In recent years, residents of Tropic Road in Cannonvale have raised concerns about plans to develop a large storage facility at the location. One vocal opponent of the proposal is Robin Weaver, who lives adjacent to the proposed site. Robin has been actively involved in the campaign against the development, working closely with the Whitsunday Regional Council to argue against the project. His primary concern was the impact that the 550-unit storage facility would have on a block of land that is
Read more
You may have noticed some fascinating new structures emerging over Maureen Cove. Five larval pools have been deployed here until Tuesday, November 26th, 2024, as part of a collaborative reef restoration project led by Red Cat Adventures, Ocean Rafting, ZigZag, Reef Catchments, AIMS, and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Each year, following the full moon in November or December (timing depends on the full moon, water temperature, and tides), the outer Great Barrier Reef comes alive with a spect
Read more
November 17th marked the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, a day to honour those lost in road accidents and reflect on the far-reaching impact of road trauma. In the Whitsundays, the recent tragic deaths of three locals in October has prompted a call for greater road safety awareness. Rebecca Woods, a local advocate for road safety, is urging residents to ask themselves: “What are you doing for road safety?” A recent survey in the region revealed that 94% of respondents believe
Read more
The recent bogging of an excavator in Shute Harbour has raised questions for local environmental group Whitsunday Conservation Council (WCC) who are concerned any new development would cause damage to the environment and create safety issues for mariners. “First proposed back in the mid 1980’s, the long history of this location’s unsuitability to support a marina has become more obvious as the years pass by,” says WCC President Tony Fontes. “This entire bay in its natural state plays a critic
Read more
This month’s article showcases our diverse businesses community in partnership with the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This month we meet Ellen and daughter Bek Kerr of One Agency Team Kerr. In January 2025, Ellen and Bek will celebrate 2 years in business, having established their small boutique real estate agency specialising in residential sales in January 2023. Having worked in real estate in the region for the last 18 years, ‘Team Kerr’ looked for an opportunity to bring a
Read more
Whitsunday Regional Council is rolling out a collaborative Erosion and Sediment Control Inspection Program this wet season (November - April 2025) to protect our waterways, marine ecosystems, and stormwater network. Sediment on roads can be hazardous and clog stormwater pipes, increasing flood impacts. By working with builders and developers, we’re ensuring best practices to reduce sediment loss, keep roads safer and safeguard our reef environments. Learn more about erosion and sediment control
Read more%20(1).JPG)
Advocacy is crucial for regional councils like ours, especially when faced with urgent infrastructure demands created by rapid population growth and thriving tourism, mining and agriculture sectors. During my first 7 months as Mayor, I have put a strong emphasis on proactive engagement with state and federal governments in a bid to secure necessary funding and support for key projects. Which is why I have been on the road the last 10 days pushing the flesh at the halls of power in Brisbane a
Read more
Ten years ago, Twenty16 Communications was founded, with CEO Laz Reynolds at the helm. As the driving force behind the company, Reynolds established the business to provide expert information on sales and service for top-quality marine electronics brands. Since its inception, the company has become a trusted name in the industry, offering specialised knowledge and reliable support to its customers. Laz decided to set up the company, relying on his significant expertise in electronics and communi
Read more
Coral Sea Marina’s Lookout Lounge will soon be flooded with a magical atmosphere overflowing with female empowerment and marine education this December as the Women in Boating on The Reef event makes waves across the region! An event run and organised by women, for women, ladies are invited to enjoy an evening of mingling with like-minded people, learn from experienced boaters and environmentalists and indulge in the stunning views of the marina. With an ocean of tips, tricks and knowledge to i
Read more
Next month, Proserpine Youth Space will celebrate 25 years of supporting, guiding, and empowering young people in the community. Since its opening, Youth Space has provided a safe environment for young people aged 10-21, offering a range of programs focused on mental health, resilience, and building social connections. To mark this significant milestone, Proserpine Youth Space will host a Superhero-themed 25th anniversary celebration on December 6th from 3-6pm at their Youth Centre, located at
Read more.jpg)
Almost three decades have passed since Ocean Rafting brought a splash of gold to the turquoise Whitsundays waters. Ocean Rafting has surpassed 28 wonderful years of family-run and locally loved business, and is ready to keep serving the Whitsunday Tourism Industry for another. Ocean Rafting marked its 28th anniversary in style at the Tourism Awards in October, securing a gold medal in the ‘Major Tour & Transport’ category and silver in ‘Adventure Tourism.’ The team was also honoured as Whitsund
Read more
Ocean Safari, often referred to as the ‘little sister’ of Ocean Rafting, offers a multi-award-winning exhilarating adventure to snorkel the pristine, untouched Great Barrier Reef off the Daintree Coast at Cape Tribulation for the past 16 years. This half-day Great Barrier Reef tour takes you to two stunning snorkel destinations, each brimming with an extraordinary array of marine life and vibrant coral species. After a swift 25-minute ride, you'll dive into the breathtaking waters of Mackay Reef
Read more
This Christmas, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, are ensuring that no child goes without a present this year. The centre is encouraging individuals to donate to their toy drive, which in turn will go into their free Christmas gift shop, aimed to help families who are struggling this Christmas. Parents will need to register their interest in attending, and once a slot is booked will be invited to come through the gift shop and get tokens for free gifts, which are new and unopened and can go
Read more
This holiday season, Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue is inviting you to make a meaningful difference for animals in need by participating in our Christmas Charity Raffle. Every ticket you buy helps rescue unwanted animals and gives them a chance at a loving forever home. Tickets are available at Tinkers Bakery (Whitsunday Community Markets on November 23 and 30, 2024), Beach Book Boutique in Airlie Beach, or you can contact them directly for bank transfer options. Every ticket purchased directly s
Read more.png)
Rocco was found abandoned in Bowen and brought into the loving care of Bowen and Collinsville Pet Rescue. He was a little rough around the edges at first, clearly in need of some TLC. But with patience and love, he’s now thriving in his foster home and slowly coming out of his shell. This affectionate boy is a true cuddle bug! Rocco will greet you with a gentle purr and loves to nuzzle up for some attention. He’s often found relaxing or peacefully napping, content in his safe, cozy environment.
Read more
An up-and-coming international phenomenon, Siena Larsson continues to climb the aBreak58 charts, opening the door to a world of exciting opportunities to advance her music career. Originally from Bowen, Siena has always held a strong passion for creating music and took advantage of each opportunity available to work towards her dream from performing in the Whitsundays to completing a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland University of Technology. “Music has always been something that I wanted to d
Read more
Airlie Beach, are you ready to embark on a musical journey like no other? The ultimate party band, Sex & Chocolate, will soon grace the Airlie Beach Hotel stage with their highly anticipated show, Motown to Millennia for two electrifying afternoons on Saturday 14 December and Sunday 15 December! Prepare to move, groove, and sing along as the iconic band takes you on a nostalgic ride from the soulful sounds of the Motown era to the chart-topping rhythms of the new millennium. With over twenty-f
Read more
On the evening of Friday, 15 November, an abundance of imagination and creativity flooded the walls, halls, and floors of the Proserpine Museum with the exquisite talents of both novice and professional artists showcased for the community to enjoy. A spectacular grand opening, the evening staged the debut of the 2024 Accomplished and Emerging Artists Exhibition to celebrate and commend the talents of the Whitsunday region. Councillor John Collins led the official proceedings and opened the even
Read more
Airlie Beach will be hosting a fantastic evening of Christmas Carols and Holiday Movies at the Foreshore this Sunday. Kicking off at 4pm on the 1st of December, the evening will begin with joyful Christmas carols, where the community can join together in singing your favourite holiday tunes to spread the festive cheer together. Following the Christmas Carols, the evening continues with a festive double movie feature under the stars! First, watch the holiday special Merry Madagascar, followed b
Read more
Friday 29 November The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Blues Brothers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: DJ Wontok(4pm–8pm) Saturday 30 November The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Tusk’ Fleetwood Mac (2pm–5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Blues Brothers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Sam McCann (4pm–8pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Live Music (from 1pm)Coral Sea Pavilion: Chill DJ Session (2pm–6pm) Sunday 1 December The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Tusk’ Fleetwood Mac (2pm–5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Sam McCann (6
Read more
November 28 Social Sunrise Dip, Boathaven Beach, Airlie Beach, from 7am 29 Youth Space’s Senior’s Sesh for youth aged 14+, 65 Marathon Street, Proserpine, from 3pm 29-30 Chez's House of Dance & Whitsunday Allstars Annual Concert 2024, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 11am and 6.30pm December 1 Carols by the Beach, Airlie Beach Foreshore, from 4pm 1 Airlie Beach Movie Night – Merry Madagascar & Home Alone 2, Airlie Beach Foreshore, from 6pm 3 Sailing For Those With
Read more
Bowen was proudly represented this week at the Queensland Information Centre’s Association (QICA) conference with Leanne Abernethy, Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, and Visitors Services Coordinator, Glenn Womal in attendance. An annual event held in a different location each year, the QICA conference provides attendees with a valuable platform to network and exchange knowledge with one another. Introduced in 2005, the conference allows attendees to exchange ideas, meet representatives fro
Read more
It’s been an action-packed first few weeks for me as CEO of TW, and I’ve loved every moment of diving into our local tourism scene. From meeting passionate operators to exploring our stunning destinations, I’m more excited than ever about what the future holds for this incredible region. One of my first steps was hosting a roundtable with key tourism members, where we brainstormed ideas for our major marketing campaign to help raise the profile of The Whitsundays. It was a great chance to hear d
Read more
Last week the team spent a day with Judy from Shiift, who specialise in leadership, culture and performance training. In our session we were learning about strengths via the Clifton Strengths model. In a shift from the usual way, we discuss strengths – a sandwich for what could be improved – the whole session focussed on our top five strengths. To get to the top five, we all took a lengthy quiz. This quiz was puzzling, so many questions were asked and then asked again in a different way. After
Read more
The Whitsunday Junior Raiders Rugby Union Club gathered in style last week to celebrate a standout season at their End of Year Awards Night. Held at Whitsunday Sports Park, the event was a heartfelt tribute to the players, coaches, volunteers, and supporters who made 2024 a season to remember. Club President Tim Oberg took the opportunity to reflect on the dedication and growth of the players throughout the year. “I’m so proud of the way our players have conducted themselves this season,” sha
Read more