Mackay Harbour, Queensland

Mackay Harbour is a coastal locality in the Mackay Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2016 census, Mackay Harbour had a population of 555 people.[1]

Mackay Harbour
Mackay, Queensland
Aerial view of Mackay Harbour, 2005
Mackay Harbour
Coordinates21.1061°S 149.2141°E / -21.1061; 149.2141
Population555 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density35.81/km2 (92.7/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4740
Area15.5 km2 (6.0 sq mi)
LGA(s)Mackay Region
State electorate(s)Mackay
Federal Division(s)Dawson
Suburbs around Mackay Harbour:
Andergrove Slade Point Slade Point
North Mackay Mackay Harbour Coral Sea
North Mackay Cremorne Coral Sea

Geography

The locality of Mackay Harbour is bounded to the east by the Coral Sea and to the south by the Pioneer River. The Port of Mackay is located on the oceanside supported by a number of associated industrial facilities.[3]

There is also a residential and tourism development called Mackay Marina with 479 marina berths.[4]

History
Sketch map of Mackay Harbour, 1939

When Mackay was first settled, ships came into port in the Pioneer River. However, by 1884, there were problems accommodating larger ships in the river. Although a new port had been desired since 1887, there was no progress in building one until l the Australian Government provided a grant of £250,000 and a loan of £1,000,000 in 1933. Work started on the port with the laying of a foundation stone on 14 September 1935.[5] On 27 August 1939, the new deep water port was officially opened by Queensland Premier William Forgan Smith.[6] It was an occasion for extensive celebrations in Mackay.[7]

Aerial view of Mackay Harbour, circa 1939

In 1989 a bulk sugar terminal was opened and became the largest storage facility for sugar in the world.[5]

In 1989, the Mackay Marina opened on the Harbour Beach shoreline with the Marina Village being a residential and tourist precinct.[5]

Economy

The Port of Mackay is the fourth largest multi-commodity port in Queensland, servicing both the mining and agricultural industries in Central Queensland. The port has one of the world's largest bulk sugar terminals, reflecting the extensive sugarcane industry in and around the Mackay Region. Coal from the Bowen Basin and Galilee Basin is exported through the port.[4]

In the 2017-2018 financial year, the port handled over 3 million tonnes of cargo, including 1,573,629 tonnes of fuel, 876,519 tonnes of sugar and 148,245 tonnes of grain.[4]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Mackay Harbour (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  2. "Mackay Harbour – locality in Mackay Region (entry 46803)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  3. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  4. "Port of Mackay". North Queensland Bulk Ports. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  5. "The History of Mackay Port, North Queensland, Australia". Mackay Ports. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  6. "MACKAY HARBOR". Townsville Daily Bulletin. LXI (205). Queensland, Australia. 28 August 1939. p. 12. Retrieved 26 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "CARNIVAL SPIRIT". Daily Mercury. 73 (203). Queensland, Australia. 26 August 1939. p. 8. Retrieved 26 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.

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