Proposed Finch Hatton and Eungella Amendment

 

Mackay Regional Council is proposing changes to the planning scheme which focuses on the Pioneer Valley townships of Finch Hatton and Eungella. The proposed changes will ensure the region continues to prosper and the Mackay Region Planning Scheme remains effective and contemporary. Amendments to the planning scheme will ensure planning decisions continue to reflect principles and standards developed with community input.

The amendment proposes a planning framework for the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships that is considerate of identified natural hazards and supports residents, the Finch Hatton mountain bike project and local tourism. The proposed amendment identifies flood hazard in the Finch Hatton area and introduces a risk-based planning framework to avoid exposing people, property, infrastructure and the environment to an intolerable level of risk from flood hazard.

The proposed Finch Hatton and Eungella amendment (the proposed major amendment) is following the major amendment process required in the Minister’s Guidelines and Rules. In 2022, the proposed amendment was prepared and was lodged to the State Government for a state interest review. The proposed amendment was changed in 2025 to appropriately integrate state interests and resubmitted to the State Government for further review.

 

What are the proposed changes?

The purpose and general effect of the proposed amendment to the planning scheme is to:

  • Introduce a risk-based planning framework to address flood hazard in the Finch Hatton area.
  • Facilitate appropriate development outcomes in Finch Hatton and Eungella that:
    • are commensurate to identified development constraints and
    • support residents, the Finch Hatton mountain bike network and local tourism.
  • Include the Finch Hatton trailhead and mountain bike trails sites within the Sport and Recreation zone.
  • Include the Finch Hatton and Eungella town centres within the Neighbourhood Centre zone.

Public consultation

Public consultation of the proposed major amendment has closed.

Council considered all properly made submissions at its Ordinary Meeting held on February 25, 2026. The Consultation report details how council has considered and dealt with every properly made submission. There were no changes made to the proposed amendment as a result of considering submissions.

The proposed amendment will be submitted to the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning for final approval to adopt and commence the amendment.

Proposed amendment materials

The schedule of proposed amendments is available here.(PDF, 1MB)

A copy of the proposed major amendment, containing track-changes, is available here.(PDF, 2MB)

A copy of the Finch Hatton Feasible Alternatives Assessment Report, is available here.(PDF, 14MB)

A copy of the Public Notice for the consultation of the proposed major amendment, is available here.(PDF, 150KB)

The following factsheets provide a summary of key changes proposed under the amendment:

Make an enquiry

Anyone in the community can make an enquiry to the Strategic Planning program through the following contact methods:

By appointment: book an appointment via strategic.planning@mackay.qld.gov.au

Register for updates

To stay informed about the planning scheme, including proposed amendments, and to receive other council planning and development updates, register to receive council’s Mackay Planning News.

 

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