Division 6 councillor Mike Brunker did not think the council should financially support it because it would be subsidising a private enterprise. Clearly now this is a private venture, he said. We have given this venture two years of funding. We were in it twice while Clipper was here and I firmly believe that should be us out. It has flipped over the edge. If it becomes an iconic event power to them, but it should not be done under the auspice of council. But Mayor Andrew Willcox disagreed, saying he supported the sponsorship because one in three jobs in the Whitsundays was tied up in tourism.
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Whitsunday Regional Council is in hot water after a post on its official Facebook page about gravesites sparked outrage and even led to a call for councillors to be sacked.
The post, published on Friday, called on residents to help maintain âtidy gravesitesâ in the region.
âIn accordance with our cemetery policy, we are asking residents to visit their site and remove any excess memorabilia, ornaments or flowers,â it said.
âThis will ensure we are able to maintain our cemeteries to a high standard and keep these areas tidy and safe for all visitors.
âThe policy allows fresh flowers over the gravesite for the first month after interment and after that period a vase may be purchased from council for display of artificial flowers. Other items or structures are only allowed with the approval of council.â
Division 6 councillor Mike Brunker was the only person to oppose the move during the council meeting on Wednesday, saying residents already had an issue with paid parking.
âWe bring more paid parking into the place and we say we want more tourists there and (then) people leave with fines,â Cr Brunker said.
âPeople complain about the amount of paid parking down there and we put more in there.â
Council agenda documents state the installation of the paid parking system will enable the parking and infringement integrated management system project to be completed.
A new parking system was implemented in car parks across Airlie Beach in December last year but the council decided not to install it at the Whitsunday Sailing Club car park.