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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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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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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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
Read the full storyI recently travelled to Canberra with the northwest Queensland delegation after notification from Glencore that they would be closing the Mount Isa copper smelter.
The closure of the smelter has significant flow-on effects for us who rely on agriculture.
About 17,000 jobs affected across various sectors will have a significant impact on our economy in North Queensland, of which we are a part. In addition, it puts our fertiliser supply under real pressure.
One of the by-products of that copper smelting is sulphuric acid and that’s key for making phosphate fertilisers.
In the Hinchinbrook region, some of our soils are phosphate-deficient.
The phosphate is mined at Phosphate Hill, about 200km from Mount Isa, and then blended with urea and other products in Townsville to make the fertilisers we all rely upon.
From there, it’s sent out to the cane fields, not just here in the Hinchinbrook region but across the east coast.
If that smelter shuts and we lose local acid supply, we’d have to start importing phosphate from overseas and then truck it all the way back to Phosphate Hill. Imagine the cost of that.
What’s that going to do to the price of our fertiliser?
These issues were raised with politicians. They listened, seemed to get it – now let’s see what they do about it.
On a brighter note, we just want to sincerely congratulate the Forrest Beach Surf Life Saving Club on their nomination for Club of the Year.
It just goes to show what a well-run group of dedicated volunteers can achieve. We wish them all the success going forward.
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