Residents urged to not bin batteries

Batteries in our recycling bins are a ticking time bomb for our Materials Recovery Facility.

Following major fires at both Canberra and Rockhampton recycling facilities, council has flagged batteries as the most hazardous items in our bins.

Mayor Greg Williamson said it’s only a matter of time until Mackay experiences the same disastrous consequence of lazy waste disposal.

Bloomsbury to receive new water main

Council is excited to announce a new 11-kilometre water main will be constructed from Midge Point to Bloomsbury.

A community meeting will be held at Midge Point Tavern on Tuesday, May 2 starting at 5.30pm, so council’s water team can assist property owners with any questions about the new water main and how they connect to it.

The scheme will work via an opt-in program by which residents will pay a connection fee to join the network. Only property owners who connect to the scheme will see a water access charge on their rates notice.

e-Petitions to council now available

Anyone wanting to petition council is now able to do so via a new e-Petition platform.

The principal petitioner will be able to start the petition on council’s website and then promote its availability to sign in the community.

The topic of the petition should be something within council’s jurisdiction to change and they can remain open from one to four weeks.

Volunteer Expo offers a role to suit anyone

According to Yvette Jeffs, nothing picks you up when you are down like doing a good deed for those in need.

In Yvette’s case, “those in need” are injured and orphaned wildlife – wallabies, kangaroos, pademelons, possums, birds and other down-on-their-luck natives.

Yvette, a senior carer with the Australian Wildlife Rescue Service, will be bringing some of those rescued animals to the 2023 Mackay Volunteer Expo at the Big Shed in the Mackay Showgrounds.

The expo will be held on Sunday, May 7, from 9am to noon.

Biggest festival program to date with 32 events

From chart topping pop superstar Conrad Sewell to six-metre inflatable neon dogs, this year’s Mackay Festival of Arts program is bulging with more than 30 events to entertain and excite.

The program contains a mesmerising mix of events and attractions, including a revamped and relaunched Festival Hub.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the Whitsunday Wealth Festival Hub would take over the Civic Centre Precinct from July 3 to 9 and feature an array of free live music by local artists, a range of delicious cuisines, a licensed bar with local Red Dog craft brews and two different on-site festival shows.

.