
Three artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives are part of council's new budget to be adopted next week. These initiatives are the latest proactive steps from council to help mitigate significant financial pressures while continuing to deliver reliable, high-quality services to the community. Mayor Greg Williamson said the 2026/27 Budget reflected both the challenges facing local government and council’s commitment to modern, efficient service delivery. “Like many councils across the country, we are facing rising costs and reduced external funding,” he said. “Our focus is on finding smarter, more sustainable ways to deliver services without compromising quality for our community.” Council has seen a startling increase in a costs over recent years, including: An additional $665,000 increase in waste service costs due to reduced Queensland Government Waste Levy Subsidy and higher levy fees. A $1.1 million increase in waste expenses in the previous budget. A $5.92 million rise in depreciation costs this year alone. A $6 million shortfall from decreased Federal Assistance Grants in this budget contributing to a total reduction of more than $27 million in Financial Assistance Grants funding since 2016. An estimated $3 million annual increase in fuel costs. These pressures highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing affordability for residents with the real cost of delivering essential services. To help offset these impacts, council is investing in practical, targeted AI solutions that improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. A key initiative is the introduction of a new after-hours digital assistant, LUNA, which will operate from 4.30pm to 8.30am daily and all weekend from July 1. Replacing a previous afterhours model which used an outsourced, third-party call centre, LUNA will provide consistent, auditable responses using council-approved information. It will improve how afterhours calls are triaged, especially urgent and emergency enquiries, and will allow routine requests to be handled without delays or manual intervention. The transition follows changes in the external provider market and is expected to deliver about $80,000 in annual savings, while maintaining service quality and improving response consistency. Mayor Williamson said this initiative demonstrated council’s commitment to innovation while managing costs. “We’re using proven technology to deliver services more efficiently while maintaining the high standard our community expects,” Mayor Williamson said. Council is also expanding AI use in key service areas to address increasing demand and resource constraints. In Development Planning, automation of high-volume, low-complexity administrative tasks will reduce processing backlogs and allow skilled staff to focus on more complex work. A similar outcome will be achieved by using Agentic AI to enhance internal corporate services, allowing council’s staff to tackle more complex issues. This will help council maintain service levels despite workforce and cost pressures. Mayor Williamson said council was adopting a scalable approach to AI, building on existing systems to deliver improvements across multiple service areas rather than one-off solutions. “This approach ensures responsible and sustainable adoption of new technologies,” he said. “By reducing repetitive manual work and improving consistency, we can better manage costs while maintaining strong governance and oversight.” While efficiencies from these initiatives will be realised progressively, council’s immediate focus is on improving reliability, reducing inefficiencies and supporting a sustainable workforce model. These actions form part of council’s broader commitment to ensuring services remain efficient, accountable and future-ready, even as financial pressures continue to grow. Mayor Williamson said innovation would be key to navigating future challenges. “Innovation is essential to navigating the challenges ahead. By investing in smarter ways of working now, we are helping protect the services our community relies on into the future while putting downward pressure on rate rises.” Photo source: Mackay Regional Council
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Set on the elevated hillside of this 21-acre property, the beautifully crafted, fully airconditioned residence enjoys a breathtaking north-facing 27m x 4.2m covered deck, offering ample room for entertaining or peaceful contemplation while taking in the stunning ever-changing vista. A large covered tiled patio adjoins the deck and living area, creating additional outdoor space overlooking the firepit and orchard. The Property At A Glance Spacious open plan living, dining and kitchen area with central fireplace, opening onto two stunning outdoor spaces Modern galley-style kitchen with stone benchtops, induction cooktop, rangehood, pyrolytic self-cleaning oven and dishwasher Media room with projector, with potential to serve as a fourth bedroom Three generous airconditioned bedrooms, including the master suite with walk-in robe and ensuite Modern family bathroom with shower over bath and separate toilet Laundry with excellent storage and external access Airconditioning and ceiling fans throughout North-facing covered hardwood deck, measuring 27m x 4.2m, with stunning views West-facing 9.5m x 6.5m tiled patio overlooking the firepit and plentiful orchard The home is set within a fully fenced house yard, complete with a secure electric front gate at the road. There is an abundance of water across the property, including four dams, a bore with solar-operated submersible pump (not currently connected), three rainwater tanks with a combined capacity of 62,000L, and town water to the residence. Water is also plumbed to the orchard, stables and other areas throughout the property. Additional features include fully covered walkways connecting the carport to the home, wireless NBN and full mobile signal coverage. Infrastructure And Improvements 7m x 7m carport with electric roller door at the home 14m x 7m high-clearance shed with four roller doors and service trench Adjoining 12m x 6m tool shed Stables and pig pens A lush and abundant orchard with avocados, citrus and tropical fruits, along with a well-established beehive Optional machinery includes a Fiat 750 tractor with slasher and rotary hoe, 2000 SE5 backhoe, Hustler 54" zero turn ride-on mower, assorted tools and other plant and equipment. This stunning property is a true gem in the heart of the beautiful Pioneer Valley, offering the opportunity to settle in, relax and enjoy, or get creative and explore the endless possibilities on offer. Gargett is located in the Pioneer Valley, just 15 minutes from the Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Trail and the beautiful Finch Hatton Gorge. The local Gargett Store is only a short drive away, while the nearest shopping centre is 20 minutes to Marian and 50 minutes to Mackay. It is also an easy drive to the Bowen Coal Basin, Airlie Beach and The Whitsundays, with ample opportunities nearby for fishing, crabbing, prawning and boating. Rates: Approx. $1660 per half year Zoning: Rural Price: $1.6M Block Size: 8.88 hectares (21.75 acres) Builder: Brad Kirkpatrick, 2015
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Makinex Renewables is setting an ambitious target, saving 100 million litres of diesel in five years. In an industry long reliant on traditional diesel generators, the Australian-made and owned company is helping reshape how remote and off-grid operations power their sites. Focused on Hybrid Power Systems, Battery Energy Storage Systems and deployable solar arrays, Makinex Renewables is working with customers to lower fuel costs, reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency, while maintaining the dependable power their operations require. “The 100 million litre target gives us a clear and measurable objective to work towards while highlighting the impact renewable energy solutions can have across industries that traditionally rely on diesel power,” the company said. “It’s a goal that keeps us focused on developing practical solutions that deliver real-world results for our customers.” Designed for businesses operating in remote environments, Makinex Renewables’ modular systems can be deployed as standalone units, integrated together, or incorporated into existing site power setups. The company’s solutions are already delivering measurable results in mining. Following a trial installation, a mine site adopted Makinex Renewables’ Hybrid Power System and additional solar arrays, reducing generator runtime from 24 hours a day to approximately six to seven hours. Since the HPS45 was deployed in February, the site has cut generator fuel use by 125 litres a day, delivering annual diesel savings of around $91,000 and projected savings of $640,000 over the site’s seven-year life. Brad Cliff, Director of Generator Services Australia, said the project highlighted the benefits of continuing to challenge traditional ways of thinking and finding better solutions to longstanding industry challenges. To learn more about Makinex Renewables’ solutions, visit the team at the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition in July.
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Most Reverend Daniel Meagher, the 11th Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton, made his first visit to St Patrick's College on Wednesday, beginning the day alongside students and staff at the College's Brekky Van outreach service. The visit provided an opportunity for Bishop Daniel to experience the College's commitment to living its Catholic values through service to the wider community before officiating the blessing and official opening of newly completed building and refurbishment works. During the ceremony, Bishop Daniel addressed those in attendance. “We really are here to pray and bless the students and teachers who will use the buildings,” he said. The redevelopment has delivered contemporary learning spaces designed to support learning, wellbeing and faith formation while reflecting the College's commitment to providing high-quality educational opportunities. Assistant Principal: Mission, Mrs Andrea Crocker, said the occasion was a proud moment for the College community. “We’re finally getting to showcase our wonderful new facilities and the way the hard work of so many different people has come to fruition,” she said. The blessing and opening marked the culmination of years of planning and investment, with the new facilities set to benefit Mercy Campus students for years to come. Photo supplied
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Image: (From left) Cyirene Ralph, Montana Ramsamy, Jalen Pauling, Leysha Pearson (phone), Lara Pinkard, Klara Close, Megan Sutton (teacher). Front row: Jessalyn Peddel, Tamika Mooney, Shanae Corowa
Following the success of the first intake of students to complete the Budyubari Bidyiri Kebi Stapal (Big Dream Small Steps) program, the Mackay Hospital and Health Service (MHHS) is encouraging current Year 10 students to consider applying for the school-based health traineeships.
MHHS Manager HR Strategy & Engagement Onno Van Es said nine students graduated from the program last month, and all planned to pursue careers in the health sector.
“These students from six different high schools have all completed Certificate lll qualifications in either Health Services Assistance or Allied Health Assistance, and they are all interested in continuing their studies in health care,” Mr Van Es said.
“Some want to be nurses or doctors, and others want to pursue careers in allied health such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy or medical imaging.
“It’s a great result from the first intake of the Big Dream Small Steps program, which aims to increase the number of people in our workforce who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
“We currently have about 2.3 per cent and we want to increase that to 6 per cent to be in line with the proportion of the wider health service community that identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.”

Image: Celebrating 50 years of Croydens. L-R: Glen Croker, Ross Kynaston, Jason Cross, John Croyden, Patricia Croyden, Stefan Tomerini, Don McAlpine, Justin Donovan, Steve Knight, Nathan Fahl and Iain Allison
“We’ve managed to ride the ups and downs – there were some trying times, but also plenty of good times.”
A household name throughout Sarina and beyond for 50 years, JT & PA Croyden Pty Ltd celebrated hauling for half a century and reflected on how their business had evolved through the decades.
Owners John and Patricia Croyden established the “Croydens” business in 1972 with the purchase of their first truck from a local business formerly Crokers Truck Centre, to service the Sarina community with landscaping and quarry supplies.
Before the beach communities around Sarina had water installed, carting water was a big part of the business. People would ring in the middle of the night because someone was having a party and they’d run out of water. They would want Croydens to do a load of water immediately.
That’s how the Croyden name became woven throughout the fabric of the community.
The business quickly established a reputation for customer focus, which was based on a “make it happen” approach, and always being prepared to “have a go”. The result – being able to hold long-standing contracts with some of the region’s biggest players, including more than 45 years with BMA Hay Point Services and some 30 years with Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal.
John and Pat regularly talked with their customers to stay in touch with their requirements.
John’s perspective was that if something was wrong, they would fix it.
“It also helped that we looked after our gear with preventative maintenance, even before that became a ‘thing’,” John said.
“It was also significant at the time that we established a business office and weren’t operating from the driver’s seat of a truck.”
The 24-hour nature of the business meant both John and Pat were on call all hours of the day and night. At night, John and Pat would sleep with the telephone on one side of the bed and the two-way radio on the other. As Pat says, if you’ve got trucks out working, you’ve got to be on call – in case they get bogged, break down, or they’re having trouble finding a delivery point.
Since the heady days of employing more than 80 permanent staff, with a long list of casuals and approximately 150 pieces of equipment, some divisions of the business have been sold off, including quarrying, biodunder, cattle feed transport and water truck contracts with the mines.
Along the way, John and Pat have managed to transition to retirement, however easing the transition has been the steady hand of trusted, long-time employee, Stefan Tomerini.
Croydens General Manager Stefan Tomerini stepped into the role in 2007 to “help steer the transformation of Croydens”.
“John and Pat have supported the local community and been part of developing so many local charities and clubs financially, and it humbles me to manage the Croyden empire,” Mr Tomerini said.
A business turning 50 is an appropriate time to take a helicopter view of past achievements and impact on the community. John may have had the big picture view, but make no mistake – Pat was instrumental in making it happen.

Image: Lara and Mike Russell with their sons Arlo and Flynn enjoy a stroll through Woodlands District Park
The tender for civil works for the eagerly anticipated Woodlands District Park project has been awarded to local contractor, Vassallo Constructions, with works commencing this month.
Mayor Greg Williamson said the project was all about improving liveability for residents.
“Woodlands District Park will be a place where residents can enjoy time as a family and take in the beauty of the natural environment, regardless of their age or ability,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Providing we have good weather, we’re hoping to start civil works next month,” he said.
“This work will include drainage improvements and the installation of a new path network and lighting.
“Council has also committed to bringing the construction of the all-abilities playground and multi-purpose active track forward into stage one, and this work is due to commence next year.”
The civil works and drainage improvements are expected to start in December and will be completed by late May 2023, weather permitting.
Construction of the inclusive playground, new public amenities and the other recreational facilities will commence in 2023 once the civil works are complete.
The existing playground in Broomdykes Drive Park will remain operational while construction is underway.
To stay informed about work happening as part of stage one and to learn more about future stages of this project, visit connectingmackay.com.au/woodlands and subscribe to project update emails.
• a new all-abilities playground
• a multipurpose active track (Woodlands Track), which will be suitable for all ages
• new barbecue and picnic facilities
• public amenities, including an accessible adult change facility for the disabled community
• improvements to the park’s entries
• additional paths, including the start of a new north-south connection through to Caledonian Drive and the extension of the existing cross-park (east-west) link
• drainage and landscaping improvements, including the reshaping and replanting of the unsightly open swale drain to naturalise the water course.
This project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program in association with Mackay Regional Council.
The total cost of stage one is $5.9 million, with the State Government contributing $2 million towards the project.

At least 25 trees have been damaged at Ball Bay in a shocking act of vegetation vandalism.
The incident involved the complete removal of some of the trees at Buoro Street and extensive trimming of others.
Mayor Greg Williamson said council would be implementing the actions of its vegetation vandalism policy to their full effect.
“These trees protect our foreshore and provide residents’ properties with protection from severe weather events,” he said.
“We are currently in storm season, so it is disgusting that some residents continue to prioritise their views of the beach over the safety of the foreshore.
“As a result, council will be replanting trees at this location at a density of three trees for every one that was damaged. In total, we will be replanting up to 75 new trees.
“We will also be installing a large vegetation vandalism billboard at this location.”
Mayor Williamson said that there was not enough evidence available to prove the identity of the person responsible for this act of vegetation vandalism.
“If anyone has any information or evidence on who may have damaged the trees at Ball Bay, please contact council,” he said.
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Image: Presenter Tim Marshall, (National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia). Tim is a leader in organic agriculture and certification in Australia for 45 years and a significant contributor to organic standards and certification in worldwide forums. Photos supplied
Carlos Bueno, (Reef Catchments Senior Project Officer – Conservation and Communities) and Kym Kruse, (Co-Founding Director RegenAGE). Kym is a sought-after farming consultant and educator, with over 20 years of regenerative agriculture experience.
Kym Kruse and Katrina Dent (Reef Catchments CEO)
More than 70 landholders attended the 11th Annual Healthy Soils Symposium conference last week in Mackay, wanting to learn more about how to create vibrant healthy soils for increased productivity and sustainability.
The conference is part of a three-day event which included two field days where local farms showcased regenerative farming practices and sustainable land management.
The Soils Symposium is managed by Reef Catchments with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
Reef Catchments’ Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator, Gillian Barbat said this year’s turnout was a testament to the excellent guest speakers featured at the conference, and the landholders who were willing to welcome others to their properties to see hands-on examples of regenerative agriculture.
“As we move into our second decade of the Symposium, it’s great to see the desire to improve soil health and caring for country continue to grow,” she said.
“The Soil Symposium is all about networking and sharing ideas, offering delegates many opportunities to question and brainstorm solutions to challenges they may be facing in their own soil health journey.”
With extensive grazing, sugar cane production and forestry industries in the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac region, events such as the Healthy Soils Symposium share experience, knowledge and management practices to help reduce the impact of these activities on our natural environment.
Read more about projects delivered by our Sustainable Agriculture team on our website at www.reefcatchments.com.au.

Quentin is a technology solutions architect based at the Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre in Emerald. The Centre recently hosted an AgTech forum. Photo credit: Queensland Agriculture
Growers and agri-technology representatives gathered in Emerald last week as part of AgTech Month to collectively brainstorm new and clever ways to address cropping challenges with technology solutions.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said Emerald’s new Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre is the perfect forum for this meeting of the minds.
“The Smart Cropping Centre is rapidly developing into a hothouse for robotics, sensor networks, drones and other tech which supports farming systems in an environment of increasing climate variability,” Mr Furner said.
“Just recently, the Smart Cropping Centre has begun using robots and drones on the site to field test their capabilities.
“This week’s co-design workshop will flesh out the challenges the local agricultural industry faces and what they believe would make a difference to their business and industry.
“The information gathered will ensure the centre continues to shape its work in a direction that is meaningful and supportive of local producers.
“The role of the Smart Cropping Centre is to develop solutions that assist producers in maximising their efficiency, so collaboration is key.
“This kind of innovation points the way to the future of agriculture and the thousands of good jobs that rely on this industry.
Mr Furner said Central Queensland is an important agricultural production region, contributing significantly to Queensland’s $23 billion agricultural industry.
“As part of the 2021 State Budget, the Queensland Government invested $5.85 million to develop the Central Queensland Smart Cropping Centre as an innovation flagship that brings together RD&E in farming systems, agronomy, crop innovation and plant protection with the latest innovations in AgTech and data sciences to deliver a world-class research hub for Queensland’s cropping sector,” he said.
“It will boost local and national industry confidence to invest in new technologies and growing systems to achieve growth in productivity, expand exports and ensure future food security.”
The centre is part of the Queensland Smart Farms initiative which is developing a network of farms and facilities dedicated to advancing Australia’s agriculture and food industries through AgTech innovation–AgTech in action.
As everyone is winding down for Christmas, I’m officially signing off for the year and heading onto maternity leave.
It’s such a bittersweet time, as I will certainly miss being on air and working with the awesome crew at Star 101.9, however I’m also very excited to welcome my boy into the world and take a little time to focus on just family.
Christmas will certainly be looking a little different in my house this year, we will be swapping the booze for a baby bottle!
I do want to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and New Year period. Good luck to everyone tackling Mount P and Canelands these next few weeks and enjoy this time with family and friends.
However, don’t get too comfortable without me, I’ll be back from mat leave singing (terribly) on your drive to work/school before you know it!
Also don’t forget if you are looking for something to do this weekend, Carols in the Gardens is on at the Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre this Saturday night. It’s a great family night out and the perfect way to get into the Chrissy spirit.
I promise not to sing a cover of Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas is You’ on the night.
Merry Christmas everyone,
Rach

That’s a common question from people considering putting their property on the market.
The truth is that in Mackay there is probably not a bad time to sell and I find that pretty much any time of the year is a good time.
The only issue around this time of year is that everything closes down over the Christmas-New Year period.
The way the dates fall this year, Saturday the 17th of December will be the last open house day for most agents. While solicitors, banks and brokers will mostly keep operating the following week, things will wind up on Friday the 23rd of December.
In terms of access to solicitors, building and pest inspectors, banks etc, it will be very difficult to get anything done between the 23rd of December and the 3rd of January.
There will be some people who will list their properties for sale between now and Christmas and history tells us that there can be some good results at this time of year.
For other people, the period between now and Christmas will be about getting ready to sell in the New Year.
A terrific approach can be to get listing documents signed, photos done and write-up completed before the holidays so that sellers are ready to go in early January.
That early January period can be good because the intrusion and delays over the holiday period are behind us and it is all systems go.
Buyers are motivated at that time of year … not many people want to go looking at properties in mid-January unless they are serious about buying.
A lot of those buyers are looking at that time of year because they want to have a property under contract before the end of January so they can make plans around where they will be living in the year ahead.
They know where the kids will be going to school and they have got certainty around access to work, shops and community/sporting activities.
For me, the idea is that I start getting things ready over the next couple of weeks for properties I will be putting on the market and selling in January.
If photos, write-ups, documentation etc. are done when I go on my Christmas break I know that I can come back in early January, hit the button and be ready to go.
It’s an exciting time in January because everyone’s had a break and we’re full of energy and ready to embrace the market and the world in a new year.
This is my last column for the year. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Looking forward to a continuation of Mackay positivity in 2023.

It’s December and Christmas is only three weeks away. My year has flown by and as I write this I wonder where 2022 has gone.
Mackay has had a good year; we have opened our new state-of-the-art Animal Management Centre; we are also well advanced with works on the Seaforth Esplanade project and the Riverside Link upgrade in the PDA. Preparation works are also happening with the Northern Beaches Community Hub and the mountain bike tracks in the Pioneer Valley.
I would like to thank all our staff and contractors for their dedication to their work at council, especially the Parks and Gardens crews for putting in the hard yards to get on top of our grass issues early in the year.
And while it’s great to reflect on what we have achieved this year, now is the time to find our Christmas spirit. Now is the time to consider family, friends and those less fortunate than ourselves as we prepare for Christmas.
We all know the story of Mary and Joseph struggling to find somewhere to stay in Bethlehem. Unfortunately, this same scenario is happening in our region every day as more people come to Mackay for work and cannot find accommodation. If you know someone in that position, think about inviting them to your place for Christmas lunch so they don’t have to eat theirs on a park bench.
Spare a thought for our cane farmers and all those who rely on them for survival, as they will have to work through the Christmas period this year in an attempt to harvest the crop.
So, where will you find your Christmas Spirit? For me, it will be found in spending time with family and friends and watching the faces on the little ones as they open presents. It will be found in saying thank you to Vinnie’s volunteers and hundreds like them in other groups as they celebrate this year’s achievements at Christmas gatherings.
And you are all invited to find your Christmas spirit with me at Habana Carols Under the Stars on December 17 at 7pm. We will be celebrating our 30th carols by sharing the true Christmas spirit of giving without expecting something in return at our totally free family event.
Please stay safe,
Cr Laurence Bonaventura
Mackay Regional Council

Hi Everyone,
How are you feeling about Christmas?
Excited? Frazzled? Happy? Overwhelmed?
Christmas is certainly a magical time of year but for many of us it can also involve racing around trying to squeeze in as many things as possible – drinks with friends, shopping for presents, hanging up the decorations – it seems every spare moment is full of fun and festivity.
But this can also be exhausting, and a little overwhelming.
Is anyone else feeling this too?
I am reading a book at the moment called Idiots by Laura Clery.
She is an American mum and comedienne who regularly posts hilarious online videos of her life as a mum.
She is real, candid and I love the way she does not pretend to have it all together.
Last night I read a chapter that reminded me about something I learnt many years ago, but as with many things, had gotten lost along the busy road of life.
The art of Gratitude.
In her book, Laura tells us how she lists all the things she is grateful for every day – whether that be her family, her health, or even the breath in her lungs!
From that state of gratitude, she then manifests what she wants in her life.
Now I know this sounds a bit fantastical, but stars like Oprah Winfrey, Lady Ga Ga and Will Smith all swear by similar strategies.
Back in my twenties I was obsessed with them too – reading every book I could find on the subject.
As with many things, I thought I would live my life with this ‘enlightened’ mindset forever, but I guess we all need to re-learn and remind ourselves every decade or so.
With this in mind, I have started to practice gratitude again.
Listing things I am grateful for each day can seem a little silly and pointless at first – but I dare you to give it go – I have, and it feels great!
Rach
Quote of the week: “Some people grumble that roses have thorns. I am grateful that thorns have roses” (Alphose Karr)

Residents of Division 2 will head to the polling booths tomorrow morning to cast their votes on who will become their next local Councillor.
Early voting has taken place all week with the voting station open from 9am to 5pm, and special extended hours until 6pm this evening, at Shop 15 Whitsunday Shopping Centre.
Tomorrow’s Election Day voting will take place at the same location from 8am to 6pm.
A clear winner could be announced as early as Saturday evening but, as a preferential voting system will be used again, it could be decided upon by who the community vote as second or even third favourite.
If this is the case, there might be a longer wait until a winner is announced and if the decision is reliant upon postal votes, this could take up to two weeks.
The Mayoral election held early August, was a close race and the successful candidate was not officially announced for almost two weeks.
It is compulsory to vote if you are registered and live in the Division 2 electorate.
Failure to vote will incur a fine of $143.75.
To enrol to vote, check your enrolment or update your details, go to the Australian Electoral Commission’s website.
WHAT: Election of Division 2 Councillor
WHERE: Shop 15 Whitsunday Shopping Centre
WHEN: Saturday, December 3 from 8am to 6pm

Many of us are getting excited for Christmas and looking forward to watching our family members unwrap special presents bought just for them.
While most are fortunate enough to be able to do this, we must also remember that there are those in the community who are unable to afford much this year and are worried their children will miss out.
Collinsville mum Zoe Williams remembers times like this when she was a single mum “living in the trenches” and wondering how she would afford Christmas presents for her children.
Understanding that many people are ‘doing it tough’ this year and are too proud to ask for help, Zoe went onto the local Collinsville Community Notice Board and offered to package up her kids’ pre-loved toys to give to others.
“I have four children and we have an excess of clothes, toys and books,” she said.
“They are all in great condition, but there is just no point in us hanging onto them when someone else might enjoy them more.”
In her post, Zoe asked anyone in the community to private message her if they are struggling financially, saying that it doesn’t matter whether presents are shop-bought.
“Wrap them up and kiddos will never know they are pre-loved!” read the post.
Inviting others in the community to donate as well, Zoe has also offered to coordinate any bags of toys, using her local connections to find homes in need of support.
“It’s also a great way to teach your children to think of others at Christmas,” said Zoe.
“With the cost of living at the moment, Christmas can be expensive, and I hope this lightens the load.”
If you are in need or would like to donate, you can look Zoe Williams up on Facebook and send her a message.

Flying down to Brisbane for a face-to-face meeting with Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey on Friday, Mayor Julie Hall sought answers to important questions in hopes it will improve infrastructure in the Whitsundays.
Adding her weight to the good work already levelled by Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP, Mayor Hall reiterated the community sentiment that the State funded Shute Harbour Boat Ramp was not “practical”.
“The boat ramp is a Department of Main Roads asset, and I urged Minister Bailey to consider the strong feedback from our community that they are not happy with the current fixed walkway structure,” she said.
“I stressed to the Minister that we want to put the past behind us, and we acknowledge the structure was engineered to withstand a cyclone in a harbour without a breakwater, but community feedback indicates the walkway is just not practical.”
Minister Bailey has now agreed to work alongside Council and provide senior staff from Maritime Safety Queensland to revisit the options to improve the “ease of use”.
Mayor Hall also raised state road maintenance issues which she said has a “maintenance backlog” of $6.5 million.
Minister Bailey said they had already added a further $1 million in funding for additional gravel to be placed on sections of Suttor Development Road and Mount Coolon to Belyando Crossing.
During the meeting, the topic of exponential population growth putting a strain on the main access route to Airlie Beach was also discussed.
“The road is becoming congested, and planning of this important corridor needs to be brought forward,” said Mayor Hall.
She was then informed that the Department of Transport and Main Roads will revisit the modelling used in the 2016 Shute Harbour Road plans to inform the best outcome for future upgrades.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall with Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey. Photo supplied

Australia’s most northern deep-water coal export port has released its draft Master Plan and Port Overlay documents for public consultation in what is a major step for the site’s potential development.
Whitsunday Regional Councillor Mike Brunker has called the Abbot Point documents “the most important we’ve seen in the last ten years” relating to the Adani Group operated port, as well as the location's State Development Area.
The drafts set out the long-term plan for sustainable development at the site until 2050, looking “beyond the port boundary to ensure port-related development is sustainably managed” – particularly in reference to the Great Barrier Reef and the Reef 2050 Plan.
Since 2012, expansion of Abbot Point has been on the backburner, with the most recent plans those made a decade ago: a $9 billion development of the port which was scrapped by the previous Queensland Premier Campbell Newman’s government.
Now, the Abbot Point draft Master Plan and Port Overlay for the Priority Port of Abbot Point 2 is attempting to address the major environmental concerns which halted development 10 years ago.
The drafts themselves do not lay out explicit plans for the port or State Development Area. Rather, they act as outlines for future development, its impact on the reef, and how to facilitate the creation of a potential infrastructure hub through delivering major development of road networks, power, and other pivotal foundations.
Nothing is concrete save for precinct designations which the Master Plan has mapped out: Environmental land; marine infrastructure; port, industry and commercial areas; and the infrastructure and supply chain corridor – places where industry can grow, optimise, and develop.
Documents state that the Master Plan strikes a “balance between the sustainable development of the Port of Abbot Point and the long-term protection of environmental and cultural values, including the Great Barrier Reef and the Caley Valley Wetlands.”
Community consultations occurred last week, on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25, at Bowen PCYC, and Whitsunday Regional Council signed their endorsement of the plans at their regular meeting on the Wednesday of that same week.
Councillor’s Michelle Wright and Michael Brunker were adamant the development needed to fulfill its potential as an industrial estate, which could be achieved by Council leaning on Queensland Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in the form of an endorsement letter.
“The development and growth of the area should be facilitated to move forward at the earliest possible opportunity to support the Bowen and Whitsunday communities,” Council’s letter to TMR reads.
"Council supports the vision for Abbot Point’s continuous growth, as a key strategic coal port and leveraging benefits from the adjoining State Development Area to become a hub for import, processing, manufacturing and export activities of other industries of regional, state and national significance.”
Councillor Brunker said Abbot Point was “probably the jewel in the crown as far as port land”.
“More strategic than Townsville and I know politically, purely politics, Townsville has all the work done at their end. But this is going to be the hub in the future,” he said.
The Councillor for Division 6 was particularly incensed by what he said was lethargic expansion at the State Development Area over the past decade.
“What I want at the end of the day is [to see] where your infrastructure corridor is going, where your power is going,” he said.
“It’s only blind luck that Gilmour Space have moved over to the Quarry Site. If they were going into the Abbot Point Development Site it would be ten years before they were in there; [Gilmour Space] would be shooting rockets back from Mars before we got one up [from Abbot Point].”
Councillor Michelle Wright said “time is definitely of the essence” for endorsing the plans.
“We need to push this and get behind it and communicate with who we need to to get this through,” she said.
“It is high urgency. This will be great for the whole community – Bowen, Collinsville, and Whitsunday – so bring it on, I say.”
The Abbot Point draft Master Plan and Port Overlay are available for public comment until December 12.
Master planning for the Port of Abbot Point has been released, and Whitsunday Regional Council hope the site and its State Development Area will soon become an infrastructure hub

The separate Annual Australia Day events are set to become one as Council announces a combined Regional Australia Day Ceremony to be hosted at Proserpine Entertainment Centre in 2023.
The joint event will merge Bowen, Proserpine, and the Whitsundays’ Australia Day Awards Ceremonies – which are normally hosted in their individual township – to “bring the community together”.
Discussions surrounding the proposal, which was eventually approved at a Whitsunday Regional Council Meeting in November, were concerned with travel from the Whitsundays’ north – so much so that it required two meetings’ worth of discussion.
The pilot iteration of the event is also part of Council’s effort to heighten the prestige of the awards which, in recent years according to Council, have received fewer entrants than desired.
“In recent years, we have struggled to get nominations for the Australia Day awards when we have held separate ceremonies,” Mayor Julie Hall said.
“Which is why, in 2023, we will trial a united Whitsunday event with the venue to be rotated each year. Hosting one regional event allows us to duly honour high achievers and community members who are dedicated to making the Whitsundays a better place.”
Council did however note a special case: Collinsville’s Australia Day awards breakfast, which is separately organised by the Collinsville Community Association, will still go ahead unchanged in 2023. Those nominated in the separate Collinsville event will automatically be entered into the Whitsunday Australia Day Awards, however.
The change did have its detractors in Councillor Michelle Wright and Councillor Mike Brunker, both of whom believed there would be “pushback”.
“You’re not going to unite the region, you’re going to divide it,” Councillor Brunker said.
Despite concerns, the new event was approved by Council, and will act as a “trial” only, according to Mayor Hall, with the potential to return to its original form in 2024.
The inaugural Regional Whitsunday Australia Day Ceremony is set to take place at Proserpine Entertainment Centre on January 26, 2023.