Townsville Bulletin’s biggest headlines for November 2024
From monster fires to a record-breaking business proposal and a suspended mayor, these are the biggest stories that made headlines towards in November, 2024.
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From monster fires to a record-breaking business proposal and a suspended mayor, these are the biggest stories that made headlines towards the end of the year.
The biggest headlines from November 2024:
November 1
Crisafulli says proud city ‘dragged through the mud’
Queensland’s new Premier David Crisafulli promised Townsville he would help clean up the “tarnished reputation” Mayor Troy Thompson inflicted on the city.
“It’s a mess, and I really feel for the people of Townsville,” Mr Crisafulli told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday.
“It’s a proud city with great people, and they feel as though their reputation is being tarnished by the actions of the council and the mayor.
November 9
Suicide in prison offers no justice
A Townsville schoolgirl who was allegedly groomed and raped by her former teacher said his suicide in custody deprived her and at least four other victims from obtaining justice and closure.
The 16-year-old victim also alleged that the death of Joshua Robert Smith-Monaghan in the Townsville Correctional Centre would mean that the true extent of his offending, including the number of victims, would likely never be known.
“I’ve got mixed emotions,” she said of his death, “now there is nothing we can do and now he doesn’t have to answer for anything he’s done.”
November 13
Farmers help fight monster fire
Firefighters from across Queensland, supported by cattle farmers, contained a massive fire that burned through 1200 hectares of bush west of Townsville in just two weeks.
Rural Fire Service Queensland Superintendent Helaine Gordon said a total of about 250 professional firefighters, volunteers and members of the community, along with nine fire appliances, three waterbombing aircraft, six graders, two bulldozers and two water tankers, had been involved in the prolonged battle in challenging terrain.
“One of the things we find in the really remote locations is how much the community binds together in times of need,” she said.
November 14
$65 million tower to shatter record
A $65 million residential tower offering spectacular views of Magnetic Island will soon rise out of the ground next to The Strand, delivering North Queensland its first luxury waterfront apartments in almost a decade.
Townsville developer Maidment Group revealed more details about its 10-storey Marina Residences project, which will feature 18 luxury residences built on the last remaining 1400 sqm site at the end Mariner’s Peninsula, opposite Ardo Townsville.
Prices will start from $2.7 million for the residences, which comprises 15 spacious three-bedroom apartments and three Sky Homes, with the spectacular 495 sqm penthouse expected to shatter sales records.
November 15
Litterers, dumpers asked to tidy up
Leading into the Christmas period, a man called on the region’s litterers, dumpers, cable thieves and copper cookers to do the right thing by the community and the local environment by developing a conscience and finding a better hobby.
Over the last 12 months, he noted an increasing number of reports about illegal dumping, and has discovered a lot more dumping sites and litter, in a trend he described as “disappointing”.
“Nowhere is safe, even National Parks see their fair share (of dumping),” Dave Dudley said.
November 20
Boys barred from formal celebrations
A group of Indigenous students performed a powerful cultural dance on the red carpet after being suddenly denied entry to their own formal, in a controversial incident that has sparked outraged parents to take legal action.
The controversy unfolded at the Kirwan State High School formal, held at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
Seven Indigenous teenage boys dressed to the nines arrived together in a stretch limousine, intending to celebrate their Year 12 graduation.
However, the night took an unexpected turn when they were abruptly refused entry, with families alleging they were unfairly targeted.
November 21
Money kept ‘hush’
While ratepayers were hit with a rate rise, Townsville City Council paid $2.6 million in golden handshakes last year with an auditor’s report revealing some high-level executives were paid “over and above” what was in their contracts.
The Queensland Audit Office reported several areas of concern in its financial management report which will be tabled in the council meeting, including the amount given in termination benefits.
It found two senior executives as well as another employee received termination benefits the QAO describes “over and above” what they were contracted to receive, while also raising concern about lack of direct oversight of its entities such as NQ Spark and the North Railyards Developments.
November 22
The Fall of Troy
Local Government Minister Ann Leahy revealed disgraced mayor Troy Thompson wrote to her and requested he be suspended for 12 months on full pay, saying the state government had been “hamstrung” in how it could act.
“I’ve made it very clear that they (the council) need to get back to work, and today is the circuit breaker that enables them to get back to work for the ratepayers of Townsville,” Ms Leahy said, speaking to the media at Walker St.
Townsville’s ratepayers will be burdened by Mr Thompson’s salary of about $250,000 a year.
He has been stripped of any titles or privileges, but Ms Leahy would not give any detail into the reasoning behind Mr Thompson’s request.
November 25
Unlock and load, police unable to explain how thief got gun
Chief Superintendent Graeme Paine said there was no evidence to suggest the theft of a standard police issued gun from an unmarked police car was linked to youth crime, as he declared that police were using a “significant number” of resources to get it back off the streets.
Chief Supt Paine briefed media at the city’s police station only two streets away from the site of a break-in spree at an accommodation venue in Wills St, where four offenders gained entry to five cars.
They escaped the business in a stolen silver Holden Commodore they arrived in as well as a stolen black BMW by ramming through a security gate.
November 27
Four businesses, 30 minutes: Crime spree hurts
A trail of destruction swept across Townsville as thieves used stolen vehicles to target four locations in a brazen 30-minute crime spree, leaving small businesses with thousands in damages.
The rampage began at 4.24am, when a stolen Toyota Prado was used to ram a parked car outside Brumbys Bakery at Parkside Plaza on Bamford Lane, Kirwan.
From there, the Prado next targeted a Wulguru petrol station, crashing into the premises before the offenders made off with the cash register.
Minutes later, the same vehicle smashed into Cre8ive Sk8, a popular skate shop on Ross River Road, stealing several electric scooters.
More Coverage
Originally published as Townsville Bulletin’s biggest headlines for November 2024
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Fresh Start: Greek Orthodox community mark holy day
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‘Life-threatening’: Serious crash, vehicle fires around NQ
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‘Gold standard veterinary care’: NQ Care opens doors
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Woman in hospital after 3am Kern Brothers Dr attack
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