Detectives in Toowoomba are appealing for public help in an investigation into historical child sex offences on the Darling Downs. A 52-year-old Murphy's Creek man was charged on 16 October with two counts of indecent treatment of a child and other offences. It is alleged the offences occurred between 2007 and 2010 at a private residence in Toowoomba. He has been remanded in custody and will appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on 8 December.
Mining companies in Queensland's North West Minerals Province are struggling to find workers as drilling ramps up and new jobs open. AIC Mines chairman Aaron Colleran said hiring has been difficult everywhere, including at its Eloise copper mine near Cloncurry. The Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association estimates the industry will need 24,000 new workers across the country by 2027. Queensland Resources Council figures point to competing skill needs and fewer young people entering trades and mining careers. Industry leaders say apprenticeships must grow to ease the shortage.
Townsville students will present manufacturing projects at an industry showcase on Wednesday, 25 November 2026, from 10 am to 1 pm at St Anthony's Catholic College in Deeragun. The students developed their projects through Queensland's STEM Advanced Manufacturing Future Skills School Program over two terms, working with industry partners on challenges faced by manufacturing companies. Senior secondary students will also pitch their projects to a shark tank panel. The Townsville event is one of eight showcases held across Queensland in October and November.
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First-home buyers have been locked out of 169 previously affordable Queensland property markets since the federal 5 per cent deposit scheme was expanded a year ago. An analysis of Realestate.com.au data found that 852 of 890 house and unit markets have risen in value. Deagon houses jumped 31.2 per cent to $1.187 million. Since October, new Queensland mortgage lodgements have fallen 30 per cent, with first-home buyer applications down 18 per cent, according to Loan Market. Buyer's agent Lauren Jones said rising interest rates and living costs have cut borrowing power, leaving young buyers largely absent from the market.
The Albanese Government has committed $10 million to upgrade Cloncurry Airport in North West Queensland. The funding adds to $11.5 million already provided by the Australian and Queensland governments through disaster recovery arrangements. The airport suffered significant flood damage from weather events in late 2025 and early 2026. Earlier funding paid for emergency repairs and flood resilience work so the airport could reopen. The new money will give Cloncurry Shire Council the remaining funds needed to finish upgrades for regular passenger services. Ministers say the airport supports aeromedical services, business travel, tourism and mining operations.
Cooktown newcomer Adam Hagy won two gold medals and placed second overall at his first natural bodybuilding competition in Townsville. He trained for more than 200 days, often starting at 3:15 am in the Cooktown Events Centre gym. Hagy credits the town's gym members, local businesses and residents for their support. Local shops helped him keep to his strict diet. He plans to rest and maintain his fitness before considering another competition in 2028.
Townsville police have charged 19 people with 42 offences following a high-visibility operation targeting property crime. The operation aimed to detect and disrupt stolen vehicles, burglary and stealing in hotspot areas. Two stolen vehicles were tracked and abandoned, leading to arrests of several youths and a 31-year-old Rasmussen woman. Police charged the woman with six offences, including evading police at night and driving without a licence. Inspector Jason Brosnan said police will continue to prioritise property crime and serious repeat offenders.
Former sprinter Jake Doran, 26, from Magnetic Island near Townsville, has been charged with a child sex offence after an arrest last week. Police allege indecent treatment of children between January 2025 and September 2026. He faces one count of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and was released on bail by Townsville Magistrates Court. Athletics Australia has provisionally barred him from club events and training, saying he holds no role within the organisation and that it takes such allegations seriously. The matter returns to court on November 5.
Former Australian sprinter Jake Doran has been charged with indecent treatment of a child in Queensland. Police charged the 26-year-old last week. Doran was the 2022 Australian 100m champion and won the 200m at the 2023 Australian Athletics Championships. Australian Athletics says it has imposed a provisional action on him, banning him from club, member association and national events, as well as athletics training. The body said the safety of participants is paramount and that the matter is now with police.
Heart and lung surgeries at Townsville Hospital were paused for 10 days in September because of staff shortages, and five urgent patients were flown to Brisbane. The Townsville Hospital and Health Services says it is engaging with the Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union over complaints that nurses were being called in inappropriately on-call, leading to fatigue. Union secretary Sarah Beaman said members reported unmanageable workloads and burnout. The hospital says robust processes are in place to manage fatigue.
Police have charged a 21-year-old Aitkenvale woman after she allegedly had a machete and an axe in Townsville on Monday, 19 October. Officers from Kirwan station were on patrol in Alfred Street at about 12.20am when they stopped a man riding a bicycle without a helmet. Police allege he passed a backpack to the woman, which was searched and found to contain an axe. Officers later allegedly found a machete in nearby bushes. Both weapons were seized. The woman was issued a Notice to Appear and charged with two counts of possessing a knife in a public place.
Townsville Air Force veteran Pete O'Connell has been selected to represent Australia at the inaugural Invictus Australia Sports Festival in Perth. The festival runs from 23 to 25 October 2026 and brings together serving and former Defence personnel affected by injury or illness. Competitors from Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea will contest indoor rowing, pickleball, sitting volleyball and swimming. O'Connell says his training has helped him reconnect with his community since leaving the Australian Defence Force. Public activities, including a Community Sports Expo at Scarborough Beach, are free to attend on Saturday.
The Telugu Association of North Queensland hosted the Bathukamma festival at Riverway Community Centre in Douglas, Townsville, on 17 October 2026. Traditional songs, dance, food and floral displays were part of the afternoon, which drew Telugu families and Australian friends. Janelle Poole, Member for Mundingburra, attended, took part in the dancing and tried traditional food. The festival, held during Navaratri, celebrates nature, womanhood and gratitude, and helps pass customs on to younger generations.
Queensland Corrective Services officers allegedly restrained an Indigenous woman in the maternity unit at Townsville Hospital after she gave birth by caesarean section on October 10 while in custody. Her newborn was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit and the two were separated. Corrective Services says the woman was not restrained during labour or surgery, and that restraints on pregnant prisoners are only used as a last resort. The department is reviewing her care. Nurses and midwives raised concerns, and a petition seeks a ban on restraints during pregnancy and childbirth.
Townsville's Abbey Ellis scored 47 points in the Fire's 86-68 away win over Adelaide in the WNBL. It was the most points scored by one player in a WNBL match in 21 years. Townsville trailed 35-21 in the second quarter but outscored Adelaide 27-10 in the final term. Ellis hit 16 of 24 shots from the field. Courtney Woods and Marie Gulich added support with 14 and 13 points.
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A new stand-up comedy show in Townsville lets parents bring their babies along. Called Nappies and Comedy, the event is designed to help new parents socialise after childbirth without fear of judgement. Comedian and producer Sarah Stewart says crying babies and nappy accidents are accepted at the show. Local comedians James Shilock and Paddy Hoot will perform alongside her, sharing stories about parenthood. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance, and tickets are selling fast. The material is strictly for adults.
Queensland's LNP government says there is still a long way to go to reverse the state's youth crime crisis. Minister Laura Gerber said the government will keep expanding its adult crime, adult time policy. Official figures show victim numbers fell about 4 per cent in 2025. Bond University criminologist Terry Goldsworthy credits police targeting and tougher bail laws, not the policy, and says overall crime remains at a 20-year high. Victims in Townsville and Brisbane describe ongoing fear and some feeling safer.
Pippa Colman Family Law has launched a dedicated surrogacy law service through its Townsville and Sunshine Coast offices. The Queensland firm is encouraging intended parents and surrogates to seek legal advice early, before conception. Under Queensland's Surrogacy Act 2010, only altruistic surrogacy is permitted, and arrangements must be in writing before conception. The firm says it will prepare and review arrangements and help with parentage orders after birth. The Australian Law Reform Commission is reviewing national surrogacy laws.
