By Amanda Wright The 2025 Federal Budget was never just about dollars and cents—it was about the direction Australia takes in the years ahead. Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ latest budget, delivered on 25 March, makes clear where the Albanese government believes that the future lies: in cost-of-living relief, housing, and a transition to a more sustainable economy. But with an election now set for 3 May, it’s impossible to ignore the political stakes. Is this a responsible economic plan or a budget de
Read the full story
When disastrous floods swept through the region in February, the town of Ingham found itself in a crisis unlike any it had seen in recent memory with devastating flood waters surpassing the levels they reached in the historic floods of 1967. Amidst the chaos of the floods the local medical practices Hinchinbrook Healthcare and Ingham Family Medical Practice banded together in times of uncertainty and provided a glimmer of light to Ingham residents, demonstrating remarkable resilience and resour
Read the full story
Victoria grew up in Brisbane and went on to pursue a Cert III in Business Administration while also qualifying as a swimming teacher through AustSwim. Their career path led them to roles as a receptionist and swimming instructor, where they worked hard to fund their Diploma of Arts. Later serving as an editor for a medical journal at Queensland University of Technology, Victoria further sharpened their writing and editorial skills. Victoria's family live in Macknade and moving to the reg
Read the full story
A striking symbol of resilience and awareness now stands along the highway in Ingham—its vivid blue branches reaching out as a reminder that no one has to struggle in silence. The Blue Tree Project, a national initiative aimed at breaking the stigma around mental health, found a home in the town in July 2023, thanks to a collaborative community effort. Councillor Donna Marbelli first saw a Blue Tree while driving between Townsville and Ingham and knew the town needed one of its own. The search
Read the full storySam Spina from Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) visited the region last week to discuss government loans and grants with local businesses.
In conjunction with the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Sam Spina presented a one-on-one business forum to help businesses understand how to be eligible for grant applications and get back on their feet.
“You need to earn the majority of your income, and spend the majority of your time on the Small Business Enterprise,” he explained.
“Your business has to restart again. They're not going to give you money if you close your business down. You need to provide insurance details to make sure that you're not insured. If you are insured, we'd expect you to draw on that first and then claim through the grant.
“It is a $25,000 grant for businesses that have been directly impacted, so flood water through the business, and that's non-repayable. You can access the first $5,000 on the basis of quotes, and then after that, it's a reimbursement type scheme, so you spend the money, and we'll reimburse it for you.”
Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce President Mary Brown said the turnout at the event was good, and the Chamber has been working hard since the flooding event.
“Chamber has been reaching out since the event to try and understand the impact, and we recognise that it's probably only now that people are having the chance to put their head up, start to look at their business, and understand whether they are going to have insurance, or not going to have insurance, and getting their head around the impact here that is starting to hit,” explained Mary Brown.
“We would encourage them to please reach out to Chamber. We are doing all we possibly can to advocate on behalf of the business community, by collecting data, by feeding it through to the relevant government authorities, so that the government can have a comprehension of exactly how much impact has been in this community.
“That's what we are trying to do, lobby and advocate on behalf of businesses, to get the maximum amount of support we can from the government.”
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Life Publishing Group Ltd.
