Rev Up And Roll - Mackay Kart Club Smooths The Way With Grant

Revving engines and exhilarating races await at the Mackay and District Kart Club, but recently, the track has hit a few bumps – quite literally.

The racing club is in urgent need of track repair, with several significant bumps causing issues for both go karts and drivers.

With the club set to host a 16-hour overnight enduro round of the Queensland Pedal Prix Super Series, which will include human powered vehicles from schools around Queensland, something had to be done to smooth these obstacles.

Council was more than happy to assist with its latest round of Community Grants.

Community Grants Committee chair Cr Laurence Bonaventura said the committee was pleased to be able to approve a $29,999 Minor Infrastructure grant to kick start repairs.

“Mackay and District Kart Club is actually the largest independent kart club in Queensland, and that’s largely due to the club’s ability to cater for beginners,” Cr Bonaventura said.

“The current issues with the track have a real potential to jeopardise that, and the club’s ability to hold enduro events,” he said.

“This funding will allow the club to repair some of the main bumps and then open the facility up for more events and expanded participation.”

The Kart Club was one of 25 local not-for-profits to share in $167,305 for this funding round.

Also receiving a substantial grant was Pioneer Swimming Club, which received $18,000 towards the purchase of six bulkhead lane dividers to effectively divide the pool’s 50m lanes into multiple 25m lanes.

Kelley Porter from the Pioneer Swimming Club said the dividers would allow swimmers to be able to train for short course format events (25m) in their home pool.

“And our swimmers will be able to properly practise tumble turns for these races, rather than having to guess where the middle of the pool is,” Mrs Porter said.

“As well as training, we will be able to host our own short course carnival at the Pioneer Swim Centre – which will bring swimmers from the NQ region to Mackay to compete,” she said.

Grasstree Beach also has a reason to celebrate, with $15,500 awarded towards the development, creation and installation of a public art mural along the Grasstree Beach foreshore.

“Council is excited to see this mural come to fruition,” Cr Bonaventura said.

“The Grasstree Beach foreshore is already a well-used location for food swaps, the motorbike races and community gatherings, so it’s great to see the progress association investing in the beautification and revitalisation of the area,” he said.

Also receiving funding were several exciting events that have the potential to draw people to our region. These included:

• The Sarina Coconut Festival on September 9 ($4000)

• Super Summer Clinic at the Pioneer River Valley Pony Club in November ($7200)

• Eungella Ceilidh on June 10 ($4600)

• Mackay Bluewater Fling on July 8 ($7500)

• Mack PopCon pop culture convention on July 22 ($7500)

• Mackay Open Chess Tournament on May 27 and 28 ($2500)

• Inline Roller Hockey Tournament ($4200)

• Mackay International Film Festival from August 4 to 6 ($4000)

• 80th Anniversary Bakers Creek Memorial Sunrise Ceremony ($1028)

Other community groups receiving funding were:

• Special Olympics Australia Mackay - $1500 towards travel costs for the Special Olympics World Games in Germany

• Pioneer Valley Rail Trail - $5000 towards the development of a scoping study for the development of a rail trail in the Pioneer Valley

• Rotary Club of Mackay West - $2500 towards a swap meet and community markets

• Pioneer Valley Mens Shed - $6300 for a dust collector and fluming

• Mt Ossa Community Hall Committee - $1664 for a fridge

• Sarina Western Performance and Equestrian Club - $18,000 towards portable, temporary PVC fencing

• Pioneer Tennis - $18,265 towards improving storage capability and a solar system

• Mackay and District Senior Citizens Association - $825 for a colour printer

• Latin Madness - $1500 for audio equipment

• Sugar City Art Deco and Modernism Society - $1500 for audio equipment

• Pioneer Valley Arts - $1500 for computer and tablet equipment

• DAS Netball Club – $1358 for a laptop

• Mackay Toastmasters Club - $1365 for a laptop

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The Mackay and District Kart Club was one of 25 local not-for-profits to share in $167,305 worth of council Community Grants this funding round