Have your say on the proposed Finch Hatton and Eungella Amendment

Mackay Regional Council is proposing changes to the planning scheme which focuses on the Pioneer Valley townships of Finch Hatton and Eungella.

The amendment proposes a planning framework for the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships that is considerate of identified natural hazards and supports residents, the Finch Hatton mountain bike project and local tourism.

The proposed amendment identifies flood hazard in the Finch Hatton area and introduces a risk-based planning framework to avoid exposing people, property, infrastructure and the environment to an intolerable level of risk from flood hazard.

The proposed Finch Hatton and Eungella amendment (the proposed major amendment) is following the major amendment process required in the Minister’s Guidelines and Rules. In 2022, the proposed amendment was prepared and was lodged to the State Government for a state interest review. The proposed amendment was changed in 2025 to appropriately integrate state interests and resubmitted to the State Government for further review.

What are the proposed changes?

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

Public consultation

The proposed major amendment is open for public consultation from Monday, October 27, 2025 and closes at 5pm on Friday, November 28, 2025.

During the public consultation period, the proposed amendments will be available for viewing and downloading online, and purchased at council’s customer service centres in Mackay, Sarina and Mirani.

Proposed amendment materials
A copy of the proposed major amendment, the Finch Hatton Feasible Alternatives Assessment Report and factsheets on the proposed changes can be found here.

Consultation events

Community drop-in sessions will be held in Finch Hatton and Eungella to provide an opportunity for affected property owners and the wider community to speak with council staff about the proposed major amendment.

Community drop-in session 1

Community drop-in session 2

Community drop-in session 3

Making a submission

Anyone in the community can make a written submission about any aspect of the proposed amendments.

To be a properly made submission, a submission must be:

Submissions can be lodged to council through the following methods:

Enquiries

By appointment: book an appointment via strategic.planning@mackay.qld.gov.au

Register for updates

To stay informed about the planning scheme, including proposed amendments, and to receive other council planning and development updates, register to receive council’s Mackay Planning News.