A group of naturists will be experiencing utter liberation this week as they nude up onboard a cruise across the Whitsundays.

In a two-day trip led by contemporary naturist group Get Naked Australia (GNA), 32 soon-to-be nudists from across the country will strip off and sail the Coral Sea in a first time ever for the organisation.

Started in 2016, Get Naked Australia has grown exponentially into one of the country’s biggest naturist groups, running events to offer a fun way to “take the plunge and experience naturism for the first time.”

Get Naked Australia’s Queensland Coordinator Rikki Yeowart is leading the group in their debut Whitsunday outing.

“We ran our first Gold Coast cruise earlier this year – a majority of our events have been in Sydney, our base of operations – and this is our first time in the Whitsundays,” Ms Yeowart said.

“It will also be our first ever multi-day cruise, so we’ve got people coming from across the country. On the boat we’ve got things like a six-metre inflatable water slide, a bar, paddleboarding, board games and card games. Even the option to do naked scuba diving!”

The trip will leave on Friday afternoon aboard a True Blue Sailing Vessel, before returning on Sunday in a two night, one full day and one-half day experience.

“It is weather dependent [whether we’ll be naked the whole time]; because, if it’s cold we won’t do it out of spite,” Ms Yeowart laughed.

“But if the suns out we’ll be naked as much as within reason.”

Ms Yeowart said that the freeing nature of naturism helped her overcome her own body image struggles.

“For me, it was a body image struggle that naturism helped me with. With a lot of women, getting naked in front of a group of other women is a terrifying thought. A lot of us are brought up to feel shame with our body.

“I was on a journey to find acceptance in my own body, and nude yoga helped me transform my relationship with myself.”

The GNA demographic is quite young and hip according to Ms Yeowart, with everyone being extremely welcoming. They also make sure that there is always a balance of genders.

“It’s the community aspect of it - it’s a tight knit group of positive people wanting to go on adventures,” she said.

“Meeting people in your natural state, it’s so liberating.”

Get Naked Australia will host a multi-day nudie cruise this weekend

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Bowen’s famous mango sorbets, available for sale at the Big Mango Visitor Information Centre on the Bruce Highway south of Bowen, are again proving more popular than ever.

More than 40,000 tourists and locals visit the Information Centre and the information booth at Bowen’s Front Beach each year – and almost half of those bought a mango sorbet in the past 12 months.

Bowen Tourism and Business Manager, Leanne Abernethy, said a total of 18,500 sorbets were sold in the past financial year – smashing the previous year’s record of 17,000 sorbets.

“We know how popular they are but these figures are staggering,” she said.

“We sell them all year round and this is the closest thing you will get to a fresh Bowen mango when it is not mango season.”

Bowen is the birthplace of the famous Kensington Pride mangoes, also known as the Bowen Special, and the sorbets are 100 per cent natural – simply pureed and frozen.

They are produced by long-term Bowen resident, Patrick Martin, who sources the Kensington Pride mangoes locally and they are sold by Bowen Tourism and Business as well as by Patrick at the Airlie Beach markets on Saturdays.

Mr Martin said he was very excited that another record had been broken and it was because “Bowen mangoes are the best mangoes in the world”.

“It is a pleasure to continue to supply the Big Mango with the sorbets – as I have been doing for the past 11 years,” he said.

“When Bowen Tourism and Business sold 17,00 sorbets last year, I thought that was the best numbers we would ever get as the international borders had been closed due to Covid and we had more domestic visitors travelling around Queensland.

“But the state and international borders are open and we have smashed the sorbet sales record again.”

Sorbet connoisseur Patrick Martin and Bowen Tourism and Business Manager, Leanne Abernathy are happy that almost 18,500 sorbets have been bought over the last year

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The sperm whale found stranded in a remote bay in the Whitsundays two weeks ago has been buried by decision of Queensland Parks and Wildlife.

The 18m male whale had originally been stranded alive in Sinclair Bay, Cape Gloucester, on Wednesday, June 15 but unfortunately passed away overnight, before washing up on a beach directly in front of private residences.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers relocated the carcass over the next week, estimated to weigh around 50 tonnes, to a more suitable burial location close to the initial stranding site.

Rather than removing the carcass from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the decision was made to bury it for environmental, cultural, safety, and logistical reasons.

Wildlife officers said this significant feat wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the local landowners, Whitsunday Regional Council and a local earth-moving contractor.

Reef Joint Field Management Program Senior Conservation Officer Natalie Sands said this incident was a rare occurrence in Whitsundays.

“Sperm whales usually inhabit deeper offshore waters,” she said.

“We do sometimes see sperm whales in Queensland waters including the Great Barrier Reef, but for one to live strand on the inshore coast is unusual.”

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Rangers first were alerted to the whale while it was stranded alive in Sinclair Bay

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The Whitsundays is gearing up for the comfiest day of the year when they’ll don their PJs and create change for National Pyjama Day next week.

The day all about wearing your favourite pair of jammies to help The Pyjama Foundation raise much-needed awareness and funds for children in foster care is fast approaching on July 22.

Supporters from across the region are getting ready to rock their PJs at work, school and everywhere in between, including Proserpine Hospital staff.

Proserpine Hospital Executive Support Officer Christine Neilson said that this was the fifth year the hospital would be taking part in the charity event.

“The hospital had started participating in Pyjama Day from request of our intern group five years ago,” Ms Neilson said.

“We usually have quite a large group participating each year. It’s a bit of fun for the staff, because who doesn’t like to wear comfy PJS to work!

Ms Neilson said, aside from the fun side of the event, it was important to raise funds and awareness for the cause.

“The foundation provides educational resources and learning skills for those children; it’s a great cause,” she said.

“It’s a great way to start the conversation about the important work that the Pyjama Foundation do and you get to wear comfy clothes to work for the day!”

National Pyjama Day is vital to the success of the Pyjama Foundation’s Love of Learning Program which is offered to children in foster care - Australia's lowest performing educational group.

Businesses and individuals can register or find out more about National Pyjama Day at nationalpyjamaday.com, as well as donate to Proserpine Hospital’s page at https://bit.ly/3Rk7dK6

Proserpine Hospital are gearing up for their fifth year of raising funds on National Pyjama Day

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The Whitsundays’ first major resort development in over a decade has piqued plenty of interest with a deluge of eager buyers getting their names down for a slice of luxury living.

The stage one release of the $350 million Shute Harbour Marina Resort has generated more than $21.5 million in sales contracts issued and over 600 enquiries following the project’s market launch eight weeks earlier.

Established business owners, sea-change seekers, retirees, and avid boaties have led the charge on the 58 land and berth packages up for grabs.

A South Australian-based consortium is behind the project, with local agents Taylors Property Group helming the sales portion of the project. Principal of Taylors Property Group, Rob Taylor said the immediate market response has been incredible.

“We knew we had something special on our hands here, but we have been simply inundated with genuine interest – it’s been a whirlwind,” Mr Taylor said.

“A large portion of these purchasers are boating enthusiasts who recognise the rarity in such a premier berth location, or those from southern states who have been enticed by the lifestyle offering presented by the resort.”

The most significant transaction to date is the $2.55 million sale of a land and 35m berth package.

Once complete, the Shute Harbour Marina Resort will encompass a world-class 395-berth marina, 58 freehold land allotments, a 100-plus room resort hotel, including function and meeting rooms, bars, restaurants, swimming pool and undercover parking, and 100 managed apartments with resort club facilities.

Development of the first stage of Shute Harbour Marina Resort, which will include the marina and the stage-one release of land and marina berths, is expected to take two years to complete with construction targeted to commence in 12 months.

The Shute Harbour Marina Resort will include 58 managed resort dwellings with private marina berths, a retirement resort

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The Electoral Commission Queensland have called an election date of August 13 for our next Whitsunday Mayor. And all the newspaper articles, social media posts and general community activity is reflecting the fact that Mayoral Electioneering is in full swing.

The Whitsunday Coast Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) was planning to host a "Meet the WRC Mayoral Candidates" event on Thursday, July 14 at 6:30pm at the VMR in Cannonvale, however, in response to concerns raised and to err on the side of caution, The Chamber had decided to postpone the event until the election had actually been called – which, will now be held on Monday, July 25.

This free community event will be open to all Chamber members and residents of the greater Whitsunday region. Each of the six (current) candidates will be in attendance and there will be a strict set of rules and guidelines by which candidates and guests must abide. Respect must be maintained at all times – this is about making the right decision for our entire region.

The Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce is an apolitical business organisation focused on improving the region for its members and community at large. The Chamber has a particular focus on advocacy for local businesses and their employees and the long term growth and viability of the region.

The Chamber is completely independent of the Whitsunday Regional Council, although on a 12-month cycle on rotation, a WRC counsellor from Division 1 and Division 2 is invited to attend all committee meetings throughout the year with the aim of maintaining and improving two way communication between each organisation. In the interests of transparency, the current council representative on the Chamber is Jan Clifford.

Chamber members are invited to submit in advance, to the chamber secretary, any general questions they would like the candidates to address on the evening. This can be done via email admin@whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au or via the link emailed out to members, or shared on our Facebook page

Annual membership for the chamber is $99. This entitles the individual/business to direct lines of communication to a multitude of authorities on matters of interest to local community (advocacy). In addition, we hold 6 networking events throughout the year, a great opportunity to promote your goods or services. These events also have a topical guest speaker or organisation.

Every attendee at this event will receive a bonus ticket to attend our next networking event in August.

See you at the VMR

Written by Alan Millostic

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A star-studded film shot in the Whitsundays and helmed by the likes of George Clooney and Julia Roberts released its trailer last week.

Shouts from locals of “I know where that is!” sang out with the release of Universal Pictures debut trailer for Ticket to Paradise.

Filmed across Queensland last year, the romantic comedy was talk of the town during its November to January film shoot on islands including Hamilton Island.

It’s not the first time the Whitsundays has had a starring role in a Hollywood flick – the 2008 film ‘Fools Gold’, featuring Mathew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, and ‘Australia’, famously shot in Bowen with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, were both Whitsunday cinema darlings.

But it may be the most expensive and with the biggest stars, which put the region in the spotlight during filming and hopefully again on release.

The Ticket to Paradise stars were spotted filming on locations including Haslewood Island, luxury Qualia Resort, and tourist hotspot Catseye Beach, as well as Long Island and Cid Harbour – each of which acted as Bali stand-ins during the shoot.

Clooney and Roberts play opposite each other as a divorced couple teaming up to stop their daughter making the same “mistake” they made 25 years ago.

The film is set for release on September 15, and no one is more excited than Tourism Whitsundays, who had a helping role in location scouting for the film.

“It is fantastic to once again see The Whitsundays shine on the big screen,” CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Rick Hamilton said.

“Having a major Hollywood film with A-list stars such as George Clooney and Julia Roberts will put The Whitsundays in the global spotlight as a destination for future films.”

Mr Hamilton said the movie is “hitting the screens worldwide at the perfect time”.

“[It’s] reminding our overseas visitors of our world-class destination and award-winning experiences,” he said.

“It will also help to remind Aussie’s of the beauty they have on their doorstep; they don’t need to travel abroad – the perfect tropical break is right here!”

Tourism Whitsundays worked closely with Working Title Films and operators over the past two years, finding the perfect locations to help secure this film for The Whitsundays.

“Thank you to everyone in The Whitsundays who was involved in bringing Ticket to Paradise to the screen,” Mr Hamilton said.

Director Ol Parker, Julia Roberts, and George Clooney filming Ticket to Paradise on Hamilton Island

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Annie Seaton has penned almost 65 novels in her chosen genre, with four taking place in the pristine beauty of the Whitsundays, and the author made a return visit to one of her favourite settings last week.

Stopping by at Whitsunday libraries across the region, Ms Seaton spoke to locals about her newest novels: Outback Roads – The Nanny, Outback Sky – The Pilot, Larapinta, and Osprey Reef – a novel set here in the Whitsundays.

She spent seven weeks in the Whitsundays – a place she’s visited for the past 11 years - travelling from their New South Wales home up the coast in a camper with her husband, which the pair have made a habit of in their retirement.

Annie writes on the road – another habit – and said she’s always had a dream of writing “ever since I was four years old.”

Annie writes romantic-suspense novels and took the opportunity to speak at Cannonvale, Proserpine, Collinsville, and Bowen libraries to fans and aspiring writers of the region.

“I talked about the research and how I did that locally, especially for Whitsunday Dawn, which focuses on Airlie Beach and the Cannonvalley in the 1940s,” she said.

“I also want to write another big one set at Bowen called Bowen River, which will be a murder-mystery. So, that will be my big focus next year.”

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The new Bowen Community Centre building is getting close to completion, with contractors now at the fitting out stage.

The new centre on 34-38 Gregory Street – which will be the future base of operations for Bowen Neighbourhood Centre - is now seeking donations from locals.

The non-for-profit said donations will be used to fit out the building’s features, including new technology, furnishings, and other resources necessary to ensure full function and responsivity for the needs of our community.

Along with new facilities, the new centre will home a Cooinda Family Centre, as well as a Tuckerbox Food Shop, a Bowen Community Op Shop – just like its current locale on Williams Street.

Coordinator Bowen Neighbourhood Centre Stephanie Cora said it would be a “one-stop shop” for providing the community with everything needed to enjoy both its already existing services and activities, as well as new ones.

“The new building will continue to provide support to those members of our community experiencing hardship such as homelessness, family violence, and food insecurity,” Ms Cora said.

“At Christmas time alone, more than one hundred and sixty families and individuals, including our elderly, receive gift hampers funded through the Bowen Community Op Shop.”

Other services to be offered at the new centre will include no interest loans for essential items including fridges, heaters and car parts and assisting our clients to access the range of resources and services available through other support agencies.

Chairperson of the Bowen Community Council Inc., Christine Coventry said having a new purpose-built Neighbourhood Centre in Bowen is going to “open up so many extra opportunities for our community.”

“We thank the Dept of Communities for their foresight in recognizing the need in Bowen, and we thank community members who have already donated,” Ms Coventry said.

“To have all the existing activities like Cooinda Family Centre, the Bowen Community Op shop, The Tuckerbox Food Bank, plus so much more, all on one site, will be such a benefit to the whole community.”

All donations made to support the new Bowen Community Centre are tax-deductible and receipts will be issued for all donations received.

If you would like to financially support the fit-out of the new Bowen Community Centre you can donate here: www.gofundme.com/f/the-bowen-community-centre

The new Bowen Neighbourhood Centre is closing in on completion, with fitting out stage now taking place

A markup of what the Centre will look like upon completion

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“Middle-Ground For Mackerel”

A proposed years-long closure plan for Queensland’s Spanish mackerel fishery has been dropped by state government this week.

In a win for local fishermen, Queensland government have ceded their position that mackerel farming would go into complete closure for a period of years after data found mackerel stocks had dropped by 17 per cent of original ‘unfished’ levels.

Those figures were rebuked by fishermen across the state, who sent in more than 1400 submissions contradicting the claim.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said it had been ruled out because of the impact it would have on fishers, jobs, and communities.

Mr Furner said that, overwhelmingly, the fishing community wants action taken to rebuild these stocks for the future, but not through extended closure.

“At the request of the commercial fishing industry, we held direct meetings with commercial fishers and charter fishing operators who are most likely to be affected by future management changes to rebuild this fishery,” Mr Furner said.

“We have now carefully assessed everybody’s input to develop more detailed rebuilding options, which are needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery.”

The government is now seeking final feedback from fishers on options for rebuilding the mackerel – options which include reducing recreational and commercial catch limits, and seasons of closure to protect spawning fish.

Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm picked up the torch on the issue from local fishermen back in early May.

Ms Camm said the current solutions Queensland Government have floated are a “sensible outcome” which protects sustainability but listens to industry.

“I think what it demonstrated is that once we as a community stand up with a strong voice, government will listen,” Ms. Camm said.

“They wanted in particular the science behind the governments claims to be validated, because what they were seeing was not what was being reported.”

Queensland Government have stuck by their data which indicates the drop of 17 per cent, and Minister Furner said mackerel were at “historically low” levels.

“No decision has been made but doing nothing is not an option,” he said.

“If we don’t take steps to rebuild their stocks it could be the end of this important fishery.”

He asked stakeholders to consider the options carefully and identify which would work best for their circumstances.

A final decision and announcement on management actions will be made following this next consultation period, with management actions expected to be implemented from October.

Have your say at https://daf.engagementhub.com.au/spanish-mackerel-2022 . Consultation is open until Friday August 5.

Local fisherman Trevor Draper alongside his wife, Tina, met with Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm in May to discuss the state governments plan to close Spanish mackerel fisheries across Queensland

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The Whitsundays is set for a double-boost with progress being made on delivery of both a replacement fire and rescue station and an upgraded police facility with $7 million- and $2.3 million-dollar commitments from state government.

Police and Corrective Services and Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said Airlie Beach and Cannonvale have changed and grown significantly in recent years, spurring the need for a new station.

“The Fire and Rescue Service has determined that a replacement station is required at Cannonvale to improve fire response capability to meet community demand and the Fire and Rescue Service will be discussing this with the community in coming months,” Minister Ryan said.

And announced for the first time is a $2.3 million upgrade of the police facility at Proserpine.

Proserpine was one of a number of towns and regions across the state to benefit from the record $3 billion-plus police budget that featured funding to progress new and upgraded police facilities.

Mr Ryan said the government was committed to boosting resources in those sectors.

“The Budget [had] record spends in police, corrective services, fire and emergency services as part of our commitment to improved services, good jobs and ensuring we are able to retain the lifestyle we have come to expect in Queensland.”

QFES Commissioner Greg Leach said an upgraded fire station would be an important asset for the service, especially with Airlie Beach and Cannonvale’s growth in the last few years.

“Our crews do an exceptional job working with the community to prepare for and respond to a wide range of challenging incidents and disasters,” Mr Leach said.

“A new, modern facility will allow our firefighters to continue to deliver a high-standard of fire and emergency services to Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and surrounding areas.”

Mr Leach said Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) will continue to engage with the community on the project, with final completion anticipated in 2024.

Central Region Assistant Commissioner Kev Guteridge said the upgrade to Proserpine Police Station would help service the needs of a growing local community and police workforce.

“With a growing population, demand for policing services continues to rise in the Whitsunday Region,” Assistant Commissioner Guteridge said.

“This is a significant upgrade to the Proserpine Police Station which will ensure we have modern facilities for officers to carry out their duties and service the local community.”

Airlie Beach Fire Service have received $7 million in funding towards their new, central premises alongside a $2.3 million promise to upgrade the Proserpine police facility

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community dinner was held last weekend to raise funds for the Edwards-Bland family who tragically lost their 12-year-old son, Stirling, in a car accident in May. Businesses reached out in a show of solidarity, offering items to put up to auction, and the event held at The Creek Whitsundays was a huge success.Locals supported locals in what many called a “community-wide hug” as the stunning venue played host to tributes of love and support in difficult times.
‍The community rallied around the Edwards-Bland family last weekend in memory of their son

Edwards-Bland Family Fundraiser at The Creek Whitsundays

A throng of bagpipes, drums and tartan will make its way across the Forgan Bridge on Saturday as the Bluewater Fling brings together pipe bands from all over the state.

The truly unique annual event is a celebration of all things Scottish and celebrates Mackay’s Scottish heritage.

"I think it's an important cultural event,” said Mackay and District Pipe Band Events Coordinator Deborah Orr.

“Mackay has strong Scottish ties and, certainly, the sugar industry has as well and I think it's a really great opportunity to celebrate that."

Visiting pipe bands from Brisbane, Townsville and Rockhampton will join the Mackay and District Pipe Band to march across the Forgan Bridge from 2:00pm on Saturday before celebrations continue at the Bluewater Quay stage until 5:00pm.

The entertainment doesn’t stop with plenty more iconic Scottish music and a ‘piping rock’ band.

"Bagpipes like you've never heard them before," laughed Deborah.

The Lions Multicultural Club will also be providing Scottish delicacies including square sausage, black pudding and iron brew.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson says the event is a unique celebration of Mackay’s Scottish heritage.

"60 pipers marching across the Forgan bridge is something you don't see everyday, and that's what makes the Bluewater Fling really, really special," he said.

"John Mackay was a Scot.

“It's important that we celebrate all sorts of things in terms of our cultural heritage.

“This is one of them and I think it's the sound of the pipes that gets people in."

Mr Williamson also promises to don the Mackay kilt for the event.

WHAT: The Bluewater Fling

WHEN: Saturday, July 16 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm

WHERE: Forgan Bridge and Bluewater Quay

TICKETS: This is a free community event

Mackay and District Pipe Band Events Coordinator Deborah Orr and Mayor Greg Williamson will be celebrating all things Scotland at the Bluewater Fling on Saturday

Visiting pipe bands from Brisbane, Townsville and Rockhampton will join the Mackay and District Pipe Band to march across the Forgan Bridge

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This cold snap caught me by surprise.

My basil was growing in abundance until last week when the temperature got down to around 10 degrees at night.  What was growing well with beautiful green healthy leaves, then turned black and inedible.  So out it came out and in went spinach seeds!

What I should have done, is one of two things:

1: Collect it all and make pesto before the cold snap!

2: Cover the basil plants with plastic buckets while the cold snap hit and ensure the plants were surrounded by plenty of mulch to help keep the soil warm

However, the tomato plants growing nearby are doing very well.  

You can still plant tomato seeds throughout our tropical winter. Tomatoes are hungry plants so make sure your soil is well fertilised before you get seeding, you can dig in compost, well broken-down manure or grab a bag or two of our vegetable soil improvers.

There are literally hundreds of different tomatoes you can chose from, so think about what you will use the most of.  Small cherry tomatoes like Riensentraube, Kotlas and Black Cherry

that you can pick off the plant and eat or cut in half to add to salads or larger varieties like Daydream, Grosse Lisse, Costoluto Fiorentino, Break o day (to name a few) that can be used for salads, for preserving, for tomato sauce and pureed ready for many evening meals. We have all these seeds and more available now.

I tend to over seed and then pluck the weakest looking seedlings after they have grown their second set of leaves, leaving 30-40cm between each plant.  If they are all looking healthy, remove them carefully and give them to friends.

Staking is important and I prepare this before seeding. My favourite staking technique is wrapping two intertwined lengths of cloth tie between stakes or sticks or whatever you have available to you, at different heights.

As the plant grows you can simply separate the two strands and weave the plant through them.  As your tomatoes grow, prune off the laterals (little side growth between the larger branches) and once they have reached a manageable height, I like to keep them there by cutting off any new growth at the top of the plant.

When your tomatoes flower, make sure you feed them, they are about to give you an abundance of produce.

Did you know:

There are over 1,000 varieties of tomatoes, they all taste different, with various textures textures – why not try something you have not before.

The first tomatoes were not red, they were yellow, you can also grow black, white and pink tomatoes!  The largest tomato ever picked was 3.5 kgs.

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The much-anticipated upgrade of the Cannonvale Skate Park will commence this month with stage one expected to be complete as early as mid-August.

During construction, the skate park will be closed but the basketball court adjacent to the site will remain operational.

Demolition of the old skate park commenced this week and will pave way for stage one of the upgrade project which will include a street style skating area designed to suit beginner and intermediate skaters.

A second stage will expand the skate park offering and will include an intermediate to advanced competition skate bowl which is expected to host events and attract more skaters to the park.

The tender for this section of the project has now closed and will be awarded in early July.

The two skate parks will offer greater choice to skaters who can enjoy the popular activity at their own skill level.

An artist’s impression of the new Cannonvale Skate Park facility

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