It was an action packed three days for the Women’s Foley Shield this year with Townsville ultimately reigning victorious over the competition Please call us on 1800 070 535 and we’ll help resolve the issue or try again later Any Questions? Please call 1800 070 535 Saturday & Sunday 7:00am – 11:30am (AEST) Townsville’s new bin police are checking your recycling backed by nearly a quarter of a million dollars in state funding to crack down on yellow-lid contamination An 18-year-old with an “appalling criminal history” deliberately hit a cyclist while a 15-year-old known as a “prolific property offender” crashed into two cars during a reckless crime spree A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites. This is also known as Online Behavioural Advertising. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out You’ve voted for the top 50 cutest toddlers in Townsville Despite not having home-field advantage in last year’s Foley Shield it was Townsville who did the double in both the Men’s and Women’s competition in Mackay The Townsville women’s squad will be filled with confidence entering the weekend as they seek their third successive victory in the competition though a much different side will be running out in search of the three-peat The success of Townsville last year has made them the team to beat this year with a target being placed on their backs by Mackay and Cairns Mackay will also be running out with a squad filled with youth this year and head coach Deb Marchard believes her new selection philosophy combined with the lessons learnt from last year might just be enough to usurp Townsville this weekend “The coaching staff and I have learnt a lot from last year mainly we’ve realised we need to play to our strengths instead of trying to defeat the opposition “Last year saw us fighting through the middle instead of utilising our speed on the edges We have a lot of new girls coming through the ranks currently we’ve really tried to provide the local girls who couldn’t play in the BMD Premiership a chance to compete this year.” that’s where last year’s female player of the competition “We’ll be looking to Ataliah for leadership We’ll be looking to her to steer the girls around the park boost morale and just keep energy high throughout the weekend.” “Alycia (Taylor-Hansson) is another leader in the squad providing that energy she’s played Foley Shield previously but had the year off in 2024.” Marchard is under no false pretences when it comes to the Foley Shield she’s aware of the calibre of play and has made sure her squad are aware of the talent they’ll be facing “I’ve told the girls to enjoy the experience but to make sure they’re playing the football that we want to play and to not be too focused on the opposition and what our squad is good at – the points will follow.” as he prepares to run out a team filled with youth and passion following a disappointing 2024 campaign as the Cairns women look to write themselves into the historic legacy of the Foley Shield “There’s not much in the history books for the women of the Foley Shield.” Explained Creamer “We’ve really tried to convey to the girls this year – that the history is there for them to create Myself and the coaching staff learnt plenty from last year it’s a very youthful squad which is something I leant away from in 2024.” The buzz surrounding the BMD Premiership has been a big contributor to Creamer’s confidence entering the Foley Shield “There’s a lot more players here now as they’re fighting for spots in the BMD Premiership squad and it’s done wonders for the young girls here “There are 19-year-olds who would usually have stopped playing who are now playing open Women’s competitions It’s picked up a fair bit in a short amount of time but she has plenty of leadership about her – when she talks Wallace’s leadership will be supported by one of the best young guns in the Foley Shield who represented the Australian Schoolgirls in 2022 Creamer has made sure the girls only have one question in their mind come kick off on Saturday *All games played at Townsville Sports Reserve 12:30pm - Mackay Women vs Townsville Women Semi-Finals: Weekend Preview - Mal Meninga Cup Everything you need to know: XXXX Foley Shield 2025 CCTV captures two masked intruders breaking in as the family sleeps snatching keys and valuables before fleeing in a stolen car in South Townsville on May 4 Alex Dyson arrives at his election night function Townsville Citylibraries is calling all local artists to get creative and design their very own library card inspired by the theme – My Story of Townsville All submissions will need to create a design using the library card template (PDF The top three designs will be printed into limited edition library cards which will be available to new library members All submissions will be displayed at Citylibraries Aitkenvale Unleash your creativity and enter the competition Entries close 11:59pm on Wednesday 30 April 2025 Terms and conditions apply (PDF ABN: 44 741 992 072 Copyright 2025 Townsville City Council all rights reserved Townsville City Council acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun Gugu Badhun and Nywaigi as the Traditional Owners of this land Australia’s port of Townsville is investing in a 14 ha project cargo laydown area at its East Port Precinct that will support future industry development and renewable energy projects across the region the laydown facility will serve as temporary storage for wind turbine components Port of Townsville ceo Ranee Crosby said this development is an important step toward meeting the increasing demand for future port infrastructure to facilitate the significant pipeline of planned investments in the region “This facility will support emerging industries like renewable energy advanced manufacturing as well as existing sectors like critical minerals as they continue to grow,” explained Crosby Shipyard and construction company Ravestein is delivering a ro-ro pontoon for Peel Ports Group in the UK The UK’s port of Blyth reported record financial performance for the fourth consecutive year Weather intelligence and voyage optimisation solutions provider StormGeo and Finnish AI analytics company Awake.AI have partnered to offer AI-powered port analytics to its clients The Baltic Exchange has launched a free fuel equivalence converter to help owners brokers and charterers understand the cost and commercial implications of greener fuel options Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) has entered into a strategic alliance with Wheel & Time Shipping Transport Logistics Forth Ports’ new deepwater riverside berth at the port of Leith has been formally opened It is designed to handle the world’s largest offshore wind construction vessels Site powered by Webvision Cloud Link copiedShareShare resultsBy chief election analyst Antony Green posted Fri at 2:00pmFriday 2 May 2025 at 2:00pmFri 2 May 2025 at 2:00pm Updated 1h ago1 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 12:05pm updated 8h ago8 hours agoMon 5 May 2025 at 4:48am | Phillip Thompson (LNP/Liberal) since 2019. Herbert covers most of the urban area of Townsville. The City of Townsville local government area is too large to be contained in one Federal electorate, so some of the city's outer suburbs are included in the neighbouring electorates of Dawson and Kennedy. Covers 941 square kilometres. (Victories by a party of government are indicated by thick coloured underlining.) The LNP recorded majorities in 34 of the 36 polling places used at the 2019 election including all 33 on the mainland. Labor recorded 57.0% at the PCYC in the Aboriginal Community on Palm Island, and a small majority at Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island. LNP support passed 60% at 11 polling places and reached 68.7% at the Alice River Progress Association Hall inland from Townsville.(Click on polling place for results) Andrew grew up in rural and regional Queensland and has lived in Townsville since 1985 where she has raised her children and grandchildren. After studying to be a psychologist, Andrew began her career in child protection in the not-for-profit sector. She is currently developing and leading prevention and response services working with people involved in the youth justice system; with men who use violence against intimate partners, and with services to build strong families. Evans was born in Mackay and completed an apprenticeship in sheet metal fabrication. He is a sheet metal tradesman who currently works as a draftsperson and estimator in the manufacturing industry. He also volunteers at climate action events with his local conservation group and is a committee member of a local native plant club. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Australia's best free military news site Share the post "The Housing Situation in Townsville: How Bad is it?" Is it stopping 3 Brigade getting up to full strength as an armoured brigade or is that due to other factors the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) stated that bases would have to be developed in northern Australia the Government gave its approval to the outcomes of the Review… stating that an armoured brigade would be located in Townsville was home to about 5,000 ADF personnel at Lavarack Barracks and RAAF Base Townsville The DSR meant that this number would increase by at least an additional 500 in 2025 The ability of Townsville’s infrastructure to absorb such a significant influx of Army families was always doubtful and should have been recognised as such Another headline soon followed: ‘Townsville Facing Housing Crisis” While obviously housing is urgently required it’s to be expected that quite a number of vehicle hangers will be needed as well This must be one of the great ‘oversights’ of recent military history Despite the Department of Defence having all the advance information about the DSR they failed to anticipate the shortfall in Townsville’s infrastructure 3 Brigade (and Townsville) is at its maximum capacity with just a single armoured unit (rather than an armoured brigade’s normal two) The challenge … how to avoid this oversight becoming a laughing matter The solution: make 1 Armd Regt a non-combatant ‘emerging technologies’ test bed and keep it in Adelaide for as long as it takes to complete the necessary infrastructure in Townsville FILE PHOTO (23 April 2025): 2nd Cavalry Regiment welcome its second tank squadron at the T4 (D Squadron) Raising Ceremony at Lavarack Barracks Many defence personnel only stay there under sufferance and would rather be literally anywhere else If you get posted to Townsville complain or just quit There is no reason why Townsville should be a military capital other than the fact local politicians want cheap political points It’s a high social cost for little benefit Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Contact is an independent veteran owned and operated Australian publishing house that curates this web site and a weekly newsletter – available by subscribing (free) via Patreon Write to us via editor@militarycontact.com CONTACT Air Land & Sea plus COMBAT Camera magazines were past publications of this business Digital copies of both magazines can be viewed or downloaded via our Archives (see menus) Two Townsville twelve-year-old best friends are off to Barcelona at to play futsal for Australia Fire crews have responded to reports of a potentially severed gas line in the Townsville CBD with hundreds of people evacuated from inner-city businesses The Bulletin can reveal the third clue for the location of the Golden Food Truck as the prize pool drops to $9k Any Questions? Please call 1800 070 535. Monday to Friday 7:30am – 6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 7:00am – 11:30am (AEST) One seat in New South Wales remains too close to call and it's shaping up to be a tight race between the Liberals and a Climate 200-backed Teal candidate Independent candidate Nicolette Boele is now ahead of Liberal Party candidate Gisele Kapterian by about 500 votes The seat of Bradfield is a traditional Liberal stronghold and was previously held by retiring MP Paul Fletcher Brisbane’s Ashcroft brothers continue to play important roles in a Lions team whose bid for back-to-back AFL premierships is well and truly on track Followed categories will be added to My News As happy as Will Ashcroft was to win the man-of-the-match medal named after his father in Brisbane’s latest QClash win over Gold Coast the star midfielder was just as delighted about the performance of his younger brother Levi in the Lions’ 17-point victory In the 28th match between Queensland’s two AFL clubs winning 9.12 (66) to 7.7 (49) at the Gabba on Sunday night who kicked the final three goals of the game in the dying stages of the fourth quarter when the contest was well and truly over “They pride themselves on that (the midfield battle) and we knew it was already going to be like that and then when the weather set in a little bit we knew it was going to be hotly contested in clearance battle,” Will “We went to work on that at training this week The defensive side of the game and the contest we knew that was going to be where it was won and lost.” With an individual performance that was truly worthy of best-on-ground honours Will said it was “pretty cool” to win the Marcus Ashcroft Medal “To win it in my third QClash is a pretty cool feeling,” he said Another key contributor in Brisbane’s win was 18-year-old Levi who secured 29 possessions in his maiden QClash appearance “How Levi performed and how he’s building in his (debut) season I’m really impressed with that and proud of that,” Will said Will also said the Lions’ bid for back-to-back premierships was showing “promising” signs “Something we speak about often is constant improvement That’s something that I personally have always gone to work on around good form or poor form … always trying to be curious and find different ways and avenues to get better,” he said “That’s what we’ll continue to do but we’re trying to always improve and constantly get better in the things we’re already good at and things we might want to clean up.” Originally published as Will and Levi Ashcroft play major roles in Brisbane’s win over Gold Coast A key reason for Clayton Oliver’s absence has been suggested while the AFL is getting nowhere addressing an off-field crisis. We watch all the football shows so you don’t have to. AFL greats have discussed a revolutionary Collingwood tactic from last Saturday night that could change the way the game is played. As Amsterdam held its official WWII remembrance, an unofficial ceremony in The Hague paid tribute to victims of Israel’s assault on Gaza. Townsville voters are being handed small change while Cairns laps up tens of millions in election promises from the major parties — a move fuelling claims the city is being treated as the “poor cousin of the north” If you’re wondering about the best things to do in Townsville This vibrant coastal city is full to the brim with tropical holiday potential There are amazing Great Barrier Reef experiences dreamy island escapes where you can spot koalas and thrilling ocean adventures – from riding a jet ski to diving around Australia’s first-ever underwater museum Find 20 underwater ‘reef guardians’ at the museum’s Coral Greenhouse is located on the John Brewer Reef a two hours’ boat ride from Townsville It is populated with 20 ‘reef guardians’ who instigate natural coral growth and visitors are invited to snorkel or dive to view them Jump on the ferry to arrive on Magnetic Island within 20 minutes Head to the award-winning Queensland Museum Tropics in the heart of town for a snapshot of the dazzlingly diverse North Queensland region and its rich cultural and natural heritage Through family-friendly exhibitions and displays you’ll learn everything about life in the tropics from prehistory through to today Key exhibition points include the World Heritage-listed rainforest and reefs at Townsville’s doorstep and the compelling story of the shipwrecked HMS Pandora Sent to Tahiti to capture the Bounty mutineers the ship struck the Great Barrier Reef and sank on its return journey in 1791 A replica is mounted in the museum’s Great Gallery along with objects recovered from the wreck – which wasn’t discovered for 186 years Take one of several trails that lead to the top of Castle Hill With steep and challenging beginning and end sections this 1.1-kilometre one-way trail enjoys a moderate midsection with breathtaking views The palm-fringed foreshore is lined with laid-back cafes and restaurants where you’ll get an insight into the stories of Townsville’s settlement Ethel Creek Falls is one of the freshwater creeks inside Paluma Range National Park Head north out of town from Townsville to get deep within Paluma Range National Park the southern gateway to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area an oasis favoured by weekender Townsville locals Swim in the freshwater creek fed by a pretty cascading waterfall and framed by a heritage-listed stone arch bridge built in the 1930s Depression era It’s the perfect place to cool down on a hot summer’s day in the tropics Half-an-hour further north lies rainforest-encased Jourama Falls This scenic spot sees Waterview Creek tumble down cascades and rapids creating crystal-clear rock pools to soak in and refreshing falls to shower under turtles and goannas attracted to the creek it’s a top spot for wildlife watching Follow the three-kilometre return Jourama Falls track for a moderate bushwalk that rewards with views out over the falls and rainforest and pitch a tent at the popular camping spot if you fancy soaking in the serenity some more Explore the wonders of Paluma Range National Park with NQ Cycle Journeys Another way to explore the treasure trove that is Paluma Range National Park is with NQ Cycle Journeys which also operates guided e-bike tours through Townsville City and Magnetic Island The four-hour Paluma Range NP tour covers 20 kilometres of easy riding and three kilometres of walking stopping along the way to find cascading waterfalls spot local wildlife and see historical WWII sites The Townsville tour includes visiting colonial and indigenous sites the coastline and wetlands with a maximum of eight riders The Watermark Townsville serves delicious seafood plates (Image: Doug Simpson Media/@dougsimpsonmedia) An artificial reef teeming with marine life at the SS Yongala wreck For your chance to hold a koala (Queensland is one of just three states along with South Australia and Western Australia that permits this), hug a wombat, hand-feed a cassowary, hold a small crocodile or indeed watch the feeding of giant estuarine croc or saltie, head to Billabong Sanctuary This ecotourism-accredited sanctuary is set against 11 hectares of tropical North Queensland bushland and provides one of the best interactive wildlife experiences you can find in Australia stop for a bite to eat at Blinky Bill’s Cafe and take a dip at the resort’s tropical resort-style swimming pool Hire a jet ski to explore Townsville’s waters Whether you’re up for a thrill or would rather chill and enjoy the scenery, Poseidon Adventures operates jet ski tours that can do either choose from a tour to Magnetic Island where you can also go snorkelling you can cruise to Bay Rock on a 70-minute tour along The Strand foreshore The waters surrounding Townsville are thriving with marine life including turtles dugongs and whales (between July and August) so be on the lookout as you glide along the water You can also hire a jet ski (no licence necessary) and create your own adventure Cruise, walk, swim, fish, relax. No matter what you choose, a day spent on Hinchinbrook Island is bound to be a memorable one. Only accessible by private vessel or tour, several groups offer day trip options departing from Lucinda (an hour’s drive north of Townsville) You can choose a guided walk to thundering waterfalls a scenic cruise through the rugged Hinchinbrook Channel or design your own day with a mix of experiences Make the most of your visit to Magnetic Island by booking an experience with Pilgrim Sailing Book a skippered boat to see all the secret nooks and crannies of Magnetic Island away from the other day-trippers You can BYO everything you need for the day or ask for extras including champagne and snorkel hire opt in for a romantic adventure where you’re marooned on a secluded beach for two hours with a gourmet picnic hamper Gain insight into Nywaigi Aboriginal culture on a guided tour Meet the traditional owners of the lands around Ingham, the Nywaigi Aboriginal people, at Mungalla Station – 90 minutes north of Townsville On a guided tour of the station and its wetlands you’ll learn about the history of the homestead originally built by Irishman James Cassady the brutal confrontation between European settlers and local Aboriginal people and how the Cassady family intervened Wander street-art-filled laneways in Townsville Townsville’s streets and laneways are home to some 25 street artworks that were commissioned by the council to brighten up pockets of the city Hit the pavement and play hide-and-seek with these larger-than-life murals portraits and thought-provoking pieces or download this map and take the street art walking trail to find them all Guests can relax by the pool with a drink in hand at The Ville The Ville is one of Townsville’s hottest places to stay not to mention views over the ocean and to Magnetic Island But its absolute drawcard is the hotel’s glamorous pool that oozes Palm Springs meets Tropical North Queensland vibes plenty of lounges shaded by striped umbrellas and even a shallow area for the kids to splash in don’t worry – you can purchase a day pass the cost of which can be used as credit to purchase food and drink from the pool bar and Quarterdeck the hotel’s happening al fresco restaurant and bar surrounded by palm trees and bougainvillaea It’s hard to comprehend the diverse landscape of the Townsville region until you’re above it Soak in the natural beauty with Nautilus Aviation which runs several scenic flights that will give you a bird’s-eye view of the rugged rocky coastline and stretch of pristine beach; turquoise waters punctuated by islands and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and its world-famous coral reefs You’ll also have epic views of the hinterland mangrove estuaries and saltpans make up the unique tapestry of this landscape Enjoy heartwarming meals at Grandma’s Where once Townsville was void of a decent eatery, the cafe culture is now not only booming, but it’s continually evolving. Get amongst it and start your day right with these best cafes for breakfast (with a side of thoroughly decent coffee) There’s nothing better than a weekend market, and for a relatively small city, Townsville is doing the most. Whether you’re after fresh produce, locally made crafts, Indigenous art, a new household plant or a few more outfits to whack into your suitcase, you’ll find the market you’re looking for you’ll find an interesting remnant of the Second World War The No 211 Radar Station on Charlie’s Hill was one of twenty radar installations along the North Queensland coastline It was built by the RAAF in 1943 to provide an early warning sign on any approaching enemy aircraft which provided protection for this radar equipment Reward yourself with quiet luxury at Pelorus Private Island all-inclusive property is the very definition of quiet luxury Accommodating just a handful of guests across five suites you can live out the fantasy of owning your own island Make space for your own wellness journey with a treatment at the sea-adjacent Ardo Day Spa Soothing marine hues calm the soul the moment you enter the space Take a moment to exhale before heading to a treatment room to indulge in a massage facial or combination treatment using Payot and Medik8 products embark upon the 4-hour Ardo Experience that includes a full body exfoliation facial and light snack from the Ardo Rooftop The Ardo Rooftop is the ultimate spot for a sundowner Open to all, the Ardo Rooftop is one of the best spots in the city for sundowners the bar is your front-row seat to the natural light show that bathes both Castle Hill behind and the Coral Sea and Magnetic Island out front in a spectrum of warm-to-cooling shades the beers are cold and the snacks are worth hanging around for long after the sun has disappeared The TYTO Wetlands make for a perfect backdrop to a romantic picnic A little over an hour from Townsville, the captivating town of Ingham is ripe for exploring. Twitchers and hikers alike will enjoy discovering the TYTO Wetlands which takes its name from the Eastern Grass Owl you can wander trails and get a lay of the (rather wet) land from the observation tower Ingham is also fondly referred to as Little Italy with half of its population descended from Italian migrants who came to work in the once-booming sugar industry you’ll still find a thriving and proud Italian culture here with plenty of delicious food and wine the annual Australian-Italian Festival fills the town with merry-makers and frivolity and is well worth the drive out from Townsville See phenomenal works at the heritage-listed Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Unearth the region’s rich gold mining history at Venus Gold Battery Take an inland drive for 1.5 hours from Townsville and you’ll arrive at the mining and military town of Charters Towers This fascinating historic outpost has plenty to enthral from tours of the 150-year-old Venus Gold Battery where gold was once extracted from crushed ore to safari rides in a horse-pulled wagon to admire Texas longhorns and supernatural encounters on one of the town’s strangely plentiful ghost tours There are also beautiful natural surrounds and plenty of places to sink a frosty XXXX in town Originally written by Megan Arkinstall with updates by Lara Picone Discover the best accommodation in Townsville Megan Arkinstall is a freelance travel writer who you’ll often find at the beach bushwalking or boating with her young family She loves reliving travel memories through writing whether that be sipping limoncello in a sun-drenched courtyard of Monterosso or swimming with green turtles in the aquamarine waters of Tropical North Queensland and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" It was business as usual for travel journalist Craig Tansley when an invitation to Magnetic Island arrived in his inbox Australian Traveller Media acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Country on which we live and work Townsville City Council’s new corporate plan Townsville 2025 - 2029 has been adopted at today’s Ordinary Meeting The strategic document will set the direction for Council to grow Townsville providing Council’s overarching strategic planning framework and setting the scope for the annual Budget and Operational Plan Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the plan was broken into four clear goals that would guide Council for the next five years: a city for everyone a future-ready city and a well-managed city “Council is furthering its vision of growing Townsville as a globally connected community driven by lifestyle and nature with Townsville 2025 - 2029 This strategic plan will guide our city’s growth and planning during the next five years and provide a roadmap for Council to build trust and confidence with our residents while delivering strong outcomes,” Cr Greaney said “Our goals will help grow Townsville into a city where everyone can engage in and enjoy our community and lifestyle where we are committed to sustainability through climate change adaptation water security and advancing a circular economy where we have opportunity that embraces innovation and is ready for future growth and where our entire city is served reliably by an accountable “As we work towards our vision of being globally connected city “Our plan includes furthering partnerships with industry research institutes and all levels of government to facilitate national and international business and industry for our region By growing our industry we can grow our population sustainably with opportunities across future-proofed professional and trade jobs.” Cr Greaney said the plan was shaped following extensive community consultation “Council was guided by community consultation through a Have Your Say survey community drop-in sessions and social media polls We have listened to that feedback and used it to shape our plan while remaining committed to good governance and responsible financial management,” Cr Greaney said “By endorsing Townsville 2025 - 2029 now we’re able to build the 2025/26 Budget and Operational Plan in alignment with these new goals “Council will continue to work closely with the Queensland and Australian governments to bring our goals for Townsville to life.” For more information on Townsville 2025 - 2029, visit our Corporate Information page Sign up now to share what makes the city shine as a stallholder or performer for Our Townsville 2025 Our Townsville 2025 will be held at Anderson Gardens on Sunday 15 June 2025 Get Active Expo and Get Ready Day into one jam-packed The event will feature themed zones showcasing our community Stallholder applications are now open to Townsville-based businesses The event is also looking for cultural groups and organisations to perform on the Global Rhythms Stage Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said Our Townsville was the city’s largest celebration of the city we call home “Our Townsville brings together everything we love about Townsville – our culture This year’s event will include information stalls outdoor activities and so much more,” Cr Greaney said “Right now we’re looking for stallholders and performers to jump on board to help make this great event a success for another year an organisation or a club that celebrates Townsville’s vibrant and adventurous lifestyle you’re exactly the kind of stallholder we’re looking for And if you have a cultural group or organisation with a flair for performing we want to see you on the Global Rhythms Stage this year “We want to showcase the absolute best of our community so jump online now to apply for this year’s event.” For more information on stallholder and performer applications, visit What's On Townsville An American influencer has made the move to Mount Isa to be an au pair and the internet has suggested she’s living with the family of a state mp Townsville residents will be able to help their hip pockets while saving the environment when they make the most of Townsville City Council’s reusables rebate program Now open for its third year the 50 per cent rebate aims to combat the almost 4470 tonnes of disposable nappies incontinence products and period products Townsville sends to landfill each year The rebate offers up to $200 back on reusable nappy products and $100 back on other eligible reusable products per resident Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the rebate was open to all Townsville residents “Council’s landfill has limited space so we need the community to work together to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill An easy way to do that is by using reusable products – they’re good for your wallet and good for our environment,” Cr Greaney said “Our reusables rebate offers residents a 50 per cent rebate up to a maximum of $300 on eligible purchases of reusable nappies To be eligible you just need to have a minimum product purchase of $50 “We’ve already seen the impact that the first round of the reusables rebate has had in Townsville particularly in removing nappies from Townsville’s waste stream The more people that jump on board and take Council up on this offer the better off our environment will be and the fewer landfill cells we’ll have to construct.” Jensen mother Emma Bressler said reusable swimming nappies were a staple in her household “My two-year-old daughter Charlotte absolutely loves spending time in the pool with her grandparents so we always have reusable swimming nappies on hand,” Ms Bressler said “Keeping reusable nappies at home is cost effective makes it easy for me and my husband to be prepared for our daughters and is a simple way for us to reduce our impact on the environment “It’s great to hear that the council is bringing the reusables rebate back for another year it’s a no-brainer for people to jump on board and save some money on these must-have items.” Council’s reusables rebate program will run until 30 June 2025 or when the funding has been exhausted For more information or to apply for a rebate, head to our Reusables Rebate page Port of Townsville is celebrating its most successful cruise season yet with 21 ships bringing more than 30,000 visitors to our city The passengers and crew provided a welcome economic boost to the region Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby said she was thrilled to welcome five vessels on their maiden voyage to the city including visits by three-large class cruise ships which were able to access the Port for the first time since the completion of the $251 million Channel Upgrade project “We are delighted to welcome Norwegian Sun back to our Port today following her maiden voyage to the city on Easter Monday,” Ms Crosby said “She is carrying up to 2400 passengers and 900 crew who will spend the day exploring the best our region has to offer “The Norwegian Cruise Lines ship is one of three large-class cruise vessels which have been able to access our Port for the first time this season bringing triple the number of passengers that had ever arrived on any one ship “To facilitate the increase in passenger numbers on the large vessels Port of Townsville recently completed a $5.9 million upgrade to our Quayside Terminal bus and taxi rank to allow our guests a seamless experience from ship to shore “With 21 vessels visiting our city between November 2024 and April 2025 we are pleased to be able to facilitate a welcome boost to our tourism industry for what is typically a quieter time for operators.” Townsville Enterprise Director Visitor Economy and Marketing Lisa Woolfe said cruise passengers had delivered a welcome economic boost to the city “The cruise season is critical for our region; it provides a welcomed boost to our tourism economy during what is traditionally a low season,” Ms Woolfe said “This year given the flooding and rain we have had it has been more important than ever “Our cruise season has been an absolute lifeline for some tourism operators at the start of this year contributing almost $7 million to the economy across in the last six months “We consistently receive very positive feedback from our cruise guests with an average of 4 out of 5 score in our surveying “The passengers truly are ‘up for unexpected’ and have been delighted to explore the natural beauty our region has to offer from reef to outback and everything in between Charters Towers and Hinchinbrook have been favourites and attractions like Billabong Sanctuary and The Strand remain as popular as ever “We know that cruise passengers have a high propensity to be return travellers to the regions they enjoy so these cruise ships aren’t just a positive economic boost they are a billboard for future travel from visitors across the world.” Ms Crosby said Townsville was cementing itself as a must-cruise destination with 26 ships booked for the upcoming 2025/2026 season “As more cruise lines are looking to visit our city the seasons are getting longer and this year we will welcome our first cruise passengers in early July a time of year when Townsville really shines,” Ms Crosby said Site by OracleStudio Townsville Enterprise and Townsville North Queensland acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout our region and Australia and their connections to land We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today Townsville Enterprise a not-for-profit organisation and is the official Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) and economic development body of the Townsville North Queensland region extending from the Burdekin to the Hinchinbrook and including the central section of the Great Barrier Reef and its island communities of Magnetic Island and the Palm Island group Sky News host Paul Murray calls on Australia to “focus” on the people who are “left behind” as the Albanese government comes into a new second consecutive term “Focus on the people who are inevitably left behind when a line is drawn this way or that way when it comes to policy,” Mr Murray said “There is no surprise about the result.” Member for Kennedy Bob Katter was destined to retain his seat this federal election in a crowded eight-candidate race Townsville City Council advisor Mr John Oberhardt who was appointed by the then Director-General Local Government and Public Works in September 2024 completed his final day with Council yesterday Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said having an advisor appointed was a step in the right direction to getting the city back on track during a period of uncertainty “The advisor assisted Council and councillors in relation to governance areas including relationship management of elected representatives and key senior staff the provisions of good governance of council meetings and adherence to the relevant legislation,” Cr Greany said “Over the last six months we have built on our capacity to perform the duties that are expected of a functioning council and I know my fellow councillors and I will lean on the guidance the advisor has left with us in the months and years to come.” The advisor’s role was primarily focussed on capacity building with a key objective being to ensure the councillors the chief executive officer and other key senior staff had a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities A particular focus was to ensure Council had in place and strictly adhered to transparent and ethical decision making processes in accordance with the provisions of good governance and relevant legislation Councillor Greaney said as elected officials the community expected results from their representatives “The advice to all councillors on matters especially around governance over the last six months has been extremely valuable particularly given the period of disruption and uncertainty the city has endured in the last year,” Cr Greaney said “The local government mentorship has been extremely valuable but to all ten who currently make up the Council especially around our responsibilities and accountability as elected officials “This result is a sign the Queensland Government and Department of Local Government Water and Volunteers have recognised Townsville City Council is operating efficiently and effectively to the point where the advisor’s presence is no longer required “We know it is only through good governance and importantly strong leadership that we can continue to grow Townsville.” Council is encouraging residents in low-lying areas to take precautions ahead of a weekend of higher-than-usual tides including two consecutive king tides tipping 3.80 metres on Sunday and Monday The high tides are forecast to reach above three metres for seven days straight beginning on Thursday 24 April and continuing to Wednesday 30 April 2025 with the King tide being shared across Sunday 27 and Monday 28 April 2025 at 3.80 metres at 8:53pm and 9:42pm respectively Council recommends residents in areas that are prone to minor flooding during high tides take necessary precautions Suburbs like South Townsville and Railway Estate may be impacted along with Hanran Street and Ogden Street in the city Motorists are asked to observe any warnings and road closures For more information on king tides, visit Council’s Know Your Risks page In exciting news for over 50’s looking to downsize Townsville City Council has approved a planning application for a Relocatable home park of 350 lots in Mount Low The decision was unanimously made in today’s Ordinary Council meeting to approve the Material Change of Use for Relocatable home park on land situated at 142 Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the development which will be completed over four stages would house 350 smaller blocks and facilities like a gym pool and community hall suitable for over 50’s looking to downsize “We all know that regions around Australia are facing a housing crisis and part of alleviating that issue is by making sure the older demographic have suitable housing options when or if they choose to downsize,” Cr Greaney said “This development isn’t relocatable homes in the sense of the word - like homes on wheels but rather an attractive housing option for empty nesters or those just wanting a smaller “The development is proposed to include all features typically associated with an over 50’s lifestyle resort communal recreational facilities and independent living within a gated community “I’m pleased that as a city we’re continuing to see growth and that as a Council we are able to approve these kinds of developments to suit the needs of our growing community.” Brodie Phillips said while the development had been approved by councillors there were conditions in which the developer will have to meet “Townsville’s northern suburbs is a popular place to live we have to make sure we balance that need for more housing with the existing amenity of the area,” Cr Phillips said “While Councillors deemed the development appropriate for the area ticking the boxes when it came to Council’s planning framework it was important that conditions are included in the approval in relation to footpath upgrades road upgrades and a number of stipulations around infrastructure and utilities.” “Division two is a close-knit and welcoming community and being able to offer diverse housing and living options will only serve to increase the liveability of the area further proving why the northern suburbs is one of Townsville’s fastest growing areas.” The 51-year-old Melbourne man has died in a devastating crash with a truck that shut down the Bruce Highway for hours near Townsville you’re on a work trip at David Jones in Townsville and you happen to be asked to attend a tea party a direct descendant of the father of English pottery It sounds like a story plucked from Bridgerton but this is what happened to Brisbane woman Donna Schabe on a trip to Townsville three decades ago On the eve of Wedgwood: Artists and Industry launching at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery she’s sharing her chance encounter with the late Wedgwood ambassador and the special gift he bestowed on her family “I was a sales rep for a leading underwear company and just happened to be in store at the time I was invited by the staff to go up to the china department where there was a high tea where I was introduced to Lord Wedgwood,” Ms Schabe said told him of my mother’s pre-World War II dinner service of Edme (crockery) saying over the years a couple of pieces went missing.” Ms Schabe said the set was never used as it was considered her family’s good china and was estimated to be about 90 years old “Lord Wedgwood asked his Queensland state general manager to organise to get me a few pieces of what was missing,” she said “I was called to collect the three or four pieces in the office that was in Milton (Brisbane) at the time He gifted them to me and I was delighted.” Ms Schabe said she still had the full set and was thrilled to know Townsville was continuing to share its love of Wedgwood this time through the exhibition Wedgwood: Artists and Industry dedicated to the history of the ceramics house Townsville Galleries director Holly Arden said the Wedgwood: Artists and Industry exhibition was a showstopper chronicling centuries of fine artistry and social campaigning “This exhibition is straight from the UK’s Victoria and Albert Museum and showcases highlights from more than 200 years of Wedgwood ceramics and design,” Dr Arden said “We are incredibly proud to have brought this blockbuster exhibition to Townsville and to share the remarkable history of Wedgwood with visitors from right across the country “Founder Josiah Wedgwood was an innovator a brand powerhouse and a powerful figure in ending slavery in the UK and the story of the internationally recognisable Wedgwood legacy Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the exhibition was a major coup for the region “Wedgwood: Artists and Industry is making its world debut right here in Townsville the arts and events capital of Northern Australia,” Cr Greaney said “Townsville has a long history of appreciating ceramics We have hosted the North Queensland Ceramic Awards for 45 years and we attract national and international potters to work in and around our city each year “It is wonderful to see our city’s commitment to ceramics extended to this collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum I know locals and visitors are going to really enjoy it.” Wedgwood: Artists and Industry is open now and runs until 24 August 2025 at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery with concession and student tickets available at discounted prices For more information, head to our Wedgwood: Artists and Industry page A 19-year-old who is alleged to have broken into a couple’s home to watch them be “intimate” after he heard they were lesbians has applied for bail For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au Council is urging residents to stay out of waterways and beaches as they remain closed while Council continues water quality testing following the recent rain event Pallarenda and Five Mile Beach earlier this month as water may have been contaminated Council water quality experts are reminding residents that the following areas remain closed to the public including for fishing and recreational access: “Floodwaters can contain many bacteria that can make you unwell Council proactively closed beaches at The Strand to ensure residents and visitors were not coming in contact with contaminated water,” Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said “Water in these areas has become contaminated during the rain event and should be avoided.” Council will continue to water test regularly A self-proclaimed business expert who has thousands of followers on TikTok is behind an NDIS business which has allegedly not paid some of its staff for four weeks Residents across Townsville should stay informed as rain continues to fall across the local government area The Townsville Local Disaster Management Group remains stood up as the Bureau of Meteorology advises of further heavy and locally intense rainfall across the region TLDMG Chair Andrew Robinson said residents needed to stay informed and continue listening to advice “Residents across the Townsville area should stay informed and continue listening to advice as rain continues across the region,” Cr Robinson said “The Bureau has advised there is the potential for strong showers and thunderstorms to produce localised heavy to intense rainfall This is expected to continue throughout the morning “A king tide is also expected to reach its peak of 3.83m today Residents in suburbs prone to king tides including Railway Estate Hermit Park and Hanran Street and Ogden Street in Townsville City should prepare for the impacts of the upcoming king tide including moving items to higher ground where necessary “The TLDMG remains stood up and will continue to meet regularly until the weather event subsides.” To stay up to date visit the Emergency Management and Disaster Dashboard The Townsville community is being supported with six Community Grants and an Economic Activation Partnership following their adoption at Townsville City Council’s first Ordinary Meeting for March An Economic Activation Partnership worth $18,000 cash plus $10,000 in-kind support was approved for Pacific Action Sports’ Rumble Pro Tour Event Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the grants and partnership showed just how diverse Townsville’s interests were “The grants and partnership approved at today’s Ordinary Meeting reflects Townsville’s varied interests showcasing why Townsville is known as the events and arts capital of Northern Australia,” Cr Greaney said “This funding will help bring much-needed events and cultural experiences to Townsville for our residents and visitors to enjoy our beautiful city.” For more information on grants and partnerships, visit the Grants & Partnerships page Sky News host Paul Murray says there is “a lot of cope” taking place in Liberal Party HQ for the “most obvious of reasons” “This is a difficult night for millions of people who wanted Peter Dutton to become prime minister,” Mr Murray said The Federal Government has announced significant updates to the Townsville North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (TNQ DAMA) adjusting income thresholds for select occupations and providing age and English language concessions for high-demand positions.  a formal agreement between the Australian Government and Townsville Enterprise offers employers who have exhausted local recruitment options a streamlined pathway to access skilled overseas workers It also provides enhanced pathways to permanent residency making North Queensland an attractive destination for global talent.  the TNQ DAMA covers the local government areas of Townsville Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith welcomed the expansion highlighting its importance in addressing workforce shortages across the region.  “We acknowledge and thank the Federal Government for these critical updates to the TNQ DAMA With more than 20,000 new workers needed across North and North-West Queensland in the next 5 years employers will welcome the inclusion of roles such as hairdressers English language and income thresholds have also been introduced for high-demand roles “Businesses across all industries have consistently voiced their challenges in attracting and retaining workers The data tells us that we cannot meet the region’s projected economic growth through local workforce alone Migration is critical to sustaining and expanding our industries.”  “Each variation to the TNQ DAMA is based on regional insights Every application is rigorously assessed to ensure businesses have made genuine efforts to recruit locally before accessing the DAMA.”  Queensland Senator Nita Green emphasised the Government’s responsiveness to industry needs.  “We understand the critical role workforce availability plays in North Queensland’s economic growth Industry leaders have made it clear that retaining and expanding the TNQ DAMA is essential and the Government has responded,” Senator Green said.  the TNQ DAMA has endorsed 480 skilled workers for Townsville North Queensland we anticipate even greater success in addressing workforce shortages across key sectors.”  “There are only a handful of regions in Australia with access to a DAMA and Townsville North Queensland’s is by far the most extensive This reflects the region’s diverse industry sectors “It is reassuring for the Government to know that Townsville Enterprise as the region’s peak economic development body plays a key role in the DAMA assessment process and strong community connections ensure the best migration outcomes for North Queensland supporting both businesses and workforce sustainability.”  “We have struggled to fill wait staff roles for years the salary requirements didn’t align with industry standards,” Mr “This variation provides a more practical framework for hospitality and service-based businesses like ours We’re eager to leverage the DAMA to address ongoing staffing shortages.”  North Queensland is an incredible place to live and experience the Australian way of life The DAMA’s pathway to permanent residency makes it an even more attractive option for skilled migrants looking to build their future here.”  The TNQ DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and Townsville Enterprise designed to meet the unique economic and labour market needs of North Queensland It offers businesses greater flexibility in recruiting overseas workers when local labour shortages persist.  DAMA agreements are tailored to specific regional demands and are only accessible to employers who can demonstrate that local recruitment efforts have been exhausted.  For more information about the TNQ DAMA and how businesses can access these opportunities, CLICK HERE and including the central section of the Great Barrier Reef and its island communities of Magnetic Island and the Palm Island group.