A total of six eco-tourism projects are set to receive a share in $9.3 million of state government funding and the Pioneer Valley Tourism Hub has been named one of them.

The Activate Ecotourism Infrastructure initiative will provide funds to kickstart an outdoor tourism hub that will accommodate up to 26 visitors in a brand-new lodge to be built in Finch Hatton.

It is hoped the lodge will complement the new bike trails in the area and open opportunities for guided fishing experiences at the nearby dams.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the announcement marks the start of an exciting time for tourism in the area.

“The natural environment of the Pioneer Valley near Mackay has amazing potential as an international mountain bike destination,” she said.

“Delivering more than 40 construction and ongoing jobs, the Pioneer Valley Outdoor Tourism Hub is about boosting access to the region’s outstanding fishing and hiking experiences.

“The Hub will also support future mountain biking tours and generate up to $3 million for the Mackay region’s visitor economy.”

Chief Operating Officer of Mackay Tourism, Al Grundy, said that he is thrilled with the announcement.

“It will be a great base for people coming the region to use the mountain bike trails,” he said.

“I think the project will really activate Finch Hatton and the Pioneer Valley.”

The Lodge will be utilised by tour guides and operators from across the country and it is set to offer a spotlight for the showcasing the natural environment of the Mackay hinterland.

Finch Hatton is the gateway to a plethora of tourist activities, from fully stocked dams to rainforests, scenic walks, bike trails and it is only 20 minutes to Broken River where you can view platypus in the wild.

“It’s really good for our region as it opens up some many more options for land-based activities,” said Mr Grundy.

“There will be a brand new building in town, right next to the bike trails so I think it will get a lot of use.”

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An artist’s impression of the Pioneer Valley Tourism Hub, a two storey lodge that sleeps up to 26 people

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In a big move, Mackay Regional Council is trialling a reimbursement scheme for low-income earners to de-sex their pet cat or dog.

“Each year there are countless unwanted dog and cat litters in the region,” Mayor Greg Williamson said.

Through the program, eligible pet owners can receive a reimbursement of $75 to desex cats and $150 for dogs.

Pet owners must be a certain criteria:

- Be a resident of Mackay

- Hold an approved Queensland concession card, including seniors, sole parents, widows, students, carers, and health care cards

- Have a registered, microchipped and desexed cat or dog

- The pet has been desexed in the last 60 days

“Desexing also has countless other benefits including preventing uterine infections, lowering the risk of some cancers, and it can also reduce aggressive and territorial behaviours and your pet’s likelihood to wander.”

To learn more, visit mackay.qld.gov.au/desexingrebate

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Mackay local runner, Brenda Windsor, is taking on the mammoth Bravehearts 777 Marathon this June.

Brenda has been running for 12 years, after stumbling into the sport during a bootcamp fitness class. From there, she steadily increased her speed and distance, and is now set to complete her third Bravehearts 777 Marathon.

The 777 Marathon takes participants to all seven Australian states, over seven days, to complete seven marathons consecutively, to raise awareness and funds for Bravehearts and the one in four children who have been impacted by child sexual abuse.

The marathon acts as a major fundraising tool, as national participants must raise $10,000 each for the cause.

For Brenda, this is her third 777 Marathon, and is definitely not her last.

“After my first 777 marathon, I was like ‘Wow, did I really do that?’” Brenda said.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into, and it was just this real buzz.

“But this time, I know what I’m getting into, so that’s a bit different.

“I’m feeling good.”

Brenda will fly into Perth Sunday June 25, to finish the first marathon on the Monday, before completing marathons in Adelaide, Melbourne, Launceston, Sydney, Canberra and the Gold Coast on Sunday, July 1.

“Over the last nine years,” Alison Geale, Bravehearts CEO said, “the Bravehearts 777 Marathon has raised more than $2.15 million for our critical support and education services, and this year we’re hoping to raise the stakes and fundraise more than $250,000.”

Clear from being Brenda’s final marathon, she is set to participate at the Airlie Beach Marathon only two weeks after the 777 Marathon.

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Brenda Windsor has competed in over 30 marathons and regularly trains with her grandchildren. Photo supplied

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1869 was the beginning of the Sugar Cane industry in the Walkerston area when cane was grown and supplied to Pleystowe Sugar Mill. The first sugar crushing season at Pleystowe was in 1872.

A distillery was added to the mill in 1873 in order to manufacture the quite popular - ‘Pleystowe Rum’. Allegedly, the distillery operated for just a few years.

In 1918 a disastrous cyclone hit the Mackay region dropping 84 inches of rain in just 6 days - 2134 mm! At that time there was another mill in the Walkerston area as well as Pleystowe - The Palms Mill, owned by Australian Estates. As it was badly damaged in the cyclone, its cane supply was consequently sent to Pleystowe Mill for crushing. The two mills were eventually amalgamated in 1925 to form Amalgamated Sugar Mills Limited.

In 1975 Pleystowe Mill became part of CSR – the Colonial Sugar Refining Company.

Sadly, Pleystowe Mill ceased crushing forever in October 2008 - after 139 years, having been the oldest operating sugar mill in Australia at the time of its closure. Today the Pleystowe Mill site provides a few centralised services, and spare parts, to other operating mills of Mackay Sugar – part of the Nordsucker Group.

During 2010, a few of the staff of the old Pleystowe Mill decided that it would be great with a ‘Back to Pleystowe’ reunion. This was so popular that it became a yearly event coordinated by two well-known Pleystowe Mill identities – Jim Ross and Bob Dolan.

During last year (2022) - Jim and Bob, after 12 years of a job well done and greatly appreciated by all past Pleystowe Mill workers – decided to hand the planning and coordination over to the ‘younger generation’ in the form of Mark Gayton and Ian Ritchie. These two are set to carry the traditional Pleystowe Mill reunion into the future, no doubt assisted by a few of the Pleystowe oldies.

The 2023 Pleystowe Mill Reunion was held recently, with approximately 70 people attending – mostly past Pleystowe workers, joined by a few younger people employed by Mackay Sugar. Once again, it was a terrific reunion with work colleagues and friends catching up with one another – there was even a few people who had not seen each other for nearly fifty years. Quite special, and very nostalgic!

The next Pleystowe Mill Reunion will be held on the third Wednesday of April 2024.

Contributed by Bente McDonald

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Reunion organisers Mark Gayton, Jim Ross & Ian Ritchie

Reunion attendees John Smith, Terry Doolan & Bill Hamilton. Photos supplied

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The second in a series of Housing Roundtables will be held in Mackay in June where attendees will discuss the key findings from the first iteration which was held in December last year.

The aim of the roundtable is to develop region-specific, place-based solutions to the housing crises in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions.

The key findings from the first roundtable are availability and diversity of choice.

Greater Whitsunday Communities (GWC) and Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays (RDA GW) have partnered to deliver the sessions which will be attended by stakeholders from across the region.

Rob Cocco, CEO of RDA GW explained that housing is constraining economic development in the Greater Whitsunday region.

“We need more housing stock – to rent and to purchase, to be able to attract more workers to our region to deliver against the many economic opportunities we have,” he said.

“And we need to find ways to bring this stock online quicker than we have ever before.”

Carol Norris, Executive Officer at GWC said they have baseline data to help inform discussions at the summit and provide the evidence to support funding applications to access State and Federal funding schemes.

“The Summit will result in an Action Plan for our region, comprising many sub-projects across the housing spectrum,” explains Carol.

“This Action Plan will be co-designed, localised and outline relevant place-based solutions.

The Summit will allow us to hear the voice of regional community stakeholders and build their insights into the solutions proposed.”

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The first Greater Whitsunday Housing Project Housing Roundtable was held in December. Photo supplied

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Artspace Mackay is turning 20 this year, a huge milestone for the regional gallery.

For the last two decades, Artspace Mackay has been illuminating the best of exhibitions, artist talks, and workshops.

“I hear it time and time again from artists who come to exhibit here – we have one of the best regional galleries in all of Australia,” Mayor Greg Williamson said.

Since opening in 2003, Artspace Mackay has seen an estimated 600,000 visitors for across the world and Australia, hosted 343 exhibitions, and have collected 1200 works of arts.

Julie Boyd, Mayor from 1997 to 2008, was a strong backer of the project.

“We did a lot of surveying, across all demographics, before we built the gallery, and we asked people what they did when they went visiting new areas and almost every person said they visited museums and galleries,” Ms Boyd said.

“So, when you put the argument together, this space is about bringing people into our community as well as showcasing art to our local community.

“You can’t get some of the amazing travelling exhibitions that we get now without a proper gallery space.

Artspace Mackay director Tracey Heathwood said, “I am so blessed to work with an incredible team – they are all so passionate about what they do and we literally couldn’t open the doors without them.”

“I’d like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you to all of them.”

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A big milestone for Artspace Mackay

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The annual Women in Sugar Australia (WISA) conference was another success, being held at the Bargara Cultural Centre, east of Bundaberg.

Seven members of Canegrowers Network Mackay District attended the conference, which has the theme ‘Women of Worth’.

The conference consisted for talks delivered by key individuals in and associated within the sugar industry.

The conference was officially opened by Stephen Bennett MP, member for Burnett, who shared challenges within the community, particularly with attracting young people to communities.

Mark Pressler, Chairperson of Bundaberg Canegrowers, shared issues with Bundaberg’s sugar industry, not dissimilar to Mackay’s own late cut cane.

The special guest speaker for the event was Georgie Somerset AM, president of Agforce Queensland, who spoke of her youth, of being 18-years old and not knowing what she wanted to do professionally. She shared that she believes that women have an invaluable place in the sugar industry and encouraged women to ‘Find Your Voice’.

She encourages the belief that changes happens, and to connect community despite geographical isolation, and invest in individuals and continued education.

For the Conference Dinner, the guest speaker was Angela Williams, membership and engagement practitioner of Canegrowers Isis and contributor to ‘Walking the Wire’ a publication to strength the financial stability of rural agribusiness women.

Angela spoke on holding critical conversations, unintended consequences, how more than two in a marriage is crowded, and the importance of succession planning.

The second day of the conference consisted of a trip to Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, One Little Farm Market, and Bundaberg Rum Distillery with a self-guided tour and tastings.

Other special guests for the conference included Lisa Deveraux and Cathy Mylrea from Sugar Research Australia (SRA), who spoke on gender and diversity, Glen Harris from Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL), who shared the market prices of sugar, global influences and organisations that buy and sell sugar.

RaboBank also presented on horticulture, sugar, and wine, as well as by products, including aviation fuel and tights global supply.

Mary Wallace of Canegrowers Network Mackay said, “The conference is an excellent opportunity for the ladies to share their experience with other likeminded women, on current issues and diversity within the industry.”

Marice Perna, another Mackay attendee, said, “I enjoyed catching up with WIS members from other districts.

“The bus trip with the ladies from here is always a highlight.

“I enjoyed the conference speakers from diverse sections of the industry."

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The Mackay branch of the Canegrowers Network

The conference saw an excursion to Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, with a tour and tasting. Photos supplied

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Additional taxes for farmers are a feature of the Federal Budget which was released last week and Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, says Australia’s agricultural producers deserve a help-up not a set-back.

He believes the May Budget has been used as a platform to unveil an array of new taxes, which will create extra expenses for Australian farmers.

One of these is the new ‘bio-security levy’ which is set at a rate equivalent to 10 per cent of the 2020-21 industry-led agricultural levies.

Willcox calls this the ‘Fresh Food Tax’ and asserts that it is charging Aussie farmers to quality-check international importers’ goods.  

“The Labor Government are charging Aussie farmers to make it easier for competitors to import their goods here. It’s charging farmers to quality-check their competition”, Mr. Willcox said.

“If an overseas importer hasn’t secured the safety of their product, the Government shouldn’t be punishing our primary producers for this.”

It is expected that this new levy will raise $153 million over three years and that it will fund increased bio-security measures.

Another tax that will impact local producers is the ‘Truckie Tax’ which is set to increase truckies’ diesel prices from 27.2 cents to 32.4 cents per litre.

This will then snowball into the price of transporting goods around the country and the price of products on the supermarket shelves.

“Labor is aiming to increase the road user charge by approximately 19 per cent over three years, making it that much more expensive to get produce from paddock to plate,” said Willcox.

“This will increase the price for both our farmers and the customers at the checkout.

“This isn’t fiscal management; this is daylight robbery.”

Additionally, the average energy bills for businesses, which includes farmers, are set to increase by around $1,700.

“What’s the incentive for our farmers to keep feeding our nation?” said Willcox.

“They’re paying through their teeth to operate, energy prices are through the roof, and all the Government can do is slog them with a raft of brand-new taxes.”

“Without food and fibre, the country starves and under the current rising cost of living crisis now is not the time to add more pressure on grocery and retail prices.

“I am urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to come and visit Dawson and see firsthand where his food comes from.”

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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, is concerned about how new taxes will impact farmers. Photo supplied

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Porters Mitre 10 are inviting friends, family, and the community to come together, share a cuppa, and some delicious food to raise funds for those affected by cancer. For the past 30 years, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea has been a fundamental community event that raises vital funds to make a big difference for those impacted by cancer. One in two Australians are being diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85, and the team at Porters Mitre 10 want to help change that – with your help.

The team at Porters Mitre 10 would like to invite the Mackay community to join them on Tuesday 23rd May from 9:30am until 11:30am at Charlies Café for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.

Director of the Trudy Crowley Foundation, Jacquie Camilleri, will be welcomed alongside one of the Foundation’s beautiful nurses as the event’s guest speaker to raise awareness of all forms of cancer that affect so many people and their families across the Mackay and Whitsunday Region.

The team at Charlies Café will be cooking up a storm - baking heavenly sweets, delicious scones, and fresh sandwiches to enjoy while sharing a cuppa and some stories along the way.

If you are unable to attend, you can still show your support by heading into Porters Mitre 10 Mackay and purchasing tickets to the Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea Raffle.

To purchase tickets to Porters Mitre 10’s Biggest Morning Tea, head to the Porters Facebook Page or see the team in-store. All proceeds from the Morning Tea and Raffle will be donated to the Cancer Council.

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Across three jam-packed days, Mackay Showgrounds will play host to the biggest outdoor, home and lifestyle event in North Queensland.

Running from May 19-21, Mackay Expo is the ultimate one-stop-shop for outdoor and indoor adventure, showing the latest and greatest in gear, technology, and accessories.

The best in camper trailers, caravans, boating, fishing and 4x4 accessories will also be showcased with access to the exhibitors ready to help craft your next big adventure, all in one convenient location.

Or if you're into sustainable living and looking for captivating home and lifestyle ideas such as sheds, spas, bedding, and more, the Expo’s got you covered.

Discover new holiday destinations you’re yet to lay your eyes on, sit back and observe as the experts demonstrate first-rate outdoor accessories, be enthralled with quality entertainment and ‘be in it to win it’ with some of the best major prizes up for grabs.

Gear up and get ready for an unforgettable experience at the 2023 Mackay Expo.

WHAT: Mackay Expo 2023

WHEN: Friday, May 19 to Sunday, May 21

WHERE: Mackay Showgrounds

TICKETS: www.MackayExpo.com.au

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Mackay Expo returns to Mackay Showgrounds this weekend. Photo supplied

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A few of us this week have been talking about our rents and mortgages with Star giving you the chance to Live Rent Free.

Some of us here are renters, while others like myself have a mortgage, but wondering how the renters can even have a chance to save up to be a home owner. The gap between what some people around Mackay and Whitsundays are paying per week is immense, there are people renting a room in a share house for under $200pw, and some of us have $1000pw mortgage.

It makes me think more of the year I moved out of home and rented a caravan in a caravan park for a few months at Port Pirie in SA and how that seemed really expensive. It actually was for a first-year radio announcer in 1994 earning around $21,000 a year. The first unit I moved into from memory was about $125 a week and it was a ripper, very basic, but new 2 bedroom with a decent sized loungeroom.

Moving to Mackay in 2005 I’ve lived in Eimeo, Mackay City, South Mackay, Beaconsfield and now Rural View … while searching for some of those places I looked at some total dives.

Finding a rental in a tight market is horrible, you’re looking for something nice and affordable, but you might end up in 1 star just because you need a place, and you need it now. The last time I was in that situation was around 15 years ago and to be honest it was like some agencies were treating tenants like cattle that could just be pushed around, not treated well and it was a struggle to get your full bond back. I hope things have improved.

If you want your rent paid for a bit, tune into Star, Scotty & Rach with Kaley’s Live Rent Free. And good luck if you’re looking for a new rental at the moment, or, like me, paying a mortgage and waiting to hear about the reserve bank’s next move.

Scotty

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A record numbers of travellers have passed through the Whitsunday Coast Airport this past April.

The new record of 49,000 travellers smashed the previous record, of 47,000, from April 2022.

“The record-breaking numbers of passengers not only reflect the increasingly popularity of our Whitsunday region, but also signify the huge potential and opportunities that lie ahead,” said Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall.

“The unprecedented growth in passenger numbers speaks volumes about the collaborative efforts of our residents, businesses, and tourism industry in showcasing the unique experiences and warm hospitality that our region has to offer.”

“Working together, we have firmly positioned ourselves as one of Australia’s premium tourism destinations,” Major Hall said.

Whitsunday Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer Aviation and Tourism Craig Turner said, “It’s exciting that the airport has never been busier in its 70-year history and has become more than just a gateway to the Whitsundays.

It is now a vibrant hub that connects our community to a record number of destinations and is a key economic driver for our region.”

“Stay tuned for some more positive news in the next few months, as we have been actively exploring new destinations and are close to making several exciting announcements,” Mr Turner said.

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The loss of someone close is devastating and knocks your world out of kilter. Everything feels different and you know things are never going to be the same again.

The great benefit of a funeral and a subsequent wake is that you get to share the grief and somehow it seems more bearable when you know there are others, people close to you, who feel the loss the same way.

The Gardian Group lost our CEO, Peter Phillips, on the 7th of May and his funeral was on Friday of last week.

Peter was a husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, son, uncle and cousin and nothing can compare to the pain felt by those closest. All you can do is support those who are suffering the most.

And that’s what we did. But Peter was also more than just a boss to the rest of us. He was our mate and Gardian people were able to be there for each other as well as for his close family members.

Everyone was in shock last week, stunned by the loss of a leader and mate. But we are a close tribe and we all gathered around, checked in with each other, sharing the pain of the loss.

But we also owed it to Peter to celebrate his life. He lived a big life, audacious and energetic and generous and entertaining and there are plenty of funny stories to tell and recall. And we’ll continue to do that.

Coming back to work on the Monday, the loss and feeling of something missing was there and that won’t change.

But as I went through the process of getting moving again, it was Peter who flicked the switch in my head.

I thought about what he created, a thriving business that includes a real estate agency, mortgage broking, insurance broking and financial planning, employing about 75 people in total.

And I imagined him thinking: I haven’t set up all this, built the business to what it is today for it to fall apart. You’ve got a friggin’ job to do so get to it and don’t hold back.

I know that’s what we will now do. There is a sense of duty to help the business succeed, help it grow and build on the success that is already there.

We have a duty to be the best we can be for our clients, work harder than ever, be more focused than ever on getting them the best possible result.

A few years ago, Peter was the driving force behind creating the words for what we call our Just Cause. It goes like this: “At Gardian, we pledge to give of ourselves by EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS together, UNITING our family and community. Leaving ETERNAL footprints for all to follow.”

One of Peter Phillips’ legacies is he had already set out for us what to do now.

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A medical bus that will ensure the safe transport of patients from the Whitsundays to Mackay for hospital appointments is one step closer to operating the service following a successful volunteer driver course.

This represents one of the last hurdles to overcome getting the bus on the road.

A total of six volunteer drivers were given a driver safety presentation and first aid course at the Proserpine Community Centre last week.

The new bus will be based in Cannonvale and will operate three days a week, transporting up to eight patients to and from Mackay from late June.

Main pick-up points include Whitsunday Community Health, Proserpine Hospital and Bloomsbury.

Mayor Julie Hall said that she is thrilled to see the service so close to operating.

“The Whitsunday Community Medical Bus Service will bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility, providing a lifeline for those who may face challenges in reaching medical facilities,” she said.

“This project represents a collaborative effort to ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to receiving the medical care they require.

“No one should have to choose between their health and their ability to access medical care.”

She thanked Kristi Algate and the rest of the team at Mackay Hospital Foundation for all their help, as well as Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm for her advocacy.

Mayor Hall added that she is very aware that there is a massive need for a similar service to operate and service Bowen and Collinsville.

“Our Economic Development team are working to explore potential funding opportunities for a community minibus for Bowen and Collinsville and surrounds to transport patients to Townsville for regular medical appointments,” she said.

“Access to this service for regional communities is so important, but it will be no quick fix as there are multiple funding, legal and operational logistics to be negotiated.”

Mayor Hall says she welcomes the announcement that a private operator has started up a regular daily service between Bowen and Mackay return as an option for medical patients.

"Mackay Whitsunday Buses will provide a transport option for Bowen patients needing treatments in Mackay which is great,” Mayor Hall said.

“However there remains a need for Bowen/Collinsville Patient transport Service as the new option would only be suitable for reasonably active patients and does not cater for those patients with appointments in Townsville.”

"The service also does not solve the issue of those with serious medical needs or patients with mobility issues and needing medical support during the journey.”

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Volunteers doing drivers safety and first aid training

Mayor Hall with Mackay Hospital Foundation General Manager Kristi Algate

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Bowen residents worried about the future of the town's dilapidated jetty have received a "don't panic" assurance from some key players involved with the facility.

At the Bowen Chamber of Commerce meeting last Wednesday night, guest speaker John Martin, a former manager of the North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) tug facility on the jetty, spoke about the history of the facility and how it would be no easy task to demolish it after the NQBP lease on the facility lapses later this year, and if a new leaseholder cannot be found.

Mr Martin, who became manager of the facility in 1985 with responsibility for seven ports throughout Queensland, recalled how fire had damaged part of the wharf, which had to be knocked down.

"Nearly 18 months later they were still trying to demolish the piles," he said. "The cost of demolition is staggering.

"This wharf was built to carry trains ... the timber (Tasmanian hardwood beams) is just staggering and this is why it is still here now.

With loads of up to six tonnes per axle, Mr Martin said that once heavy traffic was no longer used on the jetty, it would last for "a very long time".

"I wouldn't be panicking right now about its demolition," he said.

Mr Martin said the Bowen community needed to consult with all levels of government about developing a long-term plan for the jetty.

He said the facility still had a role to play in developing tourism in the town.

NQBP community and stakeholder advisory director Lorelei van Dalen told the meeting that while the preferred base for the tug fleet was Abbott Point,"this will take time".

"We know how important the jetty is to the community. I'm sure we can find another partner to take on the lease," she said.

Bowen businessman Neil Holloway also was at the meeting to air his proposal for redeveloping the facility that potentially has spin-offs for the town as well.

Under the proposal, which is as yet to be costed and without timeframes, a rock groyne would almost encircle the jetty, which Mr Holloway said would eliminate the tidal surge that frequently backs up the town's drainage channels. It would also allow a range of ventures to go ahead on the jetty.

These included drawing a marine research facility to set up on the jetty; an observatory and a 'coral garden' being established between the jetty's arms; restaurants and a delicatessen to take advantage of Bowen's reputation as a food bowl; and possibly even attracting cruise ships.

The proposal would benefit the existing foreshore water park and skate park facilities and there were even plans for fishing platforms to be built on the proposed rock groyne.

Mr Holloway said that Bowen needed to develop as a tourism destination. "Only six per cent of traffic (on the Bruce Highway) comes to Bowen," he said.

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The proposed Bowen Harbour and sea wall jetty development

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