Latest news with #BananaShireCouncil
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Yahoo
Tradies forced to make $100,000 clean-up after selfish act at national park
'Disgusted' is how rangers are feeling after they discovered 200 tyres illegally tossed into an Aussie national park. On Friday, Queensland's environment department (DETSI) announced it had launched a joint investigation with council to find those responsible. The dumping ground was discovered inside a deep ravine in the Isla Gorge National Park, around 340km west of Bundaberg, creating a massive challenge for workers. The region is home to rare plants and animals, and is known for its gorges, sandstone outcrops and rock formations. Taking a single car tyre to the tip costs from $14, and so the culprits saved roughly $2,800 by dumping them. But their selfish act will impact taxpayers across the state, as the removal of the tyres took two days and required tradies with specialised skills. Authorities were forced to bring in a 130-tonne crane to remove the tyres for recycling. It's believed that hiring equipment of that size costs in excess of $100,000. Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrie called the act 'disgraceful'. Speaking with Yahoo News he said hauling the tyres out of the national park had delayed other essential work in the park. 'It's bloody terrible stuff. Someone would have got paid to pick those tyres up, and then they've come along and thrown them away where no one can see them,' he said. A senior ranger with DETSI said the dumping would have also polluted a sensitive environment, and put the park at an increased risk of fire. 'This shocking example of illegal dumping has delayed our planned burn program, and we are doing everything we can to remediate the site and find the person or business responsible,' he said. Authorities believe someone in the region knows which business or individual is responsible for the problem. 🚘 Hundreds of tyres mysteriously stacked up in family's driveway 🚨 Cops make 'extremely dangerous' find on ute tyres 🥶 Tradies unable to work and pipes freeze in icy Aussie town 'People involved in illegally dumping waste can receive hefty fines, and they can be ordered to clean up the mess,' the ranger said. Anyone with information is urged to contact DETSI on 1300 130 372 or the Banana Shire Council on (07) 4992 9500. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
ABC News
19-06-2025
- ABC News
'Disgraceful' act leaves 200 old tyres in Isla Gorge National Park
Authorities have spent more than $100,000 and delayed bushfire safety work to remove hundreds of illegally dumped tyres from one of Queensland's most pristine national parks. The tyres were found in a deep ravine in Isla Gorge National Park, south-west of Rockhampton, during a bushfire in October. The Department of Environment and Banana Shire Council launched a joint investigation and finished removing 200 tyres this week. The ABC understands a 130-tonne crane used for the clean-up cost more than $100,000 to hire. Authorities believe a business or individual has been dumping tyres in the same location, off the Leichhardt Highway, for months. The national park is a maze of gorges and sandstone outcrops popular with bushwalkers and campers. Senior Ranger, Chris Job said the tyres posed a significant fire risk and had polluted a highly sensitive environment. "They all look very similar in degradation, so I would say they [were dumped] within the last year," Mr Job said. "We believe someone in the region knows who is responsible ... and we are asking anyone with information to call us." The illegal dumping has delayed the department's bushfire hazard reduction plans. "Isla Gorge had a large planned burn for this season for hazard reduction … with those tyres in the deep ravine it was unwise to burn," Mr Job said. "It's quite a large fire risk — 200 tyres going up in one single location would put a lot of toxic smoke up and is, obviously, horrible for the environment." The tyres will be sent to a recycler for processing. Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrier said the dumping was unacceptable. "It's just disgraceful," he said. "Whoever did this clearly has no regard for the land, our national parks, or the people who care for them. "The Isla Gorge is one of the most beautiful parts of our region and to see it treated like this is heartbreaking." People can report illegal dumping to the Department of Environment or their local council.
Courier-Mail
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Courier-Mail
Meet your Flynn Federal Election 2025 candidates
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rockhampton. Followed categories will be added to My News. With the upcoming federal election on Saturday, May 3, soon approaching, The Morning Bulletin has reached out to the nine candidates for Flynn to give them a chance to tell voters about themselves and their policies. The massive Flynn electorate covers Banana Shire Council, Central Highlands Regional Council, Gladstone Regional Council, North Burnett Regional Council, Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council, part of the Bundaberg Regional Council, part of the Rockhampton Regional Council, and part of the South Burnett Regional Council. It is held by the LNP and is considered by some as a marginal seat. The candidates are listed below according to the order on the ballot paper. John Anderson is running as an Independent for the seat of Flynn in the 2025 Federal Election. JOHN ANDERSON Independent Past political experience John Anderson has no prior political experience. Where is John Anderson based in the Flynn electorate John Anderson is based in Moura. A little bit about John Anderson John Anderson has worked in four major industries that power Central Queensland – coal, cattle, railway, and gas. He is a survivor of the 1986 Moura No 4 mine disaster and has been treasurer of an Electrical Trades Union branch, and contributed to local groups such as the Yeppoon Inlet Association as treasurer. Top priorities if elected Addressing power prices and the housing crisis, ending domestic violence and engaging in youth crime early prevention. Other priorities include developing and upgrading intermodal transport hubs and upgrading and ensuring safety on road and rail networks as well as supporting regional airports in the electorate so they can grow their routes and services. Helen Madell is the Labor candidate for the seat of Flynn at the 2025 Federal Election. HELEN MADELL Party: Australian Labor Party Past Political Experience Joined the Labor Party in 2001. Where is Helen Madell based in the Flynn electorate Helen Madell is based in the Flynn electorate. A little bit about Helen Madell Helen Madell is a former medic in the Australian Army and when she left, Ms Madell pursued a career as a clinical psychologist. She has spent the past two decades helping first responders and individuals overcome their mental health struggles. Top priorities if elected Advocating for essential community resources like affordable childcare, energy bill relief, and improved healthcare. Peter Zunker is running as the Trumpet of Patriots' candidate in the seat of Flynn at the 2025 Federal Election. PETER ZUNKER Party: Trumpet of Patriots Past political experience Peter Zunker has no prior political experience. Where is Peter Zunker based in the Flynn electorate Peter Zunker is based in Agnes Water. A little bit about Peter Zunker Peter Zunker is a chartered accountant, registered tax agent, and former university lecturer/tutor with extensive experience in finance, energy (fuel), and heavy machinery sectors. He was also a director of a local media company and lectured in micro and macro economics at CQUniversity's Bundaberg campus. Top priorities if elected Retaining $60,000 of the annual parliamentary salary and donating the balance to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Other priorities include ensuring that Beef Corridor Road infrastructure project, Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub, Alpha high purity alumina facility and Paradise Dam restoration project are all completed. PETER DORIAN Party: Family First Peter Dorian believes strong families, freedom for faith, and protecting the most vulnerable are critical for the future of the community and Australia, according to his profile on the Family First website. Family First did not agree to requests for interview or provide responses to questions and no photo was provided. Paul Bambrick is again running for The Greens in Flynn this election. PAUL BAMBRICK Party: The Greens Past political experience Paul Bambrick has contested seats in Central Queensland at state and federal elections. Where is Paul Bambrick based in the Flynn electorate Paul Bambrick is based in Rockhampton. A little bit about Paul Bambrick Paul Bambrick is an architectural technician, musician and native vegetation manager. He has worked across Australia and overseas, including as a tour guide and fishing instructor on the Great Barrier Reef and K'gari (formerly Fraser Island). Mr Bambrick got involved in politics through the environmental movement and has spent many years volunteering with Landcare, Clean Up Australia and his local conservation council. As co-ordinator of successive Green Army teams, he has introduced many at-risk youths to the Australian bush. Top priorities if elected Addressing the cost of living, housing and climate crisis by 'stopping the subsidisation of big business' and making big corporations pay their 'fair share' in order to fund dental and mental health into Medicare, fully fund schools, and make it free to see a GP. Other priorities include capping unlimited rent increases, delivering cheaper mortgages, ending tax breaks to wealthy property investors, and stopping price gouging at supermarkets. Mr Bambrick will prioritize tackling the climate crisis by expanding investment in renewables and creating new jobs in clean energy. Lance Price is the candidate for the Gerard Rennick People First in the Flynn electorate in the 2025 Federal Election. LANCE PRICE Party: Gerard Rennick People First Past political experience Lance Price has no prior political experience. Where is Lance Price based in the Flynn electorate Lance Price lives in Baffle Creek. A little bit about Lance Price Lance Price was born in Monto and has spent most of his life living and working in the electorate of Flynn. He has worked in mining, heavy industry and land development, finishing as a site senior executive. Top priorities if elected Getting out of the Paris Climate Agreement, creating an 'infrastructure bank' that will fund the building of seven assets – dams, power stations, roads, rail, ports, airports and telecommunications. Other priorities comprise reducing the government and government 'overreach', halting the importing of renewable energy infrastructure and ensuring guaranteed power supply and guaranteed price to the Gladstone area for value adding industry, such as smelting. Duncan Scott is again running as an Independent. DUNCAN SCOTT Independent Past political experience Duncan Scott has run in every election since 2007, including six federal elections in Flynn and three state elections. Where is Duncan Scott based in the Flynn electorate Duncan Scott is based in Wowan. A little bit about Duncan Scott Duncan Scott is a former dairy farmer and has served in the Army Reserves for 25 years as an infantryman. Mr Scott currently works as a farmer and for the Department of Primary Industries in the forestry sector. He has had a roughly four decades of involvement in the Mount Morgan Rugby Union team. Top priorities if elected Maintaining and improving services in the rural and remote sectors, ensuring accountability among elected representatives and opposing any introduction to nuclear power. He has made it a priority to give $10,000 to CapRescue, also known as Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service, if he receives four per cent of the primary vote or give half his wage to lifesaving service if elected. Mr Scott has also vowed that if he had to vote for war as an MP he would resign and serve in the army. Colin Boyce hopes to retain his seat of Flynn at the 2025 Federal Election. Photography by Quentin Jones/think Mammoth. 23/24 April 2024. COLIN BOYCE Party: LNP Past political experience Colin Boyce has represented Flynn since 2022 and was the State Member for Callide from 2017 to 2022. Mr Boyce was also a councillor for Taroom Shire Council from 2005 to 2008. Where is Colin Boyce based in the Flynn electorate Colin Boyce splits his time living between Gladstone and Taroom. A little bit about Colin Boyce Colin Boyce grew up in regional Queensland and worked in many industries around the state after leaving school. Previously he has been a ringer, a timber cutter, a plant operator, earthmoving contractor and spent a few years working on gas pipelines as a high-pressure pipe welder, including working on the QGC pipeline to Curtis Island. He also has a family cattle and farming enterprise and his wife is the Deputy Mayor of the Banana Shire Council. Top priorities if elected Tackling cost-of-living pressures, halving the fuel excise, and protecting jobs and businesses in traditional local industries like mining and resources, heavy industry and agriculture. Other priorities include backing small business, fixing the housing crisis, rebalancing Australia's migration policy and growing the GP workforce. David Harris is running for the seat of Flynn as the candidate for Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party in the 2025 Federal Election. DAVID HARRIS Party: Pauline Hanson's One Nation Past political experience David Harris has no previous political experience. Where is David Harris based in the Flynn electorate David Harris is based in the Bundaberg region. A little bit about David Harris David Harris is a former member of the Royal Australian Air Force. After leaving the military, he founded Wide Bay Drones, a business that provides aerial spraying, imaging, and pilot training services. Top priorities if elected Backing local jobs, industry and small business (particularly from 'overregulation' and overseas influence), removing the fuel excise and scrapping the alcohol excise. Other priorities include fighting for better water access and protecting agricultural land from foreign ownership, pushing for better funding and services for hospitals/education/emergency services in the region, ensuring national security and standing up for freedom of speech/personal freedoms.
