Mackay Region ACC Inc is a non-profit, community-based organisation supporting regional growth in the Mackay region. The Mackay Region covers the 3 Regional Councils Whitsunday (formerly Bowen, Whitsunday), Isaacs (formerly Broadsound, Belyando, Nebo) and Mackay (formerly Mackay, Sarina, Mirani) – an area of approx 90,000 square klms with a population of around 160,000. We are part of a national network of over 50 ACC’s, funded by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

The Mackay Region ACC provides an important link between the Australian Government and Regional Australia. In this capacity, our Mackay Region ACC is uniquely placed to respond to issues in the region and provide a vital conduit to government on local, social and economic conditions.

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government The Hon Anthony Albanese MP and Parliamentary Secretary The Hon Gary Gray AO MP jointly announced a new direction for Regional Australia on 13th May 2008, with the establishment of a Regional Development Australia Network. The new RDA network will build on and replace ACC’s.

The new RDA committee will take on a broader role to provide strategic input into national programs, improve the coordination of the Government’s regional development initiatives and link closely to local governments and other regional organisations. To assist in this transition from ACC’s to RDA’s consultation with regional communities and stakeholders will soon take place to assist /determine the RDA’s final structure. Mackay Region ACC will commence this consultation process shortly.

The Regional Partnership program has now closed. From 2009-10 a new regional and local community infrastructure program is to be developed to deliver mayor investments in regional and local communities, recreational and environmental infrastructure initiatives.