Our natural environment
The Mackay region is home to a wide range of natural environments – from tropical rainforests at Eungella, wide sandy beaches, beach scrub, mangrove-lined creeks and waterways and open eucalypt forests.
We share these with a wide variety of animals, including 62 mammal species, 350 bird, 95 reptile, 31 frog and 44 fish species. About 10 percent are listed as rare or threatened and some species are found nowhere else on the planet!
Sustainable community
Council is dedicated to creating a healthy, connected and sustainable community. Our goal is to reduce environmental impact by finding the right balance between building new infrastructure and protecting our natural resources.
We put sustainability into action through strong leadership, responsible planning and community partnerships. These efforts help protect our environment, support biodiversity and address the challenges of climate change.
The Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2017-2025 helps guide our work in this important area.
Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2017-2025
Our goal is to make our council’s operations more sustainable, protect the environment, and improve the quality of life in our region. These are the key parts of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2017-2025.
This strategy was developed using existing plans and with input from council staff, Councillors, and important community members. It sets a new direction for how we approach environmental sustainability over the next several years.
There are nine main goals that will guide our work. These goals will help us take care of the environment while also making sure we balance new buildings and development with the conservation of our natural and cultural resources.
This strategy reflects our vision for the future and supports our commitment to keeping our region environmentally sustainable. It is also part of our Corporate Plan to protect and care for our environment.
Click the links below to see the full strategy, key highlights, and our action plan:
Environmental Sustainability Strategy Highlights Report
Environmental Sustainability Strategy – Parts A, B & C
Environmental Sustainability Strategy – Part D - Action Plan
For more information, contact Mackay Regional Council at 1300 MACKAY (622 529).
Sustainable Living Guide
Developed in conjunction with The Natural Strategies Group, The Sustainable Living Guide is designed to help residents in the Mackay region take action to live more sustainably at home and in the community. The Guide is packed with ideas, tips and inspiration about how small, easy changes can have positive impacts on the environment and your health and wellbeing - and save you money too! Challenge yourself to take up a new sustainable action today! Find out just how easy it is to work towards creating a sustainable future for ourselves, our children and our children's children.
Sustainable Living Guide
Other useful links:
Natural Environment Levy
The Natural Environment Levy was introduced by council in 2003 to fund environmental projects across the Mackay area. This scheme was extended to the entire municipality in 2008 following council amalgamations. Ratepayers contribute to the levy yearly via their rates.
The aim of the levy is to fund projects that address the following broad objectives:
- Protect, manage and enhance ecologically significant areas on public and private land and encourage best practice in native vegetation and waterway management
- Monitor health of native vegetation, water quality and ecosystems
- Provide a range of types and styles of projects including pilot projects
- Ensure an integrated catchment management focus to ensure multiple benefits (i.e. for biodiversity, land degradation, water quality, community wellbeing, economic and commercial gains)
Land acquisition
Each year, a proportion of funds (20 per cent) is set aside for the purpose of strategic land acquisition. Council has a land acquisition policy(PDF, 464KB) which is use to guide the acquisition of land.
Significant Tree Register
The Mackay Significant Tree Register aims to identify, document and recognise the importance of significant trees on council managed land in Mackay, to guide their management and ensure their protection for future generations.
Trees provide environmental benefits, including shade and filtering of air pollutants, contribute to a sense of place and an area's unique character, provide habitat for wildlife and are an important part of the natural landscape.
Trees can be significant for a variety of reasons including; their age, size, rarity, historical associations or contribution to the landscape.
The register contains 520 trees including the large Rain tree at the Mackay Showgrounds, the avenue of Mangos trees along Mango Ave, Eimeo and several large Kauri Pines in Anzac Park, Seaforth.
Significant tree locations
Significant trees in the Mackay region are located in the following areas:
- Andergrove
- Armstrong Beach
- Ball Bay
- Botanic Gardens
- Bucasia
- Calen
- Campwin Beach
- Central Mackay
- East Mackay
- Eimeo
- Eungella
- Finch Hatton
- Greenmount Homestead
- Hay Point
- Homebush
- Marian
- Midge Point
- Mirani
- Mount Jukes
- Mount Pelion
- Netherdale
- Ooralea
- Paget
- Pinnacle
- Pleystowe
- Queens Park
- Sarina
- Seaforth
- Slade Point
- South Mackay
- St Helens Beach
- The Leap
- Walkerston
- West Mackay
View the Significant Tree Register for more information.
Tree management
Pruning and/or removal of trees listed on the register are the responsibility of the Supervisor Arboriculture with approval from the Regional Services department and Executive Manager Parks and Open Spaces where necessary.
Adding a tree to the register
Anyone may nominate a tree for inclusion on the register. Nominations should be made using the Significant Tree Nomination form(PDF, 228KB) and for the attention of the Supervisor Arboriculture. The tree will then be assessed by the Regional Services department with final sign off and approval from the Executive Manager Parks and Open Spaces.
Significant Tree Register