PDA Development Scheme

Overview

The PDA Development Scheme is the planning document assists with planning, promoting, coordinating and controlling land development within the Mackay Waterfront project area. The development scheme supports private investment by facilitating a range of development and investment opportunities across the Mackay Waterfront under a streamlined assessment process.

Some of the benefits of the development scheme include:

  • Allowing for interim land uses to occur until the ultimate long-term vision can be implemented, this encourages the development industry to diversify their interests and use the land whilst preparing larger development applications, design and staged construction;
  • Outlining council’s role in supporting the development industry through adjacent public realm improvements, placemaking opportunities and activation; and
  • Encouraging the development industry to enter into pre-application meetings to ensure feedback is obtained early in the process and opportunities for innovation and climate responsive design outcomes are considered. Pre-application meetings are designed to ensure once lodged, all issues are already resolved, and development approvals can be provided quickly.

Most importantly, the development scheme is centred around delivering quality results for the community and is ultimately outcomes focused.

Timeline

  • The Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA) was declared on May 25, 2018.
  • Following endorsement by Mackay Regional Council, the Mackay Waterfront PDA Development Scheme was approved by the Minister for Economic Development Queensland and became effective on May 24, 2019.
  • The PDA Development Scheme – Amendment 1 was approved on February 27, 2024 and came into effect on March 1, 2024, superseding the previous version of the scheme.

Download the Development Scheme

Priority Development Area (PDA) FAQ's

What is a priority Development area?

Priority Development Area’s (PDA’s) are parcels of land within Queensland that are identified for development to deliver significant benefits to the community.

Projects may include, for example, commercial development, industrial opportunities, and residential estates in partnership with local government and industry.

A range of factors are considered when deciding if a PDA is declared, including:

  • Will the outcome support economic growth?
  • Is there a need for accelerated development?
  • Will it unlock under-utilised and surplus government owned land?
  • Will it drive development for community purposes?

More information about PDA’s can be found at Economic Development Queensland.

 

Why was a PDA Declared in Mackay?

The Mackay Waterfront PDA was declared on 25 May 2018 to establish the necessary policy and governance framework to support intended development and define a vision for the area to strengthen economic and community outcomes.

The redevelopment of the waterfront areas will set the scene for significant urban transformation for the city, to establish Mackay as a nationally recognised destination of choice to live, work, invest, do business, study, and holiday. The rejuvenation of the public realm and investment opportunities across the five precincts will:

  • improve the city’s and region’s liveability and lovability
  • create jobs, business, and prosperity
  • boost and support investment confidence across the region
  • contribute to the region’s character and identity
  • complement and support the region’s places, facilities, attractions, features, offerings, and activities.

Council’s commitment to investment and improvement of the public realm presents a significant catalyst to support private investment.

Development Assessment

Prior to lodgement of any development application, applicants are encouraged to contact council to organise a pre-lodgement meeting to discuss conceptual and detailed design proposals. While this is an informal process, pre-lodgement discussions allow developers and the development assessment team to work together under a streamlined assessment process. To organise a pre-lodgement meeting please contact council via email and development.services@mackay.qld.gov.au submit the pre-application meeting request form(DOCX, 215KB).

PDA Development Applications can be lodged to council via the application portal, email development.services@mackay.qld.gov.au, post to the Mackay Regional Council Development Assessment Team, PO Box 41, Mackay QLD 4740, or in person at the Mackay Customer Service Centre at 73 Gordon Street, Mackay.

The relevant development form must be completed and submitted with the PDA development application:

For all development enquiries, please email development.services@mackay.qld.gov.au, call 1300 MACKAY, or post to the Mackay Regional Council Development Assessment Team, PO Box 41, Mackay QLD 4740.

PDA development application fees and charges

PDA Development Application fees are the same as the Planning and Development fees and charges in council’s adopted Schedule of Fees and Charges(PDF, 1MB).

Development infrastructure charges applicable to development within the PDA are in accordance with council’s Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution unless a development charges and offset plan (DCOP) comes into effect.

 

Who prepared the Mackay Waterfront PDA Development Scheme?

The development scheme was prepared by Mackay Regional Council in consultation with Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) and other state agencies.

Who will undertake the development assessment for the Mackay Waterfront PDA?

The development assessment powers of the MEDQ under the Economic Development Act 2012 (the Act) have been delegated to Mackay Regional Council, except for the assessment of State interests. Council will assess development applications against the PDA Development Scheme and coordinate referral of applications to Economic Development Queensland for State interest assessment as part of the development assessment process.

What happens when a development application is made within the Mackay Waterfront PDA

When lodging a development application to Mackay Regional Council the application will be assessed against the purposes of the Economic Development Act 2012 and the Mackay Waterfront PDA Development Scheme.

How does the Economic Development Act 2021 Development Assessment process differ from the Planning Act 2016 development assessment process?

Development applications over land within the Mackay Waterfront are made against the Mackay Waterfront PDA Development Scheme, instead of the local planning scheme and assessed in accordance with the Economic Development Act 2012(PDF, 1MB).

Development applications over land outside a PDA are made to and assessed by the local government authority in accordance with the Planning Act 2016 and the Mackay Region Planning Scheme.

Will the heritage places within Mackay Waterfront be preserved

There are nine Queensland heritage places and 50 local heritage places identified in the Mackay Waterfront. These heritage places will be preserved and re-purposed with a range of uses that complement and enhance the existing character of the Mackay City Centre. More information can be found on council’s heritage buildings interactive map and the Heritage and character overlay within the Mackay Region Planning Scheme on MiMAPS.

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