Enabling Infrastructure

Mackay Airport

The Mackay Airport is a key driver for regional growth and one of the busiest airports in regional Queensland. Mackay Airport services more than one million domestic passengers per year and is well progressed with plans to offer international flights to New Zealand and beyond.

The Mackay Airport Land Use Plan was recently approved. The Land Use Plan proposes a $900 million redevelopment of the Mackay Airport over the next 20 years. This redevelopment will underpin the airport’s role as Central Queensland’s multi-modal integrated transport hub and will introduce an aviation enterprise precinct, commercial precinct and terminal business zone.

The proposed upgrades will involve freight, logistics and distribution facilities and will allow the region’s growing industries to access enhanced export opportunities and a wider market base.

The airport boasts a 152-room Ibis Hotel opposite the terminal, which includes eateries and a fully serviced bar. There are excellent ground transport connections to Mackay City, outlying regions and Whitsundays. A range of car parking options are available.

Port of Mackay

The multi-cargo import and export port is ideally located just seven minutes from Mackay’s City Centre. It’s one of the largest multi-commodity ports in Queensland in terms of cargo throughput.

The port’s capabilities include a heavy-lift wharf, a general cargo berth and marine infrastructure with AQIS approved wash down facilities. Port of Mackay’s current capacity is up to 600 ships a year, with a combined import/export cargo of more than six million tonnes per year (Mtpa). The port offers competitive cost options for importation and exportation from the Bowen and Galilee Coal Basins.

As well as servicing coastal and international shipping, the port has a small craft harbour with tourist terminal, major marina amenities and public boating access. The port is vital for fuel distribution to the resource sector, but also provides extensive opportunities related to resource service; and other port-related industrial, shipping and marine service activities.

Port of Hay Point

The Port of Hay Point is one of the largest coal export ports in the world and exported 115 million tonnes of coal in the 2015/2016 financial year. Comprised of two separate terminals, the port is linked to the Bowen Basin coal mines through an integrated rail-port network. Both terminals have rail unloading facilities, onshore stockpile yards and offshore wharves which are serviced by conveyor systems which allow deep water loading.

Road and Rail

Excellent transport infrastructure and accessibility to local and regional markets, via a combination of road connectivity (Bruce Highway, Peak Downs Highway and rail (passenger and freight), provide a strong foundation to support existing industries. Planned major infrastructure developments, such as the Mackay Ring Road and the Bowen Basin Service Link will enable further improved efficiencies for local and other business alike, through lower transport costs and reduced negative externalities to residents and other user. These benefits flow beyond the resource sector to other horticultural and agricultural supply chain efficiencies.