Mackay Port Authority
The end of an era for two MPA board members
Article first published on Thursday, 7 July 2005 @ 7:58:27 AM

This month marks the end of an era for two long-serving Mackay Port Authority board members John Stuart and chairman John Taylor.

Mary and John Stuart and John and Sharon Taylor attended a special farewell dinner at the Souths Leagues Club.
Nebo grazier Mr Stuart has decided to call it a day, after serving on the board for just over 26 years. Mr Taylor, a local solicitor, has chalked up 15 years on the board, including three years as chairman. He took over the helm of the MPA after the retirement of Ed Casey in 2002. Both men have overseen extensive changes involving the sea and air ports. These included the development and expansion of Mackay’s award-winning airport, forging a ground breaking partnership with Mackay Sugar Co-operative involving new refined sugar export facilities and the raw sugar export wharf and direct involvement in the successful public private partnership marina project with Port Binnli. Mr Stuart joined the MPA as Nebo Shire’s representative on the board on June 22, 1979. “You sometimes wonder where the past 26 years have gone,” he said. “It’s been a tremendous experience. I reckon I’m one of the privileged few who have been able to serve on the board – and I thoroughly enjoyed it right to the last day I might add. “I think if you are going to retire from an organisation such as the port authority, it’s important you leave while you are on top. While the decision was extremely hard, I think it was the right decision.” Mr Stuart -- the MPA’s longest serving board member -- rates the development of the small craft harbour and the expansion of the airport as the highlights of his term. “These are the bells and whistles of the place and attract all of the attention, but my thanks must go to our hard working staff,” he said. “Without their efforts there wouldn’t be a port.”

Retiring MPA board members chairman John Taylor and long-serving director John Stuart inspect the sugar wharf at Mackay Harbour.
Meantime, Mr Taylor predicted a bright future for the sea and air ports. “Certainly, services through the airport will continue to grow with opportunities to secure new direct routes to Melbourne and New Zealand,” he said. “Less than 10 per cent of passengers through the airport are inbound ‘leisure’ passengers and I think that’s an area where we can continue to target and grow. “As far as the sea port is concerned, I think there is still life in the sugar industry and the booming mining industry will provide opportunities for the MPA with increased fuel imports and added demand for industrial land.” Mr Taylor said the MPA was accelerating a program to secure parcels of land that would pave the way for the port access corridor. This would secure a vital artery into the seaport in years to come Looking back on the past 15 years, Mr Taylor remains satisfied and proud of his achievements as a board member. “The development of the small craft harbour is a project that will continue to benefit the Mackay community,” he said. “The MPA injected $6 million into the project. This was lifted to $16 million with a $10 million contribution by the State Government. Since then $150 million worth of investment has followed. “The project has changed the face of Mackay and has helped to put the city on the map as a major tourist destination.” Mr Taylor said Mackay Airport had been another success story with passenger numbers increasing from 280 000 to more than 580 000 in three years. “We have been able to attract low cost carriers to Mackay by offering the airlines incentives and rebates that have been converted into increased services and budget priced air fares,” he said. Both men are now looking at spending more time with their families as they ease out of public life. John Stuart will more than likely spend this week mustering, but says overseas travel is certainly on the agenda. For John Taylor it will be work as usual at his busy legal practice – and then a game of cricket in the back yard with his kids. “As John Stuart said, ‘it’s been a great experience’ – but at the end of the day ‘nothing is forever’.” Mr Taylor said.