Mackay Port Access, Bruce Highway to Mackay - Slade Point Road (Stage 1)
Mackay Port Access will provide a direct link for freight movements from the Mackay Port to the Mackay Ring Road, and west to the Bowen Basin coal fields via the Walkerston Bypass and Peak Downs Highway.
The 9.5km, 2-lane access road from the Bruce Highway at Glenella to Mackay-Slade Point Road (Harbour Road), to improve access to the Port of Mackay while addressing urban congestion in North Mackay.
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Increases capacity
- Improves network efficiency
- Increases traffic flow
- Reduces peak hour congestion
- Better road access
- Reduces travel time
- Contributes to economy
- Contributes to regional growth
- Improves ride quality
Key features
The current planning process includes the investigation of a proposed heavy vehicle access route identified in the Mackay Ring Road planning completed in 2013.
Current planning to determine scope of work for Stage 1 construction of a 9.5km, 2 lane arterial roadway, parallel to Erakala-Mackay Harbour rail line, from the Bruce Highway to Mackay-Slade Point Road (Harbour Road), includes consideration of:
- Bruce Highway interchange at Bald Hill
- a T-intersection at Schapers Road and Valley Street and a connection at Mackay-Slade Point Road
- underpasses at Glenella–Richmond Road, Pioneer Street and Mackay–Bucasia Road
- bridges crossing Jane Creek and Goosepond Creek.
Funding
The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments. Investment ID 1170084
- Total investment
- $350 million
- Australian Government
- $280 million
- Queensland Government
- $70 million
Current status
Current planning activities include securing the corridor, public utility relocations, implementing environmental offset measures, and stakeholder engagement. The recommended delivery options and timeframes will be determined upon finalisation of the planning process in mid–late 2026.
Public consultation
As part of the planning phase, the department is proposing to revoke a portion (approximately 20 hectares) of the 650-hectare declared Bassett Basin fish habitat area to accommodate road and bridge infrastructure associated with the future Mackay Port Access project.
The department is also proposing to add 8 additional areas (totalling approximately 40 hectares) to the declared Bassett Basin fish habitat area. The additional areas have been assessed to contain suitable and valuable fish habitats.
The department welcomes all comments from interested individuals and organisations regarding the Bassett Basin fish habitat area proposal to revoke some areas and add more suitable areas to compensate.
Public consultation will close on 7 March 2025.
Mackay Port Access project map location
