Winter has well and
truly arrived! And the southern states are shivering! Even locally, there have
been some very brisk days with Ugg boots and jackets pulled out of retirement …
but not for long.
Now is the time to
tell your friends and family and anyone you speak to during the day that winter
is Paradise in the Whitsundays. Plenty of package deals and accommodation
specials from luxury to basic combined with lots of great retail and dining
options in a beautiful region should make a winter weekend escape number one on
any southerner’s wish list.
And our balmy winter
weather heralds the start of our peak event season, with a whole range of
different events coming up in the next few months.
There’s the Great
Whitehaven Beach Run later this month (part of the Hamilton Island Endurance Series),
the 7th annual Cruise Whitsundays
Airlie Beach Running Festival, in July, and of course the Great Barrier
Reef Festival and Race Week, in August.
All of these events put
money back into our regional economy, so well done and thank you to all
organisers and volunteers.
And of course not
forgetting the opening of the Airlie Foreshore at the end of this month (June
29), which we can honestly say is “hotly” anticipated. Weather has been against
council but it’s all hands on deck for the final push and we can’t wait to see
the big reveal.
With The Pub
re-opening in April, let’s hope the foreshore redevelopment will bring a much
needed injection into The Esplanade, and this should spread into the rest of
town.
The Chamber is
currently working on its car parking position paper for the Main Street, to present
to council soon and starting discussions with interested parties on ways to
reinvigorate the Main Street and encourage locals back to the precinct.
This is an important
issue – and council acknowledges the importance to businesses of the
availability of free parking in close proximity and flexibility to provide
extra small events and attraction – so email me if you would like to contribute
your opinion as a business owner or shopper.
Chamber membership
renewals are due in July – if you are reading this and you’re not a member –
get on board! We are the region’s largest, non-tourism specific business
organisation, and represent all industries.
Membership includes
free access to all Chamber events and networking, as well as information and
advice, and representation on business issues with Regional and State
Government. We also liaise closely with Tourism Whitsundays and the Proserpine
Chamber of Commerce.
We have a fully
interactive website, a growing Facebook following and a regular fortnightly
e-newsletter with industry updates and news.
Any questions just
call one of our committee members – our numbers are on the website www.whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au
The
more members we have, the more clout we have on issues of concern in the
Whitsundays – so don’t be shy, get in touch! president@whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au