INTELLIGENT OR DECEPTIVE ? The latest Magnetic Island Project Update again carries the headline "Magnetic Island: Investing in a Sustainable Future." Residents might reasonably ask what Council means by "sustainable". Large parts of Magnetic Island still lack reticulated sewerage, A grade treated water is not discharged offshore as recommended by GBRMPA, and long-standing stormwater problems continue to affect many homes. Council promotes "$20 million committed to 14 capi

Pictured above: Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto with City Safe Officers Townsville City Council has launched a CBD clean-up operation with the first multi-team collection removing more than 300 kilograms of abandoned property and waste from makeshift camps across the city centre. Mayor Nick Dametto said the operation was part of Council’s commitment to getting back to basics and ensuring the CBD remained clean, safe and welcoming for residents, visitors and businesses. “Tow

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) conducts planned burns on parks and forests to support a healthy environment and reduce the risk and intensity of bushfires. QPWS will be conducting planned burns in Magnetic Island National Park between Monday 13 July 2026 and Friday 17 July 2026, weather permitting. As a result of the planned burn, smoke may be seen in nearby areas including the interior highland areas of the island, behind Picnic Bay, and at the eastern

Pictured above: Member for Townsville Adam Baillie and the Road Tek crew on the Radical Bay Road. Photo Debbie Denison Works are underway to restore road access to 3 of most loved bays on the island, Arthur Bay, Florence Bay and Radical Bay. The former state government closed the road, without any public consultation in 2021 and access has been limited to those who were capable of walking. Denying the elderly, young families and the disabled, enjoyment of the area. As part

Racing or cruising there is something for everyone in SMIRW Photo Andrea Fancolini The main event for visiting yachties to Far Northern Queensland is SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week (SMIRW) – but Magnetic Island is also the pivot for owners and crews who like to expand their horizons while away from home – before, during and after the regatta held annually in late winter through to early spring each year. ‘Maggie Island’ is touted as the ‘go to’ event by competitors at

Pictured above: One of the orchids which have been donated by Barbara & Christopher Callister. An orchid and pitcher plant collection that includes hundreds of individual specimens has been donated to Council’s Anderson Gardens and Queens Gardens by a generous Townsville couple. Barbara and Christopher Callister have lived in their Rassmussen home for 43 years, cultivating their own slice of paradise in their backyard. But it wasn’t until Mr Callister’s colleague introduc

The July MIRRA meeting will be held this Saturday 4th July at 10.00am in the RSL Hall Hayles Ave, Arcadia. Gold coin entry. All welcome

As part of the preparation for future maintenance dredging in the Nelly Bay Marina, Council will carry out detailed underwater investigative works to identify and assess marine habitats and seabed conditions in the area. The survey will provide environmental information to support planning and assessment of the proposed maintenance dredging activities. The program will involve a small vessel operating in the area using a drop/tow camera system to capture imagery of the se

In January, I said I would return with an update once the design and business case for the Haughton Pipeline were complete. Although the business case is just short of being finalised, this is an update on where the Haughton Pipeline project stands, and how we are progressing toward delivering both the project and water security for Townsville. Council has taken on board the lessons from earlier phases of the project and is now approaching delivery with far greater rigour. Fr

Eight teenagers and two adults have been charged and seven stolen vehicles recovered, including a black Isuzu MU-X, as part of investigations into a stolen vehicle incident at Garbutt yesterday afternoon, 15 June. It will be alleged at 1.44pm, a black Isuzu MU-X was parked on a driveway on Sunderland Street, Garbutt. A woman was near the vehicle, and a baby was secured in a car seat of the vehicle. It will be alleged, offenders have gotten into the vehicle and drove away, bef

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) conducts planned burns on parks and forests to support a healthy environment and reduce the risk and intensity of bushfires. QPWS will conduct a planned burn in Magnetic Island National Park between Tuesday 9 June 2026 and Friday 12 June 2026, weather permitting. As a result of the planned burn, smoke may be seen in nearby areas including West Point Road and Picnic Bay. If visiting Magnetic Island National Park, observe a

Pictured Above: Jack Logan Bunnings is celebrating another local footy club hero, with Jack Logan from Magnetic Island Magpies AFC being crowned one of Australia’s local BBQ legends as part of its nationwide Legend of the Tongs search - recognising the volunteers who keep Aussie rules footy clubs running, one snag at a time. Now in its second year, the Legend of the Tongs shines a spotlight on the dedicated community members who show up week in, week out throughout the AFL an

Pictured above: the Magnetic Island State School team Friendship, teamwork and cultural connection took centre stage at the 2026 Obe Geia Challenge on Palm Island, where more than 150 students from across North Queensland came together to celebrate the values that have defined the event for more than 15 years. Delivered by the Cowboys Community Foundation and hosted by the Palm Island community last Friday, the annual carnival welcomed 11 school teams made up of students aged

Townsville City Council will introduce changes to fees at waste facilities for both residential and commercial users to align with other Queensland councils and encourage residents to better sort their waste - helping them save money in the process. The new waste disposal fees were endorsed at today’s Ordinary Council meeting as part of Council’s updated Fees and Charges for 2026/27 and will come into effect from July 1, 2026. Mayor Nick Dametto said the updated fee struc