Mount Isa CBD Masterplan on the Horizon

Work is underway on the development of a masterplan for the Mount Isa CBD, with the consultants chosen to complete the document set to conduct in-person consultation with key stakeholders in the coming weeks.

Award-winning company Tract Consultants – representatives of which were in the city recently for stakeholder engagement for the proposed Centennial Place site in Miles Street – will develop the Mount Isa Central Business District Masterplan.

The masterplan will feature a vision and branding strategy for the city’s CBD, and cover wayfinding signage, decorative lighting, pathways and pedestrian access, public art, streetscape enhancement, community and toilet facilities, and heritage and facades.

Once complete, it will be provided to the community to give residents the opportunity to provide their feedback, suggestions and ideas.

Tract representatives are expected to return to Mount Isa in October to carry out engagement with key business stakeholders, sector leaders and Council officers.

Mayor Danielle Slade is encouraging business representatives to provide their feedback once the masterplan is released.

“We really want people to go through the masterplan and have their say, because this feedback will be really helpful in fine-tuning the final version of the masterplan,” Cr Slade said.

She said she is pleased to hear the masterplan process is now underway.

“Having a masterplan is a really useful document to have, as it assists with future developments and the application process for any associated funding opportunities, particularly when there are shovel-ready projects available,” Cr Slade said.

“I’m very happy to hear work is now underway for the CBD masterplan, which we anticipate will be presented to us later this year or in early 2022.

“This document will look at ways to draw out the key strengths of the CBD, determine and recommend a streetscape that will increase the time residents and visitors alike spend in the CBD – thereby increasing employment, liveability and safety – and ways to lift the amenity and aesthetics of the CBD, which will support future investment in the retail and accommodation sectors.

“Tract are also moving forward with creating concept designs for the empty site in the CBD that we’re hoping to turn into Centennial Place, so they will be taking that into consideration when they come back to us in due course with this masterplan.”