About Mackay
The Mackay district has an approximate population of 112,000 and takes in a large area of more than 7600 square kilometres including regional townships such as Sarina, Marian, Mirani, Walkerston, Farleigh, Eton, Calen and Bloomsbury.
Mackay Regional Council has recently merged with Sarina and Mirani Shires taking in an area from Bloomsbury, approximately ninety kilometres to the north of Mackay’s CBD, to south of Koumala and west to Eungella.
With the boost brought about by the expansion of coal mining in the hinterland, Mackay and district has seen its population increasing along with numerous developments within the city heart either in the planning stage, under construction, or completed.
The sugar industry, which for a long time had been the economic driver for the region, has been languishing for a number of years with low prices for sugar, and ever increasing production costs. However, 2009 has seen sugar prices double, creating a much more optimistic outlook for the next few years.
Only a few of the dairy herds are now left in the Eungella area, but beef cattle herds can be seen scattered through the rural farming areas where sugar cane is not growing.
The beautiful Whitsunday Islands are a fantastic destination for tourists, with 72 islands in total, all just a short hop by boat or aircraft. Not only is our area a very picturesque and beautiful place, it is also very productive and for a long time has enjoyed a very sound economy. The Mackay district is blessed with a great tropical climate, (average annual rainfall 1650mm) access to beaches and Whitsunday Islands, a huge range of shopping, restaurants, clubs and leisure activities - in all, just a great place to call home.