Council businesses
Mackay Regional Council operates two business enterprises on a commercial and semi-commercial basis.
The enterprises are:
The businesses were established following local government adoption of the National Competition Policy reforms throughout Australia in 1998, which focussed on business activities conducted by government entities and sought to place them on a competitive footing.
Council applied the code of competitive conduct the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre and the council's Aquatic Facilities.
In 2000, council established a business enterprises department with responsibility for the two businesses. During the major council restructure in February 2001, the two business entities were each allocated to individual council departments, a change which has helped with continuous performance review of all functions.
Both businesses are steered by the Mackay Business Enterprises Board comprising councillors and community representatives. The board has a unique role to guide the business units towards a more commercial focus in operations.