Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Let’s talk about last Saturday’s Water Festival Long Lunch for a sec, because… wow! What an event! I was blown away by the sheer scale of it. Being my first Long Lunch, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of it, but I was genuinely impressed—huge credit to everyone involved for pulling off such a magnificent evening. You can find a full wrap-up of the event by my colleague Chelsea on pages 18-19. As always, it was wonderful to meet more of you there. I really enjoyed getting to know some of you
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We need homes for every Australian. We need a housing policy that creates environments where everyone can find their own way into the housing market, and stay there. We need an actual housing policy that is more than writing a few cheques or throwing around big numbers with dollar signs. Getting a housing policy right means getting supply right, and for that supply to be in balance with demand. We need housing policy with follow through that helps, not hinders developers and builders to deliver,
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With extremely low rental vacancy rates causing increased cost for tenants, and a lack of supply, Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, is confident that a recently announced funding package would provide a range of benefits for the Burdekin. Funded under the state government’s Residential Activation Fund, the $500,000 grant will allow the Burdekin Shire Council to move forward in implementing their Local Housing Action Plan to increase housing supply across the shire. “The Burdekin is not immune
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Between Alligator Creek and Ayr Three offenders were arrested on 28 August after Polair tracked a stolen Toyota RAV4 travelling at speeds of up to 180 km/h between Alligator Creek and Ayr, dangerously approaching oncoming traffic along the Bruce Highway. The vehicle was abandoned in Methodist Lane, Ayr, prompting a brief foot pursuit. Local officers, assisted by the Townsville Tactical Crime Squad and Polair, successfully located and arrested all three occupants. The driver, an 18-year-old mal
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Wednesday, 27 August marked National Meals on Wheels Day, a day for communities across Australia to recognise the dedication, care, and connection the organisation provides. The Lower Burdekin Meals on Wheels has been serving the community for over 50 years. To honour their steady commitment to the region, an intimate morning tea was held at their headquarters on MacMillan Street, with a cake and some coffee to celebrate the occasion. Guests were given a tour of the kitchen, witnessing firstha
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A Decade of Riding the Wave in the Burdekin It’s been ten years since Kylie and Clint McNee chose to chase possibility over certainty. A hairdresser and a spray contractor at the time, the Burdekin couple took a leap into the unknown when they opened Swerve Surf & Ski—a surf, streetwear and lifestyle store aiming to bring a fresh perspective to local fashion and water sports gear. But without experience or connections in the retail industry, they were fighting an uphill battle before the doors
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Burdekin Shire Council is supporting the establishment of a Country Universities Centre (CUC) in the Burdekin through its involvement in the newly formed CUC Burdekin Management Committee. The CUC model provides regional students with access to high-quality learning facilities, technology, and academic support while studying tertiary or vocational education remotely. With more than a dozen centres already operating across Australia, the CUC network is helping bridge the gap between metropolita
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Burdekin Shire Council officers were recently invited to join members of the Annan, Endeavour and Normanby Producer Group from Cape York at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Research Station in Ayr for a valuable knowledge-sharing session on feral animal control. The session featured a presentation by Council’s Manager Environmental and Health Services, Paul Day, who outlined practical strategies and approaches to managing feral animals, along with additional insights from Northern Tra
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If you haven’t caught up on the news, I’m very pleased to share that Council has been successful in securing funding through Round 1 of the Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund. This funding will allow us to develop detailed design plans, so we are “construction ready” when future funding opportunities arise. A key feature of the plan is a new road connection from Craig Street through to Chippendale Street. This will create another vital route in and out of town, easing pressure o
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Spring has officially arrived, bringing with it the re-opening of the Burdekin Aquatic Centre and the Clare pools. The cool and dry days are great for our cane season but also for our road crews to undertake reconstruction work currently happening right across the shire. Please be patient and observe the speed limits around any roadworks to help keep both our workers and yourself safe. This weekend also marks the return of the Burdekin Water Festival. The committee has been working hard to deliv
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Global Traders Roadshow Returns We know how important it is for growers to have clear, timely information about what’s driving the sugar market. That’s why I’m pleased to advise that our annual Global Traders Roadshow is returning to North Queensland, running from 22 to 25 September. The roadshow gives local cane growers the opportunity to hear directly from Peter Bingham, Wilmar’s London-based Senior Sugar Trader, alongside Bevan Patterson, our Australian Risk Manager. Together, they’ll share
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AgTech Showcase To Boost $30 Billion Vision Tickets for the second Gatton AgTech Showcase, on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025, are now available to book online. The showcase will provide an opportunity for growers to see new global AgTech in action and talk to AgTech manufacturers about how these technologies can help their businesses be more productive and profitable. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Director Vegetables, Supply Chains and Market Access, Ian Layden, said the aw
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Ergon Energy Network is urging gardeners to carefully consider what they plant near powerlines and other electrical assets, with fast-growing species like bamboo causing thousands of power outages and posing serious safety risks. Ergon Energy Network Area Manager Rick Madden said planting the wrong trees or plants too close to powerlines can lead to dangerous situations, including fallen powerlines, emergency power outages and electric shocks. “Bamboo is one of the worst offenders because it g
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Committee Probes Sugarcane’s Energy Future Queensland’s sugarcane industry, long a backbone of regional economies, may hold the key to powering the state’s renewable future. A parliamentary inquiry has been launched to investigate how the by-products of cane farming could be transformed into electricity, fuel and bio-based products, reducing waste while creating new revenue streams for growers and millers. The Primary Industries and Resources Committee is leading the investigation, with a serie
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Home Hill State High School’s Student Council rolled up their sleeves on Sunday, August 24, hosting a community car wash that combined hard work with plenty of fun. With music playing, students spent the morning washing and drying cars, raising more than $400 for future council projects, with the final total still to be confirmed. The event drew strong community support, with families, staff and locals turning out not only to have their cars cleaned, but also to purchase fresh cucumbers grown i
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Cosentino Brings Magic, Mystery And Mayhem To The Burdekin A decade and a half ago, he announced himself to the nation when he became the first magician to finish runner-up on Australia’s Got Talent. In the years following, he became a global phenomenon, with nine prime-time TV specials seen in over 40 countries, multiple Merlin Awards, sold-out international shows, and even a role alongside Jackie Chan in the blockbuster film Bleeding Steel. And now, international mega-star Cosentino is bring
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The countdown is almost complete, and excitement is building as the Burdekin Water Festival Grand Parade & Mardi Gras returns on this Saturday, the 6th of September! This iconic event, beloved by locals for 67 years, promises a dazzling day of fun, food, and festivities for the entire community. Grand Parade – 4:30pm Kicking off at 4:30pm, the Grand Parade will take over Queen Street, showcasing a spectacular fleet of floats decorated to perfection in this year’s theme: “Bon Voyage – Roam The G
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Motorists are advised that a number of road closures will be in place across Ayr this weekend to allow for the safe staging of the Queensland Country Bank Burdekin Water Festival Grand Parade and Mardi Gras. The closures will take effect on Saturday, the 6th of September, with some extending into the early hours of Sunday, the 7th of September. Road closures include: 6am Saturday to 1am Sunday Edwards Street (between Queen and Macmillan Streets) 12.30pm to 7.30pm Saturday Queen Stre
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Friday, 5th September Burdekin Netball Deb of the Year Beloved DOTY tradition continues under Burdekin Netball Association, with an elegant evening celebrating 2025 debutantes, community spirit, and timeless style. Burdekin Memorial Hall Saturday 6 September Burdekin Water Festival Grand Parade & Mardi Gras Saturday The Burdekin Water Festival Grand Parade & Mardi Gras will ignite the community once again for an extraordinary celebration in Ayr’s Queen Street, with plenty of entertainment, food
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Seniors in the Burdekin region are being invited to participate in the Active and Social Seniors Group, which offers both individualised rehabilitation and group exercise sessions at the Burdekin Community Rehabilitation Centre. The program is open to adults aged 60 and over, and First Nations Australians aged 55 and over, and is partially funded by the Older People’s Action Program (OPAP). A fee of $7.50 per session applies. Sessions are delivered face-to-face and supervised by a team of Accr
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Ayr will soon host a special literary celebration as local author, scout leader and radio presenter Lachlan Terry launches his debut book, Memories Belonga Me. The book is the result of more than 13 years of work and captures Terry’s personal story alongside the resilience, traditions and history of rural Australia. Part memoir and part oral history, it honours his parents and grandparents, reflects on childhood in the bush and pays tribute to the grit of country life. Known to many through hi
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The Burdekin gathered at Home Hill’s ‘The Vault’ on Saturday, 23 August for an occasion that was as connecting, heartwarming and educational as it was enjoyable—Mia’s Self-Care Night. Hosted by Mia Galbraith, the event raised valuable funds for local suicide prevention service CORES Queensland as part of the Water Festival Ambassador Program, which encourages ambassadors to raise funds for local organisations and charities. Galbraith said the decision to support CORES stemmed from a deeply per
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The final weekend of fixtures was not a good one for the Panthers, with just one win from five matches. On Saturday at home, the Premiers lost 0-1 to Estates and the Reserves went down 0-7. On Friday in Townsville, the Ladies beat Rebels 7-0, but the Division 1 Men lost 1-3 to JCU, and the Division 2 Funkies lost 1-3 to Olympic. Only the Funkies and Ladies have qualified for Finals. This week, in the semi-finals, Division 2 Men face Brothers in Townsville Thursday night at 6:30 pm, and the Ladi
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After starting the year with uncertainty about player numbers, the Herbert River and Burdekin Rugby Leagues decided to combine their personnel and form a single ladies’ team. The experiment proved a success, with the Burdekin River team now just one win away from the Grand Final of the RLTD Women’s competition. Exhibiting the old adage of “let the ball do the work,” Burdekin River defeated Brothers 20–12 in the knockout semi-final last Sunday at Brothers, booking a place in this Sunday’s prelim
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Twenty players turned out for a very warm winter’s afternoon, with temperatures reaching 30°C at 1:30 pm. You have to love winter in the Burdekin! On Rink 3 (Pairs), Paul Vass and Steve Doig prevailed on the last end against Neville Webb and Trevor Elton. Rink 4 (Triples) saw Judy Elton, Elaine Young, and Michael McClosky edge out Bob Young, Mark Swaine, and Warren “Yogi” Bunn in a close contest. On Rink 5 (Triples), Des Chapman, Ron Smith, and Glen Bones Berryman accounted for Bruce McCallum
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