Galactic Gathering At The UFO Festival Cardwell was transformed into an intergalactic hotspot from 8 to 10 August 2025 as the Australian UFO Festival returned for its fourth year, attracting visitors from across the country. After a year’s absence in 2024, anticipation had been building for months, and the festival did not disappoint, offering three days packed with cosmic conversation, community fun, and unforgettable experiences. The action began on Friday with free community events
Read the full story
Tec-NQ House grade 11 boarding student Max has his boots firmly planted in two very different worlds: the rugged, hands‑on life of a central Queensland cattle station, and the bustling day‑to‑day routine of boarding school in Townsville. “I live on a station north of Clermont called Mazeppa,” Max explained. “When I’m not here at school, I live there with my family.” Home for Max is anything but quiet. Mazeppa Station is a working property that runs both cattle and crops, keeping everyone on th
Read the full story
Whether you’re settling into a new home, revamping your garden, or simply refreshing your living space, the way we shape our surroundings has a powerful impact on how we feel. A well-loved home doesn’t have to be perfect – it just needs to reflect your personality, support your lifestyle, and offer a sense of comfort. In recent years, we’ve seen a growing trend towards practical and sustainable design choices in both homes and gardens. People are making the most of indoor-outdoor flow, bringing
Read the full story
By Victoria Velton At Palm Creek, it was a bright and fresh morning for our 20 parkrunners, with a gentle breeze making the course all the more enjoyable. Welcoming three newcomers to the Palm Creek track, two from Team Veteran, four PBs were recorded, including the Fastest timer. Down on the foreshore, 22 parkrunners took to the scenic path under cool, clear skies. Joined by a great mix of locals and visitors, no doubt in town for the UFO festival, with six newcomers stepping onto the course f
Read the full storyAs we start a new year, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that Council’s monthly meetings occur on the last Tuesday of each month and meetings are open to the public whom may wish to attend. The meeting agenda is also available to the public on Council’s website the day before the meeting and this enables ratepayers to peruse agenda items including staff recommendations, reports incorporating information on matters for Councillor information, contract tender details and much more information on Council’s daily operations for the previous month. Information you will see includes things like the flying fox dispersal works, road and drain maintenance activities, capital works being undertaken, Information Centre, library and gallery visitor numbers, requests to Council for attention on animals, water, waste and associated issues as well as contracts let by Council to third parties for contractual performances. As a Council we endeavour to ensure that as much information as possible is recorded in the Agenda in the interests of transparency and public knowledge.
For instance, you will see that at its 10 December 2024 meeting, Council resolved to accept a tender from the Marine Specialists to construct and install a new commercial service pontoon at Dungeness at a cost of $381,040.00 with works expected to be completed towards the end of the current calendar year. The project, designed to replace the current stairway infrastructure, was made possible through the financial assistance of the Queensland State Government for which Council is grateful. Works will not be able to commence until relevant permits from the Department of Environment are secured.
You will also see activities undertaken by Councillors throughout the previous month. The agendas may be accessed at https://bit.ly/3qLtXaH and I urge you to access same to see what Council is up to.
I would also like to remind potential developers in our region that Council remains very keen to encourage new development within the Shire, and to that end, has adopted Development Incentive Guidelines which allow for the consideration of waiving development application fees and infrastructure charges.
The Guidelines provide direction as to the circumstances where Council may consider waiving fees and charges for developments which meet certain eligibility criteria. Please see our more detailed article in our Council Connections.
And finally, congratulations to all our local residents who have been nominated for this year’s Australia Day awards. You are all truly deserving of the nominations and I wish you every success at the Awards.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Life Publishing Group Ltd.
