News Headlines for Mackay & the Whitsundays, 13th November 2017

Popularity to bring back direct capital city flights in and out of Mackay is growing with our monthly airport passenger statistics the highest they've been in 14 months. New routes to Sydney and Melbourne are on the cards according to Mackay Airport's general manager Rob Porter.

A weekend announcement from the LNP will see recycled water coming out of the Cannon Valley. It's a joint venture the LNP will dive into with the Whitsundays Regional Council. MP Jason Costigan says it will add a new feature to the existing water facility

Greater diversification is on the cards for Mackay's sugarcane industry with Australia announcing a Peru free trade agreement. "Canegrowers" Chairman Paul Schembri says it's been something their organisation has been fighting for. Proserpine Mill crushed out at the end of last week making it the first of our eight mills to finish the 2017 season. It was also the first mill to finish crushing in Australia.

The Whitsundays have brought home 14 awards at the weekend from the best of the best 2017 Queensland Tourism Awards. Six Gold's included Island Jet Boating, Sarina Sugar Shed and Abell Point Marina.

LOCAL SPORT

Aussie Mack Horton has defended his Hamilton Island Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim title at the weekend and beat fierce competitor- Italy’s 1500m Olympic champion Gregorio Paltrinieri. It all came down to the last 2 kilometers of the swim which saw Horton catch the smallest of waves to gain the winning advantage.

The Countdown is on for the Clipper Race Carnival to kick off in the Whitsundays. It's two months from today until the international racing fleet sails into our region- only the second time it's made the location a stop off  point.

WEATHER

It's not just Cactus's that predict the rain (View the prediction here) Cattleman Bob Forster of Charters Towers spotted a large clutch of emu chicks, and that (in his opinion) is the best sign a good wet season is on the way. Mr Forster's theory: "It's all about survival. If there are fewer chicks, they will be easier to raise if there is no rain," he said. "This year it looks like we will have floods, scuds and scattered cyclones." (Photo: John Andersen)

MACKAY: Partly cloudy. Medium (60%) chance of showers. Winds east to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light early in the morning then becoming east to southeasterly 20 to 25 km/h in the morning.

WHITSUNDAYS: Partly cloudy. Medium (40%) chance of showers. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h turning easterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning

ON THE WATERS:  Partly cloudy. Medium (40%) chance of showers. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h turning easterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching around 30.

UV INDEX: predicted to reach 12 [Extreme] Low-Moderate Sun protection 7:50am to 3:30pm,

WATERS: Bowen to St Lawrence: Strong Wind Warning for Thursday for Mackay Coast Winds: Southeasterly 25 to 30 knots. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: East to southeasterly around 1 metre offshore. Weather: Partly cloudy. 30% chance of a shower early this morning.