River Street project paused to look at new design-construct options

Work on the council-owned building, formerly Maria’s Donkey and more recently the Don Daniels restaurant site, is being undertaken by Woollam Constructions.

It is part of development in the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA), with other nearby projects being the completed River Wharves and the upcoming installation of a pontoon.

Mayor Greg Williamson said Woollam Constructions was awarded a $3.7 million contract to refurbish 8 River Street in May this year.

He said the design and construct project included rejuvenating the existing building to create a food and beverage facility on the site.

“Works have been undertaken on site, including internal demolition and demolition of the deck. An access ramp has also been installed.”

But Mayor Williamson said structural assessments progressively carried out during the works had revealed problems with the existing building, ranging from termite damage to missing foundations and rotted columns. 

“Works ceased onsite in the middle of October due to the structural assessment,’’ he said.

“Council and the contractor have been working on a plan moving forward and a decision has been made to pause the project and look at new design and construct options.”

Mayor Williamson said council was firmly focussed on delivering a modern, new facility that aligned with the original budget.

“That would activate the River Wharves area, which is one of the aims of the project. It would also meet the funding requirements of Federal Government funding,” he said.

The project is funded by Mackay Regional Council and the Australian Government, which has committed $4,125,629 million to the Mackay Waterfront PDA – Riverside Revitalisation Project – Stage 1 project.