Flags Raised In NAIDOC Tribute On 22 July 2025, a flag-raising ceremony marked a meaningful NAIDOC Week in Hinchinbrook. Community members gathered at the Hinchinbrook Shire Hall in Ingham, led by Deputy Mayor Mary Brown and Traditional Owners, together, they proudly raised the flags in recognition of the Warrgamay, Nywaigi and Bandjin peoples — Traditional Custodians of the Hinchinbrook region. With around 70 people in attendance, the event offered a moment to reflect on this year’s NAID
Read the full storyA peloton of dedicated cyclists rode through the Hinchinbrook Shire last week as part of the mighty Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride; an initiative established to make a difference in the lives of children affected by cancer. Held annually, the Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride raises both valuable awareness and funds for the Children’s Cancer Institute to support comprehensive efforts focused on preventing and treating childhood cancer. The Townsville to Cairns Bike Ride was founded in 1999 by Sel
Read the full storyOn Saturday, the 26th of July, the Junior division of the Ingham Theatre Group debut in their first matinee. After 10 weeks of work-shopping improvisations, theatre sports, performance technique, stage craft, and most importantly fun and friendship, the Juniors stepped up and performed the wondrous adventure that was 'Princesses of a Feather'. Together, the cursed princesses-turned-birds, defeated the evil knight Sir Glimmerpants with the help of Charlie Cowgirl Cat In A Cape, while t
Read the full storyOn Thursday 10 July, the Cardwell RSL became a vital hub of information and support as more than 35 residents and service representatives gathered for the Cardwell Community Rebuild Info Session. Organised by Centacare FNQ, the evening brought together key organisations supporting North Queenslanders affected by the 2025 floods and now in the rebuilding phase. The session was hosted in partnership with Centacare’s Disaster Recovery and Resilience Hub, the Queensland Building and Construction Co
Read the full storyFor years, landowners along the Herbert River have battled against riverbank erosion. Gradually, this issue has chipped away at agricultural land, threatened infrastructure, and made properties unsafe. Despite the strong and committed efforts by the Herbert River Improvement Trust (the Trust), the problem continues to worsen due to sheer scale of the damage and a lack of government support.
Sadly, the severe flooding in February made this serious problem significantly worse. Powerful floodwaters tore away at riverbanks, caused major collapses and stripped away even more land. The Trust estimated more than $7.5 million is needed to rectify the most immediate damage along the Herbert River.
It’s frustrating to hear green groups constantly voicing concerns about sediment runoff from farmland, yet none of them seem concerned about the football fields worth of sediment washed out to sea from collapsing, unmanaged riverbanks. This is a serious environmental concern that needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, these calls were ignored by the previous government for many years and that’s why I’m calling on the Crisafulli Government to provide immediate funding to assist landowners and the Trust to urgently repair key sections of the Herbert River.
But we also need to think long-term. In addition to the immediate needs, I’ve proposed the idea of a Herbert River Master Plan. Led by the Trust, this plan would guide river management over the next 10–15 years and help future-proof the Herbert River. It could map out current erosion zones, pinch points, sediment build-up areas, long-term infrastructure risks, and opportunities for better water flow and flood mitigation. This will require support and dedicated funding from the government, but in return, it will deliver a clear, strategic blueprint for tackling river erosion in the years to come.
I have written to the Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, the Hon. Ann Leahy, requesting funding for both the urgent repair works and the strategic planning and development of a Herbert River Master Plan. I look forward to the Minister’s response and will keep the community informed as things progress.
Contributed with thanks by Nick Dametto MP