Townsville Bulletin’s biggest headlines for March 2024

Townsville went to the polls to elect a new mayor, flooded the Queensland Country Bank Stadium to see record-breaking artist P!nk and also remembered some of the region’s beloved members in tragic events. Here’s the biggest headlines from March 2024.

Townsville went to the polls to elect a new mayor, flooded the Queensland Country Bank Stadium to see record-breaking artist P!nk and also remembered some of the region’s beloved members in tragic events.

Here’s the biggest headlines from March 2024.

March 1

Townsville mum’s haunting final call

Natasha Nibizi, 29, was found dead in a Doolandella property, alongside her husband, Habib Bayat, in what is being treated as a suspected domestic violence murder suicide. Ms Nibizi was a mother of four - Photo Supplied Facebook/Instagram/TicToc,

A Townsville mum of four received a call from her husband hours before she was found dead next to him inside a Brisbane house in a suspected murder-suicide.

Natasha Nibizi, 29, was found dead this week alongside her husband, Habib Bayat, in what is being treated as a suspected domestic violence incident.

Ms Nibizi was a mother of four, with her oldest son 13 years old and her youngest just eight months old.

Detective Inspector Michael Hogan said officers received a “welfare call” to the Redhead St house about 7pm Tuesday where the pair were found dead.

Full story.

March 4

Explosive near miss

Photos from Genex Power’s 250MW Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project on the site of the disused Kidston gold mine, northwest of Townsville. Picture: Supplied

An alarming incident at Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project where three underground workers were put in danger when explosives were detonated nearby has triggered a war of words.

Located 280km northwest of Townsville, the 250MW Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project was in the process of converting the disused Kidston gold mine when a dangerous incident took place on February 23.

Three underground workers were operating at 300m below ground at about 5am when they felt rumblings and heard an explosion, returning to base to discover that explosives had been set off 30m below them.

Full story.

March 6

‘Truly loved’ mum killed

Kylie Walker sadly died after a lawn mower accident in Ayr on March 4. Picture: Facebook

Tributes flew in for a beloved mum who tragically died after an accident involving a ride-on lawnmower in North Queensland.

Kylie Walker, 48, sadly passed away after a farming accident with a ride-on lawnmower at a private property on Cislowski Road, Ayr, around 6pm on March 4.

Paramedics rushed to the scene, where they found her in critical condition with head and chest injuries.

However, unfortunately, she was unable to be saved.

Mrs Walker and her husband, Darren, are well-known farmers in the Burdekin region.

Her sudden deat left many community members in shock and many took to Facebook to share fond memories of Kylie and offer their condolences.

“Can’t stop thinking about you Kylie, so, so sad, taken too soon, rest peacefully,” one person commented.

Full story.

March 8

Croc cull on menu

Alicia May, mother of five children aged seven to 16, with daughter Savannah Wallace, 15, at the popular Rollingstone Creek swimming hole. Picture: Supplied

The Townsville mother at the centre of a firestorm over the confirmed sighting of a large saltwater crocodile at a popular swimming hole says she will never swim at Rollingstone Creek again.

Alicia May, mother of five children aged seven to 16, also revealed that she is tentatively against renewed calls by Katter’s Australian Party in Brisbane today for a cull of North Queensland crocodiles.

The Kirwan woman said on March 7 she had been left emotionally drained following the viral reaction to a video she posted that revealed the presence of a three-metre saltie, also known as an estuarine crocodile, at the popular Rollingstone Creek swimming hole on March 2.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said DESI’s decision to “monitor the crocodiles at Rollingstone and warn people that they are swimming in ‘croc country’ has infuriated locals and those who frequent this traditional swimming hole.”

Full story

March 12

Fur-ever home

A family in the Burdekin has lost everything in a house fire on Hurney Rd, Home Hill on March 8. Picture: Supplied

A North Queensland family of five who lost everything in a devastating house fire are looking for a loving home to take in their dog Buddy as they rebuild their lives.

Home Hill mum Tan-gina Campman recounted the harrowing moment when her family returned from a routine shopping trip only to be met with the horrifying sight of their two-storey brick home on Hurney Road engulfed in flames about 4.40pm on Friday.

“Half of the house was already gone by the time we got back,” she said.

“It really was devastating.”

Full story

March 14

$500 million ‘NASA of the reef’ vision

New images of the proposed Global Great Barrier Reef Centre of Excellence.

A reimagined ReefHQ was announced as part of a much bigger vision for North Queensland with city leaders gearing up to secure millions in investment for Townsville.

Townsville Enterprise, then Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill and the Port of Townsville joined forces to champion the Global Great Barrier Reef Centre of Excellence, which has been tipped to be the NASA of the iconic natural wonder.

The leaders hope to secure funding from the federal government to go towards the project, which is expected to cost about $500m.

The project will become an educational, immersive and sustainable experience which fosters greater collaboration among world leading marine science facilities including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australian Institute of Marine Science and James Cook University.

Full story.

March 16

It’s time to choose

Residents in queue at Thuringowa State High School on election day. Picture: Chris Burns

Voters queued at polling booths across Townsville with some residents leaving their decision until the last minute of the race.

For months, mayoral and council candidates have been campaigning to secure their spot on Townsville City Council in the 2024 election.

Mayoral candidate Troy Thompson was spotted campaigning at Wulguru State School in Division 10 this afternoon as the race to the top spot draws closer to an end.

The Independent said residents who were voting for him were motivated more by anti-Jenny Hill sentiment, rather than being pro-Troy Thompson, because they were seeking a different way of doing things.

“I’m the other guy,” he said.

Full story.

March 21

Snake bite kills dad

Jerromy Brookes, a Deeragun father, died on Tuesday afternoon after being bitten multiple times on the hand and arm by the eastern brown snake.

The wife of a Townsville man who tragically died after being bitten multiple times by a snake bandaged his wounds and performed CPR in a desperate attempt to save him.

A 47-year-old man has died after being bitten by what is believed to have been an eastern brown snake on Tuesday.

Queensland Ambulance Service responded to a triple-0 call made by his wife after he arrived home at Orillia Court, Deeragun, with multiple snake bites to his left arm at about 3.30pm.

Acting District Director Paula Marten said they were told the man had been bitten at a different location and went home, where his wife wrapped and immobilised his arm.

Full story.

March 25

Raise Your Glass NQ!

P!NK performs at Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Picture: Evan Morgan

P!nk made history in Townsville as she wrapped up her record-breaking Australian tour, smashing stadium attendance records and boosting the local economy by $50M.

Fireworks lit up the sky above the Queensland Country Bank Stadium as P!nk took her final bow and bid farewell to tens of thousands of fans in Townsville as she wrapped up the last Aussie show of her Summer Carnival tour on Saturday night.

During the tour, almost a million people watched as she played 20 stadium shows — the most ever performed by any artist in Australia and New Zealand on a single tour.

Full story.

March 28

‘I did my best’ outgoing mayor concedes defeat

An emotional Jenny Hill has conceded defeat in the 2024 Townsville LGA election.

Jenny Hill officially conceded in the election for Townsville Mayor, with Troy Thompson securing about 46 per cent of the vote.

She delivered a tearful speech, remembering the time she had spent at council and the city’s achievements.

Ms Hill, who has been mayor for 12 years and a councillor for 23 years, said at the last vote she was trailing by a little more than 2500 and there were still postal votes to be counted, but she added “there’s no likelihood of bridging that gap”.

“Rather than delay this any further, I want to provide some certainty for the city.”

As of 10.20am Wednesday, Mr Thompson had secured 49,529 votes (46.39%) and Ms Hill 46,787 (43.82%).

Full story.

Rates freeze on ice as new mayor backtracks

Troy Thompson. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mayor-elect Troy Thompson wasted no time in walking back core campaign promises, saying he wasn’t sure if his four-year rates promise will work, saying it could put Townsville City Council in a lot of trouble financially.

Mr Thompson told media after the election was finalised that he wanted to go ahead with his promises, but it may not be possible.

“We have to understand first our financial position,” Mr Thompson said.

“I’ve already had three people look at it and our position isn’t great as a city, so we’ve got to look at that very seriously and start moving forward with that as a background.

Full story.

Originally published as Townsville Bulletin’s biggest headlines for March 2024