A man has died after being found unresponsive in floodwaters at Smothering Creek on the Fraser Coast in Queensland. Emergency crews were called shortly after 11am on Monday and declared him dead at the scene. Police are investigating whether the 57-year-old drove into the floodwaters before his death, and a report will go to the Coroner. The death follows torrential rain across the Wide Bay-Burnett region, which triggered flash flooding, road closures and major flood warnings. Authorities have urged motorists not to drive through floodwaters.
Former Fraser Coast councillor James Hansen, 57, has been identified as the man found dead in floodwaters at Boompa, police say. He served on the Fraser Coast regional council from 2012 to 2024 and ran for One Nation in 2017. Mayor George Seymour called his death a great loss to the community. Police have begun an investigation and will prepare a report for the coroner. Separately, six campers were rescued from flood waters at Leyburn on the Southern Downs.
A 57-year-old man found dead in floodwaters on Queensland's Fraser Coast has been identified as former councillor James Hansen. Emergency services were called to Smothering Creek at Boompa Road in Boompa, west of Maryborough, just after 11am on Monday, after heavy rain. Officers declared him dead on arrival. Police will prepare a report for the coroner while the cause of death is investigated. Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour paid tribute to Mr Hansen, one of the region's last dairy farmers, who served on Fraser Coast Regional Council from 2012 to 2024.
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Police are investigating the death of a man found in floodwaters at Boompa on the Fraser Coast on Monday, 26 October. Emergency services were called to Smothering Creek on Boompa Road shortly after 11am after reports that a man had been found unresponsive. Crews declared him dead on arrival. Investigations into the circumstances of his death are ongoing, and police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
A survey of 1068 rural women from across Australia has found one in three travelled more than two hours to give birth. More than two-thirds had post-natal depression or anxiety, and half of those never sought professional help. Its founder, Stephanie Trethewey, said reduced maternity services are leaving rural mothers doing more with less. Queensland mother Rhiannon Finger moved 500km from her family's cattle farm near Clermont to be near specialist care for her second pregnancy.
A Queensland adjudicator has rejected an urgent bid to switch off an electric vehicle charger at The Pavilion Apartments in Bulimba. Resident Kin Chen argued that the basement car park lacked fire safety systems to deal with a possible electric vehicle fire. The adjudicator found there was no immediate urgency, noting the charger has operated since about 2020. The body corporate committee had granted retrospective approval last month, with conditions including annual servicing. The broader challenge to that approval has yet to be decided, and the charger remains in use for now.
Hope Vale angler Justin Convent won the adult prize, a Quintrex boat with a motor and trailer, at the Cooktown barramundi competition. More than 1100 anglers entered the event held from Friday to Sunday. Junior winner Nickalah Cobus also took home a boat. Thomas Hone caught the heaviest fish, weighing 7.4 kilograms. Local business owners said the weekend brought many shoppers into town.
Gympie Regional Council is asking the community to help shape renewed playgrounds at Crab Creek Park in Tin Can Bay and Clive Colburn Park in Kandanga. Both projects were funded in this year's Budget and aim to deliver modern, safe and accessible play spaces. The Crab Creek playground sits on the foreshore and is popular with locals and visitors. The Clive Colburn playground is heavily used on game and training days at nearby sporting fields. Surveys close at 5pm on Thursday, 12 November 2026, and the renewals are expected to be completed by 30 June 2027.
Isaac Regional Council has announced a delay in kerbside waste collection for Moranbah residents. Due to mechanical issues, the general and recycling collections scheduled for Tuesday, 27 October 2026, will be completed on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Residents are requested to keep their bins at the kerbside until the delayed collection. The council has expressed apologies for the inconvenience caused and thanked residents for their patience. For further details, residents can contact the council's 24/7 Customer Service Centre.
Gleneagle State School celebrated 70 years of play on September 16 with an Under 8s Day attended by more than 150 community members. Children, parents and extended family took part in pony rides, cookie decorating, loose parts play, sensory play and hula hoops. Local police and firefighters also visited. Under 8s Day coordinator and Prep teacher Shannon Taylor said the event gave families and younger children a welcoming way to connect with the school before starting Prep.
Retired dentist Peter Lynch has designed a $4 plastic basket that lets pickers pack mulberries directly into punnets. His Sunshine Coast hinterland farm, Kureelpa Mulberry Company, says the change has cut fruit damage by 80 per cent and reduced labour costs. The farm's four-week harvest depends on daily pickers, and the couple is concerned that cuts to working holiday visa numbers could make hiring difficult. Two French working holiday makers on the farm said a second year in Australia is uncertain.
Children aged 0 to 5 are invited to a Pop Up Playtime session at the Cooktown Botanic Gardens on Wednesday 18 November. Titled Bugs in my Backyard, the morning takes place at the Botanic Gardens Yarning Circle. Activities include bug hunting, bug-themed stories and hands-on discovery among the plants and pathways. Children can look under leaves for beetles, watch butterflies and find out what else lives in the gardens.
Nebo residents face a planned water supply outage from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Thursday, 29 October 2026, while the council carries out repairs at the Emergency Services Building. About 11 properties on St Lawrence and Kemmis Streets will be affected. Once supply returns, some households may notice discoloured water. Residents in that situation are advised to flush their taps and avoid using washing machines until the water runs clear. Flushing water can be reused on gardens or lawns.
Logan has about 206 hectares of vacant industrial development land, the Property Council says, offering room for new investment as greater Brisbane faces a shortage of industrial space. Property Council Queensland executive director Jess Caire said infrastructure such as roads and water must keep pace with demand. The council is calling for a $500 million industrial infrastructure fund and a coordinated state strategy to unlock more employment land. Average sale prices for smaller industrial sites rose about 44 per cent over the year to June 2026.
City of Moreton Bay and the Brisbane Bullets are calling on residents to nominate people who make a difference in local sport. The Community Hero initiative recognises coaches, volunteers and everyday champions who go above and beyond. Two finalists will each receive four game tickets and a half-time shout-out. The major winner will receive a courtside box experience for four, food and drinks, a signed jersey and an on-court thank you. Nominations close at 11:59pm on Sunday 22 November.
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Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour has paid tribute to former councillor James Hansen, who has died. Hansen served one term on the former Woocoo Shire Council from 2004 to 2008 and three terms on Fraser Coast Regional Council from 2012 to 2024. Seymour described Hansen as one of the region's last dairy farmers and a passionate advocate for primary producers. He said Hansen always stood up for his beliefs. Seymour said his thoughts are with Hansen's family and friends after what he called a sudden and tragic loss.
Community and not-for-profit groups have until this Saturday, 31 October 2026, to apply for Council's Community Grants Round 1. Two grant levels are available. Small Grants of up to $5,000 are co-funded by Senex Energy and do not require a co-contribution, although one is favoured. Major Grants range from $5,001 to $20,000 and require a co-contribution of up to 50 per cent. Groups can discuss their projects with Council's Local Development Officers before applying.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council has won the Local Government Mutual Services Risk Excellence Award for its Flash Flood Sensor Network. The radar sensors monitor water levels at known flood-prone locations across the region. Readings feed into the Cassowary Coast Disaster Dashboard, where residents, emergency services and Council can view local conditions. The network has already helped police and State Emergency Service personnel monitor conditions around Mission Beach. Council is running a three-year trial to verify the sensor readings and assess the system's effectiveness.
