The Lockyer Valley Council will remodel their rates billing procedures to minimise the impacts on residents in response to some properties being hit with major land valuation increases in the Lockyer Valley.

The average land value increase for the area is 15 per cent, but individual figures vary widely.

Almost 4000 objections were lodged state-wide this year by property owners regarding up to 124 per cent higher increases in land values compared to the average.

Runcorn Heights State School and Dutton Park State School tuckshops are being forced to close amid rising food costs and a shrinking number of volunteers. 

Dutton Park P&C president Katrina Cutler says there are not enough volunteers to sustain regular service and predicts more canteens will follow suit.

P&C Queensland chief executive Kevan Goodworth says tuckshops have been forced to reduce opening hours, employ staff and outsource operations to manage the amounting pressures.

Scientists from around Australia and overseas will gather in Brisbane this week for the Translational Photosynthesis Conference, with the theme “Innovations in Agriculture for Food Security”. 

Chief Investigator of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis and chair of the organising committee, Professor John Evans, says the issue of food security is becoming more pressing around the world. 

Reportedly almost half a million Congolese have been forced from their homes and at least 400 killed in inner-ethnic fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

More than 400,000 people have fled the province since the fight started three weeks ago, with many trying to make it across the border. 

The Congolese president is expected to assess the humanitarian crisis in the region.

More than 13,000 dogs are allegedly being slaughtered every month in the Indonesian city of Solo to meet local demand for the animal’s meat. 

A recent investigation by the Dog Meat Free Indonesia Coalition of campaigners found about 200 street vendors and restaurants were selling dog meat for typically around $2 a serving. 

Campaigners say the dog meat trade poses major public health risks, and Bali’s Governor as well other locals have cracked down on the trade.

First-time parents in Victoria are receiving free baby bundles to help give their babies the best start to life through a new state government program.

Approximately 35,000 first-time parents are expected to get the starter kit, worth 150 dollars, in the first year of the 22 million dollar state government program.

Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos says bringing your baby home for the first time is challenging, and she plans to make the moment easier by giving babies everything they need to thrive.

The Alice Springs Gap Youth Centre is now open seven nights a week, following a boost in Northern Territory government funding. 

Gap Youth Centre chief executive Michelle Krauer says there was a definite push from specific groups in the community wanting to have a youth centre open all the time. 

Mrs Krauer says the numbers of children at the centre each night has doubled since the change, and there has been up to 120 children visiting the centre in one night.