Building in Mackay: 5 Considerations for Building in Tropical QLD

With year-round warm and humid weather in tropical North Queensland, building a home in regions like Mackay will require additional considerations for things like energy efficiency (to keep the home cool), cyclone protection, and thermal mass in building materials. 

Let’s break down the main considerations of building a new home in Mackay:

Land Costs

Buying land in Mackay to build later on is common for those who want to secure a good deal on vacant land early on. Mackay is seeing significant developments in the region; the 20-year Mackay Waterfront project and the $250 million expansion of the Mackay Hospital are two of the biggest contributors for development activity bringing new residents, jobs, and commercial opportunity. 

As of 2024, an average block of land in Mackay (700m²) that is relatively flat and has a good soil test can cost up to $250,000. With the rise of future developments and the increasing popularity of the region, the cost of land in Mackay is likely to continue growing. 

Wind Rating/Cyclonic Conditions

Areas of North Queensland like Mackay are categorised according to the likelihood of being subject to extreme wind and cyclonic conditions. 

Building codes have been updated following the devastation of Cyclone Tracy, and have been improving since. Mackay is in a Wind Region C Tropical Cyclone Area, which means that all properties being built need to have the right building permit. Yes, it does mean stricter legislation around the construction of your new home, but it also means increased safety for you, your family, and your new home.  

A cyclone-resilient home may include sub-floor structures, additional sealing to reduce the impact of water and wind load, additional bolts and stronger hinges to entrance doors, creating a ‘strong compartment’ in the home that can be used for shelter, installing clips on gutters, cyclone-suitable screens or shutters, and concrete reinforcements within the property. Along with following the region’s building permit requirements, a local builder like Cougar Homes will be able to work with you to create a home that is suitably constructed with protection and resilience in mind.

Building Approval

Before starting any construction work, there needs to be building approval from the Mackay Regional Council. The design and construction plans of the home must be accurately documented in the proper format and submitted to the council, who will assess before issuing building approval. Local builders like Cougar Homes are already familiar with this process and will generally handle the entire building approval application process on behalf of clients. 

That being said, it’s important to note that the estimated time to obtain building approval across Queensland ranges between 9 to 55 business days. Naturally, this time will differ based on the resources of the local council, as well as the complexity of the build, which is why it’s important to work with a builder that can ensure a seamless building approval application process. 

Energy Efficiency

When it comes to building in North Queensland, energy efficiency is more important than ever. In order to create a ‘cool’ home, design considerations include orientation and shading, ventilation, building materials (even colours make a big difference!), insulation, outdoor rooms, and energy-saving appliances like air conditioning and lighting.  

Thermal mass is also a big deal in our local climate - thermal mass is the capacity of a material to store heat. Concrete and brick have high thermal mass, which means they are able to store and retain heat, rendering them unsuitable for the year-round warmer weather experienced in Mackay.  

Building Costs

The cost of building a home in Mackay will ultimately come down to the building materials, size of the house, and structural requirements. For context, the average house price in Mackay is $455,000 as of October 2024, which has grown by almost 20% in the last 12 months.  

Aside from the growing demand for housing in Mackay, the rising cost of building a home is also due to building material shortages in Queensland — Timber Queensland, a major supplier of timber for up to 90% of homes in Queensland reported in June 2024 that there may be a lack of government support to keep up with the supply of materials needed for new homes. 

At Cougar Homes, we have a network of trusted building material suppliers across Mackay and North Queensland to secure high-quality resources for all new builds. Whether you’re looking to build a custom home or opt for a standard house and land package, we have a selection of stunning home designs in Mackay that are sure to exceed your expectations.