Hopefuls with view to develop and other top stories.

• Hopefuls with view to develop

  The Strand, TownsvilleTWO of Townsville’s mayoral candidates agree with tycoon Chris Morris that the city needs to take better advantage of its stunning ocean views.Jayne Arlett said Mr Morris was right when he told the Redefining Townsville forum that The Strand and waterfront were underused.“We’ve got some amazing natural assets here in Townsville but I think we are very poor at selling ourselves and securing investment in them,” Ms Arlett said.She said the Gregory St cafe precinct and the CBD..

  >> view original



• Virgin cancels all Fiji flights

  

  FIJI: Fiji Braces for Tropical Cyclone Winston February 200:13After bulldozing its way through Tonga, Tropical Cyclone Winston made landfall in Fiji?s Lau Islands on Saturday, February 20. Gusts of 315km/h (195mph) are estimated at its centre, with the Fiji Met Service saying the cyclone is expected to ?maintain Category 5 intensity as it tracks west, directly over the centre of Fiji?s main island of Viti Levu.? The agency also warned of potential heavy rains and a high risk of both flash-f..

  >> view original



• Jail for taxi bashing duo

  

  William Robert Clarke, 19, and Brandon Henry Charles Rankin-Walker, 20, were sentenced to six years prisonTWO men have been jailed for strangling, bashing and robbing a taxi driver before stealing his cab and leaving him on the side of the road.Judge Leanne Clare sentenced William Robert Clarke, 19, and Brandon Henry Charles Rankin-Walker, 20, to six years prison.The court heard the men directed the 62-year-old taxi driver to an area next to the river at Aitkenvale about 8.30pm February 10, 2015..

  >> view original



• Wroe pumped for playoffs

  

  Corban Wroe in action against the Sydney Kings. Picture: Faith MoranCORBAN Wroe is bracing for the biggest week of his career as his Perth Wildcats gear up for a post season showdown with the Illawarra Hawks.Wroe joined the West Australian club as a development player at the start of the 2015/16 season, making the move west after a solid Queensland Basketball League campaign with the Townsville Heat last year.The Townsville-bred talent has loved every minute of his time with the Wildcats this se..

  >> view original



• Air plan may be grounded

  

  Chief Operating Officer Regional Airports, Kevin Gill.THE future expansion of domestic and international flights out of Townsville is on the verge of stalling.Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin have all said they have no immediate plans to increase their flights in and out of the city.This comes as business tycoon Chris Morris took aim at the airport saying the city needed to get more direct flights to other Australian cities at Thursday’s Redefining Townsville forum.Townsville Airport Chief Operating O..

  >> view original



• Former worker on the way out

  

  Joe and Trudi Atkins were forced to sell their home to make ends meet after being sacked from QNI but they were lucky realter waved any additional feels and commission. Picture: Zak SimmondsWHEN retrenched Queensland Nickel worker Joe Atkins relocated to Townsville three years ago he thought he had it all – the perfect new home, a promising career and happy family.That dream was shattered in December when he was unexpectedly sacked, leaving him with no income and bills stacking up.Unable to make..

  >> view original



• Hot dogs get put on ice

  RSPCA Townsville put out a call for people to donate ice to help cool the dogs off in the heatwave we are having at the moment. RSPCA animal attendant Janine Poerschke with Cattle Dog cross Ridge Back Nate 2 who plays in the ice bath. Picture: Zak SimmondsCONCERNED animal lovers have donated hundreds of bags of ice to the RSPCA adoption centre in Townsville to help hot dogs chill out during this week’s scorching heatwave.As temperatures consistently headed into the mid-30s this week, animals at ..

  >> view original



• Fury women fly ahead

  

  Northern Fury kicking goals with its women's program after chartering flight to Brisbane for NPL tournament this weekend. L-R Madison Reid 16, Jennifer Gulson 16, Hannah Richter 12, Bianca Toombes 12, Jennifer Reid 13, Sarah Evans 15, with at rear Kevin Gill COO Townsville Airport and Robin Richardson GM Nth Qld Alliance Airlines.THE Northern Fury’s women’s program will reach new heights this weekend at the Queensland talent identification rounds in Brisbane.The Fury has teamed up with Alliance ..

  >> view original



• Steelcats gunning for happy homecoming

  

  Magnetic North Steelcats continue their pre-season preparations. Brady Smith (Captain)TOP level netball returns to the region this weekend as the Magnetic North Steelcats prepare for a bumper three-game schedule at Townsville RSL Stadium. The Steelcats have produced a solid 2-2 start to their Queensland State Netball League (QSNL) season, putting their best foot forward in road trips to Brisbane and Bundaberg in recent weeks.After starting their campaign with four games away from the comfort of ..

  >> view original



• Kirwan student has eyes on her future

  

  Sasha Taylor,13 wowed Bernard Salt and other presenters with her question at Redefining Townsville. Picture: Zak SimmondsAT just 13, Sasha Taylor is already thinking about where her career will take her and the best way to get a job. Sasha was catapulted into the spotlight at Redefining Townsville on Thursday when she asked about the role technology will play in future careers.The Kirwan State High School student was chosen to attend the conference with several of her peers. She hadn’t expected ..

  >> view original

Rewards plan for thinkers .	Australian-born children more prone to allergies than those born in Asia: research .
Salt: 300k to call Townsville home .	AFIC chief, board step down over Malek Fahd school crisis .