As it happened: Brisbane on February 9

The next section of the troubled Northern Transitway on Gympie Road, between Sadlier Street and Rode Road, will open in April.

But the state government is putting the final section, between Rode Road and Hamilton Road, on hold, pending a decision about the Gympie Road Bypass tunnel proposal.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish on Friday confirmed a busway connection to Chermside would be the subject of a new contract once the tunnel proposal was considered by government.

“The Gympie Road Bypass tunnel unlocks a lot of potential, both underground and above ground,” Mellish said in a statement, pre-empting a decision on whether to proceed with the tunnel.

“It makes sense for these two projects to be aligned, to make sure we realise every opportunity for better, improved public transport and quicker commutes for motorists.”

The busway project has been delayed due to unforeseen issues with underground utilities and the weather, while the cost has also blown out.

Thanks for joining us today. Brisbane Times’ local blog returns Monday morning. In the meantime, these are the main headlines from today.

Kurtley Beale after being found not guilty of sexual assault. Credit: SMH

• ‘The truth has come out’: Beale cleared of sex offences in Bondi pub
• Wake-up call for ‘sleepy city’: Labor sees votes in late-night dining, free early buses

Jess and Jackie Morecroft bought the home at Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast in 2018.Credit: change.org

• Court backs $2.7 million payout to Gold Coast couple hit by fraud
• ‘He’s obviously unwell’: Barnaby Joyce filmed lying on Canberra street

The ninth Mountain Goat Valley Crawl returns, delivering 40 free live acts across eight stages in Fortitude Valley.Credit: Red Stockholm

• ‘Close your eyes, point at random’: 40 free bands rock the Valley
• Former Maroon hoses down comparison of Broncos rookie with Cameron Smith

As a line of high-profile figures throw their weight behind Olympic supremo John Coates’ call to forego a full rebuild of the Gabba ahead of the 2032 Games, the state LNP has called on the Labor government to “stop the ruse”.

“The state government has to be honest and call it for what it is: they’ve wasted 1000 days, the knockdown’s not going to occur. Stop the ruse and just get on with delivering generational infrastructure,” Opposition Leader David Crisafulli told journalists.

The LNP has been vocal in its opposition to the slated $2.7 billion full demolition and rebuild, long held up by the Labor government – but now questioned – as the best value-for-money option for the ageing stadium.

Crisafulli and his team have also been calling for the independent infrastructure body now agreed to be set up by Premier Steven Miles but not yet in place.

A 60-day review, under former LNP lord mayor Graham Quirk, is reconsidering all venues plans. Asked what the point of the review was, given the commentary around the Gabba, Crisafulli said: “that’s a question for the premier”.

During his career as a Queensland District Court judge, Michael Rackemann was known for his principle and passion, but today he used his retirement speech to thank his wife for literally saving his life.

Queensland District Court Judge Michael Rackemann.

Rackemann was just 39 when he became a judge – something he “always wanted to do”.

From there, he moved to improve the Planning and Environment Court, and gave advice to the United Nations about specialised environmental courts.

Twenty years later, Rackemann – having dedicated what he says were his best years to the job – delivered his retirement speech to a packed Brisbane courtroom.

He spoke about two significant health issues that had affected him during his career.

“It was [wife] Margaret, however, on whom the greatest burden fell... to be supportive of me, whilst at the same time caring for our young children, protecting them as much as possible from any concern about me, while also dealing with her own concerns and supporting her parents,” he said.

Read more.

The next section of the troubled Northern Transitway on Gympie Road, between Sadlier Street and Rode Road, will open in April.

But the state government is putting the final section, between Rode Road and Hamilton Road, on hold, pending a decision about the Gympie Road Bypass tunnel proposal.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish on Friday confirmed a busway connection to Chermside would be the subject of a new contract once the tunnel proposal was considered by government.

“The Gympie Road Bypass tunnel unlocks a lot of potential, both underground and above ground,” Mellish said in a statement, pre-empting a decision on whether to proceed with the tunnel.

“It makes sense for these two projects to be aligned, to make sure we realise every opportunity for better, improved public transport and quicker commutes for motorists.”

The busway project has been delayed due to unforeseen issues with underground utilities and the weather, while the cost has also blown out.

Standing at more than two metres tall, hulking teenage prop Benjamin Te Kura will give Broncos fans a glimpse of the future come Saturday afternoon.

The 19-year-old will line up in the front row alongside fellow rising star Xavier Willison when Brisbane play their first preseason trial against Wynnum Manly.

The loss of 2023 grand finalists Thomas Flegler (Dolphins) and Keenan Palasia (Titans) has left two huge voids in the Broncos pack, and Brisbane assistant coach Matt Ballin declared the young duo had every chance of usurping more experienced campaigners such as Corey Jensen and Marty Taupau to claim those vacancies.

“[Te Kura’s] a big body, he just wants to be playing good minutes at the moment and get his fitness up,” Ballin said.

“If he runs the ball he’s very damaging, so we just want him to run hard then if the offload comes off the back of that it comes, but otherwise run hard, get down, play the ball and work hard for your teammates.

“Xavier’s come back from a little injury and worked really hard. Our club is based on working hard to get an opportunity … if those boys want to push for a spot in the side they’re going to be right up there.”

It’s been a lengthy wait, but smart ticketing readers have been installed on all south-east Queensland buses and city ferries ready to allow the use of bank cards, smartphones and watches for payment this year.

Queensland Transport Minister Bart Mellish announced the milestone for the $371 million system today, with trials set to start on Brisbane City Council ferries by July and buses across the region to follow.

“The infrastructure’s there now on the ferries and buses, and we’ll be rolling that out over this year so that more people can get around without having to use a Go Card,” Mellish told journalists.

The technology’s rollout, floated in 2018 with a 2022 delivery date, was intended to bring the state’s public transport system into line with Sydney and other global cities. It is currently in use on south-east trains, but is not available for concession fares.

Tough South African Kevin Lerena has been revealed as unbeaten Australian heavyweight hope Justis Huni’s opponent in his high-profile Saudi Arabia appearance.

Brisbane 24-year-old Huni fought only once in 2023.Credit: Getty

The Brisbane boxer (8-0) will face the interim WBC bridgerweight champion (30-2) on the Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou crossover clash in Riyadh on March 8.

Brisbane 24-year-old Huni fought only once in 2023, winning every round against Andrew Tabiti in Mexico.

The October clash was the first professional fight on foreign soil for the former amateur standout and first since signing with influential English promoter Eddie Hearn.

That pushed him to No.14 in the WBA charts and No.15 in the WBO and IBF’s heavyweight rankings, where every other contender has had at least twice as many fights as him.

Victory against the seasoned South African would propel him further up the rankings and closer to a world title shot.

“Look at the set times, close your eyes, point at random, and you’re sure to find a winner.”

That’s senior programming manager Braydon Ritson’s advice for navigating the 40-deep line-up of artists playing Mountain Goat Valley Crawl in Fortitude Valley this weekend.

The ninth Mountain Goat Valley Crawl returns, delivering 40 free live acts across eight stages in Fortitude Valley.Credit: Red Stockholm

Now in its ninth year, the free festival is spread over eight stages at some of the Valley’s most beloved venues, including Black Bear Lodge, The Brightside, Suzie Wongs and The Outpost.

“The choose-your-own-adventure style festival allows hungry music fans a chance to see emerging acts, sometimes for the first time, all while being completely free,” Ritson said.

Read more.

Almost three years since an explosion at a central Queensland coal power station took out one of its four main generators, a drawn-out investigation into its cause is yet to be released and a new one has been ordered by the Federal Court.

But the latest development moves beyond that, with the Australian Energy Regulator launching action in the same court against the station’s part-public owner alleging it failed to comply with performance standards.

“Failure to comply with these standards can risk power system security, see consumers disconnected from power supply and cause wholesale energy prices to increase during and beyond these events,” AER board member Justin Oliver said in a statement.

The regulator is seeking financial penalties, declarations, orders for remedying the breach or preventing the recurrence of the breach, and costs for the case.

In a statement of its own, station owner Callide Power Trading said it would work co-operatively with the regulator to resolve the matter as soon as possible.

The date for Latrell Mitchell’s return to the spotlight has been set after the South Sydney fullback was included in the Indigenous side for the return of the NRL’s All Stars to Townsville.

Indigenous Mega Star: Latrell MitchellCredit: Sam Mooy

The inclusion of Mitchell - arguably the game’s biggest name - is significant after a 2023 campaign dominated by his fitness and the Rabbitohs’ failure to make the top eight.

Strong squads were confirmed on Thursday for the clash with a Maori set-up powered by Joseph Tapine, Brandon Smith and Jahrome Hughes to battle Mitchell’s Indigenous side next Friday.

Brisbane star half Ezra Mam (groin) won’t feature, while his Broncos teammate Selwyn Cobbo is one of the few notable absentees.

Their absences are offset by the inclusions of Dolphins speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Cronulla playmaker Nicho Hynes and Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr.

Read our story here.