The Mackay Regional Council’s decision to cover a piece of public artwork at the Camilleri Street Skate Park has been met with “extreme community reactions” said Mayor Greg Williamson.

The artwork, which was initiated without council approval, was painted over last Thursday, with the newly blank wall targeted by graffiti later that day.

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm originally opened the skate park in 2019 and felt the frustration of the community, penning a letter to the mayor and council and hosting a gathering at the park.

“Approximately 80 community members of all ages came to the Camilleri Street Park in support of our young people,” said Ms Camm.

“The aim of the event was to reassure young people that there are adults in the community who hear them and who will advocate for them.”

The Mackay Regional Council councillors who voted against keeping the artwork have also had the opportunity to have their say.

Ugly Threats Received By Council Among Heartfelt Pleas

Artwork was controversially installed at the Camilleri Street Skate Park using community-raised funds following the death of Blacks Beach teenager Will Baker in May.

Will frequented the skate park and was the first to drop in on the wall on which the artwork was painted.

In a letter addressed to Mayor Greg Williamson, Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm has aimed to fully inform the council of community sentiment surrounding the decision to remove the artwork.

Ms Camm reminds council that the artwork was not intended as a memorial, but rather a revitalisation of a space enjoyed by many.

“I understand Council Policy and that it is not appropriate for a memorial, however (Will Baker’s death) did trigger a large community response,” the letter reads.

“This response resulted in a positive placed based activity that culminated in a non-identifiable public art project that displays a skateboarder and brings the skate park to life.

“This artwork has provided a positive overlay of the graffiti and words that were left post a tragic loss; and not withstanding due process was not necessarily followed.

“The community is united that this Artwork is not about one teenager who lost his life; this Artwork is about a community responding positively to create a sense of place and belonging to benefit all young people across our community.”

Mr Williamson, who was one of three councillors who voted for taking the final decision back to community consultation, says some of the emotional outpour from the community has translated into offensive and threatening messages sent to councillors.

“The democratic decision of council has been made and that’s democracy in action,” Mr Williamson said.

“All of the elected members are here to do the right thing by the community in their view.

“Sometimes, we don’t get it right and that’s not the cause for the community to start piling on and making terrible threats so what we’re saying: enough; line in the sand; let’s start this process again.”

Mr Williamson has invited community members and organisations to reapproach council and begin a consultative period to get the artwork restored through official channels.

“There is a process and a policy to be actually delivered here,” he said.

“We can work with the community to get that outcome.”

Councillor Justin Englert was one of eight councillors who voted against sending the decision back to community consultation and says in his column on page 16 of this week’s Mackay Life that he’s received multiple death threats since the decision.

“It’s not the first message of its type this week and I certainly don’t believe it will be the last,” he wrote.

“I voted to have the memorial at Camilleri Street skate park taken down because council policy doesn’t allow public memorials – one example is an application for Shandee Blackburn that was denied.

“We haven’t allowed memorial murals for anyone else, so why did they think they could just put one up there? 

“That’s not fair, that’s not equitable.”

Cr Alison Jones said she is disappointed in the miscommunication from other councillors.

“When I became a councillor I willingly took an oath to faithfully and impartially fulfil the duties of office, in accordance with the local government principles under the local government act to the best of my judgement and ability.  Not abiding with council policies is a breach of that Oath and not truly representing the majority of the Mackay Region and certainly not respecting the majority vote of council,” Ms Jones said.

“The miscommunication of three other three councillors is disappointing that they would portray we have said no to further consultation, when our first vote was to say no to an illegal memorial/mural and our second vote reinforced our original position.  

“It is disappointing that this decision is not being respected by other councillors.  Consultation is welcomed when achieved through the correct policy and procedures.”

Cr Martin Bella echoed the consensus surrounding the slack of consultation.

“We’ve been criticized for the lack of consultation.  How many were consulted with and agreed on a design before the mural was painted, there are 20,000 people in the Northern Beaches,” Mr Bella said.

“If there was a desire for a memorial and the youth was a member of the Eimeo Surf Club it could quite easily be put there and I would wonder why the former president of the surf life club did not suggest it.

“Even though the petition was started after the painting was started, very few were from Northern Beaches.  Approx signatories were 50 Northern Beaches and close to half were out of our region such as Brisbane, Sydney and overseas, so only a fraction of 1 per cent of residents of the Northern Beaches signed their name.”

Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm held a gathering at Camilleri Street Skate Park last week following the removal of a mural. Photo supplied: Amanda Camm

Council has been reminded that the artwork is not intended as a memorial for Blacks Beach teenager Will Baker who passed away in May. Photo supplied: Amanda Camm

Mayor Greg Williamson voted for public consultation on the decision and has invited community members and organisations to begin a consultative period with Council to get the artwork restored through official channels. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Are You Ready? Are you shaking at the knees? It’s High Voltage time, Little Lover – Simon Gardner’s Classic Rock Legends of the 80s & 90s Show is crash-landing at The Pub in late August.

It’s big! It’s loud! It’s coming your way! One of the country’s best rock shows – fully costumed and choreographed, rocking out theatres across Australia – is arriving at The Airlie Beach Hotel.

It’s a first every for locals’ favourite local, bringing a theatre show of epic rock proportions to the bar top stage.

All aboard, time to Bark at the Moon as Whitsunday audiences relive the heady days of fist pimping, head banging, anthem screaming classic rock with crazy licks, riffs and roof raising production.

Led by one of Australia’s premier rock guitarists, Simon Gardner, this show sets the Heavens On Fire courtesy of his frenzied, powerful playing.

You’ll be on your feet screamin’ for more when they recreate the primal, heart pumping tunes and theatrical antics of heavy rock classics from monsters of the genre like Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, AC/DC, Kiss, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake and more.

It features the outstanding, powerhouse rock vocals of Dellacoma Rio, Tara Graham, and Shaleena Bain, together with an absolute killer live rock band, it’s unlike any other show The Pub has ever seen.

Show creator Melanie Evans said they were so looking forward to rocking out at the Airlie Beach Hotel this month.

“We’re super pumped for our upcoming weekend of shows at Airlie Beach Hotel,” she said.

“We’ll be smashing out some absolute classic rock tunes for the Classic Rock Legends Show, especially as its going to be our first of the year! We cannot wait.”

It may be Simon Gardner and Shaleena Bain’s first time performing at Airlie Beach Hotel, but Tara Graham and Dellacoma Rio have both rocked out onstage before for No Doubt About Gwen and the Australian INXS Show respectively and are eager to entertain Airlie audiences once more.

The entirely free show will have every rock fan’s heart thrumming with the electric energy of Simon Gardner’s Classic Rock Legends.

What: Simon Gardner’s Classic Rock Legends

When: August 20 and 21 from 2.00pm to 5.30pm

Where: Airlie Beach Hotel

Simon Gardner’s Classic Rock Legends of the 80s & 90s Show arrives at the Airlie Beach Hotel on August 20 and 21

This incredible show is a first for The Pub as they welcome what’s normally a full-theatre experience to their bar top stage

Fully costumed, choreographed, and with special effects, this show is going to rock The Pub all day long

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A newly minted gelato store on Airlie Beach’s main strip is churning freshly made authentic gelato in store - both classic and inventive - since opening on July 14 and is fast becoming a favourite for the locals.

Gelatissimo Airlie Beach is serving Whitsunday residents and tourists alike with gelato made “for the flavour obsessed”.

Drawing customers with its gorgeous storefront that screams modern gelato parlour and harkens an authentic Italian gelateria, Gelatissimo is pulling in passers-by with its aesthetic, and keeping them with tasty treats.

The gelato franchise, which started in King Street, Sydney in 2002, may have stores across the globe nowadays, but franchisee of Gelatissimo Airlie Beach, David Lim, said it was, in its creamy heart, an artisanal gelato store focused on community.

“Gelatissimo is a business about small moments; it’s a business about making Australians smile over a scoop of gelato,” Mr Lim said.

“Whether that be in Gelatissimo itself, in a park – or here in Airlie Beach by the lagoon, that’s the beauty of gelato.”

Gelatissimo has been wanting to bring its famous gelato far north – and Airlie Beach seemed like a match made in heaven.

“We thought: Airlie Beach, with its tourists and local people, and its weather, is perfect for gelato. They deserve a brand that’s made for the seekers of indulgence, and flavour cravers alike here in Airlie,” Mr Lim said.

With over 30 flavours in total available at Airlie, it’s easy to see why they’re the cherry atop the gelato world, with popular flavours like award winning Mango sorbet made with Australian Kensington Pride Mangoes, and Deluxe Wicked Double Choc Brownie that just won gold at the Australian Dairy industry Awards.

“Things like perfect texture, flavour, and hard work makes us different from any other gelato or ice cream shop,” Mr Lim said.

“We introduce new and exciting flavours monthly. They’re creative and have a touch of localisation; for example, we have an exclusive Airlie Beach Tropical Sunrise flavour that’s a refreshing Passionfruit and Yuzu sorbet.

“That’s reflected in the store. We want customers to feel really welcomed and to feel free to explore flavours, rather than getting the same every time.

“We want them to be happier when they leave than when they came in; for us, it’s a dream job. No one is angry when they come in to get gelato – but we want them to be even happier because that puts a smile on our faces.

“I see that Airlie is a tight-knit community and I know that when I treat them well, that is treating the community well.

“Whatever we can do, we want to give back to the locals.”

Gelatissimo Airlie Beach has been open for just shy of a month, but the gelateria is already raking in the approval from satisfied locals!

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At 1 am on October 19, 1949, an early morning wake-up call shook the residents of Proserpine as a disastrous fire swept through the wood and iron buildings in Main Street. Residents were awakened by the glare or falling glass. Most business people living away from Main Street were wakened by the Post Office exchange ringing their homes, or the railway engine incessantly blowing a warning signal.

The fire started in Exelby's building (Filby’s side of the street). Mr Exelby was sleeping on the premises, upper level, and fled in his night attire after waking his co-worker, Mr Cole, who slept on the veranda. He stated that at the end of the evening, there was fire burning in his stove at the rear of the cafe. Being in the habit of allowing the fire to burn out, he was awakened by the heat and smoke.

The fire soon became a raging inferno covering a 40-yard (36.5m) frontage to Main Street as the south easterly wind intensified with the advance of rain. It burnt through three other businesses - Briggs & Mazlin’s (auctioneers and commission agent), Gillespies’ Mercery Department (owned by Mr F. Wilson) and Foxlee’s Butchery. (This area extends from the site of the current café next to the Metropole Hotel to the newsagency in Main Street)

At the time, there was no official fire brigade and no reticulated water but the fire was eventually controlled by 3 am thanks to a bucket brigade. Almost 100 people, some in their pyjamas, fought the fire for two hours - buckets, copper boilers, basins, a baby’s bath and tubs were used; anything that would hold water. Rain water tanks were smashed open with axes to increase the flow of water. Hoses were coupled to wind-mill water tanks to supplement the rain water supply.

Fanned by the breeze, the flames reached out across Main Street to Faust Bros’ Hardware and John Maltby and Co. businesses. Plate glass windows were cracked and paint blistered and peeled. Newly built businesses with brick walls on either side of the burnt-out buildings prevented more damage. These were the Co-operative Society store to the east and Mr A J Dobbins’ premises occupied by Mr P Casey (barber) and Mr. Viv Ball (billiard saloon proprietor) to the west.

Daylight showed burnt twisted sheets of iron and charred wood. The council cleared debris from the street and extinguished smouldering debris. Electricity was restored by 7.30am and work commenced to replace the awning in front of the Co-op which was torn off to prevent the spread of fire. Damage was estimated to be between £20,000 and £30,000. Fortunately, all businesses were insured.

It was almost twelve months before, in September 1950, the Council advertised for a part time Fire Chief and land for a Fire Station and residence was purchased in Main Street. But there was still no reticulated water in town so an 800-gallon tank mounted on a truck was purchased and supplemented by tanks belonging to local businesses and the Sugar Mill. Twelve auxiliary firemen were recruited, paid for attendance at fires and had uniforms supplied. An alarm siren was installed on a 30-foot pole at the CFO’s house.

It would be another three years (1953) before approval was given to build the station and another four years (1957) before Proserpine had reticulated water with the completion of the water tower. This fire station was closed down in 2018 with a new Disaster and Emergency Centre being built in Hinschen Street.

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum

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The race for the Whitsunday Mayorship continues to heat up ahead of the August 13 election date; electioneering is in full swing with candidates canvassing across the region.

Early voting began on Monday this week (August 1), and a divide in opinion is playing out between the six candidates – one that may have a tactical tilt to it.

Candidate Mike Brunker has been the most outspoken of the six candidates on his choice to not hand out How-To-Vote Cards – but why?

Mr Brunker says he’s doing it “out of respect for voters intelligence” and that they have to “only vote 1” for him, should he be their mayoral candidate of choice.

Other candidates - Jan Clifford, Phil Batty, Peter J Hood, and Julie Hall – have opted for their own How-To-Vote Cards, each of which lists Mr Brunker as their sixth preference.

Candidate Al Grundy has chosen not to allocate preferences, instead telling voters it’s “their choice”.

This is where the confusion lies for voters: unlike the recent Federal Election, which was full preferential, the Whitsunday Mayoral by-election is optional preferential.

Electors can choose to “vote for one, vote for some, or vote for all” candidates on the ballot paper on election day.

The way this is done is by denoting your first-choice candidate, second choice, third, and so on. Or, by simply selecting a single choice and voting one – the beauty of the ‘optional’ in optional preferential voting.

So, why have some candidates listed preferences on their How-To-Vote cards while others have not? It could be what are known as “preference deals” between the political candidates.

When voting is counted, polling officers will begin by tallying all first preference votes – those numbered 1 on all ballot cards.

Once those are tallied, and there is no clear winner (a candidate must receive more than 50 per cent of the vote) the candidate with the fewest votes will be excluded.

If you voted first for that candidate, your ballot paper will be re-examined and your second preference will receive your vote.

Here is where preference deals come into play: if candidate A numbers candidate B second on their How-To-Vote card and vice versa, it affectively gives the pair of them more chance of taking the mayoral office.

This is where Mr Brunker’s claim that candidates Hood, Clifford, and Hall are swapping preferences (a preference deal) and “working as a team” are born from.

If they are, are they gaming the system? No. Preference deals have long been an accepted part of Australian politics – namely for one reason: electors do not have to follow How-To-Vote cards to a tee.

On election day, or beforehand if you are early voting, your vote is your own. Candidates can vote 1 for their preferred choice or vote for all six – it is an individual choice.

The only preferences that count are the numbers written on ballot papers by voters themselves. All candidates can do is try to influence what voters write.

The Whitsunday Mayoral By-Election Day is August 13. More information can be found here: https://bit.ly/3OKXyKc on the Electoral Commission Queensland Website.

The Whitsunday Mayoral by-election is fast approaching, but residents have been confused by optional preferential voting – so what is it?

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Whitsunday Coast Airport travel numbers have radically increased since March 31 to date, with tourism figures totalling more than 100,000 people transiting through the terminal in the past three months.

The news comes in the same week Whitsunday Regional Council announced that Shute Harbour Marine Terminal will welcome back cruise ships from October.

Council documents state that “passenger movements through the terminal totalled 100,397, this generated a revenue increase of 32 per cent to the previous quarter.”

“Airline load factors across all airlines and routes averaged at 76.33 per cent with Sydney and Melbourne routes averaging 82 per cent,” the documents read.

Whitsunday Council Chief Operating Officer Aviation & Tourism, Craig Turner, said the airport was soaring.

“What we’re seeing is really solid business from all airlines into the Whitsundays, which is also equalling revenue,” he said.

“It’s driving revenue, it’s driving passengers, and the great thing is those passengers are then heading to town and through the region and spending more.

“Not only is the airport performing well, but that means for businesses in the region they’re getting the benefits of that.”

Council was also extremely pleased that cruise ships returning to the region can now ferry between their ship and Shute Harbour Marine Terminal.

“Having cruise ships back to the Whitsundays is a sensational return to where we were pre-Covid,” Mr Turner said.

Cruise ship passengers will have the opportunity to step off the ship in Shute Harbour – an additional option to the already existing agreement many of the ships entering the region have with Cruise Whitsundays.

Whitsunday Regional Council expect the additional location will increase the region’s capacity to host cruise ships.

Up-market cruise ships Silver Seas, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity cruise liners will be calling Shute Harbour their “home port”, with the region able to expect in the vicinity of 2500 guests per vessel.

In the first year – which expects 40 visitations – that totals up to 100,000 visitors.

Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassador, Brian Richardson, said it would be fantastic.

“Both for passengers coming in and leaving,” he said.

Cruise ships tendering into Shute Harbour can expect bus transfers into Airlie Beach, as well as opportunities to trip to the islands from Shute Harbour.

“We’re going to have 100 thousand people come to the Whitsundays, experience it, and then who knows, they might come back for a seven-day holiday,” Mr Turner said.

“It’s a great opportunity for the Whitsundays.”

Whitsunday Coast Airport has recorded figures in excess of 100,000 passing through its terminal in the past three months

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Julie Hall

The Whitsundays has a shortage of accommodation, housing, rental, and Holiday. This was largely enhanced by the Southern migration and holiday apartments being sold for long term housing or rentals. The current WRC development culture with excessive headworks charges and approval timeframes must be reviewed immediately to move forward out of this crisis.  

This August council has three plus cases against it by ratepayers for not meeting its own guidelines. In one case, this is not only holding up a much-needed housing development project, but it could also cost the rate payers over $5million on top of the recent five per cent rate hike. We must work closely with the community and credible developers to manage design and council costs and avoid expensive and timely court actions.

For each Region: Airlie Beach Holiday units have been sold off as residential apartments, creating a shortage of visitor accommodation. Airlie future prosperity will depend on addressing this shortage with community consultation and also addressing the road and parking issues.

Collinsville is an exciting town to explore, active coal mining, great pubs, proposed gas pipeline and Dam will provide new opportunities for industry and development.

Bowen, Is the beaches and amateur fishing capital of the Whitsundays, Bowen is positioned well to be the centre for new diverse industries. Priorities, international export port and Marina development.  

Proserpine, our Sugar Cane capitol is blessed with many growth opportunities, the crossroads of Rail, Bruce Highway, Airport and freight centres, creating a transport hub for the Whitsundays.  Continued development of Foust Dam with enhanced RV facilities.

One million grant: Our hospitals need additional birthing centre facilities and more help for our Community Centres that are feeling the pressure as people struggle with the current economic environment and costs of living.

Mike Brunker

We are proactively confronting the housing crisis in the whole of the Whitsundays by firstly reviewing our planning scheme to see what we can do to encourage more construction of social and affordable housing; we are also looking at delayed payments of headworks charges and asking the community to have there say on smaller block sizes of land and bigger unit developments in the suburbs

We have also been successful in getting the Australian Local Government association to call for a national summit with state federal and local governments to seek solutions from all levels of Government.

For Airlie Beach progressing with the Skyway project to have land-based activities, in Proserpine its continuing to improvements of Lake Proserpine at Peter Faust dam for expanded camping use.

Collinsville is to refurbish our Mainstreet out there to make it more prosperous for the businesses and visitor experiences.

In Bowen its all about improving the state Development area so that we can get more Projects like Gilmore Space to diversify the state development area

If I had a 1-million-dollar grant, I would build some units for the victims of Domestic violence in a central location to assist with re housing and removing families from this toxic environment.

You only have to Vote 1 if you choose too, I am not handing out HTV cards out of respect of voter intelligence and the increase COVID risk so respectfully asking you to just Vote 1 Michael Brunker for Mayor who has the experience to get thigs done

Philip Batty

The first thing I would do is make it a priority, find solutions, tackle it, get on with it starting now.

The housing crisis is one of the most significant issues facing the entire region today. It can be separated into two categories, the social housing challenges and the residential/rental supply issues.

In some respects the social housing is the easier of the two to improve. We have a moral and social obligation to care for people in the region who are doing it tough.  We are the most supportive caring family in the Whitsundays always there to step up when someone needs us. So the answer to social housing is, build more, make it better and keep caring.

The residential and rental markets are just as simple really but the scale is the barrier, well the barrier from some. The effect of not taking on this challenge is to delay growth and prosperity for the entire region by restricting employment, relocation, retention, and attraction of our populous which almost every business and hundreds of families are experiencing right now.

There is a solution, not total, but big enough to have a serious impact on the problem. It is a solution I have researched, costed, risk profiled and thought about for some time. It is not however a detailed plan which I could share publicly yet, it would involve Local, State and Federal government cooperation to achieve therefore any detailing now would be counterproductive. It would of course be fully disclosed publicly. I believe I can make this happen.

If I had $1m to spend on something I would not “spend” it, I would invest it.

There is currently $87 BILLION dollars in grant support funding available from the federal government. I would invest in some expertise to tap into these funds turning the $1m into $10m, $100m, $200m or more to spend on community improvements. But thats just council getting funds to improve the region, the $1m investment will also provide every business in the region with a resource which will help source apply and win grant funding opportunities for them to plan and grow their business and the economy.

Jan Clifford

As the Chair of the Whitsunday Housing Company, I am acutely aware of the Housing shortage which is not just confined to the Whitsundays.

It is a national issue which must be addressed at all levels of government. Social housing is a State issue and Tax Incentives are a Federal Issue and I will use my extensive experience and

contacts within those levels of Government to ensure any possible solutions are sought for our region.

Proserpine: To continue to encourage visitors by providing the free overnight stop and continually upgrading the Lake Proserpine facilities

Bowen: It’s about livability; making sure that the parks and gardens etc. are kept to a high standard and upgraded as necessary and allowing and promoting appropriate development.

Collinsville: To continue providing the Community with infrastructure that enhances the livability of the town. The Waterpark is a great example.

Airlie/Cannonvale: To lobby for funding to build a multi-story carpark on Waterson Way which will double as a place of Safe Refuge in the event of another cyclone

In reality, $1M is not a lot of money in the scheme of things with Council applying for and receiving many millions of dollars’ worth of grants each year for targeted projects. If this was a windfall grant, I would properly use it to install Solar Heating at our Aquatic Facilities across the region or put it to the communities of the region for their suggestions.

Peter J Hood

It’s not just the Whitsundays, it’s a problem across Queensland and Australia. However, Council can make it a little easier and here’s a few suggestions on how we can improve the current situation:

1) A quick housing audit so we know what we’re dealing with – owner-occupied, long-term rentals, short-term rentals and unoccupied housing;

2) Streamlining Council processes for residential housing approvals that have no objections; and

3) Changing WRC rating structure to shift unoccupied housing stock and short-term rentals into long-term rentals.

2. In one sentence for each, what are the priorities for the region’s diverse townships? Proserpine, Bowen, Collinsville, and Airlie Beach.

We always seem to leave out places like Dingo Beach, Gumlu, Shute Harbour, Conway Beach, Lethebrook and the islands, as well as the other small communities. While there are local issues that are important, it’s the big picture priorities that cut across our whole region – jobs, housing, transport, disaster planning, crime, the environment and accessibility. Some of those are issues that WRC can deal with directly, some of them Council needs to push with the State and Federal governments. At the heart of it is a simple question – “What kind of Whitsundays do you want for your kids, your family and your community?”.

3. If you received a $1 million dollar grant to use for the region any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

While a million dollars seems like a lot, for most government spending it’s just a rounding error. Even putting it into an essential project like flood-proofing our roads wouldn’t get you past the initial study.

I’d ask all our wonderful community groups to apply for seed funding up to $10,000 on something that would make a real difference. That would provide survival funding for at least 100 local groups that don’t always get the support they need.

It could be something as simple as a new belt sander for the Bowen Men’s Shed, a few computers for Collinsville Connect Telecentre, some money to enable the Whitsunday Social Craft group to continue or fuel for the fantastic work that Whitsunday VMR do. All with a simple application and a quote with Council paying the suppliers directly.

Al Grundy

Housing Shortage: The housing shortage has been building for a number of years, and Covid has bought it to a head. We cannot wait for the Federal or State Governments to hold a summit. We should look at every local possible opportunity, working with the community, council, developers, agents, housing companies, builders to find a local solution/s.

In the short term all options should be on the table from temporary camps or a tiny village to incentives to encourage granny flats or second dwellings on existing lots. With the current housing shortages, council can pursue a temporary local planning instrument with the State, to deliver solutions that would not normally be allowed in our town plan.

In one sentence, what are the priorities for each township: For Collinsville, to support projects that encourage families to want to live in the town. Projects such as the recently built water park, and the soon to be completed main street upgrade.

For Bowen, to encourage investment in new developments, including the marine engineering precinct and to further promote and facilitate opportunities in the surrounding areas including Abbott Point.

For Proserpine, to protect our sugar cane industry from urban sprawl through appropriate land planning and to continue to promote Proserpine as an important administrative, schooling and medical area.

For the Beach, to carefully manage the growth, so that the impacts from a quickly growing population does not lead to unintended consequences, such as social problems or infrastructure pressures, eg. Congested roads, or lesser visitor experiences.

One Million Dollar Grant: with the current housing shortage, I would employ a Project Manager to co-ordinate a program to implement a housing solution(s), working with local builders, developers and community. I would also allocate some budget to expand programs in cooperation with our libraries, programs such as the First Five, which assists with improved literature outcomes for children up to five.

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As I pull up the last of my carrots, deplete a bed or two of lettuce, remove one of my original tomato patches and mourn the loss of my basil (well for ten seconds, then pulled it out and got excited about what seeds to put in next), I looked at my soil.  

Soil is the foundation of my vegetable garden (well my entire garden). Over time I have built up a loose, light soil that fungi and bacteria, worms and other ground dwelling insects are thriving in.  So how is that achieved and what is the soil made up of?

A healthy growing medium has tiny air pockets that allows for root penetration, water filtration and give worms a space they can move through.  Much of our Whitsunday soil is clay and rock, so building up your soil is essential.  

Compost, mulch, compost, mulch and more compost and mulch is my secret weapon.  Whether it be compost you have made yourself from gardening pruning’s, grass clippings, kitchen scraps and manure and your worm farm castings or you use bagged mushroom compost (I love this product), poultry manure and aged tip mulch, you need to add organic matter to your soil. Please note, I said aged tip mulch.  Freshly ground mulch must be put aside, left to heat up and be turned regularly.  This is for two reasons, firstly (and I would argue most importantly) because you do not want to introduce weed seeds into your garden beds, these need to be cooked (at least 55 degrees, 63 degrees is ideal) and secondly, while your mulch is initially breaking down, soil bacteria will use nitrogen to breakdown the woody matter, therefore leaving the soil temporarily.  Complicated?  OK just don’t do it.

If that all sounds too hard, then come into the Whitpro yard and purchase our ready-made garden soil. Erect raised beds (out of anything – tree logs, concrete blocks, straw bales, stacked rocks or garden bed kits) and build your soil up – on top of your hard Whitsunday clay soil. (We did not benefit from the Glacier melt down – we were above it!).

Before I pop in my new seeds (this time I am sowing – spinach, parsley, yes more basil, zucchinis because we eat a lot of those, melons and cucumbers), I am adding a layer of compost and very lightly mixing it through. Don’t over dig your soil, you will only disturb the microbes and insects. Let your worms do the digging for you!  Then straight on with the sugarcane mulch.  Don’t leave your soil exposed to the elements for too long.  Letting it dry out is not a good practice as it will see worms and insects vacate and kill off those beneficial micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi and algae) that contribute so much to the health of your soil (so look after them).

Interesting Fact:

Australian soil is considered some of the oldest on the planet, although that sounds impressive, most Australian soils are composed of weathered rock and are quite infertile. Here in the Whitsundays the land is built on volcanic activity from well over 100 million years ago.  In more recent years, Thomas Abell decided to grow (wait for it) FRUIT AND VEGETABLES in 1904! Hence “misspellt” Abel Point – x2 “L’s” not x1. Can someone correct that please.

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A local heredity group is celebrating family history month by inviting locals to visit their library in the Proserpine Community Centre.

The Whitsunday Family History Group will be displaying its local family trees over the month of August and the public are invited to come along and view their extensive family history library on Thursdays and Saturdays between 10am and 2pm.

The library has over a thousand family history books collated over the group’s own extensive history.

Established over 30 years ago, the Whitsunday Family History Group was started by four historically inclined locals who grew its collection of information considerably in the three decades.

Group librarian Linda Thorogood is one of a few of the groups founding members who still play an active role.

“It’s an addictive hobby, and over 30 years later there’s still so many of us going. There’s always more and more coming up online – you’re never finished with knowing your family’s legacy,” Ms Thorogood said.

“You can trace your family worldwide, but we try to focus locally. You’re finding out something new all the time, which is so interesting.

“I myself don’t have any convicts [in my family tree] but we have one member who has five, and you never know what you’ll find! It’s very exciting.”

Ms Thorogood said that family history tracing brings back to life the stories of the past, as well as giving you a greater sense of personal identity.

The Whitsunday Family History Group also offers membership, which includes access to its extensive records and the guidance from its expert Librarian and other members.

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Whitsunday Regional Councillors joined Acting Mayor John Collins for a tour of progress at the Gilmour Space Technologies Bowen Orbital Spaceport last Wednesday

Gilmour Space Launch Operations Supervisor Adam Williams thanked council for its support and told Councillors all was on track for the first rocket launch later this year.

Construction on the orbital launch facility – one of Australia’s first - at the Abbott Point State Development Area is well underway with contractors working on the construction shed and launch pad.

Councillor Mike Brunker said that the site was still working through its approval processes, but was looking extremely exciting.

“What was very interesting were the figures on how it actually propels up into space and how fast it’s going – I’m no space cadet but it had me wrapped,” Councillor Brunker said.

“It’s exciting times for our space launch facility, and I can see myself watching from up on Flagstaff Hill with a beer while a rocket launches.”

The rockets will be manufactured at Gilmour's Gold Coast manufacturing hub before being transported to the Bowen launch site.

Gilmour Space predicts that up to 92 rocket launches annually could be conducted from the Spaceport by 2032.

When the facility becomes operational, rockets carrying small satellites will be the most common item launched into low-Earth orbit.

Satellites forming part of broadband internet constellations are expected to make up a sizeable part of those launches.

Whitsunday Regional Councillors visited the Gilmour Space Technologies Bowen Orbital Spaceport last Wednesday

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Andrew Willcox, Federal Member for Dawson, started off his maiden speech to parliament in Canberra last week in typical style.

His first week in Canberra as the Member for Dawson saw Willcox take the Oath of Office as part of the opening of the 47th Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia before delivering his “down to earth” maiden speech.

His speech brimmed with the country axioms and colloquialisms that made him such a cool-handed and charismatic Whitsunday Mayor – a position he held for six years.

The “farmer by trade, raised on the land” reminded his constituents that he was the first Bowen-born representative for Dawson at the federal level, and that he couldn’t have done it without them.

“I am forever grateful to the people of the Whitsunday region for putting their faith in me,” Mr Willcox said.

“Local government is the level of government that is closest to the people, that is why I will be pushing to see the Federal Assistance Grants to Local Government program’s return to one per cent of taxation.

“This funding is critical to the people of rural and regional towns.”

Mr Willcox made explicit reference to his hometown, mentioning the Gilmour Space Orbital facility in Bowen, as well as the Top Shelf International agave farm, as well as the regions tourism operators.

It was also an opportunity to espouse his vision for Dawson – infrastructure for the north, particularly its farmers by renewing his commitment to the Urannah Dam project.

“A pumped hydro-electric scheme would provide clean, green, reliable energy that can be connected straight into the north-south high voltage grid, which feeds the national network,” he said.

“Surely water stored at height must be one of the best batteries in the world.”

The newly minted Member for Dawson promised to unashamedly push for a fair share for his electorate which is “a powerhouse region that punches above its weight.”

“A fairer Australia will benefit the nation and all Australians,” he said.

Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, was officially sworn in this week and gave his maiden speech to parliament

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Over 140 entrants across a variety of classes are eagerly preparing to set sail in the warm waters of the Whitsundays this month, shooting across the perfect conditions in the 34th annual Airlie Beach Race Week.

They come from as far afield as Tasmania and Western Australia, and its worth ever mile according to event faithfuls.

It seems a long time since that very first Race Week over three decades ago, when in 1987, Hog’s Breath Café entrepreneur Don Algie arrived in his classic 55’ sloop Storm, starting an event that now welcomes thousands of yachties from around the country and the globe.

The Whitsunday Sailing Club hosted event is now looking back on two years of battling against the wave of Covid and coming out on top, remaining one of the country’s largest yacht racing regattas.

Now it looks seaward, as ships already begin to anchor a week out from the famed competition, eager to stake their claim as an Airlie Beach Race Week champion – all while enjoying a town returning to the full-swing of hospitality and tourism.

Back in early February, Mako, the much-travelled Sydney 40 owned by a Newcastle, NSW syndicate was the races first official entry received for the 11 to 18 August event.

Entered by Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC) CEO, Paul O’Rourke, Mako is a well-used yacht that was originally built for the 1999 Admiral’s Cup. Under the name of ‘Computer Products’, she formed part of the winning Dutch Team that year.

O’Rourke said the crew is fired up and ready to race in the Whitsunday Sailing Club’s popular event.

“The boat is entered for the whole northern circuit this year, but Airlie Beach is the only event I’ll be doing. Last time we were up there (2019), Mako finished third in Division 2. We plan to better that result,” he said.

Many attend the event regularly, but for others it will be their first time, like Peter Chappell from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club in Perth.

“Yes, this is my first Airlie Beach Race Week and we’re looking forward to a good mix of sailing, the good sailing community, different types of boats and sun. There’ll be seven or eight of us there,” Chappell said.

His weapon is ‘The Cadillac’, a Barrett 9.5 design. Chappell describes the boat he had built in 2013 as, “A big dinghy built for ex dinghy and Etchells sailors and it’s got the excitement factor downwind. I decided to put the fun back into sailing and it keeps the crew active and fit too.”

Meanwhile, there are those from as far south as you can get from Western Australia, Richard Fader and his vessel One O Nine.

They will sail over 1700 nautical miles from base at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania in Hobart. Fader’s beamy and comfortable Hanse 540e already left Hobart in July to sail in Performance Cruising Division 1.

“Why do we come so far each year? Because we enjoy getting out of the cold,” Fader said with a laugh.

“Airlie is a good little town and we catch up with mates from up there who come and sail with us. About a dozen of us have travelled up north from Tasmania for the past 10 years. We do it to have an enjoyable time away with a dozen mates who don’t always see each other at home, so it’s a great time to catch up with everyone.

“It’s great fun, a good event and an enjoyable time. We probably do more sailing in the two weeks up north than at any other time.”

It means a lot to the yachties, but it might just mean more to the local enthusiasts, whether they be jumping aboard a spectator boat or watching from the land with beer in hand.

But certainly, for those not-so-seaworthy, it brings their community into the light. The Whitsundays becomes a boisterous place alive with the sound of flapping sails and boaties on the booze.

It hosts long lunches and dinners, drinking and dancing, and it most certainly raises the Whitsunday sail.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton, said The Whitsundays is excited to welcome and host a high volume of entrants in the Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing.

“Events play a significant role in helping to build awareness for The Whitsundays, creating job opportunities across our region and showcasing our community spirit,” he said.

“Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing showcases some of our best assets: community spirit, clear turquoise waters, secluded coves and fringing reefs, highlighting that The Whitsundays is the Heart of Sailing.”

The Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing begins next week from August 11 to 18.

For NoR, entry and all information on Airlie Beach Race Week, please visit: www.abrw.com.au or www.whitsundaysailingclub.com.au

Airlie Beach Raceweek is back next week, with over 140 boaties ready to set sail on the Whitsunday waters

Boaties are more than eager to take to the ocean for the August 11 to 18 event

The 34th annual event captures the sailing spirit of the Whitsundays

Last year was a wet a windy event, but weather is looking better for Race Week 2022

There are plenty of returning sailors and new faces either making their way or already arrived in Airlie for the annual race

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Proserpine River’s crocodile population will be tracked as part of a monitoring program by Department of Environment and Science who hope to keep tabs on the animals’ movements in relation to public safety.

The river is one of the country’s highest density habitats for crocodiles with “a lot of big crocs in a short area” according to Department of Environment and Science Program coordinator Matthew Brien.

"The Proserpine River has the highest density of crocodiles anywhere in Queensland; it's got five-and-a-half crocodiles per kilometre,” Dr Brien said.

“We’re doing that to get a better handle on the crocodiles in that system, particularly the big crocodiles.”

The monitoring program is planned for October or November this year.

The program is part of Queensland’s crocodile management plan, which was recently found to be “world class, and highly effective in reducing risk to public safety while conserving populations in the wild.”

It famously brought the crocodile population in Queensland back from the brink of extinction in the 1970s while keeping a “number one priority of human life.”

Dr Brien said this was the idea behind the monitoring of a river with so much density – that as well as the “anomaly factor”.

"The average [density] in Queensland is one crocodile per kilometre, and the next highest is about three-and-a-half per kilometre,” he said.

Dr Brien said there is “little to no indication that crocodiles are venturing out onto the islands and into places like Airlie Beach, or not very often” but it was still important to know where the crocs were heading.

Local tourism operator, Steve Watson, who has been running Whitsunday Crocodile Safari on the Proserpine River for more than 20 years, said the human interference may hurt his business.

"My main concern with that if humans start mucking around with them by trapping them, that can impact what our guests are going to see," Mr Watson said.

Dr Brien said that was not the case: “The tagging that’s been done in Australia to date tells us that they resume normal behaviour, normal movements in about a week.”

Overnight traps will be used to attach trackers to the animals, which will gather data over one-to-two years.

It will be the first time satellite tracking is used on crocodiles in the Proserpine River by Department of Environment and Science.

Crocodiles in the Proserpine River will be tracked in a first time ever study of the river system by the Department of Environment

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With all types of sicknesses ‘going round’ at this time of year, a top up of supplements has been on the cards for Whitsunday locals looking to keep themselves in tip-top shape – and there’s no better place than Goodness Gracious.

Owner of Goodness Gracious Health Food & Supplements, Helen Pike, said that this was the time to act on preventative care and to get your holistic products that support the immune system's health.

“We should be eating fresh fruit and veggies, lots of juices, and to add to that, we have a good immune system boosting vitamins in store,” Ms Pike said.

“It’s very important this time of year to stay on top of that system, and through healthy eating that can be addressed, but for that extra protection I have two products.”

Those products are the Astra 8 – an enhancer for the immune defences which helps decrease the frequency of common colds – and the ActiViral, which helps once you’ve already fallen sick.

But now is the time to be building your immune system, Ms Pike said, there’s no point in waiting “until it’s too late.”

“It reduces the severity because you’re already taking something, and then if you back that up with a healthy diet, you’re in the green!” she said.

“You should be protecting yourself as much as you can – there are some nasty bugs going around at the moment.”

But that’s not all that Goodness Gracious offers at its Whitsunday Shopping Centre storefront. The long-standing Health Food store has just that – healthy foods galore.

“We reinvented ourselves and added those food products; big gluten free and keto ranges that are a nutritional haven,” Ms Pike said.

“People are very surprised about the treasure trove of health foods we have when they come in.”

Goodness Gracious is open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday through Friday, and Saturdays and Sundays 9.00am to 1.00pm.

Drop in and buy yourself a treat, or keep that cold at bay.

Helen Pike from Goodness Gracious Health Food & Supplements

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Proper health and nutrition can get confusing and hard to follow, especially when life can get so busy balancing other work and family commitments. Good nutrition is a critical part of health and development, improving health at any age and lowering the risk of disease. While there are plenty of different approaches one can take to improve their nutrition, there are some simple steps anyone can take to get the ball rolling.

We ask the experts, if you could give one piece of nutritional advice, what would it be?

Hayley – Airlie Health Hub

Consume a balanced diet of organic wholefoods, fruit and vegetables. Your body will thank you for it.

Selena – Bottoms Up Colonics Whitsunday

Upon waking every morning, it’s a great idea to flood our bodies with at least 500mL to 1L of good quality filtered room temp water before having anything else.

We generally wake dehydrated, and this is often mistaken for hunger. The suggested daily intake of water is 1L per every 22kg that you weigh. Colonics offer instant cellular hydration at a therapeutic level which is not always achieved through just drinking water orally. Water is the elixir of life. Have you reached your daily intake of water today?

Rowena – Kissun Clinics

Healthy eating is the easiest way to give your body the fuel it needs to excel in life and prevent disease.

It's simple - eat things that our ancient ancestors would have recognised: fruit, nuts, seeds, veggies, lean protein rice etc.

Avoid or reduce the intake of foods that contain chemicals, hormones, preservatives or added sugar.

Make water, sleep, and laughter a huge priority, and remember to share your food, enjoy meals together and stay away from diets or fads.

Helen – Goodness Gracious Health Foods and Gifts

Keep your immune system boosted. There’s so much sickness around – Covid, the flu – so if you do get anything, the duration won’t be so bad if you’re looking after your health. What would you do in a normal flu season, let alone a tough one? Top up your vitamins, make sure you’re eating well, and you’ll feel better for it.

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