News

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