Local businesses set for shopfront rejuvenation  

Published on 10 December 2024

Eight Mackay businesses have been given a helping hand to breathe new life into their building facades.

The businesses have each received a grant under council’s Facade Improvement initiative, which has been in place for 10 years and supports quality facade improvement works.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the Facade Improvement Grant was a collaborative effort between council and local property owners and business operators.

“By working together, we strive to encourage the revitalisation of commercial facades, infusing new vibrancy into the region's business districts,” Mayor Williamson said.

“By providing a co-contribution towards planned works, it makes it easier for businesses to embark on the enhancement projects they envision,” he said.

Successful applicants were eligible for a co-contribution of up to 50 per cent of the total project costs to a maximum of $5000.

The grant covers a wide range of improvement projects such as painting of facades and exterior walls, restoration of historic buildings, installation of new exterior business signage, renovation of entranceways and installation of external awnings, lighting and street-visible windows.

Successfully applicants in the 2024 round are:

• Wilkinson’s Hotel, Victoria Street – A fresh coat of light-coloured paint will be applied to return the Wilkinson’s Hotel to heritage colours.
• Groove Moover, Victoria Street – New signage to be installed and the facia to be repainted to improve its appearance.
• FC Accounting Co, Victoria Street – New under-awning signage and new matte black aluminium composite panel signage to be installed for visual impact. A tiled entranceway will also be restored and frosted effects added to the windows to reduce internal sun exposure.
• Red Dog Brewery, River Street – The façade to be repainted to freshen it up and maintain the appearance of the building.
• MX Radio Mackay, Sydney Street – Complete façade plumbing, lighting, skirting and sheeting repairs to tidy up the appearance of the building and façade repainting to dark grey and vivid white to highlight the features of the 106-year-old building.
• That Shop, Victoria Street – Install new brightly-coloured signage to attract attention and activate the appearance of the building.
• Parker Law QLD, Sydney Street – Replacing damaged façade signage and install astro turf flooring at the entranceway to brighten the space.
• Habitude, Wellington Street – Repaint the facia and install new signage to freshen up the building and identify it as the business’s new premises.