Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
By Cr Peter Sheedy
The Mackay Region Planning Scheme helps us manage growth, plan for a sustainable future and guide the way land is used and developed in the Mackay region.
Council resolved to adopt version 4.1 of the planning scheme on December 11, 2024. Details of all planning scheme amendments can be accessed via council’s web site.
In a nutshell, council is the custodian of the planning scheme which underpins the assessment and approval or otherwise for development applications to change the use of land within a designated zone.
Every parcel or group of parcels of land within council’s region of responsibility has a valuation as determined periodically by the Queensland Government.
This valuation is then provided by the Department of the Valuer General to the council with an unimproved valuation.
The unimproved value then becomes the basis of adjusting all property values within similar land use categories for a relevant range of properties.
Rates are levied by council on all land holders as per the annual budget – with different rates for various rating categories – to recover the cost of delivering infrastructure, including maintenance and depreciation, as well as services across the region.
The Planning Scheme is all about managing land uses in a consistent way for servicing the region cost effectively with fairness and equity to all categories of land use.
Policies of the Queensland Government have to be observed and recognised in our region’s planning scheme, which establishes zones for certain uses, minimum sized subdivisions and certain other requirements. We have areas designated in our planning scheme for industrial and commercial purposes as well as rural and agricultural purposes. Good quality agricultural land has been recognised as special and to be protected.
A Planning and Environment Court has been empowered to deal with complaints about decisions on planning and related matters.
Mackay Regional Council has committed itself to programs for economic development and improving liveability, which can at times present challenges needing to be resolved by the custodians of the planning scheme.
As councillors who have all taken an oath of office, we must be conscious of all the potential consequences of our actions and be informed, as best we are able, to decide matters for the best long-term interests of the Mackay region. This is democracy in action.
Let’s Chat – Council Connect
Residents can catch up with councillors in person at upcoming Let’s Chat - Council Connect sessions held across the region. Details on upcoming sessions can be found on the Connecting Mackay website.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2026 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
