The Banana Shire Council are once again endorsing the idea, however locals are concerned about the use of taxpayer money to fund the project.

The director of corporate and community services Venkata Peteti says the council would help source funds externally. He says, "is a project that is instigated through community”

The “Big Cockatoo” would be 7 metres tall and visible when people enter the town from Rockhampton, and the North Burnett.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan warns the vaccine mandate will stay in place for years. 

Vaccinations will be made compulsory for the majority of WA workers from 1st January.

Mr McGowan says, “This will be a situation that exists for a long period of time, so people need to go and get vaccinated”

This comes as an unvaccinated WA police officer launched a supreme court challenge against the state, on the basis the chief health officer has ‘exceeded their powers under the public health act.’

Sweden’s first female Prime Minister returns to office days after resigning.

Magdalena Andersson resigned a mere seven hours after being elected after the Swedish Greens Party left her government's coalition over budget matters. 

Ms Andersson will now form a one-party minority government and will have to govern with a budget formulated by three opposition parties.

The wet weather in Brisbane is expected to continue throughout the day and further into the week. Experts are warning locals as flood risks continue throughout the region.  

A severe weather warning has also been given to the Granite Belt, Central Highlands and Darling Downs including possible hail and flash flooding. 

Authorities are warning Queenslanders to stay safe around flood waters.

Byron Bay schoolies has kicked off with hundreds of Victorian school leavers flocking to the area. 

Surf Life saving New South Wales far north coast duty officer Jimmy Keough is warning party-goers to stay safe in the water. 

Mr Keough says, “our main message is to avoid remote beaches and look after your mates.”

New South Wales school leavers are expected to start arriving by Friday.

The next stage of international borders reopening has been put on hold as Omicron cases continue to rise. 

Currently, Australia has 19 confirmed cases of the Covid variant. 

Around 200,000 students and workers were set to begin arriving from Wednesday, however the federal government has deferred the planned reopening of the international border until at least December 15. 

In a statement released last night, the federal government confirmed travellers from Japan and South Korea would also not be permitted into the country until December 15.

President Ramaphosa is asking for international borders to be reopened amidst the Omicron crisis.

South Africa’s president says he is “deeply disappointed” and describes the border closures as “unjustified”. 

The World Health Organisation has warned against introducing harsh travel closures stating a “risk-based and scientific approach” should be taken.