As the heat builds and storms become more frequent, the chances of power cuts increase.

Many residents will remember the multiple power cuts of December 2020, where three outages over Christmas caused 5000 households in the Greater Airlie Beach Area to lose power on December 22, 23 and 28.

Fortunately, since this incident, Ergon have embarked on a $27 million upgrade of the local electricity network, including the Cannonvale substation.

“We took immediate steps to boost the security of the community’s electricity supply by replacing faulty underground cables and constructing a section of overhead network to provide an alternative supply route to get the power back on to customers sooner in the event of further faults,” said an Ergon Energy spokesperson.

“There have been no significant outages at the substation since and the expansion that is underway now will support population growth in years to come.”

Proof of this came when the Whitsunday region reached the record peak load of 469.8 megawatts during a heat wave on March 3 this year, and the system passed the test.

Five of the top six peak loads were recorded in March this year and up to 40 per cent of the load can be attributed to air-conditioning use.

While there is plenty of capacity in the local electricity network to support the community’s needs, customers can save money by being energy efficient.

Here are some energy-saving tips for summer:

• Clean your air-conditioning filters.

• Set your air-conditioner to 25 degrees – it’s more energy-efficient and still comfortable when the outside temperature is more than 30 degrees.

• Keep doors and windows closed when the aircon is running.

• Only air-condition the rooms you are using.

• Fans are much more energy-efficient if you don’t need aircon.

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Everyone in the community is encouraged to shop local this Christmas and, if supporting local small business is not incentive enough, then the Local 4 Locals campaign will definitely get you excited!

With a total of $5000 worth of shopping vouchers to give away over the next three weeks, there will be a special draw each Friday in the run-up to Christmas.

For your chance to win, simply purchase an item from one of the 23 participating stores and your entry will be put into the draw.

The first draw will take place this evening in conjunction with the Christmas Street Fair and Markets during which many shops will be open for extended hours.

“On the night there will be a special appearance by Santa and Rudolf,” said organiser Wendy Bickhoff.

“Come down dressed in your best Christmas outfit and you may win a prize!’

For full details head to the Locals 4 Locals Bowen Facebook page.

A prize of $1000 will be drawn this evening, December 2, and a further $1000 will be drawn on the following two Fridays - December 9 and 16.

Each entry from previous weeks will then go into the final grand prize pool of $2000 which will be drawn on December 23.

The promotion itself begins at 8am today and all entries will be submitted for tonight’s draw.

If you are local business and would like to participate in the campaign, simply chat to Wendy at Coral City to Country for full details.

The first draw will take place at 8pm this evening and the winner does not need to be present in order to claim the prize.

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WHAT: Local 4 Locals

WHERE: Participating shops in Bowen

WHEN: Friday, December 2 from 8am to 5pm on Friday, December 23

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The warm glow of salt lamps, the sweet perfume of an aromatherapy diffuser, a mesmerising backflow waterfall burner or a glass vase moulded into timber – these are just some of the gift ideas that can transform homes into havens this festive season.

They adorn the shelves of Goodness Gracious at the Whitsunday Shopping Centre in Cannonvale and the stores new owner, Jacki Movigliatti, invites everyone to come and browse the wide selection of healthy, organic, and alternative items she has for sale.

“We have leather, timber and embroidered diaries which are very popular this time of year,” she said.

“We also stock a variety of candles, incense, bath salts, massage oils and an entire range of ‘Boody’ which is bamboo clothing – everything from sleepwear to active wear.”

Jacki has just taken over the reins of the longstanding health and organic produce business and said she is looking forward to continuing the good work of the previous owner while introducing some fresh ideas along the way.

“I’d like to bring some more wholefoods in, and I am looking at some pesticide free fruit and veg as well,” she said.

Originally from Townsville and having spent many years in the Atherton Tablelands, Jacki moved to the Whitsundays six years ago for a fresh start.

A yoga teacher for the past 20 years, she has also been an Ayurveda –a traditional medicine system native to India- practitioner for the last five.

Looking to get back into the health industry, she jumped at the opportunity to become the new owner of Goodness Gracious.

With a reputation for its diverse range of health produce, the store stocks everything from spices to vitamins, beauty products to cushions and mats.

Jacki is also ordering some Christmas themed health foods this year, including specialist tea, gherkins and organic olives.

Head into Goodness Gracious today and enjoy a wealth of health while supporting local this festive season.

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Goodness Gracious owner, Jacki Movigliatti, holding a glass vase moulded into timber

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Back by popular demand, the Proserpine Community Markets are hosting their annual Christmas Fair and everyone is welcome to come down for a morning of lively music, fun activities, delicious food and of course Christmas Shopping.

With an abundance of store holders, this years’ Christmas markets have seen a record number of businesses apply for a spot, and organiser Tarnia Patton said she is trying to find extra space at the site so she can cater for the additional enquires.

From home-made trinkets to unique health products, plants and succulents, clothing and many other creative gift ideas, there is plenty to choose from if you are looking for a present that will make someone feel truly special on Christmas Day.

By purchasing your presents at the Proserpine Christmas Markets, you will also have the added satisfaction that you are supporting a local small business who, in turn, will be reinvesting the money back into our region.

This year, there will also be a special guest at the market, one that is sure to put a smile on every child’s face.

“The big man in red will be coming along this year,” said Tarnia.

“At 10.30am he will do walkthrough and then children will have the opportunity to sit down and tell Santa what they want for Christmas.”

The Joy Chimers will also be present on the day, performing with their chimes and offering a unique take on some of the most popular Christmas Carols.

Lucy Sherrington and Noah Robinson will also be playing some of their popular music as shoppers soak up the vibrant Christmas Market atmosphere.

A host of food vans will be on-site throughout the morning, and when weary legs need a break, you can relax on the lawn and sample home-made cakes, freshly brewed coffee and other delicious treats.

WHAT: Proserpine Community Christmas Markets

WHERE: 69 Marathon Street, Proserpine

WHEN: Sunday, December 11 – 8.30am to 12.30pm

SANTA: Arrives at 10.30am

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The whole community are invited to the Proserpine Community Christmas Markets next Sunday. Photo credit: Declan Durrant

Santa will be making an appearance at 10.30am. Photo credit: Declan Durrant

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For the first time since Proserpine’s El Dorado Picture Theatre played its final reel on December 7, 1984, the Whitsundays’ sugarcane town will be host to regular movie screenings of new releases.

The reconstructed Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC) will officially launch its cinema on December 12, heralding in a new age of “the pictures” in Proserpine.

Although the previous iteration of the Proserpine Entertainment Centre held movie screenings for special events only, this will be the first time a new release has been shown in the town for almost four decades.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be the first to grace the screen at the PEC, and Manager at Proserpine Entertainment Centre, Kate Boyd said the cinema schedules will be posted on the PEC website.

“Two sessions will be held daily during school holiday periods. Outside of this time, Cinema screenings will be held on a Sunday and Monday for a trial period, with a few interruptions for live events which have already been scheduled,” she said.

Ms Boyd said most movies held at the PEC will be recent releases, with something to suit all age ranges, with older films and nostalgia films playing on special occasions.

“The more people come to see films at the PEC, the newer releases we will receive from the distributors!” she said.

All prices can be found at the Entertainment Centre’s online box office and a Facebook page competition is running until December 9, where locals can win one of three double cinema passes to the first screening.

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One way for sugarcane growers to reduce business costs is through practices such as planting legumes and the precision application of pesticides. These practices provide cost benefits to the grower as well as improving the quality of water which flows to the Reef.

In the Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program (MWWQP), there are nine delivery provider run projects that address nutrient and pesticide practices to minimise run-off, particularly during the wet season when the rainfall intensity flushes the catchment.

Development of these practices requires financing and extensive research to understand what impact the new management practices have on yield, and what water quality risk there is.

One of the projects being run under the MWWQP by Sugar Research Australia (SRA) seeks to validate improved practices and identify which of those result in less runoff of nutrient and pesticides while not impacting negatively on the crop.

To achieve this, SRA has trial sites set up with participating growers that collect water runoff from a paddock. This runoff is then analysed for nutrient and chemical content, which is then communicated to growers to inform future management decisions.

This wet season, SRA is looking into run-off water quality profiles of enhanced efficiency fertilisers compared to traditional fertilisers.  Enhanced efficiency fertilisers are relatively new products designed to improve nutrient use efficiency by minimising nutrient losses.

SRA are now trying to understand the water quality risk for these new products.

Other trials underway this wet season include looking into management practices relating to cane grub control, and the use of mill by-products to assess what impact these practices have on water quality.

Through research and effective communication, growers are provided with the evidence that they need to maintain a viable business and adopt new practices which will ultimately improve their business and water quality.

The Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Project is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with support from Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Government.

For more information on any of the projects involved in the MWWQP please visit reefcatchments.com.au.

Contributed with thanks to Chris Dench.

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Research into farming practices paves the way for adoption of new practices and improved water quality

Chris Dench from Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Program

As you drive into Airlie Beach town centre you may notice a small but important local landmark is now missing – the large Blue Gum Tree at the entrance way.

Two weeks ago, it was chopped down to make way for a new development on the site and local climate action group, Whitsunday Conservation Council (WCC), say they are concerned that our urban canopy is being slowly destroyed by this process.

While this is just one tree, they believe it is representative of a bigger picture, stating that “Airlie Beach is already noticeably hotter than Cannonvale due to the predominance of dark-coloured hard surfaces and the loss of tree cover, which is ongoing and unregulated.”

“From all directions this tree is an imposing factor of the entrance statement to Airlie Main Street, more importantly provides habitat and food for local fauna,” said Jacquie Sheils, President of WCC, in a letter of appeal sent to Council.

“So many large mature trees have been lost to development in recent years and a dominant beautiful tree such as this deserves our protection and care to thrive and provide shade, shelter and habitat.”

Approaching Whitsunday Regional Council to appeal, the environmental group were told that there is no tree policy protecting local land.

Less than a month after this appeal, concerns were realised when the tree was felled.

“Apparently the developer has contributed a handful of seedling Blue Gums to the revegetation project at Twin Creeks Cannonvale to ‘compensate’ for the destruction of this mature tree,” said WCC Secretary Faye Chapman.

“But this publicly funded revegetation project is already in place, so these trees would have been planted anyway.”

WCC are now asking why Council has no policy on local matters of environmental significance, including a ‘Significant Tree Register’ to provide protection for iconic trees like the one lost earlier this month.

“Other Councils in our region have tree protection and maintenance policies and do not allow mature trees to be removed without first making every effort to maintain and nurture these beneficial giants of nature,” said Faye.

“This tree was on the extreme corner of the development block, surely enlightened design and prudent trimming could have seen this tree safely incorporated into the plan for the new hotel.”

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The old Blue Gum Tree acted as an entrance statement to Airlie Main Street

It was chopped down to make way for a new development at the site of the Colonial Motel

The iconic tree featured on postcards in the 1980s

The stump is now a memorial feature

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The dedicated team at Whitsunday Coast Airport (WCA) is celebrating after being voted the “Best Large Regional Airport” at the Australian Airports Association Annual Award in Adelaide last Friday night.

Known as the fastest growing regional airport in Australia, the Whitsunday Regional Council owned and operated WCA won the same award back in 2018 and Mayor Julie Hall said this demonstrates the resilience of the team to “bounce back” after COVID.

“In April we smashed the highest monthly passenger record with 47,384 passengers transiting through the terminal,” she said.

“The previous highest monthly total pax for April was 37,486 in 2019, so to eclipse that by nearly 10,000 proves that WCA is probably the fastest growing regional airport in Australia.”

The airport’s Chief Operating Officer Aviation and Tourism, Craig Turner, attended the awards in person and said the win highlighted how critical WCA is to the success of the Whitsunday region for our industry and business stakeholders.

“A major focus for my team has been business development to attract new carriers and new destinations to increase passenger and air movement, plus the introduction of freight operations,” he said.

“Adding freight to our business plan was a strategic move aimed at maximising the capacity of aircraft to drive additional revenue and provide more reliable and efficient supply of fresh produce for tourism operators.

“We have hit over 220 flights monthly which means more bums on seats, bodies in beds and visitors exploring our region and a major reason the Whitsundays is one of Australia’s most popular tourism destinations.”

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Craig Turner, Chief Operating Officer Aviation & Tourism, receiving the “Best Large Regional Airport” award at the Australian Airports Association Awards night. Photo supplied: Whitsunday Regional Council

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Hi Everyone,

This week I took a trip down to Mackay and went on a tour of our recycling plant so I could see firsthand where all our recycling goes – it was informative, educational, and also fun!

For the past five years I have been living in an apartment in Cannonvale which is not able to be serviced by yellow bins as the complex does not have the additional space required for them.

There are many apartments like this is the Greater Airlie Beach area and unless the Body Corp pays to build suitable housing for the yellow bins, then residents either put recycling in general waste, or do what I do, and take it down to the local tip themselves.

This process is time consuming, and I imagine many households simply don’t bother which means so much recycling is becoming unnecessary landfill.

Fortunately, Council have assured me the new waste plan coming out next year will start addressing the shortfall in this service.

Anyway, back to the recycling plant – did you know that all our recycling is taken straight to Mackay for processing and then turned into a valuable commodity which is on-sold to markets?

Not only is recycling good for our environment it is also making us money because all the proceeds are returned to the Council and in-turn the community.

I think this is great and you can read the full story on page 21.

When we transform our mindset from seeing our household waste as rubbish, to seeing it as a valuable material that can generate money instead, then we can change the way we dispose of our waste.

Every item of general waste costs us money and every item recycled makes us money – you do the maths!

Rach

“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly” (Anne Marie Bonneau)

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Last week in the Good Deed Feed we told the story of a kind stranger who paid someone’s $280 shopping bill at a local supermarket.

The other customer’s bank card was not working, and the good Samaritan simply reached forward and used his card to pay the enormous bill saying only: “I got you mate”.

This week we’d like to share a different story which was posted on local community site, Whitsundays Chat.

It featured another local resident who had a similar experience, only this time it was with a bunch of bananas.

When this young lady was at the counter of the IGA in Proserpine, she realised she was $3 short and so put her bananas back on the shelf.

Leaving the store, she thought nothing else of it.

That was until a group of high school kids ran up to her as she was getting into her car.

“One of the kids ran up to me with the bananas in her hand and gave them to me - they had paid for them - the school kids paid for them!” read her post.

“I felt terrible but also I couldn’t be anymore thankful for this beautiful gesture.

“They did not need to do that at all for me, but they did! I’ll definitely return the favour when I see them again - how beautiful of them.

“Thank you again. I love the Whitsundays community.”

The post generated over one thousand likes and dozens of comments.

This story also shows us all that whether you donate a large sum of money, or something as simple as a bunch of bananas, it can have the same ripple effect to both the recipient and to the broader happiness level within our community.

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Illegal Vapes Discovered At Jubilee Pocket Property

Police charged a 41-year-old man in relation to the alleged discovery of a large number of e-cigarettes/vapes at a property in Jubilee Pocket.

During the execution of a search warrant at a Jubilee Pocket Road address on November 18, Police allege the finding of a large quantity of the devices in the property’s garage.

Police will allege the e-cigarettes/vapes were for online sale.

The man has been issued with a notice to appear on one count of offence to buy or possess Schedule 4 or Schedule 8 medicines or hazardous poisons – prescription only or controlled drugs respectively.

The man is due to appear in the Proserpine Magistrates Court on January 16 next year.

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Cannonvale Drug Charges

Police charged a 33-year-old woman with multiple drug related offences following the execution of a search warrant in Cannonvale on November 19.

Officers attended the Macarthur Drive address and allege a large number of dangerous drugs, drug utensils and just under $4000 cash were found at the property.

The charged woman was taken into custody at the property without incident.

She is expected to appear at Proserpine Magistrates Court on December 19.

She faces charges of one count each of possessing dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine), possessing anything used in the commission of crime (mobile phone), possess property suspected of having been acquired for the purpose of committing a drug offence (clip seal bags), possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of an offence (cash), and two counts of possession of drug utensil (glass pipe and scales).

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At its peak, there were over 26,000 Flying Foxes roosting in trees throughout Collinsville and although this number has now dropped to as little as 3000, Collinsville resident Graham Buckley said the issue remains a big one.

“Council have been successful at moving them out of the yards, but on public land they are still a nuisance,” he said.

“Kids can’t use the play park and we are all still disturbed by the noise and the smell, having to wash everything.

“If they are going to come back again next year – what is Council going to do to help? – what they’ve done so far is just a temporary fix, we want to get rid of them permanently.”

Scott Hardy, Manager Natural Resource Management and Climate for Whitsunday Regional Council said that Flying Foxes are causing issues in towns along the Queensland coast.

In recent months, his team have been in contact with other Councils to share experiences in managing Flying fox roosts but, unfortunately, there does not seem to be an easy or quick answer to the problem.

“Pelican Park is a roost site,” he said.

“However, once the flying fox leave in the next few weeks, the council will put in place a number of actions for when they return to deter them.

“Once the first flying fox are sighted next year, Council will undertake smoking and install the inflatable wavy men to deter the Flying fox scouts from settling.”

Both these measures have proven successful this year and Council are hoping that implementing the measures prior to numbers soaring will mean Flying Foxes will move on and not settle for the season.

In the meantime, Mr Hardy said that Council staff have re-commenced the mowing and maintenance activities in the park.

“Council is also considering a smoking action in the park to move them out, however, the risk is that they will go into residential properties,” he said.

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With Christmas inching forward every week, so are the community celebrations that we hold dear at this time of year.

Bringing us all together with song and sentiment are our annual Christmas Carols which are held in separate events across the region.

This year make sure you save the date for an event closest to you:

Bowen Soundshell – Saturday, November 26 from 6pm to 10pm

Proserpine State High School – Wednesday, November 30 from 5pm

Airlie Beach Foreshore – Sunday, December 4 from 4pm

Collinsville Lions Park - Sunday, December 4 from 6pm to 8pm

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Major Bruce Highway upgrades that were abandoned in February have finally begun moving again as a new contractor is appointed and work commences after a nine-month delay.

The $68.85 million worth of contract works across three sites between Ayr and Proserpine have recommenced this week as the Queensland Government replace previous contractor WBHO Infrastructure.

The South-African company entered voluntary administration in the early stages of 2022, downing tools on its Australian worksites and leaving the State Government holding the bag.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox announced the appointment by the government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads of a new contractor to complete the Emu Creek to Drays Road and Bowen Connection Road to Champion Street construction after “persistence and pressure” on his part.

Alongside State Member for Burdekin Dale Last, Mr Willcox campaigned on behalf of the region’s road users to see the Bruce Highway Upgrade continue.

Mr Willcox said a new contractor has begun the Emu Creek and Drays Road section as of November 21, with a separate contractor due to finish the Bowen portions of the upgrade.

“A second contactor will be coming on board to complete the Bowen Connection Road and Bowen Connection Road to Champion Street with construction expected to resume in early 2023,” Mr Willcox said.

“We are one tiny step closer to a road that we deserve, and I'll be watching this progress with interest.”

In comments earlier this year, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey apologised on behalf of the Queensland Government and said they “hoped” the work could be completed in 2023.

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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox said a new contractor will begin works on the Bruce Highway upgrades in Bowen in early 2023

A creation that was full of good sentiment and festive cheer has been vandalised just one week after it was placed outside a property on the Bruce Highway, 24 kilometres north of Proserpine.

A group of residents had spent weeks planning and crafting the Christmas display which includes a Christmas tree out of recycled timber and recycled decorations.

Much of the display is hand-painted, home-made and created with love.

Once complete, Santa took pride of place, sitting on a reclaimed chair at the centre of the display and bringing Christmas joy to hundreds of motorists who would pass by each day.

Unfortunately, just one week and a day after it was finished, the heart of the display was destroyed when vandals ripped poor Santa off at his torso and stole him.

One of the display’s creators, Zano Thorpe, said that she is disappointed that their festive cheer was destroyed by such a Grinch.

“We wanted to do something to make people smile, to make people happy as they travel up and down the road,” she said.

“It was just a simple gesture to make people smile, but now it is gone without a trace.”

Imploring the culprits to come forward, Zano said that if they bring Santa back, they will not be in any trouble.

“Leave him on the ground next to the chair with a note of apology – we don’t need to know your name – Christmas is still a while away – it’s never too late to bring Santa back.”

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The Christmas display in its full glory before Santa got stolen

The display after it was destroyed by vandals

Santa has lost his head over this!

Photos supplied