An archipelago of 74 islands next to the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays area unfurls idyllic beaches, tropical rainforests, swaying cane fields and earthy outback colours. It covers the townships of Airlie Beach, Bowen, Collinsville and Proserpine, rural or coastal communities, and residential areas in between.

It has now partnered with EarthCheck to support its Healthy Heart initiative to become more climate resilient. The programme will be delivered via the Whitsunday Climate Change Innovation Hub, a Regional Council initiative and the only one of its kind in Australia. It aims to develop innovative, practical solutions to manage the impacts of climate change, both present and future.

Acting as a think tank, the Hub will share knowledge regionally, countrywide and across the globe. Lee Hawkins, the Healthy Heart's Project Officer, says that partnering with EarthCheck is an exciting opportunity: “This collaborative 4-year project focuses on marine tourism operators in the first year and will expand later on. Along with EarthCheck and world-leading destinations, we will learn how to effectively address key challenges associated with development, planning and marketing.”