Mirani Community Precinct

Mirani Community Precinct detailed design complete

Plans for a redeveloped Mirani Community Precinct have reached another milestone with detailed design complete.

The project is now shovel-ready, with council to seek funding to enable construction to go ahead.

The Mirani Community Precinct redevelopment will be on the site of the existing council administration offices, library, and museum in Victoria Street.

Mayor Greg Williamson said renders done as part of the detailed design highlighted how eye-catching this precinct would be.

“It will be an important stop on the tourist drive to the upper Pioneer Valley, including our future mountain bike trails between Eungella and Finch Hatton,’’ he said.

“The precinct will celebrate the uniqueness of Mirani, its people and history. It is fitting that the design for the main façade has been inspired by a cane rail bin.”

The precinct will include:

• Mirani Museum
• Mirani Library
• community workshop and meeting spaces
• youth space
• Council’s Customer Service Centre and QGAP services
• A Bank of Queensland sub-branch
• Council’s Civil Engineering and Pest Management teams
• hair salon
• public toilets

Above: Aerial view of precinct

Above: Customer service area

Above: Youth space

Above: Library

*Note: These are concepts only and are subject to funding

Mirani precinct receives prestigious planning award

The planning for Mirani Community Precinct has received accolades at Queensland’s 35th Awards for Planning Excellence.

Mackay Regional Council, Deicke Richards and Wolter Consulting Group received a commendation in the Strategic Planning Project category.

The project started when council needed space for the Pioneer Valley Machinery Preservationist Society and Pioneer Valley Classic Car Club, but evolved into a master planning process for Mirani’s community needs.

Judges commended the project’s place-based approach, its inclusive and agile engagement process (responding to the constraints of COVID-19) and its celebration and preservation of the region’s local history.

Click here to view the concept design and learn more about the Mirani Community Precinct project.

The Mirani Community Precinct Detailed Design is proudly funded by the Queensland Government in association with Mackay Regional Council.

Above (left to right): Julie Nimmo of council's Strategic Planning team, Ben Caldwell of Colin Biggers & Paisley Lawyers, Penny Spiers of Wolter Consulting, Manager of Strategic Planning Jaco Ackerman and Cameron Davies of Diecke Richards.

Would your community group like to use a space in this facility?

Council is looking forward to providing spaces that local community groups can use. Click here and tell us what you would like to use the Mirani Community Precinct for.

Final uses of community spaces are yet to be determined. They will be assessed via an expression of interest/tender process once funding for the construction of the Mirani Community Precinct is granted.

Mirani precinct an exciting project for the Valley

Council is about to update stakeholders on design for a new Mirani Community Precinct.

An information session for stakeholders will be held next week, outlining intended uses for the spaces.

The master plan for the site, which includes the current council offices, library, and museum, was completed earlier this year, and included significant input from Mirani stakeholders.

Mayor Greg Williamson said consultants were doing the detailed design, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

“We’ll then have a shovel-ready project and will pursue funding opportunities for construction,’’ he said.

Mayor Williamson said the Mirani Community Precinct would celebrate the uniqueness of the town, its people, and its history.

“We’re excited to have uncovered the original Spanish Missionary structure of the former Mirani Shire Council Chambers, which will be preserved as part of the precinct,’’’ he said.

“This project will benefit residents, as well as tourists. It will be a key stop-off for visitors taking the picturesque Pioneer Valley drive to Eungella and Finch Hatton, the sites of our exciting Mountain Bike Trails project.”

Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd said funding for the detailed design was provided by the state government’s Building our Regions (BoR) program.

“The Mirani Community Precinct is one of seven planning projects supported by BoR Round 5 to assist councils to make informed investment decisions about future projects in their communities,” she said

“With a funding commitment of almost $365 million BoR supports local government planning and construction infrastructure projects that create economic, community and jobs growth.”

This project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government in association with Mackay Regional Council.

Mirani Community Precinct planning reaches milestone

The concept of a redeveloped Mirani Community Precinct is taking shape.

Planning has reached a milestone, with an ordinary meeting of council today endorsing a concept design.

Work on detailed design will now be done to have the project shovel-ready for government funding opportunities.

The Mirani Community Precinct redevelopment will be on the site of the existing council administration offices, library, and museum in Victoria Street.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the precinct and adjacent landscaping would provide an eye-catching gateway to Pioneer Valley tourism experiences, including future mountain bike trails.

“By enhancing current community and cultural facilities within the precinct, we’ll create a stronger sense of place and identity for locals and tourists,’’ Mayor Williamson said.

“This project builds on the work of the Mirani Master Plan, prepared in 2019,’’ he said.

“It will create a vibrant and community orientated precinct that will celebrate the region and provide authentic experiences, both for locals and tourists.’’

The concept design envisages the existing library becoming a new customer service area, council administration and flexible museum space.

The former Mirani Shire Council chambers would be refurbished and extended to create the new library and bookable meeting rooms.

New community workshops and landscaping areas would provide community groups with a presence in the precinct, space for markets and external displays.

Mayor Williamson said the character of the original chambers building had been obscured by extensions, refurbishments, and modifications over a long period of time.

He said as part of the project, the existing council offices would be refurbished to restore the historic building to its original design.

“It is important to celebrate Mirani and the Pioneer Valley’s heritage as part of this project.”

Design work is being jointly funded by the State Government’s Building Our Region’s Fund and council.