Mackay is characterised by beautiful national parks, picturesque rural areas, close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and of course its friendly locals, offering incredible diversity of locations and lifestyles: beaches, islands, hinterland, gorges, mountains and lowlands, inner city, outback and everything in between.
Covering an area in excess of 90 000 square kilometres, the region is home to 150 000 people.
MAJOR INDUSTRY
Mining services is a major industry located in this area. The QLD Government believes the region has the potential to further develop as a world class mining services and technologies sector. The mining industry produces over 35% of the regions output with coal the prominent resource. Mining constitutes around one third (AUD $1.5 billion) of the Mackay region's annual gross product largely because of the coal loading terminals to the south at Hay Point, its proximity to the Bowen (Coal) Basin and the regional mining centres of Moranbah, Dysart, Clermont, Nebo and Glenden.
Retail sales and trade create around AUD $428 million of production in the Mackay region annually. AUD $69 million of these trades are attributed to tourism.
Extensive amounts of land around Mackay are used for growing sugarcane, agriculture (including crops, livestock and forestry) constitutes (AUD $890 million) of Mackay's annual gross production. Despite being close to Eungella National Park, the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands, Mackay has not capitalised greatly on its location. Only 5.3% of the region's production is generated from tourism; with 59% of tourism income coming from accommodation and 28% coming from retail sales.
Mackay holds a current position as a stop-over location as evident by the many motor-inns - but bodies are working toward greater capitalisation on the tourism market.[citation needed] New facilities, such as Artspace Mackay, are being used not only as centres of culture for the town, but also as new ways of attracting tourists.
INFRASTRUCTURE
With excellent links to an extensive national road and rail network and major port facilities, the Mackay Whitsunday region has a transport infrastructure second to none. Mackay airport just one hour and twenty five minutes fly time from Brisbane, is the major regional airport serviced by 4 carriers.
Mackay has a wide range of education facilities around the region including Mackay CQU Central Queensland University, Central Queensland TAFE, 116 pre-schools, primary and secondary schools. Their schools are well equipped, some with facilities including swimming pools, music centres, performance halls, and state of the art sports, technology and science facilities.
The region is surrounded by picturesque coastline, with 31 beaches within short driving distance. Situated close to the city are Illawong, Far, and Town beaches. Harbour Beach, the most popular, locally patrolled swimming beach built is renowned for its locality to fishing hotspots and is located adjacent to the newly developed Mackay Marina. Further north of the city are Bucasia, Blacks Beach, Shoal Point, and Eimeo, otherwise known as the Northern Beaches, where world famous local landmark, the Eimeo Pacific Hotel, resides over spectacular views of the Coral Sea. The Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens opened in 2003, focus on rare native plants of Central Queensland. They are located in Lagoon St, West Mackay, on the way to the City Gates. Before 2003, the area was commonly called ‘The Lagoons' redeveloped into the Botanic Gardens, complete with new plants, flowers, pathways, children's rides, and a restaurant.
The Mackay Convention and Entertainment Centre due for completion in early 2009, is a major purpose-built venue for conventions, trade shows, and concerts. It includes a 1500 seat concert hall, break out function rooms and seating capacity for 900 people for dinner functions.
The Mackay Water Recycling Project is a major initiative of Mackay City Council. It will recycle 90% of Mackay's waste water to protect the Great Barrier Reef from 250 tonnes of nutrients every year.
DEVELOPMENT
Amongst the many infrastructure projects is Mackay's The Blue Lagoon. Located at Canelands Central park on the fringe of Mackay CBD, the three tiered lagoon includes special children's water play lagoon with feature water drop bucket and water slide, and an upper Lagoon overlooking the cities premier natural asset - the blue Pioneer River.
The growth prospects and stable economy of Mackay make it an ideal investment location for both owner occupiers and investors alike.
CLIMATE
The weather is one of its greatest assets, with warm to hot tropical summers and blue skies, sunshine and cool nights throughout the remainder of the year. The mean max temp is 27.0C, min 17.7C. Its rainfall approxs 1533.4mm.
‘The people, the climate, and the location make Mackay a great place to live.'
