What’s happening?
Mackay Regional Council’s 2026-2027 Budget was published, with essential infrastructure renewal at its centre.
The budget includes more than $127 million in capital works across the region. It focuses on the services residents use every day, including roads, drainage, parks, water, sewerage, waste, footpaths and community facilities.
Council said the budget also supports the regional economy, community wellbeing and liveability, while funding key projects linked to Mackay’s growth.
Mayor Greg Williamson said the capital works program puts the fundamentals first, while also backing projects that keep the region moving.
Why it matters?
The budget comes as households continue to face cost pressures, while council also manages rising costs across service delivery and infrastructure.
“Council understands that households are doing it tough, and this budget reflects that same discipline by focusing on renewing, upgrading and expanding the essential infrastructure our community relies on every day,” Mayor Williamson said.
For residents, the focus is on practical projects that affect daily life across Mackay. That includes safer roads, better paths, working playgrounds, reliable water networks and efficient waste services.
“This is about making sure our roads are safe, our parks have playgrounds that are fit for purpose, our water network is reliable and our waste services are efficient,” he said.
Local Impact
The budget gives strong attention to the parts of Mackay that residents directly raised in local feedback.
Footpaths and shared paths are a major focus after the 2025 Australian Liveability Census. Council said residents named footpaths as a high priority, with many saying the active transport network did not meet expectations.
“Residents especially named footpaths in the Census as a high priority and the results showed a clear gap locally, with many residents feeling that our current active transport network fell short of their expectations.
“That’s great feedback and something we aim to rectify.”
The budget includes $3.6 million for footpaths and active transport connections. These works are aimed at improving access across the region.
The program also includes projects for growing areas, rural communities and flood-prone locations. This includes the Northern Beaches Community Hub, timber bridge renewals, drainage works and flood resilience spending.
By the numbers
- Roads and drainage receive $52.3 million, the largest listed capital works allocation in the budget.
- Parks, gardens, coastal areas and waste infrastructure receive $11.9 million, including $8.8 million for park infrastructure such as playgrounds.
- Council’s event attraction program has helped fund more than 38 events this financial year, bringing more than 31,000 visitors and over 106,000 bed nights.
Zoom In
Water and wastewater services are a key part of the 2026-2027 capital works program.
Council has allocated $15.1 million for water infrastructure to maintain and upgrade essential supply networks. Another $12.7 million will go towards sewerage services, supporting reliable and safe wastewater management.
The budget also includes $7.9 million for water main renewals and $4.7 million for sewerage pump stations.
Community facilities are also part of the program, with $23.7 million allocated for buildings and community facilities.
In the Northern Beaches, $20.4 million has been set aside for the Northern Beaches Community Hub. Council said the project will deliver vital facilities in one of the region’s fastest growing areas.
Rural communities will also receive support, with $5.5 million allocated for bridges. This will focus especially on the renewal and reconstruction of ageing timber bridges.
Flood resilience remains part of the program, including $16.93 million for the Pioneer River Training Wall Levee and $3 million in Sarina.
Zoom Out
The budget also keeps funding in place for community organisations, events and economic activity.
The operational budget includes $2.1 million for community funding support, sponsorships and grants.
“In 2025-26 council supported about 90 community organisations and groups to purchase vital equipment, complete significant upgrades to their facilities and deliver initiatives that benefit our community, and this budget will allow us to continue this grassroots support,” Mayor Williamson said.
Council has also allocated $1 million for the Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program.
“There is also $1 million for the Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program.
“This program pays huge dividends for our region, with tremendous economic and liveability benefits.
“This financial year, we’ve approved funding for more than 38 events to come to our region, generating more than 106,000 bed nights from more than 31,000 visitors and injecting more than $40 million into the economy, so that’s a fantastic return on investment.
“These initiatives play a crucial role in supporting our local economy, activating our community spaces and reinforcing Mackay as a great place to live, work and visit,” Mayor Williamson said.
What To Look For Next?
As the 2026-2027 financial year unfolds, residents should see council’s budget focus move into visible works across local roads, paths, parks, water, sewerage and community facilities.
The Northern Beaches Community Hub will be one of the major projects to follow, given its role in supporting one of Mackay’s fastest growing areas. Bridge renewals, water main works, sewerage pump station upgrades and flood resilience projects will also show how the capital program is being delivered across the region.
Mayor Williamson said council had worked to balance cost pressures with the need to maintain services and plan for growth.
“This budget is about delivering value for money, maintaining the services people depend on and continuing to build a region we can all be proud of,” he said.
More information is available at mackay.qld.gov.au/budget.
