Latest Mackay Seaport News

MPA to expand park facilities

Originally published on 16 August 2004

An artist's impression of the park extension.

Old Mulherin Park is about to undergo a major facelift.

The Mackay Port Authority today announced plans to enhance the playground and picnicking facilities at the popular family recreational park.

MPA chairman John Taylor said the re-enhancement would involve the beautification of a neighboring area of port-owned land, adjacent to the existing park and Mackay's world-class marina and hotel complex.

We are looking at installing a variety of new educational and exciting playground equipment for children to enjoy, plus a few more barbecues, Mr Taylor said. Fred Flintstone and the gang will remain under an existing port commitment to the JM Mulherin Memorial Park.

An extensive tree planting program will soon get underway to ensure the new area provides families with adequate shade into the future.

The new-look park will be the centre-piece of a development program involving the MPA's south-east port lands. It will include the retention of the existing playground equipment and coconut grove area as well as the enhancement of the southern portion of the park, opposite the hotel.

The MPA Board recently examined a number of concepts for the land, including development and extensive recreational options supported by the authority's Community Reference Group (CRG).

Mr Taylor said the Board had basically rubberstamped three major precinct options put forward by the CRG and originally outlined in The Daily Mercury on February 16 this year.

CRG members went to their supporters and community groups and asked what development would be suitable for the port's strategic south-east lands, he said.

The community identified the northern end of Old Mulherin Park (part of Precinct 1) as being suitable for marine use activities, including additional vessel repair facilities.

This is the area in which the MPA has been forced to remove dead and decaying Norfolk Island Pines.

Mr Taylor said a number of safety concerns were raised with the MPA over dead branches falling near picnickers. The grove was evaluated by the Curator of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mr Ross McKinnon.

Mr McKinnon - one of Queensland's most respected arborists - found the pines were deteriorating and were showing signs of marked degeneration, due to saltwater inundation and advanced age.

He found the pines represented a public safety threat, forcing the MPA to take action under its duty of care to the community.

Mr Taylor said the CRG also identified that Precinct 2 - land opposite the marina residential development - could be considered for light industrial or business activities.

He said the Board also supported the CRG's option for Precinct 3 -- a parcel of land, south-west of the yacht club roundabout on Mulherin Drive and Ron Searle Drive.

This land will be beautified through additional tree planting and we will explore the possibility of enhancing the area using eco-opportunities, such as boardwalks, Mr Taylor said.

Mr Taylor thanked the community for its feedback.

At the end of the day we do have an obligation to our shareholding Ministers to return a profit on our assets. I think the community recognises this, he said.

The proposed expansion of marina repair activities will not only create more jobs and lift skill levels, but will further enhance Mackay's reputation and capabilities as a major repair and refit port in Queensland, he said.