Townsville, Australia News

AN elderly couple had to be rescued from their North Queensland home after an intruder allegedly held them against their will.

A BRISBANE woman who tracked down her birth family to uncover her medical history has discovered she has an extremely rare heart condition.

THREE stunning Queenslanders are the next generation of models being groomed for the catwalk - who will be the next Miranda Kerr? SHARKS are stalking and bumping paddlers in southeast Queensland waterways, prompting a new warning from authorities ahead of the school holidays.

As crowds poured on to the streets near Nelson Mandela's home, walking arm-in-arm and singing songs celebrating his struggle against apartheid, the world united in honouring his passing.

The Queensland coroner has recommended an internal inquiry into the police investigation into the death of a Townsville woman in the state's north, after handing down an open finding at the inquest.

TOWNSVILLE'S V8 Supercar weekend will be revitalised next year, with improved seating and access, while the concert precinct will be moved to The Strand to showcase more of the city to television audiences around the world.

RESIDENTS living near the North's super boot camp fear they have been left vulnerable to escapees, ahead of the first intake of juvenile criminals by the end of the year.

Billionaire businessman Clive Palmer says the Queensland Government is lying about claims he has failed to address water accumulation issues at his Yabulu Nickel Refinery near Townsville in the state's north.

Mission Beach boaties Nancy Lowe and Richard Giuliany say the government should cut its losses and not waste any more money on the new $3.3 million Clump Point jetty Photo John Andersen MISSION Beach's new jetty has been slammed as a $3.3 million white elephant because it is too short for boaties to launch their crafts.

ALMOST 90 per cent of Townsville residents surveyed want the speed limit of one of the city's busiest roads raised following a review of Queensland roads.

Moira Smith and Blanch Weddell, outside the new Woolworth's location in James Cook University's new Clinical Practice Building.

BACKPACKERS Ronja Wacker, Germany, Elodie Jacquet and Johanna Yonnet, France, Laura Wetzel and Fabienne Heine, Germany, say it is becoming harder to find work fruit picking in Australia THE party lights are fading on North Queensland's backpacker market as Korean contract pickers and workers from the Pacific Islands take over their jobs on fruit ... (more)

A MAN who stole a car with a sleeping baby inside has been released on 18 months probation, sparking anger at the lenient sentence.

Recently the Queensland Government released the Queensland Ports Strategy and the Economic Directions Statement for Queensland Airports to provide these sectors and private investors information on future infrastructure management, development and investment.

THE Farewell to Townsville sign on Woolcock Street should be removed and relocated to a more accurate location to reduce confusion for tourists and customers trying to find businesses in the area.

Residents of Homestead, 210 kilometres inland from Townsville, have been hit with the same insurance premium hikes as their costal counterparts due to a shared postcode.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman says he wants to begin a debate on which of the state's public assets could be sold after the next election.

The State Government is reviewing the environmental compliance of billionaire businessman Clive Palmer's Yabulu Nickel Refinery near Townsville in north Queensland.

Snake catcher Brian West with a Carpet Pyhton he caught in Belgian Gardens after it was trying to eat chooks.

Children watch an Australian Army backhoe leaves to clean up Cogon Central School in Ormoc, Philippines as part of the Recovery Support Force.