The Regional Queensland Council of Mayors is looking forward to working with the first Regional Education Commissioner to ensure regional residents have the same education and employment pathways as south-east Queenslanders.

Chair of the Regional Queensland Council of Mayors (RQCOM), Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson, has met with the first Regional Education Commissioner, Fiona Nash.

Mayor Greg Williamson said his meeting with Ms Nash showed great promise for the role of Regional Education Commissioner.

“This was an important step in having the voice of regional Queenslanders heard in the south,” he said.

Mayor Williamson will chair a forum for key Regional Queensland Mayors in April to hear from the Commissioner about her role and to provide an opportunity for the Commissioner to hear first-hand the impacts of education shortcomings on regional Queenslanders.

“It’s a travesty that regional Australians are less than half as likely to obtain a university degree by age 35 compared to those in metropolitan areas,” he said.

“The Commissioner’s plan to halve that gap by 2030 is a good start and I’m determined that regional Queensland people are involved in that process.”

Ms Nash said she would be a champion for regional, rural and remote education, working with stakeholders across sectors to ensure all Australians can access and benefit from a high-quality education, regardless of where they live.

She said her role would have a broad remit across regional, rural and remote student education from early childhood education to tertiary education to improve regional education outcomes

Regional Queensland Council of Mayors Executive Committee

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Community groups may feel a little foolish if they let April 1 pass by without applying for a council Community Grant.

All up, $189,000 is up for grabs in the latest funding round which will close at midnight April Fools’ Day (Friday, April 1).

Grants can be used by groups for a range of activities, purchases and projects.

Funding is available for small equipment (up to $1500), community initiatives, programs, events and upgrades (up to $7500) and minor infrastructure and assets (up to $30,000).

This means grants can be used for everything from buying simple office equipment to infrastructure projects, including concept development, as well as the purchase of large equipment, like vehicles.

This gives tremendous flexibility to community clubs and not-for-profit groups needing financial assistance.

To apply, and for full grant guidelines, head to mackay.qld.gov.au/grants

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Mackay Police have put a call out to motorists to be extra vigilant on the roads today (Friday 25 March) as ‘ride to school day’ will see an increased number of bicycles on the road.

Sergeant Nigel Dalton said it was exciting to see schools welcoming cyclists of all ages with a healthy breakfast.

“Cycling is a great way to keep fit and many young cyclists go on to ride for health and fitness for many years,” Sergeant Dalton said.

“Police all over the Mackay District will be assisting with Ride to School events and will be involved in briefing the children on bike safety.

“But all motorists need to be alert to what younger riders might do – many have little road sense so please be extra careful when you see young people on their bik

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Like a lot of you, I'm doing home quarantine at the moment with Covid, and if you're in the same boat, I hope you're doing ok.

It's a strange thing knowing you'll get it at some stage, but then not being totally prepared for when it arrives at your house.

My wife's a teacher so she's around many different people every day, and we were sure she'd get it first.

After I had a Friday night with quite a few of my 6.4 per cent home brews, I thought my very slight headache and not feeling 100 per cent was due to my delicious hazy pale ale. But after playing a game of Saturday afternoon 3rd grade cricket for Pinnacle, and still not feeling right at 8pm that night, we tested my wife first because we thought she may have it, and me almost for a laugh. But it was the other way around with me positive and her negative; which is still the case three days later, and we've changed nothing with how we live, eat and sleep.

Since then, my 11-year-old son has Covid and my daughter too.

Day 4/5 for me today and I've gotta say, triple-vaxxed, I'm pretty much sailing through and feeling pretty good. It's feeling like a slight-medium head cold, but you go through stages of feeling really great, and then now and then a slight fever and just not feeling quite right. Compared to stories I've heard from friends that had Covid, I'm counting myself very lucky so far.

The Coles delivery truck from Rural View has stocked us up for the week, some friends have dropped off treats which we're very grateful for. Plus, the third test between Australia and Pakistan is on Kayo, so that's making home time pass a little quicker.

If one of your kids feels a little warm when you give them a hug, test them, because that's how we think it got into our home, and don't send them to school.

Stay well if you've got Covid.

Scotty

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Our very own Mayor, Greg Williamson, said he will be channeling his best John Travolta impersonation at this year’s Mayor’s Charity Ball, even if it means his wife, Annette, may disown him. It’s all part of the fun of the disco-inspired theme of this year’s gala event, to be held at the MECC on 14 May.

If you’re feeling hot on the night, fingers crossed it’s not Covid, organisers are asking attendees to channel their inner ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and boogie on the dance floor.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the disco theme should resonate with many of those attending.

“It will be plenty of fun as we raise funds for two great causes,” Mayor Williamson said.

This year’s ball will raise money for HeartKids Mackay, also a recipient last year, and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) to assist with construction and operation of a Ronald McDonald Family Room in Mackay.

The launch for sponsors and recipients was held on stage in the MECC auditorium last week and tickets for the Ball are now on sale online through www.themecc.com.au.

The Red Tie band, as well as some surprise guests, will help create the disco atmosphere on the night. Emcee will be Channel 7 fishing personality Scotty Hillier.

There will also be the usual gala charity auction.

This 2021 Mayor’s Charity Ball raised nearly $100,000 for charity, split 50-50 between Domestic Violence Resource Service (DVRS) – a recipient for two years – and HeartKids Mackay.

HeartKids Queensland manager Holly Williams said the organisation was thrilled to be a beneficiary of the Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball once again in 2022.

“Following the amazing success of the 2021 Gala, HeartKids was able to employ a support coordinator in Mackay to provide meaningful support to individuals and families within the Mackay HeartKids community, as well as foster strong connections within the local community to increase awareness of congenital heart disease,’’ she said.

“We look forward to increasing our connections within the Mackay HeartKids community throughout 2022 by growing our support opportunities and options for all families impacted by congenital heart disease.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) North Australia chief executive officer Tamara South said she sincerely appreciated the generous support the local community had shown for the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Mackay.

“We are delighted by and incredibly grateful for the generous support the entire Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday communities have shown for the Mackay Capital Campaign,” said Ms South.

“The construction of a Ronald McDonald Family Room in Mackay will make an immense difference to the lives of local families. It will give families with sick or injured kids a place where they can rest and recuperate and enjoy a much-needed break from the clinical environment of the hospital.”

Mayor Williamson said the 2022 event was off to a fantastic start, with corporate sponsorship of about $50,000 locked in.

The Mayor’s Charity Golf Day, hosted by Rotary Club of Mackay and sponsored by Enlightened Financial Solutions, will be held the day before the Ball on Friday, May 13.

Mayor Greg Williamson and representatives of 2022 Mayor’s Charity Ball recipients, Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia Mackay and Whitsundays community engagement executive Samantha Lee (left) and HeartKids Queensland manager Holly Williams, get into the disco spirit at last week’s event launch. Image supplied: Mackay Regional Council

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In early March, a collection of average blokes from Shed Happens Mackay assisted a man living in a Government Housing unit to move to the St Vincent De Paul’s Men's Hostel.

For over two years the man had been directed to clean up the excess gear he was collecting in his front yard but had not complied.

Shed Happens Mackay - a local men’s group helping men with issues of all kinds, including mental health - put the call out to its cohort to help him move.

The Shed Happens blokes responded to the call, as well as their regular sponsors DGH Engineering, who provided a truck with three men to help with the task.

Matt Cole from Empire Trailer Hire also provided the group with a free trailer to use for the day.

Frank Cowell, Convenor of Shed Happens Mackay said it was “a bit of a job,” but was another part of Shed’s continued involvement with the men’s shelter which they are ever proud of.

“He’d been evicted because he was a hoarder, and we were asked by Collin Cook at the shelter to help out, so we got together a few blokes,” Frank said.

They worked from 8am until 3pm and took a “fair bit” of stuff to the tip.

Sadly, the gentleman who’s home it was has dementia and wanted to keep everything.

There was so much that the group returned on Wednesday to finish the job.

Although sad, there is a silver lining and an altruistic tinge to the story, which Frank Cowell put perfectly.

“When you do that sort of task, the reward is in itself that you know you’re helping someone out, and the blokes that were there, they’re shed blokes that have the heart for helping others,” he said.

“Hopefully, he can get the help he needs there.”

One of five Shed Happens vehicles that was used to help remove the gear

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The lure to live by the beach is as strong as ever, evident by the rapidly growing cluster of subdivisions forming Mackay’s Northern Beaches. However, the idyllic lifestyle comes with a catch. There is only one road in and out, which becomes clogged and congested during twice-daily peak hours.

The Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP has joined with LNP Candidate for Dawson Andrew Willcox, to launch the Build It for The Beaches – No Delays petition.  

Ms Camm said in 2020, the State Government put $750,000 aside for planning works to investigate options to deal with capacity upgrades and duplication for Mackay-Bucasia Road.

“Nothing has happened since this announcement and this planning work is not scheduled to commence until 2023/24,” Ms Camm said.

One in six Mackay region residents currently live in the Northern Beaches, which is more than 16 per cent of the total population. The current approximate population of the Northern Beaches is 21,000 people. By 2036, this is expected to grow by 43 per cent, adding more than 9000 residents.  

“The fastest growing population in Mackay needs a faster connection,” Ms Camm said.

“As it stands, there is only one way in and one way out for emergency services. This is unacceptable to adequately respond to the needs of this growing population.  

“The impacts are not just being felt by Northern Beaches residents, but the broader Mackay community.  

“The Mackay-Bucasia Road has become known for long delays, traffic jams and bottlenecks. This is now a daily part of the city commute for many locals.  

“With over 2000 estimated new constituents enrolling in the Northern Beaches since I have been elected to Queensland Parliament, we call on the Minister to upgrade this road immediately,” Ms Camm said.

Andrew Willcox has joined with the Member for Whitsunday on this campaign.

“Travel to and from the Northern Beaches of Mackay should be quicker and safer than what it is,” Mr Willcox said.

“If the State Labor Government has the money put aside for planning on Mackay Bucasia Road, what are we waiting for? Let’s get on with it.”

In response, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the State Government has locked in funding for a business case on an upgrade of Mackay – Bucasia Road, which is due to start next year.

“This forms part of more than $1 billion worth of roads and transport projects we are delivering across the region, including the $120 million Mackay Northern Access Upgrade which will greatly improve access to the Northern Beaches,” Minister Bailey said.

“This petition is clearly just a federal election stunt,” he added.

“No more delays or excuses – let’s Build It for The Beaches,” Ms Camm said.

The Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP (right) has joined with LNP Candidate for Dawson Andrew Willcox, to launch the Build It for The Beaches - ‘No Delays’ petition for an upgrade to the Mackay Bucasia Road

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The Reef Gateway Hotel in Airlie Beach has opened the doors of its onsite liquor retail outlet with a brand-new look this month.

The newest Harry Brown store is now part of one of Australia’s leading independent retail groups, providing independent store owners with the collective buying power they need to offer local customers great deals on the products they love.

The store is the biggest liquor retailer in the area, offering an impressive variety of local, national, and international wines, beers, ciders and spirits at competitive prices.

“We have tailored our range to suit local needs and have designed our store layout to help you find your favourite choice quickly,” Store Manager Steve Wright said.

“Whether you are shopping for a gift, the perfect match for your meal or searching for that hard-to-find bottle, Harry Brown staff are here to help.”

There are currently six Harry Brown outlets in Australia, with Airlie Beach the newest store, and the company was nationally crowned Best Retail Liquor at the 2021 Australian Hotels Association National Awards for Excellence for its Bracken Ridge Tavern store in Queensland.

For locals, it’s looking good and especially for those with a crafty brew inclined palette, as Harry Brown is especially well known for its extensive craft beer selection and is already offering an everyday special of 25 per cent off when purchasing any six single craft beers.

Steve Wright, store manager at the country’s newest Harry Brown

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Our local Lions Youth of the Year winner, Mac Rogers, has returned triumphant, winning the Public Speaking Award at the Lion’s district championships which were held in Townsville last weekend.

The inspiring 17-year-old is the school captain at Proserpine State High School and this was the second year in a row that he had been awarded Lions Youth of the Year, beating participants from Bowen, Whitsundays and Collinsville to secure his place.

While in Townsville, Mac competed against six other students who came from as far afield as Cairns, west of Townsville and Mackay.

Representing Zone 9, Mac was sponsored by Proserpine Lions Club and was supported by 13 fellow Lions who also attended on the night.

There were four finalists from across North Queensland - Alannah Falvo, who represented St Stephen's Catholic College in Mareeba, was the overall winner.

Aurelia Woods from Trinity Anglican School in Cairns won the Community Service Award and Barnabas Juhasz represented Townsville Grammar School from Castle

Hill.

Well known for his excellent public speaking skills, Mac was thrilled to take home the award that reflected his speciality.

“It’s been a really good opportunity to develop my public-speaking skills and I have met lots of interesting people, both Lions and students,” he said.

The Proserpine Lions Club would like to congratulate Mac on his achievements

and wish him well for his future endeavours.

Marc Rogers won the Public Speaking Award at the District Youth of the Year Finals

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For the first time in recorded history, a mass coral bleaching event in the Great Barrier Reef is occurring during the usually cooler weathers of a La Nina year.

This serious event also happens to coincide with a ten-day delegation of two Unesco scientists who will be collecting evidence that will help decide whether to classify the reef “in danger.”

The Great Barrier Reef has seen six mass bleaching events and this will be the fourth in six years.

Chief Scientist of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Dr David Wachenfield said that the thermal stress has accumulated across the reef, with the worst affected area being the central one.

Aerial surveys by the Marine Park Authority are occurring this week over the major tourism areas, but Dr Wachenfield said the stress was less in these areas.

"The majority of reefs surveyed from Hinchinbrook to Bowen were severely bleached, with some mortality observed at some of these reefs,” Dr Wachenfield said.

"These thermal anomalies have worsened since the start of March, which is counter to what we would normally expect in a typical March.”

Spokesperson for the Whitsunday Conservation Council (WCC), Tony Fontes, said that a change of reefs world status to ‘In Danger’ would only serve to help.

“The Reef is in danger. No amount of government spin can change that. Recognising that the Reef is in danger is the best way to protect the reef,” he said.

“Global warming, fuelled by the burning of fossil fuels, has caught up to us.”

Bleached coral

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Local tourist operators gathered at Coral Sea Marina last week to receive the news that, for the second year running, they would not have to pay an environmental charge to the Marine Park Authority.

This nominal fee is usually paid by each tourist who participates in a local tour and varies from business to business.

Jan Claxton from Ocean Rafting said that her company pays between $7 and $8 dollars per passenger.

“A lot of us are having to run discounts to keep staff and vessels running, so this will make a huge difference,” she said.

“We have eight boats and can take up to 230 people per day – when you add it all up over the last 20 years, it’s a couple of million!”

Minister for the Environment Susan Ley MP was joined by LNP candidate for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Whitsundays Rick Hamilton to make the announcement.

“I am delighted to say that the Treasurer has listened and is picking up the tab!” said Minister Ley.

“The Marine Park Authority will continue to receive the funds but you, the tourism operators, will not have to pay.”

Andrew Willcox said he was thrilled to see a 12-month extension on the funding.

“I have been lobbying for this and I am pleased to see that they have listened and that it’s come through,” he said.

“A lot of tourism operators have been absorbing the costs, so this is a huge help for that.”

Rick Hamilton said that the news is welcomed by the whole industry.

“It’s terrific news for the tourism industry – it’s been a tough few years for us,” he said.

“We are really looking forward to the next year when we will begin welcoming international tourists and cruise ships back to the Whitsundays.”

Minister Ley also announced that $15 million will be spent on improving the local marine environment through helping tourism operators to better monitor the area.

Minister for the Environment Susan Ley MP, LNP candidate for Dawson Andrew Willcox and Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Whitsundays Rick Hamilton with tourism operators at Coral Sea Marina last week

Minister Ley making the announcement with CEO of Tourism Whitsundays (left) and LNP Candidate for Dawson Andrew Willcox (right)

Minister Ley talking to Jan Claxton from Ocean Rafting

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The celebrated champions of our region, Red Cat Adventures, were among three local operators to be recognised at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards on the weekend.

Red Cats won gold in Adventure Tourism and silver for Major Tour and Transport Operators while Pinnacles Resort won silver for Self-Contained Accommodation and InterContinental Hayman Island Resort took home bronze in 5 Star Accommodation.

Julie and Asher Telford, owners of Red Cat Adventures, said they had been dreaming of winning the prestigious Adventure Tourism category for many years as this field of tourism symbolises the very foundation of their business.

“Although we’ve been privileged to win awards in the past at local, state, and national levels, this is our first gold in the Adventure Tourism category nationally,” said Julie.

“Without international youth markets to draw on, Adventure Tourism has been one of the hardest hit sectors, and what we personally - and our industry as a whole - have been through during the pandemic, cements this as the toughest battle of them all and consequently the most cherished win.”

For the Telford’s the awards represent not only their company’s success but also their resilience and ability to pivot and overcome adversity.

With 86 per cent of their business relying on international tourists prior to the pandemic, it was just a few weeks after the company had celebrated their gold and silver wins at the 2019 Australian Awards when news of the onset of COVID caused the value of their company to be halved overnight.

“We were faced with the devastation of losing the majority of our staff and what ensued has been an insane, emotional rollercoaster ride – at times elating, at others soul-destroying, but always raw and real,” said Asher.

“Instead of closing our doors and taking a rest, we slaved – we worked 10 times harder, and made a new business plan every time the rules changed.

“We sought opportunities from challenges, took calculated risks, and actually grew our company during Covid, evolving into a better, more efficient, more sustainable business as a result.”

The Telford’s want to say a huge congratulations to all the other award winners.

“Even to be in that room after such a turbulent two years is a massive achievement that everyone deserves recognition for,” said Julie.

At The Pinnacle Of Success

Bringing home silver in the Self-Contained Accommodation category, Pinnacles Resort were another local business who were elated by their success at the Australian National Tourism Awards last weekend.

Resort Manager, Sue Watson, said that the gala dinner, held at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre last Friday was a great opportunity for operators to get together and celebrate successes after a challenging few years.

“The event was all you would expect - the best of the tourism industry and

a wonderful celebration,” she said.

“It has been a difficult couple of years, not only for the Whitsundays but for everyone in the industry so it felt good to be back to some sort of normal.

“We are so excited, and it was just amazing to be bringing home silver for

the Whitsundays!”

The InterContinental Hayman Island Resort won a bronze award in the Five Star Accommodation category and General Manager, Arpad Romandy, proudly congratulated the winners.

“It’s an exciting time for The Whitsundays tourism sector to continue to shine and showcase our unique experiences and products,” he said.

“The recognition of being showcased on a national stage and achieving a bronze award is an honour.”

Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Whitsundays said that while we may be a small region, our world-class offerings, iconic destinations and passionate operators shined on the night.

“Tourism operators in The Whitsundays consistently deliver high-level experiences, they are dedicated to showcasing the best of our region and I am delighted that we had three national finalists up for four awards,” he said.

Brent Jones and Susan Watson, Pinnacles Resort Managers.

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Dignitaries, returned servicemen and the Proserpine community witnessed a momentous occasion as the new Proserpine Cenotaph was officially opened last Tuesday.

The old Cenotaph that previously sat in the construction zone for the new Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC) is now gone and in its place a revamped monument to those who lost their lives fighting for Australia.

The new memorial was celebrated with an Official Dedication Ceremony led by Proserpine RSL Sub-branch President, Jason Raiteri, and attended by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, as well as Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen.

Both the Premier and Mr Christensen spoke solemnly on the meaning of war to the town of Proserpine and its older generations.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said the Cenotaph was co-created by Council and the Proserpine RSL Sub-branch, creating a traditional design which would have a greater impact on the community and be more functional for commemorative ceremonies

“The Cenotaph represents more than names; it is a tribute to the efforts and the hardship endured by our servicemen and women,” Mayor Willcox said.

“We wanted the new Cenotaph to be a memorial that our residents would be proud of.”

Twenty-one new names, including two indigenous soldiers, were added to the list adorning the cenotaph – each of whom lost their lives in battle.

“The Cenotaph represents a headstone for all those Proserpine Servicemen who were killed during service and lay in cemeteries across Europe and the Pacific,” said Mr Raiteri

“It is a special place for many local families with relative’s names engraved on the Cenotaph. It also provides the Proserpine community with an appropriate gathering point for commemorative ceremonies,” he said.

“The new Cenotaph will ensure that the names of all Proserpine’s fallen to date are forever displayed and their sacrifice will be remembered by future generations.”

Many of the regions’ veterans placed wreaths at the feet of the new cenotaph in honour of fallen comrades

Veterans were out in droves to respectfully herald in the new and improved Cenotaph

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Mayor’s Message:

On Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Tropical Cyclone Debbie smashed the Whitsunday region and our recovery five years later is a story about the courage, spirit and resilience of our community.

For 48 hours torrential rain and winds up to 260 kilometres per hour smashed Airlie Beach, Bowen, Proserpine and wreaked havoc as far west as Collinsville.

We live in a country of cyclones and flooding rains, and in 2017 it was the turn of the Whitsunday Region, and its 35,000 plus community and thousands of stranded tourists, to struggle against what mother nature could throw at us.

As Mayor of the Whitsundays I am in awe of the amazing community spirit of our residents that were always willing to lend a hand to a mate or neighbour in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

Mates helping mates is Our Whitsunday Way, but when a disaster as massive as Tropical Cyclone Debbie hits, it is up to community leaders to unite and lead the recovery.

In total, Debbie caused $2.4 billion in damage and fourteen deaths across Australia, primarily as a result of extreme flooding making it the most expensive and deadliest cyclone to hit Australia since Cyclone Tracey in 1974.

Looking back, 2017 was shaping up as a bright year for the Whitsunday Region with strong economic growth forecast.

We had record tourism numbers, one of the fastest growing regional airports in the country and possibly the largest-ever mine, rail and port development in Australia’s history.

But then mother nature threw us a curve ball!

TC Debbie was a horrific experience for our community but the support of the military, SES and emergency services was huge and we’re indebted to them for their dedication to serving our community in its hour of need.

The mission to source Federal and State Government funding to assist us to restore and build resilience into our region’s infrastructure and rebuild community assets has been a long journey.

However, five years later I am proud of the efforts of my Council to lead our region’s recovery and the relentless lobbying and advocacy to secure over $250 million in funding for new capital projects and restoration works.

This funding allowed us to improve key infrastructure, leading to increased resilience and making our community Stronger than Before.

We also brought forward several major projects to make our Whitsunday region better than ever.

We had only started to emerge from the shadow of Debbie when the world-wide Covid-19 pandemic struck.

2022 is hopefully the year our community can regain its mojo and it is off to a flyer with a new airline in Bonza announcing direct flights to Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Newcastle and the $18.8 million state of the art Proserpine Entertainment Centre officially opened on Tuesday.

My Council is confident that the Whitsunday Region is perfectly positioned for a bright and prosperous next decade and beyond.

Mayor Andrew Willcox

Whitsunday Regional Council

Projects Completed Since Cyclone Debbie

• Airlie Beach/Cannonvale Sustainable Water Pipeline and Cannon Valley Reservoir tanks $21.3 million

• Cannonvale Lakes boardwalk and landscape upgrades $700,000

• Bowen Sewage Treatment Plant $27million

• Increased capacity for network capability Ergon upgrades $360,000

• Airlie Beach Lagoon facility upgrades $2.5 million

• Bowen Front Beach Seawall rebuild $1 million

• Collinsville Water Park and Swimming pool upgrades $2.3 million

• Bi-Centennial boardwalk upgrades $900,000

• Proserpine Main Street upgrade and Proserpine RV Park $2.9 million

A washed-up boat on Airlie Foreshore with trees damaged by the cyclone and two sunbathers nearby

Mayor Andrew Willcox flying over the region shortly after the cyclone

Left to right: Major General Chris Field, Nicky Oatley, Sandy Oatley, Glenn Burke (all Hamilton Island), Steve O’Connell, Ian Haughton, Mayor Andrew Willcox, Inspector-General Emergency Management Alistair Dawson and Nathan Blain.

Volunteers clearing roads to allow emergency service vehicles through

Cannonvale Beach Park clear-up after the cyclone

Mayor Andrew Willcox discussing progress with Major General Chris Field

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Almost five years to the week that the Proserpine Entertainment Centre shut its doors following substantial damage in the wake of Cyclone Debbie, the new $18.8 million cultural heart of Proserpine has officially re-opened.

Proserpine Entertainment Centre – “Built Back Better”

With all levels of government working together to see the project come to fruition, the new entertainment centre tells a story of how Councils, State and Federal Government have all been united in rejuvenating the cultural heart of Proserpine.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that she has personally followed the journey of the rebuild following her visit to the Whitsundays shortly after Cyclone Debbie.

She remembers talking to a group of local ladies who asked her what she was going to do about it and has since made it her mission to help in any way she could.

Mayor Andrew Willcox sad that initially they had expected to fix instead of rebuild the centre and estimated the cost to be around $500,000.

“This project was a bit like an onion – the more we peeled back, the more problems we started to find,” he recalled.

With structural damage proving too significant, it was decided to completely re-build the facility with $5 million funding from the Federal Government thanks to Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen and $5 million funding from State Government thanks to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

It wasn’t long, however, before Council realised that the new building would cost significantly more and Mayor Andrew Willcox asked the state government to increase funding.

“This Mayor’s pretty good at knocking on my door, but that’s what you do when a community is so impacted,” said Premier Palaszczuk.

“I could see how much you needed a community centre to be built back and renewed and built back better and what you see now is a really modern, dynamic community and it’s good to have that infrastructure.”

Last year the State Government provided an additional $8 million in funding.

“Without you this project wouldn’t be where it is today, I can’t thank you enough,” said Mayor Willcox.

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen said the facility was now a valued community venue, acting as an arts and cultural centre, local cinema, conference venue and a social activity hub.

“I am pleased to see the rebuilt centre open and looking better than ever,” Mr Christensen said.

“This is a fantastic example of Australian Government funding in action, increasing the liveability and amenity of our regions by delivering locally important community infrastructure.”

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