Anne Baker, Labor candidate for the seat Burdekin, has 17 years of experience in local government and is bringing her leadership skills to the Burdekin electorate. Having lived in the Bowen electorate for 39 years and in Collinsville for a decade, Baker says she has built a strong connection with the region.

"I’m an authentic leader; I’m a people person and will always put people over politics," she said, emphasising her commitment to the community.

Baker’s political background includes 12 years as the Mayor of the Isaac Region, where she led major legislative changes in areas like mining, agriculture, and cattle industries.

"I understand the processes and mechanisms of government, having led sustainable resource legislation directly related to mining," she noted, underscoring her hands-on experience.

When asked about her key priorities for the Burdekin, Baker pointed to significant projects already in the pipeline, including the Bowen Pipeline and water projects in Ayr and the western mining communities.

"There’s lots in the system, and my initial focus is to fully understand them and ensure they’re delivered. Community consultation will play a big role in ensuring these projects succeed."

Baker is also focused on addressing broader local concerns, including cost of living and crime.

"One of the reasons I put my hand up is because I’ve always been driven by authentic and deliverable leadership," she explained.

With a deep understanding of local issues and a strong track record, Baker is confident in her ability to make a difference for the people of the Burdekin.

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Anne Baker with her supporters

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As residents struggle under costs of living, damaging and deadly roads and the climbing number of victims of crime, Member for Burdekin and LNP candidate Dale Last is encouraging everyone to ensure their voices are heard this October.

Mr Last said ensuring each and every person had the opportunity to have their say on issues affecting them was crucial when it came to advocating for funding and services needed in regional Queensland.

“Here in the Burdekin, we are seeing issues like the rising costs of living, an ongoing debacle over our water supply, roads that could be best described as goat tracks and soaring pressures on our health services to transport patients 100km just for a CT,” Mr Last said.

“Issues like these are ones that we have stared down the barrel of for years and now is the time to make your voice heard.

“As the Member for Burdekin, my goal is to see everyone who is entitled to have their say in October is able to and my staff at the Burdekin Electorate Office are more than happy to assist with this.”

Mr Last said with an ageing population in the electorate and the increased reliance on technology, the ability to be able to come into an electorate office and speak with a staff member one-on-one to update personal details or apply for a postal vote was invaluable.

“There is a limited time to ensure that your voting details are up to date, and if you aren’t able to vote in your residential electorate on the day, that you apply for a postal vote.”

“My electorate office is located at Shop E 54-60 Queen Street, Ayr and is open weekdays from 8.30am to 4.30pm for anyone needing assistance with electoral role details.”

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Member for Burdekin Dale Last says to make your vote count. Photo supplied

A pioneering community-led pipeline project is steadily advancing towards its goal of becoming Australia’s first net-zero water infrastructure project, aligning with both Commonwealth Climate Change legislation and the State Government’s carbon reduction goals. This groundbreaking initiative represents not only a leap forward in sustainability but also in technological innovation.

The project’s leaders have successfully secured nearly of the 182-kilometre pipeline alignment, with only a 40-metre stretch across a Sunwater/Water Board channel still pending. This includes five critical pump stations and three laydown areas which will be used for operational purposes.

One of the most significant breakthroughs is the decision to manufacture the pipe on-site. Rather than transporting 8-metre pipe segments from Brisbane, Sydney, or Townsville, the team will bring a specialised machine directly to the construction site. This allows for the production of pipes in lengths exceeding 100 metres, resulting in substantial cost and time savings.

Key benefits of on-site production include a reduction in transport emissions by eliminating the need for transporting shorter pipe segments, avoiding approximately 5 million kilometres of truck movements—equivalent to driving around the Earth 20 times with 10 B-double trucks. The number of welds will be reduced by 90%, which is critical since welds are typically the weakest point in any pipe. On-site production will save an estimated 36,000 hours in welding time, accelerating project completion. This approach is expected to cut costs by 45%, making the project more financially feasible.

The pipeline will utilize cutting-edge, low-pressure technology that has already been proven in countries like New Zealand and the United States, including in Texas and Florida. The technology enables water to move at a controlled pace—roughly the speed of a person walking—allowing for efficient water distribution. Farmers and other users can store and apply the water to their crops at a rate that suits their needs.

The project has garnered support from a wide range of local and national stakeholders. Negotiations are underway with a national/international company that may assist in both operation and joint funding of the pipeline’s construction. Local backing is also strong, with 41 private investors, most of whom reside in the Burdekin and Bowen regions, contributing financially to the project.

Importantly, the traditional owners of the land, the Juru people, are equity partners in the project. This collaboration not only ensures cultural respect and compliance but also fosters economic opportunities for Indigenous communities. As Juru Elder and Chair Trevor Prior emphasized, creating job opportunities through initiatives like this is key to addressing broader social issues, including crime reduction.

The project’s success hinges on timely governmental approval. If Minister Scanlon issues a letter of endorsement before October 1st, 2024, the project will be on track to lodge its Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) application—a crucial step toward breaking ground by November 2025 and becoming operational by late 2027. Any delays in this process could cost the region an estimated $300 million per year in lost economic benefits and 1,200 years' worth of wages for North Queensland workers.

Beyond its economic and environmental benefits, the project is deeply committed to giving back to the community. It has already become a sponsor for several local organizations, including the Bowen Netball Association, Bowen Swimming Club, Burdekin Netball Association, and Saltwater Arts Collective. Additional support for Burdekin and Home Hill community groups is in the pipeline.

This project is not just about building infrastructure—it’s about transforming the region, promoting sustainability, creating jobs, and giving back to the community.

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The first batch of Townsville based apprentices ready to go. The next step is to secure Burdekin/Home Hill based trainees.

Burdekin Netball Association with Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort

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I want to welcome our new CEO, Matthew Magin. Matthew started with us on Monday and has hit the ground running.   In March this year, the community voted for change. Hopefully, with Matthew’s help, we can deliver the outcomes the community expects and deserves.
This is my first column since the Burdekin Water Festival. I would like to congratulate and thank the newly formed Water Festival Committee for all the hard work that went into it. By all reports, it was a huge success. Hopefully, there wasn’t too much volunteer burnout. I have a feeling the team will be already planning a bigger and better Burdekin Water Festival in 2025.
I attended the Burdekin Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday night. Like the Burdekin Water Festival, this group is struggling to fill executive positions. The next general meeting is this Tuesday 24th September at 5.30pm at National PC Ayr, 137 Queen Street. This is another organisation in very real threat of folding. Don’t wait until it’s too late to get on board.
September brings us a lot of sporting finals. Well done to all our sporting codes who excelled in 2024. For a small community, we punch above our weight time and time again.
The Cowboys are off to Sydney this weekend to face the Sharks in week 2 of NRL finals. Hopefully, they are successful. They will need to continue improving if they are to go all the way.

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It’s been an eventful couple of weeks in the Burdekin! I had the pleasure of meeting with the incredible participants from Scootaville, who were on a charity ride raising funds for Legacy and Homeless Veterans. These dedicated riders journeyed from Chermside to Townsville, stopping overnight at the Ayr Showgrounds. I even hopped on a scooter myself and joined them as they rode into town—it was a fantastic experience, all for a worthy cause.
I also had the honour of attending the 70th Anniversary of the Giru Show. It was so wonderful to see such a strong turnout to celebrate this milestone event. The community spirit was truly alive, and I was thrilled to be part of the festivities and share a few words. It was a fantastic day for Giru and all who attended.
This week, we are excited to welcome Matthew Megin as our new CEO. Matthew brings a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the future of our organisation. We’re looking forward to the leadership he will bring to help guide us in our ongoing efforts.
Please join me in welcoming Matthew to the Burdekin and be sure to say hello if you see him around town.
If you would like to get in touch with me, please feel free to phone me on 0447 150 582 or email mayor@burdekin.qld.gov.au.

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Rehoming fee: $450
DOB: 14/09/2023
Sex: female
Breed: Staffy x
Kid friendly: yes
Cat Friendly: no
Other dogs: Yes
Fences: 5ft

Betty is a gorgeous girl who absolutely loves being near her humans whenever she can.

She’s a typical puppy with lots of energy to burn.

Betty loves playing with other dogs and would love another doggie friend to play with in her forever home.

Betty enjoys going on daily walks and adventures.

She is going good with training but will need continual training to become the perfect pooch.

Betty is available for adoption desexed, micro-chipped and up to date on vaccinations. She is flea/tick/intestinal worm treated and on heartworm preventative.

If you are interested in meeting Betty please fill out an enquiry form at angelpawsinc.com.au

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The Bowen Seagulls Rugby League, established in 2004, has long been a pillar of the Bowen community, fostering teamwork, fitness, and a sense of belonging. As the largest sporting club in the region, with over 510 registered players and volunteers, the club plays a vital role in shaping the local sporting landscape.

Shane Douglas, the Seagulls’ Grants Coordinator, was at the forefront of securing much-needed funds to ensure the club's continued growth and development.

Recently, the Seagulls were awarded a Bendigo Bank Community Grant of $15,015, which was used to purchase a replacement digital scoreboard for their main field at Denison Park.

This upgrade came at a crucial time, as the club had been grappling with the cost of improvements and capital works.

Douglas emphasised how significant this funding was for the club.

“We were in urgent need of a replacement scoreboard, but with all the improvements going on at Denison Park, we were struggling to afford it. This grant was a godsend, allowing us to implement the new scoreboard before the season ended,” he shared.

The Bowen Seagulls’ relationship with Bendigo Bank has been long-standing and fruitful. In previous years, the club utilised an earlier grant to erect shade structures for spectators, and Bendigo Bank also stepped up as the major sponsor of the Seagulls' highly anticipated Ladies’ Day.

Douglas reflected on the ease of the grant process and how the funds were helping organisations across the Burdekin and Whitsundays region.

“The Bendigo Bank Community Bank in Home Hill and Ayr is doing amazing work. The grant process was simple, and the funds were distributed fairly to where they were needed most. This initiative truly makes a difference in the community,” Douglas shared.

The new digital scoreboard enhanced the game-day experience for both players and spectators, further solidifying Denison Park as the heart of rugby league in Bowen.

The club was eager to showcase the benefits of the grant at events such as their Ladies Day on 15 June and the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Country Round game between the Mackay Cutters and Norths Devils on 27 July.

“We were super chuffed about this grant, and we wanted everyone to come down to Denison Park to see the improvements for themselves. Events like Ladies Day and the Cutters v Norths Devils game were a great opportunity for the community to witness how much the Bendigo Bank Community Grant had benefitted us,” said Douglas.

The Bowen Seagulls continued to be a beacon of community spirit, providing opportunities for players of all ages and backgrounds to engage in the sport. Their dedication, coupled with the support of Bendigo Bank and other local sponsors, ensured the club remained a vital part of Bowen's community fabric.

As the Seagulls prepared for their events, it was clear that the grant was more than just a financial boost—it was an affirmation of the club’s hard work and an investment in its future.

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Bowen Seagulls receive their award

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Burdekin’s own Karl Moschella was named a finalist for the highly regarded 2024 John Deere Agricultural Service Technician of the Year Award. The experienced harvester specialist, who works at Honeycombes Sales and Service in Ayr, was one of only six finalists across Australia to compete for the coveted title, that was announced at the John Deere Gala Awards on September 5th.

Karl’s journey with Honeycombes Sales and Service began in 2002 when he joined the team as an apprentice. Over the years, his dedication to supporting local farmers, combined with his extensive technical expertise, has made him a well-known figure in the Burdekin region. Whether in the field or in the workshop, Karl’s contributions have been integral to keeping John Deere machinery operating smoothly, particularly during the vital sugar cane harvest.

Growing up in the heart of sugar cane country, Karl’s passion for machinery started at an early age. His hands-on experience began in his father’s automotive workshop, where he learned the intricacies of small engine repair. This early exposure, combined with his love of motorbike racing, set the foundation for his future career as a skilled diesel fitter. His ability to diagnose and resolve complex mechanical issues quickly earned him a reputation as a go-to expert for both his colleagues and customers.

Now a harvester specialist, Karl has built strong relationships with local farmers, offering them not only his technical expertise but also a deep understanding of their needs. He is known for going the extra mile to ensure farmers can keep their equipment running efficiently, which is crucial during peak seasons. His commitment and knowledge make him a vital part of the team at Honeycombes, a leading John Deere dealership with seven branches across North Queensland.

This year marks Karl’s third time being shortlisted for the John Deere Agricultural Service Technician of the Year Award, having also been a finalist in 2022 and 2023. His continuous high-level performance has earned him recognition as one of the top technicians in the country, though the title has eluded him so far. In 2023, Karl narrowly missed out, but his drive to improve and provide exceptional service has seen him back in the running for 2024.

The John Deere Technician Awards, established in 2021, celebrate the vital role technicians play in supporting Australia’s agricultural, construction, and forestry industries. Technicians like Karl are essential to ensuring that machinery remains operational, helping to sustain the productivity of Australia’s farms and communities. This year, the awards program received 130 nominations from 69 dealerships across Australia and New Zealand, highlighting the competitive nature of the event.

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Burdekin’s own Karl Moschella was named a finalist for the highly regarded 2024 John Deere Agricultural Service Technician of the Year Award. Photo supplied

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Applications are now open for 10 more Regional University Study Hubs to be established around Australia, giving more students from rural and regional areas access to tertiary education.

MP Andrew Willcox is throwing his support behind the program which has already supported over 12,000 students in 46 locations across Australia since its establishment.

“Living in rural, regional, and remote areas can create significant barriers of entry for students looking to study at a tertiary level, but this program helps to alleviate these difficulties by bringing the universities closer to where these students live,” Mr Willcox said.

“Where you live shouldn’t dictate whether or not you can access tertiary education, and I strongly encourage eligible organisations in Dawson to apply to establish study hubs to support the students in our electorate.”

For more information on the eligibility criteria and application process, visit: www.education.gov.au/regional-university-study-hubs

Applications close Friday 18 October 2024 at 5:00pm AEDT.

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Opinion Piece

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, has said that Prime Minster Anthony Albanese refused to attend the National Farmer Rally outside Parliament House, ignoring farmers who travelled from across Queensland to plead with the Federal Government to stop an “anti-farming agenda”.
 
Mr Willcox said the Prime Minister has once again demonstrated complete contempt towards farmers and rural, regional and remote Australia.
 
“For the Prime Minister to ignore our farmers, many who have spent days on end driving to Canberra from across Queensland, shows that Labor doesn’t care about our agriculture industry,” Mr Willcox said.
 
“Our Prime Minister isn’t interested in helping or even listening to those who produce our nation’s food and fibre.

“Agriculture Minister Julie Collins didn’t attend the rally either, which is incredibly disappointing given she has only just been appointed as Agriculture Minister.

“All our farmers want is a fair go and to continue feeding the country.”
 
Mr Willcox pointed out the National Farmer Rally organisers were calling for sensible changes including scrapping the truckie tax, scrapping new taxes for biosecurity and superannuation, scrapping water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin and protecting the Great Artesian Basin, scrapping unnecessary red tape from emissions reporting, known as Scope 3, and scrapping reckless renewables which will rip up prime agricultural land, protecting the 88-day backpacker visa, as well as overturning the decision to ban live sheep exports by sea.
 
“These requests are common sense solutions and without changes, Labor will make farming unviable.

“The National Farmer Rally is the biggest in a generation – it has been more than 40 years since Aussie farmers have had to march on Parliament House because a federal government has made them feel so aggrieved.
 
“The Nationals proudly support those attending the rally. We will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our farmers and will continue to fight for farming and the future of regional, rural and remote Australia.”

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox (right) joined farmers at the National Farmer Rally in Canberra earlier this month. Photo supplied

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Queenslanders could now be hit with a $6,452 fine or $483 on the spot fine for discarding food, including fish frames, scraps and bait, in a way that may unintentionally attract crocodiles to a public place such as a boat ramp, jetty, pontoon or camping area.
Deliberately disturbing or feeding crocodiles could leave you with an increased on the spot fine ranging from $483 to $2580, with the maximum court-imposed fine increasing from $6452 to $26,615.
The Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation, Leanne Linard stated:
“Feeding crocodiles increases the risk to public safety as the reptiles loiter around public places such as boat ramps, marinas, and tourist locations waiting for a feed.
“Discarded food sources and habituation to humans can lead to changes in animal behaviour and are the main reasons for the removal of problem crocodiles outside active removal zones.
“These new offences and increased fines are designed to reduce the risks associated with deliberately feeding and interacting with estuarine crocodiles.
“People may think feeding crocs or interacting with them is fun or harmless, but experience shows that doing so increases the risk to public safety.”
Remaining within close proximity to a croc can now also land you an on-the-spot fine of $806 or a maximum court-imposed fine of $16,130.
Conservation officers now also have the power to direct people to move away from a crocodile to avoid any potential human-crocodile interactions.
Next time you consider venturing into croc territory, think twice and remember to always stay croc-wise.

Remember to be croc-wise when in croc territory

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In a decisive turn of events, the long-standing and contentious pay dispute between Wilmar Sugar and its employees has finally reached a resolution, paving the way for significant wage increases and bonuses. Growers can now breathe a sigh of relief, as the resolution ensures that the threat of disruptive industrial action will no longer jeopardise their crucial crops.

A majority of Wilmar Sugar and Renewables employees has voted in favour of a new enterprise agreement (EA) offering an upfront $2,500 bonus and 16 per cent in wage rises. Fifty-five per cent of eligible employees who participated in the ballot voted in favour of the company’s three-year offer.

The two-day ballot closed at 3pm today. The majority yes vote means more than 1,320 employees will receive the bonus and a 12 per cent increase in pay by Christmas, with a further 4 per cent increase next December.

A company spokesman said the positive ballot result brings to a close a challenging and long-running negotiation and associated disruptive industrial action.

“We thank everybody who participated in the ballot, particularly those who voted to accept the company offer,” he said.

“It draws a line under a period that impacted not only our business and our people, but the growers and harvesting operators who are so critical to the sugar supply chain.

“The focus now is on getting this year’s crop harvested and producing high-quality sugar for customers in domestic and export markets.”

CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens has urged Queensland’s sugarcane industry to pull together, following the resolution of the long-running pay dispute between Wilmar Sugar and three unions representing mill workers.
 
Workers at the company’s nine Queensland sugar mills voted over the past 48 hours to accept a new Enterprise Agreement put forward by Wilmar Sugar and Renewables last week.


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 “It’s great to have this issue finally resolved in a way that is acceptable to both the workers and the mill,” Mr Menkens said. 
 
“It has dragged on for far too long, has delayed cane crushing across half of the industry, and caused great anxiety to growers and harvesting contractors, so to see an agreement finally in place is a tremendous relief.
 
“Now it’s time to put it behind us, and for the entire industry to come together, support our mill workers and our contractors, and put our shoulders to the wheel so we can make the 2024 season a success.
 
“Let’s crush it between now and December.”

As of today, Wilmar’s eight factories have processed about 6.3M tonnes of sugarcane, representing about 40 per cent of the estimated crop.

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Last week schools across the region marked R U OK Day with various activities taking place to keep all that attended entertained.

From painting rocks to writing notes Ayr State High School and Burdekin Christian College, started conversations that could potentially save lives.

R U OK Day encourages people to have conversations with others, and aims to inspire everyone to connect with people around them, start a conversation and ask “Are you okay?”

It’s important to check in with people you know but equally as important to spark conversation with strangers, you may even save someone’s life.

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Ayr State High School setting up donuts in an ‘R U OK’ arrangement
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Ayr State High School Students writing notes
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Students of Ayr State High School

‍Burdekin Christian College students decorating rocks as part of R U OK day
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Girls from Burdekin Christian College showing off their rocks
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Burdekin Christian College boys in yellow to show their support for R U OK day

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Photos supplied

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The Burdekin Community Association Inc. (BCA) Home Care Service delivers a wide range of services for seniors and their carers.
 
Home Care Packages Program (HCP)
The HCP Program provides support to older people with complex care needs to live independently in their own home. We can offer services to eligible seniors on a Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 package. Services include in-home support services, transport, home maintenance/repairs/modifications, access to allied health services and other care related services relating to the client’s health, safety and wellbeing.
 
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
The CHSP is an entry level home help program to assist older people who can mostly, but not completely, live and cope on their own and don’t yet need high levels of support at home. Services include domestic assistance, social support (friendly visits/shopping/outings), personal care (showering/bathing/medication monitoring), respite care (support for the carer), transport and home maintenance (lawn mowing/whipper snipping/rubbish removal).
 
Please contact the Home Care Service Team to discuss services or obtain information on Ph 4783 3744, The Support Centre, 130 Queen St.

bca@bcaburdekin.org.au, www.burdekincommunityassociation.org.au
 
 
Contributed with thanks to: 
Debra Cochran
Chief Executive Officer
Burdekin Community Association Inc (BCA)

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We've reached the middle of September, and before we know it, 2024 will be over. We can dwell on our coulda, shoulda, and wouldas with self-blame and guilt, or we can take a step back, be kind to ourselves, and refocus our efforts.

We're choosing the latter and aiming to get back on track with our hope to help build a compassionate community here in the Burdekin.

The key word here is "community."

While our BNC Team is considered 'workers,' we are also community members in our own right.

Compassionate Communities are not made up of services and their workers - they are made up of community members coming together to support each other and figure out what would benefit everyone when it comes to death, dying, and grief.

We want to hear from people who have ideas, thoughts, energy, and questions about anything related to death, dying, and grief. Your input is invaluable.

We know there are many people in our community who are helping others in this area. What do you see are the gaps?  What can we be doing better as a community?

We have all experienced death and grief in our lives – each one of us can contribute to the conversations. Our shared experiences can help us understand and support each other better.  

If this is something you have an interest in, please come along to:

WHAT: Compassionate Community Session
WHERE: Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre, 40 Chippendale Street, Ayr
WHEN: Thursday, 26th September, 5.30pm

Until next time,
The Team
Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

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