About Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens

The Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens showcases local native plants from the Central Queensland Coast Bioregion. The gardens feature more than 1,100 plant species, 88% of which are Australian native species. These plantings highlight the remarkable variety of native trees, shrubs, grasses and plants found across the local bioregion and beyond.

The Gardens support plant conservation, education, interpretation, events and research-informed horticulture in a highly visited setting. Learn more at mackayregionalbotanicgardens.com.au .

About The Opportunity

Bring your horticultural expertise and practical leadership to the Leading Hand Botanic Areas role at Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens.

You will help deliver scheduled maintenance, horticultural displays, landscape improvements and the care and development of living plant collections, while supporting high standards of safety, sustainability and visitor presentation.

Working alongside the Team Leader, you will coordinate daily priorities, guide the botanic areas team and ensure allocated work is completed efficiently and to agreed service standards.

This is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on horticultural professional who enjoys leading by example and takes pride in creating well-presented public spaces.

About You

You are a practical, solution-driven horticultural professional with strong communication skills and a team-focused approach. You have experience leading, organising and supporting work teams, coordinating daily activities and ensuring high-quality outcomes in a safe and efficient manner.

You bring a minimum 3 to 5 years' experience in horticulture, parks maintenance, landscaping or a related environment and are confident providing guidance to staff,



prioritising work and resolving day-to-day operational challenges. You enjoy leading by example, building positive working relationships and contributing to a collaborative team culture.

Essential Skills & Experience

- Qualification in Horticulture or a related field.
- Experience planning, scheduling and delivering horticultural maintenance tasks and projects.
- Solid communication, problem-solving and time management skills.
- Working knowledge of horticultural practices, plant health, relevant legislation and Australian Standards.
- Sound interpersonal, problem-solving, time management and communication skills.
- Candidates with strong horticultural and leadership experience are encouraged to apply.
- Current QLD C class driver licence, General Construction Induction Training and the other mandatory licences and tickets listed in the Position Description

Why Work for Mackay Regional Council?

- Lead meaningful, hands-on work in one of Mackay’s most distinctive public garden environments.
- Help care for significant living plant collections and high-quality community spaces.
- Join a supportive local government team focused on safety, wellbeing and development.

Discover more about the Mackay Region https://www.discovermackay.com.au/

In addition to the above, we also offer the following benefits:

- Base annual salary from $70,813
- Up to 18% superannuation (conditions apply)




- Choice of 4 or 5 weeks’ annual leave with 17.5% leave loading
- 9-day fortnight or compressed 4-day week roster
- Typical working hours of 6:30am to 3:30pm
- Salary sacrificing options
- Corporate discounts and wellbeing initiatives
- Employee Assistance Program and active social clubs

Want to know more about this role?

View the Position Description (PD) for this role in the document attachments.

How To Apply

Prepare and submit your cover letter and resume, outlining your relevant experience for this role. Follow the prompts to submit your application (the eRecruit Job Application Quick Reference Guide or the eRecruit Job Applicant Guide can assist).

Applications Close

Thursday, 5 November 2026

Having troubles submitting your application?

Reach out to one of our friendly Talent and Onboarding Team by phoning 1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529).

- Important information for applicants:

To be considered for this position, all candidates must have the appropriate working rights for Australia. Your Australian work rights will be verified during the recruitment process.

Applicants who progress beyond the interview stage will be required to undergo a pre-employment process, which includes comprehensive Pre-Employment Medical Assessments (inclusive of Drug and Alcohol testing).

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer, where all applicants are treated fairly and respectfully and have equal access to all available opportunities. At Mackay Regional Council, diversity is about creating a respectful and inclusive workplace that recognises our employees' unique contributions and perspectives, working together to deliver extraordinary results.

📌 Leading Hand - Botanic Areas (Mackay)
🏢 Mackay Regional Council
📍 Mackay