Tourism Whitsundays closes Proserpine Information Centre in response to funding cuts

Outspoken mayor Mike Brunker says Tourism Whitsundays’ decision to shut the information centre at Proserpine is nothing but a political ploy. On Wednesday June 29, TW will close the doors to its information centre on the Bruce Highway citing funding cuts as the major contributor.

Cr Brunker says it’s rich to blame council for the closure of the information centre “considering it’s been running at a loss for ten years.”

“Last year council gave TW an extra $100,000 for marketing and we still had 31 shops close. Perhaps the only good thing that will come out of this is TW will get off their backsides and do something about it,” Mayor Mike said.

“Closing the information centre is just a political swipe at council.”

At lunchtime on Monday, TW chairman Chris Jacobs went to the information centre to tell staff the bad news.

“We had to make immediate cuts in our budget in order to remain financially responsible,” Mr Jacobs said.

“Clearly our primary role is raising awareness of the Whitsunday region, seeking to attract more visitors and in the year ahead this will have to be our sole focus. At the same time we are trying to re-engage in discussions with council about our funding moving forward,” Mr Jacobs said, adding he would be looking forward to the chance to inform council of the full implications of the funding cuts.

Meanwhile Cr Brunker defended the decision to reduce its cash contribution towards the operation of Tourism Whitsunday saying the council was committed to the long-term prosperity of tourism in the region.

“I understand Tourism Whitsundays is disappointed at receiving a reduction in their cash flow this year, but Council is pouring millions of dollars into projects that will in the long term, stimulate and grow the region’s tourism sector,” he said.

“A flourishing tourism sector relies on the development of appropriate infrastructure to service tourists’ needs and expectations. This includes airport infrastructure, utility provision and precinct redevelopment”.

“Without good airport and road infrastructure and the availability of affordable basic services such as power, water and sewerage, and the revitalisation of existing tourism assets, the region’s tourism sector suffers,” Mr Brunker said.

At last week’s council meeting Councillors Jennifer Whitney and Jan Clifford both argued against reducing the contribution to TW, refusing to support the motion.

“Tourism is in a bad way. Council has an obligation to support the industry and promote the whole region. I don’t think we should be pulling money out,” Cr Whitney said. “$150,000 is not enough money,” Cr Clifford said, adding, once the funding was cut, TW was at risk of "going under".

Cr Brunker, however made it obvious he took offence to anyone at the meeting saying council wasn’t supporting tourism.

“Since we lost the flight to Sydney, we can pump all the money we like into TW, but the solution lies with attracting people to the region. Without bums on seats we’ve got nothing. This year’s budget we are actually spending over $5m on a number of projects which will ultimately help tourism.

“This is why council has decided to invest $200,000 to employ a business development and marketing manager for the Whitsunday Coast Airport,” he said.

Tourism minister Jan Jarratt said while she was pleased to see council taking airport management seriously, it was a blow for Tourism Whitsunday. "The government, through Tourism Queensland will continue to work with TW to promote our area and build business resilience and capability."

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer Peter O’Reilly says council’s decision to cut funding is frustrating and extremely disappointing coming at a time where tourism in the Whitsundays was suffering.

“While appointing a strategic manager for the airport is a step in the right direction, airport development should be funded from the airport business unit, not taking away from destination marketing funds,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“Reducing destination marketing is directly counterproductive to the 
desire to get increased flights, because airlines will not introduce new flights without demand for them and it’s naïve of council to believe otherwise,” he said.

Ben Southall brings Best Expedition to Airlie Beach

 Tourism ambassador and global adventurer Ben Southall held a Hobie kayak clinic for the guests of BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday, in spite of yesterday’s rain.

 Ben is currently paddling, pedalling and sailing his way up the Great Barrier Reef and arrived in the Whitsundays yesterday (see Page 2).

 “I’m feeling pretty fit, but it’s still a long way to go. Cooktown is still a very distant dot on the map,” he said.

 Ben’s kayak clinic kicked off the BIG4 Adventure Whitsundays winter sports carnival, providing children with plenty of outdoor activities during the school holidays.

 “This is about not sitting in front of the TV all the time. So much can be done outdoors and places like BIG4 are perfect for that. Kids want to learn and they love trying new things. Putting smiles on their faces is such a great thing to do,” Ben said.

 Owner of BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Naomi McKinnon said Ben was a great role model for kids.

 “We’ve tried to create that whole concept of getting kids outside and active and Ben’s really the epitome of that,” she said.

 The Hobie Kayak was chosen as the vessel of choice for the ‘best expedition in the world’ after Ben saw one in action at Hervey Bay.

 “This is not meant to be about endurance and if I was to bust my shoulder in the first week, that would be it. When I saw the Hobie kayak I thought it looked like a really accessible means of doing the adventure. It’s really very simple to learn the art of sailing in. By the end of it, hopefully I’ll be an accomplished sailor,” he said.

 Whilst in the Whitsundays Ben will participate in a ‘boys adventure’ camping and kayaking tour. He will also pit his skills against teen solo sailor Jessica Watson, in a Hobie kayak race from Whitehaven Beach to Hamilton Island.

 “She knows much more about sailing than I do,” he joked.

 To follow Ben’s adventures visit www.islandreefjob.com

Tom O'Toole inspires Whitsunday businesses

 Think John Cleese in a baker’s hat with an Australian accent and you’ve pretty much got Tom O’Toole.

 This inspirational speaker shared the secrets of his real-life rags-to-riches story at a free workshop hosted by Peppers Coral Coast Resort on Monday night. The workshop was a joint venture by Tourism Queensland, Tourism Whitsundays and Enterprise Whitsundays as part of the Smile campaign.

 “We realise this destination is doing it tough but this is one of many initiatives to help people work on their businesses and be positive for the future,” said Tourism Queensland’s Racheal Klitscher.

 Tom O’Toole told the Guardian he hoped business operators in the Whitsundays realised they had a world-class product.

 “You live in regional rural Australia. You’re going to get another cyclone. The dollar’s going to go up and down. Petrol’s going to go up and down, but nothing’s forever. Don’t wait until the economic storm has passed. Learn to dance in the rain,” he said.

 “Keep looking at your business and your life through fresh eyes. We become blind to the opportunities that are right here.”

 “That return phone call, that smile, that thankyou – it’s the little things that make the difference but we’re all out there looking for the big fix.”

 “Business is simple. It’s mostly about people and leadership. Dare to lead. When you’re placed in charge, take charge. And it’s about teamwork. When we all work together we win together.”

 “Life is like a bike. The harder you pedal the further you’ll go.”

Council approves controversial development application at Villa Botanica

 It’s “business as usual” for Whitsunday wedding venue Villa Botanica, where the Hogan family can now legally hold weddings for 80 guests, up to 120 times per year, after council approved their development application to do so last week.

 Mayor Mike Brunker described councillors as “the meat in the sandwich” in an emotion-fuelled battle between the Hogans and lot owners on the gated Botanica Estate, whose argument centres around the degradation of amenity in an area originally designated for rural-residential use.

 “At the end of the day this (decision) was done on planning grounds. Although there’s an increase in the numbers of people to a wedding, we’ve reduced the amount, we’ve looked at traffic issues; we’ve taken in as much as possible of the objectors concerns to add that into the conditions of the planning scheme,” Cr Brunker said.

 “I think beyond us rejecting it totally, that would be the only thing that would make the objectors happy… but if we go to court in the future that will either be decided as right or wrong,” he said.

 Councillor Jan Clifford declared a conflict of interest and left the room, following which councillors voted five to one in favour of the DA, with only Cr Rogin Taylor against.

 Cr Taylor questioned the Hogans’ ability to comply with conditions saying the previous regulations “haven’t been adhered to since day one”.

 “The major problem I have is that this conflicts with the zoning. If this goes to the planning and environment court, which it probably will, it’s going to end up on the side of the residents,” Cr Taylor said.

 Cr Whitney urged all parties to think carefully before going down this path.

 “From my experience when these issues do go to court, no party wins,” she said.

 Chairman of the Botanica Estate Body Corp Greg Lange said lot owners were “gutted” with the decision.

 “Just because Council approved it doesn’t necessarily make it right,” he said.

 “Owners paid a premium for their lots because they were promised something exclusive.

 “These people (the Hogans), who have operated unlawfully for three years, were granted approval, and to self-regulate.

 “The conditions associated with that approval were embarrassing and an insult to our intelligence.”

 Mr Lange said members of the Body Corp committee would meet on Friday to look at the options of mediation versus the planning court.

 “I think everybody will sit down and listen to the Hogans and then decide what to do,” he said.

SunWater helps relocate barramundi in Proserpine's Peter Faust Dam

 SunWater has again placed its commitment to the environment at the forefront of its operations with a recent fish transfer being undertaken at its Peter Faust Dam.

 Due to recent wet weather the Peter Faust Dam overflowed for the first time since construction, and a large number of fish were trapped in the restricted access pool with no pathway to the larger dam area.

 SunWater arranged to have the fish moved from the restricted access pool into the main dam area to ensure their safety and survival.

 Working closely with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) and the local fish stocking society, the fish transfer took place over two days.

 Relocating the fish into the main dam ensures fish stocks are available for recreational fishing opportunities in the future.

In all, 664 Barramundi with an average size of approximately 1m were relocated.

 SunWater is committed to providing outstanding solutions for our community in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Photo courtesy Whitsunday photographer Ziggy Ziegler

Villa Botanica development application approved (video)

No offer from Mackay Sugar for Proserpine Mill

Proserpine Sugar’s chairman of the board Lou Raiteri says claims made by Mackay Sugar regarding the mill sale process are misleading.

Yesterday afternoon Sucrogen officials came to town to meet with growers at the entertainment centre. There will be another meeting this morning.

“As part of the process to find an equity investor,. our advisers approached a number of parties including Mackay Sugar to gauge their interest in investing in Proserpine Mill.

“Mackay Sugar has never made an offer for Proserpine Mill for the board members to present to our members.

“Mackay Sugar is currently engaged in a high profile and highly competitive bidding war for Tully Sugar with no certainty it will be successful. Mackay sugar’s argument for an all-Australian sugar milling group is highly reliant on them making a successful bid for Tully Sugar.

Mr Raiteri says by comparison, Wilmar International has made a firm cash offer of $115m for Proserpine Mill.

“After a rigorous review process, the board believes the offer from Wilmar would provide members with greater certainty and a range of benefits,” he said.

Sucrogen’s CEO Ian Glasson told growers yesterday this sale was far bigger than just the purchase of the mill.

“We will build a strong industry for future generations. It doesn’t stop with the purchase of the mill,” Mr Glasson said.

Whitsunday Police to raise money for family of Damian Leeding

Finally, there’s a legal way to get the boys in blue to leave town for the day.

Pay them.

Proserpine and Whitsunday police are inviting all emergency service personnel to join them on a fundraising walk on July 2 to raise money for their colleague who was killed during a robbery in Brisbane.

Proserpine Constable Steve Ringelstein said all money raised for the 25 km walk to Proserpine Dam would go to the family of Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding.

Walkers are to meet at the Whitsunday Junior Sports Field carpark on Crystalbrook Road at 6am on Saturday July 2 with $10 in their pocket for a donation.

“Also we’d like people from the community to meet us at the dam for a barbecue lunch where donations can be made. Also if you can’t make it on the day, call into the station and donate if you can afford a few dollars.”

Email Ringelstein.Steven@police.qld.gov.au or phone the station before Wednesday, June 26 so the boys can ensure there’s enough food for everyone.

Whitsunday hikers to climb Kilimanjaro for charity

Once you have battled cancer, your view on life changes, dramatically. So much so this week a local cancer survivor is looking at the world from a breathtaking new angle.

Seven years ago, Ian McBean thought he had only months to live when a test revealed a cancer - which he was first told was treatable - had spread to other parts of his body. “My world was turned upside down. There is no feeling in the world like it when you are faced with the prospect of dying. Everything changes immediately. Things that seemed so big and fearsome before, are just petty and unimportant,” Mr McBean said.

Seven years later, Mr McBean now holds the distinctive title “cancer survivor” but he says the true heroes of the long war against fighting cancer are his loved ones.

“My family means the world to me."

This week Mr McBean is a long way from home. In fact he joins a keen group of passionate Whitsunday hikers from the Whitsunday Anglican School community, including his son Francis, who are climbing one of the most notorious mountains on earth Mt Kilimanjaro to raise money for charity.

This gruelling seven-day hike will lead them 5895 metres up Africa’s highest mountain and through some of the most beautiful wilderness in the world.

“We hope to raise around $7000.

“This is going to be a great trip.  The chance to spend time with my son, my family, means the world to me,” Mr McBean said. The group will return to the Whitsundays around June 30.

Everydayhero.com.au/whitsunday_anglican_school_climbers is the place to donate.

Raffle results a quantum leap for Rotary Club of Airlie Beach

A grand total of over $95,000 has been injected into the Whitsunday community through Airile Beach Rotary Club’s 2011 community raffle.

This fabulous achievement was announced on Monday night to the 165-strong crowd of passionate fundraisers and sponsors who enjoyed a delicious meal at the Reef Gateway Hotel.

While superstition might make the number 13 unlucky in some cultures, it certainly didn’t have that effect on the club’s 13th annual fundraiser which turned out to be their biggest yet.

Neil Cawthorne, head organiser of the enormous raffle, said ticket sales were almost $20,000 greater than last year which was a quantum leap from 2009.

“At a time when the economy is doing it tough, it is great to see so much support from locals. Proserpine again sold the most tickets, but they were only 300 ahead of Airlie Beach,” Mr Cawthorne said.

With a big thank you to the Guardian and Times for promoting and covering the fundraiser, Mr Cawthorne said without sponsorship from nine major organisations, the raffle would not have been so successful.

To top off the hugely successful fundraising event, Mr Cawthorne said the fact the major prize was won by a local man who does so much for the community was a true reflection of Rotary’s core beliefs.

Local police officer Steve O’Connell wasn’t at the dinner but turned up a few minutes after his winning ticket was drawn from the barrel.

“I have never won such a great prize in my life. I bought two books of tickets, because I support everything Rotary does for the community. They are such a great organisation.

“And the calibre of the prizes have made the event all the more successful. A very big thank you to Kimberly Discovery Cruises,” Steve O’Connell said.

Whitsundays supports teen singing sensation Jack Vidgen

He’s been labelled the "boy wonder" and Australia’s answer to Justin Bieber, but for one Proserpine dad, singing sensation Jack Vidgen is first and foremost a talented son.

"I’m an extremely proud father," Steve Vidgen told the Guardian, after Jack, 14, was chosen by the Australian public to compete in the final round of popular TV show, Australia’s Got Talent. "He was the first one in – the first one to be accepted," an excited Mr Vidgen declared, adding that Jack had received the most votes in his particular round. Jack will perform another act on Australia’s Got Talent in about six weeks time.

At this stage Mr Vidgen says he doesn’t have a song picked.

"We’re talking about it now," he revealed.

Mr Vidgen said Jack has musical talents on both sides of the family, but even with this recent rise to stardom, "he’s still the same old Jack and still going to school," he said.
Channel 7’s Australia’s Got Talent is broadcast on Tuesdays at 7.30pm.

Foreign bid for Proserpine Sugar Mill

Proserpine mill’s chief executive officer John Power said if Proserpine was to remain a single entity, and not join forces with Sucrogen, then another bad season would spell the end of the local industry.

“There are too many risks for the mill to remain a single entity in the future. There are 12 new sugar refineries that have been built in Asia in the past few years. The face of Asia is changing and we need to be part of big business to remain viable. No refinery wants to deal with a small mill anymore,” Mr Power said.

Refusing to be drawn on whether furfural or the nature plant project had anything to do with the current debt, Mr Power said all these details would come out in the independent report which would be mailed to growers within the next month.

He said to reduce the risk of the Proserpine mill becoming a victim of an ever-changing global market, the board went looking for a positive way forward to secure the future of the industry and the livelihood of the town.

“Sucrogen will return a lot of the land to cane. We have the capacity to crush well over 2 million tonnes here. Their investment could take this mill to the third biggest in the country,” he said.

“If you want a sustainable future, you need supply,” he said.

Mr Power’s comments about Sucrogen buying land at Plains Creek, returning it to cane and partnering up with cane farmers, was met with sceptism by grower Paul Atkinson.

“I have spoken with a few mates of mine down there and this just isn’t true. It’s not a partnership. It's a dictatorship, they tell you when to plant, when to cut, when to do everything. It’s not true,” Mr Atkinson said.

However Mr Power remains positive about Sucrogen’s investment believing it will be a real coup for the Whitsundays.

“They are a good fit for Proserpine,” he said.

SES rescues boys from Conway National Park

 Four teenage boys and one adult endured more than they bargained for when a simple bushwalk turned into an overnight hike, culminating in a search and rescue effort on the ground and in the air.

 On Sunday morning Orchid Road resident Harold and his son Michael volunteered to take three of Michael’s friend to a waterfall the duo had previously accessed from the back of their property many times. 

 “The boys had a swim and then we decided to go to the top of the ridge,” Harold said.

 Having climbed the ridge the men began their descent – on the wrong side.

 “The river got bigger and bigger. That was the first indication we might be on the south side of the hill,” Harold said.

 “By this time it was getting late. We didn’t want to walk in the dark. It would have been too dangerous. We realised we were going to have to stay in the forest overnight,” he said.

 “It became very personal. We were cuddled up big time just to keep warm.”

 Meanwhile police were alerted to the party’s failure to return home and a search ensued. Ground crews were unsuccessful in locating the men so on Monday morning an RACQ-CQ helicopter was launched.

 Local controller for Whitsunday SES Mark Conners said the canopy was so thick the air crews could “hardly see the ground for all the trees”, but nonetheless managed to locate the men receiving “a thumbs up from all five people that they were ok”.

 “RACQ-CQ Rescue saved us days of walking through the bush,” Mr Conners said.

 Mr Conners said the terrain made it impossible to air-lift the men out, so after dropping survival packs of food, warm clothing and lightweight tents the next step was to organise a second ground crew to “walk them out”.

 Harold and the boys exited the forest at around 11pm on Monday, escorted by the SES.

 Michael and his friends said they could not praise the search and rescue crews enough.

 “I’d like to thank them as much as possible. It was just awesome what they did to get us out,” Michael said.

 Search and Rescue Co-ordinator Sergeant Graham Pettigrew said the moral of this story was to be prepared and not continue walking if lost.

 “The minute you know you’re lost stop and wait for help. It’s the people that wonder out of the search areas we have trouble with,” he said.

Whitsunday Farmers' Markets

Shane Stanley is a man on a mission - and he needs your help. He wants to do away with the "poor farmers" label that has been tagged to  landholders for the better part of the decade by helping create a farmers market for the Whitsundays.

Mr Stanley, who helped establish the popular Noosa farmers' market, is leading a spirited group of locals who came together one year ago with this inspiring vision.

Claire Dulieu, project manager with Enterprise Whitsundays, said local growers had supported the concept of a farmers' market from the outset.

“A farmers market is a shop front for producers – they can try new things –and it will also help them connect with one another. A farmers' market will also really contribute to the Whitsundays becoming known as a great fresh produce region, which will be good for tourism.”

A crowd of more than 100 were invited to the launch of the farmers' market survey at Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation last Wednesday where they  were treated to fresh, local produce by businesses who bear the prestigious Made in the Whitsundays logo.

Now, both residents and farmers are being asked for their opinions through a survey, which is being conducted right across the region.

“We have a lot of talented people in the region that we need to show off and a farmers' market will really enhance our food culture in the region.

“The survey that we have launched will help to shape the farmers' market – we are only going to do it once and we have to do it right - and we look forward to it becoming a reality.”

Consultant Shane Stanley, who runs three successful farmers' markets in Queensland through his company Queensland Farmers Markets, said the project would not happen without the support of consumers and producers.

“We are starting something very special and the enthusiasm here has been second to none. The passion is certainly here and it’s all moving along very  nicely,” he said.

He said a farmers'  market was about supporting the many growers in the region.

“Farmers can make a good living from it – it’s about adding another dimension to what they are already doing. If we can support our own industries, everything will grow from there.”

Quota conference held in the Whitsundays

 The Quota 40^th District Annual Conference was a fun-filled four-day event, held from Wednesday to Saturday last week. Conference functions included a ‘meet and greet’ for Australian and international Quota members at the VMR in Cannonvale on Thursday, and a formal dinner at Peppers Coral Coast Resort on Friday night.

 The conference officially began on Wednesday June 1, with the arrival of Quota International President Gwenn Jackson. Ms Jackson engaged in a ‘listening tour’, whereby a group of non-Quota members were invited to identify what young people of today are seeking in terms of volunteerism.

 Ms Jackson said like many service organisations, Quota was in danger of becoming an ageing group, so to connect with the younger generations was important.

 “These young adults really do want to make an impact in their communities. They maybe communicate a little differently but that doesn’t diminish what they would hope to accomplish. Quota is trying to identify how we can join with them,” she said.

 Ms Jackson was full of praise for Quota Whitsunday Inc, describing members as “playful yet serious about their work”.

 “They have a genuine care and concern for their members and each other but also their community,” she said.

 President of Quota Whitsunday Kerrie McCallum-Coles said hosting the conference was “just brilliant”.

 “It’s a very big honour to host this event. The conference rotates through all the clubs in the district. Currently there are seven, so this is now a once-in-seven-year event,” she said.

 Ms McCallum-Coles said a big “thank you” should go to the conference committee and particularly Jeanette Gray, who organised the event.

 Ms Gray said feedback from the conference was good.

 “We’ve had lots of motivational positive speakers and having the international president here has been the icing on the cake.

 “We’re hoping we’ve learned some ways in which we can encourage others to join this incredible organisation,” she said

 Local resident Jenni Cridland was officially inducted back into Quota on Friday night.

 “I was in Quota a few years ago but because of family commitments I had to give it away. I’m very pleased to be back – it feels like coming home,” Ms Cridland said.

 Ms Cridland said Quota offered women of the Whitsundays great opportunities to give back to the community and further their own personal development.

 “Those are the main things I’ve come back for – the friendship and the fun and to serve our community. Being a part of something like this heightens your self-confidence,” she said.

 For more information about the Whitsunday Quota Club contact Kerrie McCallum-Coles on 0409 222 548.

Reef Festival ramps up

 Organisers of the Reef Festival are now seeking community involvement and sponsors for this year’s event.

 Secretary for the Reef Festival committee Margie Murphy said active participation and suggestions were welcome at this time.

 “We’re asking any businesses or community groups or individuals who have ideas for input or feel they could offer something to the festival to please get in touch,” she said.

 Promotion for the event got off to a good start last week with some national publicity on Channel 7’s Sunrise show, broadcast from Airlie Beach.

 “Tourism Whitsundays chose the Reef Festival and our sand sculpting competition for a live cross (on the Sunrise show),” Ms Murphy said.

 Ms Murphy described the festival as a celebration of the North Queensland lifestyle.

 “This is a festival that will help support not only the tourism industry but the whole town.”

 “There’s an emphasis on reef preservation and our natural wonders,” she said.

 This year’s Reef Festival will be a four-day celebration, taking place from October 20 to 23 and incorporating a number of free events such as live music, a street parade, sand sculpting competition, open-air movies and fireworks display. There is also a ‘frocktails’ fashion parade and a comedy night planned.

 For more information contact Margie Murphy on 0418 155 542.