Latest news with #TownsvilleCityCouncil
ABC News
09-07-2025
- ABC News
Elderly woman dies after being hit by garbage truck in north Queensland
An 85-year-old woman has died after being hit by a garbage truck in north Queensland. Forensic crash unit officers are investigating the incident in the Townsville suburb of Bushland Beach, where the woman was struck on Daintree Drive just after midday. She was declared dead at the scene. Neighbours told the ABC they were shocked by the incident but declined to comment further. Townsville City Council chief executive Joe McCabe said the city was aware of a "serious incident" involving one of its waste trucks and a member of the public. "Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those impacted," he said. Mr McCabe confirmed the council was cooperating fully with investigations. "Out of respect for those involved and due to the ongoing investigations, council will not be making further comment at this time," he said. Police will assist Workplace Health and Safety Queensland with its investigation. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Sky News AU
08-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
'It's going to be a big hit': Queensland council hits residents with stunning 25 per cent rate rise
A southeast Queensland council has hiked rates by 25 per cent as it seeks to fix a $69 million-dollar black hole in its finances. North Burnett Regional Council raised general rates by 25 per cent in its budget delivered on Monday morning, surpassing Townsville City Council's recent 20 per cent increase for some owner-occupiers. The council has also increased rates by 19 per cent on sewerage, water and waste along with levies for local disasters, natural resource and landfill management. Mayor Lez Holtz, who backed the rate rise, said in the absence of government funding the council had to raise revenue to continue paying for its essential services. He added that the additional revenue would shave off $2.6 million off the council's deficit and bring it down to about $8 million by the end of the financial year. "We're just trying to meet the costs without having to reach out and ask our state and federal government to assist," he said. "I'm sympathetic toward the ratepayer that is struggling, the pensioner and those that do not have work. "It's going to be a big hit." The council is not the first local government to cop criticism whilst seeking to slug a rate hike on its residents. The ACT Government, which serves as both a state government and council, recently announced that all Canberrans would be slugged with a $100 health rate levy. "The levy will raise necessary revenue to fund record investment in Canberra's public health system, which now accounts for more than 33 per cent of the ACT budget," ACT Treasurer Chris Steel said. The revised levy has only been agreed to for one year and will be reviewed annually. In Sydney, several councils have also wanted to raise their rates, including North Sydney which wanted to increase rates by 87 per cent.
ABC News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Suspended Townsville mayor Troy Thompson gets pay rise despite CCC probe
Suspended Townsville mayor Troy Thompson will receive a pay rise while under investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission. The first-term mayor was suspended by Queensland Local Government Minister Anne Leahy for 12 months in November on full pay of about $225,000 per year. Mr Thompson's military, education and business credentials are the subject of an ongoing CCC investigation. Townsville councillors had until today, July 1, to pass a resolution to reject a 2.5 per cent pay rise, which will automatically apply to all councillors, including Mr Thompson. Cr Andrew Robinson confirmed last week there would be no effort to oppose the pay increase. Townsville City Council's in-house media team declined to comment. The Queensland Local Government Remuneration Commission determined the 2.5 per cent increase in late 2024. The commission categorises councils and determines the maximum wage payable to councillors. The government body said the need to attract quality council candidates was one of several factors in its decision. Mr Thompson receives his annual salary of about $225,000 while suspended. The 2.5 per cent increase will push his annual earnings above $230,000. Remuneration for Townsville's deputy mayor has increased to $156,000 each year, while councillors will earn up to $138,000 with the pay rise. A spokesperson for the Crime and Corruption Commission declined to comment on the status of the investigation into Mr Thompson. During a visit to Townsville this month, Premier David Crisafulli said he had no idea how long the investigation might take. "I share the frustrations of the community," Mr Crisafulli said. "The CCC is doing the investigation and that is a question they would have to answer. "I would like to see that resolved."
ABC News
18-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Big household rates increases as Townsville City Council delivers budget
Some North Queensland home owners are facing 20 per cent rate rises as regional councils increase rates in line with skyrocketing land valuations. The troubled Townsville City Council capped owner-occupier rate increases at 20 per cent in its 2025-26 budget delivered on Wednesday morning. The council has had a tumultuous year, with a mayor suspended and an auditor finding the local government overpaid executives. Townsville City Council collects rates from 48,000 owner occupiers and 2,400 of those households will pay the maximum 20 per cent rate increase. Another 5,900 owner-occupiers will see an increase of 10-to-20 per cent. The median value for residential land in Townsville increased by 24 per cent to $192,500 this year after assessments by the Queensland Valuer General. The council reduced its rate-in-the-dollar charge to offset land value increases, as both methods are used to determine rates. Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney described the $928.2 million budget as fair and equitable. "We couldn't let the community see what would be a 22 per cent rate rise across a lot of properties," she said. Of the 48,000 owner-occupied households, 7,000 will have their rates increases by between 4 per cent and 10 per cent, and for 17,000 there will be rate rises from zero to 4 per cent. About 15,000 Townsville ratepayers will get a reduction and about 200 will see no change. Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the additional costs to households would be, on average, about $4.60 per week, or $240 a year. For landlords, minimum rates will increase by 10 per cent but, for multi-unit dwellings, minimum rates will increase by 30 per cent. The council will also raise minimum commercial rates by 54 per cent and the minimum heavy industry rates by 50 per cent. It also announced that it would charge short-stay accommodation providers commercial rates if they operate for more than 30 days a year. Hotels and serviced apartments offering rooms on short-stay websites will now be charged commercial rates at a minimum of $2,300. Cr Greaney said the council would prioritise investment in roads, footpaths, community spaces, waste, water and infrastructure maintenance in the year ahead. She added the council expected its budget to be in surplus next financial year. "We're on track to reduce council's deficit by $12.7 million, with the council expected to achieve a budget surplus one year earlier than previous forecasts," she said. The council announced a raft of policy changes, including a new three-year capital plan to keep major projects on track.
Courier-Mail
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Courier-Mail
Three swimmers hospitalised after being stung by jellyfish at The Strand
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News. Just days after stinger season's end and Townsville's stinger nets being hauled in, three swimmers have been hospitalised after receiving jellyfish stings at The Strand. A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said they responded to reports of three male swimmers being stung on Saturday at 7.30am. She said the swimmers were able to get out of the water before calling triple-0. They were subsequently transported to hospital in a stable condition. Townsville City Council responded with a post to social media on Saturday morning announcing temporary beach closures for The Strand. 'Heads up! If you're planning a swim at The Strand, please note that all beaches in the area are currently closed due to increased stinger activity️,' the council said. 'The beaches will remain closed for the next 24 hours while Surf Life Saving Queensland conducts stinger dragging operations. 'Your safety is our priority — please avoid swimming until further notice.' Townsville City Council announced that it had removed the city's stinger nets on May 20. Picture: TCC. It comes after the council announced four days ago that cooler weather had arrived and stinger nets were being pulled in at North Strand, South Strand, Pallarenda, Horseshoe Bay, Picnic Bay, and Balgal Beach. 'Whilst stinger season has ended, we still urge swimmers to proceed with caution in the ocean,' the council said in a social media post. 'Stinger season runs from November to May and nets are only removed after no stingers are caught in daily net drags for 14 days.' Reef RQ had a box jellyfish on display after it was pulled from the marina. Picture: Zak Simmonds A TCC spokesman said on Saturday morning that the council remained committed to the safety of our community and worked closely with Surf Life Saving Queensland to assess when stinger nets could be safely removed following the stinger season. 'Nets are only removed once there have been two consecutive weeks of clear net drags – with no stingers or signs of their presence, and water temperatures have consistently dropped below 26°C at all netted locations,' the spokesman said. 'We are aware of reports that a group of ocean swimmers has been stung off The Strand and our thoughts are with those affected. 'As a precaution, all beaches along The Strand have been temporarily closed for 24 hours while Surf Life Saving Queensland conducts stinger drag operations.' Acadian Surf Life Saving club member Jonathan Dulihanty with a small Bluebottle jellyfish on the Strand in 2020. Picture: Evan Morgan Earlier in May, Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) thanked its volunteer lifesavers and discussed the closure of 2024/25 volunteer patrol season for five of Queensland's six regions. 'Our message remains clear: swim between the flags, assess the conditions, and listen to the lifeguards who continue to watch over you. In the North, we thank your lifesavers who are now in full force keeping our tropical beaches safe,' SLSQ said. This season, Surf Life Saving Queensland: • Performed 1,052 rescues • Carried out 14,657 first aid treatments • Took 109,760 preventative actions • Experienced 12 fatal drownings — all outside patrolled areas Surf Life Saving Queensland was approached for comment. Townsville's lifeguard hours and status (services subject to change) The Strand Net 1 (North) There are 1-2 lifeguards. Lifeguard hours: Daily: 9am to 5pm Christmas School Holidays: 9am to 6pm The Strand Net 2 (South) There is one lifeguard. There is no lifeguard during winter months and public holidays. There is an emergency call beacon on site. Lifeguard hours: Daily from September to May: 9am to 5pm Christmas School Holidays: 9am to 6pm June to August and Public Holidays: no lifeguard The Strand Rockpool There are 1-2 lifeguards present 6 days a week. Lifeguard hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 9am to 5pm Easter and September School Holidays: 9am to 5pm Christmas School Holidays: 9am to 6pm Wednesdays: Closed for cleaning The Strand Roving Lifeguard Roving Lifeguard times and dates on The Strand: April to November: 9am to 5:30pm October to May: 9:30am to 7:30pm Weekends, Public Holidays, and School Holidays: 9am to 7pm Originally published as Three swimmers hospitalised after being stung by jellyfish at The Strand
