DES issues Noosa Council with formal warning

Noosa Council avoided a $3 million fine after being found guilty of improperly disposing toxic waste material at its Pomona Depot.

The Department of Environment of Sciences (DES) has issued council a formal warning for not obtaining a permit for the safe disposal of copper chrome arsenate treated timber which can be unsafe if ingested or burnt.

 

Frustration with Noosa tourists

Noosa locals are angry at tourist’s disregard for Queensland’s mask-wearing mandate.

Local Noosa legend Bill Watson claimed only 10% of people he sees are complying with the mask-wearing rule.

Mr Watson said locals are doing the right thing, but it’s mainly visitors who don’t, leaving the community at risk.

Depression treatment added to Medicare

For the first time, rTMS short for Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, is being added to the Medicare Benefits Schedule at a cost of $288.5 million. 

rTMS is a successful last resort depression treatment that involves an electromagnetic coil being placed on a patient’s scalp where a magnetic pulse stimulates nerve cells in the area of the brain involving mood control and depression.

Financial support for stranded Australians

Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne has announced a promises to financially support overseas Australians trying to return home amid a decreased travel cap.

The number of international arrivals has decreased to a little over 3 thousand flights across the country, while 20 repatriation flights are scheduled between now and September.

Bangkok factory explosion

A chemical factory explosion has rocked the city outskirts of Bangkok, with the blast being heard kilometers away in the Samut Prakan province. The blast has damaged homes and thousands of evacuations have been ordered. 

It is currently unknown what caused the explosion at the expandable polystyrene producing factory. Firefighters have brought most of the inferno under control while a chemical styrene monomer tank still burns.