Hervey Bay Gossip

We all thought that Tropical Cyclone Yatsi was bad and there’s no doubt that it was but with our modern forms of communication help wasn’t far away. Maybe the recovery effort was a little slow to get into gear but then this is Queensland and distances are huge.

Back in 1918 when a major tropical cyclone hit Mackay things were different. Communications were transmitted with lights and flags and help was weeks away. This report from the Lighthouse Keeper’s log of the storm … and the aftermath … may well show you that these days we’ve got it easy compared to what it was like back in January 1918.

Follow this link to the report and skip the the page labelled ’45′ … it seems to be out of sequence

Last week the Fraser Coast Chronicle ran a story regarding the production of the 2011 Fraser Coast Holiday Planner. According to the story in the Chronicle the production of the Planner had been outsourced by Fraser Coast Tourism to Sixth Sense Media … a business that operates on the Gold Coast … despite the fact that there were several local businesses that could have handled the job.

It’s what has become a fairly typical scenario in this area … well-paying jobs for this part of Queensland outsourced to big companies in other parts of Queensland and of course that just takes money out of the local economy.

Yesterday Fraser Coast Tourism issued a statement about the article in the Chronicle and one local reader thought it all sounded just a little fishy … maybe that’s why it attracted the attention of someone who prefers to be known simply as “The Seagull”

You’ll find the interesting parts of the Fraser Coast Tourism below with the Seagull’s comments highlighted.

Not sure about you readers but to me today’s statement from FCT sound a little bit like a cover up!

It tells us that “Incorrect statements have been made in writing in a number of mediums, as well as verbally, regarding the Fraser Coast Holiday Planner”

The facts are or so he tells us:

“Sixth Sense Marketing has no part in the 2011 Fraser Coast Holiday Planner. They are not a member of Tourism Fraser Coast and were never invited to provide a quote, nor have they provided a quote” Ok are the mystical firm that won the tender locals or members?

“Tourism Fraser Coast is a member based company with over 400 industry members, which works with all levels of government for the benefit of our members” So if this is correct why was not this tender offered to all members first?

“As per previous established activities and procedures, three members were invited to quote holistically on a number of aspects in relation to the Holiday Planner, one of which included printing. This component was the largest cost. None of the member’s quotes included using a local printer”

Maybe those who quoted could comment on this as I was under the impression that it was one tender included printing and that one local firm had two days notice to prepare and submit a tender and that another company that was unsuccessful was approached about supporting FCT…..bet you can guess that answer!

Each quote was assessed on a number of criteria, including price and the process included a favoured weighting for local firms.

If this is so why was the tender not advertised locally starting this fact and by the way how many members are there who are in the industry?

This fair and equitable process resulted in the successful quote being from an individual who grew up and lived in the region for most of their life, knows the region well and currently works out of Brisbane. This person is not related to, nor has any association with any Director or staff member of Tourism Fraser Coast.

Ok then do they pay any wages to locals or rent to local land lords have they supported FCT or the old structure for years? Right so this means they are from out of town right that was a clear as mud……knowing the region well is a new criteria,so is currently working out of Brisbane …so how long has this been?

The printing component of the project has not and never has been finalised. Tourism Fraser Coast confirms today that McTaggarts The Printers, our only local Printer member has been invited to quote on this aspect of the project. This part of the process was always to happen but has been brought forward due to the level of incorrect statements being made on this matter.

So today you talk to Mc Taggarts so when were you planning on talking with them? By the way when did the tender close? Is it true that Cr Nioa spoke to McTaggarts today in relation to this matter? Back to the fact that this is a cover up and just wrong and action needs to be taken or is the CEO and the Chairperson protected species?

A similar, fair and equitable decision making procedure will take place as part of this process. As above this sounds like spin……if the above was going to happen when were the businesses involved going to be informed?

I would please ask that all people take a professional approach and check the facts before making a statement. You got a deal you start the ball rolling….better still get your story right!

There are many passionate people in our great region and none more than the members of Tourism Fraser Coast ….insert were members … I can give you my absolute assurance that as locals born and bred, my Chairman, Cr Anne Nioa and I, along with all at Tourism Fraser Coast, will continue to work tirelessly and justly to gain the greatest benefits for the Tourism Industry on the Fraser Coast …Ok admit you are wrong pack up your desk and move on and you can help Cr Nioa while you are at it! Come on board members stand up and have your say…….do it now before any more damage is done to FCT if it is possible!

Better see if you can play cricket Mr CEO as the Aussies are down on spinners or that is right the local was shafted to!

Tropical Cyclone Anthony is currently located west-northwest of Mackay and well out to sea.

In the next few hours the intensity of Tropical Cyclone Anthony is expected to drop below cyclone and the subsequent low is expected to turn northwest and begin to move back towards the coast.

While the Bureau of Meteorolgy’s track map is suggesting that the low pressure system will remain below tropical cyclone level right through tomorrow other forecasters are suggesting that the low will re-intensify as early as this evening.

Christmas Eve saw the completion of the rain-delayed work on Main Street between Urraween Road and McLiver Street in Hervey Bay and the new section was opened immediately.

Unfortunately I don’t think that it’s going to fix any of the problems that drivers encounter at the Doolong Road intersection during busy periods and the fact that two lanes are forced into one just before the Doolong Road turn-off may just add to the delays at that intersection.

New Horizons in Beauty and Wellness Expo and Educational seminar comes to Hervey Bay on Sunday the 21st at Peppers Pier Resort. The expo is aimed at regional salon owners and their staff who don’t have time to visit the large expos held in Brisbane and other capital cities.

Natural Compatibles will be one of 18 stands at the event showcasing their full range of make-up and salon support including the Concept Stand, Wet & Dry Foundation Stand and product stands for Elite Lipstick, Natural Lips, Applishades, Lipseal, Eyeliner, Lipgloss and the Perfect Touch Concealer.

All packages will be on display for salon owners to view as well as all Christmas specials for the up-coming festive season.

Glenda Lee, Business Development Manager for Natural Compatibles will be present at the event and will be doing make-up demonstrations throughout the day showcasing the range of Natural Compatibles products and how to use them to achieve desired results.

Denise Richardson, owner of Natural Compatibles said, “We value the support of these salons and it is important that we have the opportunity to showcase new products, specials and our product range to them in person.”

If you missed Signature Uniform’s car park sale last month then you certainly missed some bargains but mope about it because it’s on again … just in a different place.

Next Sunday at the Koala Markets you can get up to 70% off selected schoolwear, corporate wear, high visibility workwear and more.

Don’t miss is this time because it won’t be repeated.

Ian MacNamara – from Australia All Over – will be in Hervey Bay next Monday afternoon and you can meet him at Mary Ryan’s.

Macca is on the road to promote his new book – Say G’day – and he’ll be at Mary Ryan’s from 3pm next Monday so drop in and say g’day to the ABC’s most popular announcer.

Here in Hervey Bay we’re beginning to slip into that quiet period between the end of the whale-watching season and the start of the Christmas Holidays. So it was good to see that there were plenty of visitors and plenty of locals out enjoying the beautiful spring weather yesterday.

If you managed to find a parking spot on the Esplanade in Torquay yesterday then you were definitely one of the lucky ones because they were few and far between.

At 10.30 yesterday it seemed to be even busier down at Scarness where people were standing around waiting for a table at Enzo’s on the Beach and the cafes were a big attraction for people all along the Esplanade.

And the whales haven’t gone yet. On Saturday Freedom III reported that there were plenty of whales and calves out in the bay so it’s still worth going out to have a look at those awesome creatures.

Signature Uniforms is having a Driveway Sale at the back of their shop at 9/17 Liuzzi Street Pialba tomorrow – Saturday – from 8am to 2pm.

There’s up to 70% off selected schoolwear, corporate wear, hi-vis workwear and more.

Cash or eftpos only – no orders, laybys or rainchecks.

Get there early because this is going to be huge!

We hear quite often that the tourism industry in Hervey Bay is in trouble. We hear quite often that the building industry in Hervey Bay is also in trouble but when you look around the town it still seems quite a prosperous place.

The reality though is quite different and last week’s decision by the Stockland Group not to by Centro Hervey Bay is a clear indication of just how bad things really are for Hervey Bay.

When a major investment falls over because an investor with the stature of the Stockland Group decides, after researching the situation, that the town can’t support a major development such as Stage 2 of Centro there’s no escaping the fact that the economy of this town is in trouble.

It appears that maybe the Centro deal is not the only one to fall over in the last month.

There’s a strong rumour that this one … just down the road from Ramada … has also fallen over