Revitalising Waterways Through Community Action

The Sarina community has banded together to support revitalisation and regeneration of two beloved beaches, as part of protection for the Great Barrier Reef plan.

Off the back of 10 community-led prompts detailed by the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Reef Community Action Plan (CAP), the Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association (SLCMA) has held a coastal rehabilitation project, calling for volunteers and locals to help out.

Working to revitalise and rejuvenate the Sarina Coast, the event saw improvement of ground conditions and prompted resilience at Carmila and Grasstree beaches.

SLCMA Coordinator Saskia von Fahland said it was great to see the CAP process come to fruition and lead to meaningful activities being undertaken in the catchment.

“Our local CAP project was a great opportunity to undertake a range of on-ground activities at local beaches and engage with the local community to raise awareness of the importance of having a healthy, resilient coastal zone, as the interface to the marine environment,” Ms von Fahland said.

Alongside volunteers and local residents, SLCMA planted 300 trees, removed an excess of 90 kilograms of invasive plants, and discovered and removed 55 kilograms of marine debris.

The Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Reef Community Action Plan was developed by Reef Catchments, to empower communities to come together and conserve and protect the Great Barrier Reef.

The top main priorities of the plan are climate change, litter and waste, revegetation, and water quality.

Of the 10 strategies outlined in the plan, only two of the strategies have evolved to on-ground projects.

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Grasstree Beach community beach clean-up. Photo credit: Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association

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Those readers under a certain age will not have heard of a movie called Cool Hand Luke. Some of you might not have heard of its lead actor, Paul Newman, which is a shame because the film and the actor are worth seeing.

For those not in the know, Paul Newman was a superstar and fine actor who looked a bit like me except he had more hair, piercing blue eyes, a chiselled chin, a slim athletic build, a smile that women would swoon over and a natural charm and charisma that meant women wanted him, and men wanted to be him.

Cool Hand Luke was set in a Florida prison that was a statement in brutality and punishment and the key theme was the defiance of Luke, played by Newman.

There are several excellent scenes; I watched the film on TV as a teenager and I quite enjoyed the car washing scene involving the prison governor’s daughter.

And there is a scene where the prison governor hits and prepares to punish rebellious Luke.

In the scene he says: “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”

The line became part of the lexicon of the 1970s and 1980s and if there was a mix-up over something someone might say, “what we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”

In real estate, communication is everything, but it comes in many forms. How I communicate with clients is largely determined by what they prefer.

Often someone’s age is the key determinant. It is stating the bleeding obvious that people in their 20s and early 30s generally prefer texting. Other clients are happy with the occasional text but prefer important conversations to be verbal, which is what I like.

I have an older client who doesn’t have a mobile phone so the only way I can contact him is on his landline. He lives in a fairly big house and his hearing isn’t fantastic so sometimes he doesn’t hear the phone. I used to leave a message on his answering machine but he doesn’t know how to retrieve the messages … or, perhaps he just doesn’t want to bother with it.

So now, when he doesn’t answer the phone I set aside a bit of time later in the day and drop around and see him. He lives near me so if he isn’t home when I swing by I go back later in the day when I am home.

It means that we plan the upcoming sale of his house face to face. We chat about other things as well but the time is spent productively moving things forward.

When the property goes on the market I will no doubt be dropping around to discuss feedback from buyers and any offers we get. We’ll be doing it face to face.

In a world where everything has been changed by technology it is crucial that an agent works out what the client wants and that what we have is never a failure to communicate.

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OPINION PIECE

Did you know that Pine islet Lighthouse, located at the Mackay Marina, was the last kerosene illuminated lighthouse in Australia?

The lighthouse was previously situated on Pine Islet in the Percy Group of islands, south-east of Mackay. The tower structure and keepers’ quarters were prefabricated in Brisbane before being shipped to the island in October 1884. Iron cladding for the lighthouse was brought from Britain.

The lighthouse apparatus is a second-order Chance Brothers lantern and dioptric lens rotating on a chariot wheel pedestal. The structure is one of the eight Queensland iron clad prefabricated hardwood towers of the late nineteenth century. The original lamp was an oil wick burner.

In 1923 the light source was converted from oil wick to an incandescent kerosene vapour burner. This kerosene burner was upgraded in 1934, with the installation of a refurbished unit from North Reef. After 104 years of service, the lighthouse was replaced by a fully automatic solar-powered light in 1985, before being dismantled and put into storage in 1986.

In 1989, after much lobbying, the lighthouse and apparatus were loaned to the Pine Islet Lighthouse Preservation Society for reconstruction, mainly by volunteers. Reconstruction started on 18th August 1989, and the lighthouse was restored to fully functional status in late 1995, making it the last operational kerosene light in the world. It was formally opened on 20th January 1996. While the lighthouse is not currently in operating condition, plans are underway to again restore the light to allow its operation.

We are a small but dedicated group of volunteers working diligently to undertake repairs and maintenance on the lighthouse. We have recently had a Conservation Management Plan prepared by heritage consultants, with funding generously provided by North Queensland Bulk Ports. This document will guide future work, in addition to a 3D scan, to be completed by Key Solutions Group.

If you’d like to get involved, or you have a story related to the lighthouse, we’d love to hear from you. You can find us on Facebook – Pine Islet Lighthouse Mackay – or get in touch with me on 0412 421 451, or email cr.belinda.hassan@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Cr Belinda Hassan

Mackay Regional Council

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Pine Islet Lighthouse at the Mackay Marina. Photo credit: Kendyle Bryan

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Hi Everyone,

My mum is a bit of a conspiracy theorist. She was enthralled by the recent investigative book on the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines doomed 370 flight and regaled me with the theory that different governments knew about a package onboard and shot down the plane.

She is also a bit of a COVID sceptic and says that, if it was up to her, she would never agree to having a vaccine in her life. Despite this, she dutifully heads to the doctors each year for a flu jab and a COVID booster.

I like listening to her theories but am more a believer in the power of good than I am in corruption so prefer to be open to the debate until the facts prove otherwise.

Despite being happy to sit on the fence with these sorts of issues, I am a staunch advocate for the right to express our views openly and unapologetically, without the fear of discrimination.

And this is one of the reasons I love living in Australia – we are a young country with a fierce spirit and a largely accepting disposition.

Believing this, I was a little surprised when information about the ‘Forest of the Fallen’ (read on page 6) silent protest was removed from one of our local community chat pages within an hour of it being posted.

The protest showed photos of people who are believed to have died or been injured following a COVID vaccination.

Whether or not this information is 100 per cent accurate, I believe it still deserves a place in our narrative and the people behind such movements have a right to be heard.

While the government are able to promote the merit of vaccinations surely pro-choice groups such as the ones holding this protest ought to be given an open platform as well.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “Upon waking in the morning, consider the privilege it is to be alive, to have the ability to think, to experience joy and to feel love” (Marcus Aurelius)

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Government Moves To Ban Gillnet Fishing

By Bronte Hodge

The Federal Government has made the move to ban commercial gillnet fishing, a decision that will drastically impact over 90 licensed fishermen in the region.

Andrew Willcox Federal Member for Dawson said the decision came without consultation and allowed no rebuttal from affected fishermen, stating the supposed dangers that gillnets pose to marine life as reason behind the ban.

Willcox has addressed Parliament, voicing his concerns for commercial fishermen in the region.

“In June, a joint media release from Federal and Queensland Labor have said they’re going to ban gillnet fishing, no consultation with the community, no consultation with our fishermen, and short time frames! This is going to happen by the end of this year,” he explained.

Willcox believes this decision has a flow on effect that will harm chandlery and fishing supply stores, plus many more marine associated businesses.

“The boatbuilders, the repairers, they’re all going to go out of business. The outboard sales and service, going out of business,” Mr Willcox said.

Banning gillnets in Australia means that rather than being able to purchase locally sourced fish, consumers will only have the option of imported fish, or selected breeds that continue to be locally sourced but at an exorbitant price point.

“The wild caught fishing industry in Queensland deserves to be protected and deserves to be supported! The fishing industry is sustainable, and the fishery is in good condition!” said Mr Willcox.

For Kev Collins, owner-operator of Fish D’Vine Restaurant and Rum Bar in Airlie Beach, this ban would detrimentally impact his business.

“People travel to the Whitsundays and North Queensland for our seafood.

“This ban will mean we have no point of difference to other big cities,” he said.

“This indiscriminately disconnected decision will take the livelihood of hundreds of commercial fishermen, and dramatically spike the market price for the remaining available fish, and ultimately takes away from Queensland tourism.”

According to Mr Collins, in the 17 years since the fishermen have been required to remain with their nets, only seven dugongs have been killed, versus the 8.5 thousand killed over the same time period, in traditional Indigenous hunting that is allowed through the Native Title Act.

The gillnets in question operate at least 60 kilometres away from the Great Barrier Reef, and with the fishermen required to remain with their nets while in the water, the danger to marine life, particularly turtles and dugongs, is drastically reduced.

For these reasons, many people in the local fishing industry do not believe gillnet fishing should be banned.

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Andrew Willcox, Federal Member for Dawson, fights for local gillnet fishers. Photo: Supplied

Usually organised mother-of-the-groom, Leanne Kettleton, woke up on Monday morning in a panic – it was the week of her son’s wedding, and she was completely unprepared.

Working out west for long periods of time, she had just returned back to her hometown of Airlie Beach, and life was suddenly catching up with her.

Feeling overwhelmed she began ringing around trying to organise different services in preparation for the wedding which was due to take place on the Thursday.

But this was taking some time, so she decided to “put it out there into Facebook world and see what came back!”

The post on Whitsunday Chat read: “So I'm going to be 'that guy' who has not got her s*** together for reasons I don't even know. My son is getting married in Airlie on Thursday and I need to make some bookings (yes I know it's only 3 sleeps away). Can businesses or private people who do this sort of thing only comment if you are available and can help. I have already started ringing around but am hitting some brick walls so thought I'd jump on here.”

Within a few hours responses had started flying in and by Tuesday evening Leanne had connected with eight different business, from Airlie to Proserpine, who had all jumped in at the last minute to help make the day special.

From platters to nails and eyebrows, make-up to transport services – everything was sorted and Leanne could relax and look forward to the day.

“It’s been wonderful!” said Leanne.

“I am so grateful to everyone in the community, I was so stressed out on Monday but now I feel organised and it’s all thanks to them!”

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In January next year Airlie Beach will welcome a fleet of 11 racing yachts, as Coral Sea Marina once again becomes Host Port for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

As Leg 4 of the around the world race, the competitors will travel north from Newcastle, in New South Wales, before stopping and resting in the Whitsundays for a brief period before beginning Leg 5.

The Clipper Race is renowned for being one of the toughest endurance challenges, coming against extreme on water conditions and testing strength and determination.

Joscelyn O'Keefe, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Host Port, Coral Sea Marina Resort said “following the positive economic impact of its previous visits, we are delighted to once again be Host Port for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.‘’

“Having the opportunity to further promote our region as a leading sailing destination in the Southern Hemisphere is one which we couldn’t pass up.

“This will be the fourth time the Clipper Race fleet has been welcomed to Coral Sea Marina Resort and the team here are very much looking forward to the buzz the race fleet creates at the marina and throughout Airlie Beach during their stay.

“We will be working closely with the Clipper Race team to find ways to engage the community with the race and make this another memorable stopover for the race crews and their supporters.”    

While hosted at the Coral Sea Marina, the 11 crews will have opportunities to explore the region and take a few days of rest before setting sail for Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.

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Clipper Race 2020 Whitsundays Parade of Sail

Clipper Race 2020 Coral Sea Marina Stopover. Photos supplied

By Rachael Smith

A flash mob of protest signs suddenly appeared on the Airlie Beach Foreshore over the weekend when representatives of a movement known as ‘Forest of the Fallen’ publicly displayed photos of people who are believed to have died or been injured following a COVID 19 vaccination.

Dozens of faces told the story of the human toll of the pandemic and the lives believed to have been impacted as a result of adverse effects of the vaccine.

As quickly as the silent protest appeared, however, it then disappeared.

Removed within an hour of its arrival.

The group’s website states that these ‘forests’ are set up and then “left to work its intention on all who are open to witness and interact with it.”

“It is not a protest, it is not a database,” reads the website.

“It is solely a platform where we share only cv19 injection deaths and injuries that I have personally found, only where stories have been publicly shared and published on multiple sources.”

The website also asserts that it is not an “anti-vax” display.

Another Facebook group entitled Forest of the Fallen – Australian Vaccine Injury Claims, however, casts speculation on the validity of the faces in the pictures, stating that some may be false.

“I have spent months trying to verify the validity of the stories, it is very rare to find one that is even true,” said a spokesperson from the group.

“They push the anti vax agenda and while they are called Forest of the Fallen, very few of the stories relate to those who have died.”

Despite questions into the validity of the individual people who featured in the ‘Forest of the Fallen’ protest, there still remains growing concerns that suspected adverse effects from COVID vaccinations has been mishandled by the Department of Health.

Dr Melissa McCann, who has been a local Whitsunday GP for many years, launched a Class Action lawsuit to fight what she believes to be a failing government compensation scheme and unsafe vaccine earlier this year.

Since the vaccination became available, Dr McCann has witnessed an unusually large amount of patients presenting with adverse effects such as chest pain, blood clots, miscarriages and strokes shortly after receiving a COVID vaccination.

Many of these side-effects are not included in the Services Australia Covid Vaccine Claims Scheme and she is asking for people to come forward if they have been impacted.

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‘Forest of the Fallen’ – dozens of posters featuring the faces of those believed to have experienced adverse effects of the COVID vaccine. Photo: Facebook

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A 67-year-old Dingo Beach man has sadly passed away following a two-vehicle collision on the evening of Sunday August 20, on Strathdickie Road.

Initial investigations indicate that the two vehicles collided at the intersection of Strathdickie Road and Staniland Drive, just before 6.30pm on Sunday evening.

The 67-year-old Dingo Beach man died at the scene, while the driver of the other vehicle, a 43-year-old Riordanvale woman was transported to Townsville University Hospital for treatment.

Police urge for witnesses or anyone with relevant camera vision to reach out.

This fatality marks six deaths on our region’s roads in two months.

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A total of 10 properties are due to go under the hammer as the Whitsunday Regional Council auctions off properties with rates in arrears.

This is off the back of 13 properties that faced a similar fate in April’s auction, although only one property was successfully sold.

The properties, encompassing addresses in Collinsville, Bowen, and Queens Beach, must be in council rate arears of at least three years to qualify, and for the council to have exhausted all other repayment options.

“The process to auction properties only eventuates after every measure has been taken to help the ratepayers clear their outstanding debt,” explained a council spokesperson.

“Correspondence and conversations take place during the six months up to the auction date.

“Council works closely with the impacted ratepayers prior to this action being taken, assisting to facilitate payment arrangements before it reaches the auction listing.”

Once a property has reached this stage of arrears, the council can offer the properties as ‘Sale by Negotiation’, which “essentially allows any interested parties to reach out to Council and place their highest and best offer to purchase the property.”

In the case of properties sold, the new owner does not take on the existing property debts, as the reserve price is a minimum to cover the rate arrears.

However, as outlined in section 143 of the Local Government Regulation, the local government must set the reserve price for the property at either the market value of the land, or the higher of either the amount of overdue rates or the charges on the land, or the value of the land.

If the reserve price is not reached at auction, the council can enter negotiations with any bidder who attended the auction, but the sale price must still be more than the reserve price of the property.

“Setting of the reserve price is delegated by Council resolution to the Chief Executive Officer,” explained the Council spokesperson.

Once sold, it is the new owner’s responsibility to exchange titles and mortgage.

“Upon settlement the new owner should lodge the transfer document with the titles office then the mortgage should be taken off the title.”

In terms of vacancy and tenants, the properties are sold without specified vacancy.

“The property is sold as is, the new owner has the responsibility of getting vacant possession,” said the spokesperson.

“It is important for Council to undergo the Intention to Sell process in order to ensure that outstanding rates arrears aren’t increasing which puts a burden on all other ratepayers who pay their rates on time.”

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Stolen Car Recovered

A Mitsubishi Triton was stolen from an address north of Proserpine on August 20.

The Triton was later found abandoned on Leichardt Street in Bowen, on the same day.

Police continue their investigations.

Drink Drivers

Whitsunday Police have intercepted 13 drink drivers across the last week, including a 34-year-old Sydney man who returned 0.16 per cent alcohol breath test on Hamilton Island, on the morning of Sunday August 20.

Also on Hamilton Island, a 37-year-old Sydney man was charged with four offences, including contravening a police requirement, obstructing police, and two counts of failing to supply breath specimen.

A 51-year-old Proserpine woman was issued with a notice to appear in court, following an incident on the evening of August 18.

The woman was intercepted after she was spotted missing a corner on Anzac Road and almost crashing into a pool area.

She returned an alcohol reading on 0.209 per cent.

Snake Bite

Bowen – snake bite

Paramedics transported a stable female in her 20s to Bowen Hospital following a reported snake bite on Powell Street at 11.07pm, on Monday August 21.

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With less than a week to go until the second annual Whitsundays Songwriters Festival and Residency kicks-off, organisers are excited to not only bring together a stellar line-up of legendary musicians for their mentorship program, but also to showcase a host of amazing talent at an intimate concert on Saturday evening.

Attracting a high calibre of artist to lead this year’s event, the festival is expected to flourish once again and will feature special guests, Tony Childs, Vika and Linda, Mark Sholtez, and event founders Francesca de Valence and Karen Jacobsen.

From Thursday, August 31, festival attendees will participate in a professional-level song writing retreat, connecting with other writers, co-writing, and masterminding new music.

On Saturday a special one-day workshop event for emerging songwriters will take place.

This will be followed by an evening performance by the professional faculty at Paradiso on the Airlie Beach Foreshore.

This intimate Concert and Conversation event will offer guests an up-close and personal insight into these talented musicians who will each share their new and original compositions, and the personal stories of their musical journeys.

Highly acclaimed local musicians, Karen Jacobsen and Francesca de Valence are co-founders of the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and say they are absolutely thrilled to be bringing this event to the region.

“To have artists of the calibre of Toni Child’s, Vika and Linda, and Mark Sholtez coming here is very exciting,” said Karen.

“Our mission is to develop a next generation of songwriters in the Whitsundays, and the support from the community and local businesses has been incredible.

“Imagine hearing Vika and Linda in an intimate performance setting then hearing Toni Childs share about her career and creative process?

“The Concert and Conversation event offers exactly this and it’s really special to be able to bring this never to be repeated format with these artists right here in Airlie Beach.”

Whitsundays Songwriters Festival would like to thank Whitsunday Regional Council, Arts Queensland, the Whitsundays Arts Festival, Yangaro, Cruise Whitsundays and Paradiso for their support.

WHAT: Whitsundays Songwriters Festival, Concert and Conversations

WHERE: Paradiso Restaurant

WHEN: Saturday, September 2 from 5pm

TICKETS: $60 from whitsundaysartsfestival.org

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Festival co-founder Karen Jacobsen will be performing alongside Tony Childs, Vika and Linda, Mark Sholtez and co-founder Francesca de Valence next Saturday at Paradiso.

Photo Credit: T. D'Herville

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The Bowen Gumlu Growers Association has been making waves, delivering the ‘New Realities in Agriculture and Aquaculture Project’ to the region’s young people, though a virtual reality project.

Participating students were taken through the common misconceptions surrounding the industry and shown the diverse and varied roles that are available for young people.

Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Chief Executive Officer, Ry Collins, said the project was designed to engage directly with a young audience focused on their future.

“The virtual reality experience that the ‘New Realities’ project offers gives students and young adults the opportunity to step into a simulated environment and explore the roles available in the agriculture and aquaculture industries,” he said.

“Engaging this audience in an environment that stimulates discussion around future careers is crucial to the long-term success and viability of the industry.”  

Senior students attending the Whitsundays Career Expo in August were the first to try out the virtual reality headsets.

Mr Rob Harris, Bowen State High School Principal, was in strong support of technologies that offer alternate ways to engage students and encourage them to consider pathways beyond year 12.

“The students really enjoyed the Virtual Reality experience and commented on the number of roles on offer across the industry,” he said.

“I think it surprised many students to learn that skills in the sciences, information technology and food studies can be utilised to forge a career in agriculture and aquaculture.

“Hearing first-hand from local growers about their experiences on farms added another dimension to the experience and allowed the students to imagine the reality of a career working alongside these mentors.”

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Reef conservation is at the heart of Whitsunday schools, with the Whitsunday Regional Council leading waste minimisation programs across the region.

Working as part of the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Reef Community Action Plan (CAP), the council sought to begin reef protection and conservation with the region’s youngest, implanting carbon footprint reducing tactics in schools.

Primarily through reduction of food waste in schools, a Waste Education Officer conducted waste bin audits before constructing plans to mitigate the concerns they found.

Across the five schools visited, common priorities included organics excluded from landfill, reducing the amount of soft plastics discovered, and introducing recycling programs.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall said the waste minimisation programs are a great tool to empower schools and to educate our community.

"It is more important than ever to ensure that the younger generation in our community understand the importance of sustainable waste management practices in order to preserve our environment and delicate ecosystems for years to come,” said Mayor Hall.

These school-based waste education programs have been really successful in educating our young residents on the difference they can make by following a few simple waste reduction steps.”

The Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Reef Community Action Plan detailed 10 community strategies to improve protection and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef.

Mackay Whitsunday Isaac CAP Leader Kellie Best said that over the past year, two of these strategies have progressed to on-ground projects in our region.  

The Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Reef Community Action Plan is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

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Whitsunday Regional Council taking Reef Protection to region’s youngest. Photo supplied

More than 500 residential lots bordered by open space and parkland have just been opened-up and approved for development in Cannon Valley.

Gold Coast-based, Alder Developments, have secured this 100-hectare parcel of land at 1405 Shute Harbour Road, Cannon Valley and are looking forward to creating a master planned community “for Whitsunday residents to live in and to raise their families”.

Alder Developments General Manager Greg Tupicoff says Alder Developments assessed dozens of alternate opportunities before deciding to secure the Cannon Valley site which is positioned on Shute Harbour Road leading into Airlie Beach.

“This master planned community project will be delivered in 20-plus stages over the next 10-plus years providing a range of diverse houses, retail, commercial, and educational land uses for the growing market along with parklands with shaded areas, play areas, utilities, and community facilities for the enjoyment of residents and locals alike,” says Mr Tupicoff.

“The development will serve the families of the Whitsundays by offering affordable land to the market in the area which the Whitsundays Regional Council has designated in their 2021 Structure Plan as the desirable growth areas for the Whitsundays.”

Alder Developments’ are also behind Airlie Summit, the last major subdivision of Airlie Beach centre, a 24-hectare development which has approval for the creation of 89 new residential lots.

Explore Whitsundays is the exclusive selling agent for both Cannon Valley and Airlie Summit, any enquiries are to be directed towards Steve Marks on 0423 790 850.

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Family homes and lifestyle living at the new 100-hectare estate in Cannon Valley. Photo supplied

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