Riverside Revitalisation Project

The aim of the Riverside Revitalisation Project is to reconnect Mackay and its visitors to the waterfront and to improve Mackay's tourism and liveability offerings.

Stage one and two of the Riverside Revitalisation Project is complete, the River Wharves public realm infrastructure and the Pioneer River Floating Pontoon.

River Wharves, is located in the prime riverfront location between Paxtons and the Mackay Fish Market and is a public area for the community and visitors to enjoy. The space has been intentionally designed with power, water, amenities, stages, and picnic shelters to facilitate events and activations. Any member of the community can book out areas of the space.

A custom signage package has been installed throughout the project area to provide seamless wayfinding to and from River Wharves as well as historic interpretive signage to tell the story of the old wharf area for community and visitor interest.

The Pioneer River Pontoon is Mackay's first floating pontoon and provides public access to the pristine Pioneer River for fishing and boating. Attached to the existing fishing wharf located in the Bluewater Quay, the pontoon is all abilities accessible and a centralised piece of infrastructure for the benefit of the community and visitors to the region. Council is looking to activate the area and continues to seek interest from commercial operators with ideas for river use from the pontoon. Enquire with the Mackay City and Waterfront team to discuss opportunities.

The Riverside Revitalisation project provides opportunities for all members of the community to connect with the Pioneer River and are catalyst pieces of tourist and community infrastructure for the further development of the Riverside precinct.

This project was jointly funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

For more information contact Community Engagement on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

The aim of the Riverside Revitalisation Project is to reconnect Mackay and its visitors to the waterfront and to improve Mackay's tourism and liveability offerings.

Stage one and two of the Riverside Revitalisation Project is complete, the River Wharves public realm infrastructure and the Pioneer River Floating Pontoon.

This project was jointly funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

For more information contact Community Engagement on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

News feed

Project update #7

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Prime Minister officially opens Riverside revitalisation project
Mackay's Riverside Revitalisation Project has Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's seal of approval.
The Prime Minister joined Mayor Greg Williamson, Councillors, council CEO Scott Owen and other key stakeholders for the official opening.
The Riverside Revitalisation Project includes the recently completed Pioneer River Pontoon at Bluewater Quay and the nearby River Wharves public area.
Mayor Greg Williamson said both projects provided improved public access to the wonderful Pioneer River and were part of the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA).
"These projects will be catalysts for future projects, including private investment, along the riverfront," he said.
"For example, Renew Mackay has recently unveiled plans for a major commercial and residential development on the Brisbane Street carpark site adjacent to the Bluewater Quay."
The Riverside Revitalisation Project is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.
Project update #6

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Demolition of 8 River Street building deemed best way forward
A building at 8 River Street, earmarked for a refurbished food and beverage outlet, will be demolished.
The existing structure, formerly Maria's Donkey and more recently Don Daniels, is structurally compromised and not suitable for refurbishment.
It will be demolished, and the riverbank site reinstated.
A portion of the budget council had committed for refurbishment of the building will be used for investigating design options for the development of the prime riverfront site.
Director Planning, Growth & Sustainability Aletta Nugent said demolition was the best decision in terms of safety and financial responsibility.
“This will make the area safe,’’ she said.
“It will also provide a greenfield option for a new development on this prime site, with activation of the space in the interim,’’ she said.
“A new greenfield option will help capitalise on the site’s potential, including over-water opportunities, and include flood immunity in any new build.’
Project update #5

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Floating pontoon construction nears completion
The final piece of the new Pioneer River floating pontoon – a 40 metre gangway – will be lifted into place next week.

The new pontoon, at the end of Brisbane Steet near the Bluewater Quay, is part of the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area’s (PDA) Riverside Revitalisation project.

Contractor SMC Marine has already installed the piers and pontoon and the gangway will be delivered to site and assembled on Monday and Tuesday (February 5 and 6) before being installed on Thursday (February 8), weather permitting.

There will be cranes and machinery in place to facilitate the assembly and installation of the gangway.

Contractors will temporarily close off some sections of Bluewater Quay and River Street, between Brisbane and Carlyle streets, on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, for safety reasons, and traffic management will be in place to facilitate the work.

Residents and businesses on River Street, between Brisbane and Carlyle streets, are asked to enter and exit River Street via Carlyle Street only during the road closures.

All vehicles and pedestrians are also asked to follow all traffic control instructions for the duration of the works.

The Brisbane Street fishing pier is currently closed to the public while the installation takes place. It will reopen in mid-February.

Working hours will be Monday to Friday, from 6am to 6pm.

Some noise disruptions are expected due to the various plant and equipment onsite, however, appropriate controls will be put in place to minimise impacts.

This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

For more information contact Community Engagement on 1300 MACKAY (622 529).
Project update #4

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River Street project paused to look at new design-construct options

Construction work on a prime riverfront food and beverage site in River Street has been paused to allow time to consider new design and construct options.

Work on the council-owned building, formerly Maria’s Donkey and more recently the Don Daniels restaurant site, is being undertaken by Woollam Constructions.

It is part of development in the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA), with other nearby projects being the completed River Wharves and the upcoming installation of a pontoon.

Mayor Greg Williamson said Woollam Constructions was awarded a $3.7 million contract to refurbish 8 River Street in May this year.

He said the design and construct project included rejuvenating the existing building to create a food and beverage facility on the site.

“Works have been undertaken on site, including internal demolition and demolition of the deck. An access ramp has also been installed.”

But Mayor Williamson said structural assessments progressively carried out during the works had revealed problems with the existing building, ranging from termite damage to missing foundations and rotted columns.

“Works ceased onsite in the middle of October due to the structural assessment,’’ he said.

“Council and the contractor have been working on a plan moving forward and a decision has been made to pause the project and look at new design and construct options.”

Mayor Williamson said council was firmly focussed on delivering a modern, new facility that aligned with the original budget.

“That would activate the River Wharves area, which is one of the aims of the project. It would also meet the funding requirements of Federal Government funding,” he said.

The project is funded by Mackay Regional Council and the Australian Government, which has committed $4,125,629 million to the Mackay Waterfront PDA – Riverside Revitalisation Project – Stage 1 project.
Project update #3

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Tenders awarded for Riverside Revitalisation projects
MACKAY’S Waterfront Priority Development Area will flourish with the announcement of two successful tenders on Wednesday, May 24, at an ordinary meeting.
SMC Marine Pty Ltd was awarded the tender for the $2.44 million construction of the Pioneer River Floating Pontoon at the Bluewater Quay.
Woollam Constructions was successful in the tender for the $3.75 million design and refurbishment of 8 River Street (formerly Maria’s Donkey and more recently the Don Daniels restaurant site).
Together these will be the third major project in the Mackay Waterfront PDA. The first was the Queens Park redevelopment, followed by River Wharves, which is the first of three stages in the Riverside Revitalisation project.
Mackay Deputy Mayor Karen May said the revamp of 8 River Street would add to the appeal already added by the announcement of Red Dog Brewery at the old Ashtart site.
“Woollam Constructions will undertake a full structural refreshment of the building with the aim of refurbishing it as a food and beverage facility,” Cr May said.
“The building remediation will aim to enable the site to accommodate a variety of hospitality uses, such as café, restaurant, bar and function capabilities.”
The Pioneer River Floating Pontoon will be constructed by SMC Marine at the end of Brisbane Street, near the Bluewater Quay.
Cr May said the pontoon would enable a more centralised access to the river for commercial and non-motorised watercraft to load and unload for a day of recreation.
“By enabling more people to access our beautiful blue water river we are continuing to grow the liveability of our region,” Cr May said.
“This pontoon will promote access for river cruises, barbecue boats, and jet skis as well as recreational vessels such as kayaks and tinnies,” she said.
“The Mackay Waterfront project had been developed by council to improve the tourism aesthetic, liveability and economic activity in Mackay’s CBD and waterfront areas.
“Council’s Mackay City and Waterfront team are working with the community and local businesses to roll out a series of placemaking and activation activities across the city centre and waterfront areas,” she said.
This project is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.
Project update #2

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Local contractor awarded $5.5M Mackay Waterfront Tender

More than $5.5 million being spent on a riverside revitalisation project will stay in the Mackay community after a local contractor was awarded the tender.

Woollam Constructions has been successful with its tender for the first public realm works in the Riverside precinct of the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA).

It is the second major Mackay Waterfront project following the successful delivery of the Queens Park revitalisation in 2020.

The Woollam Constructions tender, awarded Thursday January 27, at an ordinary meeting, is for the Riverside Link revitalisation, along both River Street and River Street Service Road, from the carpark at Carlyle Street to Burns Street.

Future stages of the $10 million Riverside Revitalisation project include a Riverside pontoon and improvements to the council-owned 8 River Street building (former restaurant).

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen recently announced the Federal Government would commit just over $4.12 million in funding through its Building Better Regions Fund for the Riverside revitalisation.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council, with capital works funding also allocated, had moved quickly to the tender process.

“We’re extremely keen for this project to come to fruition as quickly as possible and it is exciting that construction works will be happening there soon,’’ he said.

“Construction should begin by late February or early March and be completed in time for the Christmas holidays and New Year period.”

Mayor Williamson said these public realm works would be a catalyst for future development and would also provide a fantastic waterfront space for residents and visitors.

“This project is the first stage of three that will create a waterfront that is a must-see destination,’’ he said.

“It will unlock opportunities for development and investment, benefiting the entire region’s economic growth and community health and wellbeing.”
Project update #1

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Australian Government invests $4.1 million in Mackay Waterfront transformation
Australian Government funding of $4.1 million will kickstart a Mackay Regional Council $9 million transformational project that will re-orient the city to its beautiful blue Pioneer River and beachfront.
The funding through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund was announced on Friday, October 8, and will open up a new tourism industry and create tourism jobs.
Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen joined Mayor Greg Williamson at Bluewater Quay to announce the funding for stage one of the Mackay Waterfront PDA - Riverfront Revitalisation Project.
“I am very pleased to announce that more than $4.1 million in funding under this tourism focused round of the Building Better Regions Fund will go to Mackay’s Riverfront Revitalisation Project,” Mr Christensen said.
“This is a component of the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA) and it will deliver the first stage of revitalisation works within the riverside project area,’’ he said.
“I am a strong supporter of Mackay Regional Council’s vision for the Waterfront PDA and I have repeatedly advocated for the project in Canberra.
“This is about re-orienting the city to the water – the river and the sea – and in the process building on our tourism offering and liveability.
“It was one of the final things I wanted to leave the city with, to finish off my time as the Federal MP – a final gift if you like – to help diversify our economy by boosting our tourism offering.”
Mayor Williamson said it was a very exciting day for Mackay, with the Federal Government’s $4.1 million the key to starting the $9 million project.
“We’re putting in about $5 million to kickstart this whole Waterfront project,’’ Mayor Williamson said.
“We’re hoping we’ll get the tenders out by the end of this month, which means we’ll hopefully see a start on this project in early in 2022,’’ he said.
“The area in front of the Fish Market, right back to Paxton's, will become a huge public realm component as part of this project.”
“What that means is from about the area in front of the Fish Market right back to Paxton’s becomes a huge public realm component.”
The former Don Daniels and Marias Donkey restaurant and bar building over the river will also be upgraded and made safe.
A $2 million pontoon will also be built as part of the project.
“We are now delivering on what we’ve been saying for years – we need to celebrate this fantastic river we’ve got,’’ Mayor Williamson said.
“It’s great for our community and great for tourism,’’ he said.