council For more information phone: 1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529) or visit council’s website: www.mackay.qld.gov.au Footy fever to hit city in March We never ‘tyre’ of IT will be a blockbuster weekend of footy in Mackay in March.

Major AFL and NRL games will be COUNCIL local innovation played within a day of each other. - in brief - AN innovative new tractor McDonald Murphy, talked mechanisms to secure the The Mackay Cutters recently tyre firefighting system is a about how to solve the reel. Cameras were also announced the North Queensland Nominate now gift to the community. issue,’’ he said. fitted to ensure driver safety, Cowboys will take on the Melbourne NOMINATE your local allowing them to manoeuvre Storm at BB Print Stadium on heroes now. Nominations are The system, developed “A ‘joke’ was made about into place close to any fire Saturday, March 2. open for the 2019 Mackay by McDonald Murphy using the water-filled tyres. they’re about to fight.” Regional Council Australia Day Machinery in collaboration Tractors can carry about That followed an earlier announcement Awards. There are eight award with council, harnesses 500 litres of water in each McDonald Murphy dealer that the Gold Coast Suns will head categories, including: Citizen water-filled tractor tyres to back tyre, so why not use it principal Andrew McDonald back to Mackay for a JLT Community of the Year, Young Citizen of battle spot fires. for emergencies. That joke said the system had worked Series match against the Western the Year, Arts and Culture, Environmental Achievement, started the wheels in motion well in testing and trials. Bulldogs at Great Barrier Reef Arena ABOVE LEFT: NQ Cowboys’ new recruit Ben Barba and football manager Glen Hall were in Mackay Lori Burgess Community Cr Ross Walker said it was and the result is amazing.” (Harrup Park) on Sunday, March 3. to announce the club will take on the Melbourne Storm on March 2. ABOVE RIGHT: The Gold Coast Volunteer, Community Group, a great example of innovation He said the firm had decided Suns, who last played in Mackay in 2017, will take on the Western Bulldogs a day later on March 3. Senior Sports and Young Sports and collaboration to address Nobby Byrnes from to offer it as a gift to the Both games are supported by council awards. All award winners and a problem. McDonald Murphy and community, meaning no through the Invest Mackay Events nominees will be recognised at Ron Ahmat from council’s charge to council for the Attraction Program. “Hopefully, we’ll also attract some “It is set to be a homecoming for Big Bash League (WBBL) games in a special awards ceremony at “Council’s tractor slashers Procurement and Plant team development project and visitors from as far away as Melbourne former Mackay player and Cowboys January. the MECC on Friday, January were stood down this year helped develop the system. supply of the first tractor. The new tractor tyre Deputy Mayor Cr Amanda Camm to support the Storm and Bulldogs.” recruit Ben Barba, who is making his 25, 2019. To nominate someone due to the potential of spot firefighting system (above) said it would be a huge weekend of return to the NRL after a successful “The Heat women are for an Australia Day Award, visit fires in the dry conditions,’’ “The result was engineered “Our only wish is that this and being demonstrated footy in Mackay. Cr Camm said the NRL game would stint in England.” returning to Mackay after drawing big mackay.qld.gov.au/australiaday Nominations close January 6. Cr Walker said. drilling of tyre rims, installation concept may help to prevent (inset). The innovative be the final pre-season trial for each crowds to two games here earlier this of fittings, procurement loss of property, livelihood system was developed “It will be fantastic for fans of both side before the season-proper kicked Cr Camm said as well as the two big year,” she said. “It promises to be a “Our Procurement and of appropriate fire hose and the lifestyle that this by McDonald Murphy in codes and Mackay sports lovers in off two weeks later, ensuring both footy games in March, Mackay would big start to the year for sports events Anglers rejoice Plant team, together with reels and manufacturing of community enjoys.” conjunction with council. general,’’ she said. would field strong sides. host two Brisbane Heat Women’s in Mackay.” DESIGN of a new fishing pier at Hospital Bridge is almost >> Check out a video of the innovative tractor tyre firefighting system in action on Mackay Regional Council’s Youtube page at https://bit.ly/2zijBUG >> For more information on events in the Mackay region check out the Community Directory at mackay.qld.gov.au/whatsonmackay complete. The old pier was damaged in Cyclone Debbie about 18 months ago and has been closed to the public since. The new structure has been Watch the GRANTS-FUNDED EVENTS designed to be more resistant to flooding and severe weather flow of > Koumala Progress Association and Koumala State School events. Mackay Recreational P&C Association’s Christmas Fair, Koumala Gymkhana Fishers Alliance was consulted your h2o Grounds, December 1, from 4pm. to provide comments on the > Midge Point Progress Association’s family-friendly Christmas design. The project will be celebration, beach foreshore, Nielsen Parade, December 2 tendered for construction in THE Mackay region’s water > Finch Hatton Progress Association’s fifth annual Community the near future and work is use is on the rise. Christmas Party, Finch Hatton business district, December 5, expected to start in May. Council helps spread from 5pm As a community, the region > Calen and District War Memorial Hall Association’s Calen What a year! consumed nearly 3860 lots of festive cheer Community Christmas Party, 11 McIntyre Street, Calen, megalitres of water in the last December 8, from 5pm to 10pm A FLICK through council’s Candice Auguston from Foodpace with keep-cups IT’S starting to look a lot like Christmas in Mackay. 2017-2018 annual report is a six months. > Rotary Club of Pioneer Valley’s Christmas Fair, Railway Park, available as part of the Responsible Cafes Initiative. Council has been installing Christmas decorations in key reminder that 12 months is a Mirani, December 8, 4pm to 9pm Seaview Trail at Bucasia is one of the many long time in local government. This equated to 86 Olympic- locations throughout the region, with this work to be completed in time for December 1. > The Smith Family’s Christmas party for scholarship students shared pedestrian and cycle paths in our region. The 144-page report, adopted sized swimming pools more and their family, Smith Family Office, December 9 and currently being printed, than the same billing period Planning is also being finalised for Christmas in the Gardens, provides a comprehensive to be held at the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens on Friday, > Mackay Community Lutheran Church’s interactive last year. account of the many and varied Cafes sign up to do their bit December 14, at 5.30pm. experience for children and families, corner of Wellington and Alfred streets, December 9, from 5.30pm to 8pm Take care on shared paths achievements in the past year. COUNCIL has jumped More than 4400 cafes across offering an incentive to people Outdoor watering, including Council is once again supporting the 4MK Carols in the City Council managed to turn a at Bluewater Quay on Saturday, December 1, and has also > Eungella Community Development Association’s Christmas onboard the Responsible Australia have signed up to who bring their own keep- watering the lawn, filling MACKAY has a wonderful an increase in complaints everyone. All users should forecast $1.1 million deficit into provided 14 community groups across the region with funding Barbecue, Eungella Community Hall (North Street), Cafes initiative. the national initiative, which cup,” Cr May said. up the swimming pool and December 14 and growing network of relating to conflicts between show courtesy for other a $1.45 million surplus in 2017- of up to $750 each to assist with events. 2018, despite the busy year of promotes incremental change watering the garden, is the shared pedestrian and different users of these users. > Bloomsbury Soldiers’ Memorial Hall Association’s projects. The report, including Three eateries at council to reduce the use of single- Foodspace and Botanic biggest consumer of water. Community Christmas Party December 15, 5pm to 9pm bicycle paths throughout our paths. The Sarina Range Community Christmas financial statements, can be facilities — Pancake Bliss use plastics. Gardens Cafe offer a 50- > The Inter-Church Council of Sarina’s Community Carols Night, region. “Cyclists should limit their viewed on council’s website at at Bluewater Lagoon, cent discount to anyone who This is followed by the shower event held in December last year. Bob Wood Memorial Hall, December 15, from 5pm to 7pm “It is important for both speeds given there are mackay.qld.gov.au/annualreport Foodspace and Botanic As well as the three council brings their own cup while and the bath tub. > Sarina Range Community Association’s Community Christmas Cr Kevin Casey said the pedestrians and cyclists to pedestrians likely to be using Gardens Cafe — have signed facilities, another 13 cafes Pancake Bliss customers Gathering, Sarina Range CWA Hall, December 15, paths were popular with both remember they have been the paths. Pedestrians should up to do their bit for the within the region have signed save 10 per cent. “So, next Council’s free myh2o website 4pm to 10pm pedestrians and cyclists. established as shared paths also keep an eye out and be Have your say environment. up on their own accord. time you need your caffeine is a good tool which allows > YIRS One Stop Youth Shop’s Christmas Lunch for for the community to use and aware of any approaching COUNCIL’S draft Mackay Sport fix, take advantage of the residents to monitor their disadvantaged and disengaged youth, 72 Victoria Street He said it was important enjoy. cyclists. and Recreation Strategy is out Cr Karen May said the goal “While you can’t ban single- discount and help protect daily usage and how much it Mackay, December 19 everyone who enjoyed the for community consultation. The of the Responsible Cafes use plastics overnight, our environment by bringing is costing them. > Sarina Surf Lifesaving Club’s at the paths were mindful of the “For that reason, both “We’re also looking at some new strategy is aimed at tackling the region’s sport and recreation program was to reduce the this program encourages your own keep-cup to a Beach, Sarina Beach, December 22, 5.30pm to 7.30pm safety of all users. pedestrians and cyclists other measures, such as needs for the next 10 years. amount of takeaway cups that restaurants and cafés to help participating cafe,’’ Cr May need to take care when using additional signage, to help >> Sign up to myh2o > Habana & Districts Progress Association’s Carols Under Residents are encouraged to end up in landfill each year. influence consumer choice by said. at myh2o.qld.gov.au the Stars, 1091 Mackay-Habana Road, December 22, “We’ve recently noticed paths to ensure the safety of improve safety.” check out the draft strategy at 7pm to 9.30pm to keep track of connectingmackay.com.au and >> Full list of cafes participating in this initiative at responsiblecafes.org water usage >> More details at mackay.qld.gov.au under “community” and “sports and leisure” provide feedback before 5pm on Friday, November 30.