Almost one hundred passengers were left stranded at Whitsunday Coast Airport on Tuesday evening after their Jetstar flight was cancelled due to an engineering issue.

With limited local accommodation options due to already high occupancy rates over the school holidays, the passengers were left with nowhere to stay.

Fortunately, our local community-owned and Council-operated airport were able to provide them with a “safe and dry” place to stay for the night.

Whitsunday Coast Airport Manager, Craig Turner, said that he and his team were on-hand until 1am Tuesday night and returned at 6am to assist passengers.

“It was an unfortunate situation, but our priority was to ensure that people were looked after in a safe and controlled environment,” he said.

“Our only focus was to lessen the impact on visitors, we just went into fix-it mode, offering free water and help with anything they needed.”

The Airport Café, Taste Whitsundays, was open until 11pm that evening and re-opened at 6am to serve coffee and breakfast rolls.

Airport security was also extended overnight.

“The whole team – from the café to the cleaners and security staff – I am so proud of all of them,” said Mr Turner.

“There are two ways to look at a situation and collectively we banded together to make the best of it.”

A Jetstar statement said they had been unable to fly in an engineer to fix the problem on the plane that evening due to bad weather.

When they realised passengers were stranded, Jetstar said they put on a special flight that night to try to fly passengers who couldn’t find accommodation to Brisbane.

Unfortunately, this flight was unable to land in Proserpine due to fog.

By midday on Wednesday the majority of passengers had checked into flights and Mr Turner said he anticipated everyone would be able to transit from the airport over the course of the day.

‍

Hi Everyone,

It’s great to be back in the Whitsundays after a week in the snow – it’s always exciting going on holiday, especially skiing, but returning home and seeing the sparkling blue sea always reminds me how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world.

It was my first time skiing the Australian Ski Fields and the first time my six-year-old son had put on a pair of skis. We enrolled him in a full-day ski-club lesson, after which he returned excited and triumphant, his teacher saying he had done a wonderful job on the magic carpet kiddie slope.

The following day, however, we needed to get him up the chair lift for the slightly longer, but equally flat, kiddie run.

Faced with this new challenge and outside his comfort zone, he was adamant he would not go up the chair lift. The more I insisted, the more he started to cry until a full-blown meltdown ensued.

We then spent 10 minutes with me looking like the worst mum in the world trying to drag a terrified child up the lift.

Eventually, we stepped out of the thickening crowd and took a breath.

After much thought I told him that if he ever wanted to see technology again for the rest of his life, he would be coming up the chair lift with me right now.

I have to admit it was not my proudest moment, but it worked.

Within seconds I could see the fear of losing technology give way to resigned fate and the next thing I knew, he had allowed me to help him put his skis back on.

A minute later we were on the lift. Ten minutes later I had him between my legs skiing gently down the mountain. An hour later he was in front of me whizzing down the slope by himself, singing a song and asking to go again and again.

It was one of the best days of my life.

Rach

Quote of the Week: “Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life” (Robin Sharma)

‍

Community minded local Greg Smith hosted a Cancer Council Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea last Thursday.

Taking place at Fitness Venue in Cannonvale, and servicing people pre and post workout and other community members, the morning tea saw over 30 people attend, raising $675 between monetary donations and fundraising for the donated raffle.

The Whitsundays Lions donated the big raffle basket, full of goodies including biscuits, chocolates, and self-care items, with the Whitsunday Quota Club and Tropix Photography also donating raffle prizes.

Guests were welcomed with a massive array of sweet and savoury treats, tea, coffee, and a few rounds of trivia to round out the morning.

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is Cancer Council’s annual fundraising appeal, where money donated goes towards three central pillars - research, support, and prevention.

Research investment has increased survival rates of 49 per cent in the 1980s to 69 per cent today.

Due to donations gathered from Biggest Morning Teas, Australia and the Cancer Council is set to be the first country to completely eliminate cervical cancer by as early as 2028.

Cancer Council supports the close to 150,000 Australians currently living with cancer, by providing practical and emotional support via the help line, funding accommodation, transporting patients and their carers to treatment, and offering financial and legal advice to people affected by cancer.

The third last pillar of donations is funding prevention campaigns as one third of cancers are preventable.

These campaigns include SunSmart Schools, Bowel Cancer Screening, Anti-Smoking Campaigns and Cervical Cancer Screening.

‍

Big turnout for community Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge

‍

Mackay Regional Council is seeking proposals for the construction of key water infrastructure in Bloomsbury.

The call for tenders is for the construction of an 11-kilometre water main from Midge Point to Bloomsbury.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the project was a significant investment in water infrastructure and would improve water quality and supply for residents in the area.

“We are excited to provide the best possible long-term solution for residents in the Bloomsbury region,” Mayor Williamson said.

“We are currently having to regularly cart water to Bloomsbury to service this part of the region,” he said.

“This, of course, is not sustainable long-term and we are pleased to be able to provide a solution for the region.”

In recent years the network has seen major improvements including the installation of a new water main in Midge Point as well as the Kelsey Creek Water Treatment plant upgrade.

Interested parties can refer to QTenders for more information.

Works are expected to commence late 2023 and are proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Building our Regions program and Mackay Regional Council.

‍

‍

An 11-kilometre water main is set to be constructed from Midge Point to Bloomsbury

‍

A New Zealand man, who became unwell whilst snorkelling, was airlifted to safety from Hardy Reef last week and taken to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition.

The 59-year-old man had been swimming at the popular tourist destination which is located 80km north-east of Airlie Beach.

At about 1pm on Thursday, June 30, the man reportedly became unwell after returning to the vessel and alerted the crew who made the 000 call.

The crew were instructed to transfer the ill man by tender to Reefworld for further medical assistance.

RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter was then despatched with a doctor and Critical Care Paramedic on board.

It flew direct to a floating pontoon at Hardy Reef, not far from Reefworld.

The chopper hovered overhead as the medical team, including a paramedic and rescue crewman, were winched down onto the pontoon and then transferred to Reefworld by boat to assess the patient.

The helicopter continued to orbit Hardy Reef as the medical team worked to stabilise and relocate the patient to the floating pontoon by boat in order to prepare for a winch.

Within 20 minutes of arrival at scene, the paramedic and patient were winched up into the helicopter in an ARV (Air Rescue Vest) off the pontoon, followed after by the rescue crewman.

The patient was flown to Mackay Base Hospital arriving just before 4pm in a stable condition.

‍

By Amanda Wright

Construction at Seaforth Esplanade is progressing smoothly, with an anticipated opening in September, weather permitting. The 5.77-hectare reserve is being transformed into a vibrant recreational asset to cater to the needs of residents and visitors.

Sharing project update photos, Mackay Regional Council reported that progress includes the completion of shade structures, installation of new barbecues and furniture, and the shaping of the waterplay area. Amenities construction is well underway, with only the interior fit-out and decorative screen fitting remaining. The senior playground equipment is in place, while the junior playground is awaiting equipment installation before softfall is installed. Landscaping is currently underway, further enhancing the natural beauty of the area.

The Seaforth Esplanade project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government's Works for Queensland Program in collaboration with Mackay Regional Council. The reserve, known for its ocean views and open spaces, is a beloved destination for residents, campers, and weekend market visitors.

This transformation aims to create a vibrant recreational space that caters to the diverse needs of the community. The project's progress indicates a successful endeavour that will provide residents and visitors with a refreshed and enjoyable environment.

‍

Photo credit: Mackay Regional Council

‍

In the last two months, 12 businesses in Cannonvale have been robbed in a crime wave that is uncharacteristic for this usually quiet and peaceful Whitsunday suburb.

The latest in this series of community break-ins took place at Ride Whitsunday, located on Shute Harbour Road, two kilometres from the Paluma Road-Abell Road intersection in Cannonvale, on Sunday, July 2.

The alleged perpetrators smashed their way through the front entrance, breaking through the glass door allegedly using a brick or a rock, which was possibly taken from the garden bed outside the business.

Over $16,000 worth of equipment was stolen from the premise, including smith cycling eyewear, cash, personal items and two bikes.

A spokesperson from the business said they were devastated by the break-in.

“We have good (CCTV) footage of them, but they’re fully clothed with no skin showing,” he explained.

The morning after the robbery, the staff were not able to leave the building, as the locks had been destroyed.

“We can’t lock up,” the team member explained.

“We’ll be trying to clean up and organise and then try and track down the bikes.”

One of the stolen bikes is an Ascent Pulse 29 in Jet Black, and the other is a Turbo Kenevo SL Comp, a $10,499 e-bike that is currently not operational and cannot be used until turned on at another dealership.

Tasty Chinese, located on Shute Harbour Road, just metres from the Whitsunday Police Station, was another victim early last week, with only minor damage caused and a big clean-up for staff.

“We didn’t lose anything, just a mess,” said a Tasty Chinese team member.

These two incidents are the latest in a string of robberies that include nine business break-ins in the Carlo Drive industrial estate at the start of June and two separate additional break-ins at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, just weeks apart.

Whitsunday Police arrested a 29-year-old Cannonvale woman as part of Operation Mackay Irving, on June 10, and she was later charged with 32 offences, relating to break-ins and attempted break-ins at businesses and other properties.

However, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre was subject to another break in last week, resulting in damage to exterior doors and office locks.

The crime wave does not seem to be limited to businesses however, with some Cannonvale residents taking to social media to vent frustrations and keep other residents informed of seemingly ill-intentioned trespassers on their property in the early hours of the morning.

One such post shared a clear image of a man walking onto private property at 3.33am and prompted others to share similar footage, potentially of the same individual visiting their home earlier in the week.

This post has been inundated with other residents sharing similar experiences.

“My car got broken into last night in Deloraine area – apartments! Keep an eye out,” said one post.

“I have had two break-ins and two small things stolen from my house in Cannonvale over the last couple of months. It’s horrible knowing that while you sleep, people are peering into your house. The police are trying to find some serial thief. At least they are patrolling, trying to catch the people,” shared another.

Police urge residents to remain vigilant and keep a record of any details, including descriptions of people and vehicles, times, and locations, in order to provide an accurate report for police.

Image captured on a home security system of a trespasser at a Cannonvale home

Ride Whitsunday is one of many businesses targeted in recent crime wave

‍

By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

Fuel prices still linger over the $2 mark, a fact you can’t help but grimly note each time you visit the bowser. So why hasn’t ethanol taken off? We have the feedstock, and the push is on in the world for fuels to be sourced from renewable feedstocks like sugarcane.

E10 is a blend of unleaded petrol and up to 10% ethanol, and is the more popularly used ethanol blend in the Australian market. E85 is suitable only for purpose-built vehicles. Bioethanol is made from molasses and has a multitude of uses across printing, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and, of course, fuel.

While it was put about – largely by the fossil fuel industry – that there could be damage to vehicles resulting from its use. I can say from my personal experience, that I used E10 in my ute and happily drove another 100,000km before selling it on. Worked well.

Ethanol is mandated for use in NSW and Queensland only. The Queensland mandate, enshrined in the Liquid Fuel Supply Act 1984 requires that 4% of the total volume of regular unleaded petrol sales and ethanol-blended fuel sales by liable fuel retailers must be biobased. That has been in place since 2017 and moved from 3% to 4% in 2018.

What we need to see nationwide is State and Federal Government mandating of bio-based fuels. It would build industry, build fuel security, and ease pressure on Australian household finances.

We recently had a tour group from the Brazilian sugar industry visit CANEGROWERS Mackay, and they were astonished to hear that bioethanol fuel in Australia received only light support from government. In Brazil, there is stronger control over domestic fuel prices, with the government subsidising ethanol production, and varying the ratio of sugar and ethanol production based on global markets. Use is high, cost is low – the equivalent of $1AUD per litre.

India is also increasing ethanol production. By 2025, it will have ramped up to 6Mt of sugar diverted to ethanol.

It’s a global shift for sugar-producing nations, and we don’t want to be behind the eight-ball and playing catch-up.

Australia could be strong in this space, too, as we work towards increasing tonnes of sugar produced per hectare and recognise the potential of the established sugarcane footprint in meeting a world hungry for renewable resources to produce its foods, fibres, and fuels.

Wilmar Plane Creek Bioethanol Distillery has been producing since 1927 – that’s almost 100 years. Surely, its moment is truly here. It is the state’s only bioethanol plant, producing 60 Megalitres every year- that’s enough to cheaply power 400,000 cars on E10 for four years.

That amount of bioethanol has the potential to offset 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions- the same as taking 15,000 cars off the road. And that’s just from one distillery.

There have been some strong announcements from the Queensland Government in recent times around developing the sustainable aviation fuel sector, but it would be good for all to see expansion of domestic bioethanol fuel production and consumption. The new bioethanol-fuelled buses are a great start, but it would be good to see more vehicles on the road - of all types - powered thus.

Beyond taking control of our own fuel security, there are multiple opportunities in the biofuel space, and people knocking at the door to connect with our capabilities in sustainable sugar production, a stable economy, and outstanding engineering and research capabilities.

‍

‍

Every year, Wilmar’s Sarina Distillery produces 60 megalitres of ethanol derived from cane, enough to run 400,000 cars on E10 for four years.  Picture: Wilmar

‍

Rural Aid supports the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA) and its call for better funding for the bush in the wake of new research showing rural Australians are missing out on $6.5 billion annually in healthcare access.

The NRHA-commissioned research reveals that each person in rural Australia is missing out on nearly $850 a year of healthcare access, equating to a total annual rural health spending deficit of $6.5 billion.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said living and working in the bush was challenging at the best of times and too often people in rural communities were forced to sacrifice access to basic services.

“The NRHA, through its research, has quantified the gap. Now we call on government to act swiftly to close the gap,” Mr Warlters said.

Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen said the report looked at health spending from a patient’s perspective, reflecting the alarming day-to-day realities for rural Australians unable to access equitable care.

“Over 7 million people, who make up nearly a third of Australia’s population, experience a greater burden from illness and early death, in part due to inadequate funding for their healthcare. This is despite the significant contribution they make to Australia’s economy,” she said.

Resources and rural industries alone generate around 80 per cent of Australia’s exports, excluding the extra contribution of rural-based services and manufacturing. The value of agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports is $76 billion, while commodities exports are worth $497 billion – a collective value to the nation of over $500 billion, courtesy of rural Australia.

“Rural communities need government to be more flexible and introduce block or genuine support funding to provide multidisciplinary care for patients. These communities know how to collaborate – they do it every day – but costs of access and delivery are higher, so the delivery of healthcare will be different and broader. It does not fit into the model available to urban people,” Ms Tegen said.

‍

New regulations for a Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa came into place on July 1 and Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP, says he is concerned how it will impact the agricultural sector.

Currently 80 per cent of the harvest labour force in horticulture consist of WHM visa holders and there are more than 137,000 backpackers in Australia on this visa who are providing valuable labour across multiple sectors, including hospitality, tourism, and agriculture.

As of July 1, the cost of the WHM visa increased from $130 to $640, making it the highest visa fee of its kind in the world.

The Government is also considering reducing the WHM visa to one-year and removing any regional work requirements.

Mr. Willcox said towns like Bowen, Ayr, and Home Hill rely on backpackers following the harvest trail to work in essential industries and support small businesses by spending their money locally.

“To ensure my region can feed the nation, backpackers are essential in getting our crops picked,” he said.

“By making the Working Holiday Maker visa almost five times more expensive it will discourage backpackers from coming to Australia, which means fewer workers helping out in agriculture and hospitality jobs and fewer visitors supporting our tourism businesses.

“If Labor reduce the backpacker visa to just one year and remove the regional work requirements it will devastate our local economy as well as other regional economies around the country.

“We love backpackers in Dawson and the Coalition supports our successful Working Holiday Maker program.”  

‍

Andrew Willcox is concerned changes to the Working Holiday Visa will impact the agricultural workforce. Photo supplied

‍

It was a historic Queensland Government budget with a record surplus of more than $12 billion delivered last month, but the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) says there needs to be a balance or the state will lose out in the long run.

It says that imposing the world’s highest coal royalty tax will have long-term consequences of lost jobs and lost investments, especially in regional communities.

“There has to be a balance between what the Queensland Government takes from the resources sector and what it leaves to encourage companies to continue to invest the capital required to get large-scale, multi-decade projects off the ground,” QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said.

“The reason Queenslanders are benefiting today from the resources sector is because of investment decisions made years, if not decades, ago by resources companies which saw Queensland as a safe and secure place in which to invest,” he said.

“That long-held perception of Queensland has now changed, for the worse.”

Mr Macfarlane said that a $2 billion investment in Central Queensland that would have created more than 2000 jobs has been cancelled, and a number of companies have indicated they are reconsidering their investment plans.

"A pipeline of more than $100 billion in a range of projects, including the minerals needed for lower emissions energy and technologies, could also be at risk because of the uncertainty that now exists for companies weighing up whether to invest in Queensland,” he added.

“Over $18 billion in royalty taxes paid by the Queensland resources sector has enabled the State Government to deliver a budget that provides cost-of-living relief to Queenslanders.

“But if the Government wants the resources sector to be able continue to provide that support into the future, it needs policies that encourage investment to maintain a stable pipeline of projects in the years and decades to come."

The QRC is also calling on the State Government to provide full details on its funding commitments to regional Queensland communities that are the backbone of our resources sector.

“Such a big economic impact on resources companies will have consequences and they’ll be hardest felt in regional communities that rely on the jobs and local spending that the sector provides,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Many regional resources towns that help generate the billions of dollars of extra revenue now pouring into Government coffers are still waiting to see exactly how that money will benefit their regions,” Mr Macfarlane said.

‍

‍

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane

‍

Almost 100 students from Capella and Clermont state high schools recently participated in two workshops that showcased the intersection of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) with real-world resources and energy sector applications.

The workshops were delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), with QMEA Director Katrina-Lee Jones saying over the course of two days, students worked under the guidance of experienced representatives from Glencore Coal as they completed engaging activities that explored programming, physics, and geology.  

“During ‘Mining for Code’, about 60 Year 7 students dove into the fundamentals of software engineering as they programmed miniature computers called ‘Arduinos’ to display a series of flashing lights that replicate safety features on hard hats,” Ms Jones said.

“In addition to bolstering their technology skills, this activity introduced the students to the integration of IT innovation with everyday industry requirements like health and safety.

“It was a fantastic way for them to discover the many exciting career opportunities on offer in the resources and energy sector, especially in the digital space.”  

Glencore Coal's Human Resources Manager Anthony Exelby said building on the momentum of the first workshop, the QMEA’s ‘STEM Half Day’ then immersed Clermont’s Year 8 students in two geology-based challenges that further fuelled their passion for STEM studies.

“Using a gamification model, students followed clues and tests that identified the characteristics of various rock samples, allowing them to work in teams to determine which attributes matched the rocks they were being quizzed on,” Mr Exelby said.  

Clermont State High School Principal Leigh Dyer said these hands-on workshops cleverly showcased the practical applications of STEM while helping students explore the array of rewarding career opportunities available.

“The integration of gamification in modern education has proven to be highly valuable as it fosters active participation, boosts engagement, and cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” Mrs Dyer said.

“By incorporating gaming elements into educational activities, students are motivated to explore and learn in an interactive and immersive manner, enhancing their retention and application of knowledge.”

‍

‍

Students from Clermont State High School participated in QMEA's ‘STEM Half Day’. Photos supplied

‍

BHP has backed away from allegedly insisting striking Operations Services workers be locked out of their accommodation camp in Central Queensland while taking protected industrial action earlier this week.  

Last week, the Mining and Energy Union provided notice on behalf of Operations Services Production members of a four-hour stoppage, on Tuesday July 4, at Goonyella Riverside mine near Moranbah.

The Mining and Energy Union allege that on Saturday, workers on the relevant crew were told by a supervisor that those participating in the action must leave the mine site and would be denied access to their accommodation at Eureka Camp.

The Mining and Energy Union insisted that BHP drop the directive as denying access to camp to employees engaged in protected industrial action was a contravention of general protections under the Fair Work Act.

On Monday July 3, the MEU said that BHP Operations Services confirmed it would rescind the directive denying workers access to camp.

MEU Senior Vice President Mitch Hughes said BHP’s heavy-handed approach showed that on-going industrial action by employees of the in-house labour provider was hitting a nerve.

“OS workers have been ramping up their campaign with a range of actions as they seek to improve their conditions,” he said.

“It’s already making a difference, but there’s a long way to go until Operations Services employees have the comprehensive enterprise agreement they deserve.”

‍

‍

Goonyella Riverside mine. Photo credit: BHP

‍

The investigation into the cause of the light aircraft accident that killed a young couple in the Whitsundays has been discontinued.

22-year-old Rhiley Kuhrt and his pregnant 24-year-old wife, Maree, left Natal Downs Station for a private flight to the Lakeside Airpark, south of the Whitsundays, in a Piper Cherokee single-engine light aircraft on April 2.

Their aircraft crashed during an adverse weather event on steep terrain at the Clarke Ranges near Proserpine, with no survivors.

A report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) was published on Tuesday.

It stated that the “aircraft departed in good weather for visual flight, but flew into poor conditions, including low cloud around the Clarke Ranges”.

The report also revealed that Mr Kuhrt did not hold an aeroplane pilot’s licence (either a Recreational Pilot Licence or Private Pilot Licence) required to conduct the flight.

Upon this basis, the ATSB said the investigation has been discontinued.

The ATSB reminds the public about the importance of completing the correct training to ensure full safety measures are taken with an understanding of how navigate adverse weather conditions.

“This accident highlights the importance of following the standards for the operation and maintenance of aircraft to ensure the safety of flight,” said ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

“It further demonstrates that weather continues to remain one of the most significant causes of accidents in general aviation.”

Caption: 22-year-old Rhiley Kuhrt and his pregnant 24-year-old wife, Maree, died in a light aircraft accident near Proserpine in April. Photo supplied

‍

Across the Whitsundays, Australian Defence Force (ADF) operation Talisman Sabre 2023 will take to the air, performing a series of tactical flying activities.

From July 21 to August 4, residents should be aware of increased flight traffic, particularly military helicopters, including heavy lift with slung loads, and unmanned aerial drones which will be completing low-level tactical flying operations.

This will result is wake turbulence and loud noises and may spook animals.

The Proserpine Aerodrome and Lindeman Island are also expected to have military personnel participate in parachuting exercises between July 21 and July 30, in the cover of darkness.

The Bloomsbury Lakeside Airpark aerodrome will be restricted from civilian use, with the airspace stretching above Bloomsbury to Midge Point being used for tactical flying operations, for select times between July 25 to July 28.

Individuals with aircrafts have been advised to have their radar transponders active across the region, with either their non-discrete code or the code provided to them by an air traffic controller.

Civilian aircrafts are instructed to promptly provide identification when radio requested.

Talisman Sabre 2023 is a part of an ADF tactical operation used for training of military personnel, in logistics activities, amphibious landings, land and ground force manoeuvres, air combat and maritime operations.

The township of Bowen hosts a large part of the personnel; however, the training operation includes activities and movements across the region.

‍

Australian Defence Force training exercise Talisman Sabre taking full use of Whitsunday region. Photo supplied