Growing Mackay without losing what makes us Mackay

By Cr Anne Baker

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Mackay is growing and changing before our eyes. With that growth comes both opportunity and responsibility.

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We are fortunate to live in a region with a strong economy, diverse industries, wonderful communities and people who genuinely care about where they live and what happens. From our city and coastal communities to our rural townships and hinterland, each part of our region contributes something unique to the Mackay story.

As we look to the future, one of the challenges for council is ensuring we embrace growth without losing the authentic fabric that makes our region such a great place to call home.

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Growth brings new residents, businesses and investment, but it also places additional pressure on roads, drainage, parks, sporting facilities, waste services and other community infrastructure. Planning for that growth requires us to look beyond what is needed today and consider what our community will need in five, ten and even twenty years.

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At the same time, we must remain conscious of affordability.

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Every new facility or piece of infrastructure we build becomes an asset that our community ultimately needs to maintain. That means good decision making isn’t simply about whether we can afford to build something today. We also need to understand what it will cost to operate, maintain and eventually replace well into the future, as well as for the life of the asset 

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For me, responsible local government is about finding that priority and balance.

It means continuing to invest in our region while making sure we are getting value for every ratepayer dollar. It means looking after the assets we already have, reviewing the way we deliver services and being prepared to ask whether there are better or more efficient ways of doing things.

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But numbers and infrastructure are only part of the picture.

The strength of Mackay for decades has always been its people.

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Our volunteers, sporting clubs, community organisations, small businesses and local industries all contribute to the character and fabric of our region. Our smaller communities and townships also deserve to feel connected to the decisions being made about their future.

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That’s why listening to our community remains so important.

Community engagement shouldn’t simply be about informing people after decisions have been made. It should help us understand priorities, identify opportunities and guide better decisions.

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There will always be competing demands and difficult choices in local government. We won’t always agree, and we won’t always be able to deliver everything at once.

What we can do is have a focus on making sure our decisions are considered, transparent and focused on the long-term interests of our community.

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Mackay has an exciting future ahead.

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If we plan carefully, spend responsibly and continue listening to the people we represent, we can embrace the opportunities that come with growth while protecting the community spirit and lifestyle that Mackay offers.  

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