A Little Disney Magic Is Coming To Mackay!

By Cr Belinda Hassan

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How often have you heard someone say, "There's nothing to do in Mackay"?

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Well, this December, something extraordinary is coming to our region – and for once, it's the rest of Australia that will need to travel to us to experience it!

From December 4th the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre will host Disney: The Exhibition – A Century of Magic, the only Australian destination for this internationally acclaimed exhibition.

Having already captivated audiences in cities including London, Paris, Munich and Chicago, the exhibition celebrates 100 years of Disney storytelling through eight immersive galleries, featuring more than 120 rare artefacts, costumes, props and interactive experiences. From beloved childhood classics to Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, there's something for every generation.

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Bringing an exhibition of this calibre to regional Queensland is no small achievement. It represents considerable planning, collaboration and investment, but importantly, it's about much more than entertainment.

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The exhibition is expected to attract visitors from across Australia, creating opportunities for our accommodation providers, restaurants, retailers and tourism operators. Early economic modelling forecasts a potential $14 million boost to our local economy.

And for local families, it's an opportunity to experience something usually reserved for capital cities, right here on our doorstep.

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There has also been some recent discussion about council's procurement arrangements for the exhibition. To clarify, council undertook market testing with six specialist suppliers before approving the engagement of a preferred contractor. Due to the specialised requirements and tight installation timeframe, council approved an exemption from the usual public tender process, as permitted under local government legislation. Importantly, the expenditure was already included in the approved exhibition budget – it is not an additional, unexpected cost.

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I understand that residents expect accountability when public money is involved, and rightly so. But it's equally important to consider the broader economic and community benefits of initiatives like this.

If we want Mackay to be a vibrant, attractive place to live, work and visit, we need to create opportunities that bring people here, support local businesses and give our community experiences worth celebrating.

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The benefits of hosting major events extend far beyond ticket sales. Visitors discover our beautiful region, spend money locally and, hopefully, leave wanting to return.

Disney's arrival is an opportunity to showcase Mackay on a national stage, while creating special memories for local families.

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So, rather than asking why something like this is coming to Mackay, perhaps we should be celebrating the fact that it is!

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After all, why should the capital cities have all the magic?

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