Dan Murphy's development planned near dry community has been scrapped

The Woolworths Group announced it will no longer go ahead with a proposed Dan Murphy’s development after a review found insufficient attempts to engage with local Aboriginal communities. 

Spokeswoman for the Bagot Aboriginal community, Helen Fejo-Frith, says she is thankful Woolworths listened with their heart to the Darwin community. 

However, Larrakia traditional owner, Helen Secretary, says the decision is disappointing as the development was going to lead to vital fixes to road safety issues.

 

Brisbane airport apologises for breaching COVID-19 restrictions

The Brisbane Airport Corporation has apologised for accidentally breaching COVID-19 restrictions by allowing two passengers from Papua New Guinea into the international departures section of the airport.

Queensland Chief Health Officer, Jeanette Young, says the passengers pose a low risk to others as they were wearing masks and reported no symptoms of illness.

Queensland Health will release results of the passengers’ COVID-19 tests when they are available. 

 

QLD schools caught enrolling students out of catchment zones

New figures have revealed almost six hundred of Queensland’s most crowded schools enrol students who live outside of the catchment area despite having enrolment management plans.

Enrolment management plans ensure students get access to nearby schools by restricting out-of-catchment enrolments once a school passes eighty percent capacity. 

LNP education spokesman Dr. Christian Rowan says the Labour government should be transparent about why so many enrolments at crowded schools are out of catchment and how this impacts students in catchment areas. 

Regional Queensland worse hit by housing crisis

The Remote Area Planning and Development Board, a rural housing body, released a media statement this month saying rural Queensland is undergoing a housing market failure. 

Board CEO David Arnold says the inability to secure housing leads to rural shortages in skilled labour, public services like health and education, and casual workers integral to the tourism industry.

Given evidence is largely anecdotal and piecemeal, the Board is calling for an investigation into the issue by the Regional Institute of Australia. 

 

Brisbane Mayor urges easing of music venue restrictions

The Brisbane Lord Mayor has urged the State Government to ease restrictions on live music venues, with concerns about the city’s music culture facing huge losses .

Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner is arguing that it is unfair sporting venues such as the Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba were able to go to full capacity, whilst concert venues are struggling with ongoing restrictions.

The comments come as the music industry conference BIGSOUND has announced it will be returning next year, the biggest event for artists to showcase their talent in the southern hemisphere.

 

Armand Hammer & The Alchemist: Haram

<p><span><span>- As residing president of Australia's <strong>Billy Woods </strong>Fan Club, the announcement of Armand Hammer's <em>Haram </em>excited me to no end. The New York rap duo, which sees Mr Woods teaming up with fellow abstract poet <strong>Elucid</strong>, have incremented group identity with each successive release.

Saturday protest to show solidarity with detained refugees

Protesters will gather at an immigration detention centre in Pinkenba to show solidarity with 35 detained refugees.

The 35 detained refugees were brought to Australia for medical treatment, after being detained on Nauru and Papua New Guinea for up to 6 years.

"They should have been processed under Australian law and given permanent protection in Australia," said organisers Refugee Action Collective Queensland. 

The protest at Brisbane Transit Accomodation Centre will begin at 11am, Saturday, 1 May. 

Somali President no longer seeking extension to his presidency following days of clashes

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed will no longer seek a two-year extension to his term in office after it provoked three days of clashes in the capital.

Forces loyal to the president and those backing the opposition have been occupying different parts of the capital, Mogadishu.

The UN says between 60,000 and 100,000 people have left their homes since Sunday due to the violent clashes.