Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
At just 18 months old and weighing 17kg, Obi is a happy little guy with plenty of love and enthusiasm for life. Getting along well with children, other dogs and visitors, he has plenty of potential to become a much-loved member of his new family. Obi had a rough start to life and can still find the world a little scary at times, so he is looking for a patient and understanding family willing to help build his confidence and show him the ropes. He already knows his basic commands and walks confidently on the lead, making him a great companion for someone happy to continue guiding him as he settles into his new life. Once Obi gets to know and trust you, he will become an unshakeable little shadow, following his favourite person wherever they go. If you have the time, patience and love to give Obi the fresh start he deserves, contact his carer Char on 0402 540 612 to arrange a meeting. Alternatively, email LLTAGSandDogRescue@gmail.com to find out more.
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No city or region in Australia has been unaffected by the property market changes that have become obvious ever since the Federal Government introduced its budget in May, removing negative gearing from established housing and changing the capital gains tax rules. But some have been hit harder than others. The latest property market review by valuers Herron Todd White gives an extensive rundown of where particular regions sit as well as the nation as a whole. HTW chief economist Cameron Kusher pointed out in the September review that inflation continues to be a factor, not only in cost of living but also projected interest rate rises in the months ahead. He said: “National dwelling values fell by 3.1 per cent over the three months to August 2026, with capital city values 3.7 per cent lower and regional values falling by 1.2 per cent.” He said property market analyst Cotality estimates that over the three months to August 2026 “there were 14.6 per cent fewer property sales than the same period last year”. “Transaction activity has seen a much greater decline in the capital cities than in the regional markets; however, falls are broad-based,” he said. “Every capital city except for Hobart is seeing a higher volume of properties available for sale relative to a year ago, and only regional Tasmania and regional NT are seeing fewer total listings. “Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra have historically high listing volumes, and although they aren’t at historic highs elsewhere, Brisbane and Perth have seen annual increases of more than 50 per cent, and Adelaide has seen an annual increase of more than 40 per cent. “The heightened volume of stock for sale at a time in which there are fewer active buyers in the market means that those who are buying have less urgency and more choice. In turn, this means that they have greater scope to negotiate on price, and there are many properties that will take a long time to sell in this market or simply won’t transact. “In the regional areas, the longest median days on market are in NT, NSW and Victoria and the lowest are in WA, Queensland and Tasmania.” The HTW monthly review includes their very interesting property clock, in which they categorise where particular markets are in the property cycle. Sitting at 3 o’clock on the property clock in a declining market are Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Sitting in the “starting to decline” category includes cities such as Alice Springs, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Several Queensland cities are included in the “peak of the market” category; Gladstone, Bundaberg and Toowoomba. And cities in the “approaching the top of the market” category include Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and the Whitsundays. What about the cities still sitting at 9 o’clock, the “rising market” category? Well, there aren’t nearly as many cities in that category as there were a few months ago but it still includes Mackay, Rockhampton and Emerald, among a few others. HTW can only go on the data in front of them, however agents on the ground experience the market as it happens. It is true that the Mackay market is behaving nothing like the free fall being felt in major cities like Sydney. The economy is going well, unemployment is virtually non-existent, rental vacancies are low and properties are selling. However, no agent in Mackay will tell you that right now Mackay is in a rising market. It’s still active and people are still buying but at the moment it’s not going up … it represents a great opportunity for those wanting to get into the market and investors seeking one of Australia’s best rental returns.
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Locals gathered in Mackay last Saturday for the annual March For Life, which brought together supporters of the pro-life movement. The march began at Harbour Road before finishing at Caneland Central Park, where attendees heard from guest speakers and community representatives. Among those attending was Cherish Life Queensland CEO Matthew Cliff, who travelled from Brisbane for the event. Operating since 1970, and formerly known as Right to Life Queensland, Cherish Life is one of Queensland's longest-established pro-life organisations, with branches throughout the state, including Mackay. Mr Cliff, who has been CEO for around four and a half years, said the organisation's work centred on two key areas of education and advocacy, aiming to encourage greater understanding of its pro-life position, while engaging with elected representatives and participating in public discussions about abortion. Mr Cliff said the organisation also connected women experiencing unplanned pregnancies with other services that could provide practical and emotional support. Though Cherish Life do not offer direct assistance themselves, they refer women to services like Hope's Dream, a Christian-based, non-profit charitable organization which provides pregnancy counselling and support. “The rallies are really a good way of bringing public awareness,” Mr Cliff said. “It's an opportunity for people who support the pro-life movement to demonstrate why this is important to them.” Mr Cliff said his own Christian beliefs played a role in shaping his position, with his views centred on the belief that human life is valuable from conception. “The Christian method in which I believe as the CEO of Cherish Life Queensland is to walk in grace and truth, and truth in love, and that all human life from conception is valuable,” he said. The Mackay event featured several speakers and representatives, including Mr Cliff, Australian Christian Lobby Assistant Director Daniel Adsett, Family Voice Australia Queensland Director Andrew McColl, Lighthouse Church Mackay Pastor Jai Wright and St Joseph's Catholic Church Associate Pastor Rev. Fr. Raju Mandothparambil. While Cherish Life advocates against abortion, other organisations take a different view of reproductive rights. CEO of Queensland pro choice organisation Children By Choice Anjulee Singh shared: “Children by Choice believe all people have the right to make decisions about their own body and health care. “Abortion is legal healthcare and should be accessible without barriers regardless of where you live.” The organisation advocates for accessible reproductive care in regional communities, claiming that stigma and privacy concerns can make it hard to ask for help, and can prevent women from pursuing the healthcare they are entitled to. “Everyone has the right to make their own decision about their pregnancy, whether that means continuing, ending, or considering adoption,” the organisation states. “Support should be non-judgemental, confidential, and respectful.” The differing perspectives come amid ongoing public and parliamentary debate about reproductive rights in Queensland, including discussions involving Mackay MP Nigel Dalton, who earlier this year crossed the floor in opposition to restrictions on parliamentary debate about abortion. Photo source: Cherish Life QLD - Mackay Branch
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Mackay beachgoers are encouraged to put their photography skills to good use, with the arrival of two new monitoring stations giving community members a hands-on role in tracking changes to the coastline. Eimeo Beach and Lambert’s Beach are the first locations to introduce the newly installed CoastSnap poles, which feature a phone cradle where residents and visitors can position their phones, capture an image of the coastline and upload it through the CoastSnap app. Photos taken from the same position over time will help build a long-term record of sand movement, beach erosion and recovery, providing valuable information to support future coastal management. Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said the project, led by the University of New South Wales, would give council access to valuable monitoring data while allowing the community to get involved. "It's easy to use. You just follow the barcode. And you can do it anonymously, you don't have to put your name on it," he said. Mr Williamson said the photographs and accompanying observations would help build a detailed picture of how the region's beaches change over time. "If everybody does that every day, just imagine the record that we're going to have via the University of New South Wales to manage this in the future," he said. "This is just another tool for us to be able to effectively manage the 31 beaches we've got in our region." Council's Coordinator of Waterways and Coastal Planning Robyn Burkett said the initiative formed part of the Mackay Coast Our Future project, helping council better understand coastal conditions and plan for future changes. "It's about monitoring our beaches, and community education, so that's why we're encouraging people to come along, snap a photo, and learn more about coastal hazards and how our coastal processes work in the Mackay region," she said. Ms Burkett said ongoing monitoring would help determine how much sand was lost during storm events, whether beaches recovered naturally and when intervention might be needed. "Having good information now, when we experience a storm event, looking at what those changes are, and how much sand is lost, whether it will recover over time, or whether it needs intervention is really important." The CoastSnap initiative was founded in 2017 as a pilot project by the University of New South Wales, with more than 100 poles now installed across 16 countries. The two Mackay stations were funded by council, with further locations being considered for the region. To learn more, visit www.coastsnap.com or visit connectingmackay.com.au/mackay-coast-our-future. L-R - Robyn Burkett, Coordinator Waterways and Coastal Planning for Mackay Regional Council, Kylie Cauchi, Waterways Planning Advisor for Mackay Regional Council and Mayor Greg Williamson of Mackay Regional Council, testing out the new CoastSnap pole at Eimeo Beach. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara The impact of tropical cyclone Debbie in 2017. Supplied by Mackay Regional Council
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Water is at the heart of our daily lives and a good water supply is of paramount importance here in tropical Queensland, especially as we move into dry months of October and November.
No-one knows this more, than the friendly team at WhitPro, the Garden Maintenance and Landscaping Specialists who deal with water for a living.
Whether supplying or installing a range of efficient irrigation systems, keeping your landscaped gardens well-watered and maintained, or refilling your water tanks, these guys know how to work and manage water.
Offering one of the largest water delivery trucks in the region, WhitPro can deliver up to 15,000 litres of water to easy access properties or 10,000 litres to any property.
Always on-hand to help, WhitPro regularly receives calls when a water tank is out of juice and always do their best to deliver water as soon as possible, to get you household running normally again.
Resident truck driver and machine operator, Josh Randell, says he loves getting a water supply operating again.
“Sometimes we get a call out from people who didn’t realise they’d let the water run out,” he said.
“The kids are getting home from school and they’re desperate – we’re often able to get over there within a couple of hours and get their water flowing again.
“It’s a good feeling and people are always really appreciative.”
Josh is originally from Adelaide and moved to the region with his partner this year.
He has a lot of experience driving trucks and spent some time driving triple road trains through the dessert for three months at a time.
Prior to this he spent 16 years making wine in McLaren Vale in South Australia.
He started in the cellar at just 17 and progressed to overseeing every stage of production from grapes through to fermenting and filtering.
Now using his skills to assist with a different kind of hydrating liquid, Josh loves delivering water and working with other important truck jobs here in the Whitsundays.
The diversity of his everyday duties always keeps him motivated – whether he is driving trucks to pick up rock from the quarry or out in the community building a retainer wall with the bob cat – he always enjoys a challenge.
If you see Josh out and about, make sure you say hi.
For the past seven days, thousands of holidays makers have been unable to travel with local marine tourism operator, Cruise Whitsundays, who have had to cancel all experiential tours due to a staff strike.
While the company hoped to resolve the issue following four separate proposals lodged with the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), sadly the union announced a second week of strikes would commence early next week.
The striking workforce were legally bound to return to duties this Thursday and Cruise Whitsundays say this will enable them to operate as normal for up to four days, allowing a small reprieve so that many passengers with a booking will likely be able to go on their planned tour.
With over 50 staff on strike, Cruise Whitsundays is in the midst of one of their most challenging periods in operation, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is rallying support from a marine workforce which is demanding a 30 per cent increase in wages.
General Manager of Cruise Whitsundays, Adam Hosie, said the high percentage of this pay rise is simply untenable for the business and that, if granted, would likely mean they would have to shut the doors on all operations within a year.
The first strike began on Friday September 15 when up to 30 marine workers formed a picket line at the entrance to the Cruise Whitsundays Terminal.
It then continued the following Wednesday when the first seven-day strike began, a total 50 staff striking, resulting in the cancellation of all ‘experiential tours’ to Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef.
“We have prioritised our critical island transfer services to try and reduce the impact on the other businesses in the Whitsundays that rely on these services for staff transport,” said Mr Hosie.
“Unfortunately, we have had no choice but to cancel products, impacting thousands of guests.
“This has potential impacts on the Whitsundays as a tourism destination as a whole, with a large number of visitors not being able to experience the destination as they expected.”
Desperate for a swift and fair resolution, Cruise Whitsundays have approached the MUA lawyers with a fourth proposal, but to date every proposal has been rejected with little feedback from the MUA.
Meanwhile, a representative from the MUA Jason Miners, asserted there had been “no correspondence” from Cruise Whitsundays, but saying they would be open to a new offer.
“If they come back with a new offer, we will likely pause the action, but if it’s the same offer we will likely continue to strike.
“Our members are still angry, and they wish to pursue their claim, but we are willing to meet them halfway.
“Unless they are around the table changing their position then why should we change ours?”
Cruise Whitsundays and the MUA met on Wednesday morning, however the previous day (prior to the agreed scheduled meeting and prior to providing any feedback from the latest proposal) the MUA announced that a further strike would commence on Monday.
It is a legal requirement to give three days’ notice prior to a strike and the MUA released a statement to its members on Wednesday morning apologising for their “f**k up” in not reissuing the strike notice earlier so that the strikers are protected.
This lack of foresight, however, gave Cruise Whitsundays a small reprieve, with workers legally responsible to return to work on Wednesday at 7pm.
Despite Cruise Whitsundays’ frustration at the actions of the MUA, they remain sympathetic to all their staff and want to work towards regaining a positive working environment for all employees.
“We pride ourselves on being a great employer, so it’s devastating that the current situation has unfolded in this way,” said Mr Hosie.
“We run a fantastic business that is focused on fun ¬– for both our guests and our staff.
“It’s disappointing to find that some of our employees feel undervalued and moving forward, we will continue to work with all of our staff to create a positive work environment.”
“We respect our staff’s right to take action, but at the same time, we will be disappointed if further strike action occurs as our proposed offer would see our staff earn 4.8% - 44.4% above award rates depending on experience, skill and tenure.”
When asked about how much the strike has cost the business, Mr Hosie said he was more focussed on the cost and reputation to the broader Whitsunday tourism industry, their suppliers, as well as the Cruise Whitsundays staff who are not striking.
His concern is also on the impact the strike has had on the holiday plans of thousands of tourists.
“This action has a significant impact on the services we are able to offer, which then impacts workers on the islands and holidaymakers visiting the region, not to mention the staff who are not participating in the union action,” he said.
When the MUA were asked about how they felt letting thousands of holiday makers down, they did not take any responsibility.
“No – it’s Cruise who should feel guilty!” said Mr Miners.
And, when asked whether they thought it fair that workers were at the pub in their campaign t-shirts, allegedly drinking heavily, while holiday makers were missing out on their experiences, he said:
“Whatever these workers do while off work is up to them, it’s better than them being down there [at the Cruise Whitsundays terminal] being abused.”
One of the key reasons the MUA have been protesting about fair pay is their assertion that Cruise Whitsundays marine workers are receiving 30 per cent less than SeaLink crew who are operating a very similar tour.
Cruise Whitsundays explains that this is due to the two businesses operating under different awards.
“Cruise Whitsundays EA (as most other Marine operators in the region) is underpinned by the Marine Tourism and Charter Vessel Award 2020,” said Mr Hosie.
“Whilst resort connections form part of our business, our core business is Marine Tourism, showcasing the beautiful Whitsundays and creating amazing experiences for our guests.
With more discussions expected to take place this week, Mr Miners said that “we are willing to sustain this up until Christmas if we have to”.
Meanwhile, Cruise Whitsundays simply wants to apply the reasonable pay increases set out in the proposed EA and return to showing holidaymakers the beauty of the Whitsundays.
Cruise Whitsundays General Manager Adam Hosie outside the terminal at Port of Airlie. Photo credit: Rachael Smith
Hi Everyone,
It’s been a huge week here at the paper as, not only have we been busy producing the newspaper you are holding, but we have also been working on the first edition of our new sister publication, Burdekin Life Newspaper.
Over the past few weeks, we have welcomed three new staff members and moved our Mackay journalist to Home Hill where he has become our ‘man on the ground’.
As I am writing this on Wednesday afternoon, our entire team are about to head up to the Burdekin to attend a special Burdekin Council Industry Breakfast which is due to take place on Thursday morning.
We have been told by the Council that the entire event is sold out, with almost 100 people attending, which is very exciting news for us.
This event also represents a milestone moment for me, as it will be the first time in my adult life that I have stood up in front of a room full of people to give a speech.
And to be quite honest – I am terrified!
Throughout my professional career I have quietly avoided any opportunities to speak to an audience, but I have decided it is time to meet my fears head-on.
Apparently, a fear of public speaking and a fear of death both sit at the top of the table when it comes to what most people are scared of, and I can understand why!
For the past few weeks, I have been practicing my speech and, thanks to two dear friends and a patient partner, I have a lot of support in my pocket which I am grateful for.
By the time you read this on Thursday evening or Friday morning, my speech will be complete – but right now I am full of nervous excitement and a sense of responsibility – I hope I get it right!
Rach
Quote of the Week: “Feel the fear and do it anyway!” (Susan Jeffers)
Daydream Island and Living Reef took centre stage this week, with Whitsunday Coast Airport announcing a partnership with budget airline Bonza, to launch a range of exciting holiday packages.
These new opportunities will benefit both tourists and locals who will be able to book a range of experiences that include air-travel, accommodation, and experiences all in one booking.
Tourists will be able to book their dream holidays in the Whitsundays and locals will be able to travel to the 21 different destinations in Australia where packages are also available.
Daydream Island served as the official launch location this Tuesday morning, with guests invited to browse the different holiday packages.
Craig Turner, Director of Commercial Businesses for the Whitsunday Regional Council, was instrumental in aligning the partnership and is excited for the influx of visitors expected through the region.
“Strategically, this is great for us and the region,” he explained.
“It’s not just about the airport, it’s about the tourism operators, the islands, the accommodations, and experiences.”
According to Mr Turner, bookings have already started rolling in for Daydream Island through the Holiday Packages, particularly for December and January.
“This is so easy for consumers to book and organise,” he said.
Daydream Island General Manager Marcus Taylor says he is excited for the partnership and the opportunity to unite with local operators through a range of positive experiences for visitors and locals alike.
“A big focus for us is locals, we understand that not only do locals support us, but they also work with us, and we want to work with them,” he said.
“It’s from tour operators, to retailers, to suppliers - if Daydream is busy then the Whitsundays is busy, and that’s a win for everyone.”
Bonza Holiday Packages operate in all 21 destinations Bonza currently services, with Whitsunday locals able to secure holidays in Newcastle, Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall, Director of Commercial Businesses for the Whitsunday Regional Council Craig Turner, Bonza Chief Commercial Officer Carly Povey, Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, Daydream Island and Living Reef General Manager Marcus Taylor, and Bonza’s Blanca Arcayos. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge
Collinsville Queensland Country Women’s Association (CWA) celebrated the grand opening of their brand-new hall last weekend, Saturday 23.
With a fantastic variety of stalls making up their garden market, the women of the Collinsville branch were eager to show off the new faciality, which will become a community asset for years to come.
“The celebrations included congratulatory speeches, ribbon and cake cutting and planting of fruit trees,” said a representative from Collinsville CWA.
“There was also the QCWA sconversation morning tea and markets set up in the carpark showcasing some of the incredible talents of Collinsville craft ladies.
“A great day was enjoyed by all.”
Attended by Michelle Landry, Federal Member for Capricornia, Dale Last, Member for Burdekin, and Whitsunday Regional Council, Mayor Julie Hall, the Grand Opening was a welcome celebration for Collinsville.
Ms Landry said the Collinsville QCWA Hall redevelopment is a project that will be a highlight of her career.
“When the women of the Collinsville QCWA contacted me for help to refurbish their hall in 2019, it was a no-brainer to fight for the funding needed for upgrades,” she said.
“The Country Women’s Association is the backbone of regional, rural, and remote Australia and their halls are the epicentre for the community.
“Collinsville’s new hall will host not just QCWA events, but also allow a space for community events, workshops, dances and even yoga.
“What an honour it was to share in the joy of the women and Collinsville community to open this wonderful new piece of infrastructure, which I am sure will be enjoyed by many for decades to come,” Ms Landry said.
Funded by a combination of state and federal government, a contribution by Glencore, the entire project cost $425,000.
Federal Member of Capricornia Michelle Landry, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall, and Member for Burdekin Dale Last attended the Collinsville Country Women’s (CWA) Association Grand Opening
Collinsville CWA celebrated the official grand opening with a cake cutting ceremony
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker also attended the festivities. Photos supplied
The Zonta Club of Bowen is excited to welcome applications for their annual Tertiary Bursary, worth $1,500.
The eligibility criteria includes; being a female student currently studying a tertiary course in second year or subsequent years, you must be undertaking fulltime or parttime study and attend a school in the Bowen district.
The 2022 Tertiary Bursary recipient was Elysha Harm, who is currently studying her Bachelor of Education, specialising in Primary Teaching, at James Cook University, with the bursary going towards her future students.
Application documents are available from Lynette Klukas on 0400 600 224 or lynette.klukad@bigpond.com.
Applications are due by midnight Tuesday October 31 2023, and email through to bowenzonta@yahoo.com.au.
2022 Zonta Club of Bowen Tertiary Bursary recipient, Elysha Harm. Photo supplied
At Scottville Community Catch-Up
The flying fox epidemic was a big topic of discussion at the most recent Whitsunday Regional Council Community Catch-Up in Scottville.
Mayor Julie Hall said there was much discussion about the flying foxes that are nesting near houses in Collinsville causing issues for the residents.
“There has been a recent increase in flying foxes within Collinsville and Council have tried multiple roost deterrent activities focused on colonies within Carpet Street and Stanley Street,” she said.
“These include operation of mobile smokers at private properties in coordination with residents between 6am and 8am, trialing the use of tree irrigation systems and consistent noise and lights, however all attempts have failed to “move on” the flying foxes.
“Flying Foxes are a native Australian mammal protected under State Government legislation, but they cause major problems for residents when a large roost is established in a built-up area.
“At the Local Government National Conference in Canberra earlier this year I was successful in moving a motion at the National General Assembly calling on the Australian Government to develop with State Governments a damage mitigation permit process.
“We’re hopeful that the Federal and State Governments can outline a suitable process so Councils can act to relocate colonies they that are impacting our residents,” Mayor Hall said.
Other topics included bushfire resilience, roadwork and footpath upgrade work and disaster resilience and storm season preparation, with over 20 Scottville residents attending the event.
Council also asked for feedback regarding the placement of street seating in the Collinsville Main Street Upgrade.
The next Community Catch-up will be held at Shute Harbour on October 4.
Theft
Police have charged a 25-year-old employee of a licensed premise with theft, following a short investigation, after receiving a complaint of theft from a licensed premise in Airlie Beach.
The employee has been charged with stealing as a clinical servant and will appear before Proserpine Magistrates Court at a later date.
Drug Offences
On September 22, at 8.15pm, police intercepted a 27-year-old Cannonvale man who was acting suspiciously.
Once detained, Police located a black bumbag, which Police allege contained cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, as well as morphine, Oxycontin nitrazepam, and other prescription medication he did not have authority to possess.
He has been charged with 15 drug offences, including supplying dangerous drugs and obstructing Police.
On September 23, at 3am, Police arrested a 24-year-old Cannonvale man in the Safe Night Precinct for public nuisance offences, due to his behaviour.
Police allege that they discovered white powder believed to be cocaine, in his possession.
He has been charged with public nuisance offences, as well possession of dangerous drugs.
House Fire
In the early hours of Tuesday morning Queensland Ambulance Services attended a house fire on Hamilton Island. A woman in her 40s was assessed for minor smoke inhalation following the incident which took place on Coral Sea Avenue at 5.45am.
Local mascot, George the Monkey, has gone missing from the main street of Airlie Beach and staff believe he has been stolen and hidden somewhere.
On Friday evening, George was not put safely away inside the office like he would normally be, and opportunists have taken advantage of the mishap and allegedly stolen him.
“The last known spot George was seen was on someone’s Instagram post at 2am,” said Fergus Dunk from Sailing Whitsundays.
“We haven’t gone to the police yet because we are hoping someone will come forward and do the right thing,” he said.
“And there is a reward if they do!”
George has been the company mascot for 15-20 years and the subject of many tourist photos.
“I always joke there are more photos of George than there are of Whitehaven Beach!” said Fergus.
“We often see kids race over to see George and they are always pleased to see he is still here – people just love him!”
“He’s a character in the business and we just want to see him to come back.
“If you know anything, please let us know.”
Local mascot, George the Monkey, was last seen at 2am with this man. Photo supplied
The New South Wales and the Queensland State of Origin Shields stopped off in Bowen earlier this week, as part of their regional State of Origin Regional Tour.
Encouraging and sharing the love of rugby league, the shields were brought to Bowen by former Queensland Maroons Shane Webcke, Josh Hannay, and Brent Tate.
Stopping off for a quick break at the Big Mango, the Shields started their tour in Toowoomba on September 20, hitting Mackay on September 23, before stopping over in Townsville.
Bowen Tourism and Business Manager Leanne Abernethy said that thousands of people, of any age and culture, stop at the Big Mango every year.
“To date, we estimate 1.5 million people have taken a photo with our Big Mango, and now we can say 1.5 million people and two shields!”
Stage 2 of the Airlie Beach Boardwalk upgrade, from the VMR Boat Ramp to Shingley Drive, is well underway, with demolition works completed early last week, and the new materials ready to be laid.
The construction of the new boardwalk, using composite fibre materials, began on Monday September 25.
The eco-friendly material will extend the boardwalk’s life cycle and reduce maintenance costs.
The new boardwalk will also be wider by one metre, allowing better ease of travel for users and reducing conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and scooters.
Expected to be re-opened in early December, pedestrians are welcome to use the detour, behind Mirage Whitsundays, via Altmann Avenue and Shingley Drive in the meantime.
Once completed, the hardwood timber from the old Boardwalk will be retained for future projects, with the existing footings used to ground the new Boardwalk.
Stage 1 of the Airlie Beach Boardwalk Upgrade, between Sorrento’s on the southern end of the Coral Sea Marina and the Coral Sea Resort, was officially reopened in June, earlier this year.
Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 were supported by the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Grant, with the tender for works awarded to Plants Whitsunday.
Stage 3 of the Upgrade, along Broadwater Avenue, will be completed at a later date, when the Whitsunday Regional Council is able to secure grant funding.
The scaffolding is now in place and ready for Plants Whitsunday to erect the new Boardwalk. Photo supplied
Tourism Whitsundays is excited to announce its new Board of Directors for the 2023/24 term, at the TW Annual General Meeting held yesterday.
The AGM served as the catalyst for change for TW, welcoming four new members onto the Board of Directors, joining the existing directors of Julie Telford, Crystal Lacey, Jenn Honnery, Matt Boileau, Tom Young, and Daniel Gschwind.
Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton said an Annual General Meeting is the time to reflect on the successes of the previous year.
“The Whitsundays has delivered records in visitor spend, length of stay and interstate visitation, this is an incredible achievement.”
Mr Hamilton added, “We’re looking forward to seeing increased international visitation in the coming year as a result of these collaborative marketing campaigns and the increased airline capacity and lower fare prices.”
Tourism Whitsundays Chair, Julie Telford is excited for the incoming board members and the year ahead.
“The 2023/24 Tourism Whitsundays board brings together well-known industry leaders and people with a personal investment in the tourism industry. Their experience in the local industry is invaluable as the organisation works toward the 2032 tourism plan.”
“I want to thank outgoing Board Members; Trevor Rees, Arpad Romandy, Greg McKinnon, and Craig Turner for their contribution to the Board over the last 12 months. Their knowledge and insights have helped navigate our industry through an extraordinary year of recovery,” Mrs Telford said.
Visit mackayandwhitsundaylife.com to discover which four local faces have joined Board of Directors.
The Whitsundays has received a glowing report card from the National and International Visitor Survey (NVS and IVS), cementing the region as a popular destination for holidaymakers.
Over the year, prior to June 30 2023, The Whitsundays had 765,000 domestic visitors choosing to come into the region, an increase of 11.7 per cent from the last three years, and each spending on average 5.5 nights in the area.
While international visitor numbers are down, The Whitsundays welcomed 68,000 international visitors, spending an avenge of 8.6 nights, an increase of 1.7 nights when compared to the same period in 2019.
These visitors saw $1.3 billion in Overnight Visitor Expenditure (OVE), which is an increase of 29.3 per cent over the last three years, and a 51 per cent increase on pre-pandemic Overnight Visitor Expenditure.
The Survey also reflects the $1,724 individual spend per person, which is a 19 per cent increase over the last three years.
Tourism Whitsundays CEO Rick Hamilton expressed his excitement about these remarkable achievements, stating, "These results, while not record-breaking this time, underscore The Whitsundays' status as an unmatched holiday destination.
“As the economy tightens, we are seeing a slight decrease in expenditure, directly related to holiday spend in region. However, the length of stay and visitor numbers remain strong.
“We are immensely proud of our region's world-class tour operators, accommodations, and businesses that contribute to delivering outstanding experiences for all visitors, regardless of their budget," Mr Hamilton said.
Record numbers have been checking into The Whitsundays, for the year up to June 30 2023. Photo supplied
Excitement is building ahead of the much-anticipated launch of Gilmour Space Technologies’ rocket ship, with the inaugural flight expected to depart from its base in Bowen before the end of the year.
If the launch is successful, Australian company Gilmour Space, could be the first to send a hybrid-rocket into space, and currently the race is on to see which global entity can get there first.
Hybrid rockets use a mixture of solid fuel and liquid oxidiser, and despite being commonly used at universities, they are renowned to be difficult to scale up.
“It’s new rocket tech and it’s hard to scale but we’ve managed to do it,” said Michelle Gilmour, Director Marketing and Communications for Gilmour Space Technologies.
“We chose the hybrid model because it is safer and cheaper to develop – we’re very close to getting the rocket on the pad which is the first step to success.”
Gilmour Space have built two rockets and are aiming to send two shipments to low-earth orbit in 2024.
Their plans are to increase this to between three to four in 2025 and up to 10 rockets in the years after.
Each payload will be transporting a satellite anywhere between 500 kilometres and 2000 kilometres into space.
They could contain communication, observation, fire detection, water management satellites, to name a few.
Mayor Julie Hall said the venture will contribute over $4 million into our local economy and create ongoing contracts for up to 20 local businesses.
"I am so excited that our region will get to be part of such a fundamental and life changing experience,” she said.
"We are expecting to see over 80 Space Tech officials and anywhere between 5,000 to 10,000 visitors arrive in Bowen for the official launch of the first information rocket.”
Whitsunday Mayor Julie Hall and Isaac Mayor Anne Baker take a tour of Gilmour Space Technologies’ base in Bowen. Photo supplied
There’s plenty of activity around town with school holidays filling accommodation places around the region creating a real buzz throughout both Airlie and Proserpine.
Airlie Main Street - Chamber met with Council CEO Warren Bunker last week regarding maintenance, restoration works, and traffic management in Airle Beach.
Our region welcomes around 900,000 visitors annually and there are plans to increase cruise ship visitation to over 100 annually. To ensure a world-class experience for both residents and visitors, Council is current seeking community input on upgrades to pedestrian safety, traffic flow, and parking within Airlie Beach precinct.
The Main Street of Airlie Beach has the potential to rival other renowned destinations, such as Hastings Street in Noosa. The needs of visitors and traders need to take precedence over through traffic. The Main Street should be considered as an access to the recreational facilities and business offerings provided in Airlie Beach and not as a through road.
We are strongly advocating increased precinct ambience and better presentation of street facades, better parking, and pedestrian safety by installation of pedestrian crossings, increased signage directing large vehicles and through traffic into Waterson Way, and better way finding signage in Airlie.
Vision for the Whitsundays – The research phase of our Vision for the Whitsundays project is open, and we invite you to have your say on our economic future. You can participate by providing a formal submission, completing a quick online survey, or participating in an engaging focus group. The Chamber team recently spent a morning with student leaders from the Prosperine State High School. Other focus groups happening in the coming weeks focus on Sustainability & Resilience, Future Workforce, Economic Growth, and Innovation. See our website for more details.
Chamber on Tap – Our recent event showed the Chamber’s commitment to economic growth in the region. An insightful evening was had by over forty attendees with topics covering a wide range of topics including mentoring for growth, business wellness coaching and more.
AGM – Our Annual General Meeting and Chamber Connect meeting is scheduled for 7:30am-9am Thursday 19 October at Whitsunday Green Golf Club and everyone is welcome. At the AGM, two major resolutions are being presented for consideration – a new name for the Chamber and Constitution that will set the foundation for a contemporary and inclusive organisation. Following the AGM will be a presentation by the CEO of Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays Rob Cocco providing. Registrations are now open, visit our website to book your spot.
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