Page 10 - Peak Downs News Today

Premium Content Subscriber only Work is underway on $11.5 million worth of safety upgrades to the Peak Downs Highway, north of Clermont. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Wolfang Road intersection would be upgraded, along with three sections of the highway, between Tea Tree Creek bridge and Myall Creek crossing. “The highway is being strengthened and widened, making it safer for oversized and over-mass vehicles...

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said traffic volumes were expected to increase on the Peak Downs Highway. “Just over 3km of road will be widened to 9m, with one-metre shoulders, to increase separation between heavy vehicles, caravans and light vehicles,” Mr Bailey said. “Widening three sections will enable safer overtaking opportunities, so drivers don’t take unnecessary risks. “We’re also tackling fatigue for heavy vehicle drivers by upgrading two informal ...

Premium Content Subscriber only A proposed mine tipped to strengthen regional Queenslands economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic has reached a crucial next stage. Stanmore Coal announced during its latest quarterly update the amended Environmental Impact Statement for the Isaac Downs project had been finalised. The Department of Environment and Science is now preparing the assessment report. Stanmore Coal estimates mining approvals will be finalised by mid-2021, with construction t...

Premium Content Subscriber only An emotional father resorted to violence after hearing his son was “king-hit” from behind at a Central Queensland pub. Timothy John Bird, 45, was at Moranbah’s Black Nugget Hotel when he was told by his 22-year-old son that he had been king hit from behind, Lawyer Carly Guilfoyle told Moranbah Magistrates Court. Bird, an operator at Peak Downs Mine, confronted the man, which broke into a fight in the carpark of the pub. Police prosecutor Sergean...

  Harrup Park Country Club has released designs for the Great Barrier Reef Arena to Mackay Regional Council to gain approval for the $10 million project. Harrup Park Great Barrier Reef Arena Mackay Regional Council released the decision notice for the $10 million Harrup Park Great Barrier Reef Arena in early December, which is expected to be shovel-ready in 2021. The document outlined conditions required to sign off with rules ranging from bus routes to garbage collection, and the number ...

Premium Content Subscriber only Friends and family paid tribute to those they lost in tragic circumstances in what was already a difficult year. From valiant battles with cancer lost to a mining death and shocking traffic crashes, these are some of the people the community mourned whose lives were cut short in 2020.   Donald Rabbitt, 33, died while working at Blackwaters Curragh coal mine. He was reportedly working on a float, which transports machinery, when it crushed him.   Donald Ra...

Hummingbird House received more than $6500 from Coles shoppers and team members in Mackay. Stores at Northern Beaches, Parkside Plaza and Caneland Central were praised for their efforts and donations, despite the financial challenges from COVID-19. Parkside Plaza Coles store manager Josh Back said the appeal was an opportunity for his team to raise money for Queenslands only childrens hospice.     Mackay Regional Council Strategic Planning manager Jaco Ackerman and Mayor Greg Williamson...

Premium Content It has been a year of incredible highs and lows for Queensland mining. One of the biggest mine disasters in recent history rocked the industry, paving the way for the first ever Queensland Coal Mining Board of Inquiry. Two weeks after the Grosvenor mine blast, tough new mine safety laws passed in Queensland parliament to establish industrial manslaughter as an offence in mines and quarries. Here are the major mine safety disasters, tragedies and triumphs of 2020:   A mine...

Premium Content Subscriber only A 25-YEAR-old driver was caught speeding twice in 15 minutes by two different patrolling police officers. The Charters Towers man was intercepted by police today while travelling at 119km/hr in a 100km/hr zone along the Peak Downs Hwy. The man was issued with a $266 fine and had three demerit points attached to his drivers licence. About 14 minutes later, the man was again intercepted by different police also patrolling Peak Downs Hwy, where he was allegedly dr...

It is one of only nine new Queensland proposals added to the priority list since February 2019. The purpose of the Infrastructure Australia document is to provide a “credible pipeline of nationally significant proposals for governments at all levels to choose from”. It also gives evidence-based advice to support an “informed national conversation about Australia’s spending priorities”. The first 2.6km of the Walkerston Bypass has already been built as part of the Mac...