Rural Life 14

By Kevin Borg, Chairman, CANEGROWERS Mackay

Harvest Contractors, and other stakeholders gathered at CANEGROWERS Mackay last week for the information workshop on NHVR permits for the Christmas oversize vehicle curfew. Pictures: Contributed

WEEKLY PRODUCTION FIGURES

Wilmar Sugar Plane Creek Mill Week 23, Week ending 19 November 2022

This week Season to date

Cane crushed 70,312

1,217,037 Weekly production figures

Average bin weight 3.83

CCS 12.71

Cane variety performance for region

3.85 Wilmar Sugar Plane Creek Mill

Week 22, Week ending 12 November 2022

13.12 This week Season to date Cane crushed 54,157 1,146,725 Average bin weight 3.80 3.86 CCS 13.01 13.14

Variety % CCS Variety % CCS Cane variety performance for region Variety % CCS Variety % CCS

Q183 31.2 12.79 Q253 Q183 Q240 6.826.0 24.6 13.23 12.98 13.11Q242 SRA9 3.7 3.3 12.47 12.57 Q208 17.9 13.13 Q138 3.0 12.11 Q208 25.1 12.83 Q138 Q253 4.39.9 12.52 11.95Q252 2.7 13.36

Comments:

Q240 16.8 12.88 Q242 3.1 Plane Creek Mill crushed just 13.35 over 54,000 tonnes of cane for the week, bringing the season total to more KQ228 7.0 13.55 Q200 than 1.41,146,000 tonnes. 12.53 Total mill throughput was below budget due to a number of stoppages throughout the week. The planned 15-hour cleaning intermission on Thursday was extended by seven hours when a replacement injection water pump failed upon restart. Further unplanned stops during the latter part of the week also affected overall throughput. Average weekly CCS was 13.01, down slightly from 13.04 the previous week. The season to date CCS closed out at 13.14 units. The highest CCS was 15.6 units from a rake of Q240 2nd ratoon from the Carmila productivity district. Please continue to use your train brain and remain alert around our cane rail network. Do not linger near any part of the rail network, and only cross the line using designated crossings. Remember our locos are towing heavy loads and can take up to 1km to come to a complete stop. Our cane trains are in operation around the clock, seven days a week during the crushing season.

Comments:

Plane Creek Mill crushed over 70,000 tonnes of cane for the week – the highest weekly throughput since Week 16 in 2016. This was a reflection of the good mill reliability and crushing rates during the week. That brought the season-to-date total to more than 1.2M tonnes. Weekly CCS fell below 13 units for the first time since Week 9, closing out at 12.71. The season to date CCS is still holding above the 13-unit mark. There was a marginal improvement in bin weights from the previous week. The highest CCS was 15.5 units from a rake of Q208 Other ratoon from the Mainline productivity district. With the crushing season extending into the school holidays, we ask parents and caregivers to talk to children about the dangers of playing on or around our cane rail network. Do not linger near any part of the rail network, and only cross the line using designated crossings. Remember our locos are towing heavy loads and can take up to 1km to come to a complete stop. Our cane trains are in operation around the clock, seven days a week during the crushing season, including over the holiday period.

Jim Kirchner Cane Supply Manager Plane Creek Region

COASTAL ISLANDS UNDER THREAT BY PEST ANTS IDENTIFIED IN MACKAY

African big-headed ant. Credit: CSIRO

One of the World’s Worst 100 Invasive Species has been detected in Mackay, posing a serious threat to biodiversity. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has confirmed the presence of African big-headed ants (Pheidole megacephala) in Mackay. These ants will displace most native insects through aggression. African big-headed ants (ABHA) are widespread on the Australian mainland, making them extremely difficult to eradicate from the Mackay locality. However, Reef Catchments Coordinator Cass Hayward said that It’s very important to raise awareness now to prevent the ants being transported from Mackay to nearby islands. One such project is the ABHA eradication program on Bushy Island, being delivered by Reef Catchments through the Australian Government’s Reef Trust funding. The ants threaten not only the food-web, but also the island’s forest of Pisonia trees, of which there are only 190 hectares in the entire country. “African big-headed ants form super colonies, with multiple queens and very high numbers of ants per square metre. They force out native species through sheer numbers. They also protect sap-sucking insects, such as scale insects, which results in damage to trees,” Ms Hayward said. “We ask people to care about what they are transporting from place to place. Just like you wouldn’t want damaging pests on your property, we don't want pests in fragile island environments.” This isn’t the first time that African big-headed ants have damaged island ecosystems. The Pisonia forest on Tryon Island was almost completely destroyed due to scale insects and the pest ants. To avoid these situations, Reef Catchments offers some strategic advice for island visitors:

• Check your shoes for seeds and plant material. They are often stuck in shoelaces or in dirt/mud on the bottom of shoes.

• Take all food in airtight containers. • Check your gear, such as swags and tents, for insects, insect eggs and plants. • Many weeds can shoot from leaves and stems (not just seeds), so make sure to brush your gear down. Invasive ant species can be easily transported in the clothing, food or equipment of recreational boaters, campers, hikers and day-visitors. Once this happens, it can cost millions of dollars to control or eradicate the species. Reef Catchments are holding an Invasive Ant Workshop on the 29th of November. The workshop aims to upskill staff at Ports, Harbours, Marinas and Councils so these key groups can be on alert for new introductions of invasive ants.

Tia In The Big Apple

When Tia Gostelow visited Times Square for the first time earlier this year, she never imagined her face would be displayed across the towering electronic billboards mere months later.

The indie-pop darling, who started her music career in Mackay, was spotted on the iconic big screens of New York City over the weekend after being selected in YouTube’s Black Voices Class of 2023.

The US$100 million multi-year initiative was introduced by YouTube Music in 2020 to provide emerging Black creatives with resources needed to maximise their success on the platform. Only 40 musicians were selected in the class of 2023 and only three from Australia: A.B. Original, BLESSED and Tia. “You never really think you’ll get into things like this, so it was pretty unreal to be selected,” said Tia. “Being able to work directly with YouTube and learn all of their tips straight from the source is probably the most exciting part. “We also get to do co-writing, so being able to write with people from the States and people I probably wouldn’t have been able to meet or do a session with, that’s also an extremely exciting part of it.” Tia’s face appeared on the New York City billboard as part of the initiative and will also appear on billboards in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and Nashville.

“It was insane,” she said. “After going there, and then actually seeing my face up on the billboard in that photo, I could realise how big of a deal it actually is. “It’s something that I never thought my face would be on, to be honest.”

Tia posted a photo of the billboard on her social media and received supportive messages from far and wide.

“The reaction from everyone, especially people in Mackay, people that have supported me for so long, it was really overwhelming,” she said. “Just seeing how far it spread and all the people that were messaging me and responding, it was just a great feeling.” Tia says the selection comes at a great time, as she has recently finished recording her third album and looks forward to utilising the platform in the album’s release. “I’m about to release a single as well, so being able to get these one-on-one sessions with someone from YouTube, showing me how to market everything properly and make the most out of releases, it’s just a really exciting part,” she said. “The end half of this year has been really productive compared to the last three years, so it feels like things are starting to move and releases are coming, so I’m really excited for what next year holds.” ‘Say It To My Face’, the first single from Tia Gostelow’s third album, will be out on Thursday December 1.

Tia Gostelow appeared on billboards in New York City after being selected in YouTube’s Black Voices Class of 2023. Photo supplied

LOCALS TO FINISH BIG YEAR OF BULL RIDING IN TOWNSVILLE

Jason Dittmann of Dittmann Bucking Bulls and his sons Shane “Maddog” Simpson

With the PBR Australia 2022 season finale happening this weekend, a couple of Mackay locals will once again take centre stage at the toughest sport on dirt. Shane “Maddog” Simpson and Jason Dittmann are two of Mackay and the Whitsundays most famous names in bull riding and will be joining the 22 riders in the arena at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre. “It’s been a solid season and we’re lucky to have a handful of young bulls coming through that have been on the tour for a couple of years and are really starting to hit their straps,” Mr Dittmann said. Mr Dittmann is set to take a sweep of awards at the Grand Finals in Townsville next week with Bull of the Year, Contractor of the Year and Highest Earning Bull seemingly already stitched up by the Bloomsbury local. “We are really excited to hit Townsville for the Grand Finals,” he said. “It’s one of our favourite events of the year. “We have had some unforgettable memories in that arena so hopefully all the boys do their job.” As one of the sport’s most decorated Protection Athletes, Mr Simpson returned to the PBR arena in 2021 after an eight-year hiatus.

In 2022, he played a pivotal role protecting the human athletes from the bovine athletes at 10 different events and looks forward to returning to Townsville for the Grand Finals. “I also love the physical challenges of the sport. “I think the finals this year are going to be off tap with a lot of energy and great bull rides.”

With a career spanning three decades, Mr Simpson remained coy about whether he will be making a return in 2023. “It might be the last time you see me… but I’m not 100 percent on that yet,” he laughs. Mr Dittmann and “Maddog” will take to the ring at the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals this weekend, November 25 and 26, at the Townsville Entertainment Centre.

Photos: Indigo Blue Photography

18

Community Chat Let’s Light Up The Sky, Mackay!

Relax, unwind and bring in the new year at the annual New Year’s Eve River Party! Say goodbye to 2022 and kick off the new year with a bang on Saturday, 31st December.

The ever-popular NYE River Party brought to you by the Mackay Regional Council is back at Bluewater Quay from 6pm - 9pm. There will be non-stop entertainment for the whole family featuring amusement rides, face painting, food vendors, local musicians Tiffany Grace Music and Matt Tandy, as well as an exciting kids performance from a special guest! This free community event is a favourite among locals and visitors alike. So come on down and party for the last event of 2022!

Don’t forget the fireworks at 9pm and midnight.

Tiffany Grace and Matt Tandy will perform at the New Year’s Eve River Party at the Bluewater Quay

ONE MONTH ‘TIL SANTA

How busy is your Christmas calendar right now? I just had a look at mine and it’s getting very full, and I love it. Oh, with today being the 25th, that means Xmas is exactly a month away! Yay!! This time of the year is perfect. The weather is great, the days are long and there’s Xmas songs being played over the loudspeakers wherever you go! So much to love! Yesterday I had a tourism board meeting, I was out volunteering with the kids at the PCYC, and also handing out meals with Meals on Wheels. I love helping and getting out and about. I’ve been doing it since we arrived in Mackay in 1981. This next week is another one with a full list of activities. Our 4MK Carols in the Gardens is next Saturday and I can honestly say, Santa has lost a few kilos since the last time we saw him. He’s obviously been on the fresh fruit and veggies from the farmers markets.

Tomorrow however is one for the sporting champions of the Mackay region. Top class netball is back and the game we’ve got lined up down at Mackay Basketball will certainly be amazing to see. The Queensland Firebirds are taking on the Sunshine Phoenix in the Suncorp Spirit Cup tomorrow and by all reports it’s going to be a cracker. I’ll be the bloke cheering you all on with the microphone again. I must do a good enough job at the Meteors games so they’ve let me loose again! Oh and by the way. If anyone has any present suggestions for a nearly 19-year-old daughter, can they let me know please? I was going to flick her a Harry Styles ticket for February, but she’s already beaten me to the punch on that one. I asked her if she wanted to join me at the Cloudland show at the MECC last weekend but I’m still waiting on a reply. Hey, that’s just being a Dad. Anyone else know that feeling too? Have fun, Rob

You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

TALK DOES NOT KEEP YOU WARM AND DRY

Providing housing has historically been a State Government responsibility. This has been supplemented by the outstanding efforts of churches and charities. Conditions now demand that we, as a council, enter the fray. In my eyes it is just unacceptable, bordering on immoral, that we build “shiny and pretties” and fund things that in my eyes should be self-funded, while families are living in tents and sleeping in cars. Before anyone starts talking about what these families should or should not do, you need to understand a few things. Money does not guarantee you a place to rent when there are none available. Secondly, it is exponentially harder for large families. We have had a family of ten sleeping in tents and a family of twelve sleeping in cars in a workshop. These families are being punished for doing something deserving of admiration. Both families had taken on kids from dysfunctional families and now they themselves find themselves in a precarious position. Up until now, all I see is a proliferation of talkfests about “affordable housing”. I sometimes wonder if this is just a way to not actually have to do something. Why? Because as anyone with any idea knows, affordable housing is neither likely nor prompt. We need to change the term to “accommodation”. Let’s take steps to “accommodate” people NOW and find housing once they are accommodated. It was stated to me, when I suggested a property that had shared kitchens and bathrooms, that this was “not safe”. To me this is utterly absurd. Sleeping in a tent near a boat ramp seems astronomically more unsafe, yet we condemn vulnerable people, by our inaction, to this danger. Times are desperate, and they will only get more desperate as Christmas approaches and families spend the “festive” season sleeping rough. This is the time for giving, so I ask you to give ten minutes of your time to make a difference. Email your local politicians today – federal, state and local – and ask them to make accommodating families in our region a priority. These families deserve a roof over their heads.