Bowen Basin Feature

“IT’S ALLOWED MORANBAH TO HAVE A VOICE”

In a collaborative council, Moranbah and Dysart are being given a direct line to one of Australia’s biggest resource industry giants

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane has been a vocal detractor for the state governments new royalty tax on coal

In the Bowen Basin, the people of Moranbah and Dysart - two communities central to BHP’s Queensland mining operations – are having their voices be heard by a multi-billion-dollar company. Home to the new Smart Transformation Advisory Council (STAC), a community-led forum that brings together BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) with community representatives, these two towns are helping the major company navigate the opportunities and impacts of what they call the “fourth industrial revolution”.

Moranbah State School Principal, Anthony Edwards said the forum is providing an avenue for the whole community to impact the direction of Moranbah’s future. “I think the big thing that Smart Transformation has achieved is bringing community members to the table and to the conversation,” he said. Since it began in 2019, the Smart Transformation Advisory Council has delivered several important outcomes for Dysart and Moranbah. It saw the introduction of the Digital Connectivity Project, which is enhancing digital connectivity to both towns in a jointly funded by BHP and Telstra effort. It initiated a new skills and training project, where an innovative new Careers Navigator role was established as part of the Queensland Future Skills Partnership. And it’s seen the establishment of the Isaac Childcare Leadership Alliance to help improve access to childcare - underpinned by a $1m commitment from BHP over two years. Moranbah Discount Tyres & Mechanical Owner and Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) Director, Carolyn Fritz said the variety of voices helps to distil the core community needs. “It’s very important to bring those voices all together and understand the real and basic requirements that the community and business owners alike, need and value,” she said. “It’s amazing BHP are willing to listen to that.”

COAL INDUSTRY REMAINS UP IN ARMS ABOUT TAXES

In the wake of Queensland Government state coal royalty tax increases in the June State Budget, there was uproar from mining giants. But now an independent body representing the commercial resources sector is jumping onboard the criticism train: The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) are calling on the Palaszczuk Government to review the decision.

QRC have queried the state government over their choice to increase the tax to what are the highest rates in the world – all with no consultation to industry. “Earlier this year, and almost overnight, the State Government increased Queensland’s top coal royalty tax rate from 15 percent to 40 percent,” QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said. “This is an outrageous impost on our industry, which was done with no consultation or consideration of the damage this will do to regional communities, which rely so heavily on the employment and business opportunities that come from the resources sector.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her ministers have been stalwart on the decision, though, even with it receiving staunch opposition upon announcement and in the months since.

“I believe that Queenslanders are on our side,” she said. “Queenslanders will see that some of these companies are making billions of dollars, coal’s being exported overseas and we can reinvest that money for Queenslanders into hospitals and schools and regional Queensland.”

AFL QUEENSLAND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO MORANBAH JUNIOR

Moranbah Bulldogs AFC junior Abbey Rankin was awarded the 2022 Troy Clarke Scholarship in September. Photo provided: AFL Queensland

Moranbah Bulldogs AFC junior Abbey Rankin was awarded the 2022 Troy Clarke Scholarship by AFL Queensland last month, named after the late Brisbane Bears player and AFL Queensland Development Manager Troy Clarke.

The scholarship is designed to support a young person from regional Queensland who displays the core values Troy, a South Cairns junior, embodied during his football journey including dedication, passion and respect. The scholarship will specifically look to focus and improve Abbey’s football, education and personal development. The scholarship was presented at Gold Coast’s Bond University on September 22 ahead of the Under 16 Girls Championships where Abbey represented the Gold Coast SUNS Academy Team who defeated the Brisbane Lions 45-7.

AFL Queensland say they selected Abbey for this prestigious scholarship due to her genuine commitment to pursuing her football ambitions.

Growing up in Moranbah, Abbey started playing Aussie Rules for the Moranbah Bulldogs only four years ago before being selected in the Gold Coast SUNS Academy. During this time, she has travelled to pursue playing football at the highest level available.

Abbey and her family have now moved to Mackay where she plays for the Mackay City Hawks, this year’s 2022 AFL Mackay Premiers.

Head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires congratulated Abbey on receiving this scholarship. “Abbey is a worthy recipient of our Troy Clarke Scholarship,” she said. “Her dedication to chasing her football pursuits through travel to training and seeking additional opportunities to improve her game, is demonstrative of her passion. “We look forward to watching Abbey’s development as a footballer and person.” The 16-year-old said she was honoured to receive this scholarship. “It’s such an honour to receive this scholarship,” Abbey said. “It has encouraged and inspired me to push even harder towards my goals. “I know from personal experience that regional kids feel like they are always overlooked and forgotten about. “This scholarship has done the opposite and inspired me to train and play harder. “My ultimate dream is to play in the AFLW and be a role model for other regional kids.” Abbey is the second player from the region to receive the Troy Clarke Scholarship, with Alana Gee from Mackay receiving the scholarship in 2019 before being drafted to the SUNS AFLW team earlier this year.

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Morning Melodies Public Art Walk Murina

The Stone Apes

WBBL at The Great Barrier Reef Arena

EVENTGUIDE

FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER

Morning Melodies 2022 presents 1954: Ella, Etta & Eartha by Western-Dyer Productions Friday, 11:00am

Swinging jazz, powerful soul and cheeky kitsch featuring Melissa Western and her band. It's the year 1954. Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James and Eartha Kitt are all at the dizzy heights of their careers. With swinging jazz, powerful soul and cheeky kitsch these three women broke new ground for all who followed in their footsteps. Melissa Western and her band pay tribute to this magnificent era in music and inspiring trio of pioneering singers. 50s style abounds.

MECC Public Art Walk Friday, 4:30pm

Hosted by Artspace Mackay Director Tracey Heathwood, the free city art walk for all ages begins at Artspace Mackay and takes you through the city centre. Along the way, participants will learn about Mackay’s iconic public art installations, and the local, and internationally-acclaimed artists who created them. Whether you’re an artist, art lover, local or visitor to our lovely riverside city, you’ll find this late afternoon public art walk a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Bring friends, family members, or come by yourself - wear a hat, comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water, and arrive promptly to Artspace Mackay as the group will depart on time.

Artspace Mackay Friday SUN.sets Every Friday Evening From 6pm

Knock off drinks, lakeside dinner, good friends, and LIVE MUSIC.

Wake House Australia Film & Arts Mackay Film Night: Murina Friday, 7:30pm

Winner of the Caméra d’Or for Best First Feature Film at Cannes in 2021, MURINA is a psychological drama and a coming-of-age tale of a young woman’s struggle for independence.

Cook Lecture Theatre Hockey Dad Friday, 7:30pm

With touring stalled for much of 2020 and 2021, Zach and Billy alongside live bass player Steve Bourke have been writing and recording new music for album four, while keeping engaged in alternate ways. When Windang’s favourite sons had to cancel Mackay from a rescheduled tour earlier this year, fans were left disappointed and having to travel to Airlie to catch them play. Being as down-to-earth and true-to-their-word as they are, the boys have made it up to the sugar city and are ready to get back on the stage and deliver new music in 2022.

Seabreeze Hotel Alex Lloyd Friday, 8:00pm

This October, Alex Lloyd returns to the stage with his "Live And Amazing" Australian tour and will be hitting the Metropolitan Hotel, Mackay. The multi-platinum ARIA awardwinning musician will bring all his hits to the stage for one incredible night of music, singing and nostalgia. Performing his classic songs like Amazing, Black the Sun, Lucky Star, Green, Coming Home & Never Meant To Fail together with some much loved and wellknown covers, Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen), Better Be Home Soon (Crowded House). These amazing tunes will come to life through a tapestry of soulful singing, masterful playing and clever arrangements. Join for a very special show, up-close and personal with Alex Lloyd!

The Metropolitan Hotel Standup Comedy - Mackay - Amy Hetherington & Kel Balnaves Friday, 8:00pm

Get ready Mackay. Empire has a huge night of stand-up comedy coming your way. A couple of award-winning comedians. A jam-packed show full of side-splitting stand-up, relatable stories and funny jokes. Book early to avoid missing out.

Empire Alternacade SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER

Oktoberfest at Red Dog Brewery Saturday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Be a part of the inaugural Oktoberfest at Red Dog Brewery. Enjoy locally brewed Germaninspired beers, feast by Weaners on Wheels, Branded Red Dog half stein, 4x German beer fills, fun games and prizes.

Red Dog Brewery Cuban Dance Class & Social Night Saturday, 2:00pm

Cuban Salsa Dance workshops and Party with Australia's pioneer of Cuban Salsa Christina Monneron (Afrekete Australia). Workshop 1: 2-3.30pm – Cuban Salsa Fundamentals. Workshop 2: 3.45-5.15pm - Rueda (Cuban Circle Salsa - Progressive/ Wheel). Each workshop is $30 or $50 for both, pre purchased by Friday 7th October. It will cost extra if purchased at the door. PLUS Party Night from 7.30pm - $20. $70 for both workshops & party.

Palace Hotel Slowly Slowly Saturday, 8:00pm

Slowly Slowly are hitting the road again throughout August, September and October, visiting parts of Australia they’ve dearly missed and also making their long-awaited debut in others. Playing a slew of songs from their back catalogue and forthcoming release they will be shaking off the cobwebs from the last few years of silence.

Seabreeze Hotel The Stone Apes Return Saturday, 9:00pm

After a big Empire welcome the first time, Rockhampton’s The Stone Apes and Mackay’s Nortica return with Red Veridian in tow. Strap in Mackay and make it another night to remember!

Empire Alternacade SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER

Mackay Annual Gem Show Sunday, 9:00am to 3:00pm

Mackay Annual Gem Show hosted by Mackay Gem Club, where you will find the club and many other market stall holders showcasing all things crystal, gem and lapidary related products. Join for a great day out. 3 Leisure Court, South Mackay.

Mackay Gem and Craft Society Inc Sunday Live Music Sunday, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Music every Sunday from 2pm - 5pm. Head down to the Seabreeze Hotel this Sunday for some fresh tunes, delicious food, and ice-cold brews.

Seabreeze Hotel WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER

Mackay Farmers’ Market Every Wednesday, 6:30am to 10:30am

The market is a showcase of our region’s amazing produce direct from the farmer.

Bluewater Quay ARTIST’S TALK - Meet ‘Creative Inquiry’ featured artist Sophie Munns Wednesday, 5:30pm

Sophie Munns melds art and seed science in her Brisbane-based art practice. Her work features as an Art as Lens case study in the Queensland senior secondary visual art resource, Creative Enquiry. Join Artspace Mackay as Sophie makes the case for the wonder and power of curiosity as a learning tool to navigate a changing world. The artist describes a technique she calls ‘bio-cultural mapping’ – offering teachers and students an integrated method for exploring themes of biodiversity and climate change. Sophie uses rare and common seeds as a lens for viewing various aspects of the world including the constant regeneration of life.

Artspace Mackay THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER

WBBL at The Great Barrier Reef Arena - Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers Thursday, 6:00pm to 10:00pm

WBBL IS COMING TO MACKAY. Take the family out to see the Women’s Big Bash League make its return to The Great Barrier Reef Arena this October! Six Professional Games of Big Bash Cricket played across a huge 4 days. Mini Eat Street, Kids Activities & Fireworks!

The Great Barrier Reef Arena The Grogans Thursday, 7:00pm

Genre-expanding outfit The Grogans are a trio of best mates from Melbourne who explore nuanced manoeuvres in surf, punk, blues, garage, psych, rockabilly and reggae. With the announce of their forthcoming album Which Way Is Out, The Grogans have dropped the fourth single No Thanks (I’m Going Surfing). This playful track, both lyrically and sonically, showcases the bands plethora of song-writing capabilities yet again, differing from influences displayed in the previous three singles – all wrapped up in a 3-minute anthem.

Seabreeze Hotel

LOCAL ARTIST AND ICON RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Artist Dave Conway has recently completed his 1,000th painting. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

Dave Conway says he is here for a reason. Dave has been nominated for Blind Australian of the Year in recognition of his work throughout the Mackay community and the disability sector. “It feels amazing to be nominated,” Dave said with the widest of grins. “To get a phone call about that, that someone had nominated me, I was just on cloud nine million.

“I was just floating.” Dave’s story is one of action, of risk, but not one of regret. At the beginning of his final year of an environmental sciences degree, Dave was rock climbing at Mount French, west of Brisbane.

“I loved it as a hobby,” he said. “I was actually training to compete in the Extreme Games in 2004 but at the start of the year, the 19th of February 2004, life stepped in and redirected where I was going.” Dave fell 20 metres while lead climbing when his top anchor came loose in a crack in the rock, sustaining substantial damage to his back, pituitary gland and optic nerves.

He spent 17 days in a coma and when he awoke, he was surrounded by his family. “When I woke up from my coma, I couldn’t talk because I had a breathing tube in and I was totally blind, but I felt so safe and so loved so I just went with what happened to me,” Dave said. Thus began a long road to recovery and rehabilitation – Dave ultimately spent the next 15 months in hospital in Brisbane. With little to no memory of the accident, Dave’s family took him downstairs one day for a chat. think happened in the fall, and I almost died three times in intensive care, so I knew that I was here for a reason,” he said. “I’ve got to grab life with both hands and just run with it.” Dave said one of the best conversations came when his family all accepted his accident because he was doing something he loved.

“Looking back at all my actions, I’m glad I can speak very highly of my accident,” he said.

“Through having a sport accident, I count myself lucky because I can talk about what I went through with no regrets.” Dave started creating art in the spinal unit in 2004 and, after moving back to Mackay in 2005, he continued to create charcoal drawings. “I’m lucky I got to move home with my family because it gave me time to really find myself,” he said. While he still creates charcoal drawings, Dave prefers more colourful, high flow paintings and sells his colourful paintings through his business Art from the Blind Side.

“The art I do these days is the bright colours because they inspire me because I can see them better and just to see how colours interact with each other,” he said. Dave says art provides therapy and a welcome distraction from the chronic pain of his spinal injury. “The art really helps with keeping myself distracted from the pain as well as giving me a hobby, giving me an interest and also giving me a small business,” he said. “It’s also great therapy for my eyes. “As my ophthalmologist has said, when using the muscles in my eyes, somehow, that’s repairing things.” Along with his artwork, Dave is kept extremely busy with his work in the community and the disability sector; work that has been recognised by his nomination for Blind Australian of the Year.

He works as a disability advocate, an access consultant, a state-wide convenor assisting people who self-manage their NDIS plans. He’s worked alongside Mackay Regional Council, Mackay Hospital, IDEAL Placements, Mackay Advocacy, Sporting Wheelies and Queenslanders with Disability Network. He’s a frequent host and speaker at forums and schools, he’s published a book and has even delivered a TED Talk.

“All the work I do, I really enjoy it,” he said. “It’s been really self-satisfying but also, I’ve been really proud to be nominated as Blind Australian of the Year.

“All this work I do makes sense.

“People are paying attention, it’s pretty cool.”

The Blind Australian of the Year Award is announced later this month.

Dave sells his art through his business Art from the Blind Side. Photo supplied

Mega Cent Sale Raises Funds

Debby Collins, Thelma Bromley and Helen Kirkwood got together for the Mega Cent Sale at Sarina. The trio are ex-domestic science teachers at Sarina State School. Photo: Owen Bromley

Amega cent sale has raised vital funds for two community organisations with the third, jointly held event conducted by the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre and Variety, the children’s charity with Arts and Crafts Centre manager Jenny Costello saying it was one of the best, “We’re very grateful for the support of all those people at the sale, and for those who helped us in organising it. It was thrilling to see the big roll-up at Bob Wood Hall!” she said.

“We had more than 200 prizes as well as raffles and major prizes, so I think the people got value at the sale.” Jenny Costello, Marg Hinrichs and many other members of the Sarina Arts and Crafts Centre spent months collecting prizes for the sale. Variety’s Greg and Sandi Power, who helped run the sale, said funds would also go towards helping children through the Variety charity. The two recently took part in the Variety Bash rally through Queensland’s outback and helped raise more than $2 million. During the Bash they distributed 200 Where’s Wally beanies to children along the route, which were made by and donated by members of the Sarina Fibre Arts Group. “The kids loved them. There are heaps of Where’s Wally characters getting around out there now!” they said. Contributed with thanks Charlie Payne

PROPERTY POINT

What will the construction of

the world’s biggest pumped hydro scheme 70 kilometres west of Mackay mean for our region and the real estate sector?

In short: a lot.

The proposed dam and hydro scheme in the Pioneer Valley is expected to provide half of Queensland’s energy needs at its planned completion date in over a decade. This project, which will dwarf the Snowy Hydro Scheme, will employ many thousands of people and, if it goes ahead, will be a major driver of our economy. The announcement was very short on detail and we really need a lot more information than we had at the time of me writing this column for us to speak confidently about what it will mean.

As always with projects of this magnitude, there will be people who suffer and, in this case, residents in parts of the Pioneer Valley will be forced to sell their properties to accommodate the dam. We need to be conscious of what that means for those people and those residents will need support and consideration. There are certainly questions to be asked about locations effected and what it will mean for services, transportation and the impact on communities. Those details will emerge in the months and years ahead but the opportunity a project of this size provides for Mackay cannot be underestimated.

The project will employ thousands of people and will offer enormous opportunities for local companies that, until now, have largely been servicing the mining sector. This will mean apprenticeships for local kids and career paths for Mackay people who will benefit from the certainty of long-term employment. We should also expect the project to create an influx of workers to Mackay to help meet the demand for the skills that are required for such an enormous engineering project. Of course, the Premier said the dam and hydro scheme is part of the Government’s effort to phase out coal, so it will be welcomed by the climate change cheerleaders. But what we know is that she is talking about thermal coal, used in coal-fired power plants, not metallurgical coal. The vast majority of the coal we dig out and export is metallurgical or coking coal, used to make steel, and there are no plans to phase that out. So, we could have one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the country being built on our doorstep while we continue to export the best metallurgical coal in the world.

That would be great for businesses, jobs and our economy. The influx of people to Mackay will also be terrific for the real estate sector as it will add to demand for housing and give confidence to those who have bought in Mackay. With such a long-term project many people who move to Mackay will want to buy properties rather than rent. But if this all goes ahead, our lack of rental properties will become a big issue for the local and state governments.

David Fisher

Gardian Real Estate Sales Agent 0408 672 703

David@gardian.com.au

Cowbells called the newest member of the herd to the Mackay Farmer’s Market for the launch of MAD who have a story of their own. “We’ve managed to connect in some really positive ways in the community over the Cow Coffee’s full-fledged coffee cart, ‘DaiYou can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM sy’, part of the udderly good coffee crew’s in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your third birthday celebrations.

smart speaker to play 4MK on iHeartRadio!

Owners Sonya and Barry Scoble unveiled the newest member of their bovine family with complimentary cupcakes adorned with the MAD Cow logo last week. It has been a three-year campaign to destigmatise Mixed Anxiety and Depression - the MAD in MAD COW - for Sonya and Barry, who started the business as a tribute to their son Aiden after he sadly died by suicide. With MAD Cow, Barry and Sonya have created a legacy for Aiden by continuing to tell his story over coffee and raising awareness for the issue of suicide in regional areas, as well as providing an ear for those three years,” Sonya said. “We’ve become a recognised source of help for people, and if someone doesn’t know where to go, they can come and see me and I’ll make them a coffee and we can sit and talk it out together and we let them know they’re not alone.” Sonya says that, even though she’s not a professional counsellor herself, she knows the role that just listening and lending an ear can have. “We know of 39 suicides we have directly prevented, and a number of stories where we’ve allowed people to open up to their loved ones after hearing our story or attending an event.” Daisy’s launch also celebrated MAD Cow’s upcoming ‘Project Engage’, which Sonya

Can you believe that in one month it’ll be Christmas Day! Amazing right! It’s a time of reflection on what’s important to you, spending time with family, helping the community and of course Santa. But before we get there, we have to have our ducks in a row. One easy way is to volunteer your time. I do it and I love it. I volunteer at the PCYC, Blood Bank, YIRS, Mackay Tourism, Zonta, Meals on Wheels, Mackay Basketball, plus many others. Actually, tomorrow at Canelands we’ll be helping a great group of people at Bravehearts with 4MK’s Jingle Jail. We’ll have a makeshift jail in the centre and over the course of the day we’ll have Mackay’s movers and shakers in the “jail cell” with me rattling the donation bins so that they can be “bailed out”. I’ll have our Mayor Greg Williamson coming down, Derek Davis from Ezy Group, Steve Eden from City Fitness, Mackay The MAD Cow Coffee team of Dylan Scoble, Stacey Riddle, and Barry and Sonya Scoble in their new coffee cart, Daisy. Photo: Declan Durrant says will allow them to further assist the local community and that Daisy will be a key part of that engagement. Daisy was sponsored through GoFund Me, and through donations from Zonta Mackay, Shed Happens, Strategic Media Partners, Mackay Christian College Parent Association and more.

Isaac Tourism’s Tas Webber, Paul Rutland from the Creperie Restaurant, Col Meng from Rotary, Adrian Westcott from Mackay Hockey, plus a mystery detective from Mackay Police! How much will we raise? Who knows? How much fun will we have? Heaps! If you’re wondering who Bravehearts are, well put it this way. They help kids. Plain and simple. Kids around our region and more. Bravehearts want to make Australia the safest place in the world to raise a child. You’d think that’d be easy right? Well not exactly because of a variety of factors, but we can all do our small bit, and Saturday 27th tomorrow is when we can all help. If you’re doing your shopping or catching up with mates for a coffee at Canelands look for me and a whole bunch of beautiful souls in our jail and come and say gudday. It could change your life, and really, it will save the lives of kids all over Mackay and the Whitsundays.

wise. In apprentice baker Fe licity Stone’s case, rising before the sun each day has helped her to scoop a TAFE award. After returning from a holiday to Africa, the former scientist signed up to study the Cer tificate III in Bread Baking. She won TAFE Queensland’s Bakery Apprentice of the Year Award for her outstanding efforts during her three-year MACKAY ISAAC IS apprenticeship with Coles Mt Pleasant in Mackay, beating many other baking apprentices all vying for THE PLACE TO BE Tonight, if you’re anywhere near the MECC, you will be hearing a lot of cheering and fun. the prestigious title. “I’ve worked at Coles Mount Pleasant for the past three years, originally as a skilled baker before taking on the apprenticeship just over two years ago,” explains Felicity. Her training blocks began at 4 am, and she No, the kids at Central State School ar- gained practical experience in the state-ofen’t having a school disco. All the noise the-art baking training facilities under the and fun will be a part of the Mackay Isaac tutelage of world-class bakers who gave her Tourism Awards. the skills she needed to work in a commer This annual gala night will have hundreds cial baking environment. of legends all glammed up as we celebrate “Now that I’m qualified, and things are re what we have in our beautiful Mackay turning to pre-COVID normality, I hope Isaac region. to travel the world to experience aspects of baking that other countries have to offer,” From the coffee houses around Mackay, Felicity said.to the sporting facilities in the Northern Beaches, to the walking mountain trails in Clermont, to the beach visits at Bucasia and also the ever popular restaurants and bars in the whole region. They will all be To win the Apprentice Baker of the Year Award, students are assessed on their atti tude, ability and the quality of their assess ments and baked products. You can join Rob Kidd from 5am weekday mornings on 4MK 1026 AM part of this great night. According to her teacher, Felicity displayed in Mackay and Proserpine, 91.5FM in Airlie Beach or just ask your all these qualities. smart speaker to play 4MK!When you think of it, we have a lot to be thankful for living in our Mackay Isaac re“While she was enthusiastic and hard-work gion. A Legacy Of Saving Lives With We have the beaches at our back doorsteps. We have beautiful mountains to climb like Udderly Great Coffee And A Chat Mt Blackwood, The Leap and Wolfgang Peak just to name a few. They are all brilliant. If you haven’t climbed them yet, go and see one of our volunteers at our visitor information centres around town. What about the beaches? So many to pick from. Seaforth is beautiful. So is Platypus Beach, Bucasia, Sarina and Far Beach too. Don’t forget to ask the locals about when the tide is in especially at Town Beach. If you go at the wrong time, you could be walking quite a while before you hit water. Just saying. We have some of the best nature experiences in the world right here. From rainforests to clear river streams, to platypus having a swim at Eungella, to sipping rum at the only council owned rum distillers in the world. Yes! We have it lucky and tonight they will all be thanked for promoting this region to the world at our gala night of nights. Before I go and head off and get my suit ready for the party tonight, I’d personally like to thank each and every one of our volunteers who go out of their way to promote where we live. We are all ambassadors. We are all advertisers. We are the people who make or break our region. Let’s shout it to the rooftops and tell Australia and the rest of the world. Come to the Mackay Isaac Region and have a holiday. Better still, move here. You won’t regret it. I’ll see you all tonight! Good luck everyone! Council spends money each year to improve the liveability of the region through its events and conference attraction programs. Bringing sporting events and conferences to our region provides bed nights for our hotels and increased spending in our eateries and retail shops. But as important, it exposes visitors to our region in the hope that it will encourage them to come back for a holiday or even better, decide to move here for the lifestyle. The Mackay region can support thousands more residents without the need to drastically upgrade its infrastructure. The more people that live here, the more the rates burden is shared across the region, leading to lower rates rises. Over the

last six years council has worked hard to make the rates burden fairer. In 2016 we had the highest rates in Queensland in our category. Now we are down at eighth spot and moving further down. Rates rises over the same period have been below 1.5 per cent on average. To help with that we need to take advantage of the other ways to improve and diversify our economy and liveability. I sit on the board of Mackay Isaac Tourism as Mackay Regional Council’s representative to ensure that the money council invests into tourism gets the best return it can for the residents. The national visitor survey results are now in, showing that 679,000 business travellers came through the region over the last 12 months – that’s a 3.6 per cent increase on the previous year and a 65 per cent increase since 2019, making it a new record for the Mackay Isaac Region. We are on the precipice of tourism making a full comeback to our region just by taking better advantage of what we already have. Council has been helping businesses in the Valley understand the wants and needs of the up to 30,000 mountain bikers visiting to the region at the completion of the world class mountain bike park linking Finch Hatton and Eungella. As part of the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area Riverside Revitalisation Project, council is building a pontoon in the Pioneer River to create new op-

Tourism, rates and our regional economy

Cr Justin Englert Mackay Regional Council

portunities for commercial tourism right from the CBD. We have operators already heading out there regularly, go and have a look! We can build tourism back up and past what it used to be if we all believe that we’re all in the business of selling tourism.