Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
OPINION PIECE from the office of Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox There is no question that immigration into Australia is out of control. The government’s numbers are too high, and standards are too low. A sustainable migration program must consider our capacity to provide housing, healthcare, infrastructure and the essential services everyone relies on, and Australians must come first. But Labor’s decision to target Working Holiday Makers Visa holders is not the answer. These people filling vital gaps in our workforce are not the cause of Australia’s housing crisis. In many cases, they are living in accommodation provided by the very businesses that employ them. The National Farmers’ Federation has made the point that Working Holiday Makers generally stay in hostels, caravan parks or purpose-built on-farm accommodation. Resorts usually have on-site staff quarters. They are not the source of Australia’s housing shortage. So why is Labor making it harder for them to come here, when these workers fill genuine jobs that regional Australia holds? Working Holiday Makers fill approximately one in seven farm jobs nationally and are particularly important during peak agricultural periods, which for Dawson, it is right now! Farmers rely on these workers to plant, pick, pack and harvest the produce that ends up on Australian supermarket shelves. Having run one of Australia’s largest tomato farms, at times Working Holiday Makers made up more than 50 per cent of my workforce. Without them, much of our crop simply would not have been picked in time and rotted in the paddock. Some may say, why not employ the Australians who don’t have a job and are on “the dole”? Can I say, this does not work. Most farmers will employ Aussies over travelling backpackers, but many either don’t want to do the work or don’t turn up after the first day. Who picks the fruit or veggies then? Farmers are already warning that visa delays are leaving them without workers. The NFF says approvals that once took days are now facing processing times of up to three months, and this time frame can be the difference between harvesting a crop or losing it. That should concern every Australian already feeling the pressure at the supermarket checkout. The same problem is playing out in tourism. Across Dawson, Working Holiday Makers are an important part of the workforce supporting tourism and hospitality, particularly in the Whitsundays. They help fill shifts, work in hotels and restaurants, support tour operators and keep businesses running through their busiest periods. They also contribute to the local economy. They spend money on food, fuel, attractions and tours, supporting the small businesses that depend on a strong visitor economy. That is why tourism and business leaders across North Queensland are raising the alarm. They understand what happens when a regional business cannot get enough staff: opening hours are reduced, and services are cut, creating a downward spiral. We do need to reduce migration to sustainable levels. We need stronger integrity measures, and we need to crack down on rorts. But responsible migration policy means understanding which parts of the system are creating pressure and which parts are helping Australia function. Working Holiday Makers are not the problem. They are part of the workforce solution for regional. Australia. People have had a gutful of watching their standard of living go backwards. Groceries, fuel, housing and everyday expenses are already putting enormous pressure on families. The last thing Australians need is another reckless policy that makes it harder to produce food, harder to run regional businesses and harder for tourism operators to find the workers they need.
Read the full storySomeone sold a house in Sydney last week for $9 million less than they bought it for four or five years ago. The sellers had bought the property in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for $29 million and sold it for $20 million in a sale forced by their bank. I imagine the sellers are a little disappointed by the government’s decisions on negative gearing and capital gains tax and feeling pretty hurt by the increased interest rates. Australia’s interest rates are on the rise and are now sitting at levels not seen since 2011. Increased cost of living is hurting people around the country and interest rates are playing into that. But the impact of interest rates is not felt evenly around the country. The far-higher property prices mean people in the major cities suffer much more than regional areas with the rates increase. That is certainly not to say people in Mackay are unaffected by the cost of living; it’s just that the impact of interest rates increase on a $400,000 mortgage is much less than the impact on a $1m mortgage. There are other Mackay-specific factors that are in play when discussing the current housing market. The big factor is the role of coal in our economy. Most of the coal extracted and exported from our region is coking coal, which is used to make steel. The price of coking coal is around $280 a tonne, which is about 50 per cent up. Good activity in the coal market translates to good news for the Mackay economy, as it is an economic engine that other cities and regions just don’t have. Good activity in Bowen Basin flows throughout the Mackay economy; Paget workshops, transport, suppliers and related businesses all benefit. But so do other, non-mining-related businesses as they benefit from the general confidence and spending that goes on. The strong mining activity also means mines need to keep their staff levels up and that means more people moving to Mackay. Of course, Mackay is much more than a coal mining town but if the coal sector is going well those other areas definitely benefit. It is a confidence boost for Mackay people looking to get into the housing market and those wanting to upgrade or downsize. It also means continuing strong demand from people wanting to rent a property and it will be interesting to see what sort of activity that creates from investors. Investors have walked away from the big-city markets because they can no longer use negative gearing on established properties that do not have a sufficient yield to be positively geared. Negative gearing has never been a big thing in Mackay because our prices are lower and rental returns continue to be strong so many investors have a positively geared property. Around the country everyone is nervous about the state of play and the probability of more interest rate rises. But strong coal prices and an economy that is performing well mean Mackay might just be presenting an opportunity for buyers and sellers that doesn’t exist in other parts. I remember when national confidence was flying high and Mackay prices were going up significantly that many buyers were saying “I wish we had bought a while ago when the market wasn’t so hot”. I’m not armed with a crystal ball so I’m not here to tell you what is going to happen but I suspect there is a very good buying window right now for those looking for an opportunity.
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A local Mackay and Sarina based model has created a dress out of newspapers, including Mackay Life, for her upcoming pageant, representing her region and hometown on the runway as she vies for Miss Diamond International in Brisbane. Zoe Place will be competing this weekend in the three-day event, beginning this Friday 2nd October and ending on Sunday 4th October. The young model spent around a month creating her eco-fashion outfit, using old newspapers as the main material and transforming them into a bodice, skirt and flowers. Red elements were also incorporated into the design to give the dress a bold and glamorous pageant feel. Zoe said, “The entire concept was really about taking something that would normally be thrown away and turning it into something beautiful and meaningful.” Her eco-fashion creation will form part of a busy weekend in Brisbane, with the Miss Diamond International event including photo shoots, interviews, an eco-fashion show and the final pageant. Zoe has been preparing for the event by practising her strut and walking, preparing for interviews and getting comfortable in the different outfits she will wear throughout the weekend. Alongside her love of modelling, pageantry has also provided Zoe with a platform to raise awareness about causes close to her heart, including mental health, while fundraising for Beyond Blue. “Pageantry has given me more of a platform to combine my love for modelling with something that is really important to me.” “When I first started, I was more nervous about putting myself out there and worried about what others would think about me – but I’ve changed a lot through my journey in pageantry.” “Pageantry has also taught me that it’s not about how you look on stage. It’s about the person you are when you step off it.” “Every woman has their own unique journey and that journey is something we should all be really proud of.” “To me, it represents confidence, empowerment, kindness, and using your voice to make a difference.” Zoe said she was looking forward to meeting the other contestants, making new connections and creating memories. “I’m definitely looking forward to meeting all the new contestants and making new connections and creating memories that I will carry with me for a lifetime.” While Zoe hopes to eventually move to the city, her sights are set even further afield, with a dream of one day walking in New York Fashion Week. Mackay and Sarina local Zoe Place has created an eco-fashion dress from recycled newspapers, including Mackay Life, ahead of her Miss Diamond International pageant in Brisbane. Photos supplied
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Trends, reels and the endless cycle of always wanting more has quietly bombarded the minds of countless social media users of all ages, but one former Mackay local has made it her mission to help others understand the effects of social media and find practical ways to break free from online addiction. Alexis Zahner is in Mackay over the next week to teach upcoming generations about social media and the effects it can have on the mind, particularly on identity, self-discovery, as well as the marketing strategies that get viewers hooked and influence their decisions. It is something Alexis knows first-hand can be a useful tool, but also a great disruption to authenticity and the world as we see and experience it. Alexis will hold a free meet and greet and book launch today, Friday 2nd October, at 5.30pm at the Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club, where she will give a talk and answer questions relating to her debut book, Real: Reconnecting to Yourself in a World of Likes and Lies. A former Mackay girl, Alexis spent the past 15 years working across business psychology, marketing and media, with her interest in social media influence beginning during her university studies at James Cook University in Townsville. Her own experience as a social media user, travel blogger and influencer eventually led her to question how much of her identity, decisions and values were being shaped by what she saw online. “The tipping point came for me about 3 years ago when I had this feeling that I couldn't separate influence from my own personal decision making,” she said. “I couldn't separate my own likes, dislikes, values, relationships from what I was being exposed to and being influenced by online.” “I found that I needed to take some time away from social media to recalibrate what was important to me and sort of reconnect and come back to myself.” Alexis said she understood the feeling of questioning who you are outside of social media. “I know what it feels like to live a life under the influence of social media and have that existential crisis of thinking to yourself, who am I? What do I like? What's the kind of life I want to live? and struggling to separate myself from influence.” Alexis is particularly passionate about reaching teenagers, who she says are in an important stage of identity development, and will share this message with Mackay high school students during her upcoming school talks. “Teenagers are really easily influenced by social media. So it's a really important age where we start educating them – not just on the mental health repercussions of things like social media and how it shortens their attention span, but how it actually influences who they become.” “If you're asking yourself these questions, it's not your fault. Social media is actually geared to create this impact on you.” Alexis encourages people of all ages to “start expanding beyond what you see on the platform.” “Dare to indulge in the things that you've always been curious about or things you used to love,” she said. “Don't be afraid to put the phone down to let yourself be curious and have fun.” What: Alexis Zahner's 'Real' Book launch When: 5.30pm Friday 2nd October 2026 Where: Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club Former Mackay local and author Alexis Zahner is returning home to share her experiences with social media and her debut book, Real. Photo supplied
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Mackay families will gather at Bluewater Quay this Saturday, September 26, for a rally highlighting the experiences of families caring for children with complex disabilities and their concerns surrounding NDIS reform. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
By Hannah McNamara
Mackay families caring for children with complex disabilities will come together at Bluewater Quay this Saturday, September 26, calling for their voices to be heard amid upcoming NDIS reforms. Local mothers Lisa and Haylee are encouraging parents, carers, families and supporters to stand alongside them as they raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with significant support needs. While supporting efforts to address fraud and misuse of the scheme, the mothers want reforms to recognise the individual circumstances and ongoing needs of families requiring genuine support. The rally is a call for understanding, fairness and disability rights across the Mackay community.
Two passionate local mothers are on a mission to help vulnerable families feel heard as they, along with others, prepare to take a stand for disability rights at Bluewater Quay in Mackay on Saturday 26th September.
Lisa and Haylee both care for children with significant and complex disabilities, with their families requiring various levels of medical, therapeutic, behavioural and daily support.
On top of this, both women work in the disability support sector, giving them personal and professional experience with complex disabilities.
Their families, along with many others in the region, rely on various forms of support, including NDIS-funded assistance, to manage daily care, work and safety.
In an exclusive interview with Mackay Life, Lisa and Haylee offered insight into what families like theirs face on a daily basis, including the physical, emotional and financial pressures that can come with caring for children with complex needs.
“We don’t have much of a life – we go to work, come home, and provide round the clock care to our kids. We love our children, but most people don’t see the real struggles we deal with daily.”
For Haylee, behavioural incidents involving her non-verbal 14-year-old son Rhyder, who has autism, intellectual impairment and outbursts of anger and aggression, have resulted in serious physical injuries and ongoing fear for her own safety.
She is concerned about how changes to the NDIS could affect the level of support available to families with high and complex needs.
The Australian Government is introducing a range of NDIS reforms, including changes to participant budgets, planning and how reasonable and necessary supports are assessed.
From the 1st October 2026, some participant budgets for social, civic and community participation and capacity-building daily activities will be reset when plans are reassessed or renewed, while critical support budgets will not change. From 1st February 2027, tighter criteria around reasonable and necessary supports will progressively apply, with new framework planning beginning from April 2027.
Larger changes to NDIS access are scheduled from the 1st January 2028, including a new standardised assessment of functional capacity and changes affecting children aged eight and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low to moderate support needs, who will instead be supported through the new Thriving Kids program. According to the Australian Government, children with permanent and significant disability, including children with high support needs, will continue to be eligible for the NDIS.
Haylee said Rhyder requires 24/7 support and his professional team has recommended two-to-one support, while she currently receives significantly less assistance.
“First of all, I’d like to say well done for looking at the people that shouldn’t be on NDIS, because there’s a lot of them – that’s a major step forward – but how about we start looking at kids like Rhyder, who needs a good package, but isn’t getting it?” Haylee said.
Meanwhile, Lisa is a single 51-year-old mother of five, caring for a 12-year-old son with complex medical and behavioural needs, including a history of craniosynostosis that required 29 skull operations at age two and an eight-month hospital stay.
Her 19-year-old son is also on the NDIS with autism and difficulties with emotional regulation, while she says her other children are at risk of being mentally affected by their siblings.
Lisa says the needs of her children affect the whole family, all while managing her own health issues, relying on support workers in the mornings and afternoons to help care for her children so she can continue working and keep her family financially afloat.
She is concerned about future funding and support arrangements, particularly as her children’s needs change.
Both women noted that they are not opposed to reforming the NDIS and support efforts to address fraud, providers doing the wrong thing and people they believe should not be receiving funding. Their main concern is that families with genuinely complex needs could be overlooked if changes do not adequately account for individual circumstances, early intervention and the ongoing support required by parents and carers.
Lisa said the rally, due to take place this Saturday at Bluewater Quay, was about standing in support of all families who face similar circumstances.
“We’re strong advocates, but most of all, we’re really just local mothers who believe in justice – I believe in fairness, and I believe we need to be heard,” Lisa said.
“We’re doing this for our kids and for other families that go through the exact same struggles.”
“It’s not just for us. We’re doing it for them as well.”
“Walk beside us, stand with families, stand for disability rights”
Both women are encouraging families, carers, parents and supporters to attend and raise awareness of the potential impacts of NDIS reforms on people with disability and their families.
Meet Cassie, the dynamic force behind property management at Taylors Property Specialists. Born and raised in the Whitsundays, Cassie brings a blend of local insight and worldly experience to the table. Having jet-setted across the globe several times, she’s returned home with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for creating seamless property experiences.
As a devoted mum, Cassie knows the value of family and time well-spent. When she's not orchestrating the perfect property match, you can find her soaking up precious moments with her loved ones.
With a knack for problem-solving and a keen eye for detail, Cassie thrives in the bustling world of property management. She's not just about transactions; she's about building relationships. By prioritising open communication and fostering trust, she ensures both owners and tenants feel heard and valued.
At Taylors Property Specialists, Cassie is more than just a manager; she's a catalyst for happiness. Whether it's finding the ideal tenant or swiftly addressing maintenance needs, she's dedicated to making every interaction positive and productive.
With her winning blend of professionalism and warmth, you'll soon discover why clients trust her to make their property dreams a reality.
With a wealth of experience spanning many years, Ali is known for her unwavering commitment and exceptional service and always goes above and beyond to ensure a positive outcome.
Ali’s strength lies in her ability to cultivate lasting relationships with clients and tenants alike. Whether you’re a property owner seeking management solutions, a business looking to lease space or you need a storage shed.
Approachable, knowledgeable and professional, Ali is dedicated to providing a personalised service to suit your needs.
Having relocated to the Whitsundays in 2000, Ali moved to the area after enjoying many happy childhood holidays spent on her grandparents’ sugar cane farm in Glen Isla.
For all your inquiries regarding the management or leasing of your commercial investment property, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact Ali on 0461 496 380 or email commercial@taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au
Life does not always follow the plan we imagined. Relationships change, children grow, careers take unexpected turns, families adjust, and sometimes we simply reach a point where the way we have been living no longer feels right.
These transitions can be challenging, even when everything appears to be going well from the outside. We may continue working, caring for our families and meeting our responsibilities while privately feeling overwhelmed, uncertain or disconnected from the things that once mattered.
Understanding what is happening is often the first step towards finding a way forward. Rather than focusing only on a problem or diagnosis, it can be helpful to consider the whole person, their experiences, relationships, environment, strengths, values and goals.
Psychological support is not always about finding something that is “wrong”. Sometimes it is about having a safe space to pause, make sense of change, recognise patterns and develop practical strategies for managing what comes next.
Exploring the 6 Domains of life (Health, Family, Friends, Career or study or retirement, Spirit, and Finances) and setting clear goals in these areas help us achieve our goals in each area. It's like having a road map to wherever you're travelling. You get there more efficiently and faster.
Because getting through life and truly living it are not always the same thing.
Personal Transitions — turning life into living.
www.personaltransition.com.au or give Cristie 0488667264 or me 0418708214.
Giddy needs a little extra care and is looking for a long term foster carer who truly understands what makes him special.
Giddy lives with a spinal and hip condition, which means he needs careful, hands on management every single day. He can't be left to run wild in the yard, and he needs a lead for walks to protect his back and hips.
But here's the thing about Giddy: none of his issues have dimmed who he is. He is smart, affectionate and in decent overall health despite everything his body deals with.
He has a big personality too, including a bit of a habit of trying to be the boss with other dogs. Interestingly, the fix for this is a confident female dog! Every time he's tried to lord it over one, she's put him straight back in his place, and he takes it completely in his stride.
Can't foster but want to help support Giddy's care?
Donate via PayID: bcpri.adoptions@gmail.com
Local artist Jamie Strickland
By Glenda Brown, President of Creative Connections Whitsunday
AI (Artificial Intelligence) seems to have found its way into almost every part of our lives, and the art world is no exception.
For artists, AI presents some interesting possibilities – it can help develop an idea, experiment with composition, change lighting, test colours or take a rough concept in a completely different direction. But it also raises some uncomfortable questions.
If an artist uses AI to help create an image and then paints that image, is it still entirely their work? How is that different from painting from a photograph? And at what point does AI stop being a tool and start doing too much of the creative process?
There doesn't appear to be a simple answer, and even among our own Creative Connections Whitsunday (CCW) artists, opinions and approaches vary considerably.
A tool for ideas, but not necessarily for making art
CCW Vice President and artist Linda Forrester uses AI for writing and as a tool to explore and develop creative ideas. She sees value in its ability to quickly test possibilities, suggest different approaches and help visualise ideas, while recognising that it can also make it easy to rely too heavily on generated imagery.
Artist Jamie Stickland takes a slightly different view. He believes AI is inevitably going to become a large part of what we do, but there is something fundamental about creating art that he doesn't believe technology can replace.
For Jamie, some of the best parts of creating happen when things don't go according to plan.
"I create better when I'm scared or uncertain of the final outcome," he says, describing the process of learning from mistakes and discovering new directions while working.
Perhaps that's an important distinction – making art isn't simply about producing the best possible image. Often it's the mistakes, changes of direction and decisions made along the way that make the finished work interesting.
So where should artists draw the line?
Perhaps there isn't one line.
AI isn't going away, and artists will make their own decisions about whether to embrace it, avoid it, or find somewhere comfortable in between.
For now, perhaps the most important thing is that we keep talking about it, remain transparent about how it's being used, and make sure the artist doesn't disappear from the art.
Get in touch
Creative Connections Whitsunday
Glenda Brown
President
info@creativeconnectionwhitsunday.com
Creative Connections Whitsundays supports local artists through opportunities to connect, exhibit, learn, and thrive.
Looking for something creative to do with the kids these school holidays?
Creative Connections Whitsunday is hosting a School Holiday Creative Fun Day, 10am-2pm Wednesday 30 September, at the CCW Community Gallery in Proserpine.
Children and families can enjoy a colourful, hands-on day of art, games, and creative activities in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Activities will include kids’ canvas painting, face painting, colouring and activity tables, craft, giant Jenga and giant Yahtzee, along with creative sessions led by local artists.
When: 10am-2pm Wednesday 30 September
Where: CCW Community Gallery, 192 Main Street, Proserpine
By Michael Kimpton
Val & I moved to the Whitsundays from the big smoke 10 years back for a number of reasons. Primarily, it was to enjoy the tropical lifestyle and warm weather, marine activities and a tight-knit community feel.
We were aware as we approached our twilight years we would experience challenges with our new location. Compared to larger metropolitan cities our research showed there would be a lack of resources and infrastructure with stretched medical services. Another big wake up call for us was Cyclone Debbie and the impact it created for our community.
But what struck us the most was: why was Northern Qld dealt a bad hand of cards when trying to donate blood? Val & I were regular blood donors in Victoria but moving to Airlie Beach made this virtually impossible.
Back in 1977 after a traumatic motorcycle accident I received two units of blood on the side of the road which saved my life. This is where our commitment and passion come from to do the community thing and donate blood.
Whenever possible as our time frame permits, we donate blood in Mackay- just last Monday both Val & I commuted to Mackay to give blood. We have already been contacted to advise that the blood has been delivered to a patient at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, which was wonderful news!
But it’s not possible to donate closer to home.
This month blood services in England, Canada and Australia issued a critical joint appeal as National blood reserves have dropped globally by 30%.
The key decision makers of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood have been found wanting in their management plan for Northern Queensland regional centres.
Townsville’s permanent centre only accepts plasma now which is very confusing. Plasma donating will take 45 minutes compared to normal whole blood donation time of 10 minutes.
Val & I had a formal meeting with Tim Nicholls MP and staff at the deputation Community Cabinet meeting in Mackay last November, liaison with Queensland and Federal politicians, Mayors & Councillors. We also raised the topic during our meeting with the Premier David Crisafulli MP last month in Proserpine.
Our region wants to think BIG for our future but we are all hamstrung by policies outside of our decision-making. Lachlan Jackwitz died in April this year in regional Queensland after waiting for 2 hours for blood.
It is unacceptable that our Whitsunday community of 40,000 people has lost the opportunity to conveniently donate blood and help reduce the chronic shortage of blood. A mobile blood bank operated out of Proserpine some time ago but why was it discontinued?
Visit to view Michael’s petition to bring a mobile blood bank to the Whitsundays: https://www.change.org/p/bring-a-mobile-blood-bank-to-the-whitsundays
Michael Kimpton
0417 717 818
mkmotivationalspeaker@gmail.com
Planning to retire soon?
If retirement is on your horizon in the next few years, now is the time to start preparing.
There are plenty of questions to work through. How much income will you need during the active, slowing and sedentary stages of retirement? Do you have enough super and other investments to support the lifestyle you want? Could you qualify for the Age Pension? Would moving money between super, personal investments or spouses improve your position?
Then there is another important question: what happens if investment markets fall just before or after you retire?
While you are working, you are generally a regular buyer of investments. Your employer contributions, and perhaps your own extra contributions, continue purchasing assets through your super. When markets fall, those contributions buy investments at lower prices.
Retirement changes that position completely. Once you begin drawing an income from your super and investments, you become a regular seller. If markets fall and you still need to fund monthly pension payments, you may be forced to sell investments when their values are temporarily depressed. That can make it harder for your retirement savings to recover.
We have seen several major downturns over recent decades, including the technology crash, the Global Financial Crisis and the COVID market fall. Each was different, but they all demonstrated that investment markets can fall sharply and may take time to recover.
The aim is not to predict the next downturn. Nobody can do that reliably. The aim is to have a retirement income strategy that reduces the chance of selling quality investments at the wrong time when they are undervalued.
At Eclipse Financial Services, we use our Bucket Strategy to help protect retired clients through changing investment markets. It is designed to provide money for pension payments while allowing longer-term investments time to recover after a downturn.
The key message is simple: if you are hoping to retire in the next few years, start planning now.
A well-prepared retirement strategy can give you a clearer picture of the income you may receive, how your money should be structured and how you could manage future market volatility. Do not let an unexpected downturn delay the retirement years you have worked so hard to enjoy. Plan early, understand your options and put suitable protections in place.
For a free consultation with local people who understand these and other financial matters, contact Eclipse Financial Services in Cannonvale on 4946 7359 or visit www.eclipsefp.com.au.
Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, President of BGGA, Carl Walker, BPC Director Sean Brown, and Whitsundays Mayor Ry Collins (WRC). Photo supplied
Contributed with thanks by Bowen Pipeline Company
Ministerial Infrastructure Designation approval provides greater planning certainty for proposed 182-kilometer North Queensland water pipeline
Bowen Pipeline Company welcomes approval of the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) for the Bowen Pipeline Project by the Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development,
Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Honourable Jarrod Bleijie MP.
The Decision Notice marks an important milestone for the project providing formal recognition for the proposed 182-kilometre water pipeline under Queensland’s infrastructure planning framework.
The Bowen Region produces 1/5th of Australia’s vegetables (over 250 million kilograms sold at the farm gate) and is Australia’s largest winter vegetable growing area supplying over 90% of some vegetables supplying Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and internationally. The region has no reliable, secure water supply relying on summer rains.
The approval provides greater planning certainty following extensive technical assessment,
stakeholder engagement and consultation with government, Traditional Owners, landholders,
growers, councils, industry participants and regional stakeholders.
Bowen Pipeline Company Chairman Carl Walker said the decision represented an important step forward for the project and recognised the considerable work undertaken to reach this point.
“This is an important milestone for the Bowen Pipeline Project and for the many people who
have contributed their time, knowledge and support along the way,” Mr Walker said.
“A significant amount of work sits behind this decision, from technical studies and planning
through to engagement with landholders, growers, Traditional Owners, government, councils,
industry and communities across the region.
“There is still work ahead, but the MID gives us greater planning certainty as we continue
progressing the remaining approvals, funding pathways and development work required to
move the project forward.”
The Bowen Pipeline Project is designed to transfer water from the Burdekin River south towards Bowen providing a reliable long-term water supply to support agriculture, industry, horticulture, aquaculture, citrus, algae, green energy and communities.
Mr Walker said the significance of the project ultimately lies in what greater water security could make possible for the region. The project’s broader economic case centres on using reliable water infrastructure to enable greater agricultural production, investment and industry development across the Bowen-Burdekin corridor.
Preliminary economic analysis cited by Bowen Pipeline Company indicates the project has the potential to support around $300 million in annual economic output and approximately 1,200 full-time equivalent jobs when operational across agriculture, industryand regional services.
“For growers, businesses and communities across the region, reliable access to water is
fundamental to planning for the future. Greater water security has the potential to support
agricultural production, encourage investment and create new opportunities for the region over
the long term,” Mr Walker said.
“That is what we are working towards, and this decision takes us another important step
forward.”
Early engagement with prospective water users has demonstrated strong interest in securing
future water allocations from the Bowen Pipeline Project.
Mr Walker said the response provided further confidence in the need for the project.
“Over recent weeks we have seen strong interest from prospective water users and new market entrants, reinforcing both the demand for greater water security and the confidence people have in investing in the future of this region.
“Their participation is an important part of building the commercial foundation required to
progress the project.”
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional
and Rural Development and Member for Burdekin Dale Last said reliable water supply could
unlock significant opportunities for the region.
“Where you have water, you have opportunities. It is those opportunities that are the reason I
support ensuring a reliable water supply for an area that offers so much untapped potential,” Minister Last said.
“There is 100,000 hectares of arable land in the Burdekin-Bowen-Collinsville area that could be
used for primary production if there was a reliable source of water. Whether you look at it from
a self-sufficiency or an export perspective, that is a lot of jobs that could be created and huge
financial benefit for the region.”
“The Crisafulli LNP government has set a target to boost Queensland’s primary production
output to $30 Billion by 2030. To take full advantage of Queensland’s potential when it comes
to primary production, we need to back the infrastructure the industry needs to turn potential
into reality.”
“Approving the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation is a clear sign that the project has received a positive result during public consultation. Whilst the approval does not signal the start of construction, it sends a strong message that the Crisafulli government recognises the potential benefits and has played its part in seeing the project move forward.”
Last week was a good reminder that advocacy is rarely about one meeting, one announcement or coming home with a cheque in your pocket.
More often, it is about making sure the Whitsundays is in the room, building relationships and consistently putting our region’s opportunities and challenges in front of the people who can help shape what comes next.
There was no better way to start than seeing Airlie Beach named Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town for 2026 at Parliament House in Canberra.
After six years of nominations, it was fantastic to finally bring the national title home. More importantly, it recognises the thousands of people across our tourism industry who work every day to make the Whitsundays such a memorable destination.
We also used that national platform to highlight two issues that matter enormously to tourism regions like ours.
The first is the future of the Working Holiday Maker program. International visitors are an important market in their own right but working holiday makers are also a critical part of the workforce that keeps many regional tourism and hospitality businesses operating.
The second is disaster recovery funding. Regions regularly exposed to cyclones and severe weather need funding arrangements that allow communities and critical infrastructure to recover quickly and build greater resilience for the future.
Later in Canberra, I met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, joined by representatives from Gilmour Space, to discuss another very different opportunity — the role Bowen and Abbot Point could play in Australia’s future sovereign space and defence capability.
That conversation extends beyond the Bowen Orbital Spaceport itself to opportunities around advanced manufacturing, logistics, fuel, supply chains and other industries that could develop alongside it.
From Canberra it was on to Sydney, where I met with major investors and developers about opportunities across the Whitsundays, particularly in tourism, accommodation and regional development.
None of these conversations guarantees an outcome tomorrow.
But investment and government decisions are rarely made because a region waited patiently for someone to notice it.
We have an exceptional story to tell — a growing population, a strong economy, world-class tourism, emerging industries and Brisbane 2032 on the horizon.
My job is to make sure that story is heard, and that when opportunities arise, the Whitsundays is firmly part of the conversation.
Belle’s Property team. Photo supplied: Julia Evans
With a strong local presence and the support of a national brand, Belle Property Whitsundays is bringing a fresh approach to residential real estate across the region.
The locally owned agency specialises in residential sales, property management and leasing. The team combines its knowledge of the Whitsunday market with the marketing, technology and network available through Belle Property.
For the team, it is this balance between being local and having access to a national network that makes a real difference.
The team lives in the Whitsundays and understands what makes the region such a special place to live. At the same time, they have access to the broader Belle Property network, giving clients the benefit of wider exposure and professional marketing support.
“We pride ourselves on personalised service, attention to detail and achieving great results for our clients,” said Principal Stephanie McWhirter.
“We genuinely care about our clients and our community, and we want to make sure people feel supported throughout the process.”
The agency continues to see interest from a range of buyers looking to move to the Whitsundays, invest in the area or enjoy the lifestyle the region offers.
For sellers, the team believes that good presentation, effective marketing, and realistic pricing are all important when bringing a property to market. Having a team that understands the local market also helps ensure each property is positioned in a way that appeals to the right buyers.
For Stephanie and the team, one of the biggest challenges over the past 12 months has been managing the growth of the business while continuing to provide the level of service their clients expect.
As a relatively new business, building relationships and establishing a presence in the local community has also been a key focus. Growing the team, putting the right systems in place, and maintaining regular communication with clients have all played an important role.
Just as important has been creating a positive team environment.
The team’s advice to other business owners is simple: build a good team, look after your customers, and keep communicating.
“We believe communication is one of the most important parts of what we do,” Stephanie said.
“Our clients want to know what is happening, and our team needs to be on the same page. Keeping those lines of communication open makes a big difference.”
The business also sees its Chamber membership as a great opportunity to connect with other local businesses and be involved in the wider Whitsunday community.
Being able to meet other business owners, share ideas and support local initiatives is an important part of being a local business.
As a locally owned agency, Belle Property Whitsundays is proud to support other businesses in the region and play its part in the local community. For the team, it is about building genuine relationships and being part of the Whitsundays for the long term.
Proserpine Mill processed about 84,990 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season-to-date total to more than 1,055,136 tonnes.
Average weekly CCS came in above budget, at 15.06 units.The highest weekly CCS sample for the week was 18.26 units, from a rake of Q183 Ratoon cane in the Lethebrook productivity
district.
Now that the school holidays have started, we again ask parents and guardians to remind their children about the dangers of playing on or near the cane rail network.
Please only cross cane rail lines at designated crossings andalways look out for cane trains before proceeding. Our cane trains work around the clock, seven days a week, so remember to use your train brain.
Kids enjoying the library with their school holidays. Photo supplied: Whitsunday Regional Council
After months of listening to young people across the Whitsundays, Council has transformed its libraries with upgraded technology, flexible furniture and new activities aimed at bringing more young people through the doors.
The Your Say initiative was a youth engagement project that ran between January and June, asking young people whether the library was somewhere they wanted to spend time, what programs and technology interested them, and what they felt was missing.
Now, that time and feedback is being seen on full display, with libraries in Proserpine, Cannonvale, Bowen and Collinsville all receiving a refresh.
“We were able to purchase adaptable furniture, upgraded technology, like a switch and VR technology,” said Alicia Mulcahy, team leader at the Proserpine library.
“They certainly wanted technology, which we expected, but the main thing they were after was just a space where they could feel comfortable, relax and be themselves.”
The upgrades have also led to new programs, including a permanent Dungeons and Dragons group at Bowen Library, while Proserpine and Cannonvale are looking to follow suit if local Dungeon Masters can be found.
The consultation with young people will continue even now that the upgrades are in place, with a permanent program held at Proserpine Library every Tuesday giving participants a chance to socialise and shape future activities.
“They actually tell us what they want to do going forward,” she said.
“The young people are also putting their little shine on it as well, it’s their space.”
Sarah Beardmore. Photo supplied
With no shark nets, drumlines or government-run sighting platform across the Whitsundays, a free community-powered app is helping ocean dwellers find out what may be moving beneath the water before diving in.
Created by former professional surfer Sarah Beardmore, Dorsal allows beachgoers to view and report shark sightings in real time, with new smartwatch alerts and public drone-reporting technology set to strengthen its reach ahead of summer.
“It’s not to scare people but It’s just an additional tool, like putting on sunscreen or checking the forecast,” she said.
“In Queensland, our reports are 100 per cent community-generated, compared to New South Wales, where they already have drone programs and other programs in place that push those reports out to the public.
“So in Queensland, we’re relying completely on people going to the beach, going fishing and heading out on boats.”
Sarah spent around 12 years competing as a professional surfer, travelling the world before eventually settling in Byron Bay.
After spending much of her life in and around the ocean, Sarah understood how quickly conditions could change. When a series of shark attacks struck northern New South Wales in 2015 and 2016, she saw a clear gap in the way vital sighting information was being shared, inspiring her to create Dorsal.
“In some of these events, sharks had been seen in the area the day before and on the day of the attack, but there was no real way for people to share that information,” Sarah said.
Shark safety has returned to the national spotlight following a series of incidents across Australia, including a fatal attack at Sorrento Beach near Perth.
Sixty-three-year-old swimmer Greg O’Neill was reportedly attacked by a great white shark close to shore, with the tragedy unfolding in the clear view of onlookers.
The incident marked Western Australia’s third fatal shark attack of 2026 and followed several shark encounters around Sydney earlier in the year, as well as one fatal attack in Far North Queensland back in May.
Against that backdrop, Sarah believes fast and reliable sighting information can help people make better-informed decisions before entering the water and hopefully mitigate these incidents.
Dorsal works through a network of everyday of up to 750,000 users, allowing people to check recent shark activity before heading to the beach or submit their own sighting.
Reports from trusted and verified contributors can appear immediately, while new submissions are checked using details such as GPS location, time stamps and image-recognition technology. Users can attach a photograph or video where possible, although Sarah understands that sightings often happen too quickly to capture on camera.
Any report flagged by the system is reviewed by Sarah or another member of the team, who may contact the person who submitted it before making the information public.
Once verified, the sighting is shared through the app, helping warn swimmers, surfers, fishers and boaties within minutes.
“We try to get shark sightings and information to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible,” Sarah said.
Photo source: Shutterstock
Fresh warnings have been raised about drink spiking in Airlie Beach after a Sunshine Coast visitor was rushed to hospital with a dangerously low heart rate.
Sam Hensen and his friend Erik had flown to Townsville to pick up a newly purchased LandCruiser and on their way home, stopped into town for a bit of fun.
About 30 minutes into the night, Erik began feeling unwell and returned to their accommodation, where his condition rapidly deteriorated.
“I came back to him about an hour later, in absolute agony,” Sam said in a Tik Tok video.
“He was completely out of it and seeing the severity of the situation, I decided to call an ambulance.
Erik was assessed by paramedics, who recorded his heart rate at just 37 beats per minute.
Erik remained in hospital overnight before flying home to the Sunshine Coast, bringing the trip to an abrupt end, with Sam mentioning the effects lingered for several days with Erik still feeling mentally unsettled after returning home.
Sam later shared the experience on social media to warn others about how quickly drink spiking can take hold. The video attracted more than 250,000 reactions, with many viewers sharing similar experiences of their own.
“We don’t know when, where or who did it,” Sam said in the video.
“These horrible people don’t just spike you to commit sexual assault, they also spike you to rob you on your way home.
“A lot of blokes have the same mindset as me, and they need to know this can happen at anytime at any place to anyone.”
Erik’s ordeal echoes an account previously shared with this newspaper by an Airlie Beach resident, who believes her drink was tampered with while she was out with a group of friends.
The young woman, who chose not to be identified, remembered little between drinking at the venue and finding herself isolated in a bathroom, where her body would no longer respond as she tried to call for help.
“It wasn’t like being drunk,” she said at the time.
“My mind was present, but I couldn’t control my body.”
“I wanted to pick up my phone to call a friend, but it was like I couldn’t control my body.”
After repeatedly trying to get herself off the floor, the woman was left bruised and sore before being taken home safely by a friend.
During a later hospital visit, she described what had happened to a doctor, who told her the symptoms indicated her drink had likely been spiked.
Together, the two accounts show how suddenly suspected drink spiking can take effect and why an unexpected reaction after only a small amount of alcohol should never be dismissed.
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