Fun and engaging challenges were the order of the day for schools in the Mackay region when the 2023 Festival of STEM opened in style at the Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre.

More than 300 students from twenty-five schools participated in the annual Whitsunday STEM Challenge, competing across three competitions.

Students had the opportunity to test their skills in the Junior Robocup, Drones and F1 in Schools challenges, showcasing months of hard work and dedication.

St Patrick’s College had a total of 15 students across the three competitions, placing first and second in the Junior Drone division.

The Dynamite Drones comprising Matt Keune, Darcy Edgerton and Rexjan Melocotones won the Junior Drone section with the team of Calvin Poelstra, Alijah Cain and Henry Tully finishing runners up.

Hunter McGeary and Aaron Greenwood (Paddy’s Pacers) placed second in the Robocup.

The ‘A Team’, made up of Amelia Coburn and Apuurva Ayyagari, won the Spirit Award for the Robotics Challenge as they demonstrated the core values of the competition – sportsmanship, teamwork, sharing and organisational skills.

Other St Patrick’s College competitors included Kyan Woods and Maddox Takken (Robot Masters), Grace O’Neill and Lucy Shaw (Gun Rescuers) in Robotics competition while Caleb Hocking, Anthony Leonard, Simbarashe Meende, Lincoln Poole, Cayden Smulders, Kevin Varghese and Clayton Woodrow competed in a quality F1 in Schools category.

Three St Patrick’s College teams have qualified for the State Finals to be staged at CQUniversity in October.

Now in its fifth year, the Whitsunday Festival of STEM tests school students in STEM subjects like science, technology, engineering, mathematics and design.

The Challenges took place alongside a mini careers expo showcasing STEM career opportunities available in the region.

By Chris Karas

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St Patrick’s College Mackay students Amelia Coburn and Apuurva Ayyagari received the Spirit Award for the Robotics Challenge at the recent Whitsunday Festival of STEM. They are pictured with Mayor of Mackay Greg Williamson and St Patrick’s teacher Sandra Bayliss, Head of Teaching & Learning - Visual Art/Robotics

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Whether you are a Christian or non-Christian, looking to strengthen your faith or simply curious and looking for a new direction, Christ Embassy welcomes you.

The worldwide Christian ministry was founded in Nigeria in 1987 by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and has been active in Mackay since December 2022, meeting every Sunday for worship.

Pastor Chris has since established himself as a Christian faith leader, preacher, author, philanthropist, and televangelist and will lead the upcoming largest Global Healing Crusade, happening at the end of this month.

“Our president and man of God Pastor Chris has been blessed and graced with the Healing Ministry so he will be teaching the word of God and inspiring faith to many before ministering healing to all the sick and afflicted,” said local Christ Embassy Pastor Tendayi Mhike.

The live healing services will be simulcast around the world on many platforms, including television and radio stations with opportunities to participate virtually and physically at different centres around the world.

For those in and around Mackay, an opportunity to meet physically at a viewing centre is available at the Northern Beaches Community Hall.

Open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and faiths, the services have countless miraculous testimonies of healing, salvation, and total transformation.

Pastor Tendayi said the Healing Streams can be particularly beneficial to those suffering from diverse illness, no matter the condition, and to those looking to strengthen their faith.

“There are some people out there who have lost all hope, maybe they’ve tried medical science and things are not working or they’ve been in bondage with sickness and different conditions, we want to ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to partake in the healing power of God, and experience restoration and the goodness of God” she said.

The services will include live testifiers who have been healed in the programs before who will share their practical stories on how they were sick, how they were healed, and how it has helped their Christian walk.

There will also be moments of worship and praise, listening to the word of God, and live ministration of healing to the sick.

The ministry meets in Mackay every Sunday at the Northern Beaches Community Hall from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, with the Global Healing Streams happening on both Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at the community hall.

Visit christembassy.org and healing streams.tv to learn more.

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Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

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If you are an artistic teenager looking to extend your creative skills, then Mackay Regional Council’s new Art and Design Club is for you.

The new term-based art program gives people aged 13 to 17 the opportunity to be inspired, explore and respond to Australian contemporary art within the gallery environment.

Participants will work with a practising local artist to experiment with art tools and materials, techniques and ideas to make their own art.

The club will be held each Sunday, from July 23 to August 27, at Artspace Mackay over a six-week period.

Cost is $180 per person, and this includes all materials.

Bookings are essential as spaces are limited. Book online at eventbrite.com.au/e/637848420797

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Mackay detectives are investigating an alleged armed robbery which occurred around 6pm on Thursday, July 13. The incident occurred on the Bluewater Trail near River Street and the Bluewater Lagoon in Mackay city.

A 40-year-old adult male was walking in this area when he was allegedly approached by two people whose faces were concealed, one of them was holding a knife.

Mackay police reported that the walker handed over a backpack containing a laptop, tablet, watch and iPhone, following a demand to do so.

The two people have then quickly run away from the area with the backpack and its contents.

Senior Constable Steve Smith said no injuries were sustained during the alleged incident.

Anyone who may have information linked to this matter is encouraged to contact the Mackay police station as soon as possible on 0749 683 444. Police report number QP2301150608.

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“Keep oil containers out of your kerbside bins, unless they are completely empty”, that’s the message from Mackay Regional Council following a recent oil spill incident.

It was the neighbouring properties and rubbish truck that were affected when a local resident threw an oil container into their kerbside bin.

The oil spilled all over the JJ Richards truck and nearby driveways as the bin was emptied, leaving behind a very sticky mess.

Mayor Greg Williamson said placing motor oil in recycling or general waste bins was prohibited by council as a spill had many flow-on effects for the waste collection process.

“There are obvious environmental impacts, but also safety concerns for our staff, and lost time for JJ Richards as they need to clean the truck before continuing the collection service,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Incorrect disposal of oil into a recycling bin can also be hazardous at our Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), as many items are manually sorted by staff,” he said.

“If oil spills through a recycling load that is taken to the MRF, it can easily contaminate the whole load and all of those valuable recyclables, which otherwise would have been sold to market, will be sent to landfill instead.”

Up to 20 litres of motor oil can be disposed of free-of-charge at any of council’s Rural Transfer Stations, as well as the Paget Waste Management Centre.

Each of these locations has an oil bay especially for the disposal of motor oil.

For locations and opening times of facilities visit mackay.qld.gov.au/wasteopeningtimes

For the full guide on how to dispose of an extensive range of household items head to www.mackay.qld.gov.au/wastedisposal

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An incorrectly disposed oil container caused a huge mess for a waste truck after it spilled on the truck and the road

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Australian sign language plays an important role in the hearing-impaired community.

For students at St Patrick’s College Mackay, the establishment of an AUSLAN club has enabled them to communicate with the hearing impaired and learn about the club’s history and culture.

Long serving St Patrick’s teacher and AUSLAN Co-ordinator Brett Comerford revealed that the Club was “going strong” with 43 members at present.

This Saturday July 22 the St Patrick’s College AUSLAN Club will travel to Townsville to perform the Australian national anthem for the North Queensland Cowboys v Parramatta Eels NRL fixture at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“We have Kylie Denning (Educational Interpreter), Jenny Magnussen and Erin Greentree (community representative) join us each week to give guidance to the students,” said Mr Comerford.

“Our AUSLAN Club also signed the national anthem for the first hearing impaired State of Origin clash between Queensland and NSW ever held outside of a capital city” he said.

“This year we have signed the Australian and New Zealand national anthems on ANZAC Day at the main Mackay ceremony and we also presented a display at the College’s annual Open Night’ Mr Comerford added.

In recent years the Club have signed the national anthem for the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) at BB Print Stadium; Australian Football League (AFL) for the Gold Coast Suns at the Harrup Park Country Club and the Queensland Basketball League (QBL) at Mackay’s Multisport Stadium.

“Each year we join the National Simultaneous Story time which is an annual campaign that aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books,” Mr Comerford explained.

This event takes place each year at the same time Australia wide. Through the efforts of the College’s library staff the St Patrick’s  College AUSLAN Club has the benefit of viewing the National reading in Australian Sign Language.

The Club celebrates World Hearing Day each year on 3 March to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.

“We’ve also started to introduce the AUSLAN culture at our   college assemblies by inviting everyone to stand, sing and sign the national anthem all together to introduce the deaf culture into our college” Mr Comerford concluded.

By Chris Karas

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St Patrick’s College AUSLAN Club members sign the national anthem at a previous North Queensland Cowboys NRL fixture in Townsville

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Mackay Sugar delivered its Annual General Meeting to shareholders yesterday, announcing a positive financial result driven largely by a strong market, improved industry collaboration and the ongoing significant investments supported by its major shareholder, Nordzucker AG.

Chairman Michael Gerloff, said that despite a season marked by extraordinary wet weather events and mill performance concerns, Mackay Sugar achieved a $41.7M profit during the 2022/23 fiscal year.

“Off the back of a solid crop estimate Mackay Sugar has taken action to maximise some of the opportunities created by strong market conditions and our focus on diversifying our customer base to create value, sustainably, through our entire value chain,” said Mr Gerloff.

“The significant capital and maintenance investment made throughout the financial year – totalling more than $83M – highlighted that the things we fix, work,” explained Mr Gerloff.

“However, unforeseen breakdowns are a reminder there is still much to do to bring the factories to a level that consistently meets our operational excellence expectations,” he said.

“It is under such difficult conditions like we saw last year that helps us really appreciate the strength of the sugar industry in this region and what can be achieved via good collaboration,” remarked Mr Gerloff.

“Nordzucker has reaffirmed its ongoing support for Mackay Sugar - and the Australia sugar cane industry - and it is important we maintain our focus on costs to ensure the continued funding of capital investments is balanced by ensuring we remain a profitable business,” he said.

CEO Jannik Olejas, thanked the employees of Mackay Sugar for their dedication throughout the year and especially called out that a significant improvement in Health and Safety performance has been achieved across the business.

“The health and safety of our people has been a big focus for us in recent years,” said Mr Olejas.

“At present, we have the best results in the Australian industry. We are responsible for maintaining our high standards to ensure everyone gets home safely every day and that our improvement continues to be maintained in the years ahead,” he said.

During the financial year, Mackay Sugar produced more than 700,000 tonnes of raw sugar and exported more than 104,000 MWh of green energy to the national electricity grid via its cogeneration plant located at Racecourse Mill.

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2023 AGM Chairman Michael Gerloff

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By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

Recent rain not only shut down all four of Mackay-Plane Creek district mills with disrupted cane supply, but also delayed any planting activity underway, as growers get ready for the 2024 crop.

The rain event, which brought up to 70mm in some areas, but for most part dropped in the vicinity of 50mm or less, delivered some needed moisture, restoring the condition of the existing crop. Many paddocks had been getting fairly dry. A continuation of dry weather would have almost definitely led to a reduction in the weight of the crop. Whilst maintaining weight, CCS will now also be sustained.

The Bureau of Meteorology long-range forecasting indicates warmer and drier conditions over August to October. If that forecast is correct, then ultimately the rain – although disruptive – will have offered benefits getting our 2024 crop away to a good start, and supporting the current crop throughout the harvest.

Rain has not been the only gremlin in the works, with Plane Creek Mill continuing to be dogged by mechanical issues into the first half of July, including electrical issues and difficulty processing 2022 standover cane. There have also been some recent issues at Racecourse and Marian impeding crush rates at the end of June into early July, following Farleigh mill’s issues with managing water quality causing a major stoppage in late June.

It’s fair to say that affected growers are heartily tired of mill performance issues as we move into a second year with the golden mix of an abundant crop and high sugar prices. Growers cannot accept a second year of an overrun season length or standover cane in large quantities. As the region’s strongest voice representing over 80% of growers, we need to speak out. It is to be hoped that all mills made good use of the rain stoppage and we see a positive, consistent flow through the rollers for the remainder of the harvest.

As growers, we cannot control the weather or sugar prices, but we are reliant on mills being able to crush our crops in a reasonable time. Poor mill performance is costing industry - growers, harvest sector and millers – and having a major impact on incomes. The three sectors rely on each other to survive, and at this stage mills have a lot to answer for

The crisper, cooler weather is bringing some rise in sugar content of the cane (CCS), with some rakes bringing in a promising CCS of around 16. Season to date mill averages are around the 12 units CCS, and rising as we get some winter cold.

With paddocks now drying out, at the time of writing, growers are able to return to planting. Planting at this time of the year is important for crop size, giving paddocks a full year’s growth before harvesting.

At this time, growers are making careful choices on the right variety for their soil types and condition, and prevailing weather patterns for their farm. Sugar Research Australia runs a strong plant breeding program that involves 13 plus years of research and development, selecting for traits like disease resistance, productivity, and milling suitability.

Productivity translates to profitability in a farming business, but disease resistance traits not only help the balance sheet by reducing inputs costs and crop losses but can also help with grower’s interests in reducing biocide use, which translates to improved water quality outcomes.

Growers typically make use of their productivity services’ Clean Seed programs, which offer whole stick and billet-style disease-free planting stock. Well-monitored, hot/cold water treated planting material is a must for productivity with gains said to be in the vicinity of 10%.

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Mackay Area Productivity Services (MAPS) team monitor Clean Seed cane stock, taking billets back to the sampling station, while walking each row to check for Ratoon Stunting Disease (RSD). Photo credit: MAPS

Photo credit: CANEGROWERS Mackay

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St John's Rock Pop Mime Team Conquers 'The Wizarding World of Hogwarts’

The St John's Rock Pop Mime team delivered an outstanding performance last Saturday night at the New Life Church, North Mackay, in their own interpretation of "The Wizarding World of Hogwarts." The team's hard work was evident as they took the stage and wowed the audience with their magical performance.

The event, hosted by the Lions Club, brought together nine talented teams, each showcasing their unique artistic flair. Despite the stiff competition, St John's Rock Pop Mime team waved their wands and secured a commendable 3rd place.

The St John's Rock Pop Mime team would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to their dedicated staff members: Mrs. Alexopoulos, Miss Anderson, Miss Kelly, Miss Mactaggart, and Miss Sugars. Their unwavering support and guidance played a vital role in the team's success.

Rock Pop Mime 2023 Primary School Competition Results

First place: Wizard of Oz - Emmanuel Catholic Primary School

Second place: Minions - St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

Third place: Hogwarts - St John’s Catholic Primary School

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St John’s Catholic Primary School in Walkerston came third in this year’s Rock Pop Mime event

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Roaming cats have become an issue that Mackay Regional Council’s Local Laws Officers deal with daily as new research shows the number of native animals killed by pet cats nationally has escalated by 34 per cent since the pandemic pet boom.

“We’re receiving an increasing number of calls from residents who are reporting stray cats roaming on their properties,” said Director Community and Client Services Janine McKay.

“Our region is home to many rare and threatened species, including the Eungella and regent honeyeaters, red knot shorebirds and the water mouse, just to name a few.

“Cats are natural hunters that will act on instinct when allowed to roam.”

The research released last month by the Australian National University for the Biodiversity Council, Invasive Species Council and Birdlife Australia found that roaming pet cats kill 546 million animals a year in Australia, 323 million of which are native animals.

It also showed that 71 per cent of pet cats in Australia are allowed to roam.

“A cat enclosure is the best way to keep your cat safe and prevent it from wandering, causing nuisance to neighbours and harming native wildlife,” said Ms McKay.

Ms McKay said a lack of desexing was another issue that was prevalent across the region.

“Desexing your pet is an important part of being a responsible pet owner,” she said.

“Unwanted litters of kittens are an ongoing problem for our Animal Management Centre and local animal welfare groups.

“RSPCA is currently running their annual Operation Wanted program, which provides discounted desexing to pet owners at participating vets until the end of August.

“We’re encouraging anyone with pet cats, in particular, that aren’t desexed to take advantage of this initiative.”

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The Rotary Club of Walkerston has, just a couple of weeks ago, welcomed its first exchange student since the world pandemic put a stop to any sort of international travel. For about three years there were no exchange students moving around the world.

It is indeed a delight for Walkerston Rotary Club members to welcome Alice Macciocu from Sassari on the Italian Island of Sardinia, the largest island in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

Alice will be hosted by the club for a year. Attending a local high school and living with ordinary Australian families, experiencing the Australian way of life.

This can sometimes be a bit of a culture shock, but it is also very rewarding to experience this country’s many diverse cultures, as well as the natural beauty of the flora and fauna, of this region in particular – but also the many contrasting areas and regions of Australia.

Alice says that she already feels quite at home with her wonderful host family, even though she has only been here two weeks. She is looking forward to many exciting Australian adventures.

The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is a Rotary International Exchange Program for students in secondary school. It inspires young leaders to serve as catalysts for peace and social justice in their local communities and throughout the world, long after their exchange ends.

This program is possible because of the dedication, leadership, and passion of the many thousands of volunteers – both Rotary members and non-members - who make this unique program so successful.

Contributed by Walkerston Rotary Club

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Exchange student Alice Macciocu (front and centre) with members from the Walkerston Rotary Club

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Earlier this year, laws were passed to bring Queensland into line with New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT by limiting rent increases to once per year to assist in stabilising rents.

However, reports have emerged of some landlords and agents ending leases with tenants in order to increase rents more frequently than once per year.

A discussion paper has been released to ensure annual rent increase frequency limits are effective. The discussion paper considers a proposal to ensure the intent of the laws are not circumvented, and that renters aren’t unfairly penalised by behaviour aimed at avoiding limits to rent increases. One suggestion is whether rent increases should be attached to the property rather than the tenancy agreement to avoid the unfair end to lease agreements.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said she wants to ensure that the original intent of the law is respected.

“Queensland’s private rental market is a vitally important part of our overall housing mix, and I want to see that market thrive,” she said.

“That will happen when all players in the market act fairly and within the letter and spirit of the law.”

Also on the horizon, minimum housing standards will come into effect for new tenancies from 1 September 2023, and for all tenancies from 1 September 2024.

These standards include being weatherproof and structurally sound, being free from vermin and mould, being in good repair not likely to cause injury, having adequate locks and window coverings, providing a cooktop, adequate plumbing including drinking water and laundry fittings among other requirements.

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Light up the barbeque and fill your buckets, Porters Mitre 10 is keen to help you raise funds for your organisation. From sausage sizzles to car washes, your not-for-profit can raise funds and have some fun at Mackay Porters Mitre 10. To help your fundraiser run smoothly, they also provide the water, hose, and detergent for car washes, as well as a barbeque, gas, tables, and marquees for sausage sizzles.

What’s more, for a limited time Porters Mitre 10 is also donating $100 meat vouchers to organisations that host a sausage sizzle at their Mackay store so you can lower expenses and raise more funds. Weekend Fundraising Opportunities are exclusive to community groups, charities, and not-for-profit organisations.

Unsure how many sausages you’ll need, or what forms to fill out before the big day? Porters Mitre 10 are here to help! On their website you’ll find an extensive guide on how to successfully prepare and run your fundraising event, as well as social media promotion and COVID-19 safety measures. Whether it’s your first time or tenth time organising a fundraiser, Porters Mitre 10 makes it easy!

It’s no secret that Porters Mitre 10 is a part of the local community. Supporting various clubs such as Mackay Cutters, Pioneer Swim and Galaxy Netball, it’s second nature to the 140-year-old local business. Weekend fundraising is yet another way Porters Mitre 10 supports the community and local organisations.

To receive a $100 meat voucher to help your fundraising efforts, book your next sausage sizzle fundraiser online at www.porterscando.com.au/porters-in-the-community.

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My dog, Millie, is a three-year-old black and white border collie/kelpie/something else cross, that looks a bit like the dog in the recent New Yorker magazine cartoon we’ve put in this column, though she has shorter fur.

When she was about six months old, my wife and kids took her to visit some neighbours, who had recently acquired two fluffy little miniature poodle puppies.

Millie is a friendly dog so they left her with the two little poodles in the backyard while they went inside the neighbours’ house for a catch-up.

After a few minutes they heard a bit of puppy-yapping so they returned to the backyard to see that Millie had rounded up the poodles and had herded them into a corner.

She hadn’t hurt them but she did have them tucked safely in the corner and she was making sure they weren’t going anywhere. Job done.

When I recently saw the excellent New Yorker magazine cartoon we’ve featured here, it made me smile because it accurately sums up what a collie/kelpie type of dog is bred to do.

It is also an excellent play on words, with “herd” and “heard” being pronounced the same way, meaning different things but being equally applicable in the sheep’s response.

Of course, it also reminded me of Millie and her antics with the fluffy little “lambs” she came across at the neighbours’ place.

And it also made me think of real estate and the relationship between seller and agent. Who has the control and how much should the agent have?

It is important that the agent takes the lead and certainly controls the things that have to be looked after to ensure a successful sale … making sure the marketing is good, the write-up is enticing, the engagement with buyers creates the competition that we need to ensure the best possible price.

The agent is the seller’s ears in the market place and should be in control of the sale, meaning he or she is across everything, aware of who the buyers are and giving the seller feedback from buyers.

But, unlike the dog in the cartoon, the agent is not in charge, and is not the controlling force in the relationship between seller and agent. The best results occur when the seller and the agent understand each other and work well to get the best result.

However, the seller is the boss and always in charge. Millie is just not right for real estate sales.

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OPINION PIECE

The Mackay region is quickly becoming a premier fishing destination, offering 365 days a year fishing. Reef Catchments, as part of their “Turning Rubble to Reef in the Mackay Whitsundays” project, seeks to facilitate the expansion of coral reef habitat into otherwise bare areas of the marine environment. This will be achieved through the deployment of 30 Habitat Reef modules in the coastal waters off Mackay in the second half of this year.  

Installation of the Habitat Reef modules will have a positive flow-on benefit for recreational fishing. Habitat reefs are like natural reefs and will attract and provide fish habitat. The purpose-built Habitat Reef modules are structurally complex, providing habitat for fish, particularly during their vulnerable juvenile life stages. These modules are in addition to the ones in the Pioneer River which, after only six months, have shown through underwater footage that they are a huge success.  

The key design feature is a cave hollow at the bottom and a second, separated chamber above for small-bodied and juvenile fish species. By providing refuge from predation, this increases juvenile survival rates and boosts fish populations.  The outside surface of the Habitat Reef modules has been roughened to provide improved settlement areas for encrusting marine organisms such as coral polyps and oysters, expediting the growth of the structures.

The reef modules will be deployed across two sites easily accessible to anglers with small vessels. Species anglers can expect to encounter at the Habitat Reef sites include coral trout, grass emperor, striped bass, jewfish, golden snapper, small bait species such as hardyheads and herring, as well as mackerel and tuna.

They will be strategically positioned to transform areas of the marine environment into vertically complex reef ecosystems and will support the long-term sustainability of local fish stocks in the Mackay region. Our region is unique in that you can catch a fish within one hour in any direction, no matter what the time of year or weather conditions, and we need to make sure we have recreational fishing opportunities now and into the future.

Cr Alison Jones

Mackay Regional Council

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