George Christensen, Julieanne Gilbert, Greg Williamson among leaders to share festive wishes

Major projects have been delivered as our region navigates a path forward through Covid and against trying times. Here our elected leaders reflect on the year that was, and tease what's in store for 2022.

As 2021 draws to a close, the region’s leaders reflect on the year that was and what lies ahead.

Greg Williamson – Mackay Regional Council mayor

The end of the year provides us with the opportunity to reflect upon the events and achievements of the year. For our region, 2021 - despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic - has been a year of recovery and growth.

Our construction and manufacturing sectors have experienced significant growth with council approved lots increasing from 368 to a whopping 3144.

The Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area also achieved some milestones with two fantastic submissions being received following the Expression of Interest tender process for six key council-owned sites.

These submissions included plans for luxury residential properties, retired living, commercial offices and tourism opportunities.

Mayor Greg Williamson. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Another PDA milestone was unlocking Pioneer River views for the first time in more than 100 years with the demolition of 6 River Street.

The removal of this building allows for this section of riverfront to be returned to the community.

Construction of this exciting public realm will begin shortly.

The highly anticipated Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Project continues to gain momentum with local area planning framework consultations delivered for both the Finch Hatton and Eungella townships.

We at council are proud of these achievements – helping to make the Mackay region the best region in Australia for liveability and livelihood.

From all of us, we extend the very best wishes to the people of our great community for the Christmas season.

George Christensen – Dawson MP

Dawson MP George Christensen. Picture: Contributed

Christmas will be a relief to many in our community after the turmoil of 2021 where we continue to see disastrous impacts on businesses, workers, families and freedom, because of Covid-19.

Border closures kept loved ones apart, especially in times of need.

I recall a former North Queensland family being denied the ability to return home to see their dying father, because of draconian border restrictions.

As it turned out, they weren’t even able to attend his funeral.

We’ve sacrificed so much in the fight against this virus, that the question needs to be asked: what is it all for?

That question is all the more poignant at Christmas.

During this season, we celebrate the birth of Christ; God become man. The perfect man. His message was “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind and love your neighbour as you love yourself.”

That kind of love certainly does not keep families apart, force people out of a job or urge on discrimination.

And so I hope and pray that 2022 will see a return to the values of love, which is what this season is all about.

Julieanne Gilbert – Mackay MP

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert. Picture: Heidi Petith

This year has been a huge year for Mackay.

While much of Australia lived with restrictions and lockdowns, our freedoms gave Mackay the chance to shine.

We hosted incredibly successful events this year including NRL finals matches, the Australia v India ODI Women’s Cricket series and the Rumble on the Reef events

>>PHOTOS: Mooney magic at Harrup Park for Mackay cricket fans

Our investment in the new Wildcat catamaran means day trips to our beautiful nearby islands are back.

We’ve also invested in the Great Barrier Reef Arena which is being transformed into a major sporting, entertainment and cultural precinct.

The new Mackay manufacturing hub opened this year helping local businesses export their products to the world.

A new pilot plant by Mercurius has begun in Mackay turning sugarcane waste into renewable fuels.

These job-creating projects signal new industries for our region as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s economic recovery plan.

More new social housing units have been delivered, including 10 new units opened in North Mackay last week, with a further 98 homes on the way across the region.

In parliament, we passed historic voluntary assisted dying laws which will give choice and dignity to terminally ill Queenslanders.

Securing the 2032 Brisbane-Queensland Olympics was also very exciting, and I’ll be pushing to ensure opportunities are secured for Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region.

Lastly, our community should be so proud of how we stepped up to get vaccinated to keep us all safe.

Mackay’s vaccination rate is more than 92 per cent first dose — among the highest in the state — which also makes our city one of the safest places to be.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope you all have a safe and happy festive season and I look forward to seeing you in 2022.

Highlights:

- Bioethanol bus trials

- Covid-19 response

- NRL Finals

- Social Housing construction

- Manufacturing Hub

- Midge Point boat ramp

- Harrup Park sporting events

- Wildcat charters

- Millions in business and community grants

Amanda Camm – Whitsunday MP

Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm. Picture: Heidi Petith

From the Northern Beaches of Mackay to the small hamlet of Dingo Beach, Amanda Camm has been travelling tirelessly around the region, attending events that span everything from high school musicals to bowls clubs, colour runs to abseiling adventures.

“It’s incredible to see how our community, from our youngest right through to our oldest – are just every day out there doing an amazing job and I am so proud to be the local member and spending time with all those groups and to be able to advocate on their behalf and represent them in the Queensland parliament,” she said.

“It’s important that you are out and that you are accessible, and I think it’s important that people can see who their local member is and that you are a real person and I try to be myself and that’s something that I will continue to uphold throughout the four year term.”

Championing individual causes, Amanda has personally assisted local residents in emergency citizenship applications, fast-tracking vital medical procedures and campaigning for compassionate grounds for people to attend loved ones’ funerals when borders were closed over the pandemic.

It is these small, often unseen differences that matter most.

On a broader level, Amanda is definitely making her mark in the state government realm, fearlessly campaigning for what she believes in and recently getting kicked-out of parliament for her passionate protest about the maternity ward standards at Mackay Base Hospital.

It is these large, public speeches that make our region heard.

The Opposition spokeswoman for Child Protection and Prevention of Child, Family and Domestic Violence, Amanda’s portfolio represents issues that are close to her heart that she can also relate to through first-hand experience.

These roles take her across the country and have seen her meet with countless stakeholders as well as relatives and individuals affected by violence.

A mother of three teenagers, Amanda is also juggling the various extra-curricular activities that come with this age group and still finds time to go jogging most mornings.

Amanda hopes that everyone will take time this Christmas to enjoy with their loved ones and also take the opportunity to rest and recharge for the New Year in 2022.

Stay safe and have a very Merry Christmas!

Stephen Andrew – Mirani MP

Mirani MP Stephen Andrew. Picture: Heidi Petith

Seasons Greetings to everyone, 2021 has been a somewhat trying year for many in the regions.

Next year will bring new challenges that we will all face together.

It is also a time to help and support the less fortunate that have faced job losses and uncertainty in our business communities so please seek out these people and give assistance in any way you can.

The Christmas spirit will always shine through so share lots of laughs with family, friends and neighbours, laugh loud and often.

Remember to keep the smiles coming way into the New Year, be generous loving and kind to others.

From my family and myself, have the merriest Christmas you ever had and the biggest New Year celebration that you can muster.

God bless you all, stay safe on your travels and see you in 2022.

Michelle Landry, Capricornia MP

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry. Picture: Contributed

With another year coming to an end, I wanted to take the opportunity to provide a recap of the major infrastructure milestones that have been achieved in 2021.

Construction is about to start on the $150m Walkerston Bypass which will become the designated heavy vehicle route between the Bruce Highway and the Peak Downs Highway.

A further $12.65m towards the Urannah Dam business case and approvals, this proposed project would include a new 970-gigalitre dam built 50km from Collinsville.

Opening of the $396,000 Sarina Headspace which has been delivering quality frontline support ensuring the best possible care for people who are at risk.

So much has been achieved but I’m going to continue working hard to deliver for our area.

I’d also like to take the opportunity to wish everyone in Capricornia a very Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year.

Going into Christmas this year, I ask everyone to please continue to help and support the people in their life who need help the most including by shopping local and supporting local businesses.

I can’t wait to continue representing Capricornia into 2022 and beyond.

Have a wonderful break over summer and please stay safe.

Andrew Willcox – Whitsunday Regional Council mayor

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox. Picture: Contributed

This year has been another year of challenges globally and I continue to be proud of the Whitsunday community for playing its role in our region remaining open during the pandemic.

We reside in a truly unique part of the world and improving liveability continues to be a strong focus of council.

It is the talent, skills and positivity of our Whitsunday community that will create our future. People, not machines or infrastructure, drive innovation and creativity, which leads to new businesses and investment.

Council’s relentless advocacy efforts to all levels of government are even more important during such a tough economic period.

Major projects completed this year utilising external funding secured include the $63.5m Shute Harbour Restoration, $18m Proserpine Entertainment Centre, $3m Flagstaff Hill Conference and Cultural Centre and $2m of NDRRA regional road network repairs.

As we celebrate this festive season, I hope you all get to spend valuable time with family and friends.

From the coalfields of Collinsville to the amazing beaches in Bowen, the cracking barra fishing at Lake Proserpine and the tropical islands off Airlie Beach and Cannonvale, on behalf of the Whitsunday Regional Council, can I wish all residents a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Rev. Dr Julia Pitman, St Paul’s Uniting Church

Dr Julia Pitman.

What is your Christmas message this year?

Through word and example we communicate our Christmas messages with those around.

How we live our lives influences the content of our message.

If our society’s first priority is work, the temptation is to make that our worldview and to use Christmas for yet more promotion of the interests of business, government or community

services.

However, to replace the primary human need to worship God with the secondary need to support one’s self financially, is idolatry.

To use Christmas for the promotion of work also reduces a person to their economic

function, when people are actually children of God responsible to God alone.

The Bible reminds us that in the first Christmas, God was revealed in Jesus Christ, and the people were commanded not to fear and to give God glory.

These commands mean being prepared to stop work and worry about the future on Sundays and at major Christian festivals and to go to church to celebrate God’s love. Christmas is time to get lost for words at the foot of the manger.

There, we can allow ourselves to be changed by awe and wonder at the grace of God.

Originally published as George Christensen, Julieanne Gilbert, Greg Williamson among leaders to share festive wishes