Merry Christmas And All The Best For 2026

Cr Belinda Hassan

As we near the close of another busy year, I’m reflecting on the fantastic work achieved by Mackay Regional Council throughout 2025 and extending warm Christmas and New Year wishes to our entire community.

This year has seen council continue to deliver projects and services that make a meaningful difference to everyday life in our region — from strengthened community facilities to exciting strategic plans for the future. Significant progress has been made on the Northern Beaches Community Hub, where construction of Stage 1B is now underway. This new space will soon offer a modern library, flexible community rooms, café, event square and accessible facilities, further enriching our growing northern suburbs.

Council has also supported local creativity and connection through targeted grant programs such as Make Your Place, City Safety and Façade Improvement, injecting more than $80,000 into community-led projects that activate public spaces and champion local culture.

These grassroots initiatives — whether it’s interactive activities at the waterfront or community art installations — help bring people together and make our region an even better place to live.

On the environmental front, the Mackay Urban Greening Strategy sets a long-term vision to grow cooler, greener and more connected neighbourhoods. Council’s nursery team has already distributed tens of thousands of native plants to locals and community groups as part of this work.

We’ve also been forward-thinking with the release of the Mackay Region Economic Development Strategy 2025–2030, which will guide sustainable economic growth by shaping plans for industrial land, investment attraction, infrastructure and liveability. I’m proud to be the co-chair of our Economic Development and Growth Strategic Advisory Committee and sincerely thank all of our stakeholders for their valuable input over this past year.

Behind these headline projects, our dedicated council staff and volunteers continue to deliver high-quality services every day — from maintaining thousands of kilometres of roads to supporting library services and environmental programs.

As we celebrate the festive season, I want to wish every resident a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. Whether you’re spending time with family, catching up with friends or simply taking a well-earned break, please look after yourselves — and each other.

Finally, with storm season approaching, I encourage everyone to take time now to prepare. Simple steps like checking emergency plans, securing loose items around your home and staying informed about severe weather warnings can make a big difference.

Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement. It’s a privilege to serve this wonderful community.

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