Q

What will happen to Mulherin Park?

A

Mulherin Park will be redeveloped to provide the community with enhanced, contemporary a facilities including:

Q

Why does Mulherin Park need to be redeveloped?

A

Generations of people have grown up enjoying Mulherin Park, however, some of the park equipment and landform does not meet existing safety expectations. Mackay Ports Limited is committed to creating safer, more user-friendly parkland with enhanced amenities for community use.

Q

How much of the land will be developed as commercial?

A

MPL has revised their original LUP which showed significant commercial development. In response to community feedback, a much smaller part of the available land is now earmarked for commercial use at the underutilised northern end of the park.
The commercial area will be approximately 12,500m2 or 30 percent of the existing total parkland of 30,000m2. Revenue generated from commercial operations will contribute to future park maintenance.

Q

How much will be retained as parkland?

A

70 percent of the area will be retained as parkland, including revitalisation of a currently underutilised southern section of Mulherin Park. This will bring the total park area to 30,000m2.

Q

What benefits will this redevelopment have for the community?

A

The new parkland will provide improved facilities for the entire community to enjoy. The commercial activity will be in keeping with existing commercial activity in the precinct and may also include operations which are sympathetic to park use, such as a café or coffee shop.
Revenue from commercial premises will also contribute towards the redevelopment and ongoing maintenance of the park.

Q

Will parking still be available on the green space?

A

No final decision about parking provisions has been made yet, and MPL is working closely with Mackay Regional Council and the State Member on this issue.
However, the provision of overflow parking is being investigated during development of the commercial design. Further information about parking options will be available as the design progresses.

Q

What type of commercial operations are proposed?

A

It is anticipated the commercial operations will consist of offices, marine and port related premises. This will be in keeping with existing commercial activity in the precinct and may also include operations which are sympathetic to park use, such as a café or coffee shop.
Commercial development will also help develop Mulherin Park and the surrounding precinct as a tourist destination in its own right.
Further information regarding commercial operations will be available once leasing arrangements have been finalised.

Q

Who has designed the redevelopment?

A

The design for the Mulherin Park redevelopment has been created in collaboration by EDAW and Lawrie Smith (LANDPLAN). EDAW is a design studio focused on environment, economics, and planning and balances aesthetic, environmental and social goals. EDAW and LANDPLAN have both undertaken a wide variety of projects including:

Q

When will the redevelopment start?

A

MPL will be working hard to complete the redevelopment as quickly as possible. The project is due to commence in mid 2009. Preliminary works have already started.

Q

How long will the redevelopment take?

A

The redevelopment will be carried out in phases, with the majority of works being completed in 2009.
The commercial development will be an ongoing project. It will include design features and operations sympathetic to the park and in keeping with the existing marine themes in the precinct.

Q

When will the redevelopment be completed?

A

At this stage, it is anticipated the majority of works will be completed by late 2009. The commercial site will be ready in late 2009, however, the date commercial operations will commence is not yet known.

Q

How long will the community have to provide feedback on the development proposal?

A

MPL will be consulting with key stakeholders and the community for several months regarding the proposed redevelopment. The community will have until 22 May 2009 to provide direct feedback on the redevelopment via the newsletter feedback form and feedback mechanisms (e.g. hotline and email).
After this time, community feedback is still welcome, however, the design of the redevelopment will be finalised.

Q

Will the park be accessible during construction?

A

MPL know how important Mulherin Park is to the community and will make a concerted effort to keep some of the park accessible throughout the construction process. For safety reasons there will be times when some sections of the park may be inaccessible during construction. There will also be times when the whole park is closed due to civil works, for example drainage, in order to maintain public safety.

Q

Will it be safe during construction?

A

MPL will ensure Mulherin Park is completely safe for all users throughout the redevelopment period. To achieve this, some sections of Mulherin Park will be inaccessible during construction. Any areas temporarily closed will be clearly signed and physical barriers in place to prevent access to the site.

Q

What construction impacts are anticipated (e.g. access changes, noise, dust)?

A

Any potential issues from redevelopment works have not yet been identified. Local businesses and residents will be informed via letterbox drop and ads in the Daily Mercury, while key stakeholders will be contacted directly regarding any works which may impact them.

Q

How will you notify the community about construction works?

A

The community will be notified about construction activities via this website, flyers letterbox dropped to local residents and businesses, and ads in the Daily Mercury. Key stakeholders will be contacted directly via direct mail or briefings regarding any works which may impact them.

Q

Who will supply the construction materials? Will there be opportunities for local businesses?

A

Wherever possible, MPL will encourage the use of local labour, suppliers and materials. This is in keeping with the State Government Local Industry Policy. Although MPL is not legislated to comply with the policy, they will try to adopt the principles wherever possible.

Q

Who can I contact about a job if I want to work on the redevelopment project?

A

If you would like to contact someone regarding employment on the redevelopment please contact the project hotline on 1800 074 096.

Q

How can the community provide feedback on the proposed redevelopment?

A

A newsletter detailing the proposed redevelopment will be sent to every household including a feedback form. Alternatively, people can contact the project hotline on 1800 074 096 or email mulherinpark-rowland.com.au. Community members can also attend a public display and talk to a representative of MPL about the redevelopment.

Q

Who will pay for ongoing maintenance?

A

The revenue created from the commercial operations over time will contribute towards ongoing maintenance costs for Mulherin Park.

Q

Where will people go while the parkland is being redeveloped?

A

MPL know how important Mulherin Park is to the community and will make a concerted effort to keep some of the park accessible throughout the construction process. For safety reasons there will be times when some sections of the park may be inaccessible during construction. There will also be times when the whole park is closed due to civil works, for example drainage, in order to maintain public safety.

Q

What will happen to the float characters?

A

MPL realise the significance of these iconic characters and, where possible, will incorporate them into the redevelopment as key features.

Q

What will happen to the monument to the Mulherin family that currently exists?

A

The monument is important to the park's identity and to the heritage of Mackay. A monument capturing this important heritage will be a key design feature for the new park.

Q

Will the development of Mulherin Park include environmentally sustainable practices?

A

MPL believe it is very important to incorporate environmentally sustainable practice in their design, and will include features such as on site bio retention areas and endemic planting. It is anticipated that over time the site will be able to support bird life and robust plant communities. It is also anticipated that all materials including hardscape, furniture and planting will be sourced locally.

Q

Why is it called Mulherin Park?

A

Mulherin Park is named after the current State Member for Mackay’s ancestors (Tim Mulherin MP). J.M. Mulherin was a member of the Mackay Harbor Board from 1927 to 1951 and Chairman of the Board between 1927 and 1931.