Latest news with #SunshineCoast-based
New York Post
02-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Common household items that make mold growth in your home even worse
Have basketfuls of toys and clothes in the kids' rooms? This will make you think twice about everything you have in your home that could be making everyone sick. Advertisement With mold becoming a year-round problem in many states, battling this dangerous toxin shouldn't just be limited to the days when it rains nonstop. If members of your family are suffering from things such as fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, chronically blocked nose, chronic cough, itchy eyes, sneezing and poor concentration, mold could be the problem. Rather than wait for it to take over your home – and seriously affect the health of your family – there are easy ways to minimize mold growth just by choosing and removing some belongings that you never thought would make a difference. Dr Sandeep Gupta, a Sunshine Coast-based integrative GP and leading expert in Australia on mold and biotoxin illness, shares what to ditch ahead of the very wet season ahead. Books and paper Advertisement 13 Paper is porous so, mold and bacteria can get into the substance and can't be cleaned. petropavlovskaja – Avoid any type of clutter like this because dust, dirt and mold go together. Paper is porous so, mold and bacteria can get into the substance and can't be cleaned. Indoor plants 13 Fake plants aren't problematic but real ones can create excessive moisture due to the soil. Olena Vasylieva – Advertisement Fake plants aren't problematic but real ones can create excessive moisture due to the soil. It's all about generating less moisture in the home. Clothing 13 If you can see the mold, that means there's a large number of spores already in the material. Pixel-Shot – Moldy clothing should be removed from the home – washing them can contaminate the washing machine and spread it further. Advertisement If you can see the mold, that means there's a large number of spores already in the material. The way you store clothes also plays an important part. Unaffected clothes should be stored with plenty of airflow – on hangers is the preferred method compared to stacking or in baskets as space between clothes lessens the chance of mold growth. If you need to pile clothes on shelves and in baskets, make the piles very small. Baskets of wet laundry 13 Wet towels and bathers should be hung out in the sun until they're dry again or thrown into the wash. Africa Studio – Does your family pile their wet towels from the shower for days until washing day? Or do you leave soggy bathers from a day at the beach in a tub in the laundry until there's enough to put on a cycle? Bad idea. Wet towels and bathers should be hung out in the sun until they're dry again or thrown into the wash. Advertisement Tea towels should follow the same rule, and throw any out that show signs of mold. Aquariums 13 Any body of water increases air moisture, and it's best to check whether it's affecting the humidity level in the room. Pixel-Shot – Any body of water increases air moisture, and it's best to check whether it's affecting the humidity level in the room. Rugs 13 Rugs are porous materials and absorb mold easily, so regularly check underneath them and air them out regularly. Syda Productions – Advertisement These are porous materials and absorb mold easily, so regularly check underneath them and air them out regularly. If you develop a mold problem, these are the types of items that need to go. Kitchen 13 Chopping boards made of hardwood should be okay but chipboard cabinetry in the kitchen can likely become contaminated. New Africa – Chopping boards made of hardwood should be okay but chipboard cabinetry in the kitchen can likely become contaminated. Furniture Advertisement 13 Spend the extra cash to get products made of hardwood, plastic or metal. wabeno – Items made of chipboard are highly susceptible to mold as it's like a sponge for water. Spend the extra cash to get products made of hardwood, plastic or metal. Storage 13 Opt for plastic or metal instead of porous materials like jute, rattan, bamboo and fabric baskets. Africa Studio – Advertisement Opt for plastic or metal instead of porous materials like jute, rattan, bamboo and fabric baskets. Plastic and metal can be wiped off, while the others can't. Toys 13 Plastic (not used with water), hardwood and metal toys are less of a problem. shangarey – Fabric ones are the most porous to mold. Plastic (not used with water), hardwood and metal toys are less of a problem. Chemicals 13 Check your personal care products and choose natural options without aluminium. kucherav – Many people who are sensitive to mold are also chemical sensitive. Check your personal care products and choose natural options without aluminum and remove those that are artificially fragranced and contain toxic ingredients. Split system air conditioner 13 Even if it's not used regularly, mold can easily develop in humid conditions. Kate – Don't throw it out but it's important to have it cleaned and serviced. Even if it's not used regularly, mold can easily develop in humid conditions. Ducted air conditioning is less susceptible to mold. Mold filters for both options can be purchased. Clove oil 13 Cleaning with clove oil releases spores and particles from itself and can make things worse. Maryna Osadcha – Yes, that's right – cleaning with clove oil releases spores and particles from itself and can make things worse. Instead, remove the mold instead of trying to kill it. If there is mold on a windowsill for example, use a cloth and a small amount of washing detergent and try to take it away in one go rather than just spraying things on it.
Time Business News
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Best Electrical Services on the Sunshine Coast — Niche Electrical Group
When you're looking for dependable electrical work on the Sunshine Coast, you need a team that's experienced, licensed, and focused on safety. At Niche Electrical Group, we provide high-quality electrical services across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors — with a reputation for prompt, efficient solutions that last. From urgent electrical faults to major installations, our electricians handle every job with precision and care. Our standout offering? Specialised industrial electrical maintenance that ensures your critical systems operate safely and efficiently year-round. Why Locals Choose Niche Electrical Group As a Sunshine Coast-based company, we take pride in delivering electrical services that meet the specific needs of our local community. Our fully insured and qualified team has experience across all types of projects — from home renovations to factory fit-outs — always with a strong focus on safety, compliance, and customer satisfaction. We use the latest tools and high-quality materials to guarantee reliable results. Whether you're upgrading your home's lighting or planning a long-term industrial electrical maintenance strategy, you can count on us to get it right the first time. Electrical Services for Every Environment Residential Electrical Ensure your home is powered safely and efficiently with our full range of residential services: Custom lighting design and installs Switchboard upgrades Safety switch and smoke alarm installation Home security systems and smart automation General fault finding and compliance checks Need help fast? We also offer quick-response emergency services and preventative maintenance. Commercial Electrical Businesses need electrical systems they can rely on. We offer tailored solutions for: Shop and office fit-outs Network and data cabling LED lighting upgrades Test and tag compliance Switches, power outlets, and more Our electricians work to your schedule, delivering projects on time and within budget. The Sunshine Coast's Industrial Electrical Maintenance Experts For industrial clients, we offer complete industrial electrical maintenance services to help keep operations running without disruption. Industrial environments require robust, expertly maintained systems — and our team delivers exactly that. What Does Industrial Electrical Maintenance Involve? It's the regular servicing, repair, and inspection of electrical systems in plants, warehouses, and production facilities. We work on: Switchboards and control panels High-voltage motors and drives PLCs and automation systems Industrial lighting and HVAC Power distribution setups Emergency systems (UPS, generators) Our trained electricians ensure all work complies with WHS regulations and Australian electrical standards. Why Preventive Maintenance Matters Avoid Downtime : Catch issues early before they cause system failures : Catch issues early before they cause system failures Extend Equipment Life : Keep components running longer : Keep components running longer Boost Safety : Prevent electrical hazards with regular checks : Prevent electrical hazards with regular checks Cut Energy Waste : Identify and fix inefficiencies : Identify and fix inefficiencies Stay Compliant: Meet all local safety and wiring codes Available 24/7 for Emergency Electrical Work Power failures and unexpected issues don't follow a 9-to-5 schedule. That's why Niche Electrical Group is available around the clock to handle emergency situations. Whether it's your home, business, or industrial site, we respond fast to get things running again. Local Electricians You Can Trust We're proud to be part of the Sunshine Coast community — known for our honest advice, professional workmanship, and dedication to quality. From once-off callouts to long-term maintenance plans, Niche Electrical Group is ready to be your go-to electrical partner. Explore our full range of services and discover why more locals are turning to us for reliable industrial electrical maintenance and beyond. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chopper Captures Moment Fisherman Rescues Stranded Sailor off Queensland Coast
A stranded sailor was rescued off North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, on Monday, April 7, with the assistance of a fisherman and the Sunshine Coast-based LifeFlight aeromedical crew. The sailor set off a distress alarm, with the rescue helicopter crew launching a search for the man at about 4:40 am. The man was found atop his overturned vessel about 3.5 nautical miles offshore, LifeFlight said in a media release. 'A fisherman nearby responded to a request for help from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and helped the man onto his boat before taking him to shore,' LifeFlight said. This footage, taken from the chopper, shows the fisherman traveling toward the stranded sailor and helping him onto his vessel. The man, who was in his 50s, was assessed by the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) but did not require further medical assistance. Credit: LifeFlight via Storyful
The Guardian
10-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Bruce Lehrmann switches lawyers before Toowoomba rape trial
Former Liberal party staffer Bruce Lehrmann has changed solicitors months before he is expected to stand trial accused of two counts of rape. Sydney-based lawyer Zali Burrows said on Monday that she was now acting for Lehrmann in the Queensland district court at Toowoomba. Lehrmann is accused of raping a woman twice during the morning of 10 October 2021 after they met at a strip club the previous night in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane. Sunshine Coast-based lawyer Rowan King has appeared for Lehrmann throughout his criminal matter in Queensland, which was first mentioned in court in January 2023. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Lehrmann has been committed to stand trial and at a mention in Toowoomba in January this year King told Judge Dennis Lynch that Lehrmann's barrister would apply for a judge-alone trial. In Queensland, the grounds for holding a trial without a jury include that the hearings would be lengthy or complex, or both, or 'there has been significant pre-trial publicity that may affect jury deliberations'. Burrows confirmed that the district court registry had been informed she was now representing Lehrmann. She previously represented Lehrmann in Hobart magistrates court in Tasmania for the mention of his charge of motor vehicle stealing. It is alleged the 29-year-old stole a Toyota Prado from Mountain River, a rural area south-west of Hobart, on 20 November. Lehrmann has not yet entered any pleas to the Toowoomba or Tasmania charges. His legal team in Toowoomba has indicated he will defend them. Burrows has also appeared at the federal court in Sydney over Lehrmann's appeal after losing a defamation case he brought against Network Ten, and his attempts to avoid paying costs and sureties. Lehrmann sued over a February 2021 report on The Project interviewing Brittany Higgins about her allegations she was sexually assaulted in Parliament House in March 2019 while both were employed by Senator Linda Reynolds. Justice Michael Lee found in April that Lehrmann was not defamed in reports he sexually assaulted Higgins because the allegations were substantially true. It came after a criminal case against Lehrmann in the ACT supreme court was abandoned in 2022 due to juror misconduct with no verdict made against him. Lehrmann's Toowoomba case is due for a pre-trial directions hearing on 27 March.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Builder paid boat workers in meth: court
A high profile builder pocketed more than $26,000 worth of the drug methylamphetamine by supplying it to contractors working on his houseboat - taking the price of the meth out of their remuneration, a court has been told. Wayne Geoffrey Dwyer, the former director of Sunshine Coast-based construction company Dwyer Homes Pty Ltd, avoided jail during his court appearance on Wednesday for 'significant' supplies of the drug, which occurred over more than three months back in 2022. The supplies occurred 86 times to three customers over the period. Dwyer pleaded guilty to 90 charges - including 86 counts of supplying dangerous drugs. The 63-year-old had been using the drug to ameliorate the condition of his Parkinson's disease, Supreme Court Justice Frances Williams said during the sentencing. The court was told Dwyer supplied meth to three people who were working on his houseboat - moored at Minyama in the Sunshine Coast at the time he was busted. The cost of the drugs was deducted from the workers' payslips, Justice Williams said. While investigators were unable to determine how much of a profit was made, the court was told it was estimated Dwyer made more than $26,000 from the supplies. His offending was undone after a search warrant was executed on the houseboat and a property in Mooloolaba on November 3, 2022. Police discovered a computer with an excel spreadsheet on the boat detailing the supplies, and texts on his phone sourcing the meth. 'You did maintain a profit margin table in the spreadsheet, which showed between 15 and 70 per cent profit depending on the quantity supplied,' Justice Williams said. Another 12.901g of meth and several drug utensils were also seized. In sentencing Dwyer to 3.5 years' jail - wholly suspended for five years - Justice Williams noted the 'unusual' circumstances of the case and how the 63-year-old possessed the drugs for a 'mixed commercial purpose'. 'The court cannot condone the use of dangerous drugs for self-medication,' she said. 'You were a person of good standing in the community... and found yourself at 60 years of age dealing with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, and other medical conditions.' Dwyer was also placed on a probation order for 18 months. Multiple references in support of Dwyer, in addition to medical reports and a letter of apology, were tendered in Dwyer's defence. Defence barrister Mark McCarthy KC said there were 'significant' medical issues related to Dwyer's Parkinson's disease that led to his client first engaging with drugs at the time. The court was told Dwyer eventually became dependent on the drug ice - extending the drugs to his circle of employees. Mr McCarthy argued a suspended sentence was appropriate for his client given his medical condition and remorse for the offending. 'At 60 years of age, it's extremely unfortunate he (Dwyer) finds himself... in this offending,' he said. Justice Williams noted Dwyer otherwise had taken significant steps in rehabilitation since the charges were laid. She said the references painted him as a successful businessman, employing hundreds of staff and making extensive community contributions across the Sunshine Coast. Dwyer first made headlines in 2019 over the controversial development of a tennis court on top of his Mooloolaba home. A Current Affair reports the Sunshine Coast Council sent an enforcement notice ordering him to stop the construction, arguing the tennis court fence was above the regulation building height of 8.5 metres. 'They (neighbours) were concerned about the noise of the tennis balls, the grunts from players and the grunts from spectators,' Dwyer told the program. 'I let them know it's not going to be Wimbledon up here .'
