Glencore’s decision to withdraw from plans to develop a $2 billion coal project south-west of Emerald is a sign of things to come, says Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane, in the wake of the State Government’s decision to impose “excessive” new royalty taxes on coal producers.

Glencore’s Valeria project south-west of Emerald would have created 1400 construction jobs and 1250 operational jobs.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said Glencore had made it clear the Queensland Government’s royalty hike was a factor in its decision to cancel the project.

“Companies take into account a broad range of factors when considering multi-decade, large-scale investments in projects like this, and regulatory stability is one of those factors,” he said.

“Glencore has commented that ‘abrupt decisions like the Queensland super royalty hike have damaged investor confidence, increased uncertainty and raised a red flag with key trading partners’, which is consistent with the QRC’s position from day one – this royalty hike will affect long-term investment in this state.”

Mr Macfarlane said previous Queensland governments have offered stable and consistent investment environments for resources projects, but that was no longer the case in Queensland.

“The Queensland Government does not appear to appreciate the impact of its decision to lift coal royalty taxes to the highest rates in the world,” he said.

“Short-term political decisions like this make it harder for companies to invest here and send a signal to shift their focus to other destinations that offer better returns to investors.”

Mr Macfarlane said the QRC has repeatedly warned the government of the long-term impact of its decision to over-tax coal producers on investment in resources projects across the board, not just coal.

“Unfortunately, our concerns have fallen on deaf ears,” he said.

“We now have a situation where major mining companies such as BHP, Peabody and Glencore are rethinking their investment plans for Queensland, which means every Queenslander loses out in terms of new jobs and business opportunities and the flow-on benefits from that.

“Sudden changes in the rules for investment discourage investors from future job-creating projects, which should be a major concern for any government."

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox echoed the concern, saying the recent decision from Glencore to can their $2 billion investment into a mine in Queensland shows the cracks beginning to appear in Queensland’s coal sector.

“One of the biggest tragedies in the withdrawal of the Glencore Project, are the job opportunities that will be lost.  Regions like ours are built on these jobs. They bring so much local investment and boost our local economy,” Mr Willcox said.

“Mining companies are used to the boom & bust cycle.  So in good times like these, they use profits for further exploration, upgrade their mining equipment and rehabilitate previous mines sites which creates job opportunities within our region.

“Instead, the coal royalties hike squashes further development, which will affect our region when coal prices reduce”.

Mr Willcox criticised the State Government for making decisions that impede regional communities.  

“The profits being generated in Central Queensland should be reinvested in Central Queensland and not spent in the southeast corner”.

“This is happening again and again, and the people of Dawson are sick of it, especially when their roads are crumbling, the health infrastructure is failing and critical services aren’t being maintained,” Mr Willcox said.

“When we have city centric, and suburban obsessed governments, the whole nation suffers. Regions like Dawson do so much to generate the nation’s wealth, but we are being flat out neglected by a government who is happy to shout their own praise and boast of their budget, having little regard for those who bring about the profits.

“Labor needs to govern for the entire state of Queensland, not just for the cities of the SE corner.  They need to start looking after our rural and regional powerhouses.”

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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox is concerned that high coal royalties will result in the withdraw of future coal projects in Queensland

There is a meaningful career in agriculture.

A lot of people will glaze over a bit when you tell them you are a farmer: it just hasn’t been seen as an attractive career. But it’s a great job that takes you in the open air, where you are a jack of all trades as you care for your land, your crops, your machinery, and your business. It’s a job where you work with your family and your community.

And agriculture is more diverse than simply farming and grazing: there are opportunities right across the supply chain in the retail and wholesale businesses that service farming, in research and laboratory services, in extension services, and in the processing and transport sectors.

From my point of view there is real change in ag.

It is an industry that is accelerating in the use of technology in all areas to lift productivity, to solve labour issues, and to achieve better environmental outcomes. And with that technology comes new jobs: drone and robotic pilots, programming, data analysis, servicing.

Precision ag is one area that is making a dramatic difference in farming, from tractor-linked GPS being used to log delivery rates and areas, to the emergence of weed-identifying AI creating real-time identification and precision spray targeting of weeds in crop, dramatically reducing chemical application in field at the same time as avoiding application to the food crop.

In the Mackay region, the development of a biofutures sector will create new jobs right across the supply chain – in science, farming, processing, and export- in the cutting-edge area of developing plant-based proteins that will work to help meet the food needs of a growing world population. This involves state-of-the-art technology and will mean that our young people, whether they are keen for a job in a lab or a job in the field, can look to working here in their home region.

Australian farmers and people working in farming service are noted worldwide as being great innovators. For example, the first mechanical harvesters were developed and put into the paddock in Australia. That spirit continues into the future as we take on the challenges of helping the world decarbonise through renewable foods, fuels and fibres.

But there is a necessary link that needs development in Central Queensland, and that is in the space of agriculture education, in secondary and tertiary schooling. In reality, for someone wanting to study hands on agriculture, such as a Diploma of Agriculture, they will need to travel to southern Queensland. A Bachelor of Agriculture is available through CQUniversity, but still means travelling to other CQ centres. We need better learning opportunities here in Mackay. We need secondary schools to support agriculture as a career pathway.

Thankfully, we do have some Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) such as Axiom College who do support certification in horticulture and ecosystem management, as well as chemical accreditation, and there are opportunities in some of our high schools to engage with agriculture, although primarily cattle focused.

It’s a conversation that we need to have as a region. If we want a flourishing agricultural sector, if we want to be part of the solution in developing renewables and decarbonisation, then that needs to be supported locally with education and training pathways into careers in agriculture and its satellite services and businesses.

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From research and agronomy to paddock to processing, there is a career for all tastes in ag. Pictures: Contributed

Recreational boating is an avidly pursued pastime in the tropical waters around Mackay, and this was as true 100 years ago as it is today.

In 1914, local carpenter Henry Charles Rose completed his 22ft (6.7m) motor launch Eleanor and launched her at Cremorne.  Rose had built two other boats – the Rosebud and Rosebud II – but it was the Eleanor, named after his mother who had died the previous year, that he kept for himself.

Following the devastating cyclone of 1918, Eleanor really came into her own. All vessels in the Pioneer River were sunk or grounded and Eleanor, found outside the police station in Brisbane Street, was the only vessel to survive intact.

She was quickly put to use in making contact with areas cut off by the flood, and in ferrying messages between the town and ships which started to arrive off Mackay in the weeks following the disaster. The Sydney Street bridge had been destroyed, making the Eleanor’s job critical.

The Eleanor became a vital link between the north and south banks of the river, and with the outside world.

Henry Rose retained ownership of the Eleanor until his death in 1977, when she was sold to some fisherman. Some time later however, she was abandoned and neglected in Eimeo Creek. In 1987 she was retrieved by the Maritime Archaeological Association of Mackay and donated to the Mackay Museum. Eleanor can still be seen on display here, a significant part of the important maritime history of the region.

The 'Eleanor' has now been added to the Australian Register of Historic Vessels and will be able to receive funding for its conservation. You can visit the 'Eleanor' housed in the Mackay Museum when it re-opens in March, 2023.

Information thanks to Dr Melanie Piddocke, Queensland Museum.

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Mackay Regional Council Museum Collection and Libraries

A plant makes for a thoughtful gift, provided it is a non-invasive species and free from disease and pests.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said certain plant species, as well as sick or infested plants, could pose a biosecurity risk to Queensland.

“If allowed to spread, invasive plant species can destroy hectares of land, harm livestock and wildlife and cause significant economic damage.

“One such plant is the drooping tree pear cactus, which is closely related to the prickly pear and can spread in the same way.

“This invasive plant is often for sale on the online marketplace and at car boot sales, rather than through legitimate nurseries.

“Many buyers may not realise the plant is prohibited and has the potential to invade huge spans of Queensland.”

Similarly, pests and plant diseases can spread from plant to plant, posing a biosecurity risk to Queensland.

“When shopping for plants, always make sure you’re buying healthy plants that aren’t invasive,” Mr Furner said.

“Let’s keep Queensland safe by avoiding giving a biosecurity hazard as a gift.”

The Biosecurity Act 2014 requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control.

If you have or think you know someone who is keeping or selling illegal plants, please contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.

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“Studies by NASA scientists show that bouncing around on a mini trampoline is 68 per cent more effective than jogging, yet it requires less effort!”

Owner of Boogie Bounce Mackay, Teya Gibson, also said that a Boogie Bounce session can develop both upper and lower body strength just as effectively as lifting weights, without the strain or threat of pulled or torn muscles.

“Boogie Bounce is a complete exercise programme performed on a mini trampoline with a patented T-Bar Handle,” Teya said.

“The programme consists of a highly effective H.I.I.T cardio section followed by a toning section, working bums, tums and thighs. Every muscle in the body is worked, even the facial muscles!

“The H.I.I.T techniques maximise the most effective fat burning process in the cardio section, whilst using the pliable surface of the mat to perform a range of core stability exercises, thus engaging more of the deep core muscles.”

The Sensational High Energy, Low Impact Workout To Get Fit, Have Fun And Bounce Away Fat!

Trampolining or rebounding as it also known has many health benefits

● Fantastic full body workout

● Massive calorie burn and weight loss

● Increased metabolism

● Relieves stress

● Low impact on joints and ligaments

● Improves the Lymphatic system

● Reduces cellulite

● Suitable for all ages, shapes and sizes

Bounce your way to better health with Boogie Bounce Mackay. Give Teya a call to kick off your ‘new year, new you’ goals for 2023. This month Boogie Bounce Mackay celebrated its first birthday. Get bouncin’ this January to go in the draw to win some great prizes!

Boogie Bounce classes are located at 5 Wellington St, at the Life Impact Church building. Email boogiebouncemackay@gmail.com for more information.

“Why? Because you are worth it.”

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In Bushy Park, Teddington, an affluent suburb near London, a group of 13 mates decided to go for a run at their local park. The distance chosen was 5km, challenging enough but short enough for most to be able to achieve.

That was in 2004. Fast-forward to 2018, and the fifth million parkrunner signed up, with places across the globe providing places for the phenomenon to occur.

Next year will be the 20th anniversary of parkrun, and locally in Mackay, parkruns happen weekly on a Saturday morning at the Botanic Gardens. It’s a place where serious runners will challenge each other to better their personal bests, but the popularity of the event sees elderly walkers, mums and dads pushing prams and a variety of age, size and ethnicity turn up to get their weekly sweat on.

Milestones such as 50 and 100 parkruns are recognised and results are available online for people to track their progress.

In Mackay, 249 runners took part in a New Year’s Eve run, complete with a refreshing shower of rain and a refreshing Zooper Dooper at the finish. It’s a great way to get moving, so why not challenge yourself to a parkrun this Movement Month?

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Mackay’s New Year’s Eve parkrun. Photo credit: Mackay parkrun Facebook

For those with new year’s resolutions of being present, grateful and connecting with their community, look no further.

Rise and Mind Mackay are a group of young locals who meet at Harbour Beach every Wednesday morning, inviting anyone and everyone to rise early, meet new people and connect with their community.

The initiative was started by Brianna Underhill in January 2022, taking inspiration from a similar group on the Gold Coast.

“They did this Wednesday's program; sunrise, swim and sip, and it was just really simple, really community-minded, something to uplift people,” Brianna said.

“I saw it and thought, ‘That would be so awesome to do, I’d love to be a part of something like that.’”

The simple concept involves meeting at Harbour Beach every Wednesday at 6:00am, swimming in the crystal-clear north Queensland waters (should you choose to) before heading to nearby café The Avenue for a coffee and breakfast.

Whether attendees are new to Mackay, passing through or just eager to meet new people, Rise and Mind has fostered new friendships that often grow outside of the weekly gathering.

“It’s something that’s really good for young adults, to get out and meet people in a different environment,” said Brianna.

That’s exactly what happened when Brianna met Brenna Young.

Brenna came across Rise and Mind on Instagram, went along one morning and hasn’t looked back.

“It is literally the best part of my week,” said Brenna.

“People that I’ve met on Wednesdays are my closest friends now and literally changed my whole outlook on life, just coming and being grateful and being present and connecting.”

The Wednesday morning ritual provides attendees a fun, safe and friendly start to their Wednesdays, outside the norms of the working week.

“Being on a Wednesday, it’s right in the middle of the week and when you hit that hump day slump, it’s so nice to come down and start the day doing something that isn’t in that repetitive cycle,” said Brenna.

“That’s what we want,” added Brianna.

“We want good mental health, we want people to enjoy their whole week, not just the weekends.

“We want you to enjoy something else in Mackay.

“Everyone always says there’s nothing to do, but it’s also what we make of it.”

Brianna urged anyone looking to meet new people or try something new to come along.

“There is a discipline in coming at 6:00am, obviously, but once you’re here, you don’t even realise, especially in summer,” she said.

“Just take the leap, come out, connect, if you like it, you can come back the next week.

“You’ll actually see a difference in your week.”

Follow Rise and Mind on Instagram for more information.

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Rise and Mind meets at Harbour Beach every Wednesday morning, providing a space to relax and meet new people. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Fitness experts agree that movement and nutrition go hand-in-hand. No amount of movement can combat what you put in your mouth if excessive and mindless eating is a factor in your lifestyle, so dieticians recommend using a few simple tips to help cut the cravings.

1 – Set a water consumption goal and make this a priority

Did you know that thirst can create hunger-type cravings. By concentrating on water over food, you’ll find yourself eating less as your body will be well hydrated, resulting in less cravings and less room for large portions.

2 – Set eating time alerts on your phone

Mindless eating and grazing have become a way of life, with food often focusing on convenience over nutrition. Diabetics who have to take blood sugar readings two hours after completing a meal often find they naturally drop weight, because during that two-hour window there’s no snacking allowed.

3 – Cut down on sugar

There is enough natural sugar found in fruits and vegetables that you don’t need to add extra sugar into your day. Try cutting the sugar from your beverages, learn to bake with sugar-free alternatives and replace sweets and icecream with fruit and low-sugar frozen yoghurt.

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If you’re reading this on the back deck of your apartment overlooking the Great Barrier Reef at Airlie Beach, you know exactly what to do. If you’re reading this in front of your computer at work, well, we need to talk.

January 6 is a huge day!

It’s a day that marks pretty much two weeks until all the kids head back to school. It also marks less than 2 months until the start of the NRL and local footy with our mighty Cutters going at it again. Oh and don’t forget about the basketball with the Meteors and Meteorettes at Candlestick Park. I’m excited for the fun.

You know what else is happening?

Today is officially the day when we take down the Christmas tree from last year. Yes, there’s a day for that.

Just so we are aware, there seems to be a day for everything. Birthday. Anniversary. A day that you need to change the battery on your smoke detector. A day when you need to visit the doctor once a year.

Today is the day when we need to pack away the old Christmas tree and leave it alone for the next 10 months until we do it all again.

I’m guessing you’ve got a tree that came in a box from the other side of the world, and you just put it together, threw some decorations and tinsel on it, and then it was done. I wouldn’t think it would take a long time to put it all away, but if it does, take your time. Make it count.

Then you have to look at packing away all those lights, and extra bits and pieces of things that glow in the night sky. Make sure you roll the lights up in a way, so that when November rolls around, you aren’t taking hours to unroll and put up. Just a word of advice.

I remember a few weeks ago someone stole my light-up reindeer from my front yard in South Mackay. Yes, someone jumped the fence and helped themselves to it, but hey that’s what we’ve come to lately, but anyway, it is what it is. What I meant to say is, if you are packing everything away around your place, and you notice a white reindeer sitting in the corner, and you don’t know where it’s come from, I reckon it’s mine.

Oh and by the way, January 6 is also a day when you can head off to the Bluewater Lagoon and get some rays without anyone else there. You’ll have the place to yourself. Enjoy!

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

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Three Decades Of ATP

Artspace Mackay is excited to present the Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art’s touring exhibition, ‘Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT’, which profiles key moments from the gallery’s flagship exhibition series looking at contemporary art in the Asia Pacific Region.

Featuring works that have appeared in the Triennial since its debut in the 1990s, and across media from painting and sculpture to video, performance and works on paper, ‘Asia Pacific Contemporary’ showcases art from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Vanuatu and Vietnam.

Works of art commissioned or collected from APT1 (1993) through to APT9 (2018-19) display APT’s embrace of contemporary art in all its forms.

This touring exhibition will be at Artspace Mackay until February 5.

Formed‍

A selection of artworks from the Mackay Regional Council Collection are on display in Artspace’s Foyer Gallery for a new exhibition, ‘Formed’.

This small but striking collection of works feature visual responses to colour theory, shape and space by three artists: Garry Bish, Jessica Dorizac and Robert Jacks, explored through ceramics, artists’ books and printmaking.

On now until February 5.

Ryan Vella – Underground Spandex

Also showing in the Foyer Gallery is Underground Spandex, a colourful collection by Ryan Vella.

The exhibition features more than 20 pages of comic-style art, selected by Artspace Mackay from Ryan’s past two years of work.

Showing until February 5.

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The Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT exhibition. PhotoCredit: Jim Cullen Photographer

‘Formed’ is on display in the Foyer Gallery. Photo Credit: Jim Cullen Photographer

Underground Spandex by Ryan Vella is showing until February 5

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Every year brings highs and lows but as we move forward into 2023 all we can do is our very best.

I’d like to share a couple of thoughts for the new year with you.

Please give a thought to the people that are homeless and that are living in tents around our town.  If you can assist with accommodation or know of anyone that can, please call CASA, St Vincent De Paul or Lifeline-Uniting Care.  

While housing is not a council issue, I will be working proactively with the state and agencies to help reduce this ongoing crisis for our region in 2023.

One of the committees I am on is the Environmental Disaster subcommittee. This sits under the Local Disaster Management Group, which will be on alert at this time of year getting ready for any disasters that may come our way.  

You can help by getting ready for storm season; prepare an emergency kit, clean up around the yard and use your dump vouchers to dispose of any items that could potentially become flying debris. Now is the ideal time to clean your gutters and think about your elderly neighbor that may also need a helping hand.

It’s also a timely reminder to support local businesses into the new year. These are the people that employ our local residents and keep our local economy going.

Finally, enjoy your time over the holidays and look forward to the new year. It’s a time for new beginnings.

Spend it with family just before we all go back to work and school. Why not take a look, walk, or picnic at our greatest asset in the city, the Pioneer River? Head down to the new river precinct which is now open to the public – this is the section from Paxton’s to the fish markets.  In the new year minor works will be occurring, so watch this space.

Happy New Year to each and every one of you and I am looking forward to continuing my advocacy in the community into 2023.

Cr Alison Jones

Mackay Regional Council

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Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the first edition of 2023!

It’s great to be back after a relaxing holiday and we are all excited for the year ahead.

Over the Christmas break my family and I went down to 1770 – for those of you that don’t know, this is a little seaside town about eight hours south of here.

This destination is special for two reasons – firstly it has the first surf break as you head down the coast, it is also the first place where you do not have to wear stinger suits.

As a result, we spent about 90 per cent of the holiday in the ocean and I loved listening to the kids squealing as they were being chased by waves, building huge sandcastles and learning how to paddle on our new inflatable sea kayak.

At the beginning of the week my partner and I decided that we would limit technology as much as possible and on our first day I suggested we also stop scrolling on our phones.

For me this meant that I would stop nosing around on Facebook and he would stop checking sporting news.

Challenge accepted, we both ditched our smart phones and learnt to live in the present moment – nature became a screen and watching the kids play became our entertainment.

At first, I have to confess I caught myself instinctively picking up my phone whenever there was a lull in activity, but each time I placed it back down on the bench I felt empowered and invigorated.

By the end of the week, the kids had not watched an evening movie (we’d played board games instead) and no-one had really thought about screens at all – it all felt quite liberating.

When we picked up our screens again for the car journey home (there was no way we were going to get through that without technology!) it was really nice to reconnect with the world, but also realise we had not missed a thing.

Rach

Quote of the week: “Lost time is never found again” (Benjamin Franklin)

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This week we were delighted to receive an email from one of our readers outlining his ‘Good Deed’ experience at a local shopping centre in Cannonvale.

We loved his letter so much, we decided to print it in full.
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My partner Sue and I are in our mid-seventies. We are regular shoppers at the Woolworths centre because we like the vibe. No disrespect to The Whitsunday Shopping Centre, they also have great shops and one can get a great coffee fix at both locations.

Today we were doing a bit of last minute shopping at Woolies and as you may expect it was packed. With all the items found we waited patiently at the quick check out.

Our turn came to be served, the efficient check-out-chick quickly totalled up our purchases, I presented my Woolies loyalty card and was about to tap my debit card when a hand, with another card hit the pad.

This rather confused me and Sue. I was stunned. Looking back at the queue, there was an attractive, smiling young lady with twinkling eyes. We did not know her.

I admit I did need a shave and my attire was at best basic but this kindness brought a tear to the eyes of this sometimes crusty old fellow.

What amazing kindness!

Several weeks ago Sue ordered coffee and the chap preceding her had prepaid for it. More generosity. No more mister crusty, somehow I will endeavour to pass on the kindness.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew R. McKay

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In a challenging trek that would test even the most healthy and active adult, a group of primary-school-aged children embarked on the Honeyeater Trail earlier this week, participating in the inaugural New Year Family Hike.

Organised by Tim Oberg and Michael McConnell from Next Stars Sports Academy, this free community event was open to families participating in their coaching sessions plus any interested members of the community.

“It’s a great challenge for the kids, parents and their siblings,” said Tim.

“Everyone is aware on the Honeyeater Trail, but many haven’t done it – it’s pretty challenging!”

The group left from Café One3 in Airlie Beach and trekked upwards, completing a round trip of 7.5 kilometres.

They left on Monday, January 2 at 7am and returned by around 10am the same day.

“Some of the kids struggled,” said Tim.

“But all the other kids were empathetic – they really supported each other – a lot of the girls were holding hands, and everyone motivated each other.

“That was exactly what we were hoping for, watching the kids helping each other was incredible and we were all really proud of them.”

Marvellous weather greeted the intrepid explorers and many passers-by stopped to wish the group a happy New Year.

“A lot of people on the walk commented on how good it was to see so many kids doing the walk together and away from the screens,” said Tim.

“It was a great thing to witness and a really positive way to start the year.”

The next event is planned for June this year and Tim said they are hoping to get even more families involved.

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We made it! The stunning view from the top of Honeyeater

Holding hands to support each other through a challenging trek

A moment to take it all in. Photo credit: Michael McConnell

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A Mackay couple and their three children were left trapped in their vehicle when it was involved in collision north of Proserpine just days after Christmas.

The family had been travelling south from Townsville when a Toyota Prado allegedly crossed into their lane, crashing into the family’s Holden Ute on Tuesday, December 27, just after 1pm.

Queensland Fire Service were able to extricate those trapped and the RACQ CQ Helicopter attended the scene, despatching injured patients to hospital.

A total of seven people were taken to Proserpine Hospital, but it is understood everyone involved have now been released.

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The incident involved to vehicles which collided at speed: Photo supplied by RACQ CQ Rescue

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