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 storyI recently had the privilege of attending school leader induction ceremonies at Ingham State School, Our lady of Lourdes and Gilroy Santa Maria College. Following the events of the past few weeks, it was wonderful to see all the smiling and happy students as they were preparing to be inducted as the 2025 School Leaders for their respective schools.
Congratulations to you all on your achievements and I wish you all the best for the year ahead as you enter your final year of primary and secondary schooling. I believe the schools are in good hands.
Late last week we received a briefing from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife concerning the present state of parks in the Hinchinbrook Shire. Unfortunately, roads into the parks have been significantly damaged and substantial earthwork and bridge infrastructure repairs are required. Access to the Jourama Falls day area has been achieved but the access track to the falls remains closed. Council is endeavouring to remediate Wallaman Falls Road as quickly as possible, but vegetation and slippage is problematic at present. The road into Broadwater will require bridge repairs, and at this stage it is not expected that this road will re-open in the near future.
Council has been in discussion with the Insurance Council of Australia and has been informed that home restoration and repair work for homes damaged in the recent flood events is well underway throughout the district. Demolition waste will be shredded to pulp as much as possible to ensure that the remaining life of the Warrens Hill waste facility is not compromised significantly by space wastage. The Insurance Council has informed that for the present, most work is able to be performed whilst residents remain in situ, thus alleviating the need for temporary accommodation requirements. This situation will be monitored as work progresses.
For any residents that may have a need for assistance, please remember that the Recovery Hubs are still in operation at Ingham and Halifax and that much information on the services to assist can be obtained at such locations.
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