SEGRA is Australia’s most credible, independent voice on issues affecting regional Australia.
Message from the SEGRA Convenor
Welcome to Mackay, Queensland
The Mackay Region of Queensland is delighted to host the 2018 SEGRA Conference from October 22-25.
Mackay delivers a unique regional economy, which was forged on the back of the sugar industry and has in recent years diversified and matured into the resource service hub of Australia. The region’s proximity to the resource rich Bowen Basin has transformed Mackay into a powerhouse of the nation’s economy, ensuring unprecedented rapid economic growth that has helped it evolve into a thriving regional city.
Diversification is a key to Mackay’s ongoing sustainable economic growth. The region produces more than one-third of Australia’s sugar, is responsible for more than seven percent of the total global seaborne coal exports and has a rapidly growing tourism sector benefiting from access to sub-tropical rainforest, sandy beaches and the Great Barrier Reef.
There is plenty happening in the Mackay economy. The City Centre has recently undergone an $18 million revitalisation, council is progressing the declaration of a Priority Development Area (PDA) along the CBD’s bluewater river and beachfront, and a new $20 million sporting precinct is under construction.
Mackay looks forward to welcoming 2018 SEGRA delegates to the region to share our successes and to provide the platform for regional growth innovations and ideas to be showcased.
Mayor Greg Williamson
Mackay Regional Council