Experts from the Bureau of Meteorology have released new information on the large hail phenomenon affecting parts of Queensland recently, after a record breaking Mango sized hail stone was found North of Mackay

Dr Joshua Soderholm says that hail storms are most common at this time of the year as surface temperatures increase, but strong winds and cooler temperatures in the upper atmosphere are needed to foster hail growth.

The Bureau is encouraging Queenslanders to prepare for storm season to get worse, as hail becomes a possibility for parts of the country.

The Queensland government has again been forced to rule out a bridge between North Stradbroke Island and the mainland as part of a review of public transport in the area.. 

The idea of a bridge to the island traditionally known as Minjerribah, faced criticism during the review from more than 760 community members consulted.

The Department of Transport and Main roads has from this said the delivery of a bridge connection to the island would not be in the interest of protecting and promoting the island’s unique and sensitive ecological and cultural features.

Rural production advocate AgForce has condemned accusations from conservation group Greenpeace that Queensland is becoming a deforestation hotspot ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow.

AgForce CEO Michael Guerin described the accusations as malicious and claims Australia’s agriculture industry will pledge to do all it can to further reduce Co2 emissions. 

Mr Guerin further urged Greenpeace to consider the variety of Australian landscapes, saying that our world class agricultural industry would present Queenslanders with a unique historic opportunity.

Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths will start selling rapid antigen COVID-19 tests from early November. 

It is believed the tests can deliver a result in 15 minutes and can already be pre-ordered (alongside your groceries)  from ten to fifteen dollars. 

A Coles spokesperson said the tests would initially be stocked in all states except South Australia and Western Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled his government’s plans to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, ahead of the United Nations COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

Morrison made specific reference to maintaining a balance between reducing emissions and protecting jobs and growth, anticipating the effect decarbonisation will have on the economy.

The lack of commitment to a more short term 2030 target has drawn criticisms, as Morrison said his plan would not involve shutting down current Australian coal or gas productions. 

The World Trade Organization has agreed to examine China’s tariffs on imported Australian wine, amid ongoing political and economic tensions. 

Australia has referred China to the organisation earlier this year arguing Beijing’s decision to impose a five year tariff of up to 220 per cent had caused serious harm to Australia’s wine industry. 

This is the third time Australia has sought international trade support over an agricultural commodity in less than a year. 

It has been revealed the $1.6 billion Toowoomba bypass wildlife corridor has only been used by a  handful of koala’s and native animals in the past year.

The study conducted by researchers from the University of Southern Queensland implemented camera traps to monitor animal movements for 12-month.

It was found that  that 75% of the wildlife using the underpasses were invasive and feral species and that seven koalas and possums were recorded as roadkill on the bypass in the same period. 

The report will be given to the Department of Transport and Main Roads. 

Property prices on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts are expected to overtake Brisbane in the next few years according to the most recent Australian Housing Outlook by Oxford Economics.

The boom comes after a significant increase in interstate buyers have opted to move, making it more difficult for local renters and buyers to budget effectively. 

The report further outlined that while Brisbane prices are still steadily increasing, prices will remain relatively affordable compared to Melbourne and Sydney, with coastal cities set to skyrocket.

The Queensland government is set to have control of Norfolk Island services, following NSW stepping away from governance which caused uncertainty to the island.

The federal and Queensland governments announced on Tuesday they had reached an agreement for Queensland to provide essential health and education services to the island, which has a population of more than 1,700 people. 

NSW has provided the services since Australia made a decision in 2015 to revoke Norfolk Island’s autonomy.