Staged East Point re-opening a win for community and environment 

Published on 23 October 2025

Mackay Regional Council will reinstate limited vehicle access to East Point over two stages while working to protect the environmentally sensitive area.

Dunes Boulevard has been closed since March during construction of the newest stage of the Dunes residential estate at Harbour Beach.

It will re-open later this week on Friday, October 31, but vehicle restrictions in the area, including the foreshore reserve council manages, will remain in place.

With the re-opening coinciding with the turtle breeding season, council has created a temporary cark park via an access track at the end of Dunes Boulevard.

Vehicle access beyond this car park is prohibited, with any offenders to be fined $834.

After the wet season next year, council will then push a legal access track to a second car park to be created at the end of the road reserve much closer to East Point.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the staged re-opening to vehicle access would be a good outcome for the community and the environment.

“The restrictions on four-wheel-drive vehicles and motorbikes in this area in the past couple of years have resulted in excellent revegetation,’’ Mayor Williamson said.

“The dunal system had been degraded by vehicles and motorbikes over many years, but is now being rejuvenated,’’ he said.

“But we want to restore vehicle access to East Point as soon as we can for responsible users of the area, such as anglers.

“The staged approach allows the public access close to East Point via a second car park next year.

“This approach not only ensures the protection of the area but also recognises the community’s historical connection to East Point.”

Mayor Williamson said the temporary car park created by council included fencing, plantings and educational and regulatory signage.

He said the old access track towards East Point remained blocked off and a surveillance camera was onsite.

“Any offenders accessing the beach or the dunal system on vehicles or motorbikes identified by the camera will be fined."

Drone images taken in mid-October 2025, show the significant and positive impact of the closure on vegetation coverage, especially along the foreshore.