This project was first proposed back in the 1980s, but the location’s unsuitability to support a marina has stopped it, time and time again.

The reasons to bury this project once and for all are as numerous as they are serious.

·         The project will not provide a ‘safe haven’ for boats or condominiums as stated in the glossy brochure. Shute Harbour has always presented serious cyclone risks. New engineering reports suggest the current engineering for the project will likely fail in a Cyclone Debbie level cyclone at high tide.

·         Given the serious cyclone risk, this project will struggle for affordable insurance, making it a very poor investment for both the community and potential buyers.

·         The project will cause unacceptable environmental damage. Shute Harbour, with its mangroves and seagrass meadows, is an important feeding area for endangered dugong and sea turtles and supports a healthy fishery.

·         The project will have a detrimental impact on the water quality of Shute Harbour, which, in turn, will impact the inshore reefs and islands.

·         There are many hidden costs to the project. Most significant would be the necessary upgrade of Shute Harbour Road. The estimated cost is in the tens of millions of dollars. Who will be paying that bill? The community?

For reasons unknown, both the local council and the state government continue to approve extensions to the project, despite the fact it is working with an outdated environmental impact statement, outdated engineering reports and has failed time and time again to fulfil the lease requirements.

It is time to bury this zombie once and for all.

Contributed by Tony Fontes, Whitsunday Conservation Council.

300 farmers’ families and mill workers came to witness the multimillion-dollar Wanderers Paradise Resort handed over to new owners the Sugar Mill, in its move to diversification.

Sugar Crisis

World sugar prices have slumped leaving the grim prospect of coastal towns in Queensland having to struggle to survive. Pressure was being applied to the Federal Government to set a minimum average price of $240 per tonne.

Town Plan Displayed

The new Town Plan is being displayed in the Shire Office following four years of consultation. The plan is there for all to check only. All protests are ‘a thing of the past’.

High School Social

Students held their first dance of the year. Dino Zaupa proved to be a very efficient DJ and several breakdancers displayed their skills. Thanks were given to Mrs. Fish, the tuck shop convener, for provision of refreshments.

A New Sports Season Begins

Motorcycle Club:

The first competition of the year was a full day of motor-cross at Jansen’s Farm track.

Basketball:

The draw, in six different timeslots, catered for 12 men’s and women’s teams including a new team from Airlie Beach called The Fishfingers.

Little Athletics:

Sign-up for the new season will take place at the High School Grounds and will include a new Under 14 age group.

Tennis:

51 players turned up for matches. Fixtures will commence next Sunday.

Rugby:

Congratulations go to Peter Chengody on his selection for North Queensland.

League:

Brahmans defeated Collinsville in all three grades.

Fausts Retail

Major moves are being made at Fausts retail premises, in Main Street, Proserpine, to develop it into a shopping centre comparative to those found in larger centres.

Queen of Hearts

Local sportsgirl Sue Gozzano has entered the Queen of Hearts Quest to raise money for the National Heart Foundation. Sue plays indoor cricket and basketball and also does waterskiing.

Country Music

Members of local band Lee-’N-Von have been successful at the Mackay Talent Quest. Phyllis Radley won the female vocal section. Reg Russell and Bev Altmann also won awards.

Cricket Orphans

97 boys enjoyed junior cricket on Saturday morning but only 10 adults turned up to help give excellent support. More dads were encouraged to come along.

International Media Marketplace in Sydney

The action kicked off with TW attending International Media Marketplace, in Sydney.

As one of the largest media events in the travel industry, IMM was the perfect platform to showcase all that The Whitsundays has to offer.

With back-to-back meetings, there was plenty of buzz around our region in the air.

From island escapes to mainland experiences, it was clear that The Whitsundays is top-of-mind for media and we can’t wait to see our region featured in upcoming travel stories, giving more people the chance to discover our slice of paradise.

AIME in Melbourne: Bringing business back to The Whitsundays 

At the same time, we were in Melbourne at AIME (Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo), meeting with event planners and corporate buyers.

There was a sense of excitement about the possibility of bringing business events back to the region.

It’s clear that we’re not just a holiday destination but a prime location for corporate gatherings. 

The Whitsundays East Coast Roadshow: Hitting Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane

TW hit the road alongside 15 of our incredible partners, to take part in the East Coast Roadshow.

Stopping in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the roadshow saw over 300 trade partners and travel agents registering for the event.

The energy was electric, and it was great to witness the level of enthusiasm and support for our region. 

Destination 2045: Shaping the Future of Tourism

Back on home turf, we had the honour of hosting the Tourism Minister Andrew Powell and Director General Patricia O’Callaghan for Destination 2045, Queensland’s long-term tourism vision workshop.

The event saw over 70 local operators joining us to share their insights and help shape the future of tourism in the region.

The collaboration and passion for our future were inspiring, and it’s fantastic to see our local community so involved in creating a thriving tourism industry for years to come.

Whitsunday Coast Airport hits major milestone

In exciting news, Whitsunday Coast Airport has reached a major milestone, with over 50,000 passengers passing through the airport in January – the highest number ever!

With direct flights to major cities, and even more routes in the works, our region is more connected than ever.

This is great news for our tourism industry and means even more people can explore The Whitsundays.

Record-breaking cruise ship arrivals

The beginning of 2025 has also been a record-breaking time for cruise ship visits.

In just two months, The Whitsundays has welcomed 27 cruise ships, bringing over 66,000 passengers to the region.

Of those, about 52,000 have disembarked to enjoy the beauty of our region.

With 13 more cruise ships expected to arrive in March, it’s clear that The Whitsundays is a must-visit for cruise lines.

Looking ahead: The future is bright

Looking ahead, there’s so much more in store.

With increased air and sea traffic, major business events, and growing media coverage, the region’s tourism industry is stronger than ever.

A major marketing campaign is also on the horizon to amplify the region’s visibility and highlight why we are lucky enough to call one of the world’s most stunning destinations home.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Firemen fought to control the flames that destroyed a residence at the rear of Portofino Café, in Proserpine. Hoses had to run from the rear of ANZ Bank, in Main Street, but adjoining businesses were saved.

Obituary

Theresa Wallace Andrews, aged 84, passed away from tetanus in Townsville Hospital. Theresa, a member of a pioneering family, had been an active church member and volunteer.

Graham Frederick Blair died, aged 50 years. He had been a senior member of the Electricity Board staff. Head of Proserpine MEB Alan Hobson spoke at his service.

Night Shopping

Night shopping in Proserpine on Thursdays will commence this week.

Boost For Dingo Beach Road

Cr. Pat Botto has been lobbying with the Land Commission for upgrading of this road.

New Era for Sugar Farmers

A new era begins tomorrow for cane farmers when Proserpine Co-operative Sugar Milling Association takes ownership of Wanderers Paradise Resort, in a move to diversify and take advantage of the tourism boom. The resort lies on the site of the first house built in what was then known as Jubilee Pocket by the Abell Family, 81 years ago.

Hydeaway Bay Development

A proposed subdivision should be approved by council following the discovery of water in the area.

Aussie Rules

Airlie Bloods Aussie Rules have signed several new members for the new season. Training takes place on two evenings a week at Cannonvale School.

Brahman’s Rugby League

Brahman’s Rugby League lost to Ayr by 20 points to 10, in the Burdekin-Whitsunday League.

Swimming Carnival

The High School Swimming Carnival was won by Flinders House. Nola Radley and Tony Roberts were open age champions.

Cricket

The return to local cricket by Alan Murray was the crucial factor in Colts’ victory over Valleys. Two important wickets by Peter Jeffries helped Magpies to victory over Centrals.

The Whitsunday Conservation Council (WCC) is outraged that these changes will affect WCC’s ability to conduct non-partisan forums, which question all candidates standing for election, particularly on their environmental opinions.

The new electoral reforms state that any donations to charities and not-for-profit organisations, such as WCC, cannot be used for political advocacy without informing the donor.

This makes holding a ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum, prior to the upcoming Federal Election, very difficult, as it is all but impossible to inform all donors (many of them small donors, who support the work of WCC).

WCC says Australian charities and not-for-profit community groups will be severely limited in their ability to advocate, during election periods.

This will silence every person’s right to speak on issues, be it through charities or local community groups.

“Our communities have a right to know these opinions, to make considered decisions before casting their vote to any candidate,” WCC president Tony Fontes said.

“Politically neutral community organisations such as WCC are an essential tenet of a healthy democratic society.

“WCC considers this to be nothing more than a backroom deal between Labor and the Coalition that hands tens of millions more in taxpayer dollars to the major parties and attempts to lock out the smaller parties, independents and community groups.”

Mr Fontes said there was a history leading up to this ‘last-minute’ legislation.

“At every election since 2010, the vote share of the major parties has fallen,” he said.

“In 2022, the fall accelerated: Nearly one-third of voters opted for a non-major party candidate in the Federal Election that year.

“This trend is likely to continue and this has got the two major parties in a panic.

“Imagine an elected government that actually has to respond to the people of Australia and not the corporates and billionaires.

“But now Labor and the Coalition have teamed up to rewrite election laws in their own favour— making it harder for independent voices to compete and easier for them to cling to power.”

The deal struck by the major parties includes the following details.

· Losing votes means losing money ($3.386/vote at the moment). With the new electoral reform, they have simply handed themselves more taxpayer money per vote ($5.00/vote).

· Instead of a disclosure threshold of $1,000, which would have revealed cash-for-access payments from lobbyists and corporate interests, the threshold has been raised to $5,000.

· The rhetoric of keeping millionaire influence out of politics is looking thin with the increased donation cap of $50,000 (up from $20,000). Since the major parties have nine branches, and they can take four donations per donor every three years, that means a single person or company could give $1.8 million to a major party, every election cycle.

· The major parties will now outspend independents 112 to 1 – with $90 million in election funding nationally, while independents are capped in each set.

· A carve-out for peak bodies means the Business Council of Australia, the Minerals Council of Australia and other lobby groups for vested interests can take up to $250,000 from each member, five times the $50,000 that actual Australian voters are capped at.

· Australian charities and not-for-profit community groups will be severely limited in their ability to advocate during election periods. This will silence every person’s right to speak on issues, be it through charities or local community groups.

WCC feels these laws are not about fairness or transparency or taking big money out of politics – they are a power grab designed to silence challengers and protect the major parties.

All paid for by the Australian taxpayer.

The laws do not come into effect until the election after the upcoming 2025 election, around 2028.

“That means there is still a chance for the next parliament to address the transparency gaps, major party loopholes, and unfair treatment of independents and new entrants,” Mr Fontes said.

“The upcoming election could be your last chance to vote in politicians who will truly represent all Australians.”

Contributed by the Whitsunday Conservation Council.

Local homes and businesses were struggling to cope with frequent power cuts. High demand for generators had dried up supplies and Fausts had reported all gas appliances had been sold. Replacements were hard to locate. Smith’s Electrical and Valmadre’s Pharmacy had run out of torch batteries. Night sport and air conditioning were closed down and banks had to resort to manual methods.

Fr. Chauntler’s Ordination

This was carried out by the Bishop of North Queensland, the Right Reverend John Lewis.

Radio 4MK Granted License

The Australian Broadcasting Tribunal granted Radio 4MK the translator licence to provide a radio service for Airlie Beach, Proserpine and Bowen.

Beautify Proserpine

A controversial letter to the editor recommended provision of many shady trees for the Main Street.

Changing Face of Sugar at The Mill

The world sugar crisis has caused Proserpine Mill to envisage changes. Jordan Rigby and other senior executives have agreed to big reductions in remuneration. It was also decided to rezone its wide expanse of land bordering the highway, to establish a caravan park and tourist information centre.

Underwater Hockey Hits Town

Local players can now enjoy this exciting game involving snorkelling skills at Proserpine Pool, on Wednesday evenings.

Guide Leader Honoured

The surprise highlight of the Guides ‘Thinking Day’, held on Saturday, was the presentation of the ‘Wattle Award’ to Shirley Robinson, in recognition of her dedication to the Guides over 27 years.

Proserpine Primary School’s Swimming Carnival

This was held at Proserpine Pool. Les Stagg presented trophies for the best girls’ team to Cannonvale school and the best boys’ team to Hayman Island.

Brahmans Fire in First Match

Proserpine’s season began successfully with wins in all grades against Home Hill and Bowen Brothers.

It can be quite a process to establish new habits at home or protocols in the office.

Change can be challenging but change with purpose can be just the motivation for everyone to get on board.

Why Are We Composting?

We do this to reduce our imprint.

We do this to become a more sustainable society with composting being one of the easiest ways to reduce landfill, while nourishing the soil where you live.

It takes effort to stop throwing fruit and veggie scraps into the regular rubbish bin and put them in a dedicated compost bin in the kitchen.

It involves having a separate receptacle in the kitchen, as well as somewhere it goes frequently in the garden.

There is that new habit of remembering to put the green waste into the separate bin in the kitchen and taking it to the garden when it is full.

Training everyone in your household to follow these guidelines may be easier said than done.

Beginning is the hardest part. Start with what you have – a plastic bag that lives in the freezer you add to after cooking and upgrade as you go.

Why Are We Recycling?

If you are looking for motivation to consistently separate recycling from landfill, think no further than our delicate ecosystems.

We take the time to wash out glass jars and put them in a bag to drop off at Airlie Beach Health Hub for reuse, or flatten soy milk boxes to add to the fortnightly Council recycling pickup, because less waste in landfill protects our wildlife and our natural wonders.

Why Does It Have to Be Me?

Life is filled with weight; the weight of the daily barrage of news reports of inequities and horrors, the weight of every irritating unfinished project or seemingly simple task that needs completing, or the weight of someone suffering in your life and not knowing how to help.

Taking steady, daily steps to support our community to move closer to zero waste is one place you can have control.

A sense of control over personal impact on the environment is a powerful experience that builds over time.

Perhaps this can be the glimmer of possibility you have been looking for.

Follow us and share your wins @zerowastewhitsundays on FB and Insta

Proserpine Chamber of Commerce aims to introduce late night shopping for Proserpine, on Thursdays. Joe Faust of Fausts Pty. Ltd. outlined plans for this at Thursday’s meeting.

Arthur Chauntler Ordained

Mr. Chauntler was admitted as an Anglican priest at St. Paul’s Church, on Sunday. Born in Bowen, he has spent most of his life in Proserpine. He served as an apprentice baker before enlisting in the 2/Aif for four years. Arthur is looking forward to officiating in several capacities in town.

Obituary

Carl Ernest Grosskreutz, aged 84, died in hospital, on Sunday. He was an old identity, of a family among the very early settlers in the district.

Proposed Beak Tourism Project

This is number three in the Queensland Tourism Corporation list of international resorts to be developed, although more support is needed from Proserpine Shire Council.

Whitsunday Wanderers Upgrade

Proserpine Sugar Mill has poured $500,000 into the Airlie Beach resort to upgrade its facilities and will complete its purchase, in March, for $7.5 million.

Hayman Island Playgroup

The island resort now has a playgroup, held at the home of the resort’s managing director Andre Maestracci, to add to its primary school, which was opened 30 years ago.

New Ambulance

The Proserpine District Ambulance will purchase a new ambulance vehicle with the donation of $15,000 it received from the 1984 Lions Harvest Fair.

Swimming

Personal best times, in all four events, by Cheryl Pound and Stuart Ironside provided these two swimmers with leading points scores in Monday’s club night.

Sport Awakens

In the next few days, fixtures and competition begin again in several local sports clubs. Squash, tennis, rugby league and the Pony Club all announced commencement of fixtures.

Cricket

Junior cricket continues to flourish, with eight teams turning out on Saturday morning. Magpies and Centrals recorded wins at senior level, with another 114 not out from Peter Collingwood the standout performance, and Proserpine beat Pioneer Valley in the Datsun Shield intertown competition, thanks to a five-wicket haul from Bill Woods.

Flying Foxes are the largest flying mammal in Australia.

They are critical to ensuring the survival of our great Australian Eucalypt forests and the overall health of our ecosystem.

They are keystone pollinators of the Australian bush, pollinating the flowers of more than 50 native trees.

The pollen sticks to their fur while they’re feeding on the nectar of flowers and then, as they fly off, they are able to pollinate many trees over long distances.

Flying Foxes also create new forests by dispersing seeds from the fruit they eat.

They are vegetarians that forage on the fruit of over 50 native rainforest trees and vines.

Their excellent night vision and keen sense of smell helps them navigate their way over vast landscapes. 

Each Flying Fox can spread up to 60,000 seeds, across a 50 kilometre stretch of land, in one night.

There are four species of Flying Fox common in Queensland, two of which have taken up residence in the Whitsundays – the Black Flying Fox and the Little Red Flying Fox.

Flying Foxes are intelligent, social animals that live in large colonies comprised of individuals and family groups.

They roost in trees during the day and establish permanent and semi-permanent camps near food sources and for birthing.

Their camps can be quite noisy, particularly around dawn and dusk, when flying out to feed at night or returning to camp trees to sleep during the day.

They use various calls as a form of communication.

Contrary to what you may have heard, Flying Foxes are very clean animals that are constantly grooming and cleaning themselves.

However, they also communicate by scent. Odours are used to identify camp trees, each other, and to attract mates.

Mothers can locate their pups in crèche trees by their scent and calls.

Flying Fox numbers have decreased dramatically over the last 50 years, due to a continual loss of habitat (due to land clearing) and climate change.

Flying Foxes can be particularly susceptible to mass dying events, commonly caused by heat stress brought on by prolonged heatwaves.

It is important to recognise that the future of our forests is very dependent on the future of the Flying Fox.

A proposal to form a new Shire at the beachfront was discussed but rejected. Cr. Dray claimed that the coast lacked permanent population. The beach area had 1,476 electors while, in Division 1 alone, the Proserpine area had over 1,800.

Lions Cheque Goes to Ambulance

A $15,353 donation to Proserpine Ambulance Centre came from the proceeds of the Lions 1984 Harvest Fair, a carnival now firmly fixed in the district’s calendar of events.

Plane Disaster Averted

Skilful handling of a Twin Otter plane with eleven passengers on board averted a disaster, late on Sunday evening, after the port engine caught fire seven miles north of Proserpine. The plane was diverted to Proserpine Airport where an automatic extinguisher had the fire under control.

Sports At the Showground

A shortage of playing fields in the area has led several sports to look at the Showgrounds Ring as a playing/training area. The cricket club was already using it as its base, while soccer and rugby union had requested its use.

Bowen Harbour Memories

‘In the twenties’ watersiders witnessed antipathy with shipping authorities, which led to squads of farmers going to Bowen to load their own sugar.

Brazilian Exchange Student

17-year-old Alexandre Ruston was proving to be a very popular exchange student at Proserpine High School. A Spanish and Portuguese speaker, Alexandre is picking up English quickly during his twelve-month visit to the area.

Junior Cricket

On Saturday morning, a total of eight junior teams in Under 12, 13 and 14 ages turned out.

Centrals Win Ron Brown Memorial Trophy

Centrals finished well on top against Valleys in this annual knockout final, in memory of former player Ron Brown. Led by exhilarating stroke play by Peter Collingwood and Michael Hinschen, Centrals amassed 244. Despite a Brian Filby half-century, the Beach Boys were restricted to 184 by Bill Woods and Bob Shepherd, each of whom took three wickets.

Rugby League

After more than 30 years, patron Bill Ironside retired. As a player, official and patron, his association with the club had lasted since 1918. President Les Stagg noted concern that the club may have difficulty in obtaining sufficient numbers to field three teams this season.