In one of the final acts for Mackay Regional Council in 2024, Keswick Island off Mackay was officially gazetted as a locality on 20th December, 2024.
That means the island is now effectively a suburb of Mackay Regional Council.
This follows lobbying by the island’s residents and a collaborative effort between the State Government and council.
Deputy Mayor Karen May said Keswick Island residents had been lobbying for this to happen.
“They wanted this to occur so they effectively have their own suburb, and it is clear where they live,’’ Cr May said.
“In the past, not being a locality has impacted residents trying to obtain insurance,’’ she said.
“It also made it difficult to establish their address for the purposes of verifying their identity based on place of residence.
“Ultimately, this will make it clear the exact location of the properties located on the island, so they can be easily located and verified by government and corporate agencies.”
The decision was made under the Place Names Act 1994 by Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development, Dale Last.
It followed work undertaken by the State Government and council’s GIS (Geographic Information System) staff.
The process also involved public consultation by the State Government with relevant stakeholders in July and August.
The decision was published in the Queensland Government Gazette on December 20th, 2024.
Photo source via Instagram: @b.l.a.i.r._.h.i.l.l
Map showing the new locality of Keswick Island
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