Latest news with #TownsvilleCityCouncil
Courier-Mail
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Courier-Mail
Three swimmers hospitalised after being stung by jellyfish at The Strand
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News. Just days after stinger season's end and Townsville's stinger nets being hauled in, three swimmers have been hospitalised after receiving jellyfish stings at The Strand. A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said they responded to reports of three male swimmers being stung on Saturday at 7.30am. She said the swimmers were able to get out of the water before calling triple-0. They were subsequently transported to hospital in a stable condition. Townsville City Council responded with a post to social media on Saturday morning announcing temporary beach closures for The Strand. 'Heads up! If you're planning a swim at The Strand, please note that all beaches in the area are currently closed due to increased stinger activity️,' the council said. 'The beaches will remain closed for the next 24 hours while Surf Life Saving Queensland conducts stinger dragging operations. 'Your safety is our priority — please avoid swimming until further notice.' Townsville City Council announced that it had removed the city's stinger nets on May 20. Picture: TCC. It comes after the council announced four days ago that cooler weather had arrived and stinger nets were being pulled in at North Strand, South Strand, Pallarenda, Horseshoe Bay, Picnic Bay, and Balgal Beach. 'Whilst stinger season has ended, we still urge swimmers to proceed with caution in the ocean,' the council said in a social media post. 'Stinger season runs from November to May and nets are only removed after no stingers are caught in daily net drags for 14 days.' Reef RQ had a box jellyfish on display after it was pulled from the marina. Picture: Zak Simmonds A TCC spokesman said on Saturday morning that the council remained committed to the safety of our community and worked closely with Surf Life Saving Queensland to assess when stinger nets could be safely removed following the stinger season. 'Nets are only removed once there have been two consecutive weeks of clear net drags – with no stingers or signs of their presence, and water temperatures have consistently dropped below 26°C at all netted locations,' the spokesman said. 'We are aware of reports that a group of ocean swimmers has been stung off The Strand and our thoughts are with those affected. 'As a precaution, all beaches along The Strand have been temporarily closed for 24 hours while Surf Life Saving Queensland conducts stinger drag operations.' Acadian Surf Life Saving club member Jonathan Dulihanty with a small Bluebottle jellyfish on the Strand in 2020. Picture: Evan Morgan Earlier in May, Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) thanked its volunteer lifesavers and discussed the closure of 2024/25 volunteer patrol season for five of Queensland's six regions. 'Our message remains clear: swim between the flags, assess the conditions, and listen to the lifeguards who continue to watch over you. In the North, we thank your lifesavers who are now in full force keeping our tropical beaches safe,' SLSQ said. This season, Surf Life Saving Queensland: • Performed 1,052 rescues • Carried out 14,657 first aid treatments • Took 109,760 preventative actions • Experienced 12 fatal drownings — all outside patrolled areas Surf Life Saving Queensland was approached for comment. Townsville's lifeguard hours and status (services subject to change) The Strand Net 1 (North) There are 1-2 lifeguards. Lifeguard hours: Daily: 9am to 5pm Christmas School Holidays: 9am to 6pm The Strand Net 2 (South) There is one lifeguard. There is no lifeguard during winter months and public holidays. There is an emergency call beacon on site. Lifeguard hours: Daily from September to May: 9am to 5pm Christmas School Holidays: 9am to 6pm June to August and Public Holidays: no lifeguard The Strand Rockpool There are 1-2 lifeguards present 6 days a week. Lifeguard hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 9am to 5pm Easter and September School Holidays: 9am to 5pm Christmas School Holidays: 9am to 6pm Wednesdays: Closed for cleaning The Strand Roving Lifeguard Roving Lifeguard times and dates on The Strand: April to November: 9am to 5:30pm October to May: 9:30am to 7:30pm Weekends, Public Holidays, and School Holidays: 9am to 7pm Originally published as Three swimmers hospitalised after being stung by jellyfish at The Strand
ABC News
30-04-2025
- ABC News
Queensland dog owner fails to have $806 off-leash fine reduced
A Queenslander fined for walking his dog without a leash says he is shocked by how much penalties have increased. Bart Cwiklinski and his obedient, partially blind dog Luna were stopped by a council officer near an off-leash dog park in Townsville late last year. Officers can exercise discretion and issue warnings but slapped Mr Cwiklinski, a first-time offender, with an $806 fine on the spot. "I was calm, compliant, admitted guilt, I was sure I would get a warning," Mr Cwiklinski said. " When I heard the fine was $806, that blew my mind. " After hearing of other cases in which dog walkers were given warnings Mr Cwiklinski decided to challenge the infringement, but the fine was upheld in Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Bart Cwiklinski says many dog owners are unaware of how steep the penalty can be. ( ABC North Qld: Chloe Chomicki ) Maximum fine exceeds $8k During that hearing Mr Cwiklinski pleaded guilty and expressed remorse but argued his dog was well-trained and that he should have received a warning. "I sympathise with him — it is a large sum," Townsville City Council solicitor Alana Divett said. "However, the maximum fine for the same offence is $8,065." Acting Magistrate Kerri Fredericks said if Mr Cwiklinski had a lead with him on the day he may not have been penalised. Mr Cwiklinski pleaded guilty to not exercising effective control of a dog in a public place. ( ABC North Qld: Rachael Merritt ) "You might have got a warning, but in your case they considered the fact that you weren't even carrying a lead," she said. Magistrate Fredricks said the law applied to all dogs and that the penalties varied. "If your dog was a badly behaved dog, then your case would be in a higher category," she said. Townsville City Council told the ABC its officers were unable to make exceptions to the law when it was "evident" that an an animal was "not under effective control". Owners have 'absolutely no idea' In July 2024 the Queensland government amended dog ownership laws due to a rise in complaints and attacks. Dog owners who fail to keep their animal under "effective control" in public can be issued on-the-spot-fines. The government states that a person has "effective control" if they are able to physically control the dog, have it on a leash or are supervising it in an off-leash area. Mr Cwiklinski felt Queensland dog owners were being caught off guard and were unaware the off-leash penalty had increased. "They have absolutely no idea," he said. " It is not a deterrent if people do not know about it. " Bart Cwiklinski says Luna is getting used to being on a leash. ( ABC North Qld: Chloe Chomicki ) Mr Cwiklinski says Luna, who can sit, shake and high five, has adjusted well to wearing a lead but enjoys the off-leash park. He says he has been warning other dog owners in the park about the increased penalties by asking them to guess the severity of the fine. "The guesses are usually $50, $100 or $200," Mr Cwiklinski said. "But no, it used to be $320 — now it is $806."
ABC News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Stolen car delays Anzac Day parade, forcing march off Townsville street
A stolen ute has forced an Anzac Day parade off the road in Australia's largest garrison city Townsville. The north Queensland city's Thuringowa march was due to start at 9am on Friday but was delayed 20 minutes while organisers moved marchers off the road and onto the footpath for safety. Queensland Police said initial information indicated a stolen RAM utility had earlier been involved in several hit-and-run traffic crashes in Thuringowa. "As a precaution the parade was diverted onto nearby pathways instead of proceeding along the main roadway," a police spokesperson said. Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr described the stolen car activity as "disgraceful". "Of all days, these young thugs think it is OK to be out scaring the community," Ms Marr said. " It makes me very angry, as it did a lot of people. It almost ruined the day. " It is not known if the offenders in the stolen car were children or adults. Ms Marr praised the efforts of police who coordinated roadblocks with Townsville City Council. Ongoing crime concerns The Thuringowa MP was one of three LNP members elected in Townsville at the 2024 Queensland election following a lengthy campaign on crime. The LNP Queensland government has since introduced "adult crime adult time" legislation to expand sentencing options in youth-crime matters. "We still do have crime in our city," Ms Marr said. "We have made changes to legislation to make sure children can be charged accordingly and if appropriate have detention." Queensland Police said officers were still trying to locate the vehicle and occupants. The RAM utility was reported stolen from the Townsville suburb of Pimlico about 6:45am on Friday. Townsville is Australia's largest garrison city, home to more than 5,000 currently serving Australian Defence Force members alongside more than 9,000 veterans.
