TOP NEWS

Government Inaction Has Flying Foxes In Fight For Survival

James Cook University (JCU) researchers are calling for urgent government support to protect the spectacled flying-fox from extinction as new and escalating threats push the species closer to the brink. Despite their reputation as noisy and messy neighbours, spectacled flying-foxes play a vital role in the survival of Australia’s rainforests, travelling vast distances to pollinate flowers and spread seeds at levels unmatched by any other species. JCU adjunct associate professor Noel Preece sai

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Ingham Pauses To Honour Fallen Police Officers

National Police Remembrance Day Today, the community of Ingham came together to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the Queensland Police Service who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The National Police Remembrance Day Service, held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, offered a solemn and poignant moment for reflection, remembrance, and respect. Since 1861, 151 Queensland Police officers have lost their lives while protecting and serving communities across the state.

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HINCHINBROOK Cadets Shine At ESCAPE Week In Brisbane

Each year, a team of Hinchinbrook Emergency Services Cadets travels to Brisbane to attend the prestigious ESCAPE Week, a program that brings together cadets from across Queensland to experience life at multiple emergency services. This year, three Hinchinbrook cadets participated: two senior cadets attending as leaders and one as a program participant, accompanied by Cadet Coordinator Mark Regazzoli. The week kicked off at Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ), Bribie Island, where cadets underwent an

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Compassion On Wheels

The Hurley Bus Since launching in December last year, the Hurley Bus has already completed more than 400 bookings, providing free transport for elderly, frail, and palliative community members. The service, run entirely by volunteers through the Ingham Palliative Carers Committee, offers a safe, reliable, and compassionate way for people to stay connected and attend important appointments. The eight-seat bus is wheelchair accessible and travels throughout Ingham, the surrounding districts, Card

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Minute With The Mayor 17 June

June 17, 2025

Over the past few weeks, my message has reflected on waste disposal issues and the importance of seriously embracing recycling as a way to divert waste from landfill and meet State Government targets.

Whilst our staff are very active in educating the community and promoting the need for recycling, you’ll be pleased to know that Council has been doing its bit lobbying the big end of the State to get serious about creating markets for recyclable products — pronto — so we can actually get the circular economy happening. As well as looking to future targets, you may recall there’s growing support for recycling as a catalyst for creating new jobs as circular economy principles and recycling markets strengthen.

Council has also been actively lobbying the State Government about the need to find a solution to the end-of-life tyre disposal problem. Used tyres are a major headache and fast becoming an environmental nuisance, with stockpiling and unlawful dumping happening at significant rates. The reason, of course, is the hefty cost of lawful disposal. Complaints are regularly received that the cost of disposing of used tyres at Council’s waste facility is too high. The reality is Council only recovers about 50% of the cost of disposal from the disposer and continues to subsidise tyre disposal through general community rates — and this is not sustainable.

With a desire to drive change, Council has introduced crumbed rubber in bitumen reseals on Council-controlled roads, with rubber sourced from end-of-life tyres recovered from our waste facilities and local tyre service providers. The added cost was around $0.06/m² — a small price to help create a sustainable market.

The use of crumbed rubber in bitumen isn’t new — it’s been used in Australia for decades and has proven performance benefits. Townsville City Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads are also on board. With the support of other North Queensland councils, we’ll continue to push for a State mandate — to create value for end-of-life tyres, just like what’s happened with recycled containers.

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Local MP Makes Bold Bid for Townsville Leadership
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Victoria's View | 30 September 2025
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Lions Launch Disaster Recovery Fund For Flood-Affected Families
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Hinchinbrook Thanks Senior Sergeant Geoff Bormann For His Service
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Out of the Floods, Come the Warmbloods
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