Council launches Riverfront Action Plan

Published on 22 January 2026

Mackay Regional Council, with the support of the State Government and State funded support agencies, has launched a multistage clean-up of the Riverfront area.

The Riverfront Action Plan began late last year with a combined approach by State support agencies and council to engage with homeless people in the area.

For several months, support agencies, with the support of QPS and council’s Local Laws officers, have been offering alternative housing options to people living rough on the Riverfront as well as other support such as drug and alcohol and mental health assistance.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council was committed to making the area safe and attractive for all residents to use and enjoy.

“Council does not accept incidents of violence, illegal activity, aggression, intimidation and other threatening behaviour from people congregating and remaining overnight in public areas,” Mayor Williamson said.

“This action plan is squarely focused on reclaiming our high-profile public spaces, such as the City Centre, River Wharves and Queens Park for the public and stopping anti-social behaviour, drug use, graffiti and vandalism.”

Council CEO Gerard Carlyon said council officers had been monitoring the area closely and had commenced an extensive clean-up last week which would continue in the weeks to come to remove abandoned material and waste from the mangroves and river front.

“We have been mobilising our Parks and Local Laws teams to clean graffiti, re-plant garden beds, remove rubbish and perform ongoing general clean-ups of the entire area from the Bluewater Quay to the boat ramp,” he said.

“Notices will be issued to anyone who has abandoned material in the area prior to the clean-up to give them time to remove it from the public area.”

Mr Carlyon said council would also be working with Maritime Safety Queensland to remove abandoned and illegally moored boats from the area.

Uniformed officers from the Queensland Police Service will support council crews during the clean-up.

The launch of the Riverfront Action Plan follows a recent fire amongst an illegal camp area in the mangroves adjacent to the Bluewater Trail and an increase in abandoned material and rough sleeping along the River Wharves area.

Image: Following the clean-up phase of the Waterfront Action Plan, council will work with local providers to regularly activate the River Wharves area for families.