TOP NEWS

Strength, Vision And Legacy

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

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Townsville To Cairns Bike Ride Rolls Through Ingham

A 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

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Junior Theatre Takes The Stage

On 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

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Cardwell Community Comes Together For Rebuilding Support

On 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

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Caution To Boaties

March 4, 2025

Lucinda Coast Guards have reported that all of the red marker buoys at the exit from the Enterprise Channel at Dungeness have been washed away, leaving only the yellow outer buoy still in position. As a result, there is currently no marked channel through the sandbar, significantly increasing the risk for boaters attempting to navigate this area.

Boaters are urged to exercise extreme caution when entering or leaving Dungeness, especially in regard to the height of the tide. Due to the absence of the red marker buoys, it is now more difficult to assess the depth of the water over the sandbar. A general rule of thumb for determining the water depth is to halve the tide height, which gives a rough estimate of how much water is covering the sandbar. This means that, for example, if the tide height is 4 feet, there will be approximately 2 feet of water on the sandbar, making navigation potentially hazardous.

Without the red marker buoys, which have traditionally helped to delineate a safe route, boaters are strongly advised to take additional precautions and ensure they have sufficient water under their keel. In these circumstances, it is crucial to thoroughly assess the conditions before entering the channel. This responsibility now falls entirely on the boat user, who must take necessary measures to avoid grounding or other accidents that could result from navigating in shallow water.

Ports and harbors have confirmed that the red buoys will not be replaced until a navigable channel through the sandbar has been re-established. In the meantime, all boat users are expected to take proactive steps to confirm water depth and plan their routes accordingly. It is advisable to seek local knowledge, check tide tables, and, when possible, consult with other boaters who may have recent experience of the conditions in the area.

As always, safety on the water is of the utmost importance. Boaters are encouraged to stay vigilant, avoid taking unnecessary risks, and ensure they have adequate knowledge of local conditions before heading out onto the water. Let’s all work together to stay safe and prevent accidents during this challenging time.

Take additional precautions due to washed away red marker buoys.

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