Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Hello 2023

Well, it’s hard to believe the Christmas holidays are over.  I hope that everyone had a great Christmas break and that 2023 is prosperous for everyone.  

We are continuing to progress our major capital liveability projects.  December saw the completion of the first stage of the River Wharf project, the development application lodged for the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail, architects appointed to undertake the detailed design for the Northern Beaches Community Hub stages 1A and 1B, and civil works have begun for the road and drainage works.  The Seaforth Esplanade upgrade is progressing well, along with the upgrade to Woodlands Park.  Council has more than 700 projects in its Capital Works program for this financial year.  However, COVID-19, inflation and shortages of material and human resources continue to impact the delivery of the program.

Let’s turn our focus to Australia Day.  The awards night is held on Wednesday, January 25, where the Australia Day Award recipients for 2023 will be announced.  I’d like to congratulate all nominees and thank those who have taken the time to nominate someone.  A citizenship ceremony will then be held Thursday morning to welcome new Australian Citizens to our region.

Council also offers grants to community organisations to hold Australia Day events.  This funding will support 13 true-blue Australia Day celebrations by local not-for-profit groups. Be sure to attend one or a few of the following events:

● Armstrong Beach Progress Association – 2pm to 8pm, Llewellyn Hall

● Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club – 11am to 2pm, Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club

● Finch Hatton Progress Association – 10am to 3pm, Finch Hatton Showgrounds

● Habana and Districts Progress Association – 3pm to 7pm, 1091 Mackay-Habana Road

● Mackay Bowling Club – 9am to 4pm, Mackay Bowling Club, Nebo Road

● Mackay Contract Bridge Club (come and try) – 10am to 3pm, 414 Shakespeare Street

● Mackay Junior Motocross (come and try) – 8.30am to 1pm, Riverside Track, 2 Hume Street

● Mackay Sailing Club – Sail Away, 11am to 3pm, Kinchant Dam

● Mackay Surf Life Saving Club – Beach Party, 10am to 4pm, Mackay Harbour

● Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club – 1pm to 5pm, Sarina Beach

● Seaforth Bowls Club – 1.30pm till late, Walsh Avenue

● St Helens Beach Progress and Environment Association Inc – 9am to 4pm, Repulse Esplanade

● Banksia Scout Group – Open Day, 10am to 1pm, Jaycee Park, Bedford Road.

Cr Karen May

Deputy Mayor

Mackay Regional Council

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