As you may have heard on Star breakfast, I enjoy my sport. Cricket, rugby, league, the trifecta. It's the end of summer and cooing over numbers, stats and ‘how good does it look’ takes a back seat for big hits, big tries and who gets picked for rep sides.

Super rugby is back! The Reds looked good for most of their game against the Hurricanes, The Waratahs beat a powerhouse Crusaders, and the game between the Rebels and the Force was exciting. What a time it is to be a Wallabies fan.

The Eddie Jones era is over and the question now is... What’s next? Does new coach Joe Schmidt continue picking youth, or does he sprinkle in experienced players when Wales and Georgia hit our shores in July before the rugby championship.

Mass changes need to be made not just with the squad but the attitude around the Wallabies. A once proud organisation now sits at 9th in the world rankings and seems to be losing momentum with fans. Joe Schmidt has a lot of work to do before July.

Youthful players like Carter Gordon, Tate McDermott, Angus Bell, Max Jorgenson, Lachlan Lonergan and Mark Nawaqanitawase should all be receiving calls from Schmidt for the first Wallabies camp of 2024. Experienced players like Nick White, Tanelia Tupou, Will Skelton, Samu Kerevi when fit and Michael Hooper, will bring a balance to a side left rudderless after a very disappointing world cup.

Wales is a tough first assignment but I believe, and call me crazy, the Wallabies can come back. A series draw 1-1 with Wales, a win over Georgia and a positive record in the rugby championship are all achievable and it's what the Wallabies need before the Lions in 2025 and RWC 2027 in Australia.

It's the hope that kills you supporting the Wallabies, but don't give up yet.

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Jake

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The exposure of the gender pay gaps in large Australian organisations is a turning point for gender equality, but more must be done to hold employers to account, says an Australian researcher.

Workplace diversity expert Professor Carol Kulik says the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA’s) release of gender pay gaps for large Australian employers is a great first step but its impact will depend on the actions of organisations to narrow the disparity.

The WGEA – a statutory agency responsible for promoting and improving workplace gender equality –published gender pay gaps for Australian private sector employers with 100 or more employees last week. It is the first time large organisations will have their gender pay gap data exposed.

In 2023, the WGEA reported that the average gender pay gap was 21.7 per cent, meaning women in Australia are earning, on average, $26,393 less a year than men.

Professor Kulik says the revelation of gender pay gaps in large corporations is a pivotal moment in advancing gender equality.

However, further actions are imperative to ensure employers with pay gaps are held accountable, Prof Kulik says, “We now must be asking employers, in what roles and what levels of employment are pay gaps most prevalent? How are you (the employer) supporting employees’ caring responsibilities? What are you doing to ensure women move into roles where they are paid more? How long will it take for you to close your pay gap?

“Until we show employers that their pay gaps influence our behaviour, they are unlikely to make the changes needed to narrow pay gaps.”

History shows that organisations do respond to regulatory pressure. In 2010, the ASX Corporate Governance Council started requiring ASX-listed entities to report the gender composition of their boards and executive teams, leading to a spike in female appointments to senior roles.

However, the appointments generated a new inequity, because female executives were paid less than their male counterparts.

“Instead of women being paid more, men were paid less,” Professor Kulik says. “Pay is an important motivator of employee performance, so a smart employer will close pay gaps by allocating separate funds to that purpose, rather than drawing funds from its rewards budget.”

Employer gender pay gaps are available on individual employer pages on WGEA’s Data Explorer.

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Caption: Professor Carol Kulik 

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Students passionate about the world of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) are amongst the finalists for the Queensland Resources Awards for Women - an annual event celebrating the achievements of women in the resources sector.

Lexi Croce from Moranbah State High School is among the 2024 finalists alongside students from the Gold Coast and Bundaberg.

The annual Resources Awards for Women celebrate the contribution women are making to the state’s $116.8 billion resources sector and are facilitated by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ).

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said the three students were worthy finalists and great advocates for the resources sector.

“Lexi, Aileen and Cadence have got different areas of interest in the resources and energy sector, but they have all displayed a commitment to the future of the industry and shown leadership skills as ambassadors for the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy this year,” said Ms Jones.

“I am sure they will be part of the next generation of innovators and leaders who will contribute to increasing the long-term sustainability of the resources and energy sector.”  

“I am also delighted all three finalists are participating in our six-month QRC/WIMARQ Girls in Resources Leadership Skills (GIRLS) mentoring program where they will have the opportunity to get guidance and advice from an industry professional.”

Lexi Croce is a School Captain at Moranbah State High School and has actively pursued her interest in STEM studies throughout secondary school, including being a member of her school’s successful Moranbah High STEM Innovation Experience team which won the Queensland competition in 2023. Lexi said she was driven by the idea of finding electrical solutions to make mining operations more efficient and environmentally friendly.

“The mining and energy sector powers our world and I’m keen to be a part of the drive to create a more sustainable future for the industry,” said Lexi.

The winner of the student award will be announced at the QRC/WIMARQ International Women’s Day Lunch today (Friday 8 March) in Brisbane, which features global mining leader and BHP President Australia Geraldine Slattery as keynote speaker.

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Caption: Lexi Croce, a School Captain at Moranbah State High School, is a finalist in the Queensland Resources Awards for Women

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On the bigger stage, the women’s movement has won hard fought gains including the ‘right to work’, greater equity and opportunity, and let’s not forget the ‘right to vote’.

At the personal level, the enduring challenge for women to ‘give it a go’ and pursue opportunities is lack of self-belief, confidence and courage to act. For all my years working in career development, these issues persist across the generations. Women defer not only to men, but also other women, or simply choose not to act, regardless of career stage, age and experience. Believing in ourselves needs constant attention and this was Sandy’s key lesson.

After working in casual employment, Sandy (located in a prosperous regional centre with a range of industries) was interested in returning to a more permanent office job – but had been holding herself back. With the perception that employment prospects would drop when you get to a ‘certain age’ and also not feeling completely confident in her ability, Sandy was ready to ‘accept’ her current work situation instead of pursuing her goal. An opportunity presented for Sandy to join a personal development program, which took a leap of faith. She found the program to be hugely beneficial, not only the practical elements of job seeking, but also the personal coaching to focus on identifying and leveraging her strengths and building confidence. Finding the courage to apply and secure a new job has helped Sandy also see the advantages of her considerable experience.

“Don’t let age be a barrier – believe in yourself and what you bring to the table.”

Sometimes you just need that someone ’on your side’ to believe in you and provide dedicated support to ‘give it a go’. Many of us have our trusted inner circle to lean on, however there is great benefit in an independent trusted adviser. A personal career guide is totally dedicated to you, providing a confidential space to explore self, and opportunities, including an action plan for career goals and next steps. If you want to take those steps for yourself, visit my website and get in touch.

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Photo credit: Marty Strecker

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The Queensland Government is investing $90 million over three years to rollout around 450,000 free potentially lifesaving meningococcal B (MenB) vaccines for infants, children and adolescents.

Last year, Queensland recorded 36 cases of meningococcal B disease and two cases have been recorded this year to date.

This serious infection can lead to complications from invasive meningococcal disease which can cause significant illness, disability, and death.

Distribution of these vaccines is underway to vaccination providers to manage the rollout of the new program.

Year 10 students are among the first to receive the vaccine through scheduled Queensland School Immunisation Program visits.

All infants and children under two, and adolescents aged 15 to 19, can now access the vaccine, in line with the Queensland Government’s commitment to implement the program in the first quarter of 2024. 

This builds upon the existing program offering the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, providing even broader protection.

The state-funded MenB program will be delivered through registered vaccination service providers including general practitioners, community vaccination clinics, pharmacies, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services.

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said these vaccines will save lives.

“As Queensland families face tough decisions as a result of national cost of living pressures, the Queensland Government is ensuring the health of our future generations is not being compromised as a result.”

Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman said, “We know the meningococcal B strain can progress rapidly and cause serious disability or death.

“The health of Queenslanders is our top priority and this investment will ensure nearly half a million infants, children and adolescents will be eligible to receive the MenB vaccine this year for free.

“I would like to thank the brave parents who tirelessly advocated for this program after experiencing unimaginable loss.

“Their courage and determination have directly resulted in this lifesaving initiative.” 

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said he encourages all parents with eligible children to take the opportunity to vaccinate their child against all vaccine-preventable strains of meningococcal – A, B, C, W and Y.

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Caption: Deputy Premier Cameron Dick and Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman at Browns Plains State High School, one of the first schools in the state to provide students with the MenB vaccine

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One lucky Queensland kindy will win a visit from iconic children’s band The Wiggles as part of a campaign to help children learn about electrical safety.

Entry into the competition is simple, with children, parents, guardians and educators encouraged to take a photo or video that highlights why electrical safety is important using messages from The Wiggles’ song Electricity!

The Queensland Government first partnered with The Wiggles in 2022 to teach children about electrical safety, with the pair joining forces once again in 2023 to spread the free kindy message to Queensland families.

Thirteen competition runners-up will receive family passes to The Wiggles’ April concert in Brisbane.

Minister for Industrial Relations Grace Grace said the government wants Queensland children to understand the dangers of electricity.

“The Wiggles shared the Miles Government’s Free Kindy message to thousands of Queenslanders and their song Electricity! has been viewed over four million times,” she said.

“This competition is a rare opportunity to dance along with The Wiggles at your local kindy and as the honorary Pink Wiggle, I can’t wait to see plenty of creative entries.”  

Minister for Education Di Farmer said, “We know how important the early years are to a child’s life – that’s why the Miles Government made kindy free.

“It is important to teach children safe habits while they are young and The Wiggles’ song Electricity! does exactly that.”

Blue Wiggle Anthony Field said that for more than 30 years, The Wiggles have educated and entertained children and their families through music, song and dance.

“We’ve created a new song about electricity that we hope will have a positive impact on children and help to keep them safe.”

You can read more about the competition here: https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/Wiggles

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Despite the initial setback due to weather, the Australia Day Carnival finally took place on Saturday afternoon under clear skies. The green was bustling with excitement as two groups of bowlers gathered to participate. One group consisted of seasoned bowlers, while the other included a mix of new bowlers and a few experienced ones to guide them.

Sponsored by the Mackay Regional Council and Karyn Shepherd from More Air, the afternoon featured two games of 11 ends each. Following the first game, winners faced off against each other while losers competed in their own bracket.

Laughter and camaraderie filled the air as participants enjoyed the friendly competition and the opportunity to spend time outdoors. Despite the delay, it turned out to be a great afternoon for everyone involved, showcasing the spirit of community and sportsmanship.

Upcoming Events:

On Friday, March 8th, the day begins with Ladies Social Play at 1pm,

Followed by the CH/CH Triples event at 1:30 PM, featuring E. Clemett, J. Nelson, and R. Schatkowski against K. Dunn, C. Savage, and K. Burns.

The weekend continues with a Mixed Fours and Mixed Pairs Carnival on Saturday, March 9th commencing from 1pm, and two games of Mixed Pairs on Sunday, March 10th starting at 11am.

RESULTS
Winners of winners Bowlers: Alan Bartlett, Col Stevens, Tony Hollows.
Winner  of Losers: Doug Wootton, Tony Gibson, Silver Fox.
Non Bowlers More Air Winner of Winners: Ben, Hailey, P Molloy Chris Molloy
Winner of Losers: Cam, Karyn, Janice , Shep. 

Club Results
Thursday Scroungers (16) N.Holt def B.Williams (20-5)
Friday Ladies Social Results:
C.Marks, B.Jenner, R.Schatkwoski def L.JENNER, D.Mezzen, J.Caban.
P.Nelson, M.Mayfield, D.McMamara  de f V.Edwards, J.Nelson, B.Robertson.
Men's A Pairs : A.Lovern, N.Holt def G.Thomsen, T.Mayfield  (28-7)
R.Dunstan, S.McMillan  def  S.Makin, C.Molloy   (30-15)
Men's A Fours: T.Gibson, K.Tranberg, G.Edmonds N.Wilson   def  G.Wynd, A.Shepherd,
D.Wootton, B.BRIDGER.

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Contributed by Mike Irving.

Caption: Players gathered together to play a game of bowls at the postponed Australia day event.

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In a historic move for the Mackay Cutters, this will mark the first ever time that the team will run three female divisions. This significant development comes as the Mackay Airport continues its major sponsorship of the Cutters, coinciding with the start of their season, which aligns with International Women’s Day celebrations, this upcoming weekend.

Leading the charge for the Mackay Cutters is 22-year-old Emma Manzelmann, a highly respected captain and player on the team. Emma expresses her excitement about the upcoming game, emphasizing the unique atmosphere of North Queensland compared to other regions. She believes that people will truly enjoy the experience of rugby league in the region.

“I think being in North Queensland is such a different atmosphere to being down south, I think people would really enjoy it up here,” Emma says.

For Emma and her fellow female rugby league players, the expansion of pathways into professional training from the under-17 level is said to be a game-changer. This opportunity not only enhances their development but also opens doors to a multitude of career opportunities in the sport.

“I think it just helps develop the girls even more, having that pathway where they can get professional training right from under 17s, it just opens up so many opportunities,” Emma explains.  

As the Mackay Cutters gear up for their first game this Friday, Emma acknowledges the significance of being part of the main game for the premiership season opener, highlighting the excitement surrounding the event.

Mackay Cutters Chief Executive Officer, Mitch Cook says “It’s just such a great opportunity for future female rugby league players in Mackay, and we’re pretty excited to see what this upcoming season will bring.”

Reflecting on the expansion of women's rugby league, Emma emphasises the importance of providing role models for younger players. She hopes to inspire the next generation of female athletes and be a source of support and guidance for them as they navigate their own journeys in the sport.

While the expansion of opportunities for female players is a positive step forward, Emma advocates for a steady and sustainable approach to growth. She believes that maintaining a balance between expansion and careful development is crucial for the long-term success of women's rugby league in the region.

The ladies in league are set to kick off from 6pm on Friday, the 9th of March. As the Mackay Cutters commence this ground-breaking season, they are not only making history but also paving the way for future generations of female rugby league players to thrive. With passion, dedication, and a commitment to excellence, Emma and her teammates are poised to leave their mark on the field and inspire others along the way.

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Caption: Mackay Cutters Chief Executive Officer, Mitch Cook

Caption: Captain of the women’s Mackay Cutters team, Emma Manzelmann

Caption: A team of women’s rugby league players ready to kick-start the game

Caption: The women’s rugby league team with Mackay Cutters Chief Executive Officer, Mitch Cook. Photo Credit: Hannah McNamara

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Figures for this year’s race saw over a whopping 900 total registered runners on the day… an all-time record which organisers and community supporters are thrilled about! The Twilight run is a great precursor for the BMA Mackay Marina Run on June 2. 

Registered Twilight runners are encouraged to lace up again!  Early bird pricing for the BMA Mackay Marina Run ends March 13.

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Photos supplied by Amanda Munn

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A sub-adult Green Sea Turtle was released back into the wild over the weekend, this milestone moment symbolising the collaboration between several entities and the hard work of many volunteers at Eco Barge Cleans Seas.

Floyd was rescued by Port of Airlie Marina staff last month when they noticed he was struggling to swim.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Floyd’s front flipper had been entangled with a fishing line, some of which had also been ingested.

Floyd received care at the Turtle Rescue Centre and made an excellent recovery, enabling him to be released back to the ocean on Saturday afternoon.

Upon release, Floyd was fitted with a satellite tracker which was donated by North Queensland Bulk Ports.

This is the first time this technology has been used at the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre and it is already providing critical insights for Eco Barge Clean Seas to study Floyd’s movements, enhance their understanding of Green Sea Turtle behaviour and aid in their conservation efforts.

Libby Edge, founder of Eco Barge Clean Seas said she was thrilled to be involved with Floyd’s release and celebrate this milestone moment with everyone.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Port of Airlie Marina and North Queensland Bulk Ports for their invaluable contribution in the rescue, care, and release of Floyd,” she said.

To celebrate the success and ongoing partnership, it was also announced this week that Cruise Whitsundays and Eco barge Clean Seas have partnered together again, both entities dedicated to preserving and conserving the marine and ocean life of the Whitsundays.

"As a non-profit, strong partnerships like this are essential for fulfilling our mission," Libby notes gratefully.

"We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with Cruise Whitsundays, which has been instrumental in our joint efforts, including rescuing turtles from various locations across the Whitsundays.

"We are indeed fortunate to have such unwavering support, which enables us to reach and rescue turtles in remote island locations.”

Liza Muller, Sales and Marketing Manager of Cruise Whitsundays, expresses pride in supporting such a vital local initiative.

She remarks, "Libby and her dedicated team at Eco Barge Clean Seas exhibit immense passion and commitment towards preserving the pristine beauty of the Whitsundays.

“This ethos perfectly aligns with Cruise Whitsundays' dedication to safeguarding the remarkable environment in which we operate."

Eco Barge Clean Seas was established in 2009, a not-for-profit organisation looking to safeguard the marine life and environment of the Whitsunday region, with programs such as marine debris removal, recycling, and repurposing ocean plastics, and providing care and rehibition at their Turtle Rescue Centre.

Since its inception, Eco Barge Clean Seas has successfully removed over 250,160 kilograms of rubbish from the Whitsunday waters.

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1: Libby Edge, Founder of Eco Barge Clean Seas holding Floyd with satellite tracker. On the left, a representative from North Queensland Bulk Ports who supplied the tracker. Photo supplied

2: Eco Barge Clean Seas volunteers and Cruise Whitsundays representatives who helped release Floyd over the weekend. Photo supplied

3: The satellite tracker showing where Floyd has been over the last week. Photo supplied.

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And just like that, my final paper for Whitsunday Life has rolled around. It feels like a lifetime ago that I put my resignation in with Rach and the team, where I cried and Rach tried hard to not cry with me.

And it feels like an eternity ago that I was welcomed into this great team, as a fledging journo with big dreams and a bigger need to develop my skills. But this team have been great, allowing me the ability to grow my skills, with tasteful and constructive criticism, dealing with my spelling ‘trail’ as ‘trial’ during my first week, and laughing with me when I somehow use the entirely wrong name throughout an article.

And outside of work, I have flourished in so many ways.

But no matter, I have evolved into an entirely different person, one that is less afraid to sign up for team sports, or joining a Pilates class, or going on friend-dates. I’m not going to lie, these situations still make me nervous as all heck, but I have proven to myself that I can do these things, that I can make friends through these avenues, and that I actually enjoy getting out and about.

Now, I am about to start a new chapter in my life.

I am moving to be closer to my family, in regional New South Wales. I am starting a new job, in a community engagement role with youth mental health, which will see me organising events and hosting workshops for children between the ages of 12 and 25.

I will have to embrace the chill of a New England winter, but considering I was able to survive a Whitsunday summer, this will not be hard! And I will be sharing pics of me all rugged up in thick winter coats with the Whitsunday Life team.

So yes, this will probably be the last time you’ll hear from me, but you never know what the future holds.

I wish to thank everyone over the course of this past year for everything you have helped me with, for allowing me to grow, to challenge, and to flourish in the beautiful Airlie Beach.

Signing off,

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Bronte

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Over 60 do-gooding locals braved the high temperatures and great humidity over the weekend to participate in the Clean Up Australia Day held at Coral Sea Marina

This annual event is part of the broader national event which takes place on the first week of March each year and has seen 21 million Australians participate over the last 33 years.

Our local event is hosted in partnership with Tangaroa Blue and Reef Clean and this year, over 100 kilograms of litter was collected from Cannonvale Beach through to the Airlie Beach foreshore.

The passionate team from Tangaroa Blue and Reef Clean sorted a huge sample of the litter collected and entered the data into the Australian Marine Debris Initiative database, which then provides a valuable source of measured information from which education and source reduction programs can be developed.

From discarded clothing to food packaging and car parts, all types of litter were collected throughout the day.

Joscelyn O’Keefe, Coral Sea Marina’s Head of Marketing and Business Development, said she was happy with the turnout.

“This was our biggest year yet in terms of volume collected - 100kg of litter in two-hours is a terrific effort from all those who participated.

“We are incredibly grateful to all who gave up their morning in the sweltering heat to give back to our beautiful region.”

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Volunteers from the Coral Sea Marina Clean Up Australia Day. Photos supplied

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Residents of Bowen are welcome to step forward and help shape Bowen’s lasting legacy and the future of the Bowen Jetty, by taking part in the Enquiry by Design (EbD) process and complete in a community wide survey.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) CEO Brendan Webb said around 50 key stakeholders from diverse backgrounds will be brought together over two days of workshops for the EbD.

“We’re already engaging with a range of stakeholders from local government, community groups, local businesses, and landowners,” Mr Webb said.

“There’s an additional five positions available for community members demonstrating how critical the community is to the decision-making process.”

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to participate in one of two workshops facilitated by global consultancy firm, Arup, scheduled for March.

“The workshops will help inform a draft concept which will be shared with the Bowen community for feedback in June by survey,” Mr Webb said.

“We want to work with the local community to hear their ideas so we can create a Jetty that meets their needs.”

Arup’s Project Director Shy Tay said participants will explore and test design ideas and gain an understanding of local issues, opportunities, and constraints.

“It is an inclusive, consultation-led process and an impactful way to build consensus and understanding,” Mr Tay said.

“It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a Bowen Jetty that will honour the past and serve the generations of today and tomorrow.”

On the other hand, the community survey will act to uncover how the community want to use the Bowen Jetty.

“Before the design process starts, tell us what you think is important, how you want to see the jetty used in the future, and any ideas you have for the new design,” Mr Webb said.

“This community survey will inform the Concept Design and is open from 4-31 March.

“In June, we will be coming back to the community with a draft concept of the future Bowen Jetty for their feedback.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a Bowen Jetty that will honour the past and serve the generations of today and tomorrow.”

The community survey opens Monday March 4 till March 31, and nominations for the Enquiry by Design open Monday March 4 till March 18.

To find out more, visit nqbp.com.au/our-ports/abbot-point/bowen-wharf-project

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The Bowen Jetty is steeped in Bowen history. Photo supplied

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Whitsunday Water Police have revised and are now enforcing a new six-knot speed limit in Lake Proserpine.

This new speed limit is in waters adjacent to the public use area, extending from the shoreline of the dam’s heavy use area out to approximately 100 metres.

The new six-knot speed limit applies to all vessels, including jet skis and other personal watercraft.

All water users are urged to follow the new speed limit, with penalties up to $365 applying.

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