The Mackay Regional Council area is one of the fastest growing regions in Queensland. Covering the areas of the former Sarina and Mirani shires and Mackay city, it extends 7261 square kilometres. With a population of around 110,000 as at June 2008 and a projected annual growth rate of 2.1 per cent, the region’s estimated population in 2031 is about 173,000 people. Its coastal location is complemented by its spectacular natural environment. This includes 31 beautiful beaches, a picturesque blue river and a pristine rainforest hinterland. Only an hour’s flight from Brisbane, the Mackay region boasts an enviable lifestyle and a buoyant economy with the benefits of a fastgrowing coastal city. It is the gateway to the rich coal deposits in the Bowen basin. It is the largest sugar-producing region in Australia and nearly a third of Queensland’s export goods originate from the Mackay region. There are about 25 different nationalities represented in the region, including people from Malta, South Africa, the Netherlands and Germany. The region also boasts the largest Australian South Sea Islander population.