A Townsville resident has died of melioidosis caused by bacteria from floodwater during the clean-up and recovery process.

There have been 10 other non-fatal cases of the infectious disease, and Townsville Public Health Unit Doctor Julie Mudd said this number is expected to increase.

Doctor Mudd said the community needs to check on the elderly, sick and disabled, and always wear gloves and shoes in the clean up, to prevent infection.

The Queensland government and South-East Queensland mayors have released a plan outlining how they could potentially boost the SEQ economy by $58 billion.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad released “Transforming SEQ”, on Tuesday, with the main objectives being improvements to airports on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Toowoomba and Brisbane and more projects surrounding the Port of Brisbane.

Ms Trad will present the plans to Scott Morrison and other federal MP’s on Wednesday, and said she wants to see real funding, not words.

According to a recent study conducted by the Murdoch Children’s Institute, Australia has one of the highest rates of food allergies in the world, and is particularly high among children.

This coincides with a rise in the amount of emergency room presentations for anaphylaxis among children in the last two decades, as it is expected that almost 1 in 10 infants suffer from a food allergy.

The study concluded the rise in these allergies are due to significant changes in food manufacturing, diet, and urbanisation over the past 50 years.

Democrats and Republicans have reached an agreement over border security to fund the US government and avoid another shutdown, which cost the US economy $11 billion.

The agreement only contains a fraction of the funds President Trump wanted for his border wall, and the US leader said he’s not happy with the deal.

The deal still needs Congress’ approval, with lawmakers optimistic the bill can be approved by Friday, when funding runs out for some federal agencies.

A Japanese couple have been robbed of seven Bonsai trees, one of which was 400 years old, estimated to have a total value of $118 000.

The couple say the trees were stolen from their garden in Tokyo, and have released a plea for their return, including instructions on how to care for them.

Fellow Bonsai enthusiasts have expressed their support online, with one person saying, Bonsai’s are meant to be revered and celebrated and should be beyond human greed.

Fifteen more schools have opened in northern queensland following the devastating floods, allowing most students in the area to now return to their studies.

Minister for communities Coralee O’Rouke has stated that having the schools cleaned and certified as safe to operate in short space of time is testament to the spirit, resilience and determination of the North.

This brings the total of reopened schools to fifty-five, with an emphasis placed on establishing a routine and a sense of normalcy for all impacted by the floods.

A planned development in the south Brisbane suburb of Nathan for 750 units in an industrial estate is expected to be rejected by Brisbane City Council

Applicants had requested a change of use from industrial to residential, replacing a major vehicle distribution centre and warehouses to units, houses and retirement living about 10 kilometers from Brisbane city centre.

Crossbench MPs will discuss Labour’s three amendments to a bill allowing doctors more say in whether asylum seekers are transferred to Australia for medical treatment.

Independent MP Kerryn Phelps says she is determined to salvage a bill that would fast-track medical  transfers for critically-ill asylum seekers, after Labour shifted its position due to security concerns.

The opposition’s shift follows the government ramping up its attack on Labour over national security.

Children as young as six years old are being forced into child marriage in Australia, with more than 100 cases of forced child marriage are currently being investigated by the Australian Federal Police.

Obtained under the Freedom of Information laws by Seven News, data shows that since January 2017, 171 cases of forced child marriage have been investigated by the AFP, with experts saying children forced into marriage are often too terrified to alert authorities to seek help.