Mackay has recently experienced a fruitful surge in births as Mater Mothers' Private Mackay celebrated welcoming 60 newborn babies into the world during the month of May.

This marks the hospital's highest monthly birth rate since September 2014 when 61 babies were born.

Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay Midwifery Unit Manager Sarah Fordyce said the hospital had seen a steady increase in births over the past five years, from 410 in 2020 to 457 last year.

However, she said the reason for last month’s spike was unclear.

“It could be that people delayed having babies during the global pandemic and we’re
now seeing a correction of that,” Ms Fordyce said.

“Whatever the reason, we are loving the chance to be part of such a special moment in
the lives of so many Mackay families.”

Of the 60 babies born at Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay in the month of May, 26 were boys and 34 girls.

There were also two sets of twins.

Little Myles McNeil was the 60th Mater baby in May and was born to 26-year-old Kya McNeil.

Myles’s big sister, Elena, was also born at Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay in 2022 and Ms McNeil said she was excited that Myles was part of the local baby boom.

"When we chose Myles' name, my husband Benjamin said it sounded like he was destined to be a famous cricketer or to achieve something great,” she said.

“And indeed, the first thing Myles accomplished was being the 60th baby born at Mater!

"Coming into Mater for our second baby and having great midwives with energy, presence, and calmness made it a wonderful experience.”

Mater Mothers’ Private Mackay offers a range of services to support new parents, including prenatal classes, lactation consulting and postnatal care.

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Kya and Benjamin McNeil with baby Myles at Mater Mothers’ Mackay. Image Supplied

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In an exciting announcement, the highly anticipated Ronald McDonald Family Room officially re-opened to families earlier this week on Tuesday the 11th of June.
As part of the Queensland State Government Mackay Base Hospital expansion project, the Ronald McDonald Family Room has been relocated to its new temporary site within the Mackay Base Hospital grounds.
With an estimated 3,000 annual visitors who access the Mackay service, the Family Room welcomes the addition of a designated outdoor play area for young children, offering an enhanced experience for families during their challenging stay.
Samantha Baker, Community Engagement Executive for RMHC Mackay and the Whitsundays said “Now we have a beautiful outdoor play area, we’re really excited to have that, it’s just going to make a really big difference for families.”
The Ronald McDonald Family Room will operate in conjunction with the Mackay RMHC Hospitality Cart, a secondary care program that was introduced by the Charity during the relocation period.
The Hospitality Cart, stationed in the children's wards of Mackay Base Hospital, offers crucial assistance, comfort and essential items to families with sick or injured children at no charge.
Since its introduction in February of this year, it has assisted over 655 families and distributed more than 2,320 items.
The re-opening of the Ronald McDonald Family Room, and continued delivery of the RMHC Hospitality Cart, further strengthens RMHC North Australia’s commitment to local families with sick and injured children.
RMHC North Australia CEO, Jennifer Clermont, said the range of support that the Charity offers makes a significant difference to local families in need.
“Whether it’s access to a comfy bed in our Overnight Sleep Rooms, having a cup of coffee and a chat with one of our dedicated volunteers, enjoying a new toy or warm pair of socks from the Hospitality Cart, Mackay region families can know that RMHC North Australia are there for them when they need it most.”
The temporary move is a component of a forthcoming strategy that aims to permanently shift the Ronald McDonald Family Room to the Child and Adolescent unit once the Mackay Base Hospital Expansion project is complete.

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Samantha Baker, Community Engagement Executive for RMHC Mackay and the Whitsundays says the family room supported over 3000 visitors in the first year of operation. Photo Credit: Hannah Mc

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With a big heart and a willingness to make a difference, Ashley Reid, the acting manager of operational services for Mackay Hospital and Health Services, volunteered to go under the clippers to bid farewell to his cherished beard. His sacrifice was not merely an act of personal grooming but a powerful gesture in support of Mackay's Ronald McDonald Family Room.

Assisted by Sam from Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia, each stroke of the clippers symbolised not only the shedding of facial hair but also the shedding of burdens for families facing serious illness.

This is the fourth time in eight years that Ashley has embarked on the fundraising challenge and this year had set an ambitious target of $1800, but the generosity of the Mackay Hospital and Health Service staff and the wider community went above and beyond his expectations.

Surpassing his goal, he raised an impressive $2500.

Ashley’s charity page is still open for another week, which means there's still time to contribute to this worthy cause. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a meaningful impact on the lives of ill children and their families, providing them with the care and support they need.

A heartfelt thank you was extended to all who rallied behind Ashley on a Facebook post that read: “Thank you to Mackay HHS staff and community who have generously supported Ash throughout his ‘Shave for kids’ campaign helping raise vital funds for the Ronald McDonald Family Room and seriously ill children and their families when they need it most.”

To donate, visit https://nafundraising.rmhc.org.au/.../shave-for-the-kids-.

Ashley Reid sacrificed his beloved beard after partaking in the ‘Shave for Kids’ campaign, which raised funds for sick children at the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Photo credit: Mackay Hospital and Health Service

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Penny Tatow and daughter Timika Tatow are the driving forces behind Family and Children’s Emerging Support Services, (FACESS).

FACESS is an indigenous organisation that provides a range of programs with a focus on working with and alongside vulnerable families and children in the community.

This initiative was founded in March 2023 after recognising crucial gaps regarding support services in Mackay for first-nations families and children. Penny and Timika made it their mission to be the light for young indigenous people and thrive for positive outcomes by practicing early intervention and offering support in various ways.

Founder Penny Tatow says “We place a lot of emphasis on children and the youth to ensure that these young people have access to the same opportunities like every other young person in our community”.

“We facilitate and establish safe and supported connections to community and services, we have access to the needed support and resources for our young people and families to thrive and we want to reduce the risk of children and youth from becoming in contact with the youth justice system, as part of our early intervention and prevention approach.

“We provide a lot of different activities such as fishing, boating, picnicking, camping, sports -you name it - and we also provide tutoring support as well and a lot of mentoring.”

Mentorship programs are available by the Community Kincare team with a focus on mentoring the youth and supporting any mental health challenges they may be facing.

FACESS can even offer tailored support to suit the unique needs of young people and their families, working alongside community referrals such as child safety, education and mental health resources as well as youth justice.

Penny emphasises that FACESS comes in as community Kincare team to be a secondary support to families as they work across domestic violence and other issues alongside child safety.

Future plans involve establishing an indigenous youth hub in Mackay that caters to the needs of young people.

To continue this impactful mission, FACESS are in need of community funding and are currently seeking partnership to fill the gaps where it’s needed most.

“We heavily rely on funding, community sponsorship and donations and we desperately need an office space to set up an indigenous youth hub in our community.

“It’s about working together as a community and we want to see people getting behind these young people and vulnerable families.

“It’s our collective responsibility as a community to ensure that our young people are thriving and I encourage anyone to reach out to us, we are looking for sponsorship and donations.

“If you’ve got sporting gear, crab pots or fishing gear that you’re not using, we would absolutely encourage you to donate that, it doesn’t have to be brand new.

“At the end of the day, our kids are longing for connection and a sense of belonging and a lot of our young people need our community to back them, our youth rely on those of us who are well positioned to provide that support so please reach out to us.”

To contribute to this vital cause and make a difference in young people’s lives, you can visit www.facess.org.au or contact directly on 0477719288.

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Penny Tatow, Founder of Family and Children’s Emerging Support Services (FACESS) with daughter and Co-founder Timika Tatow

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When you think of Mackay Regional Council Libraries, a building full of books may come to mind, but that’s not all our regional libraries have to offer.

Mackay Regional Council libraries provide a wide range of resources, programs and activities for all ages, completely free of charge with a focus on education and bettering the community.

We spoke with Donna Kellion last Friday at Caneland Central, who shared some of the remarkable initiatives that Mackay Regional Council Libraries offer our region.

“We have amazing online resources for students, particularly high school students where they can access online tutoring 24/7 with programs like Studiosity at no charge at all with a free membership card.

“If they need help with research, the Studiosity system will connect the student up with an appropriate tutor and it will help them work through their homework and provide them with the information they need and that’s just some of the resources we have within the library and there’s so much more.

“The research is behind fire walls so not everybody can see it but all you need is your free Mackay library membership card and it will save students a great deal of time and give great information.”

Berky the bush turkey was also on board to help the lovely ladies spread the word to younger children. Donna says he is very popular and ‘often visits schools and day cares and the kids really enjoy that. Berky is a local icon.’

For more information, visit Mackay Regional Council Libraries online or via Facebook.

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Donna Kellion and Prachi Goti from Mackay Regional Council Libraries. Photo Credit: Hannah McNamara

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The upcoming Mackay Show promises something for everyone in your family, including your beloved furry companion!

Mayor Greg Williamson highlighted the wide range of prizes on offer at this year's Mackay Regional Council display, including two ‘pawfect’ pet pamper packs.

“Our Local Laws team will be promoting pet registration at the Mackay Show and have partnered with Mackay City Pet Barn to offer an incentive for new pet registrations,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Any resident who registers their pet for the first time in June and fills in an entry form at the Mackay Show will go in the draw to win one of two, five-hundred-dollar pet pamper packs,” he said.

“If people can’t make it to the Show, they can still enter by filling in an entry form on the council Show web page and registering their pet online.”

The Sarina Sugar Shed will also be back by popular demand and will be the centrepiece of the pavilion again this year, Mayor Williamson said.

“The Sugar Shed team will have a delicious range of free taste-testers for people to try and buy, including their award-winning sauces, chutneys and liqueurs," he said.

“There will be Sugar Shed fairy floss for sale for the kids and they will even have an augmented reality board, allowing people to interact with the display in virtual reality.”

Council’s Mackay Show display hours are 2pm to 8pm Tuesday (June 18), 10.30am to 8pm Wednesday (June 19) and 9am to 4pm on the public holiday (Thursday, June 20).

For more information on the Council Mackay Show display, visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/show

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Visit the Council display at the upcoming Mackay Show and register for your chance to win great prizes from local organisations such as Petbarn, Sarina Sugar Shed and more

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Young Australians seeking careers in the agriculture industry will reap the benefits of the AgCAREERSTART pilot program.
The pilot program provides on-the-job experience, offering successful applicants aged 18–25, the opportunity to have a practical placement on a farm over a 10–12-month period.
Commencing in November 2021, the AgCAREERSTART pilot program has provided 180 young people with experience working in agriculture in the early part of their careers.
The pilot program provides on-the-job training, free lodging with the host farm, a development grant and the opportunity to build strong relationships within the industry.
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Matthew Lowe said that the program is a fantastic initiative that connects farmers with individuals seeking career pathways in the sector.
“The pilot program has been valuable for employers and participants with 82% of participants completing their placement.
“A high percentage of them (80 per cent), also indicated they will stay on in the agriculture sector following their time with the program.
“The agricultural sector is on track to being an $100 billion industry by 2030, to reach this goal it is vital that we have a pipeline of young, motivated Australians in this space.
“The AgCAREERSTART pilot program connects young like-minded people together, creating strong relationships and networking opportunities for participants.
“Agriculture has so many career pathways, from animal husbandry, developing and operating state-of-the-art machinery and technology, to business, marketing and STEM research and analysis.
An additional $500,000 has been committed to the $5 million initiative in the 2023–24 Federal Budget. This top-up will extend the pilot for a further two years.
For further information on the AgCAREERSTART pilot program visit: agcareerstart.com.au.

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With a rich history spanning over six decades, the Mackay & District Orchid Society was
established in 1957, and to this day, remains steadfast in its commitment to the
preservation, cultivation and dissemination of knowledge surrounding these exquisite
flowers.

At its core, the Mackay & District Orchid Society is driven by a set of objectives aimed at
advancing all facets of orchidology. These objectives encompass the promotion of orchid
cultivation, hybridisation and overall appreciation of their natural history.

Additionally, the association seeks to foster a sense of camaraderie among its members
while actively contributing to the preservation of orchids in their natural habitats.

With a membership exceeding 150 individuals, the club thrives through regular engagement
and activities.

Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month for members to showcase
their prized plants and engage in friendly competitions. These meetings feature popular
votes by both members and official judges, concluding in recognition with small orchid
prizes.

One of the highlights on the calendar is the new growers' workshops, where seasoned
members generously share their expertise on various aspects of orchid care. From repotting
techniques to pest management, these workshops provide invaluable insights for both
novice and experienced growers alike.

Throughout the year, the society hosts three major shows during Winter, Autumn, and
Spring, where members proudly display their blooms for official judging. These shows are
open to the public and offer a unique opportunity for orchid enthusiasts to admire and
purchase essential supplies and accessories.

Beyond local events, members actively participate in open field days organised by
neighbouring clubs, fostering cross-club collaboration and knowledge exchange. Additionally,
the judges travel to other shows, ensuring impartial assessments and enriching the broader
orchid community.

In light of recent venue changes, the club looks forward to welcoming members and visitors
to its new location at The Mackay & District Senior Citizens’ Centre, 58 Macalister Street,
Mackay.

On Saturday 20th and Sunday the 21st of July there will be orchids, pots and accessories for
sale as well as raffles, prizes, refreshments and eats. A $2 gold coin donation is required for
admission.

As the Mackay & District Orchid Society prepares for its upcoming "Winter Show" in July,
you’re invited to embrace this new chapter to celebrate the beauty and diversity of orchids.

For further information, visit www.mdos.com.au online, Mackay and District Orchid Society
Inc on Facebook or contact President Dennis Farlow directly on 0458043132.

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Table of orchids at the last Mackay & District Orchid Society Autumn Show.
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Group photo taken at a “New Growers Workshop”. Images Supplied

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What: Winter Orchid Show, presented by Mackay & District Orchid Society
When: Saturday 20th July 8am-4pm & Sunday 2nd July 8am-3pm
Where: Mackay Senior Citizens' Centre, 58 Macalister Street, Mackay
More info: www.mdos.com.au

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Groundbreaking automation for a soil-scanning process developed at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre could be vital to the future of successful broadacre cropping planning.
Electro-magnetic survey scanning has long been used to identify variability in soils, including assessment of salinity, water and clay content.
The process has usually involved a scanning sled being dragged behind an all-terrain vehicle.
However, in a possible world-first, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries team at the Smart Cropping Centre has developed an automated scanning process.
The innovation has the potential to save hundreds of hours on-farm, freeing farmers, staff and resources for other tasks.
The system they have developed brought together SwarmRobot Sunny and an ElectroMagnetic (EM) 38 Survey Unit and analysis service provided by Data Farming, two of Queensland’s stand-out AgTech and Innovation companies.
"The impact of this innovation for farmers to better manage drought conditions and overall farm agronomy is huge," Queensland Smart Cropping Centre senior innovation broker Alicia Dunbar said.
"We can see this becoming a standard add-on to autonomous robots such as SwarmBots that are continually building hyper-accurate soil and moisture maps in real time.
"These units offer a non-invasive, efficient and precise means of assessing and monitoring soil properties and we’re excited to work with industry to make this a widespread tool for producers.
"The technology supports our research and production systems including soil salinity assessment, soil texture and structure analysis, soil moisture content, mapping soil depth and guiding our soil sampling efforts.
"The Smart Cropping Centre in Emerald is producing real-world results, propelling our research capabilities to better manage the uncertainties of the future in broadacre cropping that will help our famers to be more productive and more profitable."

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Griffith University’s Dr Yunying Fang has successfully progressed with a research proposal regarding the Soil CRC’s Round 24-1.

The Soil CRC (CRC for High Performance Soil) works to connect scientists with farmers to uncover practical solutions for Australia’s underperforming soil. The organization aims to enable farmers to increase their overall productivity and profitability levels through providing them with knowledge and tools to improve the performance of their soils.

The success of Dr Fang of Griffith University’s Australian Rivers Institute will have her leading a new project titled Glasshouse and field evaluation of organic-based nitrogen fertilizers for crop production and soil health, with over $800,000 in funding on a 2-and-a-half-year timeline.

“The outcomes of this project will be organic-based slow-release urea fertilisers, recommendations of usage and placement in farming systems, which will help co-deliver agronomic and economic benefits and ecological sustainability in farming systems," Dr Fang said.

Joining Dr Fang’s research team will be Burdekin Productivity Services (BPS), the Burdekin based organisation working with growers to address productivity, profitability and sustainability in sugar cane systems. Along with BPS, Charles Sturt University, Birchip Cropping Group (BCG), and Central West farming Systems will also hold roles in the project’s research and development.

Urea fertilisers work to improve the nutritional composition of sugarcane silage and trials have been undertaken in Brazil to compare the fermentative characteristics of the addition of protected or conventional urea to sugarcane silage to evaluate its nutritional value.

Dr Fang has been celebrated for the success of her research proposal and the overall benefits her project will offer to farmers to help them in meeting the nutritional needs of their sugar cane crop.

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Sarina State High School’s star student, Katie Hauwert recently showcased her exceptional talent at the 10-12 Years Girls Netball State Championships in Toowoomba.

The four-day event proved to be a remarkable experience for Katie, where she demonstrated some of her finest netball skills. Her stellar performance on the court earned her the Capricornia Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Simone, Katie's mother and a netball coach herself, emphasises the importance of fitness in the sport. Proud of her daughter's dedication, Simone highlights Katie's journey in netball, which began back in prep and describes Katie as a farm girl who has discovered her passion for netball and wholeheartedly embraces it.

For Katie, the State Championships in Toowoomba marked a significant milestone, as it was her first-time visiting Brisbane and Toowoomba. She cherished every moment of the trip and delivered exceptional performances on the court, playing alongside three other Mackay girls.

Simone says that Katie's strong bond with her teammates and their support contributed to her success.

Her commitment to training, evident even at the age of twelve, reflects Katie's determination to excel in netball. Simone expresses immense pride in watching her daughter play, admiring Katie's agility and skill on the court and is a joyous moment for Simone to witness Katie pursuing her passion with such enthusiasm and dedication.

“Watching Katie play, it’s just such a great feeling, she moves so well on the court and it’s a really proud feeling for me to see her doing what she loves,” Simone said.

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Katie Hauwert has been playing netball since she was in prep and is on the road to success after winning outstanding achievements at the young age of twelve. We wish Katie all the best in her future! Image supplied

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Recent Senate Estimates revealed that there was minimal funding allocated in the forward estimates for the urgent upgrades of the 457-kilometre Beef Corridors Road Network, according to Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry.

Only $45 million has been designated, which accounts for just 10 percent of the originally earmarked $400 million, spread across three financial years, Ms Landry said, which she exclaims is another example of contempt for the rural communities in the region.

“Despite the region contributing a staggering $1.7 billion to the economy, the government is draining resources from the area and failing to provide significant benefits to the communities within the Beef Corridors Road network,” Ms Landry said.

“It was all well and good for the Prime Minister and fellow Ministers to front up to Beef 2024 recently, donning their Akubra’s and claiming to support the industry.

“However, these sentiments fall short when funding for critical beef road networks can be so easily pulled,” Ms Landry added.

Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce said May Senate Estimates confirmed that the Government has allocated less than $100 million of the $400 million required to seal the Beef Corridors in the forward estimates.

“The communities that rely on the Beef Corridors Road network have still been left in the dark about where the money is going to be provided for vital upgrades and sealing,” Mr Boyce said.

“I’m calling on the Federal Labor Government to bring forward the funding and get the Beef Corridors upgrade underway ASAP.”

Senator for Queensland, Matthew Canavan said that it is risking the lives of those who live and work in the Beef Corridors network of roads.

"The roads due to be upgraded under the Beef Corridors funding are a risk to all those that have driven them, and that was why we put $400 million towards them when we were in Government.
“Labor ripped the funding out and cast a cloud of uncertainty on these much-needed upgrades, but the funding over the next four years is still short of what it was meant to be this time last year,” Mr Canavan said.
Senate Estimates revealed the distribution of funds for the Beef Corridors Road Network as $10 million for the 2024/25 financial year, $15 million for the 2025/26 financial year and $20 million for the 2026/27 financial year.

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Beef Corridors funding has fallen short, leaving rural roads left in limbo and drivers potentially at risk. Image supplied

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On a night filled with laughter, reflection and community spirit, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank hosted our Celebration of Community Anniversary Dinner to mark 19 years since our doors first opened. The event was a heartwarming testament to the wide-ranging impact the Bank has made in the Sarina and Mackay region, thanks to our banking team, volunteer board, customers, shareholders and community members.
Over the past 19 years, Community Bank Sarina has not only provided financial services but also actively supported local initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of our community. Our journey has been one of collaboration and dedication, working hand-in-hand with local organisations to create a stronger, more vibrant region.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the announcement of donations to 19 local organisations to mark the 19 years, with each receiving $500. These donations are a reflection of our appreciation of the tireless efforts these volunteer groups dedicate to making our community a better place to live, work and play. From supporting youth programs to enhancing local infrastructure, these funds will help sustain the invaluable work that these organisations do every day.
We were also honoured to have renowned rugby league legend-turned-farmer/sports presenter Shane Webcke as our guest speaker. His keynote address on community resilience and leadership was both inspiring and thought-provoking. Shane's insights into overcoming adversity and the importance of strong leadership resonated deeply, reminding us of the vital role community leaders play in guiding us through challenging times.
The dinner was more than a celebration; it was a reaffirmation of our commitment to the community. We reflected on our achievements, shared our vision for the future and, most importantly, celebrated what those 19 years have brought to our community as a whole.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable evening. Here's to many more years of making a difference together! #hereforyou #heretostay
Enjoy the full photo gallery from the event on the next page.

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Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank hosted a Celebration of Community Anniversary Dinner to mark 19 years since their doors first opened. Photos supplied

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There are many reasons to move to Mackay … but one particular factor has emerged that says something quite disturbing about other parts of regional Queensland and highlights how favourably we compare.
Some people move to Mackay because of the great weather. You will never convince me to celebrate the humidity of December to March but outside of those months I absolutely love it and it seems everyone else does as well.
They also come here for the beaches, boating, fishing and all that wonderful, great outdoors stuff that we have in abundance at our doorstep.
Plenty of people move here initially for work and the ability to make good money and a  lot of them stay because of the lifestyle that I am talking about.
Some move here because they can sell a house down south for a good amount of money, buy something a lot cheaper here and put the balance into their super, setting themselves up for a decent retirement.
A key factor for those people is also that we have good community and health services. There is no doubt we don’t cater for every health need here but we have a modern hospital and a growing range of allied health services.
But there is another reason for why a growing number of people are moving to Mackay and, unfortunately for the other regional cities they are either fleeing or avoiding, it is to do with crime. Specifically, Mackay’s lack of crime compared to other parts of Queensland.
I recently sold a property to a middle-aged couple who had sold up in Cairns and moved to Mackay.
I didn’t meet them until they had their pre-settlement inspection and  started moving some belongings in.
I asked why they had moved to Mackay.
“Because of the crime in Cairns,” the husband said.
They spoke about the break-ins, the stolen cars, the youth crime that they feel is rampant and on-going.
The couple had had enough. They didn’t want to live with the constant threat of crime, the fear of break-ins and youth violence that was being served up in Cairns.
They had done research and were able to quote the stats showing how much less crime there is in Mackay compared to Cairns. They felt Mackay offered a safe sanctuary, a place they could relax and peacefully enjoy their retirement.
Of course, they know crime is everywhere and there is no guarantee of avoiding it in any city but they feel the odds are a lot better in Mackay.
I have regular conversations with buyers, both owner-occupiers moving up here and southern investors, who ask about crime in Mackay … usually seeking confirmation that the stories they have heard about Mackay’s lack of crime are true.
I always say that anything can happen in a big city but I feel safe in Mackay and I know we don’t have the same level of youth crime experienced in Townsville and Cairns.
Plenty of investors are choosing to buy here because of that and there is a growing migration of buyers who are choosing Mackay ahead of Townsville and Cairns because of the perception that it is safe.
There are many factors to consider when relocating, or deciding to remain in a particular city/region. And all the lifestyle, economic, climatic, and environmental factors I have mentioned are a big part of that.
But crime, and the lack of it here, is becoming a big consideration. Of course, the thing we need to remind local, state and federal representatives is that we expect it to stay that way.
Because, in a crazy world, we like living in our safe harbour.

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