New gold rush as Queenslanders head to the outback in search of buried treasure
A surging number of Queensland locals are packing up and heading to the outback in the search for buried treasures.
Lifelong fossicker Robert Kelly is part of a growing contingent of Queenslanders discovering gold, sapphires, emeralds, opals and even some fossil specimens. All the time you re learning, there s always something new that comes along, Mr Kelly said.
More than 18,000 fossicking licences have been handed out in the last two years, starting from $12.40 for a family â and with an ounce of gold going for $2500, it s an inexpensive investment.
Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe
North Queensland is the big winner with the WNBL playing its entire 2020 season in Townsville, Cairns and Mackay which wrapped up today with a thrilling home team Grand Final clash.
Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the WNBL season was secured by the Palaszczuk’s Government’s Far North Queensland Tourism Rescue Package.
“Congratulations to the Southside Flyers who take home the 2020 WNBL season trophy after a 17-point Grand Final win over home team The Townsville Fire – 99 to 82,” Mr Hinchliffe said
“While The Townsville Fire was disappointed in their hunt for Grand Final glory on the court this afternoon, they really have had a stunning turnaround season.
Politics by Tony Raggatt
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Subscriber only NORTH Queensland stands to bear the brunt of an escalating trade war with China with thousands of jobs and a $20bn coal export industry at risk. In a developing situation, China is said to have banned imports of Australian coal with much of those imports comprising coking coal mined in North Queensland. CFMEU mining division Mackay district president Stephen Smyth said labour hire firms were already laying off workers from BHP-owned mines though he could not say that was directly related to the China ban. Clearly, the situation is concerning if all the reports are right, particularly for metallurgical coal and what that is worth to us and regional Queensland, Mr Smyth said.
10th Dec 2020 11:56 AM
LONGSTANDING issues with people dumping waste, including human excrement and drug utensils, and tearing up river banks at popular tourist sites along the Brisbane River have forced the local council into action.
Somerset Regional Council will install barriers along road reserves to restrict vehicle access close to Twin Bridges and Savages Crossing near Fernvale.
Security cameras and signage will also be put in place. Locals are fed up with rubbish being dumped along the Brisbane River in the Somerset region.
Locals are fed up with visitors leaving all manners of rubbish along the Mid Brisbane River catchment that runs through the region.