Hamilton Island announced this week that it will no longer accept cash, a controversial  move that has seen many customers reeling at the thought of extra fees and charges while on holiday.

The issue made national news, with some holiday makers saying they will boycott the island and vowing never to visit again.

One social media post said, “Everybody should boycott it, nobody go there and see how long it lasts”.

Another said, “Goodbye Hamilton Island! Never again!”

“Sorry Hamilton Island, have had to cancel my trip as I can't stand for a cashless society,” said another.

Hamilton Island released a statement earlier this week saying that while it operates a cashless environment, it also remains committed to providing convenient and secure payment options for their guests while ensuring operational efficiency within the constraints of the island.

The new cashless policy was communicated through the Island’s website and pre-arrival communications.

For guests preferring cash transactions, deposits and withdrawals can be made using the Bank@Post service at the Australia Post office on Front Street, where cash can be exchanged for pre-paid or top-up Mastercards.

Fee-free card payments can be made via EFTPOS, a 1.25% surcharge only applies to credit and 'tap and go' transactions.

The closure of the bank branch on Hamilton Island in 2021 prompted the transition to a cashless environment, despite efforts to find an alternative banking solution, none were viable.

The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this transition, as concerns arose about the potential transmission of the coronavirus via banknotes.

Following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions, Hamilton Island opted to continue this approach for the following reasons: Health and wellbeing, convenience, and security.

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Photo supplied ; shutterstock

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Significant redevelopment of Lindeman Island is now underway with the announcement last week that a range of trades people are now being employed to work on the island.

The job description called for both skilled and general labourers, carpenters, plasters, painters et cetera.

Applications are open now.

Food, accommodation, and transport to the island are all provided.

The first team on site will be restoring the staff accommodation.

This comes after Singaporean based business, Well Smart, bought the island last year for $10 million.

Well Smart are planning to redevelop the island resort and add a new visitor jetty that is
scheduled to be completed by 2025.

Redevelopment of the resort includes the refurbishment of 210 rooms, restaurant, bar, pool, spa and gym, an event space, the provision of two 19-metre catamarans that will act as ferries, a solar farm, nine-hole golf course and accommodation for 200 staff.

Originally closing in 2012, after receiving significant damage from Cyclone Yasi in 2011, the new owners are now looking to return Lindeman Island to its former glory.

As the most southern of the Whitsunday Islands, Lindeman is a tropical paradise.

Lindeman Island also has many beaches, perfect for snorkelling or relaxing and the surrounding uninhabited islands can be accessed when seeking more privacy.

Humpback whales can be seen from shore and dolphins are frequently found playing near the shore.

The resort takes up a small part of the island, the surrounding land provides 19 kilometres of walking trails to be explored.

With several Whitsunday resort islands having closed in recent years, this reopening is a promising sight and it is expected to increase tourism to the Whitsunday region.

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An aerial view of Lindeman Island: Photo supplied

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The Queensland Police Service has announced new police officer growth allocations for the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Region.

A total of 20 extra police positions have been allocated to the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Region this financial year with academy training and recruitment efforts at record levels.

With over 500 police recruits currently at the Queensland’s Police Academies and almost 2,000 applicants in the police recruit pipeline, the Queensland Police Service is seeing its largest training and recruitment program in its history.

It is expected that over 350 new police constables will be sworn into the Queensland Police Service over the next three months.

In addition, 28 new police vehicles have been allocated to Central Region, 17 of which have been allocated to Mackay Whitsunday District (vehicle allocation includes Bowen, Clermont, Mackay, Moranbah, Sarina, and Whitsunday).

Premier Steven Miles said “With this uplift, an extra 20 police will be recruited to the Mackay and Whitsunday region by mid-next year as part of our record boost to the frontline”.

“Queenslanders tell me they want to see more police in their communities – my government is listening and delivering.”

Mackay and Whitsundays District Officer Superintendent Graeme Paine ensures that safety is of high importance.  

“Community safety is at the core of our values and these additional frontline and specialised officers combined with extra resources will bolster these efforts,” he said.

“Local residents can rest assured these officers will work hard to support and protect their community with a focus on preventing, disrupting and investigating crime.”

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This week, the Whitsunday Healthy Heart (WHH) project continued its good work with a new online workshop that inspired attendees to reduce the carbon footprint of their businesses.

Participants were taught how to implement sustainability principles into their
business, manage risks and get recognised for their efforts through innovative marketing tips.

The WHH Project is part of the Reef Islands Initiative, the largest reef habitat rehabilitation project of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

One of the key project activities is to assist the tourism sector to identify and measure their greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting activities within their operations.

Since 2021, 29 tourism businesses have completed measuring their GHG emissions and received their baseline GHG emissions footprint.

Climate Change Resilience Officer at Whitsunday Regional Council, Lee Hawkins said, “It is crucial that operators measure their business’s footprint.”

“What is measured can be managed. It allows targeted reductions in emissions and helps identify the source of emissions in each business operation,” she said.

At the end of March 2024, a total of 30,216 tonnes of CO2-e (carbon dioxide equivalents) emissions had been measured by tourism businesses, including Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions (waste only).

Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG from sources such as fuel combustion, in ships, cars and gas appliances.

Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions such as those associated with the purchase of electricity.

The project provides an opportunity for engaged partners within the local tourism sector to set higher and more ambitious targets for climate change mitigation, therefore
improving the health of our reef and leading the region in achieving a zero net emissions target by 2050.

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Great Barrier Reef. Photo supplied

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The notoriously treacherous stretch of road which floods quickly whenever there is significant rainfall, is now open to a community petition which is set to appeal for works to urgently commence after another lengthy wet season.

Hamilton Plains is the main arterial road which connects the townships of Airlie Beach and Proserpine, cutting the entire population of the Greater Airlie Beach off from both the local hospital and airport whenever it floods, which is several times a year.

In 2019 a total of $21 million, jointly funded by the Federal and State Government, was allocated to establish flood immunity For Hamilton Plains.

Transport and Main Roads approved the design phase of the project in June last year, with plans to raise the road levels and increase culvert capacity to enable flood waters to drain away more easily and quickly.

Despite the plans and funding in-place, there has been no movement on the upgrades, a hold-up that infuriates local Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP.

“We’ve had another wet season whereby the residents of the Whitsundays have once again felt the impacts of Hamilton Plains flooding, delaying emergency services, families, students and tourists from their daily activities,” Ms Camm stated.

“Every day that passes with the delay of this project delivers nothing but inconvenience, economic loss and puts our community at risk.

“I am calling on the Whitsunday community to send the Government a message because regional roads matter and deserve to be a priority.”

Ms Camm asks residents to sign a petition to show their support for upgrades and express their main concerns.

Residents are encouraged to visit nodelays.com.au to complete a short online form.

Alternatively, Ms Camm is now holding mobile offices across the electorate so the community can have their say on Hamilton Plains and other issues important to them.

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Mobile Offices

Lumos Café
Friday April 12
11am -12pm

Centro (Whit Plaza)
Saturday April 13
9am – 1pm

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP is calling for upgrades to begin on Hamilton Plains flood immunity. Photo credit: Rachael Smith

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Curtains are about to open for the much-anticipated Proserpine State High School ‘rock opera’, ‘Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’.
 
The big event includes four shows from April 18-20 at the school’s impressive Performing Arts Centre, with catering of delicious food and chilled beverages at all shows.
 
This entirely student-run production is led by the school’s Seagrass Theatre and Music Company, which is comprised of students from Year 7-12 who do everything from performing on stage to behind-the-scenes directing, producing, designing, technical and playing the music. 
 
This year’s production also comprises a 26-piece orchestra who are sure to ignite audiences with their performances of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice classic songs such as “Any Dream Will Do” and “Song of the King”. 
 
Student Producer and Head of Promotions, Allegra Bradley, said the entire cast and crew are excited to share their hard work with audiences.
 
“We’re less than two weeks away and you can feel the excitement is building amongst us all to perform,” Allegra said.
 
“It’s going to be humorous - colourful, bright, and light-hearted.”
 
With preparations beginning in October last year, the cast and orchestra have been diligent with rehearsals and honing their staging, sound, lighting and scenography skills. 
 
Following a hugely successful production of last year’s musical, ‘Sweet Charity’, which was sold-out every night, Allegra is hoping this years’ response will be the same as it is a show audiences will really enjoy.

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WHAT: Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
WHERE: Proserpine State High School Performing Arts Centre
WHEN: 18, 19, 20 April from 7:30pm & 20 April at 1:00pm
TICKETS: Adults $30, Concession $24

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The LNP has offered in-principle support for a range of projects crucial to Bowen ahead of the state election later this year.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie was in town earlier this month to outline the party’s stance on several projects at the Bowen Chamber of Commerce's monthly meeting.

Issues included Bowen Hospital, the jetty, harbour redevelopment, Whitsunday Shores estate, Abbott Point industrial estate and the Bowen Water Scheme project from Home Hill to Bowen.

These were all flagged by the LNP for action and given the party's in-principle support should it be returned to office at this year's state election.

Mr Bleijie said the party would focus on the town's housing crisis, crime, the cost of living, interest rates, grocery costs, fuel, and the costs of doing business.

"Absolutely, we support the jetty upgrade, and we will put pressure on the Government to get the $50 million promised" for that upgrade, though Mr Bleijie said it was still unclear whether that money was truly available.

He also backed a planned marina upgrade for the town, which he said was being delayed by Transport and Main Roads department, denying the town a facility "which will do us proud".

Mr Bleijie said the LNP was supportive of the proposed Home Hill to Bowen water scheme, a project he said could open up another 55,000ha of land to agriculture.

"We absolutely support it; water is life. It is an absolute necessity." However, he said the LNP had not seen the business case for the project.

Mr Bleijiie said the Whitsunday Paradise estate development, in court action going back to 2022, also needed certainty. He said the project was crucial to retaining people in the area and he claimed that a number of teachers had refused jobs in the town because of the lack of suitable accommodation.

He added that services for the planned estate were a subject of dispute and could be blamed on lack of communication between the State Government and councils leading to cost blowouts, and he said the question of a new funding agreement for local government "needs to be addressed".

During the Chamber of Commerce meeting, Mr Bleijiie was asked a question about the state LNP's  "revolving door" of leaders in recent years, to which he answered he would be proud to go to this year's poll with David Crisafulli as leader after the LNP's gains in the by-elections.

Mr Bleijie said voters were angered by a State Government that he said was no longer listening to them. "Being a leader is listening, and we are listening," he said.

"It is an election I believe will be the most important in the history of the state.

"The mood is changing in Queensland," he said. "We need 13 seats to win."

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State LNP Opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie (right) with (from left) Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor-elect Ry Collins, Bowen Chamber of Commerce chairman Bruce Hedditch, and state member for Burdekin, Dale Last.

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On Tuesday evening around 15 people attended a lively and informative ‘Insurance Explained’ event at The Reef Gateway Hotel in Cannonvale.

Attendees had the chance to listen to and interact with three industry experts from a range of fields - the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, Insurance Council Australia, and the Office of Queensland Small Business Commissioner.

Senior Ombudsman, Chris Liamos from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority gave people an understanding of what the Australian Financial Complaints Authority do, what type of complaints they deal with and how they go about resolving them.

General Manager, Regulatory and Consumer Policy of Insurance Council Australia, Alexandra Hordern, said “Insurance is often a critical precondition to doing business.”

“It is important that all business owners understand the risks facing their business and how to mitigate those to the best of their ability.

“It is also important to have good relationships with insurance brokers and insurers, so that business owners are able to clearly articulate their needs and risk management practices.”

Peter Maddock, Director Assistance for Office of Queensland Small Business Commissioner said that many small businesses rely on insurance claims to be finalised.

“We’re about helping small businesses gain access after disasters,” Peter added.

Peter also offered practical tips to people in attendance about this, he said he understands how to help others from his prior experience.

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Guest speakers Chris Liamos, Alexandra Hordern and Peter Maddock.  Photo credit Daniel Heggie

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The latest Get Set For Work Program drew to a close last month with five out of the nine participants graduating from the 10 week program.

Program Coordinator Scott Lynch said, although this is not the highest number of graduates to date, he is proud of each individual and positive about all their futures.

He added the three that did not graduate left the program early due to personal reasons or they found a job.

Standout graduate was a young man that secured a butcher’s apprenticeship and Scott said “Anytime somebody gets an apprenticeship that’s a huge outcome.”

The next intake, starting on April 15, will be the sixth intake since the program started in November 2022.

There are 12 participants already registered in the next intake.

The Get Set For Work program is dedicated to helping children aged between 15 and 19 who are no longer enrolled in school.

The program aims to nurture their attributes and keeps them accountable to positive long-term goals away from the confinements of school.

“Across the 10 weeks, we put them through a list of comprehensive training, and get them much more employable,” said Scott.

“We help participants build resumes, cover letters, we help them obtain industry entry level certifications, so things like construction white cards and responsible service of alcohol.”

The program operates through the Whitsunday PCYC, and Branch Manager, Billy Li, said he is proud of the program’s diversity.

“Our program exposes them to different kinds of industries, we get hospitality, they go to Cruise Whitsunday, we take them to the islands, the prawn farm or barramundi farm,” said Billy.

The program also helps the disengaged children stay on the right path.

“We have a quite a high chance of them just going down the wrong path as well, you know, by them actually, seeking employment they can redirect their focus on doing something that is very constructive,” he added.

Scott Lynch runs the program alongside Youth Worker, Declan Coull, and they welcome volunteers that enjoy working with young people.

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Get Set To Work Graduates with Declan Coull, Scott Lynch and Billy Li
Photo supplied

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The Whitsunday Regional Council is hosting a Come N Try event in Bowen next weekend and the whole community is invited to come along and have some fun.

The Come N Try event is designed to bring people together, improve overall physical fitness and inspire positive mental health by providing a fun and easy way to try out a new activity with others!

The event encourages all ages to get outdoors and try new activities while having social interactions and exercise.

Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy, said this would be a great event for families, both visitors and locals alike.

“We appreciate Whitsunday Regional Council hosting events like this in Bowen,” Leanne said.
 
“The program includes a diverse range of activities and all should be lots of fun.”

Test your skills on the giant obstacle course that’s filled with challenges and obstacles for the ultimate adrenaline rush, and then cool down on the Slip N Slide which is perfect for the warm Autumn days.

Or relax on the scenic train ride around the Bowen Foreshore.

There will also be wildlife encounters, arts and crafts activities, a wellbeing workshop, sports workshop and a chill zone, perfect for lawn games, music and a reading corner.

“We encourage people to travel to Bowen for this event, take the opportunity to spend the rest of the day checking out our many other attractions including our beaches, lookouts, historic jetty, bushwalks, Summergarden Cinema, and of course, the Big Mango,” Leanne added.

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WHAT: Come N Try Bowen
WHERE: Bowen Foreshore - Santa Barbara Parade
WHEN: Sunday 21 April, 10am-1pm

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Why Do We Need Sleep?

Sleep is essential and many important bodily functions occur during sleep, including memory consolidation, hormone regulation, information processing, removal of brain waste and maintenance of immune function.

Aside from the obvious of being tired and cranky if you don’t get enough, it can also increase the risk of numerous health conditions.

Most common being, cardiovascular disease, stroke, Atrial Fibrillation (AF), metabolic disorders such as diabetes and mental health issues.

What’s The Solution?

Restore Sleep Clinic in Cannonvale provides a service for people suffering from poor or disordered sleep.

The most common sleep disorders are insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea, and less common includes parasomnias, narcolepsy and restless leg syndrome.

Nathan Harriott is a Registered Psychologist and he and the team at Restore Sleep Clinic in Cannonvale specialise in diagnosing and treating patients with sleeping issues.

The Sleep Physician and Dentist in the team can also assess, diagnose and offer treatment to people with respiratory and dental issues that have a bi-directional relationship with disordered sleep.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a respiratory sleeping disorder.

Nathan explains it as “The airway closes over, the brain’s supply of oxygen is reduced through reduced oxygen levels in blood, the brain detects this and wakes you up to breathe and restore oxygen levels. This is not like normal breathing though, the person typically gasps for air and this is frequently reported by partners of people with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.”

If your airway is obstructed more than five times an hour you are diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

The conditions severity is determined in three categories.

Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is when the airway closes 5-15 times an hour, moderate 15-30 and severe 30 and above.

“If severe it can affect a person’s ability to work, especially if they are in a high-risk occupation or workplace such as a driver, truck drivers, machine operator or miners,” Nathan said.

It can cause significant disruption to both your sleep and your daily life, but with the right care, the symptoms can be dramatically reduced.

How Do We Fix It?

Two types of treatments are available for patients suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

The Mandibular Advancement Splint is good for people suffering with mild to moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and it is a good option for dental issues.

Nathan describes it as being like a top and bottom mouthguard device that pushes the lower jaw forward to open up the airway.

It can also be adjusted, so it can gradually be moved forward as the person using it gets used to it.

The other treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), which is a small machine that comes with a nose mask and blows a gentle stream of air to keep the airway open.

CPAP is a good treatment for patients suffering from moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

“We do our best to provide a lot of support to people when they first start using one of these devices so they can get the most out of their treatment,” explained Nathan.

“With two treatment options though, we do have the choice if one treatment isn’t tolerated very well.”

Make An Appointment

Nathan jokes that it is mainly partners that refer their loved ones to the clinic after hearing them snore constantly and experiencing disrupted sleep as a result.

He urges that if you hear your partner snoring unusually, not breathing through the night, making bizarre sounds whilst sleeping or struggling for breath, then to encourage them to make an appointment with Restore Sleep Clinic.

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In June the Whitsundays East Coast Roadshow will hold events for travel agents and wholesalers in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Industry Development and Trade Manager for Tourism Whitsundays, Cait Fleming, said she is excited to participate.

“With an expected 100 agents and wholesalers attending in each location, this is a great opportunity for Whitsundays accommodation and experience businesses to grow their profile within the travel industry,” she explained.

For the opportunity to join the Roadshow get in touch with Cait at cait.fleming@tourismwhitsundays.com.au

Cait’s role at Tourism Whitsundays is multi-faceted and includes Industry Development.

She is dedicated to ensuring the region continues to build the industry in a sustainable way, so The Whitsundays remains a popular tourism destination many years into the future.

“We have a wealth of marine based experiences and natural assets, that's easy to see, however what isn't as easy to spot is the incredible diversity of land-based experience potential there is in this region,” said Cait.

“My goal is to bring this potential into the light and help any business (starting out or established) who wants to develop a new product or experience on their journey.”

If you are nodding along to this and want to chat, give Cait a call on 0409 038 480.  

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Industry Development and Trade Manager for Tourism Whitsundays, Cait Fleming. Image supplied

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Ideal Placements first opened its doors in 1995 and is dedicated to helping young people, people with disabilities, and people in career transition into long term employment through support and training.

Over the years, Ideal Placements has become innovative at helping their participants find the right roles while facing regional transport availability, homelessness and housing, cost of living, and having a different focus and attitude towards work and study.

They find that many of these barriers need to be addressed first before you can focus on anything else.

One trend they are seeing is school leavers choosing work over study.

Ideal Placements has been spending time working with young people to complete micro credentials, so they get the knowledge and training they need to get them into work.

Another specific program Ideal Placement runs is their 5-week Career Transition Assistance Program for unemployed people aged 45+ years that not only refreshes job ready skills but also reveals the many opportunities out there that they may not have considered or thought they were not capable of.

Ideal Placement’s top tips for businesses of all sizes is to give young people, people with a disability, and those restarting their career a go.

Everyone must start somewhere, and they could be the next leader or long-term employee in your business.

Ideal Placements is located in Cannonvale, Proserpine and Bowen.  

This article series is written in partnership with the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry, showcasing the diverse members of the business community.

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Arabella Jordan from Ideal Placements believes everyone deserves to work and contribute to society. Photo supplied

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Expect netballs, sports skirts and fun at the next Proserpine Community Market

On Sunday 28 April the Proserpine Community Market will be supporting the
Whitsunday Netball Club.

Market Coordinator, Tarnia Patton, said she is very excited for the first market of the year.

“It’s always exciting getting everyone’s applications in and seeing the amazing talent that is in our community,” Tarnia said.

“The proceeds of a large raffle are going to the netball club, most of the stall holders provide something to the raffle as a way of advertising for them, and raising funds for the chosen community group.”

Everyone is encouraged to come along, as there is a lot to do for the entire family.

“We will have Mr Poppins balloons there making free balloons for the kids, face painting and glitter tattoos, and hopefully some netball related activities to have fun with as well,” explained Tarnia.

There are currently still some stalls available and Tarnia would love them to be filled by
some creative kids.

“We encourage all who have a creative talent to look into having a stall. Especially
school kids!”

“It’s great way to earn some pocket money, even if it’s combining their creations into
one small stall.”

“We support all at our markets!”

This year, the Proserpine Community Markets have changed location.

The new location is at the Cyclone Shelter at the Proserpine State School and Tarnia is excited to say that the new location is almost all indoors.

WHAT: Proserpine Community Markets
WHERE: Proserpine State School
WHEN: Sunday 28 April

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Helen Matheson

“No, I don’t think so, it’s just things are slow moving here. There are enough services here for me, I’m happy with what’s here as it is.”

Neil Dobbin

“It is quite possible seeing everything that’s going on already, it probably will start moving back towards here. They can’t build forever down there, so it probably will in the future. Because more and more people are moving from down south and all around the place buying up and that type of thing and you can't really stop it because it’s all bloody progress or whatever you want to call it.”

Danni Hanns

“I think so yes, because property prices in the rest of the Whitsundays are a lot. So, I think people are coming more towards Proserpine, because housing is a little bit more affordable. And I do know a lot of people, their kids go to school here and everything just seems to be in Proserpine. And so, they’re moving into Proserpine to be closer to the school and to me, I think it’s okay. I don’t know what long term locals would say about it but yeah, I think it’s a good thing.”

Jim Ward

“We've come here, we're from Victoria and we came here a couple of years ago. And it was sort of very quiet and especially when in the COVID time and I reckon it might come on. It’s so close to the Whitsundays you know, so many places you can get to. It’s better than Bowen, in my opinion anyway and a bigger population here only helps.”

Anna Winterborn

“I've seen a few boom and bust areas I'd never say anything about any area being the next boom area because you just don't know what's around the corner. People come up here to live, it doesn't have the facilities that you have when you live in the city or if you live down south. We love it, we like it like this, but people come up here expecting something else and it's not that. This place is still going pretty good, but it would be lovely to see uplift or lift for the whole area for everybody.”

Kim Hilan

“No most of its moved to the beach. All the development has happened at Cannonvale and Airlie Beach. You’ve seen the loss of businesses in Proserpine unless we've got an industry to bring it back. But I remember it being a busy hub with a lot more businesses here.

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