Fears of a potential Lockdown for South-East Queensland loom as the state government has listed several new exposure sites for Tuesday amidst the latest COVID-19 outbreak.

These include locations in the CBD, Cannon Hill, and Spring Hill.

South-East Queensland storms are set to begin this afternoon and continue till Friday Evening.

Longreach and the Warrego Region have already experienced heavy rain, hail and winds of up to 125km/hr.

The CSIRO is developing a new research station in Forest Hill to further its research into new agricultural technologies. 

CSIRO Agriculture and Food Director Dr Michiel van Lookeren Campagne says the new 77 hectare facility will allow the national science agency to conduct high-tech field trials and observations for crops throughout the northern cropping zone, which extends from central Queensland to central New South Wales.

Businesses will no longer be able to exploit a loophole in importation legislation to sell nicotine ‘vapes’, the smoking tool gaining popularity with teens, as new legislation gives Border Force the power to intercept any package containing the products. 

The federal government has announced plans to reduce the current COVID-19 disaster payments as vaccination rates continue to rise.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says Australians need to adjust to life with the virus, and by reducing disaster payments the country can begin to open up again. 

Lava from the Cumbre Veija volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma has reached the ocean after nine days of flow. 

The lava has already destroyed 600 homes and plantations, with the response committee concerned the ocean contact may trigger explosions and clouds of toxic gases around the other Canary Islands.