Located midway between Brisbane and Cairns, the city of Mackay has a population of about 82 000 and is on the coast where the Pioneer River meets the Coral Sea. The economy is based on sugar cane, mining and beef cattle. Today, the Mackay region is increasingly popular as a holiday destination for travelers seeking an unspoiled, friendly contrast to the more developed tourist areas elsewhere.

The area was settled by John Mackay in 1862 because of the fertile river and hinterland country. Other European settlers attracted to the lush Pioneer Valley soon joined him, and the area grew to become the largest sugar capital in Australia. Coal mining has also flourished in the region, and today there are two huge coal-loading terminals, which collectively export one of the highest annual tonnages of any Australian port. Other local industries include dairy farming and fishing.

Mackay LMAC region

The Mackay LMAC region covers one of the longer expanses of coast of all the LMACs in the Great Barrier Reef, extending from Midge Point (Repulse Bay) in the north, to the eastern side of Broadsound (Arthur Point) in the south, and includes the three coastal shires of Mackay, Sarina and Broadsound. The main population centres in the LMAC region are Mackay City and Sarina.

Who is represented on the Mackay LMAC?

Members represent a diversity of interest groups including: Mackay and District Turtle Watch, Mackay Conservation Group, Reef Catchments, Mackay Canegrowers, Mackay Tourism, commercial and recreational fishing interests and non-aligned individuals with an interest in protecting the Great Barrier Reef. There are also representatives from Mackay Regional Council, Conservation Volunteers Australia and Ports Corporation of Queensland.  Government officers from the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management, Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority are also represented on the committee.

What are some of the current issues the LMAC are concerned about?

• Continued need to increase community awareness of relevant marine/coastal issues
• Support and increased awareness of environmental initiatives undertaken on individual cane farms
  
• Continued need to increase community awareness of LMACs
• Continued need to understand shipping issues such as ballast water dispersal and anti foulants due to the heavily increased activity of international ships directly arriving to the Australian port of Hay Point, Mackay
  
• Continued need to increase community awareness and understanding of zoning in local areas
• Continued need to address and be informed of water quality issues at marinas
• The need to establish a framework within NRM and Government for Integrated Water Quality monitoring and awareness programs
• The Outlook Report, particularly as it refers to the LMAC area.
  

What has the LMAC accomplished to date?

• Continued participation in increasing awareness of the key issues facing cane growers, farm sustainability and environmental initiatives undertaken on farms
• Support of community projects
• Supported an application by Mackay Canegrowers Limited to the EPA Rural Sustainability Award for an Individual Cane Farmer for Environmental Initiatives
• Newry Island field trip undertaken to recognise the work done by the Friends of Newry Island to remove rubbish and clean up weeds
• Created partnerships with Reef Guardian Schools teachers and cane farmers to undertake environmental monitoring
• Attended Reef Guardian Schools presentations and provided financial and in-principle support to the Reef Guardian Schools program
• Appointed an LMAC member to be responsible for promoting public awareness of LMACs
• Prepare for production a community brochure to assist understanding of marine zoning areas and locations of boat ramps
• Invited experts to meetings to discuss areas of interest with LMAC members.
  

Further information about LMACs

For further information on Local Marine Advisory Committees, please contact:

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Central Regional Office
PO Box 94
MACKAY  QLD  4740

Tel:  (07) 4951 3454
Fax: (07) 4951 3487

Email: central.region@gbrmpa.gov.au