Mackay Conservation Group led the community in holding a Rally at Bluewater Quay yesterday, calling for the Queensland government to reject the Clive Palmer-owned Central Queensland Coal Project.

The Coal Project would be located just 10km from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. This leads to concerns from locals and scientists about the devastating effect of pollution on marine ecosystems. 

The Rally called for Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon to reject the proposal by 28 April. 

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch launched the Queensland Music Trails today – a program which will bring musicians to outback Queensland. 

Minister Enoch said the project is part of the Government’s plan to support the arts and cultural sector through its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

CEO of Queensland Music Festival, Joel Edmonson, said the trail is a way to get to know the diverse people and places of Outback Queensland.

The first trail will visit the outback towns of Jimbour, Charleville, Birdsville, Quilpie, and more.

Prosecutors in Brazil have investigated allegations that illegally mined gold has been exchanged for coronavirus vaccines on an indigenous reserve. 

The Hutukara Association, which represents the Yanomami people from the Amazon region, reported a health worker for dealing vaccines to illegal miners. 

The Association’s letter to the Health Ministry emphasised that the Yanomami people have “long complained that materials and medicines intended for Indigenous health are being diverted to wildcat miners."

South Australia has recorded its first case of the tick-borne disease canine ehrlichiosis.

The disease, which can be fatal to dogs, was believed not to exist in Australia until a case was recorded in Western Australia in May last year.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced Australia’s remaining 80 troops will pull out of Afghanistan by September.

This move echoes the withdrawal of American troops by US president Joe Biden, signalling the end of a conflict that started in 2001 following the 9/11 attack. 

The PM states the Australian government will continue to support negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. He says allegations of war crimes committed by the Australian military will be discussed at a later time.

Australia’s largest medicinal marijuana farm will be built in the outskirts of Toowoomba.

Construction on the facility will begin within the next six months; the completed farm is expected to produce 500 tonnes of marijuana per year.

The facility’s $400 million construction plans have been fast tracked by up to two years thanks to the merger of Australian-owned Australian Natural Therapeutics Group and Canadian-owned Asterion Cannabis Inc.

Tweed Heads Shire Council has announced a Plan of Management to ensure land at the Jack Evans Boat Harbour precinct will serve as a recreational and tourism point for the Tweed Heads region.

The plan describes the future planning and management of the precinct, including several parklands and sections of the waterway.

Mayor of Tweed Chris Cherry says the plan will ensure the land will be enhanced, protected, and managed, in accordance with the needs of the Tweed community.

In a private letter to a Toowong’s residents’ group, the Queensland Environment and Heritage Protection Minister has agreed legislative changes are needed to better protect the state’s historic character homes.

Minister Meaghan Scanlon was responding to community complaints surrounding the demolition of a Tudor style home in Toowong last month, which was once home to the Webster family: founders of the Shingle Inn tea house and Webster’s biscuits.