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North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) is investing around one million dollars to improve the area, near its Port of Mackay.
The improvements to the North Wall recreational area will provide long-term benefits not only for its current visitors but also for future generations.
With a local office in Mackay, landscape architects at RPS Group have been engaged to develop a preliminary layout for consideration.
It’s anticipated that the project (including construction) will be completed in early 2025.
NQBP Chief Executive Officer Brendan Webb said the project had been initiated to provide port community members with improved amenities.
“At NQBP, we share the passion the community has for safeguarding the local environment and are committed to continuing to provide recreational access to North Wall Beach,” Mr Webb said.
“We’re looking forward to enhancing the area’s natural beauty while maintaining its unique and peaceful outlook for the community and future generations,” he said.
Mr Webb said the port authority had been working closely with key stakeholders to incorporate their feedback.
“Community engagement is at the forefront of this project.
“We have been working with representatives from our key stakeholders such as Yuwi Aboriginal Corporation, Mackay and District Turtle Watch and NQBP’s Port of Mackay Community Reference Group (CRG) who have all provided their feedback into the project.”
Long-term CRG member Mick DePinto said he was looking forward to the project coming together.
“As a regular user of North Wall, I’m really excited about this project,” Mr DePinto said.
“I’m looking forward to working together with NQBP and seeing this project come to life,” he said.
With a local office based in Mackay, Queensland-based landscape architects RPS have leveraged its extensive experience in coastal landscape development to prepare the preliminary design layout.
RPS Principal Practice Leader Tim Connor said RPS was pleased to be part of this important project.
“Our goal is to deliver landscape design that reflects and responds to the distinctive character, climate and culture of the North Wall site.”
“We’re looking forward to hearing from the community to understand what matters most, and evolving the design of this exciting site.”
Broader community feedback on the preliminary layout is now open for a period of four (4) weeks and will close at COB Friday 3 May 2024.
A final design layout will be prepared once the consultation period has closed and relevant feedback has been considered and included where possible.
Michael DePinto from community group ‘Save Our Northwall’ said that while the advocacy group didn’t get everything they wanted, they viewed this as a win for the turtles, the ecosystem and the community.
In a post on the group’s Facebook page, Mr DePinto said “I can’t thank the NQBP team at all levels enough for what has been achieved with their support. They live in Mackay and love Mackay, we could not have achieved this outcome without their support.”
He also highlighted some positives from the planning.
“The North wall area around the car park has been declared a Recreation Reserve. This has huge implications for long-term public access.
“The SEMP or Shoreline Erosion Management Plan is underway to understand and then develop a plan to stop erosion and replenish our beautiful beach. This is so important.
“Significant increase in the environmental reserve which separates the sand mining operations and natural dunal systems and the flora and fauna in those areas.
“While we might not have got everything we wanted, this is still a huge win for all of us in this group. It's a win for the turtles; it's a win for the ecosystems that exist in the beautiful bush behind our beach, and it's a win for all of us who use and love that little bit of Paradise we call Northwall.
“So to everyone on this page, nearly 2800 of you, give yourself a clap and a pat on the back for getting involved and making a difference, for without all of you and the noise we made, this would not necessarily be the outcome we got.”
NQBP said that a separate project is also underway to develop a Shoreline Erosion Management Plan (SEMP) for North Wall Beach which is required before any coastal works can occur in the area.
Information on the project, including the preliminary design layout and online survey is available on the project page on NQBP’s website.
Mentioned on its project website, NQBP says “During the construction phase, every effort will be made to minimise disruption to the community, however at times it may be necessary to restrict public access to the North Wall beach recreational area to ensure safety. Stay tuned for updates on social media.”
Community member Mick DePinto, NQBP CEO Brendan Webb, NQBP Hossein Saadai and NQBP Board Director Lynn Smart
Conceptual plan map of North Wall
Proposed design elements
