella gearing up for mountain bike trails

Council is gearing up to help Finch Hatton and Eungella capitalise on economic benefits to flow from the Pioneer Mountain Bike Trails.

Proposed changes to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme are intended to help facilitate commercial and other non-residential uses in those townships.

They would also encourage a wide range of uses or adaptive re-use and reduce the levels of assessment for certain developments that would support the mountain bike project.

Click here to read more.

Major amendment 3 to commence state interest review

On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, council endorsed the prepared major amendment 3 to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme 2017 (the proposed amendment) and resolved to give notice to the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning to undertake the state interest review.

The proposed amendment focuses on the Pioneer Valley townships of Finch Hatton and Eungella to support these towns becoming a trail town for the future mountain bike trails.

The purpose and general effect of the proposed amendment to the planning scheme is to:

• Facilitate commercial and other specific non-residential uses within designated precincts and through appropriate provisions under the Township Zone in the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships
• Encourage a wider range of uses or adaptive re-use by changing the zone of a small number of lots to Township in the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships
• Reduce the levels of assessment for certain uses to facilitate appropriate development outcomes for the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships in support of the Pioneer Valley mountain bike project.

Once the state interest review is completed, all supporting documentation including the schedule of amendments will be made public and residents will have the opportunity to lodge a properly made submission on the amendment documentation.

Click here to see the initial presentation of the proposed recommendations.

Planning scheme amendment focuses on upper-Pioneer Valley

Council yesterday decided to start the process of a major amendment to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme, based around extensive planning work done to support the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail project.

The proposed amendment will:

• facilitate commercial and other specific non-residential uses within designated precincts under the township zone in Finch Hatton and Eungella
• encourage adaptive re-use by changing the zone of a small number of lots to township in those two localities
• reduce levels of assessment for certain uses and development required in Finch Hatton and Eungella as trail towns, in support of the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail Project.

Mayor Greg Williamson said there has been consultation in Finch Hatton and Eungella, prior to the preparation of the amendment.

“A community update session was held in November and there was overwhelming support to facilitate commercial uses in the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships to support these towns being service hubs for the mountain bike trail project,” Mayor Williamson said.

“A big effort has been undertaken by our Strategic Planning team and I would like to thank them for their work and engagement with the Finch Hatton and Eungella communities.”

Council will now begin preparing the major amendment.

Finch Hatton Local Area Planning Framework Project

On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, council presented their proposed recommendations for the Finch Hatton Local Area Planning Framework at a community planning session at the Finch Hatton Showgrounds.

The session included; the current planning requirements in the Pioneer Valley, the proposed changes to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme to accommodate new uses and precincts in the township and proposed public realm improvements and infrastructure upgrades to support the town becoming a trail town for the future mountain bike trails project.

A copy of the presentation can be found here.

If you have any questions about the Finch Hatton local area planning framework, please contact council’s Strategic Planning team on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or email planningenquiries@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Finch Hatton and Eungella communities are invited to a planning session to hear and comment on the proposed recommendations for the Finch Hatton and Eungella local area planning projects.

Council has developed land use planning frameworks for Finch Hatton and Eungella to support these townships becoming trail towns for the future mountain bike trails.

The session will include:

• a brief mountain bike trails project update
• a planning 101 presentation to explain the planning process
• current planning requirements in the Pioneer Valley
• recommendations for the Finch Hatton and Eungella local area planning frameworks
• proposed changes to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme to accommodate new uses and precincts in the township along with public realm improvements and infrastructure upgrades
• how to use the Mackay Region Planning Scheme when developing your property.

Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Time: 5pm to 7pm
Location: Finch Hatton Showground
Registration is required. Visit eventbrite.com.au to register for the session.

To stay informed on these projects, visit the Finch Hatton and Eungella township’s local area planning framework pages on connectingmackay.com.au and subscribe to the project update emails.