Council received seven submissions , of which two respondents were shortlisted to proceed to the tender stage .
The shortlisted parties can expand or amend their plans to reflect workshop discussions held in partnership with Council between the EOI and tender phases . The tender submission deadline is scheduled for late July 2021 and Council will review and assess any submissions received with the view to award successful tenders soon after . Should a tender be successful Council will continue to work in partnership with the tenderer to ensure that a suitable economic and community outcome is achieved .
Any future development on these sites will be complemented by the close proximity of the City Centre and riverside . Council will also continue to support development through the implementation of a range of projects including public realm upgrades , placemaking and activation projects and signage and wayfinding initiatives .
FACILITATING DEVELOPMENT POLICY The Facilitating Development in the
Mackay Region Policy ( Policy ) provides a suite of flexible concessions to support the delivery of sustainable economic growth that will generate employment , diversify the Mackay economy and value-add to existing businesses and industry . While this Policy is administered for different activities across the whole Mackay Region , the Mackay Waterfront receives a higher level of support for a broader range of developments .
Some of the incentives of the program include a dedicated point of contact , accelerated assessment , infrastructure charge concessions , delayed payment or discounted infrastructure charges , service connection fee discounts , concessions on car parking and reduction in food license and trade waste fees . The policy has fuelled the delivery of significant capital investment and employment to the region . Nearly 60 applications have been approved under the Policy , resulting in an estimated economic output of more than $ 270 million , and the creation of nearly 650 jobs .
PUBLIC REALM UPGRADES Council is committed to a long-term investment in infrastructure and public realm improvements to support growth and liveability within the
Mackay Waterfront area and is actively seeking co-funding from the State and Federal governments to support these enhancements . It is recognised that public realm investment is a significant catalyst to attract private investment and it is the private investment in the Mackay Waterfront that will deliver a more diversified regional economy .
The Queens Park Revitalisation project is the first project to be completed as part of the Mackay Waterfront area , which will contribute to the wider Mackay Waterfront area through providing a high quality , regional scale park . This $ 8.86 million project was completed in July 2020 and was funded by the Queensland Government ’ s Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund . The Queens Park Revitalisation project saw a tired 11-hectare historical park transformed into a valued community asset , retaining historical elements and regionally significant tropical gardens and parklands . The park will play a major role in the future of the Mackay Waterfront as a high-performing regional park , increasing Council ’ s ability to deliver large-scale community events , contribute to developing healthy lifestyles and creating new opportunities for play .
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