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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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One of the region’s biggest marine tourism companies just got bigger with the acquisition of another Airlie Beach adventure tourism brand.

Whitsunday-based operator Red Cat Adventures officially purchased one of the Queensland tourism mecca’s famed outfits: Whitsunday Jetski Tours.

Red Cat owners Asher and Julie Telford struck a deal with Steve and Toni Ward from Whitsunday Jetski Tours’ and promise to now continue ‘business as usual’ for consumers and staff, operating both brands and continuing their much-loved award-winning tours.

The Wards – who have owned the local business for 12 years - said “when the time came to let it go, it would need to be taken on by people we could trust to maintain the team spirit, ethos and high service levels we’ve worked so hard to achieve.”

Red Cat Owner Asher Telford said the opportunity to take on another unique, securely established, premium tourism product was too good to overlook.

“For a long time now, we have felt that the offering provided by Whitsunday Jetski Tours would complement our existing experiences perfectly,” he said.

“It is an honour to be adding Whitsunday Jetski Tours to our Red Cat Adventures suite.”

Julie Telford said the future for both brands and the Whitsunday tourism scene was bright.

“Now we can be a one-stop adventure shop, offering visitors to the Whitsundays a week-long itinerary if they so choose,” she said.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton, said “Asher and Julie’s confidence in the Whitsunday tourism market is inspiring” and that this will be “an incredible bonus for visitors and an asset to the region.”

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Steve and Toni Ward sell Whitsunday Jet Ski Tours to Red Cat owners Asher and Julie Telford. Photo supplied.

A series of community grants totalling $99,210 were the subject of a verbal scuffle between Councillors at Whitsunday Regional Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, November 23.

During Council’s review of its 2022-23 Special Grant Applications Round 1, Deputy Mayor Gary Simpson and Councillor Michael Brunker drew attention away from the large sum during a discussion raised by Councillor Michelle Wright on supplying the Bowen Horse & Pony Club Inc. with additional funds.

Councillor Wright suggested the community group needed more grant funding due to it still recovering from the Covid-19 Pandemic, during which the Horse & Pony club closed entirely.

The Councillor for Division 4 hoped to raise the figure to $15,000 from its original $12,677, which drew comments from Deputy Mayor Gary Simpson, who was “politically” conscious that the grants focused heavily on Bowen – with six of the seven Round 1 funds heading to the Whitsundays’ far north.

“I support the resolution as it stands,” Councillor Simpson said.

“And [I] congratulate the Bowen community on all these applications. Politically, it does not look very good that all these grants are going to one area.”

Community Services Director Julie Wright attempted to assuage any comments that the grants were politically motivated: “The rounds change; the same time last year we had seven applications from the Airlie Beach, Proserpine area, which were approved, and two from Bowen,” she said.

“That was on November 24, the same time last year.”

Councillor Brunker then took the opportunity to make comment.

“I suggest the Deputy Mayor take it on the chin. As a deputy mayor, or a mayor, or a councillor, I look at who we’re giving it to,” Councillor Brunker said.

“We don’t worry about Bowen, Whitsunday, or Proserpine or anywhere else. I’ve sat here with just Whitsunday and no Bowen [on this grant program].  Let’s forget about different areas, lines down the map and political this or political that, we’re here for one region.”

Councillor Simpson refuted the comments: “Since I’ve been here, all I’ve tried to do is bring the region together,” he said.

The motion was amended to increase the Pony Club’s funding to $15,000, which was carried 4/1, with the Deputy Mayor the single against.

Council approved the significant grant funding as follows:

1. Bowen Meals on Wheels Inc. - $5,000

2. Bowen & District Childcare Centre - $10,000

3. Whitsunday Community & Education Centre - $11,335

4. Bowen Community Council Inc. - $11,875

5. Bowen Horse & Pony Club Inc. - $15,000

6. Bowen Woodworkers & Woodturners Association Inc. - $20,000

7. Heronvale Rural Fire Brigade - $20,000

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A swathe of Whitsunday Island Resorts have been bought by Australian investors over the past few years, sparking the revival of many once thriving tourists hubs that have since become rundown wrecks.

Sydney hoteliers and brothers Bill and Mario Gravanis of Oscars Hotel Group acquired Long Island Resort for over $20 million in 2021 and now have plans to create an upscale resort on the existing site.  

It has been abandoned for five years but was previously owned by Sydney-based investor David Kingston, who also owned Club Crocodile in Airlie Beach.

Prior to this it was developed as a resort by Contiki.

The prevalence of Australian investors buying up Whitsunday Island Resorts was further cemented with the purchase of Hook Island Lodge by 35-year-old hospitality star Glenn Piper of Meridian Australia in May this year.

This young entrepreneur is a relative newcomer in the hospitality industry and has invested over $100 million on resorts and pubs since 2020.

Glenn bought the lease on 9.3 hectares of Hook Island for $10 million and plans to invest a further $20 million to create a ‘barefoot luxury’ resort.

Lindeman Island is the most recent resort to receive strong Australian investment.

In November, it was acquired by Queensland property developer Shaun Juniper and wife Samantha for an amount which is speculated to be upwards of $20 million.

The island resort was previously purchased by Media mogul William Han from White Horse Group who bought the property in 2012 for $12 million.

Despite $600 million worth of plans for a luxury upgrade, it has spent the last decade abandoned.

Prior to this it had been a Club Med -- a popular European resort chain which was frequented by locals and tourists in droves.

Shaun Juniper now plans to transform the island into an international health and nature retreat with the country’s best gym, top practitioners and six-star facilities.

With an on-island airstrip, high-end tourists will be able to fly directly from urban centres.

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP says this is an exciting time for the Whitsundays and that “in a post Covid world, we have realised what we have on back doorstep”.

She adds, however, that it is vital we have a “mixture of product offerings and experiences from basic camping through to luxury options.”

With six-star luxury plans at the Whitsundays’ doorstep, the question remains whether these islands will remain ‘closed’ to most residents, given that the price point is so high.

Despite this issue, the most positive outcome is that the island resorts will receive a much-needed facelift.

“It’s a great opportunity to have investment in our region from Australians who may be passionate about our natural assets and see the opportunity,” The Member for Whitsunday said.

“The important factor is that they are developed and operated sustainably and would be great if they can align and capitalise on our brand Whitsunday.”

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Lindeman Island was purchased by Australian investors in November. This is the third resort island to be bought by Aussies in the past two years. Photo: supplied

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Whitsunday Regional Council have delivered what Mayor Julie Hall is calling “one, tiny piece of the pie” towards solving the housing crisis sweeping the region.

At Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, November 23, Councillors approved amendments to the Whitsunday Planning Scheme in hopes to encourage housing diversity, promote affordable rentals, and entice home ownership options.

The amendments are a direct result of Council’s consultation with community for input on affordable housing options.

The results of the Affordable Housing Consultation Submission Analysis Report were placed into two “Amendment packages”.

Whitsunday Regional Council’s Director Development Services, Neil McGaffin, said the first of those two changes to the planning scheme was to reduce the minimum lot size for dual occupancies to 600 square metres.

“What we have taken out of the data is the need to reduce that minimum lot size,” Mr McGaffin said.

“There’s a lot of land out there that is just below the minimum requirements. The potential is, if we reduce the minimum lot size, that it could free up opportunity for dual occupancy or two dwellings on the one site.”

The second amendment to the Planning Scheme complimented an earlier change passed down by State Government in the same meeting and accepted by Council on a local level: That secondary dwellings or ‘granny flats’ can now be rented out to third parties rather than a person from the same household, such as grandparents or teenagers of the same family.

“In the past, there’s been an inherent requirement for a relationship between the people in the main dwelling and the proposed granny flat. That’s now been wiped, so it’s possible for two separate families to live in two separate dwellings on the same block of land,” Mr McGaffin said.

In addition to those State-wide changes, Council’s Affordable Housing Amendment Package 2 is a further boon for secondary dwellers or those looking to construct them, with it allowing an increase in the size of granny flats from 100 square metres to 120 square metres.

“That makes it a bit more liveable and reflects the desire for more housing opportunities not only in this area, but throughout the state,” Mr McGaffin said.

“And that’s coupled with the potential removal of infrastructure charges, so that’s Councils initiative to make housing a lot more affordable in the area.”

Mayor Julie Hall was pleased with the result after what was a three-month consultation period.

“The purpose of this consultation was to investigate the possible amendments to the Whitsunday Planning Scheme that will encourage a range of housing and home ownership options and promote affordable rentals,” Mayor Hall said.

“This is just one little, tiny bit of a massive issue. It’s definitely not going to solve the housing shortage in the region, but at least it will give one, tiny piece of the pie to solve the issue in some circumstances.”

Whitsunday Regional Councillor Michael Brunker was more than pleased with the State Government’s amendment to definitions surrounding granny flats.

“This will go towards a freeing up of more housing,” Councillor Brunker said.

“There could be the old-style granny flats out there where granny has moved on and the fact other people can now rent them should help with our housing crisis.”

Director Neil McGaffin was mindful, however, that although the changes are now implemented, the “direction from community” was unclear – particularly as only 39 submissions were made to the survey.

“The interesting thing was that some of the responses to the questions were about fifty-fifty,” Mr McGaffin said.

“So there was no clear indication that some of the initiatives council could have considered had any clear direction from the community.”

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As the only candidate living in Cannonvale, Clay Bauman says he understands the issues we share and “will live with the consequences of those decisions daily”. He promises to “be right here for you to talk to” if elected as the Councillor for Division 2 in tomorrow’s election.

Known for holding Council to account, Clay has been a regular outspoken voice at Council meetings, fighting for the community on issues close to his heart.

These include protesting against the 12-storey high-rise at Port of Airlie and pushing for the adaptation of a cohesive town plan that reflects the sentiment of residents.

“I have been actively working for years to inform the public and help them to make submissions that will hopefully give significant weight in the current court case against the Port of Airlie 12-storey proposal and also to correct the unsuccessful model put forward in our current town plan,” he said.

“I don't have an issue with the Hermitage Drive buildings, which are setback against the hills. We had a long period of growth under our old low-rise town plan. Since the new plan has been in place not a single major accommodation development has been built. It is time to bring back certainty for the public, developers and investors that want to move our town forward.”

Taking matters, such as the public’s overwhelming preference for roundabouts, to the relevant State authorities, Clay said he is constantly standing up for community rights.

“One of my key goals, if elected, is to develop a Division 2 local plan that stops the ad-hoc development that is creating gridlock around what should be an enjoyable and vibrant shopping district,” he explained.

“This includes opening Cutuli Rd that would join Paluma and Riordanvale Roads, giving us the much needed second access.”  

If elected, Clay also said he will be a driving force behind the Cultural and Civic Hub in Cannonvale, which he would like to see double as a cyclone and disaster shelter funded by Government grants giving real benefit to the community.

“I would also like to see more community events at Cannonvale Lake, so locals can enjoy a great day out without the current Airlie parking hassles,” said Clay.

Concerned that “important decisions are currently being made behind closed doors”, Clay said he would like to encourage changes to Council policy that would give more control back to community elected Councillors, stating that Council are “paid by us, to serve us, not rule us.”

A man who enjoys speaking face-to-face with locals and visitors about our region, he wants to be our community voice at the Council table.

“I have assisted many residents in navigating the bureaucracy of Council including helping property owners when inappropriate development comes knocking on their door,” explained Clay.

“I think this problem is because it appears Council’s current communication choice is to stymie us with gobbledegook. I want real communication we can all understand.”

Advertising feature.

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Clay Bauman is running for the Division 2 Councillor seat

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Monday night’s Candidate meet and greet session saw each of the four individuals running for the Division 2 Councillor seat in the spotlight, answering questions about topical subjects that directly affect the residents of Cannonvale and Woodwark.

Each candidate was given up to a minute to respond to each question, followed by a quick fire round where they were asked to say a short sentence in response.

Here is a brief summary of the best bits.

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Does the new fire station belong in the residentially zoned area in Cannonvale?

Clay Bauman: We’ve got a growth corridor out this way – I think a fire station should be put further out where it will be of service for a much longer period. A new Ambulance Station could be sited with it.

Andy Camm: The State government seems to overrule everything in this area from what I’ve seen – I don’t understand why we would have a fire station right there when it’s residential.

Dan Popovich: It seems highly inappropriate to put something light industrial into a residential area but the safety factor that needs to be added into this to make an informed decision.

Chris Harvey: Coming from an emergency services background this will directly affect me. I think it’s perfect location, it is right in the centre, it covers all the population easier – with the distance travelled, time frames and future planning it makes sense.
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Would you like to see traffic lights or roundabouts along Shute Harbour Road:

Clay Bauman: When they wanted to put traffic lights at Shingley Beach intersection, I overlayed an image of roundabout – it fit. I then posted it on Facebook and in 24 hours had 2,500 engagement, only five per cent of respondents were in favour. I agree.

Andy Camm: Traffic lights are cheaper than roundabouts, but I don’t want traffic lights.

Dan Popovich: Roundabouts are 20 per cent more efficient in terms of traffic through put, fuel waste and are much safer. There are also long-term savings. A daisy chain of traffic lights along this road will be catastrophic.

Chris Harvey: I am not for traffic lights the whole way but I feel we need at least one more set as there is nowhere safe between Centro and Banjos to cross the road.

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What do you think about having high-rises in Airlie Beach?

Clay Bauman: I have been against it for six years but it is site specific – I’ve got no problem with Hermitage drive – but I have a real problem with one on the Foreshore.

Andy Camm: I don’t want to see a high-rise in Airlie Beach

Dan Popovich: I think this should be considered on a case-by-case basis, development shouldn’t be open slather.

Chris Harvey: I’m not for or against until I’ve seen the finer details.

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Jarrah Boeghim was raised on her father’s wooden ships.

In Airlie Beach’s Pioneer Bay, the 20-year-old finally sat on the prow of her own ‘ketch’ ship last week, a 1937 New Bedford Model wooden vessel, and surveyed what has been a six-month labour of love.

Half a year ago, in a mooring just outside Airlie Beach, Jarrah had spied the classic vessel built in the ‘50s sitting in the water, slowly rotting.

The Airlie Beach-born local, after the death of her father two years ago – a Whitsunday sailing icon, the late Tony Boeghim, captain of the famed vessel Providence - had decided to return home and become her own skipper in his memory.

And the ship – who was then named Black Adder – was love at first sight.

“I had always wanted to buy a wooden vessel, but all that was around was fibreglass. Then I saw her,” Jarrah said.

“I bought her without knowing her condition; but I fell in love straight away. I said, this is the one I want. I knew it then and there without looking inside. When I finally saw her, I was worried because there was so much work to do. But where there’s a will there’s a way.”

Jarrah took Black Adder to Edge’s Boatyard in Jubilee Pocket where the hard yards began, but not unassisted; what was originally Jarrah’s solo passion project soon gained in notoriety and gained in help.

“As soon as I got her in the shipyard every boatie was coming over, saying, ‘Isn’t she a gem? We can’t believe you’re 20 years old and you’ve bought her,’” Jarrah said.

“Then this whole crazy, beautiful experience happened: 30 different people were coming down to help work on her [Black Adder]. I had put up this post on Facebook and people were offering their time for free, just for an opportunity to be a part of the restoration. I had guys at the boatyard dropping their work to help.”

People of all ages – from 18 up to 70 – were working on Black Adder, aiming to get her seaworthy. Even Jarrah’s own grandfather came along to help with the wiring, adorning the vessel with a modern touch: solar panels.

“Everyone has been astounded by how many people have come out to help restore her,” Jarrah said.

“It’s not an everyday thing. We’re restoring this 72-year-old vessel and we’re all so young. It doesn’t really happen in Airlie. It’s an old sailing tradition but all of us youngsters are here restoring her; it’s magical.

“I think it’s a unique project. Not many people would do something like this or get the opportunity to work hands-on with a vessel like this.”

Over the past few weeks, Jarrah and her motley crew of good Samaritans, sailors, and Airlie Beach locals have pieced together Black Adder to get her water-tight, ready to sail once more with a new coat of paint.

In the time she’s worked on her, Jarrah has met and been reached out to by people from Black Adder’s past: a man in Cannonvale got in contact, letting her know he has the ship’s original mizen mast lying in his backyard from year’s past. Another found her story on social media and told of how the ship once belonged to his great-grandfather and shared film-footage of the boat sailing in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria.

Touched by it all, Jarrah, who has successfully restored the ship to some of its former glory and plans to continue to work on her, decided to give her back her original name from when she was constructed in the ‘50s of Tasmanian wood: Alinta, which means wonderful.

“She’ll never be finished – she’s a wooden boat – but I’ll make her perfect,” Jarrah said.

“I think dad would be proud in a way.”

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Joely Hemzell and Jarrah Boeghim onboard Alinta, Jarrah’s newly refurbished wooden ship

During the restoration, Jarrah was joined en masse by helpful locals to finish the job

Bowen Tourism and Business now has two new committee members, Peter Greer and Karen Morton.

Peter is the owner and operator of the Queens Beach Tourist Village with his wife Jennie.

They purchased the park in 2019 and now call Bowen home.

Peter is very passionate about Bowen and says he likes to buy local, support local and employ local.

He has a genuine desire to ensure all guests at the park have a happy relaxing holiday and he is passionate about the promotion of Bowen and surrounds.

Karen is a long-term local resident as she moved to Bowen when she was in high school.

She now owns and operates Karen Morton Insurance Services.

She has extensive knowledge of the local area and is keen to see further promotion of Bowen.

Jenn Honnery has taken on the role as chair of the committee for the fifth year in a row and Kerry Meier will be the new deputy chairperson.

Leah Darwen is the treasurer for the second year in a row.

Jenn said she was looking forward to working with Karen and Peter as new committee members and she thanked outgoing committee members Ruth Morton, Emily Harvey and Kylie McRae for their commitment and dedication during their time on the board.

Bowen Tourism and Business is a not-for-profit organisation supported by more than 200 members.

The organisation operates the Big Mango Visitor Information Centre on the Bruce Highway and the information booth at Bowen’s Front Beach.

In the past financial year, the staff and volunteers welcomed more than 40,000 visitors.

Contributed with thanks to Leanne Abernethy from Bowen Tourism and Business

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New Bowen Tourism and Business committee members Karen Morton and Peter Greer. Photo contributed

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A Bowen youth group is looking for adult leaders to restart its operations and mentor the next generation of “heroes”.

The Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) is getting set to recommence in the Whitsundays’ northernmost township after a prolonged hiatus during the Covid pandemic.

The Scout-like program provides young people with a “safe, fun and inclusive environment that offers them practical life skills and leadership opportunities.”

Coordinated alongside the Emergency Services, the Cadet’s program is based at 25 locations across Queensland and helps encourage the exploration of careers in the various fields, either as volunteers or in paid roles.

Program Coordinator for ESC, Ashleigh Karaitiana said the Bowen program was looking for any adults who want to mentor the next generation.

“The Bowen unit has, in the past, run out of the SES headquarters, which it will again,” Ms Karaitiana said.

“For the Cadet program, we need adult leaders to give their time on a weekly basis for roughly two hours where they can teach something as simple as cooking a meal -- things that benefit the kids.”

Ms Karaitiana said adult leaders in the program do not necessarily need Emergency Services experience, although it was helpful, but that the volunteer position is for adults who want to guide the future of the country’s emergency services.

“The reward for our adult leaders is being able to see the cadets grow, both physically, mentally, emotionally,” Ms Karaitiana said.

“Seeing them build friendships, knowing that some of those cadets are going to become future emergency service personnel, that is a great feeling. Time is the greatest gift you can give.”

Volunteering enquiries, and Cadet membership, can be made at the emergencyservicescadets@pcyc.org.au email address.

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The Emergency Services Cadets is looking to restart in Bowen – all it needs is you

The beginning of a $7.5 billion renewable energy project was marked with the opening of its information centre in Collinsville on Saturday morning, with over 50 people present to find out more about the innovative Green Energy Hub.

The initiative will see 180,000 acres of grazing properties developed and multi-purposed to create 3000 megawatts of wind and solar renewable energy.

Farms will still be operational; the Green Energy Hub will simply work in addition to current industry, and it is estimated that this will generate at least $1 billion of economic activity in the region and more than 350 jobs during construction.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall, Councillor Michelle Wright, participating landowners, representatives from local businesses, and residents from Collinsville and surrounding areas were all present at the opening held on Saturday.

Everyone enjoyed a sausage sizzle, coffee van and giveaways, before hearing from Ark Energy CEO Daniel Kim.

“The Collinsville Green Energy Hub is a huge investment for the region and will give Collinsville, Bowen and surrounding communities a significant opportunity to be a part of and benefit from Queensland’s energy transition,” he said.

“We’re looking forward being part of the Whitsunday region for this exciting project.”

Afterwards, Ark Energy’s General Manager Development for Queensland Anthony Russo presented an overview of the feasibility work that has been done for the project so far, next steps in the planning process, and spoke about the importance for Ark Energy of being part of the local community.

The Collinsville Green Energy Hub information centre is at 47 Railway Road, Collinsville, and is open every Wednesday afternoon.

It has information on wind and solar renewable energy, the Collinsville Green Energy Hub project, and lots of takeaway materials.

More information on the project is also available on the website at collinsvillehub.com.au and the project team can be contacted directly by email to info@collinsville.com.au or phone 1800 731 296.

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From left to right: Anthony Russo, General Manager Development, Queensland for Ark Energy, Mayor Julie Hall, Ark Energy CEO Daniel Kim, and Councillor Michelle Wright cut the ribbon to officially open the Collinsville Green Energy Hub Information Centre. Photo supplied

Visitors join the Ark Energy project team, Mayor Julie Hall, and Councillor Michelle Wright for the official opening of the Collinsville Green Energy Hub Information Centre. Photo supplied

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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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