ABC Tropical North

09/09/2025

The Peak Downs Highway is blocked in both directions after a single truck crash earlier today.

Emergency services were called to the highway near Trethans Road, south-west of Eton around 3pm.

Paramedics treated the driver of the truck for back injuries and took him to Mackay Base Hospital.

Authorities say no other vehicles were involved.

Diesel fuel has been spilled on the road, and police are warning motorists there’s currently no timeline for the road re-opening.

08/09/2025

Construction? ⚒️ Teaching? 📚 Farming? 🚜

Have you ever gone down the same career path as your mum or dad?

What was the job? 👀 And how did their experience help you at all?

Clermont 17-year-old Lilly Reeves said she and her sister Jasmine are following in her dad Steve's footsteps to become qualified butchers.

"I saw dad doing it and thought it was pretty cool," she said. 🥩

Choose your news on the ABC NEWS app and stay in the know: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

08/09/2025

While many traditional country butchers have disappeared, this family-run butcher shop in Clermont is bucking the trend in more ways than one.

Get the news that matters to you straight from the source. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

While many traditional country butchers have declined, the family-run butcher shop in this small rural town in central Queensland is bucking a trend in more ways than one.

05/09/2025

Spring is here and so is your reminder to get bushfire ready.

ABC Emergency has resources and tips to help you prepare.

Start with our simple checklist of tasks to tackle this month

Know your ABCs in an emergency: ab.co/Emergency

Here's a list of jobs you can tick off week-by-week to prepare your family and home ahead of higher-risk bushfire weather

05/09/2025

UPDATE: Queensland Transport advises the highway has reopened but delays are expected.

……..

The Bruce Highway is closed north of Proserpine following a crash involving two trucks and a car.

Paramedics were called to the rollover at Gregory River around 1.30pm.

Authorities say a man in his 30s suffered significant leg injuries after his truck rolled over. He has been taken to Proserpine Hospital in a stable condition.

Two adult women and a second adult man were also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

04/09/2025

🎶 "A Boy Named Sue" by Johnny Cash? 💔 "How To Make Gravy" by Paul Kelly? 🎼

What are the best story-telling songs or artists in your eyes? 🎸

03/09/2025

Sexual assault victims in Queensland have hit a 32-year high, as new data reveals the state remains the nation leader in victims of crime.

Get the news that matters to you straight from the source. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

Sexual assault victims in Queensland have hit a 32-year high, as new data reveals the state remains the nation leader in victims of crime.

01/09/2025

Are holiday rentals swallowing up long-term rental opportunities for locals in this region? 🏘️

The Whitsundays has a high number of short stay rental properties listed on sites like AirBNB and Stayz, alongside a tight rental market with a vacancy rate of 1-2%.

A new report by housing advocacy group Everybody's Home argues tax breaks shouldn't be given to those who own short stay rentals, revealing negative gearing of these properties could be costing the economy over half a billion dollars. 💰

Do you think tax breaks for investors who holiday let are fair in the current housing market?

01/09/2025

Queensland's beleaguered construction union has claimed there are no cultural issues in the organisation, months after a bombshell report exposed allegations of systemic violence and misogyny.

Get the news that matters to you straight from the source. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

CFMEU Queensland executive officer Jared Abbott said after 12 months of work, the union had fixed the systemic problems.

31/08/2025

Former Isaac mayor Anne Baker is leading the count in the Mackay Regional Council by-election.

The Queensland Electoral Commission has Ms Baker with 15,767 votes - 29.57% of those received.

The commission says 52.80% of postal ballots have been returned.

Counting started at 6pm on Saturday and will resume on Monday.

Voters have until 5pm on Tuesday 9 September for their ballot to be received.

Results to date:

➡️Andrew Deguara 7,631 (14.31%)
➡️Melissa Milton, 7,574 (14.20%)
➡️Ian Christensen 4,793 (8.99%)
➡️Greg Fisher 4,107 (7.70%)
➡️Kimberley Doyle 3,946 (7.40%)
➡️Jeffrey Keioskie 3,845 (7.21%)
➡️Dion Loader 3,616 (6.78%)
➡️Melanie Laas (2,043) 3.83%

31/08/2025

Warning: This article discusses gambling addiction, depression and suicidal ideation.

"I am aiming for Cooktown by Christmas, so if anyone spots me along the Queensland coast, please toot your horn," Mic Whitty said about his plans to visit more war cemeteries this year.

Get the news that matters to you straight from the source. Download the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp.

The pressure to maintain a facade of success led Mic Whitty down a slippery slope to debt and homelessness. The kindness of friends and strangers helped him find his way back.

31/08/2025

Do you know a shed like this? 🤭

“I’m running out of room!”

Ross Moore’s shed in Mackay is brimming with hundreds of scale models he’s built over decades. 🚂

The shelves are lined with military trucks, aircraft, Star Wars spacecraft, fantasy figures and all types of projects he's worked on as part of the Mackay Scale Modellers club.

Mr Moore said he would often disappear for hours each day to work on a model, but that he'd soon need a bigger shed to house the growing collection.

What sort of hobbies and handywork have come out of your shed? 🎣🪵

And was your dad or grandad good at making certain things? 🛠️