Something exciting is coming to Mission Beach, with locals and visitors invited to celebrate the revitalised town centre at a two-day community event this April.

The “Meet us in Mission” celebration will take place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April 2026 at Porter Promenade, bringing together the community for a weekend of free activities, entertainment and beachside fun.

Festivities will kick off early on Saturday morning at 7am with a refreshed route for the popular Paradise Run. From there, the town centre will come alive with live music, beach games, tai chi, face painting, children’s activities, belly dancing, a fashion parade, crab races and prize giveaways. Local businesses will also be offering food and drink specials throughout the day.

Sunday will continue the celebrations with the Mission Beach Markets, alongside three Wearable Weaving workshops for those keen to get creative.

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Event organisers say the weekend is designed to showcase everything that makes Mission Beach special, with activities catering to families, visitors and locals alike. All events are free to attend, and some activities can be booked in advance through the events calendar.

Attendees will also have the chance to win a prize pack valued at more than $1,500 by supporting participating town centre businesses.

The celebration marks the completion of the Mission Beach Town Centre Revitalisation Project — a major upgrade aimed at enhancing the heart of the coastal community.

Mission Beach, known for being home to Australia’s second-largest lowland rainforest and the country’s highest density of cassowaries, has not seen significant investment in its town centre since the 1970s.

The revitalisation project has delivered key improvements including upgraded amenities, better lighting, enhanced pedestrian access, increased shade and improved stormwater infrastructure. The upgrades are expected to create a safer, more welcoming environment for both residents and visitors.

The project is also designed to support long-term growth in the region by boosting tourism, supporting local businesses and creating a more vibrant community space.

Funding for the project was jointly provided by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

Mayor Teresa Millwood said the project would help unlock the region’s tourism potential.

“This project has brought this iconic destination to life – unleashing Mission Beach’s tremendous tourism potential and creating opportunities for investment, economic growth, and prosperity.

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“The works weren’t easy, and I thank the community for sticking with us. Your resilience, patience, and the way you’ve worked with us through all the ups and downs has been fantastic.

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“I thank all Cassowary Coast Regional Council staff, contractors, and Councillors who have been involved. This has been one of the biggest projects in our region, and their dedication and hard work should be acknowledged.”

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Councillor Trudy Tschui said the transformation had created a more inviting space for both locals and visitors.

“The revitalisation project has transformed the heart of Mission Beach. It’s a vibrant, welcoming, accessible and family-friendly place that invites visitors and locals to linger longer.

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“Meet us in Mission on 18 and 19 April! It’s a great opportunity to come together as a community, support our local businesses, and enjoy everything the town centre has to offer.”

The “Meet us in Mission” event will run from 7am to 5pm on both days, with organisers encouraging everyone to come along and be part of the celebration.

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The Seymour River Bridge on the Bruce Highway is once again at the centre of concern for local residents and businesses, following another wet season that left the vital transport corridor cut off for periods at a time. While the region’s flood plains make complete flood-proofing impossible, questions are mounting about storm-proofing and what is being done to reduce repeated closures.

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Residents say the disruption is more than an inconvenience, as 250 local families from the Mount Gardiners Road and Seymour communities rely on this section of the Bruce Highway for work, school, and essential services. Each closure halts freight, delays produce and supplies and affects tourism and local businesses. Consistently, the highway has been cut at Seymour every wet season.

One concerned local, Gilbert James, highlighted the ongoing issue in a letter to the paper, stressing that storm-proofing is absolutely needed. He said the nearby Log Creek bridge also requires urgent attention, as residents of Mount Fox, Abergowrie, and Trebonne struggle to access Ingham for work, shopping, or medical services when the crossing is closed.

Hinchinbrook Shire Mayor, Ramon Jayo, said council has been actively advocating for improvements with the State Government.  

“The issue with the Seymour, it's a state control road, which means it's a road under the control of the state government, and so it's not a council road. So our role in that regard has been an advocacy role, bringing to the attention of the state government the issues that we've got,”

He continued to affirm that the predominant issues are consistently heavy, high millimetre rainfalls.

“The road closes for a day or even more. The problem that creates is we have a lot of people who live on the north side in our Hinchinbrook Shire, so they can't come to work, the kids can't come to school, their businesses all close.

“But on top of that, it brings the National Highway to a close.”

A lot of product that comes down from the Tablelands and beyond has to travel through Hinchinbrook to the Brisbane markets. And with the semi-trailers pulled up on the roadside, no products are going in either direction on our segment of the Bruce.

The mayor acknowledged the distinction between flood-proofing and storm-proofing.

“It is a floodplain, and we will never, ever be able to flood-proof it. But the issue is that we should not expect a storm to close the road, and even in a time of flood, what we should be looking at is limiting the time that the road is actually closed, so that all this product can move, and so that our residents can move.”

He also explained the current status for the Seymour section. “Whilst the works on the Seymour have been approved, particularly part of that $9 billion that's coming from the federal government, what previously was happening, that part of that $9 billion was only there for safety improvement works,” he confirmed.

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“There was nothing allocated for flood mitigation works. And that message has now been heard. They are looking at doing some planning to see what they can do as to flood mitigation whilst they do their safety work that needs to be done, and safety is a priority.”

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Mayor Jayo said council will now play a more active role in planning discussions. “The Minister has agreed that we will become partners in the whole planning process. And I think that that, in itself, is a very big win for us, because at least then we've got a seat at the table.”

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He also addressed interim measures for residents during wet-season closures.  

“At the end of the day, we are in a flood plain,” The Mayor stated, “But our main aim here is that we've got to reduce the amount of time that we can't move.

“So instead of there being seven days, we've got to do bring it back down to three days, for instance. Because you can't flood-proof a floodplain, but you can minimise the downtime, and you can minimise the disruption to transport by doing astute works.”

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For residents and businesses, the message is cautiously optimistic. While funding for flood mitigation is not yet allocated, planning and advocacy are underway, with a focus on reducing the repeated bottleneck at Seymour and ensuring that storm events have less impact on daily life and the regional economy.

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The ongoing push from the community continues to stress that storm-proofing is long overdue. Every wet season without action serves as a reminder of the highway’s critical role in keeping North Queensland connected and its economy moving.

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I am a qualified barber with 40+ years of experience. I opened my Barber Shop at 20 Lannercost Street across the road from the post office on April 2nd, 2016, and have never regretted it. I pride myself on my work and am very passionate about all aspects of my trade, from cutting and clipper work to beard trimming, which is an art within itself.

On April 2nd, 2026, the Barber Shop will celebrate its 10^th birthday, a huge achievement! Thank you, everyone, for your support; I really appreciate it.  

You can contact me on mobile at 0400 393 089.

Special thanks to customers who are no longer with us. I truly miss our Hair Cutting days.  

Be Safe all, Happy Easter!
From Barber Cyn

Thought for the Day
Hard work always yields its profit, idle talk brings only want. (Proverbs 14:23)

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Cassowary Coast residents are being urged to lend a hand in a major revegetation effort, with Council’s Innisfail Nursery calling for donations of native seeds to support upcoming environmental projects.

The initiative, dubbed “The Need for Seed,” aims to help grow between 50,000 and 65,000 trees for local planting programs planned throughout 2026.

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With demand for native seedlings on the rise, the nursery team is relying on community contributions to help meet ambitious revegetation targets across the region.

Locals can drop off native seed donations at the Innisfail Nursery, located on the corner of Campbell Street and Sundown Road, on Thursdays during opening hours. After-hours donations can also be left at the designated area beside the nursery gate.

Council says every contribution, big or small, will play an important role in supporting the region’s natural environment, helping to restore habitats, improve biodiversity and strengthen local ecosystems.

The large-scale planting effort is part of ongoing work to enhance green spaces and protect the Cassowary Coast’s unique landscapes for future generations.

Community members are encouraged to get involved, with Council noting that any donation will make a meaningful difference.

“We deeply appreciate any support you can provide.”

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Reconstruction works are progressing along Mount Spec Road, and there are 35 damaged sites identified along the route.

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Over the past month, you may have noticed crews working on steep sections of the road, including specialists abseiling down damaged upslopes to carry out reconstruction works. Here's what’s happening at each location as works move through the reconstruction phase to restore the road to its pre-event function.

Upslope site 15 (U15) - Formerly known as high-risk site 7 - Workers have been removing loose rocks from the slope in preparation for reconstruction works.

A temporary three-layer shipping-container wall has been installed to maintain safety for road users while permanent reconstruction works are completed. We installed 27 large shipping containers each one weighing about 3.15 tonnes: that’s 85 tonnes of steel in total.

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Together, they provide just under 600 cubic metres of capacity. The containers were filled with about 1,070 tonnes of a sand and aggregate mix - that's the equivalent of almost 400 Landcruiser wagon's worth of material delivered and installed on site.  

Upslope site 1 (U1) - Similar to a number of sites, at U1, Geobinder, an eco-friendly natural binder, has been sprayed onto the slope to minimise erosion risk until reconstruction works are completed. This site also has a heritage listed stone kerb and channel for directing water runoff. To protect this important asset, a timber protection is installed first to safeguard the stonework prior to the installation of the Geobinder.

Upslope site 2 (U2) - Workers have installed passive fixing dowels to help stabilise the slope. During the past fortnight, crews have drilled holes into the slope, secured steel rods in place with grout (a strong concrete-like material), and have installed weep holes to help release built-up water to reduce pore pressure behind the slope repair.        

Upslope site 7 (U7) - Workers have been removing loose rocks from the slope in preparation for reconstruction works. Environmental controls are in place to protect the surrounding environment during the works.

Specialist equipment (depth gauges) has been installed to ensure correct depths are achieved when passive fixing dowels are installed.

These steps are all part of the preparation for the next stage, where a protective concrete layer using Fibre Crete will be sprayed onto the surface.

Upslope site 8 (U8) - Workers have been removing loose rocks from the slope in preparation for reconstruction works.

Workers have been abseiling down the slope to carry out the next stage. They are installing passive fixing dowels, which are strong steel rods placed deep into the rock to help hold it securely in place. To do this, they drill holes into the rock and fill them with grout, a strong concrete-like material that locks the steel rods in position and helps stabilise the slope.      

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Prepare for unplanned road closures

During the wet season there may be heavy rainfall in the Paluma area which could result in unplanned road closures on Mount Spec Road for safety.  Please plan ahead.  

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Vehicle escort service

Daytime vehicle escort service from 6am to 6pm for approved permit holders. Runs hourly on the hour, for example, 7am, 8am and so on. Final service at 6pm, up and down. Two vehicle escorts operate simultaneously at both gates. Bookings not required.

Nighttime vehicle escort service from 6pm to 6am for exceptional circumstances such as work commitments. Pre-arranged bookings are required, please contact  engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au to arrange.

Night works may impact nighttime vehicle escorts. Advance warning will be provided to stakeholders.

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Emergency access

TMR has an emergency access process in place during the scheduled road closure period, between 6pm and 6am. In the case of an emergency, please call 000. Traffic controllers are stationed at the top and bottom gates 24/7.

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Contributed with thanks by Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland

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Ingham’s next generation of energy workers has officially stepped into the spotlight, with local apprentices among Ergon Energy Network’s newly inducted Northern Stars Class of 2026.

The cohort was welcomed at the Townsville Training Centre, where they began their apprenticeships and got their first taste of life in the energy industry.

“These faces represent the future of energy across a vast region, including Bowen, the Burdekin, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Ingham, Innisfail, Mount Isa and Townsville,” Ergon Energy Network said.

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For communities like Ingham, where reliable power is essential for homes, businesses and agriculture, the program plays a vital role in building a skilled local workforce to maintain and strengthen the region’s energy network.

The apprentices will complete a mix of practical, on-the-job training and formal study, gaining the skills needed to work across North Queensland’s diverse and often challenging environments.

As they begin their careers, the new recruits are being encouraged to embrace the opportunity and take pride in the important role they will play in keeping communities connected.

Ergon Energy Network also called on locals to show their support, adding:

“We wish them all the very best for their apprenticeship and beyond.”

With their training now underway, Ingham’s Northern Stars are set to help power the region into the future.

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‍A Local Love Story

June And Doug Dredge Celebrate 70 Years Together

Hinchinbrooke locals June and Doug Dredge are celebrating their 70th anniversary this week, after a lifelong love story.

The pair met at school as teenagers and soon fell in love. They moved from Sydney to the Hinchinbrook region 23 years ago, where they now are full-fledged, integrated members of the community.

Their marriage bore three wonderful children, and seven beautiful grandchildren.

When asked the secret to a long, love-filled marriage, June gave simple, but profound advice:

“You just keep going.”

Whether you agree or disagree she says, “You take life as it comes, together.”

The secret is to maintain trust in the foundations of your relationship and don’t worry if your marriage fluctuates as through the ups and the downs, know that the love will always be there, and every obstacle will pass.

June says spiritedly that sometimes “Life sucks - but just get on with it! Don’t worry - it will come back around.”

Their long relationship is testament to the deep bonds that tie families in our community; a shining example of shining example of choosing love, every day, and walking through life with your most cherished companion by your side.

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Queenslanders could soon see some welcome relief on their power bills, with new figures showing electricity prices are set to fall under the latest draft Default Market Offer.

According to the Australian Energy Regulator, residential electricity prices are expected to drop by 10.1 per cent in 2026–27, while small business customers could see a reduction of 12.8 per cent.

The changes form part of the Queensland Government’s Energy Roadmap, aimed at delivering more affordable, reliable and sustainable power across the state.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said the draft determination showed progress after a period of rising costs.

“The draft Default Market Offer from the Australian Energy Regulator demonstrates that the Energy Roadmap is putting downward pressure on power prices, as we said it would,” Treasurer Janetzki said.

“Under Labor power prices soared by 19.9% in a single year due to Labor’s failure to properly maintain our power plants. The Government is doing its bit to put downward pressure on power bills and it is now up to retailers to ensure savings are passed to customers.”

The Default Market Offer acts as a benchmark for electricity retailers, setting the maximum price for customers on standard contracts.

The regulator is expected to finalise the determination in May, with a separate announcement for regional Queensland to follow in the coming weeks.

The Government is delivering more affordable power for Queenslanders, with the default electricity reference price set to drop by more than 10 per cent next financial year. Photo source: Shutterstock

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Creating a stylish and functional bathroom has never been easier with the Cartia Avoca Vanities and Kyvos Basin Mixer from Interbath. Perfectly balancing practicality with design, these products transform everyday routines into a luxurious experience.

The Cartia Avoca Vanity comes in a variety of sizes – 400mm, 750mm, 900mm, and 1200mm – making it ideal for bathrooms of any dimension. Its high gloss white finish brings a modern, fresh look, while the vitreous ceramic top with overflow ensures efficient water drainage. Storage is a standout feature, with combinations of drawers and doors designed to hold bath towels, skincare essentials, and toiletries neatly out of sight. A flat pack kicker hides pipes and provides a clean, minimalist aesthetic, and the vanity’s raised legs make for a comfortable, accessible height. Whether you’re updating a compact powder room or a spacious ensuite, the Avoca Vanity offers a versatile solution that combines style with organisation.

Pair your vanity with the Kyvos Basin Mixer for a complete contemporary look. Available in High Polish Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Matte Black, and Brushed Gold, the Kyvos Mixer delivers precise control of water pressure and temperature. Its soft radius modern design, European 35mm cartridge, and solid brass construction ensure durability while maintaining a sleek, minimalistic appearance. Compatible with inset, semi-recessed, and undermount basins, it is rated 5 stars for water efficiency and operates across a wide pressure range, making it as practical as it is stylish.

Together, the Cartia Avoca Vanity and Kyvos Basin Mixer provide a sophisticated, functional upgrade to any bathroom, combining generous storage, elegant design, and high-quality performance. It’s a small investment that makes a big difference in daily comfort and home style, shop instore now at Ingham Manufactures Mitre10, 100 Herbert street, Ingham.

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Felix has been in the Real Estate Industry for 44 years and counting. His Grandfather started in Ingham in 1923 at the now location of United Petrol Service Station, where it was called the Central Sale Yards.

“He passed the Real Estate Business to Bert Reitano, my uncle, who arranged me to do an Auctioneers Course in 1982. On his retirement my Uncle Bert handed me the Auction Bell which we still ring before every Auction.”

The Family Business has prided itself in providing honest and knowledgeable service to all their clients on a 7 day a week basis. Amongst other accolades over the years, Felix was awarded Life Membership from the REIQ in 2024.

Advice for prospective buyers?

“Buy within your means first. Do your research about the property you are interested in. If you want a lifestyle that has great people values with the natural attractions, we have them for you when investing into the Hinchinbrook Shire”

Caption: Felix Reitano with the Auction Bell in hand. Photo sourced: Felix Reitano Real Estate

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Beaumont Tiles Ingham would like to advise customers that the store will be closed 12 Midday on Friday, 27 March and reopening on Monday, 30 March 2026, due to family commitments. They understand this may cause some inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Their team is committed to providing the best possible service to our local community, and this short closure will allow staff to attend important family matters. They will reopen as normal on Monday, 30 March, ready to assist with all your tiling, renovation and design needs.

Customers are encouraged to plan ahead for any purchases or enquiries prior to the closure or visit us once we reopen. We thank the Ingham community for its continued support and look forward to welcoming you back in store soon.

For any urgent enquiries, please reach out prior to the closure date and our team will do their best to assist.

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Residents had the chance to learn more about faster internet upgrades at the recent nbn Community Coffee Connect Drop-In Session, held outside JKs Deli on Wednesday, 18 March. The relaxed morning event invited locals to chat directly with the nbn team, ask questions about eligibility for full fibre upgrades.

With new full fibre connections now available for eligible homes and businesses across Ingham, the session provided valuable insights into what the upgrades mean for everyday users and local organisations.

Rodger Bow, a local resident and RSL member, shared his positive experience after making the switch.

“I signed up to nbn Fibre to the Premises in January and it's working fine ever since,”

“Prior to this, I've had a lot of trouble around home where my connection at the Node was deteriorating, and I had no internet or anything at all.

“I would say to locals that as time goes on, the old copper cable is going to deteriorate, and I recommend they go to Fibre to the Premises where that problem will be eliminated.

Benjamin Barbi from Logilytics also highlighted the benefits of upgrading and the support available to customers.

“We're assisting customers to facilitate nbn full fibre upgrades to the premises. If they're having issues with their provider, initiating the process, we're assisting with that as well.

“Fibre to the Node is old technology, and it's so old that it's not even being maintained anymore. Fibre to the Premise is just a lot better, a lot sharper.

“So many customers in Ingham on the old copper line experience problems, some drop out daily.

“With regards to the nbn Fixed Wireless Plus upgrades, we love it. It is the best thing to come to the outlying areas of town.

So, whether you’re in or out of town, with the nbn upgrades for your downloads or for streaming, if you've got a family with a couple of kids, and you've got one-three people on streaming, and you want to watch your Foxtel, it's not going to drop out the way it used to.”

Ben Barbi and the Logilytics team, with Cassie Scott. Photo supplied

Rodger Bow, one of the first people that raised Fibre to the Node issues. Photo supplied

Casie Scott Regional Development & Engagement Manager, North Queensland, with Jane Carne, and Deputy Mayor Mary Brown. Photo supplied.

Locals came to speak to nbn staff at their pop up on Lannercost Street. Photo supplied

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Leaseholders across the Cassowary Coast are set to receive additional financial relief following recent severe weather events, with the Queensland Government announcing a 12-month land rent deferral.

The support package comes in response to impacts from the North Queensland monsoon trough, widespread flooding and Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji, which have affected communities across the region.

Eligible state land tenure holders, including primary producers, residents and businesses, will automatically receive the deferral, providing much-needed breathing room as recovery efforts continue.

The measure forms part of a broader relief package supporting nearly 3,000 tenures across North and Central Queensland, including those within the Cassowary Coast.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the initiative was designed to assist communities still recovering from a difficult start to the year.

“We know North and Central Queenslanders have endured a tough start to the year with the monsoon trough, flooding and Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji,” Minister Last said.

“The Government has been on the ground listening and that’s why we are delivering targeted support through automatic land rent deferral across almost 3,000 tenures. This is about supporting our farmers and regional Queenslanders by giving them time to focus on their recovery and get their operations back on track. We’re focused on helping Queenslanders recover faster and rebuild stronger for the future.”

The rent deferral will be automatically applied, allowing eligible Cassowary Coast leaseholders to focus on rebuilding without the immediate pressure of land rent payments.

Additional information is available via  https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/state/rents/hardship-deferral.

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The Cassowary Coast community has farewelled a piece of local history, following the removal of the old jetty pylons along the Cardwell Foreshore on Tuesday, 17 March.

The decision was made by Cassowary Coast Regional Council following assessments which found the timber structures had deteriorated to a point where they posed a significant safety risk.

While the pylons have long held historical and sentimental value for the community, council said their condition created potential hazards, particularly for children and families visiting the popular foreshore area.

To preserve their historical significance, the timber will be carefully removed and stored in a secure location. Council will now work in partnership with the Cardwell Historical Society to determine the future of the pylons and how they may continue to play a role in the region’s shared history.

Council thanked residents for their understanding, emphasising that the safety of the community and visitors remains the highest priority.

Further information is available by contacting council directly via phoning 1300 763 903 or emailing enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.

CAPTION: To ensure the safety of the Cassowary Coast community, the pylons were removed the morning of Tuesday, 17 March 2026. Photo source: Cassowary Coast Regional Council

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Swiftwater firefighters were deployed across Far North Queensland over the weekend as emergency services prepare for the potential impacts of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

Specialist teams from Queensland Fire and Rescue have positioned themselves in key locations including Port Douglas, Mossman, Mareeba, Halifax, Cardwell, Ingham, Tully and Innisfail to ensure a rapid response if flooding occurs.

Ahead of the cyclone, crews have been training alongside local responders in flood-prone waterways, identifying hazards that can become difficult to detect once water levels rise.

Authorities say this preparation is critical in regions where fast-moving floodwaters can pose significant risks to both residents and emergency personnel.

A rotary aircraft has also been placed on standby in Cairns, ready to transport swiftwater teams into remote or isolated communities if needed.

Residents are being urged to stay informed as conditions develop and to follow all official warnings and advice.

Emergency services have reinforced a clear safety message: never enter floodwaters under any circumstances. In life-threatening situations, the public is reminded to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Authorities warn residents to stay up-to-date with weather forecasts and act quickly on any advice from authorities. Photo source: Queensland Fire and Rescue

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