Hervey Bay Gossip

Hervey Bay needs some one that lives here. Some one that can see what is needed in our area. We dont need a yes man or woman that has to vote along party lines as seen by the results of what happened on the Traverston dam issue, I am married with seven children.

I own and run a transport company that transports bridge decks , Piles and air sharfts to the mining industry. I have over two hundred and fifty sub - contractors that work for our company when required. I have the experiance in running a major company and deal with people from all levels of society.

I will be working for the people of Hervey Bay and only for the people of Hervey Bay. I know what is needed in our region and have the solutions to most of the problems.

The Greens have announced that they will be directing their preferences to the sitting member Andrew McNamara for the seat of Hervey Bay at the upcoming election on September 9.

In one of those rare twists that you only see in politics the Greens are directing their preferences to the Nationals in the seat of Gympie.

Dam or no dam … the Greens and the Nationals?

Unbelievable!

The famed and sought after Japanese Akoya pearl may soon be a major industry in Queensland, Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said today as he officially launched the start of Queensland’s pearl harvesting season.

“Assisted by DPI&F expertise, Coral Sea Pearls Pty Ltd has established a pilot scale 20-hectare Akoya pearl farming site in HerveyBay which aims to fill the lucrative Akoya pearl market,” Mr Mulherin said.

“The Akoya pearl is highly regarded in the jewellery markets of Japan, China and Korea but disease and pollution in the Japanese pearl farming industry have dramatically reduced Akoya pearl production over the past 10 years.

“In the past few years the Japanese production of these highly desirable pearls has fallen to just 10 percent of its reported production a decade ago.”

Dave Williams, owner of Coral Sea Pearls, said that while it was disappointing for Japan it provided Queensland aquaculture with a wonderful opportunity to grow large Akoya pearls on a commercial scale.

“The Coral Sea Pearls aquaculture project has been developed in conjunction with DPI&F to promote scientifically some of the strictest environmentally sustainable aquaculture practices in the world to protect the pristine environment of the GreatSandyStraits,” Mr Williams said.

“The waters of HerveyBay and the GreatSandyStraits provide and ideal environment for the growth of large (>7mm) Akoya pearls.

“Pearl oysters grown in HerveyBay are of exceptional quality because of the excellent water quality and temperature and the unique combination of marine and estuarine waters that exist in the middle of the SandyStraits.”

Mr Mulherin said the innovative project aimed to be able to market 500,000 pearls, meat and shell products potentially creating $15 to $20million in export revenue for Queensland.

“This is an excellent example of the DPI&F assisting primary industries to increase productivity, develop markets and strengthen business adaptability,” Mr Mulherin said.

Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said the project also was developing jobs in the farming, harvesting, processing and manufacturing sector that will ensure maximum benefit to the HerveyBay community.

“As well as the processing and manufacturing industries which spring from this initiative, the pearl industry is already adding to the area’s eco-tourism market with at least one charter boat already conducting pearl farm eco-tours out of both Hervey Bay and Bundaberg,'’ Mr McNamara said.”

The Hervey Bay Seafood Festival is on again today and at 7.30 this morning the activity down at Fisherman’s Park was really heating up as everyone got ready for the expected influx of people.

The clouds were a little heavy this morning but the weather is expected to remain fine throughout the day. And if it should rain then you can talk to the weatherman himself - Livio Regano, 7’s weatherman will be down at the festival.

This was the view over the Urangan Boat Harbour at 7.15 this morning

Hervey Bay - the water version - was uncharacteristically rough yesterday as a combination of strong winds and an incoming high tide changed its usually placid face.

We tend to forget that Hervey Bay can get a little rough and we’re fortunate to have Fraser Island to protect us from the open sea. Not so fortunate is the Gold Coast where experts are now suggesting that a one-in-50-year storm could push the beach front back 100 metres.

If you think that’s the stuff of fantasy then perhaps you should think again - the Gold Coast City Council has already imposed an amazing requirement on on high-rise project. Before the Council would approve the plan the developer had to make provision for a lifeboat for the occupants of the high-rise.

You can read the full story here

In a very short press release Sunshine Express Airlines announced yesterday that the proposed merger with Regional Express (Rex) is off.

NO SUNSHINE FOR REGIONAL EXPRESS
Further to a Media Release on 14 August 2006, Sunshine Express Airlines announced
today that the proposed merging of the airline with Regional Express will not proceed.

The proposed acquisition was based on terms of an original draft agreement between the two parties. However, following further negotiations, Sunshine Express no longer considers that its primary purpose behind the arrangement would be achieved - that is, that all parties would benefit from the merger. In addition, the Board of Sunshine Express was not satisfied that the interests of the airline and its staff would be entirely protected.

What that means for the future of the Sunshine Express services to Hervey Bay and Maryborough is yet to made clear.

This year’s Hervey Bay Seafood Festival is on again on Sunday at Fisherman’s Park, Urangan Boat Harbour starting at 10am.

For all the details why not follow the link to the Hervey Bay Seafood Fesitval Site and be sure to head down to Urangan on Sunday for some great seafood.

If you own an Apple laptop and you purchased it between October 2003 and August 2006 then perhaps you should read this story at Home and Small Office Computer Guide

We’ve awoken to some strong winds here in Hervey Bay this morning. The bay is certainly rougher than we are used to and the winds are also having an effect inland.

The Bureau of Meterorology has issued a fire weather warning for the south-east coast, Darling Downs, Wide Bay and Burnett.

Last week I invited the local candidates for Hervey Bay to have their say here on the Hervey Bay Gossip. To date the only one to respond the invitation has been Andrew McNamara, the current local member and the Labor Party’s candidate on September 9. Here is his response Here is the response:

Hervey Bay is booming. In 5 years we have gone from an economic basket case to the fastest growing city on the Australian east coast. That success hasn’t happened by accident.

As our voice in the Beattie government, it has been my job to ensure that Hervey Bay’s power and water supplies are sufficient to meet our needs, now and in the future. Tens of millions of dollars has been invested in raising Lenthalls Dam and building other water infrastructure over the last 3 years so that we have water security that is the envy of every other city south of Townsville.

Our power supply has also been massively strengthened, with new work at the Point Vernon, Torquay and Pialba sub-stations during the last three years and $250 million worth of work now in construction, design or planned for the region over the next 6 years.

Those investments in water and power have meant that the private sector can invest with confidence and we have all benefited from the housing and construction boom that has followed.

I have also fought hard to keep our valuable seafood industry, protecting hundreds of jobs and the export dollars that they earn. The gazettal of the Great Sandy Strait Marine Park protects our natural environment, while allowing maximum access to the park for recreational anglers.

New police stations and ambulance stations, more teachers, more nurses and better public transport have all contributed to a safer and happier Hervey Bay.

That is why this election is so important. Together, we can take Hervey Bay forward. We can keep the good times going.

I am committed to keeping our community positive and our economy growing. The $100 million expansion of the Urangan Boat Harbour, the building of the $12 million Wide Bay Water Park, the commitment to a Positive Learning Centre to help with behaviour management in our schools, as well as more doctors, nurses and allied health workers for our hospital are among the issues I will be working on for our community, if re-elected.

On 9 September I seek your support, to continue to work for Hervey Bay’s future, together.

As part of a strong, united Labor government I can make sure that we keep the growth and prosperity going.

Andrew McNamara MP