Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
After more than 25 years with Blacks Real Estate, Andrew Black continues to be a familiar face in Mackay’s residential property market. Andrew joined the agency in 2000, beginning his career in residential property management before transitioning into residential sales. Now a Licensed Real Estate Agent and Sales Consultant, he has spent decades helping local buyers and sellers navigate the Mackay housing market. His long-standing connection with the agency has given him extensive knowledge of the region’s property landscape and changing market trends over the years. Blacks Real Estate said Andrew’s experience across both property management and sales provides clients with a well-rounded understanding of the real estate process, from investment properties through to family homes. Operating from offices in Mackay and Dysart, Blacks Real Estate services residential, commercial, rural and industrial clients across the region. CAPTION: Andrew Black has spent more than two decades with Blacks Real Estate. Photo source: Blacks Real Estate
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I’m not sure that Donald Trump would play fair if he were one of the buyers in a multiple offer scenario on a Mackay property. There are clear rules about how multiple offer situations must be handled and, based on recent form, I just don’t think the US president would want to abide by the rules. From what I can tell he doesn’t seem to be a very good sport, not a great loser, and in a multiple offer situation in Queensland real estate there has to be a loser. Take Trump’s conduct during the soccer World Cup, being held in the US, Canada and Mexico. When US star Folarin Balogun received a red card and, as is standard practice, got an automatic one-match suspension Trump was on the blower to FIFA president Gianni Infantino asking for a review. The result was that the US star’s suspension was suspended for one year and he was able to play in the next World Cup game. It seems unlikely that a phone call from leaders of other countries would have resulted in a similar reversal of a decision. But I don’t blame Trump … that’s what he does. He tries to push and shove and shout and bully his way to getting the best deal he can for the United States. You might not like him but he certainly tries to get the best deal he can for his country on the world stage and, no doubt, for himself when it comes to business. It was, however, a bit of a surprise to hear he had made a call to the FIFA president trying to reverse the ban on a US player. What was even more surprising was that his strategy worked. Now I’m not to sure about this and I am just a real estate agent in Mackay who follows other football codes much closer than soccer but that FIFA mob looks a bit dodgy to me. You would have thought there would be a clear response from the FIFA president along the lines of: “Thanks for the call Mr President but you have got to be kidding if you think the independent body governing the world game is going to be influenced by political leaders about who can and cannot play based on our established rules.” Clearly that was not how the call played out and it turns out that there seems to be some flexibility in the rules and how they interpreted based on the person who is making the request. Which brings me to another contentious situation, the multiple offer scenario for properties being sold in Queensland. When it comes to multiple offers and which one is accepted, it is entirely up to the seller. The seller can accept a higher offer, accept a lower offer that might have no building and pest clause or no finance clause, or accept an offer just because that’s the one they like. A client of mine accepted a lower offer on a property last year because the buyer was a young, local woman who was starting off in life and had made the best offer she could. An investor offered about $30,000 more but the seller said, “I’m making good money out of this either way. I want the young woman to have it.” But one thing that is clear is that a real estate agent can’t tell one buyer what another buyer has offered in a multiple offer situation. We have to tell a buyer: “There is another offer on the table so you are in a multiple offer situation and I suggest you put in your best and final offer as you might not get a chance to make another offer.” That’s when some buyers say: “How much is the other offer.” Some buyers can be quite forceful but rules are rules and agents can’t reveal that. Although, if the FIFA president was the agent and Donald Trump was the second buyer there might be some flexibility.
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Most small business owners I speak to are not short on ideas, if anything, they have too many. They are trying to keep up with social media, update their website, understand Google, run ads, write emails, serve clients, follow up leads and still actually do the work they are known for. No wonder marketing starts to feel overwhelming. And here is the thing. The problem is not always that you are doing nothing. Sometimes the problem is that you are doing a lot, but without a clear direction. You post because you feel like you should. You boost something because business feels quiet. You update your website because someone told you it might help. You try another platform because everyone else seems to be there. But without a strategy behind it, it can start to feel like you are throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks. This is where stepping back can make a huge difference. In most cases, you do not need another platform, another content idea or another person telling you to “just be consistent.” Sometimes, you need to look at the bigger picture. What are you actually trying to sell? Who are you trying to reach? What is working already? What is wasting your time? What should you focus on first? A clear conversation can often save weeks or even months of guessing. Marketing coaching can be helpful for this reason. It gives you space to untangle the mess, ask the right questions and create a plan that feels realistic for your actual business. At Glow Sphere Marketing, this is something I help small business owners with through short, practical coaching sessions, including a 2-hour option for those who want clarity without ongoing support. Marketing does not have to feel so messy. Sometimes you just need someone to help you sort through it.
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Some rescue stories stay with you, and Ahsoka and Johnny Cash’s journey is one of survival, strength and an unbreakable bond. Ahsoka was found as the smallest of a litter of six kittens, cold, weak and barely responsive after losing her siblings. Thanks to the dedication of an incredible foster carer who provided round-the-clock care, she defied the odds and pulled through. She is still being monitored for an injured eye but continues to grow stronger every day. Johnny Cash, affectionately known as the “Man in Black”, was found alone at just two weeks old. After being placed alongside Ahsoka in an incubator, the pair quickly became inseparable. While Ahsoka is gentle and resilient, Johnny is bold, curious and full of playful mischief. Together, they have helped each other heal and formed a bond too special to break. These two little survivors are now ready to find their forever home — but only together. If you can offer Ahsoka and Johnny Cash the loving indoor home they deserve, contact Ros on 0403 814 318 and share a little about yourself, your family and why you could be their perfect match.
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2026 Champion Exhibitor of Show Lachlan McLennan accepts the trophy from Ian Dodd of Walterscheid_IMG_4249. Photos supplied
By Joseph Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay
Each year when the Mackay Show comes around, our community is reminded that sugarcane is more than just a crop in this district. We are the sugar city, and cane is part of who we are.
The cane competition at the Mackay Show is one of the proudest expressions of that connection, bringing together growers, families, schools, volunteers, industry people and showgoers to celebrate the skill, care and persistence behind every stick of cane.
This competition is much more than ribbons and prizes. It is a living display of our region’s agricultural heritage, and a reminder of the generations of cane farming families who have shaped the Mackay landscape, economy and community.
Mackay’s place in Queensland’s sugar story is well known. Cane was first grown commercially in this district in the 1860s, and from those early efforts the industry quickly grew to become one of the pillars of our region. In 1926, growers from across Queensland met in Mackay to form the organisation that became CANEGROWERS, recognising then what remains true today: growers are strongest when they stand together. The Mackay Show cane competition carries that same spirit of unity, pride and shared purpose.
For many growers, preparing an entry is a labour of love. Cane must be selected, cut, stripped, presented and delivered with care. Good entries do not happen by accident. They reflect the season just gone, the grower’s knowledge of varieties, soil, nutrition, pests, weather and timing, and the pride taken in producing a crop that represents their farm and district. Behind each exhibit is a year of decisions, setbacks and effort.
The competition also gives the broader public a rare chance to see sugarcane up close and appreciate the professionalism of modern cane farming. Many people drive past cane paddocks every day, but may not see the science, machinery, environmental management and business decisions behind them. The sugarcane pavilion helps tell that story in a practical and visual way, starting conversations between growers, families, students, industry experts and the next generation.
That is why the Sweetest School Cane Competition is especially important. It connects young people with agriculture and shows them that sugar is not simply something on a supermarket shelf. It begins in the paddock, with people, land, rainfall, research, hard work and community knowledge. If agriculture is to have a strong future, we must keep creating opportunities for students to learn, participate and feel proud of local industries.
Of course, none of this happens without volunteers. The competition depends on people who quietly give their time before, during and after show week. They organise schedules, answer enquiries, set up the pavilion, receive entries, arrange judging, prepare displays, clean up, and solve problems most visitors never see. Their contribution is often behind the scenes, but it is central to the success of the event.
Acknowledgement must go to the stewards, committee members, judges, school supporters, sponsors, show staff and industry organisations that work together to keep the competition going. In a busy farming district, where time is always short and seasons are never predictable, volunteering is a genuine act of service. It deserves our thanks and our respect.
Most importantly, thank you to the exhibitors. Year after year, growers continue to turn up with entries, even when the season has been difficult, workloads are heavy, or harvest preparations are underway. Without exhibitors there is no competition. Their willingness to participate keeps a long-standing tradition alive and allows the wider community to see the quality of cane grown across Mackay and surrounding districts. It is also fitting that in this celebratory year, that a multigenerational exhibitor has taken out the highest award, that being the McLennan Family, and particularly their newest generation of grower, Lachlan.
The Mackay Show cane competition is not just about looking back, but history does matter. It reminds us that our industry was built by families and communities prepared to work together, innovate and persevere. It also points forward, showing that sugarcane remains a dynamic industry with opportunities in food, fibre, energy, bio-products and regional employment.
At its heart, the competition celebrates pride in place. It says that farming matters, local knowledge matters, and community traditions are worth protecting. To every volunteer, exhibitor and supporter who has helped build and sustain the Mackay Show cane competition, thank you. You are preserving more than a show event. You are preserving a proud part of Mackay’s identity.
AgServices sales agronomists Drew McGilchrist and Marc Tanizar on farm with Mackay grower Rowan Westcott, who’s beginning fertiliser application on his 2027 crop now. Photo supplied: Wilmar
Jasmin Lewis
Customer Service & Logistics Supervisor, Wilmar AgServices
With the sugar production season now in full swing across North Queensland, now is the time to focus on the nutrition of your 2027 crop.
Applying Bio Dunder immediately after the harvester is an effective way to begin replacing nutrients removed during harvest while returning valuable organic matter to the soil.
As part of a balanced nutrition program, Bio Dunder can help improve soil fertility, support soil biology, and create a stronger foundation for healthy crop establishment.
Following the harvester also means you don’t lose valuable growing time, and enables you to stay on top of your fertilising schedule.
Early nutrient application allows paddocks to begin recovering sooner, maximising the opportunity for strong early crop growth.
The decisions you make today will influence the performance of your next crop. By following the harvester with Bio Dunder and other essential nutrients, you can keep your soils productive and give your 2027 crop the best possible start.
Our sales agronomists Drew McGilchrist and Marc Tanizar are available to provide tailored agronomy advice for your crop nutrition needs.
To confirm pricing and supply, call us on 1800 881 957. Alternatively, email
AgServices@Wilmar.com.au
Community sporting clubs in Dawson are being urged to get their applications in for the newly opened Game On grants program, a vital initiative to help our local organisations cut costs and keep the lights on.
Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, said that for many of our clubs, the burden of rising energy bills is a constant challenge that detracts from the real work of supporting junior athletes and maintaining facilities.
“Our local sports clubs are the lifeblood of our communities,” Mr Willcox said.
“They aren’t just places to play footy or netball; they are hubs for families and volunteers who put in countless hours to keep our regions connected.”
Mr Willcox said that his funding is a practical step to help those clubs reduce their overheads. “Whether it is installing energy-efficient technologies, upgrading lighting, or investing in battery storage, these grants are designed to lower electricity bills so that money can be reinvested straight back into equipment, improving playing surfaces, and supporting our kids on the field.”
The Game On program offers one-off grants of up to $100,000 to eligible community sporting organisations. Applications for Round 1 are currently open and will close on 28 July 2026.
Mr Willcox encouraged local clubs to act quickly, noting that the investment pool is finite and may close earlier if fully allocated.
"As we look ahead to Brisbane 2032, we want to ensure our next generation of champions has every opportunity to shine, but we know that cost-of-living pressures are making it incredibly tough for families right now.
“Mums and dads can only do so much, and our hardworking volunteers shouldn't have to carry the burden alone. Any measure that reduces costs and keeps our kids on the field should be embraced.
“These upgrades aren't just about modernising facilities, they are about future-proofing the places that bring us together and ensuring that sport remains accessible, affordable, and strong for every young athlete in Dawson."
For full eligibility criteria and to apply via GrantConnect, visit:
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/programs/sports-clubs-energy-upgrades.
By Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox
When managed with care and vision, migration does not just grow an economy; it enriches our nation.
It brings fresh ideas, vital skills, and a rich heritage that communities display proudly across regional Queensland. From the Italian and Maltese pioneers who developed the region's cane farms to the international workers supporting our agricultural sector today, regional Australia understands the value of a targeted, functional immigration system.
However, a successful immigration program must be matched to the country's capacity. Under the Albanese Labor Government, this balance has collapsed.
Labor's migration numbers have been too high while entry standards have been too low. By allowing a record 1.4 million people into the country since being elected, the government has created a shortfall of roughly 400,000homes, an infrastructure deficit the size of Canberra's entire population.
By dropping the ball on compliance, Labor has also failed to protect our social cohesion. The Coalition is committed to restoring integrity by enforcing a permanent red light to radicals, ensuring visa overstayers are promptly sent home, and making compliance with the Australian Values Statement a universal visa condition.
This is not a criticism of migrants; it is a rejection of a system running ahead of the homes, roads, hospitals and schools Australia can provide. Every weekend, young Australian couples face the consequences, competing with dozens of others at rental inspections while prices continue to rise.
The Coalition's Migration and Housing Pledge is simple: Australia should only bring in as many people as it can house. For the first time, net overseas migration will be legally tied to the number of new homes completed. If Australia builds the homes, we can welcome the people. If we do not, we cannot continue at an unsustainable pace.
We must also boost housing supply. The Coalition will establish a $5 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund to deliver essential infrastructure, including water, sewerage, utilities and access roads. Thirty per cent of the fund will be dedicated to regional areas, helping councils unlock up to 400,000 new homes nationwide.
We will also reduce building costs by making the 2022 National Construction Code energy and accessibility mandates optional, cutting up to $70,000 from the cost of a new home and unlocking an estimated 120,000 homes over the next decade.
An immigration system must serve the nation, not strain it.
By Cr Namarca Corowa
When people think about council decisions, they often picture the vote, but the reality is quality decisions are built long before anyone enters the council chamber.
Think about buying a home. Very few people would inspect a property for five minutes and immediately sign the contract. Most of us would take time to look carefully, ask questions, compare options, speak with people we trust and reflect before making such a significant commitment.
Why? Because we know that good decisions are rarely rushed. Good decisions don't simply depend on the person making them. They also depend on the environment in which they're made.
Local government is no different.
Councils make decisions that affect thousands of people, our roads, parks, libraries, sporting facilities, planning, disaster recovery, community services and the long-term financial sustainability of our region. These are rarely simple choices with obvious answers.
That's why good governance isn't just about reaching a decision. It's about creating the conditions for good decision-making.
In my view, those conditions include timely access to important information, the opportunity to ask questions, enough time to consider different perspectives and an environment where respectful disagreement is welcomed rather than avoided.
Healthy disagreement is often evidence that people are taking their responsibilities seriously. When people with different experiences respectfully challenge one another's thinking, assumptions are tested, blind spots become visible and ideas are refined. The result isn't always agreement, but it is often a stronger decision.
The goal isn't consensus - it’s a shared understanding. Healthy deliberation doesn't eliminate disagreement it helps ensure that disagreement is informed, respectful and constructive.
We live in a world where negative news is constant. Social media, television and even everyday conversations can leave us believing that everything is broken. While it's important to acknowledge genuine challenges, it's equally important not to lose sight of the many good things happening around us.
Every day, volunteers give their time, community groups strengthen neighbourhoods, local businesses invest in our region, families support one another and countless acts of kindness happen without ever making the headlines.
If we only focus on what's wrong, we risk overlooking opportunities. If we only focus on what's right, we risk ignoring problems that need attention.
No council will ever have every answer, and no councillor will ever have perfect information. Leadership often requires making decisions with uncertainty. The challenge is finding the balance and having the conviction to make important decisions when the time comes.
Ultimately, our community doesn't elect councillors simply to vote. They elect us to ask questions, to hear the answer and consider the balance. They elect us to reflect our community’s voices. They ultimately elect us to think. That means creating an environment where understanding comes before judgement, where healthy disagreement is recognised as a strength, where optimism is grounded in reality and where thoughtful deliberation has the opportunity to occur before the vote is ever taken.
Photo source: Queensland.com
Water play will be on hold for a few weeks, with Bluewater Lagoon closing from Monday, July 13, for its annual maintenance and repair program.
The popular attraction is expected to reopen on August 13, with the closure allowing for essential upkeep. Any changes to the schedule due to weather or unforeseen circumstances will be communicated to the community.
Included in the schedule of works this year is:
The works are essential to ensure the facility remains safe and operational and continues to provide a high recreational experience. Council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.
Alternative swimming opportunities are available at the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Centre and the Memorial Pool.
Glenella-Richmond Road and Holts Road improvements. Image for illustrative purposes, by Mackay Regional Council
Council will be progressing some interim measures at the Holts Road/Glenella-Richmond Road intersection to address immediate safety concerns.
Council’s long-term intention is for the intersection to be upgraded to a roundabout.
Works planned for early August will involve a speed limit reduction to 60kmh on all approaches, additional safety signage, vegetation clearing to improve visibility and line marking.
A guardrail will also be installed along a bend on Glenella-Richmond Road, between Larkins Road and Davey Street.
Mayor Greg Williamson said the intersection was a high priority for council and a community petition had received more than 6000 signatures calling for a roundabout and improved safety at the site.
“This intersection has a known crash history, including the fatal crash in March this year, and council has been advocating for funding for some time to deliver a roundabout at this location,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Traffic volumes at this location have increased as our region grows, and as traffic patterns shift due to congestion on major routes like Mackay-Bucasia Road and the Mackay Ring Road,” he said.
Mayor Williamson said previous funding applications had been unsuccessful largely due to a mismatch between available funding and the project’s overall cost, which was more than $8 million.
“We are still awaiting assessment and outcomes from several funding applications; however, council acknowledges that action is needed now to reduce risks at this location.
“We have worked with the Queensland Police Service and the Department of Transport and Main Roads to implement a change of speed limit at the site and our teams will be installing new signage over the next few weeks to make that official.
“We have also progressed the design of the roundabout and begun discussions with neighbouring landowners around land acquisitions to ensure the roundabout project is shovel ready.”
Works on the guardrail on the bend up from the intersection will begin today (Monday, July 13), weather permitting. Works include construction of a sidetrack, pavement replacement, installation of steel beam guardrails, regulatory and hazard signage and associated landscaping.
Construction of the guardrail is expected to take about six weeks. Traffic control will be in place during the works, including single-lane access with alternating traffic flow where required during work periods.
Mackay LAC volunteers are strengthening community preparedness by sharing life-saving emergency skills and resources at local events. Photos supplied
Members of the Mackay Local Ambulance Committee (LAC) have been out in the community promoting emergency preparedness through a series of local events.
On Monday, 6th July, Mackay LAC volunteers joined Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics at market stalls during Mackay's NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony to help build community awareness of CPR and snake bite treatment. Around 60 snake bite kits were distributed to attendees, who also learned how to correctly apply broad pressure immobilisation bandages over a suspected bite site.
The Mackay Local Ambulance Committee is a volunteer group that supports the Queensland Ambulance Service through community education and awareness activities.
Earlier this year, LAC members joined students and community groups at the Rotary Club of Mackay's Respect in Every Step march on May 29, helping promote respect and take a stand against domestic and family violence.
During the event, volunteers distributed Emergency Plus cards and information about the "Stop the Bleed" program, providing practical resources to help people respond in an emergency. Emergency Plus is a free Australian app that helps users contact the appropriate emergency service and provide accurate location information to Triple Zero (000), particularly in unfamiliar locations. "Stop the Bleed" is a community education program that teaches people how to recognise life-threatening bleeding and provide care until paramedics arrive.
The Mackay Local Ambulance Committee thanked the local Rotary clubs for organising the Respect in Every Step march and providing the opportunity to share information about the Emergency Plus app and the "Stop the Bleed" program.
The committee is also encouraging community members interested in volunteering to consider joining the Mackay LAC. For more information, visit Local Ambulance Committees | Queensland Ambulance Service online.
A police search of a Bucasia address allegedly uncovered seven stolen firearms, including three pistols and four rifles. Photo source: Queensland Police Service
Residents have been left in disbelief and shock after two separate shooting incidents rocked Mackay's Northern Beaches, prompting a major police investigation and multiple arrests.
Queensland Police have charged four people following investigations into two shootings that occurred on July 8.
Around 2.10am, police were called to reports of shots being fired outside a licensed premises on Andergrove Road, Andergrove. It will be alleged four people drove to the location before firing several shots at an unoccupied parked vehicle.
As part of the investigation, police executed a search warrant at a Bucasia address on July 9, where officers allegedly located and seized seven stolen firearms, including three pistols and four rifles.
A 25-year-old South Mackay man has been charged with three counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count each of possession of weapons and authority required to possess explosives.
A 26-year-old Beaconsfield man has been charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, contravening an order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, unlawful possession of weapons, authority required to possess explosives, and possessing tainted property.
Both men were due to appear before Mackay Magistrates Court on July 10.
A 19-year-old North Mackay woman has been charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count each of possessing dangerous drugs and unlawful possession of weapons.
A 31-year-old North Mackay man has been charged with two counts each of possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils, along with one count each of unlawful possession of weapons, producing dangerous drugs, possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, and authority required to possess explosives.
They are due to appear before Mackay Magistrates Court on July 27.
Police are also continuing to investigate a separate incident reported about 2.40am on July 8, when residents reported gunshots being fired at a Denman Avenue residence in Shoal Point. The occupants were not physically injured.
Investigations into both incidents remain ongoing, including whether they are linked.
Police say there is no ongoing threat to the general public and are urging anyone with relevant information or CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.
Reference numbers: QP2601321346, QP2601319882
Local retirement villages have welcomed visits from the District Crime Prevention Unit, with residents learning more about the Safe & Found program and the role it plays in supporting vulnerable members of the community.
The program provides police with important information to assist in quickly locating vulnerable people who may wander and are reported missing, helping support efforts to bring them home safely.
The sessions have attracted strong interest from residents, families, carers and local businesses, with attendees learning how Safe & Found operates and the ways it can provide added support within the community.
The visits are helping spread awareness of the program and highlight the importance of community connections when it comes to keeping vulnerable people safe.
Donations of pre-loved soccer boots and training gear are being sought to support young footballers in Lusaka, Zambia. Photo supplied
A simple pair of soccer boots could make a world of difference for young footballers in Zambia, with one community member calling on locals to donate their pre-loved sporting gear.
The appeal is seeking soccer boots for boys and men aged 10 through to adults, along with training equipment such as soccer balls, to support several small teams on the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia.
Many of the young players currently take to the field barefoot or wearing worn-out footwear, making even a second-hand pair of boots a valuable gift.
Organisers are encouraging anyone with unused soccer boots or training gear tucked away at home to consider donating them, giving the equipment a second life while helping young athletes pursue the sport they love.
Every donation, no matter how small, will help provide local teams with the equipment they need to train and play more safely.
Anyone interested in donating soccer boots or training gear is encouraged to get in touch with Riah Pearl via private message to arrange a collection.
A major housing boost will see 131 social and affordable homes delivered or underway across the Mackay-Whitsunday region. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
Mackay's ongoing housing shortage has been targeted with a major social housing announcement, with the Queensland Government confirming 131 social and affordable homes are now underway across the Mackay-Whitsunday region, alongside an $8.6 million boost for housing and homelessness services.
During a visit to Mackay on Wednesday, Housing Minister Sam O'Connor said the investment would help increase housing supply and support vulnerable Queenslanders.
“We have 20 more homes delivered or underway in the last 20 months than the entire decade preceding our time in government,” Mr O'Connor said.
Local Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the work was an important step in addressing Mackay’s housing pressures.
“We need to make sure that we keep on building... so that people can say, 'This is my home,'” he said.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O'Connor was on the ground in Mackay on Wednesday, 15 July, to announce 131 social and affordable homes are now underway across the Mackay-Whitsunday region, alongside an $8.6 million investment in frontline housing and homelessness services, with the Queensland Government saying the measures will help alleviate the region's housing pressures.
The announcement is said to be part of the Queensland Government's $5.7 billion statewide investment in social and community housing.
Mr O'Connor said more than 130 homes were currently underway, building on the 79 social and affordable homes delivered in the region since the Government was elected.
He said the funding would support specialist homelessness services and crisis support, helping vulnerable Queenslanders access housing sooner.
“We have 20 more homes delivered or underway in the last 20 months than the entire decade preceding our time in government.”
Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the announcement would help address housing pressures facing vulnerable residents in Mackay.
“I think it's going a long way. We need to make sure that we keep on building and we keep on constructing this type of housing so that people can say, 'This is my home.' That's our intention, and we're working towards it all the time. This is a prime example of that.”
The pair toured the construction site, where 18 social homes are being built in Mackay's CBD.
“It is so sad to see people who are vulnerable and homeless, and these units are going to be able to house them into the future. It's so exciting because we've got a great location in the city, close to schools, shops and services. It's exactly the right place,” Mr Dalton said.
Mr O'Connor also announced an additional investment in local housing support.
“I can also announce today that, as part of our budget delivered just a few weeks ago, we will be investing a boost of $8.6 million into housing and homelessness services in this region.
“It's really important we have the services available to help people get on a housing pathway and ultimately into homes just like these ones we're building right here.”
Mr O'Connor said the development would provide social housing for eligible applicants on the housing register.
“They'll be for people on the register, and by definition, people who are eligible to enter social housing are the most vulnerable in our community.”
He added that “The rent is capped at 25% of the residents' income.”
Hannah Kimber
Four years ago, Hannah Kimber arrived in Australia on a working holiday visa with no plans of staying in the Whitsundays. Today, she's helping others find their home in the region.
Originally from the UK, Hannah arrived in Australia on a working holiday visa and spent nine months in Sydney before heading north to complete her regional work. Although she planned on seeing more of Australia, the Whitsundays said otherwise.
"I kept on making plans to leave or go and do something else, and the area just kept bringing me back," Hannah said.
"I just fell in love with the area."
After deciding to officially just stay, Hannah was ready to take the next step professionally.
That's when Hannah found Taylors Property Specialists. Through the agency's cadetship program, she was able to learn from experienced agents while laying the foundations for a career in real estate.
“It's definitely a career, not a short term job,” Hannah said.
Working across the local market has also given Hannah a new appreciation and passion for the homes that make the Whitsundays such a sought-after place to live.
“Most properties in the area are very unique and different from one another,” Hannah said.
“I think that's really nice to go in and see the individuality of each property.”
Hannah believes the same individuality found in the region's homes should be reflected in the way buyers are treated, taking the time to understand exactly what they're looking for before matching them with the right property.
"You can't force someone to buy a house, but you can get to know them and understand what they're after," Hannah said.
To get in touch with Hannah Kimber at Taylor's Property Specialists, call 0411 599 126 or email hannah@tpsre.com.au.
By Richard Evans, Festival Director and President Whitsundays Writers Festival
How many times have you said it? One day I'll write a book.
One day, when the kids are grown, when work settles down, when you finally feel ready. But here's the truth nobody mentions: that day doesn't arrive on its own. Fear keeps it at bay. Fear of grammar, of not having enough time, of not being "good enough." The good news? None of those barriers are as solid as they seem. Today, more than ever, the page is waiting for you. And while tools like AI can polish your language, they cannot replicate what only you possess: a life fully, specifically, irreplaceably lived.
Let's bust a few myths first.
You need perfect English. No: clarity matters far more than correctness, and editing comes later.
You need a big, dramatic idea. Wrong again: everyday stories resonate most deeply with readers.
You must write an entire book immediately. Absolutely not: start with moments, memories, and fragments.
Publishing is impossible. There are more pathways than ever: local print runs, self-publishing platforms, online communities. The gates are open. Walk through them.
So where do you actually begin?
Start small. Start a daily journal. Just five to ten minutes, one memory, one observation can build writing habits without the pressure. Journaling is not about diarising events or activities, rather it is about observation and thoughts.
Personal experiences translate beautifully into short stories; rename the people, shape the narrative, and suddenly you have fiction story rooted in truth. If the blank page feels daunting, record voice notes on your phone and use AI to transcribe them. This is how Barbara Cartland worked. She strolled the beach and recorded her romance stories transcribing them later.
A retiree writing about their first job, a cyclone season, or raising a family in the Whitsundays can create vivid, locally meaningful stories that no bestseller list could replicate.
You're not too late. You never were. If not now, when?
4 Ways to Start Today
Picture it: a book resting on your knee, a salt breeze drifting in off the Coral Sea, the afternoon unhurried. Now rewind. Where did that book come from?
Did it come from a warehouse interstate, picked by an algorithm, packed by a machine? Or did it travel a shorter, more personal road. Perhaps it was hand-selected by someone who knows this coast, these readers, this community? That difference matters more than we often stop to consider.
Books travel. Here, they travel with people.
The Whitsundays has a quiet but vital reading ecosystem. Independent bookshops curate their shelves with genuine care, often knowing their regulars by name and reading history. Newsagents remain an accessible, everyday touchpoint for readers who might not seek out a dedicated bookstore.
And the region's four public libraries stand as free, inclusive gateways. Places where discovery costs nothing and everyone is welcome. These aren't simply outlets. They're spaces where conversations happen, where a staff member might press a title into your hands and say, trust me on this one.
A bookseller is not an algorithm.
Unlike a platform that tracks clicks and serves recommendations based on data, a bookseller remembers what moved you last time. They champion local and emerging authors whose books might never surface in a search result. They bridge the gap between a story that exists and a reader who needs it – a quiet act of matchmaking that keeps regional voices visible and valued.
Local writers need local readers.
Authors in this region rely on these same shops, libraries, and community networks to reach the people most likely to connect with their work. The Whitsundays Writers Festival is where that relationship becomes visible. A gathering point for writers and readers to meet, to listen, to ask questions, and to recognise that literature is not distant or abstract. It is made by people from places exactly like this one. Buying a book locally, or borrowing one from your library, directly supports the writers and the cultural life of your own backyard.
Libraries deserve a second look.
If it's been a while since you visited, go back. Libraries offer far more than borrowing. They host events, support learning, and provide community spaces that welcome everyone regardless of budget or background.
In September do something simple: attend a session at the Whitsundays Writers Festival. Meet a local author. Ask them something real. Then pick up your next read close to home.
3 Ways to Support Local Reading
Whitsundays Writers Festival
Richard Evans
Festival Director and President
hello@whitsundayswriters.com
Book early to secure your place at the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival, 13 September at www.whitsundayswriters.com/2026-programme-speakers
Creative Connections Whitsunday
Glenda Brown
President
info@creativeconnectionwhitsunday.com
Visit the Community Gallery in Proserpine and save the date 30 July to 2 August for the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition.
Together, these two organisations champion the creative spirit of the Whitsundays – supporting writers, artists, and the cultural life of our region.
Sweet Foxy cross Coco just wants her forever family. Photo sourced: Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue
Coco may be small in stature, but she has a heart big enough to fill an entire home. Now, all this gentle seven-year-old Foxy cross needs is someone to share her loving nature with.
Loyal, affectionate and wonderful with children, Coco has also been very popular with every dog she’s called a friend.
While she can be a tad anxious at times, it’s mainly because she’s looking for a calm and patient family who will let her settle in at her own pace, giving her the love and assurance she needs to relax.
Coco would be best suited to a home with secure fencing and no chooks or livestock to annoy her, where she can enjoy a quiet environment, with plenty of companionship.
If you think Coco could be the perfect addition to your family, contact Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue by direct messaging your name, phone number and "Coco" to begin the adoption process.
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