Council facilities prepare for stage three

The facilities will move to the maximum capacity they can accommodate with the four square metre social distancing requirement.

As part of their COVID-Safe plans, council facilities are required to record visitor information for contact tracing purposes. Please follow the directions of staff and volunteers.

Mackay Regional Council Libraries

From Saturday, July 4, library opening hours will return to normal, pre-COVID hours. The Mobile Library will also resume its weekend route but will remain on a revised schedule for weekdays at this stage. See the website for details.

Gordon White Library will also open on the second Sunday of every month once Troppo Markets return; however, this will not be in July.

From July 4, Dudley Denny City Library and Gordon White Library will be able to accommodate 100 people, Mirani and Sarina libraries will be able to cater for 20 people and Walkerston Library will have a maximum capacity of 10 people. The mobile library will be able to hold three people at a time while meeting social distancing requirements.

Unfortunately, public programs (including Baby Bounce, Toddler Time and Story Time) are still on hiatus. However, Libraries are investigating ways to work within social distancing regulations and will deliver some programs in a limited capacity in the not-too-distant future.

Keep an eye on Mackay Regional Council Libraries’ Facebook page for updates.

Community Halls are open for bookings and will be able to accommodate social gatherings that meet rules for social distancing.

Galleries and museums – Capacity limits at Artspace Mackay have been lifted (to 95 persons), however, individual gallery restrictions may apply. Please follow the guidance of staff and volunteers.

Museums are open and operating normal hours. Tours of Greenmount Homestead are available; however, numbers are capped.

The MECC is investigating the possibility of reopening for hire on July 10 and staff are working through a COVID-Safe plan that will dictate venue capacity.

Aquatic and sporting facilities

Outdoor sports and swimming pools will be able to cater for larger numbers however, social distancing requirements of four square metres per person must be adhered to outside the pool or off the field of play.

Mackay ARC and Pioneer Swim Centre are currently reviewing the new requirements and will be implementing changes over the next few weeks. Residents can stay up-to-date on council’s Facebook page.

Bluewater Lagoon, Memorial Swim Centre, Sarina Swim Centre and Mirani Swim Centre are all currently closed for winter maintenance.

Parks, skate parks and playgrounds

Council’s parks, skate parks and playgrounds are open, and residents are encouraged to practise social distancing.