Traffic control Mackay
In short: East Coast Traffic Control runs traffic control in Mackay from a depot at Campbell Street, Slade Point, led by Area Manager Nerolie. Our crews work on the Bruce and Peak Downs Highways, Mackay Regional Council streets, mine and port access roads near Hay Point and Sarina, and renewable energy sites such as Clarke Creek, to Queensland MUTCD Part 3.
- Road authority
- TMR Mackay/Whitsunday District, Mackay Regional Council and Isaac Regional Council
- Also covering
- Mackay City, North Mackay, Slade Point, Andergrove, Paget, Glenella, Walkerston, Marian, Mirani, Sarina, Hay Point, St Lawrence, Nebo, Calen
Traffic control in Mackay: civil, mining and energy
Mackay traffic control is shaped by what moves through the region: coal to the Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay terminals, sugar cane to the mills at Marian, Farleigh and Racecourse during crushing, and mine traffic in and out of the Bowen Basin along the Peak Downs Highway. Our Slade Point crews spend their time on the Bruce Highway between Sarina and Calen, on Mackay Regional Council streets in the city and Northern Beaches, and on the access roads that serve the port, the mines and the big renewable sites inland.
That mix means two different skill sets. On a council footpath job in Andergrove the task is keeping residents moving and shops open. On the Peak Downs Highway it is high-speed heavy vehicles, wide loads and long sight distances, and the setup has to be designed for a road train, not a hatchback. We plan every site to Queensland MUTCD Part 3 and TMR's TRUM manual and staff it with controllers who know which kind of road they are standing on.
Roads and road authorities in the Mackay region
The Bruce Highway, Peak Downs Highway, Mackay-Bucasia Road, Mackay-Slade Point Road and Mackay-Eungella Road are state-controlled roads under TMR's Mackay/Whitsunday District, which is also the district for Whitsunday and Isaac council areas. Local streets in Mackay, Sarina, Walkerston and the Pioneer Valley belong to Mackay Regional Council. Nebo, Glenden and the mining towns further inland sit with Isaac Regional Council.
For state roads we prepare the traffic guidance scheme to TMR's format and sort the works permit with you. For council roads we work to Mackay Regional Council's permit and notification conditions. Mine and port access roads are often private, so the controlling party is the site operator and their own traffic management standard applies on top of MUTCD Part 3. We check which of those applies before we quote. See traffic guidance schemes for what we design.
Who we have worked for around Mackay
Our Cardno works in Mackay were test pit programs across central and northern Queensland, the early investigation work that happens before a major contract is let, where short notice and a clean safety record are what the client is checking. Between Mackay and Rockhampton we supported CMC on the Clarke Creek Wind Farm at Marlborough, where one of our TMIs received CMC's Civil and Mining Safety Award in December 2022, and later the Clarke Creek Solar Farm and Battery project developed by Yurika with Iberdrola Australia.
In February 2025, Mackay and Townsville controllers travelled to Spear Creek near Mount Isa for CMW Geoscience and TMR bridge inspections, running a 255 metre dead lane with extended portable signal spacing. Our Ventia powerline work is largely reactive and runs through every Queensland depot, Mackay included.
How coverage works from the Slade Point depot
Our Mackay depot is at Shed E2, 32 Campbell Street, Slade Point, between the Northern Beaches and the city. Nerolie is the Area Manager for Mackay, and Ashley runs the Townsville depot to the north, so a project that runs along the coast can be raised with either of them. Crews live in Mackay and the surrounding suburbs and carry signs, cones, portable traffic signals, VMS boards and utes from the depot.
Sarina, Hay Point, Walkerston, Marian, Mirani and Calen are routine. Nebo, St Lawrence, Clarke Creek and the Bowen Basin mine access roads are travel jobs and we confirm start times when we quote. For Proserpine, Airlie Beach and Bowen see our Whitsundays page, which is also serviced from this depot. Our network operates 24/7 for night works and call-outs.
What to send for a Mackay quote
- Site location: street address, or road name and chainage for highway and rural sites
- Road owner if known: TMR, Mackay Regional Council, Isaac Regional Council, or a private mine or port road
- Dates, hours, day or night, and expected duration
- Plant and vehicle movements, including wide loads and haul-out traffic
- Any site-specific inductions or traffic standards (mine sites, port precincts)
- Whether you need a TMP or TGS designed or already hold one
Jobs near Mackay
Common questions
Who approves traffic control on the Peak Downs Highway or Bruce Highway near Mackay?
TMR's Mackay/Whitsunday District, because both are state-controlled roads. The traffic guidance scheme goes to TMR with any works permit the job needs. Mackay Regional Council approves local streets. If your site touches both, for example a rural intersection, both approvals are required and we scope that for you.
Can you work on mine site and port access roads?
Yes. Our Mackay crews have worked on renewable energy construction sites and mine investigation work where the site operator's own traffic standard applies on top of MUTCD Part 3. Tell us the induction and site requirements up front so we can assign controllers who already hold them where possible.
Do you cover the Whitsundays and Bowen from Mackay?
Yes. Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Bowen are serviced from the Slade Point depot as travel jobs, with start times confirmed at quote stage. For longer projects we can keep a crew based near the site. Details are on our Whitsundays traffic control page.
How much notice do you need for a Mackay job?
It depends on the road. A council street job with a standard scheme can often be set up quickly. A TMR highway job needs the traffic guidance scheme designed and the permit approved first, and permit turnaround sits with TMR, not us. Send the site details early and we will tell you the realistic lead time.
Can you design a traffic management plan for a Mackay council project?
Yes. Our design team prepares traffic management plans and traffic guidance schemes to Queensland MUTCD Part 3 for council, TMR and private works, and the same company supplies the crew to implement them. See traffic management plans.
Nearby locations
Need crews in Mackay?
Send the job and your local Area Manager takes it from there, day or night.