Mackay City Centre Growth Profile

Mackay City is part of the traditional lands of the Yuwibara people.

It first grew into a prominent regional centre in the 1870’s and 80’s with a booming sugar industry. Eighty percent of the township was significantly damaged after the Great 1918 Mackay Cyclone and flooding event, which sparked a huge rebuilding effort through the 1920’s. The high concentration of Art Deco buildings in the city centre is a result of this effort.

The face of Mackay city centre was transformed into what we know today as a result of the mining boom from 2002 until 2013, where the majority of Mackay’s tall buildings have risen in the skyline; the Blue Lagoon was built and Canelands Shopping Centre doubled in size.

Outlook

The city centre in 2036 is characterised by higher density urban living where 85% of dwellings are apartments, units and townhouses, A demographic shift with a higher concentration of residents aged over 65+. This is balanced with the continued trend of young working professionals residing in the city centre and the preferred location for new immigrants settling in Mackay region. Growth in the city centre is driven by access to employment, opportunities for apartment living, and improvements in liveability supported by the Waterfront Priority Development Area.

Total Residents

Main Industries of Employment for Residents 2018

	Health	13.8%
	Hospitality	13.4%
	Retail	9.3%

Population by Age

Dwelling Types

Demographic Profile

In 2018, 3.5% of the total population of Mackay region resided in the city centre (or 4,132 people).

There is a mix of young professionals (18.3% aged 25-34 years - Mackay region average 12.5%) and downsizing pre-retirees (14.2% aged 55-64 years - Mackay region average 12.5%).

The largest proportion (24.7%) of new immigrants are settling in the city centre. This compares to the Mackay region average of 11.7%.

The highest concentration of lone person and group households in Mackay region at just over 50% of households.

The highest proportion of apartments, units and townhouses in Mackay region, with 70% of dwellings. A consistent characteristic of city centres.

An average household size of 2.0. This is reflective of higher proportion of lone person households.

The highest concentration of rented dwellings in Mackay region at 64.2%. This compares to the Mackay region average of 31.5%.

Yet the highest concentration of bachelor degree or over qualifications in Mackay region at 26.9% of the working population.

The lowest concentration of working age residents employed at 85.2%. The Mackay region average is 91.4%.