Townsville Bulletin newspaper headlines for month of May, 2024
The month of May began with headlines focused on then Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson and ended with him.
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The month of May began with headlines focused on then Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson and ended with him as he continued to cling to his job despite widespread disdain for the alleged lies about his background during local-government elections.
Despite the stain on Townsville’s reputation, a tenacious Thompson’s tenuous grasp on power held by the end of the month, even after then Premiere Steven Miles and the 10 sitting councillors called on him to do the right thing and resign following a calamitous media interview.
While the Thompson train wreck provided an unwelcome political sideshow, a number of other pressing issues also made headlines.
May 2
Townsville DV Toll at Crisis Point
Police on the front-line of Townsville’s domestic violence crisis are facing unprecedented challenges, responding to as many as 50 call-outs a day and they anticipate these numbers will only surge.
The Townsville Domestic, Family Violence and Vulnerable Persons Unit say police respond to between 35-50 DV-related call outs every day and anticipate those numbers to rise.
Third time unlucky … again
Mayor Troy Thompson attempted three motions to gain up to three political advisers, which were denied each time because not enough councillors supported the decision. Councillors also identified their preferred option to act as a chief executive officer known as ‘Candidate Z’ after almost two hours in confidential business.
May 3
Thugs steal car from wheelchair-bound mum
A woman left wheelchair-bound after being struck by a stolen car has been dealt another devastating blow after her modified vehicle was recently stolen by shameless thieves who openly mocked her.
Light in the darkness
A young Townsville advocate has opened up about her own experiences with sexual assault as she uses her platform to boost awareness and support for survivors to create discussion on how Australians can create safer spaces.
May 4
Bonza demise plane awful
North-West Queensland community leaders have been left gutted by the collapse of Bonza airline, with residents now forced to fork out up to 10 times more for flights to see family, friends and for specialist medical appointments.
May 8
Green light for mine
A $300m phosphate mine in the North West has received a green light, with 445 jobs created as part of the project.
The state government has granted mining leases to the Paradise South phosphate mine, about 130km northwest of Mount Isa near the Lady Loretta zinc mine, with plans in place for company North West Phosphate to use local services as part of the project.
NQ distillery in spirited win
A North Queensland distillery is continuing to collect accolades for its range of rums.
Burdekin Rum’s Premium Aged Rum has won Best of Category for its bottled and blended pot Still Rum and Best of Class for its bottled and blended Cane Spirit at the American Distilling Institute International Spirits Competition 2024.
May 11
Danger to our kids
Social media has been labelled a public health risk with children and young people exposed to damaging images and content they don’t have the developmental maturity to cope with.
Acting Chief Health Officer Associate Professor Catherine McDougall told the Townsville Bulletin’s Future Townsville event that social media access for children was causing distress for young people, with it leading to a rise in hospital admissions.
Insulted MPs in fight for Bruce
North Queensland MPs are “insulted and infuriated” after the Labor government promised $467m for Bruce Highway works in marginal electorates, with one saying a “big picture plan” is needed.
LNP MPs Phillip Thompson and Andrew Willcox have come out swinging after the pre-budget announcement, which will fund works in the Far North and South East.
May 14
Rogue croc caught at Port Hinchinbrook
A monster saltwater crocodile believed to be responsible for an attack on a human and death of at least one pet dog has been captured in spectacular fashion at a North Queensland marina.
The saltie, also known as an estuarine crocodile, measuring at least four metres in length was caught in a large metal trap placed by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation at Port Hinchinbrook in Cardwell
Waterfront, housing top budget list
An upgraded waterfront with the Great Barrier Reef education precinct, a fair chunk of Bruce Highway funding, housing investment and workforce shortage assistance are leading the ticket of North Queensland budget priorities as the nation is poised to hear what projects will get the green light or further funding.
Townsville Enterprise has released its priorities for the budget, which includes $100m worth of investment into the GBR education precinct, which would include a new aquarium.
May 15
We deserve better
North Queensland’s leaders have come out swinging after last night’s Federal Budget ‘snubbed’ the region, including the absence of any money to rebuild Townsville’s Reef HQ aquarium.
Crime far from kid’s play
A young Mackay family who moved to Townsville to seek medical treatment for their darling baby girl has received a harrowing introduction to the scourge of local youth crime.
Ashleigh Connell, a married mum with 2½-year-old twins Noah and Gracie, said she was prepping breakfast when she noticed “an internal door to the garage was open”.
“As I walked outside and notice the side gate open I peered around the corner and my heart fell to the floor,” she said.
“My driveway was empty and my new car was gone.”
May 16
Teen’s haunting last words as he vanished
“Big bro, help” were the last words spoken by a First Nations teenager before he perished in a treacherous river while fleeing from police after reluctantly going for a joy-ride in a stolen car, a pre-inquest into his death has heard.
The body of Robert “Robbie” Malayta, 18, was discovered a day later on February 25, 2022, in the Ross River at the Riverway Precinct in Kirwan, Townsville.
May 21
MP demands answers as crime cripples
As serious youth crime continues to plague Townsville, Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has demanded the Miles Government to provide an urgent update on the progress of its intensive on-country program.
Dametto’s call for action comes in the wake of a Townsville boy facing nearly 50 charges related to a series of alleged vehicle, property, and violence offences committed during a three-week rampage.
He says it’s already been two months since expressions of interest for the program wrapped up but the public are still waiting for answers.
May 23
State’s hotspot of crime
Townsville has become the epicentre in the Queensland Police Service’s battle against youth crime, with Taskforce Guardian working overtime to clean up the city’s streets.
Since its inception 12 months ago, Taskforce Guardian has launched 13 deployments across the city, surpassing all other police districts across the state.
Their efforts within Townsville’s district have resulted in 286 arrests, 871 charges and 129 diversions away from the court system into anti-crime programs.
Mayor not in the SAS
Townsville’s mayor has produced his military service number to “put an end” to speculation, however the full contents of his record reveal he did not spend five years in the army or the SAS as he told voters.
May 27
Dogs of war
Soldiers from across the globe have descended on North Queensland for this year’s Brolga Run Exercise. Troops from Japan, PNG and the US are mucking in together with the locals in pursuit of perfection, but no bond is stronger than the one between our sappers and their canine companions.
May 30
Twist in murder case
A Townsville massage parlour owner allegedly killed his wife’s lover in a frenzied stabbing attack when he found out about their affair.
Lar Sue, 31, has been charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his wife’s lover above a Thai restaurant on Monday.
Sue allegedly confronted his wife and the other man in a Kirwan unit and stabbed him multiple times.
May 31
What a crock
Townsville’s embattled mayor is facing fresh allegations of deception, conceding he misled voters about his education, business nous and military career and blaming “100 plus” concussions for his poor memory.
Troy Thompson has also apologised to veterans for embellishing his military service in an explosive national television interview in which he disputed lying about his career, saying he “firmly believed” he had given the right information.
More Coverage
Originally published as Townsville Bulletin newspaper headlines for month of May, 2024
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