Pedestrian bridge set for Woolloongabba intersection
A push to fill missing bike links in Brisbane will see a new cycle bridge built in Woolloongabba.
The $14.5 million dollar loop bridge design will be built over the busy O’Keefe Street intersection, with construction beginning in 2022.
Greenslopes MP Joe Kelly said the bridge will make pedestrians and cyclists safer, separating them from the road.
“A new velobridge over the busy O’Keefe Street intersection at Woolloongabba will make bike riding quicker and safer into the CBD,” he said.
Queensland in housing crisis, says social services council
Social services organisations are campaigning for the government to quadruple its budget for social housing.
Queensland has committed $1.4 billion to build 5,500 social homes in the next ten years, however there were over 26,000 households on the state government’s Public Housing Register as of September.
Queensland Council of Social Services chief executive Aimee McVeigh said it was clear "Queensland is currently in a housing crisis".
Audit finds flaws in Queensland hospital PPE fit-testing
A Queensland Health audit has found systemic flaws in fit-testing of PPE for frontline health workers treating COVID-19 patients.
Queensland Health was ordered to conduct a review of PPE fit-testing earlier this month following industrial action by the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union.
Union secretary Beth Mohle says the union is now hoping to work with Queensland Health to keep workers safe.
Nurses' union take Queensland Health to Industrial Relations Commission over the handling of masks
The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union are taking Queensland Health to the Industrial Relations Commission.
The nursing union is concerned about the inconsistencies and deficiencies in the way masks were tested and checked for a proper fit.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital had several health workers, including nurses, catch COVID-19 while working with infectious patients.
12 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in a British tanker staying Brisbane port
A British tanker carrying 12 crew members who have tested positive for COVID 19 is headed for Brisbane port today.
There were originally 13 crew members onboard, but the body of one was found washed ashore in Vanuatu.
The body later was found to have tested positive for coronavirus and so far, there has been no explanation to how it ended up overboard. The remaining crew will be treated onboard by Queensland Health.
Privacy information might be breached by AFP says Commonwealth ombudsman
The Commonwealth ombudsman has released its report into the australian federal police's use and administration of telecommunications data powers.
Compliance issues were raised into the AFP’s handling of telecommunications data and location-based services.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman, Mr Michael Manthorpe said that privacy of individuals may have been breached and location based services may have been accessed unlawfully.
Olympians will be prioritised to receiving vaccines ahead of the Tokyo games
The Australian Olympic Team will be prioritised for vaccines as early as next week so they will be able to participate in the Tokyo games. Earlier, National Cabinet agreed to fast-track access for the 2,000-strong team and support crew.
Australian Olympic Committee chief executive, Matt Carroll described the decision as a great relief for the Olympians and their families, as Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck says it will be inevitable that COVID-19 will be spread at the games in July.
WA households installed 300 megawatts of rooftop solar power in 2020
Western Australian households installed a record amount of solar power in 2020, bringing demand for electricity from the state's main grid to a new low.
The WA government said that 300 megawatts of rooftop solar power was added last year.
WA's single biggest coal-fired power plant, the Collie generator produces a similar rate at 340 Mega Watt.
UN urges to monitor supplies from the western Chinese province of Xinjiang over the concerns of Uighurs
The United Nations has urged companies and countries to closely scrutinise their supply chains over concerns about the alleged detention and forced labour of ethnic-minority Uighurs in the western Chinese province of Xinjiang.
A parliamentary committee is considering an import ban on products and components produced in Xinjiang under proposed laws put forward by independent Senator Rex Patrick.
Labour shortages continue in rural areas
To fill labour shortages in rural areas and produce farms, work hire agencies are looking into new ways to fill positions.
International students are being approached for fruit picking roles although students say that there is a lack of awareness about opportunities.
Outback roadhouse owners want grey nomads to fill temporary roles that have been left vacant by backpackers during the pandemic.