Northern Beaches Community Hub

Badyari Yalu Road closure

Please note that Badyari Yalu Road (pronounced bud-jar-e yar-loo), which links Rosewood Drive and Eimeo Road through the new Northern Beaches Community Hub site, will be closed for about four months from this Monday (June 3).

The internal road will be closed until late September as part of additional works being undertaken in stage 1A, including civil, landscaping and drainage works.

Stage 1A of the project is partly funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

The Australian Government committed $6.5 million towards stage 1A, with council contributing the remainder of the cost of the works.

Click here to learn more about this exciting project and to view the latest master plan.

Area of works map

$15 million announced for Northern Beaches Community Hub

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox today announced a $15 million funding boost to kickstart the Northern Beaches Community Hub stage 1B.

Design work already completed for stage 1B by CA Architects for Mackay Regional Council shows a dynamic public facility that will include a library, meeting rooms and café.

The 1B funding announcement, thanks to the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program, comes as construction of the Northern Beaches Community Hub’s first stage takes shape.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the Northern Beaches Community Hub, located opposite Mackay Northern Beaches State High School, was one of council’s signature projects.

He said Fergus Builders had made good progress on construction work for stage 1A after being awarded a $10.2 million tender for this key piece of infrastructure.

“The first stage, which is under way, includes an undercover multi-purpose court and storeroom, nature play and picnic spaces, as well as landscaping, pedestrian links, and a parking area.”

Mayor Williamson said construction of the first stage started in March and is scheduled for completion in May 2025, weather permitting.

He said council’s project team had been working with CA Architects to progress design work for the next stage so it could be shovel-ready for government funding opportunities.

“This is an extremely important project for the Northern Beaches, which is our region’s fastest growing area in terms of population.

“A lot of community consultation, including community and agency reference groups, have helped shape the vision for this site.”

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox believes the hub is going to be a “vital piece of infrastructure to support the expanding population within the northern suburbs of Mackay.”

“The Northern Beaches Community Hub will provide a local meeting place for the community to connect, and will deliver a range of activities, programs, services, and events tailored to the needs of the Northern Beaches Community,’’ he said.

“Being able to announce funding for stage 1B of this project is a huge win for the area and ensures we see this project continue.”

Stage 1A of the project is partly funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

The Australian Government committed $6.5 million towards stage 1A, with council contributing the remainder of the cost of the works.

Click here to learn more about this exciting project and to view the latest master plan.

Above: Mayor Greg Williamson and Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox at the Northern Beaches Community Hub site.

Above: An artist’s impression of the front entry to be built as part of stage 1B of the Northern Beaches Community Hub.

Above: An artist’s impression of stage 1B's building.

Stage 1A works under way

Contractors Fergus Builders have begun construction on stage 1A and associated works on March 11, 2024

These works include an undercover multi-purpose court, adjoining kitchen and store, nature play and picnic spaces, as well as landscaping, pedestrian links and a parking area.

There may be some traffic controls in place during specific works, however notification will be provided before these works occur.

Stage 1A is expected to be completed by May 2025, weather permitting.

This project is funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

Tender awarded for stage 1A of Northern Beaches Community Hub

One of council’s signature projects, the Northern Beaches Community Hub, will begin taking shape onsite.

Council has awarded a $10.2 million tender to Fergus Builders for stage 1A and associated works of the key piece of infrastructure to service the rapidly growing Northern Beaches.

It includes an undercover multi-purpose court, adjoining kitchen and store, nature play and picnic spaces, as well as landscaping, pedestrian links, and a parking area.

Mayor Greg Williamson said construction was expected to start in March and be completed late May 2025, weather permitting.

“A subsequent stage 1B includes a library and community hub and council is actively seeking State and Federal government funding opportunities for those future works,’’ Mayor Williamson said.

“A lot of work has gone into planning for this project, and it is exciting to see the vision coming to fruition,’’ he said.

Mayor Williamson said as well as design work completed to date, council had also undertaken extensive civil works on the greenfield site.

He said that included a new internal connector road between Rosewood Drive and Eimeo Road.

That road opened recently and was named Badyari Yalu Road (pronounced bud-jar-e yar-loo) by traditional owners.

It translates to “little child” in the Yuwi Aboriginal language and is to honour the many young lives lost at a Northern Beaches orphanage in the late 1800s.

Mayor Williamson said the stage 1A contract, awarded for $10,225,223 included additional civil works, such as landscaping to Badyari Yalu Road and drainage works to the east of the site.

Council has conducted extensive community consultation to inform the Northern Beaches Community Hub masterplan.

This has included the establishment of a Northern Beaches Community Reference Group made up of key stakeholders.

This project is funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council. The Australian Government has committed $6.5 million towards stage 1A, with council contributing the remainder of the cost of the works.

Click here to find more information on the exciting Northern Beaches Community Hub project.

Above: An artist’s impression of the undercover multi-purpose court to be built as part of stage 1A of the Northern Beaches Community Hub.

Traditional owners choose new road’s name in fitting tribute

A new road has opened at the Northern Beaches Community Hub site and its name has been chosen by traditional owners to honour young lives lost during a sad era of our history.

The new road, which provides access to the site from Rosewood Drive and Eimeo Road, has been called Badyari Yalu Road (pronounced bud-jar-e yar-loo).

This translates to “little child” in the Yuwi Aboriginal language.

Mayor Greg Williamson said up until now the road had been known simply as J4 as work on the Northern Beaches Community Hub site got under way.

He said council decided it would be appropriate to consult with the traditional owners to come up with an appropriate and respectful name for the new road.

“The Yuwibara people have a strong affinity with this area through their families’ ancestors and they were honoured to be involved in the road’s naming.”

Yuwi Aboriginal language knowledge holder Deb Clark nee Hazeldean said the name was in recognition of the many young children who died during the years an orphanage was run at the Northern Beaches.

She and Aunty Veronica Ahwang said to this day many of those children silently remained in unidentified resting places on Yuwi country.

“On behalf of the Yuwi language knowledge holders, I would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude for reaching out and working collaboratively with us on the naming of the J4 road,’’ they said.

“The implementation of the name ‘badyari yalu’ also means it will stand as a reminder of a part of Mackay's sad but true early history.

“This project will provide acknowledgment, education and truth telling for all people to view and understand as we move into the future.”

The road is now open to the public.

Click here to find more information on the Northern Beaches Community Hub project.

Rosewood Drive road closure

Council is currently undertaking civil works on the future Northern Beaches Community Hub. These works include footpaths, lighting, drainage and the construction of a road linking Eimeo Road to Rosewood Drive.

Tomorrow (Saturday, August 12), council will be conducting associated electrical works on Rosewood Drive, weather permitting. This work is expected to take a few hours sometime between the hours of 6am and noon.

A road closure will be in place on Rosewood Drive and during this time this section of the road will be unavailable to both motorists and pedestrians. Detours will be in place.

There will be some noise and dust disturbances with various plant and equipment onsite. Council apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates your patience during these essential works.

Click here to find more information on the exciting Northern Beaches Community Hub project.

Traffic disruptions: Civil works about to start on Rosewood Drive

Council is delivering civil works in preparation for the future Northern Beaches Community Hub.

From Monday (April 3), footpath and electrical works will commence on Rosewood Drive for about six weeks.

During this time there will be traffic control in place with detours for pedestrian access. Please refer to map one.

As indicated on map two, a three-day road closure is planned from April 6 to 8 to allow for electrical work to occur under the road pavement.

This work has been planned to coincide with school holidays to minimise disruption to Mackay Northern Beaches State High School.

Click here to find more information on the exciting Northern Beaches Community Hub project.

Work starts on highly anticipated Northern Beaches project

Council is about to start work on its largest community infrastructure project in more than 20 years.

On Monday, November 21, civil works are scheduled to begin on a parcel of land opposite Northern Beaches State High School to make way for the Northern Beaches Community Hub.

The civil works will include the construction of J4 Road, off Rosewood Drive and Eimeo Road, and associated earthworks.

While these works are under way, design consultants CA Architects will begin working on the detailed design for stage 1A and 1B of the project.

Following the completion of the civil works, construction is planned to begin on stage 1A, which has received $6.5 million in funding from the Australian Government and a $4.2 million contribution from council.

Council also plans to seek funding for stage 1B, which will include a library, meeting rooms and a cafe.

Deputy Mayor Karen May, who chairs the Northern Beaches Community Hub Reference Group, said CA Architects had recently met with the group to discuss plans for the facility.

“There was a lot of positive feedback regarding the project, and everyone is excited for the facility to start taking shape,” Cr May said.

“Stage 1A will include a nature play area, a multipurpose court with line marking for various ball sports and a picnic area, among other things,” she said.

“The Northern Beaches is our region’s fastest growing area, and this project will provide residents with access to a range of community facilities it desperately needs.

“It will also serve as a welcoming meeting place for locals.

“Parents who want easy access to swimming lessons for their children will also be pleased to know that we are looking forward to bringing a new aquatics centre to the Northern Beaches as part of future stages of this project.”

If you would like to view the master plan for this project, find more information and subscribe to project update emails, visit connectingmackay.com.au/northern-beaches-community-hub.

Northern Beaches Community Hub stages include:

• Stage 1A – Includes a multipurpose undercover area, parking area, nature play area, picnic area, landscaping, pedestrian links and internal roads. Design and construction is funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.
  A Changing Places (accessible adult change facility for people with a disability) will also be included as part of stage 1A and will be funded by Mackay Regional Council.
• Stage 1B – Includes the library and various meeting, program and activity rooms, café, town square and landscaping, pedestrian links and internal roads. Design is funded by council; construction is not yet funded.
• Stage 2 – Future works that will include an aquatics centre and a kick and throw space adjoining the centre.
• Stage 3 – Future works that will include the development of the northern parcel of the site. At this stage, we envisage this area to be used for an office building with car parking.

Below: Peter Muller of CA Architects and Deputy Mayor Karen May discuss ideas with Northern Beaches Community Hub Reference Group members Mia Sammut-Landt of Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) and Scott McPherson of Ideal Placements.

Northern Beaches hub takes a step forward

Mackay Regional Council has today appointed a tender for design consultancy services to CA Architects for the first stages of the Northern Beaches Community Hub.

The tender comes after the Master Plan for the 3.7-hectare site, located between Mackay/Eimeo Road and Rosewood Drive, opposite Northern Beaches State High School, was endorsed by council in December last year.

The Northern Beaches Community Hub will be council’s largest infrastructure project in more than 20 years.

Deputy Mayor Karen May, who chairs a Northern Beaches Community Reference Group, said the design phase will continue to be influenced by community feedback.

“The reference group is made up of community members and agencies and was integral to the design of the Master Plan. We will reconvene in the coming months to continue to provide feedback throughout the design phase,” Cr May said.

Cr May said stage 1A would include a multi-purpose undercover area, netball court line marking, nature play and associated infrastructure.

“This stage will also include ‘Changing Places’ – an adult changing facility for the disabled community – parking area, nature play spaces, picnic area, landscaping, pedestrian links and internal roads.

“Design and construction of stage 1A is estimated to cost around $10.75 million, with funding of $6.5 million secured from the Australian Government, and council contributing $4.25 million in funds,” she said.

Stage 1B will consist of a library and various meeting, program and activity rooms, café, town square and landscaping, pedestrian links and internal roads.

It is expected to cost between $20 - $30 million. Funding is yet to be finalised.

Design of early civil works, including a road from Eimeo Road to Rosewood Drive, as well as drainage and earthworks for stage 1 projects is almost complete.

Future works (stages 2 and 3) will include an aquatics centre and office building with car parking.

The Northern Beaches Community Hub will be a welcoming local meeting place with access to a range of community facilities in the heart of the fastest growing area in Mackay.

The Northern Beaches population catchment had a population of 20,000 in 2018 and is projected to attract 30% of future population growth in the Mackay region, growing to over 30,000 by 2041.

Residents who would like to view the master plan for this project can visit www.connectingmackay.com.au to find more information and subscribe to project update emails.

This project is funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

Northern Beaches Community Hub master plan endorsed

The vision for a modern community hub to service the rapidly growing Northern Beaches is becoming clearer with a master plan endorsed by council today.

The Northern Beaches Community Hub will be council’s largest community infrastructure project in more than 20 years.

Today’s endorsement by an ordinary meeting clears the way for detailed design to start on the first stages of the Northern Beaches Community Hub.

The project will be built on a parcel of land council purchased last year opposite Northern Beaches State High School.

Deputy Mayor Karen May, who chairs a Northern Beaches Community Reference Group set up for this project, said stage 1A would include a multi-purpose undercover area, nature play and associated infrastructure.

She said this stage was estimated to cost around $10.75 million, requiring $4.25 million in council funds.

“We’ve previously received funding of $6.5 million through the Federal Government for this project.”

That Federal Government funding is through the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities’ Development Grants Program.

Future stages include a library, with an aquatic facility also planned in later stages.

Cr May said the high-level cost estimate for stages one and two of the master plan was
$52 million, but this could be broken down to different sub-stages, depending on funding.

“The detailed design work will provide a shovel-ready project to enable us to seek more funding from the State and Federal governments,’’ she said.

Cr May said there had been extensive community consultation on the Northern Beaches Community Hub project, including a concept master plan developed in 2020.

“We also set up the Northern Beaches Community Hub Community Reference Group and an agencies group to help guide the master plan process,’’ she said.

“Stakeholders on those groups helped provide us with excellent feedback and ideas to ensure such a facility will best meet the needs of the Northern Beaches,’’ she said.

Click here to view the master plan.

Printed copies of the plan are available at Dudley Denny City Library and Gordon White Library.

Above: Preliminary concept of north-west perspective.

Above: Preliminary concept of south-west perspective.

Note: These are concepts only and are subject to funding.

Click here to read more about this project.