By Fallon Hudson.
It might be 14 years since demographer Bernard Salt visited our region but the trend forecaster has always kept his eye on Mackay.
He will be back in the city tomorrow to take a closer look and to speak at the launch of the recently established Regional Development Australia Mackay-Whitsunday (RDA).
“Mackay has a promising future; Mackay will catapult forward in growth in the next 20 years,” Mr Salt predicted.
He said the city’s location between the Bowen Basin and Hay Point had put it on the international market map.
“Mackay sits on the fulcrum of the resources and international market and in the last 10 years there has been a sea change and a tree change.”
He said in the next 10 years we would see a resource (change) towards communities like Mackay, Townsville and Gladstone where they would be known on the international market.
Mr Salt went on to say that between 2001 and 2006, the national census found Mackay’s average income rose by 50 per cent, making it one of the fastest growing cities in terms of wealth in Australia.
He said part of this rise was due to the mining boom and that was why there was job confidence in the region.
“It is a place of opportunity and (people) have surfed the wave of the boom.
“This is not the only muscle of town, but Mackay’s lifestyle, with its Northern Beaches.”
Mr Salt said Mackay had to think big and come up with a brand that could be sold to Australia.
“(Mackay) needs to think bold and big and sell a Mackay brand nationally, whether it is cultural or sporting.”
He said the city needed an event like the Gold Coast Indie or the Noosa Triathlon; an event that represented the Mackay community.
Mr Salt said there was a divide in Mackay between those who wanted change and the great opportunity growth could bring and those who didn’t want change.
“There will be people who don’t want change and like Mackay as it once was – a homely and cane farming town – they have to make up their mind what they want.
“There will be a group of people concerned by the growth and another in support of growth – but the growth must be measured and planned.”
This was where Mackay Regional Council came in – to ensure there was a balance between jobs, growth and quality of life.
Along with Mr Salt’s commentary, the initial findings of the Regional Roadmap report, researched and prepared by RDA Mackay Whitsunday, will be released at the launch.
The Roadmap is a strategic vision for the region and will identify key regional projects in the short and long term.
RDA Launch
The event will be broken into two phases – a Youth Forum to be held from 1pm to 3pm, followed by the Regional Leaders’ Forum from 4pm to 6pm
RDA is a new Federal Government organisation that aims to enhance the growth and development of regional Australia, RDA Mackay Whitsunday will provide strategic and targeted support to local businesses and community groups in response to economic, environmental and social issues affecting the local region.
For more information about Regional Development Australia visit the website.
Taken from The Daily Mercury 22 June 2010