The Redland City Council has decided to set up a youth reference group.

Deputy mayor Lance Hewlett says “a youth reference group will also offer a platform for young people to voice their opinions to effect change.

“Our young residents are the future of our Redlands Coast community, and this is a great opportunity for them to have a say in how our community takes shape into the future”.

The state government has invested $1.4 million into protection for threatened species, including Moreton Bay humpback dolphins and powerful owls.

29 projects will receive funding, such as the powerful owl project, which will involve mapping habitat, monitoring diseases and a focus on conservation.

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch says the funding is part of the $18 million Community Sustainable Action Grants Program.

Image: Alyssa Spisa

An international software company that specialises in writing smartphone keyboards in traditional languages is helping people protect their language.

The project, called Keyman, allows people to enter one of more than 600 different languages, most of which are in most languages.

Most languages are a language spoken by a large group of people, such as English, Spanish or Mandarin.

Keyman was developed by SIL International, a non-profit company, and chief software developer Marc Durdin said it was originally created in Laos in 1993.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has allegedly cancelled his meeting with US Senator Ted Cruz. Ted Cruz is the highest political figure to visit the United States since the outbreak of anti-government protests four months ago.

Cruz told reporters in Hong Kong that Ms Lam’s office had requested that the afternoon meeting be completely confidential, and Mr. Cruz should not talk to the media about the matter.

A $350 million wind farm has been approved in Central Queensland, despite strong disagreement from locals.

The 50-turbine Banana Range wind farm, 20km west of Biloela, is predicted to create 150 construction jobs when it is built in 2020, with 15 positions available when opened.

Planning Minister Cameron Dick says the wind farm would bring the capacity of government-approved wind generation to enough megawatts to power over a million homes. 

A group of 25 people have blocked access to the office of engineering company FKG in Mackay this morning, in protest against their potential acceptance of rail line work.

Graphic designer Emma Kapp locked herself to the compound’s gates, surrounded by 25 others, and halted work at the facility.

Ms Kapp says “we urge [FKG] to reject Adani’s mine and instead work on projects that go towards a safe and sustainable future for all of us, otherwise we will be forced to take more actions like this.''

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie is demanding more TAFE funding from the federal government in Tasmania, her home state. 

Lambie has recently tackled housing, is set to attend to the health system, and is now also turning her attention to securing tertiary education funding.

“When it comes to infrastructure, TAFEs are pretty depleted. For me it’s really important to make sure these trade schools stay around,” Ms Lambie told ABC radio yesterday.

A massive boa constrictor, measuring 2.5 metres in length, is “on the loose” in NSW after its freshly shed skin was discovered at a property west of Sydney.

The NSW Government issued a warning to the public on Friday, and biosecurity officers and snake catchers are now scouring the area for the python.

Sean Cade from Australian Snake Catchers said their main concern is that the huge snake might come across a small child.

Hong Kong police said a self-made remote-controlled explosive device aimed at "killing or injuring" police officers were detonated during the protest on Sunday. Due to the outbreak of anti-government unrest, the violence has escalated to the fifth month.

Deputy Commissioner Tang Ping-Keung said at the press conference: "It exploded less than two meters from the police car."