A luxury yacht moored at Hamilton Island Marina was ablaze for more than seven hours on Monday, October 24.

The 25-metre Sunseeker 82 yacht began billowing smoke and flames just before 11am taking emergency services until after 6pm that night to quell them, when the vessel began to finally sink.

No persons were onboard when the fire began, and the cause is now under investigation.

Paramedics remained at the scene due to reports that members of the small island community were heading to the marina to look at the blaze before suffering from smoke inhalation.

Whitsunday Volunteer Marine Rescue President Mal Priday said resident firefighters on Hamilton Island fought the blaze all day and his vessels were tasked with transporting relief Queensland Fire Service crews to the island from Airlie Beach.

“We arrived there about half-past five and it had been burning already for seven hours – a large amount of smoke could be seen well before we arrived at Hamilton Island,” Mr Priday said.

“After seven hours there were still flames coming out; some of the flames were three to five metres high.”

Mr Priday said, although investigations into the cause were still pending, firefighters were of the belief that the fire had started in the ship’s bow.

“When we arrived, the boat had sunk at the back. That was part of the problem for the firefighters: they couldn’t get at it because of the small portholes and windows, so they just decided to monitor it overnight.”

Volunteer Marine Rescue left the scene at roughly 8:00pm and the bow was still out of the water at an angle, leaning to the starboard, smoking and alight.

Neighbouring boats in the marina reported damage from smoke and heat, mostly those downwind of the 30 knot conditions.

‍

A 25-metre Sunseeker 82 – a luxury yacht – caught fire in Hamilton Island Marina on Monday morning and blazed into the night

New budget airline, Bonza, is gearing up for take-off following a series of test flights which took place over Whitsunday airspace earlier this week.

The Sunshine Coast based airline, which had postponed launch dates due to delayed delivery of its brand-new planes from America, is now taking to the skies with the latest test flights an indication that the official launch is imminent.

The next stage in the process is the final tick from Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Whitsunday Regional Council Chief Operating Officer of Aviation and Tourism, Craig Turner, said that he is excited to welcome Bonza Airlines soon.

“We can’t wait to get notification from Bonza when the official date will be,” he said.

“We promise them a huge welcome to the Whitsundays when they arrive and look forward to an ongoing partnership.”

‍

Dates for the first Bonza flight expected to be announced soon

This is the question a local couple are asking following news that the land in front of their house is currently being re-zoned to accommodate 550 storage sheds.

Robin Weaver and his wife came to the Whitsundays two and a half years ago, moving into the property they had bought in 2018 with the knowledge that the adjacent 3.8-acre vacant lot was zoned for low-medium residential development.

When this site, located at 82 Shute Harbour Road, sold for a million dollars three years ago, Robin believed that eventually a developer would put residential houses on-site.

That was until he saw a sign go up stating there had been an application to ‘Reconfigure the Lot’ with a ‘Material Change of Use’ development application submitted to Council detailing plans for a storage shed complex.

“We are all very aware of the acute shortage of residential accommodation in Airlie Beach and Cannonvale,” he said.

“A 3.8 acre, almost flat block of land on the main road, offers the opportunity for the lowest cost development of such land, for whatever purpose, including that for which it is currently zoned - residential accommodation!

“This is prime residential land and should not be wasted for such an unnecessary, unsightly, unpleasant and unwelcome project.”

The storage shed complex will extend 175 metres along Shute Harbour Road and will be brightly coloured, it will also have a tall boundary chain-link fence and bright security lights.

Mr Weaver believes this is an inappropriate use of the site and that it will impact on the liveability if the area.

With two industrial estates located in Cannonvale, he asserts that there are other viable options that would be more in keeping with the surrounding zoning.

Appealing for other residents to take action against this development, Mr Weaver has taken the time to examine the development application set before Council and analyse, what he believes, are inaccuracies.

He is now posting his findings to surrounding neighbours hoping to gather further support.

‍

Local resident Robin Weaver does not want to see 550 storage sheds take up prime residential land in Cannonvale

Whitsunday Coast Airport practiced a real-life response to a plane crash earlier this week with over 60 volunteers and emergency personnel taking part in the enactment.

Using a bus to act as a plane, the premise saw an ‘aircraft’ come off the runway and clip its wing following high winds at the point of landing.

Volunteers were given fake injuries that needed attending to and a sea of emergency personnel all worked together to rescue injured passengers, ensure the scene was safe and manage the airport during the event.

Whitsunday Regional Council Chief Operating Officer of Aviation and Tourism, Craig Turner, said that while this occurrence is extremely unlikely, it was really beneficial for the team to ensure best working processes were in place.

“It was fantastic to see the communication between all the stakeholders in real time,” he said.

“It allowed us to experience a full timeline of events and to identify things that could have been done better.

“We’ve learnt so much and taken on improvements to make sure we stay up to speed.”

These improvements include the purchase of new powerful radios that ensure communication is clear and also the placing of dedicated emergency packs with checklists at all control stations.

The Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service, Queensland Police Force and the State Emergency Service were all present on the day as well as ground handlers and the airport safety team who all worked together to provide an efficient and seamless response to the emergency simulation.

‍

Whitsunday Regional Council Chief Operating Officer of Aviation and Tourism Craig Turner and Manager of Hamilton Island Airport Paul Watson

Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service Officer

Emergency service personnel. Photo credit: R Jean Photography

In last week’s edition of Whitsunday Life Newspaper we printed a story which stated that Councillor Mike Brunker would be ‘leaving the region’ to work a new full-time position in the mines while still retaining his role as Councillor.

Following a conversation with Cr Brunker we have now been made aware that he is in fact working at a Collinsville mine and therefore staying within the region.

“I will still have access to phones and emails after work,” he said.

“I’ve also arranged my swing so that I’ll be able to attend every Council meeting, it was part of the condition of taking the job.”

Cr Brunker is a fourth-generation miner, in fact his father is the only still-living survivor of the 1954 Collinsville mining disaster.

“I started working in the mines when I was a kid,” said Cr Brunker.

“After 25 years working in an office environment, now it’s time to be back into the workforce – I am sure this will give me a new outlook on life.”

‍

The Federal government has promised an additional $204 million towards protection of the Great Barrier Reef, upping its total spend on the world wonder to $1.2 billion.

Minister For Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek outlined the government’s vision for the future of the Reef last week in a joint statement with special envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Nita Green.

That vision highlighted much of the work already being done through the Reef 2050 plan, as well as what the additional funding would address.

The $204 million is set to fund immediate action, tightening critical gaps in the long-term sustainability plan of the government major Reef 2050 project and speeding up reef protection activities.

Much was spoken of replanting efforts in parts of the reef with new corals, catchment restoration, working with fisheries and a new research centre in Gladstone.

“Together, we hope these measures can start to turn around the health of the reef, it is still a beautiful wonder of the world,” The environment minister said to the ABC.

“We’ve got a little breathing space in the last couple of years; we’ve seen some of those corals come back because we’ve had cooler weather and we need to build on that to protect.

Ms Plibersek said the funding will protect the reef itself as well as river systems and animals that are part of its wider ecosystem.

Alongside Queensland government, the newly announced funding tallies Australia’s total reef investment to more than $4.4bn from 2014-15 to 2029-30.

‍

The Reef gains more financial support to fund vital projects

Students of Chelona State School swapped their uniforms for crazy hair and bright colours last Tuesday to raise funds for RACQ CQ Rescue.

Almost all of the 127 students enrolled at the school got involved, coming to school in their craziest getups and raising almost $1,450.

“The whole school comes in crazy dress, so pretty much anything goes,” said teacher aide Michelle Bath.

“The mums organised a meal deal for lunch, so money was raised through that as well.”

The school holds a ‘Crazy Dress Day’ annually to raise funds for the organisation which is close to the community’s hearts.

“We had quite a few families within our community affected by Cyclone Debbie and had to get rescued.

“Some people have had family members that have been involved in accidents so have had to have CQ Rescue come out to help them.

“It’s very important and close to a lot of families’ hearts within our community so that’s why we chose to get involved every year.

“I’d hate to not have it within reach.”

A member of the RACQ CQ Rescue team will be delivering a presentation at school parade today where they will explain to the students what the organisation does, what’s involved with the helicopter and how the funds will help.

Posting to Facebook, RACQ CQ Rescue said, “Small schools have huge hearts and from the very bottom of ours, we thank everyone at Chelona State School for this very impressive effort and for helping ensure we can continue to fly to the rescue of hundreds of people each year across CQ.”

‍

Local mental health service, headspace, is contributing to the wellbeing of young people in the Whitsundays by providing a range of essential items to those doing it tough.

By working with national charity, Share the Dignity, who partner with 3000 other Australian charities, they are a distributor of free sanitary items for women and girls.

Looking after young people, headspace Whitsundays, invites anyone from the age of 12 to 25 to come into their clinic at 41 Main Street in Proserpine to have a friendly conversation and receive a personal hygiene pack.

Shiraz Lakey from headspace has been packing bags all week and says she has lots of supplies.

“We are really grateful to Share the Dignity,” she said.

“Through them we have more opportunity to help local youth and spark a conversation about mental health.”

With more than just sanitary items, headspace’s care packs are full of other products such as underwear, shampoo and conditioner, soap, hair clips, loofas, tissues and wipes.

The team would also like to reach out to residents and appeal for donations for personal products for young men and any other items that could benefit youth doing it tough.

Headspace is open from Monday to Wednesday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, and is a free mental health service that is dedicated to helping young people.

“We have lots of stock on hand,” said Shiraz.

“We’d love you to come in, get anything you need and have a chat with our friendly team.”

‍

Shiraz Lakey from headspace putting together hygiene packs for local youth

For the first time since 2019, the whole of Proserpine State High School (both juniors and seniors) gathered together for their annual Awards Night last Wednesday.

More than 600 family members also attended the evening which celebrated a range of achievements from students who excelled at pursuits that included sporting activities, leadership, innovation and cultural contribution.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm also attended the evening with Mr Willcox stating that it was an honour to attend the event.

School Principal Don McDermid congratulated all award winners, saying he is very proud of all their outstanding achievements.

“I reflected on an array of personal achievements that students accomplished throughout the year, in state school initiatives and activities,” he said.

“These achievements highlight the range of experiences students at Proserpine State High School are exposed to and have the opportunity to engage within.  

“Our school encourages students to be proud of their awards, and to know that striving for excellence is a great thing. That perseverance, hard work and aiming for excellence is an attribute to be respected.

“Thank you to everyone who supported the evening, whether it be those who attended to acknowledge the wonderful talents and success of our students, or our generous community partners and sponsors for their contribution to the evening.”

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox with some of the award winners

Jess Knox from Year 12 received the Long Tan Youth Leadership Teamwork Award

Mac Rogers is Student of the Year

Giselle Tronc, Callum Edmondson and Jai Dennison took out sports awards

Toby Anderson received the ADF Future Innovators Award

Photos contributed

‍

I would consider myself an entry-level plane spotter, those magnificent machines always inciting awe and excitement inside me so, living near the airport, I’m often treated to the thrilling sight of a plane taking off or coming in to land.

I was driving home one day this week and as I neared the airport, I saw a plane making its descent – not uncommon, but a scene that never gets old.

As I turned the corner onto Bridge Road, I saw the plane on the tarmac and noticed its purple fin and bold purple lettering: “Bonza”, with a cheeky thumbs up in the place of the B.

The announcement of a new budget airline offering routes from Mackay to Cairns, Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast made headlines, but we’ve been waiting a while for Bonza to launch these new and unexplored routes.

It’s exciting to see Bonza make strides with their first test flights to Mackay, which you can read about on page five, and I look forward to the opportunities the airline will bring.

Anyway, this week’s paper is the last week my face will be gracing page two, with Amanda to return next week and I, like the rest of the team, am looking forward to her return.

A lot has happened in Mackay while Amanda’s been away.

We’ve had visits from high-profile politicians, there’s been gigs, festivals, swimming carnivals and pop culture conventions, and I’ve still been able to bring you the stories I’m passionate about and love to write, like interviewing musicians for the upcoming Airlie Beach Festival of Music – you can find chats with Eskimo Joe, Lash78 and Lily and King scattered throughout this week’s paper.

I’ve done my best to cover it all for you, with the gracious help of Rachael and Declan from our Whitsunday team, and I’ve learnt a lot in the process.

It’s been a chaotic month but an undeniably fun one; a small insight into what writing the paper would have been like for our editors Amanda and Rachael before us journalists joined the team.

In saying that, I’m very much looking forward to having our editor back and taking a bit of a break myself this weekend.

‍

Federal Members for Capricornia and Dawson, Michelle Landry and Andrew Willcox, have come out swinging after the Federal Budget was announced on Tuesday evening, saying funding for local projects has been axed and the Government has failed across key issues like infrastructure, childcare and cost of living measures.

Ms Landry said Labor has failed the test they set out for themselves in providing true relief to Australian families while Willcox said the cost-of-living crisis is set to get worse under this budget.

“The test for the federal budget was to address the cost-of-living crisis bearing down on Australians,” Ms Landry said.

“Labor has failed this test. This budget does nothing to assist your family budget,” she added.

“Just before the election, the Prime Minister told Australians that they ‘will be better off under a Labor government.’

“In fact, by Christmas, the average Australian family will be at least $2,000 worse off,” Ms Landry said.

Mr Willcox added that “Groceries are eight per cent higher, not just because of natural disasters, but also because of Labor’s foolish political decision to scrap our Ag Visa.”

“Supply has been slashed because farmers and processors are only working at around 60 per cent capacity, which has put upward pressure at the checkout for families in Dawson,” Mr Willcox said.

He also added that retail electricity prices are predicted to go up by 50 per cent.

“Interest rates have already gone up and are predicted to go up further under Labor, which is ripping hundreds of dollars out of households each month.”

Labor’s budget has far-reaching effects on Capricornia and Central Queensland and Ms Landry fears the region will be left worse off after considering some of the key measures announced.

“$32 million has been allocated to help the Queensland Government drive people in the Pioneer Valley out of their homes.

“$10 billion in regional programs have been axed, including the Regional Development Plan, Regional Accelerator Program, Community Development Grants, and the Building Better Regions Fund,” Ms Landry said.

“Labor’s Pioneer-Burdekin Project is nothing more than a thought bubble that is set to wipe out local homes,” Mr Willcox added.

Regarding childcare, Ms Landry said the Federal Budget has “clearly turned its back on families desperate to find regional and rural childcare places”.

Ms Landry said accessibility is the key issue for regional families.

“While the Treasurer announced $4.7 billion in childcare measures, he couldn’t create one new additional childcare place, leaving regional and rural families no better off.

“Childcare affordability is not the main issue for regional families - accessibility is,” Ms Landry said.

Mr Willcox added, “In another blow, Labor is taking the fun out of regional and rural Australia.”

“The Budget won’t proceed with round 2 of the Agricultural Shows Development Grant program and is also scrapping funding for the Agricultural Show and Field Days program.

“Labor doesn't understand regional Australians and what’s important in our communities,” Mr Willcox said.

‍

Millions of Scouts from across the globe came together for an October weekend jamboree of gigantic proportions - but not in person – instead, clubs like Proserpine Scout Group embraced the digital age.

At the annual JOTA-JOTI (Jamboree On The Air and Jamboree On The Internet) scouts from 171 countries participated in the world’s largest digital Scout weekend.

Held every year in October, the event connects millions of young people from almost every country on earth for a full weekend promoting communication, friendship, and global citizenship.

The weekend is broken up into two sections: JOTA and JOTI.

In JOTI, Scouts worldwide log into a closed internet server to chat to each other about how different their world’s may be, as well as have a chance to play Minecraft together.

Proserpine Scouts Qualified Cub Leader Sally Griffith said two patrols from Proserpine’s Cubs and Joeys, spoke with Scouts from as far afield as Indonesia and parts of America.

“It makes the youth realise how big the world is,” Ms Griffith said.

“We explain on regular Tuesday night meetings that Scouts is worldwide, how many kids are in it, but until they chat to a Joey in Indonesia, Fiji, or even to another cub in Sydney, they don’t realise how massive it is.”

For the JOTA portion of the jamboree, Scouts head on a more traditional adventure, going south to Farleigh at the Hibiscus Coast District Scout Park where they camp, enjoy radio centred activities, and learn Scout values.

Ms Griffith said activities for JOTA include the use of GPS navigation, where one group is directed by another via radio in a scavenger hunt style event.

“To see them use a radio for the first time and become comfortable with it was really cool,” she said.

“The awesome thing about this camp is those JOTA activities, but also when they’re completed, then we have the rest of the weekend to entertain the kids and get them to do so many different things they wouldn’t normally get to do.

“They might take part in cooking for badge work, bushwalking, even just setting up tents and learning the buddy system – things they might not get to do.

“Even though this is a technology style camp, it still gets the kids off technology and teaches them the skills they need to be successful Scouts.”

‍

Proserpine Scout Group headed on a combined jamboree where they spent time speaking with Scouts across the globe, as well as taking in nature and valuable skills

A new multisport cycling complex in Mackay is in the planning stages, with the combined forces from three local cycling clubs leading the charge to create one of Australia’s best multi-use facilities.

Mackay and District BMX Club, Mackay Cycling Club and Mackay and District Mountain Bike Club each have representatives in the united group, who were successful in securing a $30,000 grant from council.

The Minor Infrastructure Grant was approved this week and will allow the Mackay Combined Cycling Club Group to undertake a business case for the facility.

Community Grants Committee member Cr Russell Seymour said the funding would allow a study to be undertaken by an external third party to evaluate the need, potential locations and potential operating models such a facility would require.

“The group has a vision to see Mackay construct a complex that would provide for a combination of cycling sports,” Cr Seymour said.

“Ideally, the complex would offer BMX facilities, velodrome, criterium, cyclocross, a pump track and an education area, as well as facilities for toilets, shower and change facilities, a canteen, office, storage, meeting and timing rooms, car parking, barbecues and shelters,” he said.

“This is really an exciting project that the committee was happy to support, as it has the potential to attract people to our region and support the development and retention of up-and-coming athletes.”

Mackay Cycling Club President Tanell Thomsett said the facility will help to inspire the next generation of athletes who have their eyes on the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

“At this early stage we are looking for the ideal location, but future plans include a fully-covered velodrome and a BMX track that is under a roof as well, to have a facility that allows riders to race and train in all weather conditions,” Ms Thomsett said.

“We are also planning a criterium circuit that will allow juniors to race, as currently they aren’t allowed to race on the open roads. It will be a safer place for cyclists of all ages to race and train.

“We are investigating ways of making the facility user-friendly for a variety of different sports, so it won’t just be cycling codes who will benefit.”

‍

A wish-list item for Whitsunday mountain bikers could finally be on the cards as a local club announced its plans to develop a “world-class mountain biking” course alongside local developers.

Whitsunday Mountain Bike Club Inc. have lodged a development application to Whitsunday Regional Council for a staged development network of mountain bike trails at Hidden Valley – a large-scale rural residential community development in Mount Marlow.

The housing development site along Rifle Range Road – eight minutes from Airlie Beach – is hoping to host a mix of green, blue and black difficulty rated trails, according to the lodgement application.

The construction would be an “exclusive” set of trails which will initially only be accessible by current Whitsunday Mountain Bike Club members.

Home to what local riders have explained as “great elevations and terrain”, the Mount Marlow locale has been lauded with the potential of being one of the best mountain bike holiday locations in the country.

The local developers of Hidden Valley Whitsundays said there has been extensive work between the land’s Traditional Owners, environmental consultants and both council and the Mountain Bike Club.

A developer at Hidden Valley Whitsundays, Brett Evans, said the development has held the land for more than two decades and the mountain bike tracks are a part of its “bigger picture.”

“This is another aspect to that site where there’s a master plan there that will bring mainland tourism to the Whitsundays,” Mr Evans said.

“We know people come to the Whitsundays and promise things all the time, so we’ve been quiet about this and there’ll be more details to come after Christmas.”

‍

Budget airline Bonza began test flights to Mackay this week, with its distinctive purple planes spotted landing at Mackay Airport.

Australia’s newest and only independently owned budget airline was announced last October and welcomed its first Boeing 737 MAX, which has since been christened as ‘Shazza’, to its Sunshine Coast base in August.

The aircraft, coming from America, was then refitted here in Australia, with more planes following.

Mackay residents will be offered two flights a week to Cairns and Melbourne and three flights a week to the Sunshine Coast, while a drive to Whitsunday Coast Airport will give access to Newcastle and Toowoomba twice a week and the Sunshine Coast three times a week.

Flights are expected to cost around $50 for each hour of the flight, including 8kg of baggage, with the aim to deliver competitive rates seldom seen in regional air travel and enable Australians to explore more of their own backyard at low-cost prices.

Bonza’s previously hoped-for launch dates of mid-June and late-September have been and gone while the airline awaits regulatory approval through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

‍