Love is in the air, and what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with an unforgettable dining experience at Tropical Phoenix Garden Restaurant? Nestled on River Street in Mackay, this charming spot offers the perfect blend of exquisite Asian cuisine, warm hospitality, and a relaxed atmosphere beside the Bluewater Lagoon.

For those looking to impress their special someone, the restaurant’s special Valentine’s Day set menu delivers exceptional value, featuring a selection of beautifully crafted dishes designed to delight the senses. Whether indulging in a leisurely lunch or a candlelit dinner, couples can savour fresh, flavour-packed meals while enjoying the tranquil ambiance.

If a night under the stars sounds more appealing, why not take the romance on the road? The full menu is available for takeaway, making it easy to plan a picnic by the river or a beachside feast with your loved one. And for those who prefer a cozy night in, their home delivery service ensures a stress-free evening of great food, good company, and perhaps a little Netflix and chill.

With a menu bursting with authentic flavours, expertly prepared dishes, and a setting that feels just right for love, Tropical Phoenix Garden is the ideal destination for Valentine’s Day—whether you’re dining in, heading out, or staying home. Book ahead to secure your spot or place an order for the ultimate romantic feast.

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A huge thank you to the rescue services and local emergency stars who stepped up to support flood-affected areas. Your generosity and hard work did not go unnoticed! Amanda Camm MP, gave a special shoutout to Britt and the Mackay team from Ergon Energy Network, after the crew gifted her a pair of gumboots during her visit to Ingham.

Photo sources: State Emergency Service - Central Region and Amanda Camm MP (Facebook)

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How good is it to finally see the sun?! After what felt like a never-ending stretch of rain and gloomy skies, I was beginning to forget what natural light looked like. Just when I thought my washing might never dry again, the sunshine decided to make a grand return—right as I boarded a plane to New Zealand, of course. Timing, right?

This trip isn’t for a holiday, though. Two of my beloved family members have been diagnosed with aggressive cancers, and both have been told their conditions are inoperable. Their treatment—radiation and chemotherapy—is purely palliative, focused on quality of life rather than a cure. It’s heartbreaking, and to be honest, it’s a lot to process.

In the meantime, our brilliant journalist Hannah will be taking the reins on this editor’s note. She recently marked her first anniversary with us, and I’m so proud to share that she’s been nominated for the JSP Women’s Awards in the Rising Star category.

Next week, we’re celebrating all the phenomenal women nominated for this year’s JSP Women’s Awards. What started as a simple blog by Fallon Drewett has grown into a powerhouse of female empowerment, storytelling, and connection. It’s a space where women lift each other up, swap stories, and remind the world that we are strong, capable, and—most importantly—never alone in the challenges we face. If you need a dose of inspiration (or just a reminder that you are an absolute queen), this special feature is one not to miss.

Speaking of inspiration—flipping to pages 26-27 and seeing all those sweet, squishy newborns gave me a moment of nostalgia. That is, until I remembered my ‘baby’ is now a fearless, furniture-climbing, boundary-pushing little tornado who is just over a month away from turning two. How did that happen?! One minute, you're rocking them to sleep, and the next, you're negotiating with a tiny human about why Marmite doesn't belong on the cat.

Enjoy this week’s edition, and I’ll be back with you in a couple of weeks!

Amanda

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Mackay Regional Council will consult with the community to determine the ideal location for an off-leash dog park in Slade Point.
Four potential locations for the new off-leash dog park have been identified including a stretch of beach accessible from Swallow Street Park, Lamberts Beach Lookout Park, Cumberland Park and Wren Street Oval Park and the adjoining Swift Street Reserve.

Mayor Greg Williamson said he supported the development of an off-leash dog park in Slade Point as it was aligned with council’s vision of providing accessible spaces where residents and visitors can live, visit and play.
“Council moved a motion to develop a community consultation plan for this facility at an ordinary meeting of council on October 30, 2024,” Mayor Williamson said.
“This was in response to a petition that was signed by 68 residents,” he said.

“The project will provide a dedicated space where dog owners in Slade Point can exercise their pets off-leash within a safe and controlled environment.

“Currently, the nearest off-leash dog parks are located in North and East Mackay, meaning residents have to drive across multiple suburbs to access these facilities.

“We are looking forward to meeting with the local community to gather feedback on the best location for the proposed off-leash area through a formal community engagement process.”

_Council will hold a community consultation session at Slade Point Community Hall, 4 Wren Street, Slade Point on Tuesday, February 18, from 4pm to 6pm to discuss the options with residents._

If you can’t make it to the consultation session, you can learn more and share your feedback at connectingmackay.com.au/slade-point-off-leash-dog-park.

The online survey will be open from 9am on Wednesday, February 19, until 11.59pm on Wednesday, March 5.

Buoy What A Good Idea!

By Ruth Puddefoot

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The Great Barrier Reef offers breathtaking views both above and beneath the water's surface, but it also harbours delicate ecosystems increasingly threatened by various growing pressures.

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These combined stresses undermine the reef's resilience, impairing its ability to recover from significant disturbances, such as frequent coral bleaching events predicted to occur more often in the future.

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The Great Barrier Reef, along with its surrounding island national parks, is home to numerous well-established fringing reefs, which are especially vulnerable to anchor damage. A single drop of an anchor can cause immediate harm, and while recovery may take years, the coral may never fully return to its previous state.

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The government’s Reef Trails project is a vital initiative for safeguarding the reef, serving two essential purposes. First, it designates areas where boats should refrain from anchoring, helping to prevent damage to fragile ecosystems. This is achieved through the use of white pyramid-shaped buoys with blue labels, which clearly mark no-anchoring zones.

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Second, the project offers an effective alternative by installing moorings, enabling visitors to experience the reef responsibly and sustainably.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell explained how the project has been a huge success so far:

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“We're getting to a point of capacity in terms of what we can put out in the Whitsundays,”

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“But there's certainly more work we can look at across the Great Barrier Reef to the north and south.”

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Marine Park Ranger Max Van Der Leden stated the moorings will be upkept by contractors, with the help of ranger dive inspections, to clean and replace as quickly as possible when needed.

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Owner of bareboat charter company Whitsunday Escape and President of the Whitsunday Bareboat Operators Association, Trevor Rees, stated that using these moorings allows boaties to safeguard fragile coral formations and seagrass beds that could otherwise be impacted by anchoring.

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“We thank the Queensland Government for expanding public moorings, as they minimise accidental harm and encourage responsible boating habits, particularly in disbursing vessels and discouraging crowding at other anchoring points.

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“The moorings will play a vital role in maintaining the Reef’s natural beauty and ecological health, ensuring it remains a treasure for future generations.”

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Online maps showing the locations of public moorings on the Great Barrier Reef are available: Public moorings and no anchoring areas | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

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Hi Everyone,
I wanted to start by saying how truly touched I was by all the kind messages I received about last week's Ruth 2 Reef feature, and I am thrilled by how many of you are eager to share your own environmental stories with the paper!
This week in the feature (pg18 & 19), we have had some wonderful contributions from local environmental organisations and initiatives, each doing fantastic work to protect the beautiful Whitsundays, and amid the recent weather, it is always nice to have some uplifting community stories to share.
The environment has always been important to me, having grown up in the small village of Tewin in the UK, with a family who consistently instilled the importance of looking after nature from a young age during our hiking and camping holidays.
Though I'm no longer the 12-year-old girl who would quietly pick up litter after her friends had left, as I've grown older, the values taught by my family have stayed with me. The principle of never leaving an environment worse than you found it is still something I strongly believe to this day.
It had always been a dream of mine to visit the Great Barrier Reef, and having the opportunity to live on its doorstep, explore the marine life, and learn about the incredible environmental projects underway is an experience that will stay with me for a lifetime.
I think 12-year-old Ruth would be very proud.
Ruth
“The more connected you are to your future self, the better you live in the present.” - Benjamin P. Hardy.

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Two young lads, Rory and Luke got out their shovels and helped fill as many bags of sand as they could for locals in distress during the recent torrential rain event. With the flood waters encroaching and the rain still coming down, residents in Bowen went out to the local council deposits seeking sandbags to protect their doorways from the threat of floodwaters.
Many hands made light work as Rory and Luke pitched in to get as many bags filled and delivered as they could. Helping to fill and load the bags for a disabled person who couldn't make the trip to the local sand deposit site themselves, the boy’s kindness and fast action helped others at a time of need and enabled them to build a barricade about their doorways.
“We’re just helping out,” said Rory.
“She’s wet, ain’t she!”
“People don’t realise how heavy sandbags are and just we just really wanted to help out someone who otherwise couldn't protect themselves from the floods.” Luke said.
Victoria, mum of Luke said, “They're both lovely kids and really good boys.” And it's a sentiment reflected by this community, helping and supporting each other is the way to go while the rains are coming down.
The two young men managed to fill, load, and deliver 30-40 sandbags, enough to fill their ute’s tray.
Thank you, Luke and Rory for pitching in and helping out by getting sandbags to the person in need.

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The two boys happily filling sandbags. Photo Supplied: Victoria Austin, credit Erin Byrnes

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A woman was rushed to hospital after being bitten on the foot by a snake on Sunday evening, around 7:26 at her home in Proserpine. Paramedics were called and she was rushed to Proserpine Hospital. She was then airlifted by CQ Rescue Helicopter to Mackay Base Hospital for further treatment
The quick and decisive actions of those around her were crucial in ensuring she received timely medical care. Her partner David, who called the ambulance, wanted to verify his fears about the bite and asked about the snake on Facebook. Commenter Adam, identified the snake as a Taipan, one of the world's deadliest snakes, confirming the dangerous nature of the bite. Thanks to David’s immediate action of phoning 000, the Proserpine Ambulance staff provided excellent care as the situation unfolded.
“Generally, for snake bites we will apply a pressure bandage, but most of the time it’s just trying to get them to hospital.” Ambulance media responded, noting that because David had been so practical, they just had to focus on keeping the woman calm and responsive while they transported her to the hospital’s treatment facilities at speed.
Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all involved, everyone is now hoping for the woman's full recovery. The incident underscores the importance of staying vigilant for snakes in the region as 10 people died from snake bites last year, seven of those from Queensland. This case serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by snakes, especially during this warm, wet weather when they are more active.
Call 000 in the case of a snake bite and follow their instructions while you wait for an ambulance.
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The Taipan is one of the world's deadliest snakes. Stock image, illustration only

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This week Club Whitsunday set the bar high for charity support and their sporting devotion by hosting an NFL Super Bowl party for the children of Camp Quality. This fundraising event displayed their devotion to supporting children living with cancer, while also showing their capacity to cater to those who love watching the Super Bowl.
Justin Butler, Whitsunday Club Chairman, and Tracy O’Shae, the Club’s Operations Manager, were on the floor making sure the event went off without a hitch. Supplying guests of the event with 50kg of succulent, fried, spicy buffalo wings and delicious blue cheese sauce, there were many smiling faces lifting their beers when their favourite teams scored a touchdown.
It’s an event that started small at roughly twenty people, but the turnout soon doubled to roughly forty people going down to Club Whitsunday and donating to Camp Quality. With 100% of entrance fees going back to the charity, Justin said they want to make the Club the home of the NFL Super Bowl going forward.
“Sharpie and Adam have been hosting the Super Bowl party for years in town at different pubs. Now that the community Club is here, with all the profits flowing back into the community, and sport being what these guys do for the children’s charity, we think this is a natural home for the event,” said Justin.
Charity organisers Sharpie and Adam have been running events for Camp Quality for 20 years. They started back in the USA and continued their support here, when they moved to Australia.
Sharpie remarked that Club Whitsunday “has opened up their arms” to them, that the Club and the people who attended their charity event “have no problem donating.” If you would like to donate to support children living with cancer, please go to campquality.org.au and attend Club Whitsundays Super Bowl party next year or donate directly on the charity website.

Sharpie, Justin Butler, Tracy O’Shae, and Adam at Club Whitsunday. Photo Credit: Victoria Velton

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John Collins, known as JC, Queensland’s first appointed Night-Life Economy Commissioner, is out and about on tour making connections to hotspots in regional Queensland. With the Government appointing an expert panel to ‘dial up’ Queensland’s night-life, JC has come to Airlie Beach to see how the locals swing it.

As the new commissioner, he is touring regional Queensland to understand local nightlife dynamics and advocate for vibrant nightlife across the state. The primary function of his role is supporting the economic development and preservation of the nightlife sector, serving as a central point of contact and advocating for live music venues, nightclubs, festival organisers, bars and restaurants, entertainment precincts, arts outlets, and local pubs to boost the economic impact of the sector and ensure long term sustainability Queensland-wide.

His excitement to be in Airlie Beach was apparent as he was keen to witness the town known as the ‘heart’ of live music. Airlie Beach was a highpoint of the tour for its unique live music scene, offering entertainment seven nights a week, 365 days a year.

“I’m excited to be out of Brisbane and looking at other areas across the state. Airlie Beach has got such a vibrant night-life, I really wanted to see what was going on here and just talk to people who are involved in the local industry.”

JC emphasized the importance of direct engagement with local councils and industry operators with his goal to foster connections and support nightlife growth especially in smaller regional towns. Having visited Cairns and Townsville, and with the main office based in Brisbane, JC was making it his mission to listen and recognise what smaller towns contribute to the overall economic impact that night-life brings to the state.

Airlie Beach is an internationally recognised destination, not just for its pubs and clubs but for music festivals too. In 2024, Airlie Beach Festival of Music attracted thousands of individuals and generated direct and incremental expenditures of $4,144,096, attributable to the Whitsundays Region economy, and $4,746,057 attributable to the Queensland economy.

As Commissioner, JC is making important connections and collecting data to build a foundation that will be able to support all levels of the night-life industry. He passionately commended Airlie Beach for being so vibrant, going at its own pace, and being recognisably different from other towns and cities he’s toured.

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Gavin Butlin, Margie Murphy, John Collins (J.C.), Rebecca Cook, Stacy Harvey, and Pam Geekiyanage outside Airlie Beach’s own Magnums beer garden. Photo Credit: Victoria Velton

Stacy Harvey, Margie Murphy, John Collins (J.C.), Rebecca Cook, and Gavin Butlin visiting Magnums. Photo Credit: Victoria Velton

Margie Murphy, John Collins (J.C.), and Rebecca Cook outside Airlie Beach’s own Magnum's beer garden. Photo Credit: Victoria Velton

The call is out to members of the Whitsunday community to put two dates in the diary for the month of March. First is Saturday, March 15, when ‘Team Whitsundays’ Dancing CEOs will host a Masquerade Gala Ball at the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal.
Following this, on Sunday, March 30, the entire community is invited to the ‘Epic Walk for DV’, looping about the Coral Sea Marina Gardens.
Both events are fundraisers for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ), an organisation providing life-saving, life-changing support for women and children impacted by domestic violence.
‘Team Whitsundays’ Dancing CEO, Dr Alice Harriott, said the Masquerade Gala Ball was designed to be a night of glitz, glamour, and “wonderful, heartfelt giving”, blending dinner and dancing with auctions and action for an important cause.
“This is going to be a great night out for groups of friends, colleagues, couples and organisations from across the greater Whitsunday region, combining fun and elegant fashion with feel-good benefits from supporting people in need,” she said.
Guests will enjoy sumptuous seafood, a fabulous main meal, cheeseboards and delectable desserts, along with a fully stocked bar and live entertainment from four-piece band ‘The Mojo’.
Meanwhile, Coral Sea Marina CEO, Kate Purdie, said the Epic Walk for DV was designed to be “epic in name and impact, rather than in nature”, comprising simple loops around the Bicentennial Boardwalk and back.
“This is going to be a fun, family-oriented event, so bring the kids, the dogs, your friends and your workmates, and sign up to start your own fundraising journey – either as individuals or as your own teams that wider circles of friends and extended family can sponsor and support.”
Breakfast, games and live entertainment will be supplied. Advance online sign-ups are essential and can be completed at www.epicwalkfordv.com.au. For more information follow the ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ Facebook page.
If you are a woman experiencing domestic violence and require legal service call: 1800 WLS WLS (1800 957 957) for the state-wide service or: 1800 457 117 for the Rural, Regional and Remote Legal Advice Line.
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WHAT: MASQUERADE GALA BALL
WHERE: Shute Harbour Marine Terminal
WHEN: Saturday, March 15 at 6pm
COST: $250pp. TO BOOK: www.mygivingtable.com.au/event-details/masquerade-gala-ball
WHAT: EPIC WALK FOR DV
WHERE: Coral Sea Marina Gardens
WHEN: Sunday, March 30 from 6am for a 7:30am start
COST: $24 adults, Kids Free. TO BOOK: www.epicwalkfordv.com.au
Caption: Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs Kate Purdie, Candice Crossley, Alice Harriott and Julie Telford. Photo Supplied: Sharon Smallwood

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The Whitsunday Regional Council has decided they want to try and host the 2026 Australian Cruise Association’s (ACA) Conference here in Airlie Beach. The Whitsundays is one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations, which is why cruise ships choose to dock in Airlie Beach year-round.

Each year the number of ships that visit ports in the Whitsundays increase, from roughly 70 post the covid-19 pandemic, to a whopping 90 expected this year! There are also two new cruise liners making their maiden calls to Airlie this February, truly showing how the demand to visit our beautiful region is increasing.

The Diamond Princess and the Zuiderdam will be visiting Airlie ports for the first time ever this year. These grand, international liners have the capacity to bring more than 3,000 people each to the Whitsunday region and bolster the local economy.

“It is our first visit to early beach, and we're super excited to be here. it's a great opportunity for our guests to get a little glimpse of the Australian weather that changes every two minutes. But we're loving it, the rain and the sun and everything in between, the hospitality of the of the people of the locals is absolutely unmatched. It's a port we definitely want to be back in.” said Stefan, the Diamond Princess’ Hotel General Manager.

The Diamond Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship, operated by Princess Cruises, and is no stranger to Australian waters and has been cruising in the southern hemisphere’s summer months since its maiden voyage in 2024. Keen ship-spotters would have seen it in Airlie waters on the 12th of February on her 11 Night Queensland & New South Wales journey.

The MS Zuiderdam is a Vista-class cruise ship, operated by Holland America Line and is named for the Southern compass direction in Dutch with its three sister-ships named for the other cardinal directions. You’ll be able to see her in Airlie waters this weekend on the 16th as she makes her third stop on her 42 Night Grand World Voyage.

The cruise ship industry continues to grow and the Whitsundays will not be left behind. With its close proximity to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and home to 74 beautiful islands, it's no wonder why cruise ships choose Airlie as a stop on their ocean voyages.

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Diamond Princess and Cruise Whitsundays exchanging plaques. Photo Credit: Victoria Velton

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What advice do you have to effectively work with your best mate/spouse/partner?

This Valentines Day, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry asked some of its members: What advice do you have to effectively work with your best mate/spouse/partner?

Chamber members from McDonalds and Live Life Pharmacy replied.

Jaide Paranomos, Licensee for McDonald’s Airlie Beach, Bowen, and Cannonvale, shared valuable insights from her experience working with her husband, Andrew.

“My husband Andrew and I have been working together for over a year now, running one of the world’s largest brands in the Whitsundays community,” she says.

For Jaide and Andrew, the key to a successful partnership—both in business and in life—lies in clear role definitions.

“We have defined roles and responsibilities to empower each other to own our expertise and respect our individual strengths. This helps us both focus on what we’re best at, ensuring that we’re the best Licensees we can be for our team and customers at Macca’s,” Jaide explains.

Another important aspect of their relationship is setting boundaries between work and personal life. “It’s also important for us to separate our personal and work life,” Jaide emphasises.

“This allows us to continue to build our relationship both as life and business partners, ensuring that we don't lose sight of the reasons we came together in the first place.”

In summary, Jaide’s advice for anyone working with their partner is to:
·        Define clear roles and responsibilities: Recognise and embrace each other’s strengths and areas of expertise.
·        Respect each other’s contributions: Trust in your partner’s abilities and empower them to take ownership of their responsibilities.
·        Separate work and personal life” Draw a line between professional and personal time to maintain a healthy relationship outside of the workplace.
Chamber President, and Live Life Pharmacies Airlie Beach pharmacist Allan Milostic says that working with a mate or a spouse can be easy and fun, and very effective if you do it right.

“Knowing your work mate well can lead to improved efficiencies, better workplace atmosphere, relations and flexibility as well as increasing the satisfaction of workplace achievements,” said Allan.

“However, it is easy to let personal issues spill over and interfere with a working relationship.”

Allan believes there are three keys to ensuring this doesn’t happen:
·        Respect: Like any co-worker your friend/spouse needs to be treated with respect at all times.
·        Boundaries: Leave personal stuff at the door, work is work, but also be cognisant of boundaries in roles at work. Close relationships can sometime blur these boundaries and potentially cause conflict.
·        Tact: Being blunt with your spouse or best mate at work just won’t work! Be nice.

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Did You know?
 
Whitsunday Regional Libraries First Five Forever Program is now back in full swing for the first school term of 2025.
 
Research shows that up to 90% of a child’s brain development happens in the first 5 years;  it is never too early to talk, read and tell stories with your child!
 
The First Five Forever sessions are free to all residents to attend. They focus on language and literacy development for children aged 0-5 years through fun and interactive play, reading and song.
 
Sessions are held at all our regional libraries, for more information head to libraries.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au
 

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During the recent extreme weather event, our Whitsunday community once again demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to each other’s safety.

From Council staff and emergency services to volunteers and neighbours looking out for one another, this response showcased the true strength of our Whitsunday community.

When severe weather and flooding impact our region, it takes a coordinated effort from many dedicated staff working behind the scenes and on the ground to keep our community safe and services running smoothly.

Responding to such events requires long hours, teamwork, and quick decision-making to manage the challenges that arise. Even a ‘small’ event takes a huge amount of effort.

As Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, I saw firsthand the coordinated efforts of Council, emergency services, and volunteers.

Our teams worked tirelessly monitoring roads, maintaining public facilities, and providing constant updates through the Disaster Dashboard.

We’re also grateful to our Police, SES, and first responders, who worked in tough conditions to assist those in need.

Council has been categorized as an affected area for NDRRA disaster relief funding, helping us secure resources for recovery and repairs.

I will continue advocating for federal and state funding to address ongoing road and flooding issues so we can build a more resilient region.

As conditions improve, Council crews are out fixing damage, repairing potholes, and restoring public spaces.

Thank you to everyone who stepped up—we are stronger together.

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