Townsville, Australia News

First steps in an overhaul at James Cook University have been clouded by fears cost-cutting may spread beyond the "headline restructure" with staff worried safety may become a casualty too.

Ross River Rd around Aitkenvale is close behind with nine locations, while Nathan St in Vincent is cited six times and Queens Rd at Hermit Park has five spots.

GBRMPA and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have carried out their second inspection of a series of reefs between Townsville and Tully, in the wake of cyclone Yasi.

BIG business is keen to buy Queensland's electricity generators, but small business is wary, the state's chamber of commerce says.

Michael John Lynch, 20, was ordered to return to prison, after he was sentenced under the tough anti-hooning laws that came into effect on November 1. Under the amended Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, a person found guilty of failing to stop when directed by police now faces a minimum of 50 days in custody or a $5500 fine.

EXTRA police have been flown to Towsville from across Queensland to combat the city's rampant juvenile crime problem as part of a new crime-fighting operation.

SCOTT BEVAN: The Queensland Government is blaming crippling state debt for a push towards asset sales.

Surf Lifesaving Queensland's Russell Blanchard says they have netted close to 200 juvenile box jellyfish during drags of Townsville beaches over the past two weeks.

SWEEPING plans to shake up James Cook University and amalgamate 14 schools into only seven new colleges have sparked fears of job cuts and raised questions about the need for the overhaul.

National developer Mirvac has signalled its exit from the Townsville market by listing its prime seafront property facing the Breakwater Marina for sale.

The Queensland government is expected to ramp up its case for asset sales after revelations the budget has slipped further into the red.

TONY EASTLEY: The Federal Government's decision to approve the contentious developments at Abbot Point and Curtis Island has divided locals.

Believes living in Townsville is like being a constant holiday due to its magnificent surroundings.

NORTH Queensland cattle farmers and tourism operators could be winners out of a Townsville-led trade delegation to Asia, but questions are being raised about the cost-effectiveness of the partly ratepayer-funded trip.

Members of the bee industry are reporting that hives are on the road to recovery following some rain in drought-affected areas.

Tariq Sims represented Fiji in the World Cup and is now eagerly looking forward to the 2014 NRL season.

It's still 88 days away, but axed Canberra Raiders coach David Furner has wasted no time joining North Queensland to prepare for a mouth-watering round one stoush with his old side.

Greenpeace program director Ben Pearson said the ship's crew would respond "appropriately" if Mr Hunt approves the expansion.

One of the six Queensland schools slated for closure, Stuart State School, held a memorial march in Townsville last night.

Police say they are considering the findings of a coronial inquest into a woman's death in Townsville in north Queensland, having been criticised for the way they handled the initial investigation.