Northern Beaches Community Hub

Council signs off on new library as Northern Beaches Community Hub progresses

The Northern Beaches Community Hub project will go from strength to strength as council signs off on the next stage of this exciting signature project.

Council awarded a $21 million tender for stage 1B to T.F. Woollam & Son Pty Ltd at today’s (June 18) ordinary meeting of council.

Mayor Greg Williamson said Stage 1B would include a library, flexible community rooms and a town square with event space and a seating area.

“A library in the Northern Beaches is going to be a fantastic community asset,” Mayor Williamson said.

“There are more than 5600 Mackay Regional Council Library members in the Northern Beaches suburbs already, and that’s out of a population of about 21,000,” he said.

“Libraries by their very nature are community hubs, and there is clearly the membership and the population to draw large visitation to a new branch that with be the heart of this facility.

“The population in the Northern Beaches is also forecast to increase to more than 32,000 by 2041, so this next stage will allow us to be ahead of the curve.”

The Mayor said flexible community spaces were also in demand and acted to bring the community together.

“We know from how popular the Jubilee Community Centre is in the Civic Precinct that community spaces are in high demand for everything from training courses and meetings to rehearsals and community gatherings,” he said.

“The town square is also an exciting addition that will have an open-air area with seating that will be perfect for community events and fun activities like moonlight cinemas.”

The building in stage 1B will have two wings.

The north wing will have space for a café, a large flexible community room and an undercover car park.

The south wing will house the library and several flexible community rooms.

There will also be a Changing Places facility for people with disabilities.

The Australian Government committed $6.5 million of the estimated $10 million cost to establish Stage 1A and has committed $15 million under the Growing Regions Program Round 1 for Stage 1B of the Northern Beaches Community Hub.

The Growing Regions Program delivers community and economic benefits by investing in community-focused infrastructure which revitalises regions and enhances amenity and liveability throughout regional Australia.

The Northern Beaches Community Hub Stages 1A and 1B are funded jointly by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

Stage 1A of the Northern Beaches Community Hub is scheduled to be completed in late June, 2025, weather permitting. It consists of an undercover multi-purpose court, adjoining kitchenette and storeroom, a 29m crocodile-shaped multi-use amphitheatre, nature play area and picnic spaces.
Works on Stage 1B are expected to start in August 2025, with a planned completion of December 2026.

Dust and noise are expected on-site during construction. Council appreciates your patience while the construction of Stage 1B is undertaken.

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

Above: Stage 1B building.*Above: An aerial view of Stage 1A's nature play area, multi-purpose court and car park to the right and Stage 1B building to the left.*

Above: View from the north of the multi-purpose court and Stage 1B building.

*Images are for illustrative purposes only and subject to change.

Northern Beaches Community Hub ticking off milestones

Construction of the first stage of a community hub to service the rapidly growing Northern Beaches is on track.

The project includes an undercover multi-purpose sporting court, adjoining kitchenette and storeroom, nature play and picnic spaces.

It also includes landscaping, pedestrian links and a parking area.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the Northern Beaches Community Hub was located opposite Mackay Northern Beaches State High School between Rosewood Drive and Eimeo Road.

He said the first stage of the key signature project began in November 2022 with the construction of Badyari Yalu Road (pronounced bud-jar-e yar-loo by traditional owners).

“The project is really taking shape on the ground now, with construction of the multi-purpose court and work under way on the nature play area.

“The renders of the nature play area show how fantastic this development will be.

“There will be climbing embankment nets, a balance beam, a slide down the embankment, exploration and adventure paths, as well as open and covered picnic areas.

“The multi-purpose court has line marking for basketball, netball, indoor soccer and pickleball.”

Mayor Williamson said Stage 1A remained on track for completion at the end of May, subject to weather.

He said work would keep rolling on the site though as tenders were currently being sought for Stage 1B.

“The next stage is a dynamic public facility that will include a library, flexible community rooms and café space.”

The Australian Government has committed $6.5 million of the estimated $10 million cost to establish Stage 1A and has committed $15 million in funding for Stage 1B of the Northern Beaches Community Hub.

The Northern Beaches Community Hub Stages 1A and 1B are funded by the Australian Government and Mackay Regional Council.

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

Above: An aerial view of the nature play area with Stage 1B building to the west and multi-purpose sporting court to the north.*

Above: An aerial view of Stage 1A's nature play area. *

*Images are for illustrative purposes only and subject to change.

Northern Beaches Community Hub site is a hive of activity

Contractor Fergus Builders is making good progress on civil stormwater and earthworks for stage 1A of the Northern Beaches Community hub.

The civil works are about 70 per cent complete.

The site is opposite Mackay Northern Beaches High School between Rosewood Drive and Eimeo Road.

Stage 1A includes an undercover multi-purpose court, adjoining kitchenette and storeroom, nature play and picnic spaces, as well as landscaping, pedestrian links and a parking area. The new road landscaping and eastern drainage works are also under way.

Construction of stage 1A is due to be completed by May 2025, weather permitting.  

After stage 1A is complete, works will move onto stage 1B after the tender process, which includes a library, flexible community rooms and space for an onsite café.

The Australian Government has committed $6.5 million in funding towards stage 1A.

Click here to view the latest master plan.

Image: Stage 1B – library, café and flexible community rooms. Illustrations are concept only and subject to change.

Image Caption

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.