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A cargo ship with a tug in the shipping channel?
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Environment | May 14th 2013
Glencore Xstrata today announced that it has dumped plans to build a coal export terminal at Balaclava Island, 40 km north of Gladstone, citing poor coal market conditions and excess port capacity in Queensland.
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Island News | May 13th 2013
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Vesak on Magnetic Island
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Magnetic Island Buddha Dharma, Magnetic's Buddhist group, will celebrate ten years of practice on Magnetic Island this Thursday evening when Vesak or the traditional Buddhist celebration of the birth, enlightenment & final passing of the historical Buddha, will be observed.
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Environment | May 4th 2013
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Greg Fisk, left, talks with locals John Patterson and Dr Rick Braley
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“Mud Island” is the likely future for Magnetic Island if Townsville Port’s current expansion plans are to be enacted, according to a flyer currently being distributed by two major community organisations on Magnetic Island
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Island Businesses | May 2nd 2013
Looks like a great Island job for the right person.
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Arts News | May 2nd 2013
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World Music concert performer Kristna Olsen
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After last year’s great success "Music on Magnetic" opens its doors again to the public with a World Music Gala concert on Sunday May 5, 6pm, involving all the participating teachers and some guests as well.
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Arts News | Apr 20th 2013
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Dump dog by Sue Ryan
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Last night a large crowd gathered for the opening of Mesh, an extraordinary group exhibition by north Queensland artists, Marion Gaemers, Lynette Griffiths and Sue Ryan at Umbrella Studio Gallery in Townsville. Almost all of the work included recycled beach junk, much of it from deadly ghost nets. And, included with the exhibition was a video produced by Penelope Sheridan about Marion Gaemers who conducted a “Flotsam and Fibre” woven mural workshop on Magnetic Island last year.
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Island Businesses | Apr 19th 2013
Magnetic Times apologises for the late inclusion of this important notice which occurred due to a communication problem. However, the meeting, which is planned for tomorrow morning at the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal, will be of great interest and importance to all readers interested in the plans for the Port's expansion and its implications for Magnetic Island.
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Island News | Apr 17th 2013
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Magnetic's oldest digger, Col Fulford
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On 25th April, Magnetic Island RSL Sub-Branch will again be providing an opportunity for the Magnetic Island community to commemorate ANZAC Day, to remember our fallen servicemen and women.
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Arts News | Apr 15th 2013
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Marilyn Sheather with her NQ Arts Award
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Marilyn Sheather of Nelly Bay and organiser of the Great Tropical Jazz Parties on Magnetic Island was recognised last Friday night, for her enormous service to the community, when she received a North Queensland Art Award at the Townsville Civic Theatre for her work which has seen an annual, world class, Jazz festival held on Magnetic Island for the last 17 years.
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Island News | Apr 11th 2013
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The Dredge'Brisbane' working the Platypus Channel near Magnetic Island
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On Tuesday, in an article titled, "Why the Port doesn't need to expand," North Queensland Conservation Council Co-ordinator, Wendy Tubman, questioned the projected demand on the Townsville port into the future. Her criticisms responded to the Port's Environmental Impact Statement presently out for public comment. At the time we sought a response from the Port of Townsville which didn't eventuate until now. So, in fairness to the Port, we have received a statement from them which we have published in full, below.
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Why the port doesn't need to expand
“There is no strong economic basis for the expansion of the Townvsille Port ” says North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC) Coordinator and Magnetic Island resident, Wendy Tubman [ read more ] |
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Musos Club this Saturday from 5pm
The regular gig of Magnetic Island Musos Club has changed to the first Saturday of the month, which means that this Saturday we will see the big Musos gig rocking our Island’s socks off with, among others, a huge six piece Townsville outfit, the 'Ma La's', who play an eclectic mix ranging from funk to folk [ read more ] |
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PCYC for Island
Any children enrolled from prep to grade 7 on Magnetic Island are invited to join the newly-formed Police Citizens Youth Club - a not for profit organisation improving Queensland communities through youth development - which is being held before and after school and during school holidays at the MI State School [ read more ] |
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Scrap metal wanted for artwork
On Sunday April 7 there will be a gathering to talk with Townsville artist Sue Tilley who will be working with the Island community to make a metal sculpture to commemorate the Picnic Bay School's Anniversary in June [ read more ] |
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Townsville Port Expansion: have your say
Following is information from the Townsville Port Authority on how readers can view and comment on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared for the Townsville Port Expansion Project [ read more ] |
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Learn how to save a turtle or dugong
Magnetic Island Network for Turtles (MINT) is calling for community members who are interested in learning how to respond to dead and live stranded Turtles and Dugongs that wash up on our island shores [ read more ] |
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You are invited
Creek to Coral (Townsville City Council - TCC) would like to invite you to join us to provide your ideas and input to inform the preparation of the Geoffrey and Alma Bays Catchment Management Strategy this Saturday March 23 [ read more ] |
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Readers comments
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Wendy Tubman In reply to Will Magnetic become
Under the State and Federal systems nowadays, any damage that the developers can't avoid or 'mitigate' away has to be 'fixed' by the offer of an 'offset' - to make up for the damage they will do. (Call it a bribe if you like - and don't start me on the definition of avoid.)
The offset is supposed to be related to the damage caused (a sort of like for like system). This all falls down when, as UNESCO noted back when they started looking at how the GBR World Heritage Area was 'managed', the offset offered up is supposed to be already protected. This was the case with the Curtis Island LNG plant; the developer offered a bit of the GBRWHA as an offset for the damage they were planning (and it was accepted!).
In the case of the proposed expansion of the Townsville Port, the developers have excelled themselves. Over 90% of the value of the damage that they haven't been able to 'mitigate' away is 'fixed' by their promise to 'rescind their objection' to a sliver of sea between the existing Fish Habitat Area in the east of Cleveland Bay and the edge of the proposed expansion being incorporated into the Fish Habitat Area. Nice ... but, as they admit, they don't actually own or lease that bit of water! We are expected to accept $142 million worth of damage to the GBRWHA in exchange for the Port no longer objecting to something! Would be
[ read more ]
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