Finch Hatton MTB

Major amendment 3 to commence state interest review

On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, council endorsed the prepared major amendment 3 to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme 2017 (the proposed amendment) and resolved to give notice to the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning to undertake the state interest review.

The proposed amendment focuses on the Pioneer Valley townships of Finch Hatton and Eungella to support these towns becoming a trail town for the future mountain bike trails.

The purpose and general effect of the proposed amendment to the planning scheme is to:

• Facilitate commercial and other specific non-residential uses within designated precincts and through appropriate provisions under the Township Zone in the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships
• Encourage a wider range of uses or adaptive re-use by changing the zone of a small number of lots to Township in the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships
• Reduce the levels of assessment for certain uses to facilitate appropriate development outcomes for the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships in support of the Pioneer Valley mountain bike project.

Once the state interest review is completed, all supporting documentation including the schedule of amendments will be made public and residents will have the opportunity to lodge a properly made submission on the amendment documentation.

Click here to see the initial presentation of the proposed recommendations.

World Trail inspects stage 1 trails this week

World Trail will be inspecting the trails for stage one of the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails project on April 12 and 13.

They will be ground truthing on council's freehold land behind the Finch Hatton trailhead site, assessing the terrain, and mapping the preferred trail alignments.

World Trail will then return in late-April/early-May to continue their work.

The Queensland Government has contributed $500,000 towards this project including the detailed design of the trailhead and environmental assessments.

Newly restored Cattle Creek mill building wins bronze

The Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail's newly restored Cattle Creek Mill Administration Building has claimed bronze in council's 2022 Heritage Awards.

BH Building restored the building early this year, bringing it back to its former glory.

The works included asbestos removal, roof replacement, a new kitchen, a paint job and the revitalisation of the existing signage and façade.

The building may be used for ticket sales, events, marshalling or visitor information.

Click here to watch the restoration process.

Watch update in the comfort of your home

If you couldn't attend the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail Community Update Session on Sunday, March 20, at the Eungella Hub, council has created a video of the presentation, so you can watch it at a time that is convenient for you.

The presentation features a project update, a planning update and an economic development update, as well as the contact details of the relevant council departments, should you have an enquiry.

Click here to watch the presentation.

Don't forget - Mountain Bike Trail Community Update Session on this Sunday (March 20)!

Council will be holding their Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails community update session at the Eungella Hub this Sunday (March 20).

The session will include a project update, a planning update and an economic development update. Plus question time.

Session details:
Date: Sunday, March 20, 2022
Time: 10am to 11.30am
Venue: Eungella Hub, North Street, Eungella.

Online registration for this session is required. Please visit www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pioneer-valley-mountain-bike-trails-community-update-session-tickets-290080898777 to register.

If you cannot attend the session, the presentation will be made available online at connectingmackay.com.au/mountain-bike-trails after the session.

Should you have any questions, please contact council's community engagement officer Rebecca Batzloff on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or email rebecca.batzloff@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Save the date - Mountain Bike Trail Community Update Session (March 20)

Council will be holding a Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails community update session in Eungella on Sunday, March 20.

The session will include a project update, a planning update and an economic development update.

Session details:
Date: Sunday, March 20, 2022
Time: 10am to 11.30am
Venue: Eungella Hub, North Street, Eungella.

Online registration for this session is required. Please visit www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pioneer-valley-mountain-bike-trails-community-update-session-tickets-290080898777 to register.

If you cannot attend the session, the presentation will be made available online at connectingmackay.com.au/mountain-bike-trails after the session.

When visiting the Eungella Hub, please register your arrival via the Check in QLD app.

Should you require any further information please visit connectingmackay/mountain-bike-trails or contact council's Community Engagement Officer Rebecca Batzloff on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or email rebecca.batzloff@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Closing date extended

The closing date for Expressions of Interest for council's Small Business Mentoring Program has been extended until Friday, March 11.

Existing businesses, as well as start-ups with a business idea that supports the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails, are eligible to apply.

The fully subsidised six-month program provides participants with a detailed business assessment, one-on-one mentoring sessions, practical workshop style webinars and much more.

Pilot program participant Mary-Ann Refalo from family owned and operated Walkerston-based business Retrospect Life said the program was easy to follow and she walked away with a deeper understanding of her customer and pricing strategies.

To find out more about the program or to apply, visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/businessmentoring. Applications close Friday, March 11 at 5pm.

Small business mentoring opportunity up for grabs!

Following the success of the pilot Small Business Mentoring Program last year, council is running a second program.

Existing businesses, as well as start-ups with a business idea that supports the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trails, are eligible to apply.

The fully subsidised six-month program provides participants with a detailed business assessment, one-on-one mentoring sessions, practical workshop style webinars and much more.

Watch this short video below to hear from last year's participants.

To find out more about the program or to apply, visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/businessmentoring. Applications close Friday, March 4 at 5pm.

February community update session postponed

Council has decided to postpone the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail community update session until March.

The reason for the postponement is due to an increase in COVID cases in the region and an expected peak in the next fortnight.

Further details on the new session will be provided in the coming weeks.

To stay up-to-date on this project subscribe to the project update emails on the right hand side of this page.

Check out the newly restored Cattle Creek Mill Administration Building

The Cattle Creek Mill Administration building on the old sugar mill site in Finch Hatton has been restored back to its former glory.

The works done include; asbestos removal, roof replacement, a new kitchen and a paint job.

The newly restored building will be used in conjunction with the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail project and could be used for ticket sales, events, marshalling or visitor information.

Click here to watch the before and after video of the restoration process.