Decision imminent for Airlie main street

 Airlie main street submissions to the office of local MP Jan Jarratt have now closed, with the tourism minister expected to make an announcement by the end of the week.

 At the time of going to press on Tuesday afternoon Ms Jarratt was in the process of reviewing more than 100 formal submissions. While the minister had yet to make a decision she also ruled out an extension, requested by the Whitsunday Ratepayers Association, until November 4.

 “The original design concept has been out for discussion for more than a year and I have previously made it clear that October 31 would be the deadline for submissions. I have spoken with the Whitsunday Ratepayers Association committee’s president and committed to accepting their submission, provided it is received by tomorrow,” Ms Jarratt said.

 “I believe our town needs an expedient resolution on this matter and I intend to deliver that,” she said.

 Save Our Foreshore president Suzette Pelt said over 1,063 local people had signed objection letters (to the idea of a land swap and proposal for a four-storey hotel) to date.

 “The public oppose this so-called land swap for good reason and have come out and made their wishes known. The Minister must consider the Land Act’s guiding principles which are founded on the duty of the State Government to “protect the public interest” in the use of State Land on behalf of all Queenslanders. There is clearly no overwhelming community support for the proposal for any public land swap,” Ms Pelt said.

 “Last week’s successful four-day Reef Festival is just one example of how this site benefits the whole town and its organisers are to be congratulated.  There is nowhere else like it,” she said.

Rafting up for the Reef Festival's Recyclable Regatta

 For a second year running the Reef Festival will incorporate a ‘recyclable regatta’ combining the fun of the festival with a more serious environmental message relating to protection of the reef.

 The 2011 ‘ChannelWhitsunday.com recyclable regatta’ will be organised by John Nayler, who says the concept of building and racing a raft made from recyclable materials underpins what the whole festival is about.

 “The reef festival is now in its 11^th year. It’s fun for the kids, it’s got music, entertainment, a street parade – it’s a lot of great events – but it is also fundamentally a ‘reef’ festival and it’s obviously good to focus on reef protection as an important aspect of the festival,” Mr Nayler said.

 “A lot of people are passionate about reef protection in the area, so it’s great to have the opportunity to reinforce that, particularly with the younger generation,” he said.

 “We do know that a lot of the plastic that ends up in the environment comes from rivers and drains. Protecting the reef starts at home and that’s the key message here.”

 Mr Nayler is inviting corporate teams, families and youth groups to build a raft and race each other across two divisions. This year’s regatta will take place at the lagoon, on Saturday October 22, kicking off at 11am.

 Participation in the recyclable regatta is free, but entries do need to be registered.

 “Basically we want to hear from as many people as possible. Events like the reef festival are all about community participation, so get involved!” Mr Nayler said.

 For more information contact John Nayler on 0407 151 311 or visit www.reeffestival.com.au

 Photo courtesy ‘Cap’n’ Dan Van Blarcom.

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.