Townsville, Australia News

A BALLARAT retiree has thanked the good Samaritan who returned his lost wallet and saved an outback holiday for four mates.

THERE'S something about the seedy Thai beachside town of Pattaya that keeps enticing Michael Dorn back - but it's not the sun, sea, sand or sex for which the resort is famous.

THERE'S something about the seedy Thai beachside town of Pattaya that keeps enticing Michael Dorn back - but it's not the sun, sea, sand or sex for which the resort is famous.

THE 22nd North Queensland Field Days were held on May 16 and 17 at the Stuart Prison Reserve, just south of Townsville.

The 31-year-old, who was a late pick-up for the Cowboys from English club Bradford before the 2011 season, has proven to be a reliable member of the North Queensland forward pack, playing in 31 of the Cowboys' 36 NRL matches since he came to Townsville.

A CHILL swept across the city yesterday and Townsville rugged up for its coldest day in more than two decades.

A GYM safety inspector who led a review prompted by the death of Townsville gymnast Michelle Maitland said there was a gaping hole in Australian research into gym safety standards.

Historically there has been a strong rivalry between Townsville and Cairns, but little cousin Mackay looks to be pushing above its weight.

NEW Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill has been overlooked for inclusion on a lobby group to press the Federal Government for Bruce Highway funding.

The Maritime Union of Australia says the breakdown of a bulk carrier in the Coral Sea shows the need for greater regulation of shipping on the Great Barrier Reef.

The state secretary of the Together Union says regional areas in Queensland will be the worst affected by the State Government's proposed cuts to the public service.

AFP/Sydney Australian marine pilots yesterday called for a review of how ships pass by the Great Barrier Reef, warning of the risk of a major environmental disaster on the tourist attraction.

THE confines of four walls have never agreed with 'free spirit' Tom Axford. He instead prefers the adventure of life outdoors, on cattle stations across Northern Queensland.

Taxing ... those in areas likely to be hit by natural disasters such as those in Townsville, far north Queensland, could face larger carbon tax bills as a result of the costs incurred in the clean-up. Photo: Getty Images RESIDENTS of areas hit by natural disasters such as cyclones and storms could face carbon tax bills for the greenhouse emissions ... (more)

The latest report from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland shows Queensland's property market has turned around, posting positive results for the first time in 18 months.

An Australian tug boat Sunday reached a cargo ship which had been drifting off the Great Barrier Reef, as environmentalists warned that greater shipping traffic could harm the world's biggest coral reef.

Not even Bunbury's chilly evening temperatures could dampen the spirits of thousands of festival-goers who headed south over the weekend to watch a stellar music line-up perform at the Groovin the Moo festival.

North Queensland's Tariq Sims is set to miss the remainder of the NRL season after it was confirmed he had broken both bones in his left leg during North Queensland's win over Penrith on Saturday night.

Managers of a stricken cargo ship adrift off far north Queensland say there's no danger of it smashing into a coral reef.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard's VIP plane has broken down in north Queensland, delaying her flight across the Pacific to attend an important NATO summit in the US city of Chicago.