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
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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
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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
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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 storyPests can be an annoyance all year round but after floods they can be particularly infuriating. Michael Slater and his business, The Pest Control Guy, are here in the Hinchinbrook region to help. They have identified the most common pests they have been treating following the floods are cockroaches, ants, and termites.
Cockroaches
These notoriously resilient pests can infest your home at any time of a flood. They can hold their breath in water for 15 minutes, which is plenty of time to swim from house to house. They will crawl through the smallest of gaps, and when your home is nice and wet, they will start several nests where you may never notice. Roaches tend to be noticed long after the floods have gone and their invasion can come as a surprise due to their quiet nature, only becoming noticeable when it's far too late.
Ants and Termites
Ants are often the first pest you'll notice inside your home when the rains start. These small insects have an uncanny knowledge of when dangerous weather systems are forming and will move their whole colony to safer ground.
If your property is elevated, they may establish a new colony outside in a safe space like a covered carport, open shed or garden. Still, they're not picky for places to stay and will likely enter your home searching for food and protection from the flood rains.
Termites can survive through floods in their vast underground systems. If that safety is ever compromised, they will travel similarly to ants to find higher ground or direct shelter. Termites are also a huge risk after floods when the wood and organic materials in your home are waterlogged. This makes them more digestible and easier for termites to chew through. Floods can wash away your existing termite barrier, so act swiftly to reapply it before infestation starts.
Michael The Pest Control Guy is a local and loves to help fellow locals, if you have any pests give him a call!
Contributed with thanks to The Pest Control Guy
Do you have pests? Give The Pest Control Guy a call. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie
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