Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
By Hannah McNamara On Friday 11th September, women from all walks of life gathered at the Barrel Room Deli Nook to take part in the ‘Women Over 40’ Portrait Project Exhibition, where stories and smile lines were captured and framed in celebration of the lives and stories of 16 women over 40. Behind the art was Alyce Holzy, owner of Holzy Photography and Boudoir By Alyce. The idea stemmed from Alyce’s passion for portraits which she says was inspired by the photographs on the walls of her Nan’s house, as well as the recent milestone of turning 40 herself. On the night of the event, Alyce stood by the entryway admiring all the women she had photographed, now gathered together in one space and staring at their pictures framed on the wall. With tears in her eyes, she expressed her immense gratitude and honour for the women who had been part of her special project. “Now that it’s all here, I’m pretty emotional watching everyone’s reactions.” “It’s just lovely to see everyone supporting one another.” “There’s laughter, there’s joy, and I can see there’s some realisation of the amount of work that’s gone into this project … I’m still pinching myself that all of this has come together, and here we are celebrating these incredible women and the stories they bring with them.” “I’m really proud of this project, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out.” Throughout the project, women were pampered, photographed and professionally framed, with each participant also given the opportunity to share her story. A coffee-table-style book was created featuring the women and their stories, with each participant gifted a copy at the special exhibition and gala. Alyce said the project has become close to her heart, filled with moments of connection, laughter and emotion. “I’ve had laughs with some of the women, even belly laughs!” “I’ve also shed tears with some of the women – it’s truly been a touching experience.” The project also proudly supported The Neighbourhood Hub Mackay, with the 40 Over 40 Portrait Project donating $1,600 to the organisation. Alyce also acknowledged the local businesses, organisations and community members who helped bring the project to life, thanking Funk It Up Mackay, Atkins Lab, Barrel Room by Plattered Up/The Deli Nook, Soleil Coastal, Nancy’s Gym, Ella Bache Mackay, Laffos, Hotel Mackay, Laffos Cookies, The Avenue, Hairway Mackay and Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, as well as the many unsung heroes who advocated for the 40 Over 40 Project. Local women gathered at Barrel Room Deli Nook to celebrate 16 women and their stories through Alyce Holzy’s ‘Women Over 40’ Portrait Project Exhibition. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
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I reckon there are several things that give a true indication of an underlying confidence in a city’s economy and its future. There might be many others that I am far too unsophisticated to have noted but the ones I am referring to are: new childcare centres, new aged care facilities and pub renovations. When companies invest money in the construction and infrastructure required for these businesses they have had to do their research. The cost of building and fitting out a childcare centre is huge and there are new ones dotted around Mackay. You don’t invest the sort of money that is required for that unless you are very, very confident that there is going to be a strong and prolonged demand for the services of the childcare centre. Now this is one of the many areas in which I have no expertise whatsoever, however I find myself thinking about these things and I imagine there are a few key things that an investor in child care centres takes into account before deciding to spend millions of dollars building a new facility. One reasonably obvious question they would ask themselves is: are there going to be enough kids in this town to create the demand we need to justify the investment we are making? There might be lots of kids now but will there be plenty in 10 years’ time? I imagine that if the answer to those questions is “no”, the childcare operators would walk away before spending the money. But there has been a proliferation of childcare centres. Now these kids are not hanging around Mackay by themselves; they are part of families and have parents who are living and working in Mackay. The childcare operator obviously feel that these families are putting down roots in Mackay. They’re not fly-by-nighters, they are here for the long-term, working, buying a property, raising kids. It’s similar with aged care facilities and retirement homes. You don’t invest the enormous amount of money required to set them up unless you expect long-term strong demand for the services of the facility. These facilities are for people who have spent significant portions of their lives in Mackay. Many of them will have families, adult children and grandkids who are still in the region and nearby. Just like the decision to build childcare centres, you only invest in them if you have done your research and strongly believe that there is going to be continuing population growth that will sustain your investment for many years to come. You don’t invest if you think the city is heading for a decline in activity and population. It’s a great vote of confidence in Mackay. The city has a strong, more diverse economy and offers employment and lifestyle opportunities that attract people from all over the country. Coal is still a driver of our economy but most of what we dig up and export is coking coal, which is used to make steel. Iron ore and coking coal creates steel and we have the best coal in the world. We do have a more diverse economy these days, which adds to the confidence. As for pubs, several have been extensively renovated and brought to life in the past couple of years. The thing about pubs is that they rely on customers having discretionary income … spare cash that they can spend at the bistro with the family, having a few beers with mates on a Friday night. Again, that is a vote of confidence in Mackay’s economy and its future. The evidence is telling the pub investors that Mackay is a vibrant, busy city with a good economy where people make enough money to enjoy the social side of life. Otherwise you wouldn’t invest the millions in renovating pubs and bringing them back to life. At a time of national concern about the Australian property market, all this bodes well for the Mackay property sector.
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Photo source: ShutterstockWhat if some of the waste going into your kitchen bin each week could instead help feed your garden? Starting a compost cycle at home does not have to be complicated, and even a small backyard can have a simple system that turns everyday food scraps and garden waste into useful compost. At its most basic, composting is about combining different types of organic material and allowing them to break down naturally. There are plenty of everyday items that can become part of the compost pile, including: Fruit and vegetable scraps Fruit and vegetable peels Coffee grounds and coffee filters Tea leaves and tea bags, provided the bag is compostable Crushed eggshells Fresh grass clippings Dry leaves Small garden prunings Flowers and plant trimmings Weeds before they have gone to seed Straw and untreated hay Shredded newspaper Plain, non-glossy paper Uncoated cardboard, torn or cut into smaller pieces Small amounts of untreated sawdust or wood shavings A good place to start is with a compost bin, tumbler or designated area of the garden. It should have some airflow and ideally be positioned somewhere convenient, rather than hidden away where it will be forgotten. The trick is finding a balance between ‘green’ and ‘brown’ materials. Green materials are generally wetter and richer in nitrogen, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, fresh grass clippings and coffee grounds. Brown materials provide carbon and include dry leaves, cardboard, paper and other dry garden material. Rather than filling the compost with one type of material, try to mix the two. If the pile becomes very wet or starts to smell, it may need more dry material and airflow. If it is very dry and nothing seems to be breaking down, adding some moisture can help. Food scraps can be added gradually. Chopping larger pieces into smaller pieces can also help them break down faster. There are some things best left out of a basic backyard compost system. Meat, bones, dairy products, oils and greasy foods can attract unwanted pests and create problems. Avoid adding pet waste, diseased plants and materials that may contain chemicals or contaminants. A healthy compost pile should smell earthy rather than rotten. Turning or mixing it occasionally helps introduce oxygen and distributes moisture and materials throughout the pile. Eventually, the scraps and garden waste you started with will become a dark, crumbly material that can be added to garden beds or mixed into soil.
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Last week we celebrated Women’s Health Week, an opportunity to put women’s physical and mental health back on the priority list. The 2026 theme was “Do It Anyway” — recognising that small, achievable choices made each day can have a positive impact on our health and longevity. It’s never been harder to feel like we have it all “together” — meals, exercise, sleep, work, family, social calendars and wellbeing. Instead of aiming for perfection, Women’s Health Week encouraged us to focus on five areas where small shifts can make a lasting difference. FUEL Women’s nutritional needs change over their lifetime, from adolescence into midlife and menopause. So how can we be consistent? Make it simple and sustainable. Need to drink more water? Start with an extra glass a day. Need more fruits and vegetables? Start with adding a piece of fruit with breakfast, or 1-2 extra colours to your dinner. Choose foods you enjoy the most! And don’t shy away from the frozen section – same nutritional value, more convenient! MOVE Being time-poor is a common barrier to regular exercise and research shows women are less active than men. How you once stayed active may have changed with pregnancy, or now isn’t suitable to your body or lifestyle in later years. All women need to exercise for strength (muscles and bones), fitness (heart health) and pelvic floor function. Start by building these into your everyday life. Park further away, walk with a friend before coffee, do calf raises while brushing your teeth or squats while waiting for the microwave. Every workout starts with one movement. REST Sleep supports energy, brain function, mood and hormonal regulation. It’s not only about how long you sleep — quality, consistency and timing matter too. Try reducing caffeine or alcohol, dimming the lights and putting screens away before bed. Moving your body and eating well during the day can also support a better night’s rest. BREATHE Stress, work, caring responsibilities and hormonal changes can all contribute to feelings of overwhelm. Find moments of enjoyment in everyday life — walk the dog, call a friend, book the holiday or simply sit down and enjoy a cuppa. Ask yourself: what do I love that I haven’t done in a while? CONNECT Every woman needs a community that supports her through life’s changing seasons – whether it’s motherhood, retirement, disability or diagnosis. Connection might mean helping a friend, joining a group, checking in with someone you love — or being brave enough to ask for help yourself. Women’s Health Week may be over for another year, but its message doesn’t need to end there. Let go of the pressure to do everything perfectly and choose just one small thing you can do for your health today. Book the appointment you’ve been putting off, take the walk, call the friend, prioritise some rest or ask for support. Whatever it is, you don’t have to do it all. Just do one thing — and do it anyway. - Danae Gardner, from Women’s Health Physio Mackay
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Everything about four-year-old Blossom is big. She has a big, strong body, a big personality and an even bigger heart.
Blossom was found wandering the streets and, sadly, when she was returned to her owner, they did not want her back. She came into care with a suspected broken hip, swollen joints, multiple ear infections, an eye infection, hot spots, a skin rash and heartworm.
Thankfully, X-rays showed her hip was okay, and with veterinary treatment, care and plenty of TLC, Blossom has overcome her health issues, including heartworm.
Now, she is full of energy and quite literally jumping out of her skin!
Built like a Mack Truck but with a soft, loving and cheeky side, there was perhaps no better name for this big beautiful girl than Blossom.
She is now looking for a special person or family who understands and loves big, strong gals and can give her the happy home she deserves.
To meet Blossom, contact her carer on 0402 920 511 or email LLTAGSandDogRescue@gmail.com.
GemLife is set to deliver Mackay’s first coastal land lease development, after receiving approval for a 232-home over-50s community in Shoal Point.
The project, which has an expected gross realisation value of $203 million, was given the green light by Mackay Regional Council this week (Tuesday, 8 September).
It will be built on a 10-hectare site, which forms part of Pointglen Development’s Shoal Point Waters masterplanned community and fronts the proposed 80.35-hectare Shoal Point Waters Park, about one kilometre from Bucasia Beach and two kilometres from Shoal Point lookout.
A start date for construction is yet to be determined.
GemLife Shoal Point will feature a range of resort-style amenities, including a Country Club with two pools, a gymnasium, cinema, salon, ten-pin bowling, and golf simulator, plus a sports hub boasting a tennis court, pickleball court, and lawn bowls.
The community is GemLife’s first in the Mackay region, where 35.9 per cent of the population is aged 50-plus, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data. The latest Census data found the 60 to 64 years cohort experienced the largest change over five years, with 18.3 per cent growth from 2016 to 2021.
GemLife Managing Director and Group CEO Adrian Puljich said Mackay had strong underlying demand for over-50s housing, with the Northern Beaches positioned as prime real estate for those seeking a seachange.
“When we looked at the existing land lease and retirement living market around Mackay, the majority of development is in town or inland, with no current opportunity for those who want to live close to the ocean,” he said.
“The Northern Beaches is a lifestyle destination, and we’re expecting strong interest from buyers in Mackay and surrounding rural and semi-rural areas who are looking for a beachside location within easy reach of urban conveniences.”
Mr Puljich said GemLife Shoal Point was designed to capture the essence of laid-back coastal living.
“The look and feel of the community will reflect its beautiful location, with contemporary coastal-inspired architecture and lush landscaping providing a visual connection to surrounding parklands and open green space,” he said.
“All homes will feature a garden courtyard, two bedrooms plus multi-purpose room and double garage, offering residents privacy, space and flexible living options to make downsizing from a family home or larger property a seamless experience.
“There will also be a central Country Club and sporting amenities for residents to socialise and keep active, as part of our commitment to creating communities designed to support healthy ageing.”
GemLife recently committed $6 million to a suite of new holistic wellness initiatives across its communities, including a partnership with Amplar Health to deliver 12 weeks of personalised health coaching to new residents.
What does Sigora actually do?
Sigora helps businesses prevent avoidable employee turnover by helping managers recognise and respond to problems earlier. Most organisations have processes once problems become obvious. The gap I’m interested in is before that point, when something has changed, but it isn’t yet a clear performance problem. That’s when managers have the most options.
What do you mean by ‘earlier’?
Businesses know lagging indicators: absenteeism, underperformance or turnover. Sigora focuses upstream. There can be changes in an employee’s questions, confidence, communication or progress. These signals don’t prove something is wrong, but a change from someone’s normal pattern gives a manager a reason to get curious.
What should a manager do when they notice a change?
The first thing is not to diagnose the employee. Managers don’t need to know why something has changed to respond responsibly. They can explore what’s happening, test their explanation with the employee and consider what’s within their control. Greater clarity? Different support? More challenge? A workload adjustment? Then they reassess. It’s about calibrating the working environment rather than trying to ‘fix’ the person.
Isn’t this just good management?
In many ways, yes. Experienced managers notice changes and make adjustments intuitively. But we rely on them developing that judgement through experience, and it isn’t always consistent. Sigora gives it structure: recognising a change, exploring what might be happening, making a proportionate adjustment and reassessing. The aim is to make good judgement more deliberate and teachable.
Is this another form of performance management?
No. It sits before it. Formal performance management becomes relevant once a problem is established. Sigora works where something has changed, but the manager has incomplete information. It doesn’t replace HR or formal processes. If an issue moves outside the manager’s scope, it moves outside the framework.
What does working with Sigora look like?
The main offering is a half-day workshop for managers and supervisors. It teaches them to recognise changes, separate observation from assumption, explore through a safe conversation, choose a proportionate response and reassess. Managers leave with practical tools, for example, prompts for an early conversation. The goal is to notice a shift on a Tuesday morning and have a way of deciding, ‘What do I do next?’
Where does employee turnover fit in?
Turnover is a lagging indicator. By the time someone leaves, the opportunity to retain them has passed. Sometimes the story starts earlier: an employee begins struggling or disengaging, the change isn’t recognised, and eventually there’s a larger problem. Replacing people costs more than recruitment: lost productivity, training time and pressure on the team. Earlier intervention gives managers more options.
What should local businesses take away?
Probably one idea: managers don’t need certainty to respond responsibly. If something changes, don’t immediately decide what’s wrong with the employee, but don’t ignore it either. Notice it. Get curious. Make a proportionate response. Then see what happens. Sigora helps managers make that judgement better, earlier.
Richglen has marked more than 300,000 Recordable Injury Free Hours across its operations, a milestone the company says reflects the strong safety culture behind its recent industry recognition.
The Mackay-based business was named the Safety Foremost Award winner at the 2026 Resource Industry Network Awards, following its Champion Culture Award win in 2025.
Richglen Managing Director and Founder Matt Borg said the consecutive awards demonstrated the close relationship between workplace culture and safety.
“This award belongs to our people,” Mr Borg said.
“It reflects the care they show for one another and the decisions they make every day to keep themselves and their teammates safe.
“To be recognised for our culture in 2025 and safety in 2026 means a lot because, for us, the two go hand in hand.”
Founded in 2014 with one person and a ute, Richglen has since grown to a team of approximately 240 people, providing mechanical, electrical and industrial services across Queensland’s mining, milling and port sectors.
Its work includes dragline, shovel and CHPP shutdowns and maintenance, capital projects, high-voltage and electrical works, specialised planning, project management and industrial cleaning solutions, supporting clients throughout the Bowen Basin and Central Queensland.
Richglen also recorded more than 900 consecutive Lost Time Injury Free days in 2026, along with 66,700 Recordable Injury Free work hours across two major dragline shutdowns at Callide and Rolleston.
For Richglen, the milestone provides a tangible measure of a culture focused on people, accountability and making safe decisions at every stage of the job.
www.richglen.com.au
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Indigenous businesses from across the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac regions will come together with local procurement representatives when the First Nations Business Expo returns to Mackay for its fifth year.
Held during Indigenous Business Month, the expo is designed to bring Indigenous suppliers and potential buyers together, while supporting collaboration, relationship building and future business opportunities.
The event provides a space for Indigenous businesses to showcase their work, raise their profile and connect with procurement bodies and other businesses. It also helps local procurement representatives better understand the businesses operating across the region and their capabilities, as well as procurement requirements.
Now in its fifth year, the growing expo highlights the role partnerships and community support can play in creating opportunities for First Nations businesses and supporting economic growth.
The expo will also allow businesses to identify areas where they may need further support, build their capacity and awareness, develop partnerships and establish potential future work prospects.
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Feedback from last year’s event described it as “An amazing showcase of the region’s indigenous capabilities” and “Very informative and helpful”.
Mackay and Region Aboriginal and Islander Development Association, better known as MARABISDA, will also be among the organisations represented at the event. The organisation works alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, children and carers, providing culturally supportive spaces and helping people access services, resources and opportunities while strengthening connections to culture, family and community.
For visitors, the expo will provide a chance to meet local First Nations businesses and organisations and learn more about the services, products and capabilities available across the region.
The event forms part of Indigenous Business Month, held annually from October 1 to 31 to recognise and promote the strength, innovation and impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across Australia.
The month highlights the contribution of Indigenous entrepreneurs and business leaders to Australia’s economy and cultural landscape, while encouraging conversations around economic self-determination and Indigenous business leadership.
The First Nations Business Expo will be held on Thursday 22nd October, from 10:30am to 2pm at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre’s North Foyer.
Attendance is free, with registration required.
This year’s expo is sponsored by Mackay Regional Council and North Queensland Bulk Ports.
Breeanna Poxon from The Just Saying Project in the process of hanging each artist's work, including artist Kahmaia Haines. Photo supplied
Mackay locals will have the chance to see women’s experiences of body image, confidence and self-perception transformed into visual art when Behind the Figures opens this Saturday night.
The new selling exhibition by The Just Saying Project will officially open on Saturday 19th September from 5.30pm to 8pm at JSP Home of Women’s Stories on Wood Street.
The opening will also mark the first official exhibition at The Just Saying Project’s new gallery and community space.
Behind the Figures brings together eight local visual artists, each responding to original research exploring women’s experiences of body image, confidence and the moments they have missed because of how they felt about their appearance.
The research explores the experiences of more than 100 women and explores topics including when body shame can begin, how appearance can influence confidence and participation in life, and experiences that have helped women develop an appreciation for what their bodies can do.
JSP Director and exhibition curator Bree Poxon said the exhibition was about taking the research beyond statistics and reconnecting it with the community.
“Every work in our gallery started as a number in a survey. A statistic about shame, or confidence, or the age a woman first felt she did not measure up,” Ms Poxon said.
“What our artists have done is take that data and give it a body again.
“This is JSP Home of Women's Stories' first official exhibition, and I can't think of a better way to open the gallery walls than by handing the research back to the community it came from.”
Among the eight artists is Isabella Plant, who said art could help open conversations around topics that were not always easy to discuss.
“I have always felt art is a powerful tool for relaying important messages that can sometimes go unseen or aren’t always easy to bring up in conversation,” Ms Plant said.
“That is why from concept to process and final product I have been beaming with pride to create an impactful sculpture that helps bring the numbers found in The Just Saying Project’s research around women’s body image to the forefront of viewers' minds and conversations.”
The exhibition will also form part of a wider program at JSP Home of Women’s Stories, with the After Hours Art: Fragments & Form sessions giving community members a chance to explore the exhibition’s themes through art.
Mrs Poxon said the exhibition was intended to encourage visitors to consider the stories behind the statistics.
“The exhibition asks visitors to look beyond the percentages, consider the women behind the figures and recognise something of their own story in what they see,” she said.
What? Behind the Figures Opening Night
When? Saturday 19th September, 5.30pm to 8pm
Where? JSP Home of Women’s Stories, Shop 5, 31 Wood Street, Mackay
For more information, visit www.thejustsayingproject.com
Sugarcane disease management will be put under the spotlight next month as Sugar Research Australia (SRA) prepares to update growers and millers on Fusarium wilt and new research aimed at improving its control.
SRA will hold a national online industry update on Tuesday 13th October, bringing together biosecurity, disease screening and research specialists to discuss the disease and answer questions from the sugar industry.
The session comes as SRA begins a new research project focused specifically on Fusarium wilt control, led by Manager Biosecurity and Disease Screening Dr Shamsul Bhuiyan.
The research is particularly relevant to major sugar-producing districts including Mackay, where disease management remains an important part of maintaining cane productivity.
Mackay Regional Council estimates around 80,000 hectares of cultivated land across the region is dedicated to sugar production, with approximately 69,000 hectares harvested for cane.
Disease management is already a major focus locally, with Mackay Area Productivity Services (MAPS) providing growers with advice and plant protection services covering diseases, pests, varieties, nutrition and other productivity issues.
SRA's Central District Productivity Plan, covering Mackay, Plane Creek and Proserpine, also identifies improving the industry's understanding and management of pests and diseases as a regional priority.
Research and variety development are another part of that defence.
SRA's Central Region breeding program targets the needs of the Mackay, Plane Creek and Proserpine industries, with potential varieties assessed for productivity and resistance to diseases before reaching commercial growers.
In August, SRA reported disease screening was progressing for a range of sugarcane threats including smut, leaf scald, Fiji gall, red rot, mosaic and Pachymetra, alongside the newly agreed Fusarium wilt project.
The organisation is also working to get improved varieties to growers sooner, with around 100,000 seedlings progressing across its northern, Burdekin and Central regions during August.
For Mackay growers, the upcoming Fusarium session adds to a broader focus on preventing diseases from eroding productivity in one of Australia's major cane-growing districts.
The 30-minute Fusarium Wilt: Australian Industry Update will run online from 11am to 11:30am on Tuesday 13th October.
SRA Manager Biosecurity and Disease Screening Dr Shamsul Bhuiyan, Central District Manager Dylan Wedel and General Manager Research and Development Dr Tinashe Chiurugwi will present, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Registration is available through Sugar Research Australia.
Concerns over the spread of leucaena across Mackay and other parts of Central Queensland have prompted a Queensland Parliament petition calling for greater recognition and coordinated management of unmanaged and naturalised leucaena.
Sponsored by Member for Mirani Glen Kelly, the petition is calling for greater investment in surveillance, containment, control, research and community awareness, with more than 750 signatures gathered so far.
An error in last week’s printed edition stated the petition closed in September. The correct closing date is October 24, 2026. The petition is listed as 4670-26 Leucaena as a significant emerging environmental and biosecurity threat.
Photo supplied
Insights from nbn reveal a large percentage of Mackay businesses may still be relying on a residential broadband plan for their nbn service.
As Australian businesses increasingly rely on digital tools to connect with customers, collaborate with teams and operate efficiently, many Mackay businesses could be missing out on the benefits of an nbn plan built to better suit their business needs.
Head of nbn Regional Engagement QLD, Kylie Lindsay, said businesses should regularly assess whether their connectivity solution is still fit for purpose and review whether they are on the nbn technology available to them that best meets their needs.
"The way Australians live and work continues to evolve. Many businesses now rely on cloud services, video collaboration, and digital customer experiences every day, creating greater demand for reliable upload performance.
“In a typical household, download speeds are important to support video streaming, gaming and watching sport online. By contrast, business need upload speeds to support increasingly complex operations, disperse workforces that collaborate online through cloud-based applications and video conferencing, and the retrieval of large files and information.”
Businesses typically upload 200% more data than residential users relative to their download usage. While residential users upload around 1GB for every 9GB downloaded, businesses upload around 1GB for every 3GB downloaded.
For premises served by an eligible nbn technology, nbn also offers specialised installation and support experiences on eligible nbn business plans, including after-hours appointment options, installation by business-grade technicians and, for premises upgrading to nbn full fibre, the option to have the nbn connection box placed up to 30 metres inside the building from the premises attachment point or nbn utility box (whichever is relevant).
Businesses are encouraged to check their addresses at nbn.com.au/checkregional to see what nbn technology and upgrades may be available at their premises.
Mackay is positioning itself for growth in the critical minerals sector, building on the region’s established resources, manufacturing and industry capabilities. Photo source: Mining Australia
Mackay's push to grow its critical minerals sector could benefit from new Queensland laws designed to fast-track major projects, while maintaining protections for the state's prime agricultural land.
The State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 passed Queensland Parliament with amendments on 26th August, introducing a new State Strategic Project framework aimed at streamlining major developments.
The changes have particular relevance for Mackay, where critical minerals have been identified as an emerging industry alongside the region's established mining, agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
Mackay Regional Council's Building Our Future – Powered for Growth campaign puts the value of the regional economy at $15.3 billion and identifies critical minerals among the industries offering opportunities for future growth.
Council is also advocating for investment in industrial land, State Development Areas and further development of the Resources Centre of Excellence.
When the campaign was launched in May, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the region already had many of the foundations needed to capitalise on further investment.
“Mackay stands at a pivotal moment – we have the scale, workforce and industry capability to deliver nationally significant outcomes,” Cr Williamson said.
“With the right partnerships and targeted investment, we can unlock even greater opportunities for jobs, economic growth and community wellbeing.”
However, moves to accelerate major projects initially prompted concerns from Queensland's agricultural sector.
On 25th August, the Queensland Farmers' Federation called for amendments preventing the new framework from diminishing protections applying to Priority Agricultural Areas and Strategic Cropping Land.
The following day, the legislation passed with an amendment ensuring a Regional Interests Development Approval (RIDA) remains a protected instrument where required.
The Queensland Government says the protection means the new framework cannot use a modification order to remove a required RIDA, maintaining safeguards for regional interests including strategic cropping and prime agricultural land.
QFF welcomed the change after the legislation passed.
“By retaining the RIDA as a protected instrument for our state's strategic cropping and prime agricultural land, the Queensland Government has listened to farmers and shown that it will not be sacrificing our state's best farming land for other uses,” QFF CEO Kylie Porter said.
The legislation does not automatically approve projects declared State Strategic Projects, with existing environmental, planning, resources and other approvals still required.
For Mackay, the changes arrive as the region looks to capitalise on emerging industries without losing sight of the agriculture, resources and manufacturing sectors already underpinning its economy.
MP Andrew Willcox has said a recent Coalition housing plan could help regional communities like Mackay unlock more homes. Photo supplied
Willcox Supports Coalition Plan To Unlock New Homes And Infrastructure
Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox says a new Coalition housing plan could help regional communities such as Mackay unlock more homes by funding the infrastructure needed to support new development.
The Coalition has committed to guaranteeing $1.5 billion of its proposed $5 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund for regional, rural and remote Australia.
The broader fund is intended to provide infrastructure such as roads, water, sewerage and power, with the Coalition saying it could help unlock up to 400,000 new homes nationally. The Coalition has previously estimated its regional allocation could help unlock up to 120,000 homes across regional Australia.
Mr Willcox said the commitment was particularly relevant to Mackay and other regional communities where housing supply and affordability remained under pressure.
“Mackay is a growing regional city, but growth means nothing if workers cannot find a home and families cannot afford to live here,” Mr Willcox said.
“We need houses, but we also need the roads, water, sewerage and other infrastructure that make those houses possible.”
“That is where the Federal Government needs to step up. You cannot ask regional councils to carry the cost of growth while taking away funding they rely on to deliver the infrastructure our communities need.
“Mackay and the regions are doing the heavy lifting for the Australian economy. We should not be told to grow, and then left to work out how to pay for that growth ourselves.”
Mr Willcox said the housing shortage was not simply a problem for people looking for somewhere to rent, it was increasingly a barrier to attracting workers and growing the regional economy.
“If a nurse, teacher, tradesperson or young family cannot find an affordable place to live in Dawson, eventually they will look somewhere else.
“That means housing is not just a social issue, it is an economic issue.
“Businesses cannot expand if they cannot attract workers. Industries cannot grow if workers have nowhere to live.
“We need to stop thinking about housing as simply putting roofs over people's heads. Housing is the infrastructure of economic growth.”
Mr Willcox said the Coalition would continue pushing for investment that allowed regional communities to grow without placing an unfair burden on local ratepayers.
“People in Dawson should not have to choose between paying more rent and leaving the community they call home,” he said.
“We need more homes, more infrastructure and more certainty for the councils responsible for delivering it.”
By Cr Belinda Hassan
We probably don’t give much thought to our rubbish once we wheel the bin to the kerb or drive away from a waste transfer station. But managing our region’s waste is a significant and growing cost to council – and ultimately, to ratepayers.
In 2026/27 alone, council is facing an additional $665,000 in waste service costs due to increases in the Queensland Government Waste Levy, and a reduction in the subsidy council receives towards that levy. The purpose of the levy is simple –to encourage all of us to send less waste to landfill and recover more of the resources contained within it. And that requires something of a mind shift.
We readily pay postage or delivery fees when we order something online, sometimes without giving it a second thought. Yet when the box arrives, we can be reluctant to accept that there is also a cost involved in dealing with the packaging – and eventually the product itself – when we no longer want it.
Waste doesn't disappear simply because it leaves our property. It has to be collected, transported, sorted, recycled where possible and, as a last resort, safely disposed of in landfill. Modern landfills also require substantial infrastructure to protect our environment, including systems to manage leachate, stormwater and landfill gases.
That's why resource recovery is so important.
Council's new operator at our waste transfer stations, Outlook Australia, brings an exciting social and environmental dimension to this challenge. Outlook operates one of Australia's largest waste management social enterprises, creating employment opportunities for people who may otherwise face barriers to entering the workforce, including people with disability, those experiencing long-term unemployment or mental health challenges, and migrant and refugee workers. In fact, more than 70 per cent of their social-enterprise staff come from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds, and profits from Refindit are reinvested into employment and training opportunities.
Through Refindit by Outlook, items that might otherwise have ended up in landfill can instead be recovered, reused and given another life. At Paget, residents can drop off suitable pre-loved goods for assessment and, if accepted, at no charge. Those items can then be resold through the Refindit reuse shop – everything from furniture, tools and building materials to books, bikes, clothing and toys.
It's a great example of the circular economy in action: reducing landfill, making affordable goods available to our community and creating meaningful employment at the same time. Find them at 42 Crichtons Rd, Paget, Thursday to Sunday, from9am to 4pm. Open seven days for donations and recycling drop-off.
We all have a role to play. Before throwing something away, ask: can I reuse it, repair it, recycle it, donate it or find someone else who can use it?
Because the cheapest – and most sustainable – waste to manage is the waste we don't create in the first place.
I spent the past week in Melbourne visiting clients, capturing behind-the-scenes content for an emerging talent and connecting with inspiring business owners.
Before each day shifted into full gear, I took the opportunity to walk through the city, choosing a different route each morning. Melbourne offers an incredible contrast of landscapes from the old-world charm of its historic buildings to the bold, colourful street art that brings its famous laneways to life.
However, it wasn’t the architecture or artwork that captured my attention most. It was the people.
Thousands moved through the city on their way to work, school or university, yet almost everyone appeared to have AirPods or headphones firmly in place.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a great podcast or an energetic ’80s playlist as much as anyone. But it made me wonder: when did we become so disconnected from the sounds of the world around us?
Few people were looking up or absorbing the rhythm of the city, the hum of busy cafés, the wind moving through the trees, flower trolleys rolling towards market stalls or the familiar bell of a tram arriving at the platform.
The world has undoubtedly become a symphony of noise. Messages, opinions and content come at us every day like a freight train. It’s understandable that people want to switch off. However, for businesses, this makes what people choose to listen to and what they actively tune out more important than ever.
Your marketing is no different.
You can fill the silence with countless words, familiar phrases and language borrowed from competitors. But if your message sounds like everyone else’s, it simply becomes more noise for your audience to ignore.
Effective marketing begins with the message.
It’s easy to jump straight into the creative and become excited about visual content, colours, photography and design. But if what you are saying doesn’t connect, no amount of beautiful creative will make it memorable.
After three decades in the creative and marketing industry, I have seen the right words transform businesses. Consider some of the world’s most recognisable lines:
• Just Do It - Nike
• I’m Lovin’ It - McDonalds
• Because You’re Worth It - L’Oréal
• Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hands - M&M’s
• Eat Fresh - Subway
• Lowest Prices Are Just the Beginning - Bunnings Warehouse
• The Fresh Food People - Woolworths
They are short, distinctive and instantly connected to the brands behind them.
If you are serious about building a brand people notice, remember and trust, begin with what you want to say and why your audience should care.
In a world where everyone is competing to be heard, don’t simply add to the noise. Create a message worth listening to.
I’d love to help. Contact the team at redhotblue and let’s put words into actions.
Photos supplied by Mackay Hospital and Health Service
For three decades, women across Mackay and the wider region have walked through the doors of BreastScreen Mackay for a check that could make all the difference.
The service marked its 30th anniversary earlier this week with a small celebration at its Wellington Street facility, bringing together current and former staff, Mackay Hospital and Health Service clinicians and staff, Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson and Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton.
Since opening in 1996, BreastScreen Mackay has carried out more than 225,000 breast screens, alongside more than 14,300 assessment attendances and 1,274 diagnoses.
BreastScreen Mackay Clinical Director Dr Wendela Schimmer said the figures represented much more than numbers, reflecting three decades of early detection, changing technology and connections with women throughout the region.
“When the service commenced, mammograms were captured on film and processed in a darkroom. In its first year, 1985 women were screened here in Mackay,” Dr Schimmer said.
The number of screenings has continued to grow across the decades, with 53,801 recorded at the Mackay facility between 1996 and 2005, 76,618 between 2006 and 2015, and 87,685 between 2016 and 2025.
Technology has also changed considerably since those early days. A Hologic Selenia Dimensions system with 3D breast tomosynthesis was installed at the clinic in 2018, further expanding the service’s screening capabilities.
For women living outside Mackay, access has also been taken on the road.
BreastScreen Mackay’s mobile screening bus, Freya, began travelling throughout the region in 2019 and has since hosted more than 20,000 screening attendances. The bus was upgraded in 2023 with a Siemens Mammomat Revelation mammography unit.
The service’s reach expanded again in 2024, when Bowen and Collinsville were added to its catchment.
While the equipment may have changed, Dr Schimmer said encouraging women to attend screening remained an important part of the service’s work.
“The service also continues to encourage eligible women to overcome common barriers to screening, including cultural barriers, fear and the belief that screening is unnecessary if you don’t have a family history of breast cancer,” she said.
“Early detection through screening remains one of the most important tools in the fight against breast cancer.”
The 30th anniversary event included speeches, a cake cutting, plaque reveal and the launch of the Sista Shawls initiative.
A photo display in the facility’s foyer also captured the journey from 1996 to today, showcasing the people, technology, mobile services and milestones behind three decades of screening in the region.
And despite the changes over the years, the reason behind the service remains simple.
“Every screening represents an opportunity to detect breast cancer early, when treatment can be more effective.”
BreastScreen provides free screening every two years for women aged 40 and over, with women aged 50 to 74 actively invited to participate.
It's been another busy few weeks across Mackay, with Child Protection Week providing an important opportunity to reflect on the responsibility we all share in keeping children safe, alongside a range of activities involving local schools, community groups and organisations.
This week I had the pleasure of meeting with students from Mackay State High School during their visit to Queensland Parliament in Brisbane. School visits to Parliament provide a unique opportunity for young people to learn about our democratic system, ask questions and gain a firsthand understanding of how government works. It was wonderful to see the students so engaged and interested in the parliamentary process.
Last week, I also attended a number of Child Protection Week events, including the Lotus Place CQ Remembrance Day ceremony and Party in the Park. These events highlighted the importance of creating safe, supportive environments where children and young people can thrive, while recognising the vital role our community plays in protecting and supporting local families.
Community safety continues to be a priority for many local residents, which is why I'm encouraging people to get involved in our upcoming Secure Your Home Day event at Wake House Australia in Andergrove on 23 September at 3:00pm until 4:45pm.
Delivered in partnership with Northern Beaches Neighbourhood Watch, the event will provide practical advice on home security, crime prevention and CCTV registration. The event is designed to help residents protect their homes, keep our children safer on our roads, reduce opportunities for theft and connect with others who share an interest in building safer communities.
There has also been encouraging news on the crime front, with the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing a decline in the number of crime victims across Queensland over the past 12 months. While there is always more work to do, any reduction in crime is positive news for families, businesses and communities across our region.
While community safety remains important, it's equally important to celebrate local successes. I'd also like to congratulate local business owner Danny Aprile from Happy Bagel, who has been named a finalist in the 2026 AusMumpreneurAwards in the Tourism and Hospitality category.
Many locals will know Danny from the markets, where her handcrafted bagels have become a favourite. What started in her home kitchen has grown into a thriving small business, and she will now proudly represent Mackay on the national stage in Sydney later this month. We wish Danny every success and thank her for showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit that makes our region so special.
Supporting local community groups also remains an important focus. Round 127 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund is now open, providing eligible organisations with an opportunity to secure funding of up to $35,000 for projects and equipment that benefit the community.
Recently, I visited the Magpie District Dog Obedience Club to see the new ATV purchased with support from a previous funding round. It was great to see firsthand how these grants deliver practical outcomes for local organisations and help volunteers continue the important work they do across our region.
As always, if I can assist you with any State Government matter, please contact my electorate office.
Nigel Dalton MP
Member for Mackay
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