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 storyThe Recovery Hub is closing on Saturday 15 March, this is because the Emergency Hardship Assistance and Essential Services Hardship Assistance grants will be closing at 11.59pm on Friday 14 March 2025.
Chair of Recovery Mary Brown said, although it is closing, it does not mean demand is not still there. While the immediate emergency response is winding down, the need for assistance remains, prompting discussions on how to ensure continued access to vital services.
As part of the Disaster Management Group there are two phases, response and recovery.
The recovery phase includes four specialised subgroups: Human and Social, Infrastructure, Environment, and Economic. Each subgroup is chaired by a council member and includes relevant stakeholders.
The recovery process began with an initial meeting on February 14, shortly after the disaster, to assess the impact on the community. These findings were then relayed to the Master Recovery Group and they are responsible for developing a comprehensive Recovery Action Plan, setting short, medium, and long-term goals.
A proposed ‘Recovery Hub’ has been named as all short, medium and a long-term goals.
The proposed hub would act as a permanent point of contact for both the community and visiting agencies, allowing for better coordination of resources. The aim is not to replace existing services but to provide a centralised location where government agencies, financial counsellors, and wellness coaches can operate when they visit the area. This approach ensures continued connectivity between those in need and the organisations that can assist them.
A key issue identified is the lack of a dedicated meeting space for agencies providing assistance. Many organisations visit the area to offer support but operate without a clear, accessible location. As a result, people in need may struggle to find them. The proposed hub aims to bring these services under one roof, ensuring that the community knows exactly where to go for help.
While an official name is still being determined to avoid confusion with the existing community recovery hub at TAFE, the initiative aims to provide a much needed centralised location for information, resources, and support services.
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