Far North Queensland wind farm now energised
The state’s largest wind farm in Far North Queensland is now exporting its first electricity into the power grid, with the new substation and switchyard now energised.
Queensland Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said this new substation is the critical link to transport power generated from Mount Emerald.
The facility is expected to provide enough power annually to run up to 75,000 homes, which is the equivalent to supplying a third of Far North Queensland’s energy needs.
Inquiry says transitioning veterans at higher risk to mental illness
A public hearing into the transition from military to civilian life has found that 1 in 5 veterans experienced suicidal thoughts after serving.
The inquiry held in Brisbane yesterday reported the Australian Defence Force had improved significantly in its support of veterans but there was still more to be done.
Veterans with no contact to the ADF after service were also found to be at higher risk of developing mental illness.
PM pressured to abandon Paris promises
Coalition backbencher George Christensen is pressuring Prime Minister Scott Morrison to abandon support for what he calls “costly green treaties” like the Paris Climate Agreement.
Reports allege Mr Morrison is reluctant to leave the international agreement and risk jeopardising an impending free-trade deal with the EU.
On his tour of regional Queensland yesterday, Mr Morrison acknowledged the effects of climate change but said debates around its cause were irrelevant.
Former Ethiopian President arrested
Police in Ethiopia have arrested the former president of the eastern Somali region, Abdi Mohamed Omar, on charges of human rights abuses.
The charges come after a series of deadly conflict in Ethiopia’s Somali region.
Maria Burnett, associate director for Human Rights Watch Africa, said the arrest of President Abdi will hopefully mark the start of justice for victims of serious crimes.
German protests turn violent
Protests in the German city of Chemnitz concerning the murder of a 35 year old man have resulted in several people injured, according to police.
Far-right activists clashed with anti-Nazi protesters as a Syrian and Iraqi remain under arrest in relation to the stabbing on Sunday.
In regards to the masked demonstrators throwing stones during the protest, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned “vigilante justice” will not be tolerated.
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New Development for Ferny Grove Station
A development application has been submitted to the Brisbane City Council for a new retail and residential precinct at Ferny Grove train station.
The proposed redevelopment will include 750 additional commuter parks, as well as a cinema, supermarket, gym, and more.
In the assessment report, the property group believed the expansion of this ‘end of the line’ station would provide not only a commuter hub but a community hub.
Ten Thousand Queenslanders Involved In New Study
A study into Queensland’s future health services will see ten thousand Queenslanders’ health tracked by hundreds of researchers over a 30-year period.
A 200-person pilot of the study, led by Mater Research Professor Vicki Cliftony, will track pregnant women, their partners, and their babies to form a snapshot of our population’s health.
Biomarkers identified in the $40 million initiative could help health professionals detect diseases earlier and form new understandings around health risks from pregnancy onwards.
Student HECS Debt Increasing
More than 1 in 20 Australian students owe over $50 000 in HECS debt.
6% of graduates owe more than $50 000 in debt compared to 2.1% in 2011.
Grattan Institute higher education program director Andrew Norton blames the growth on an increase in postgraduate study and people not repaying existing education debts.
Canberra Wildlife Sanctuary Under Pressure
Carers at a Canberra Wildlife Sanctuary are struggling to accommodate large numbers of injured and malnourished roos affected by the worsening drought.
Wildcare volunteer Helen Stevens currently has 9 joeys in her care, and is going through 45 bottles of special kangaroo milk each day in an effort to boost the young roos’ growth.
Ms Stevens says she is very concerned about the oncoming fire season, with some carers still nursing joeys burnt in the 2017 Carwoola bushfires.