Tasman Turtle Picnic Day Shire Success Scores of locals and travellers flocked to TYTO Wetlands as Tasman Turtle returned with craft, food, activities, and family fun. With a rock climbing wall, circus acts, laser tag, pony rides, and a petting zoo, there was something for everyone. Music filled the air, even getting Tasman dancing, and the park buzzed from start to finish. Faces were covered with ice cream and fairy floss, but most importantly big smiles. Deputy Mayor Mary Brown happily remark
Read the full storyTwo respected members of the Hinchinbrook region have been named in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, receiving national recognition for their dedication to the community and their service over many years. Patrick Brown, Officer in Charge at the Ingham Ambulance Station, has been awarded the Ambulance Service Medal, one of the highest honours available to an Australian paramedic. With 46 years of experience, most of it in rural and regional Queensland, Mr Brown has long been regarded as a stea
Read the full storyBy Victoria Velton In the quiet coastal town of Taylor’s Beach, Jayden McNeill is solving more than just colorful puzzles; he’s solved his way to global recognition. A Rubik’s Cube champion with international acclaim, McNeill’s story is one of perseverance, precision, and passion. It all started when a seven-year-old Jayden received a Rubik’s Cube for Christmas. Like many, he shelved it after failing to solve it. But years later, inspired by classmates in high school, he revisited the cube and
Read the full storyA Tool For Real-World Readiness When most people hear “LARPing” (Live Action Role-Playing), images of medieval knights and fantasy creatures might spring to mind. But for a growing community in Townsville, LARPing has evolved far beyond weekend cosplay, it’s becoming a valuable tool for real-world training and personal growth. The newly launched Townsville chapter of Swordcraft, Australia’s largest medieval battle and role-playing game, brings enthusiasts together every fortnight. What began as
Read the full storyHinchinbrook is one of the many Queensland regions set to benefit from a major social housing construction boom, with 27 new social and affordable homes currently under construction or under contract in the region as of 28 February 2025.
The new housing is part of the Crisafulli Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundation Plan, which has accelerated the delivery of 5,000 social and affordable homes across the state in just four months.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor said the government was committed to fixing Labor’s housing crisis and supporting Queenslanders in need.
“We’re getting on with the job of building more social and affordable homes right across the state to ease Labor’s Housing Crisis,” Minister O’Connor said.
The statewide pipeline includes over 3,100 homes already being built, with an additional 1,800 contracted to begin, delivering a 6 per cent boost to Queensland’s total social and affordable housing stock.
Homes are being rolled out in every corner of the state — from the Gold Coast to Goondiwindi, and Palm Island to Pormpuraaw — with Hinchinbrook Shire’s 27 homes a welcome addition to help meet local demand.
With rental stress and housing availability top of mind for many, the new homes represent a much-needed investment in the future of the Hinchinbrook community.
“This is just the start of our housing delivery - we’re rebuilding our housing system from the ground up and backing our builders to get more homes for Queenslanders faster.”