Toowoomba News

• 'Short-sighted' fire ant treatment model ditched as pest spreads

  The state government announces extra funding to help to tackle invasive fire ants, as the pests continue to take a toll on people, livestock and farmers' bottom lines.

• Outback rain a 'cocky's dream' but a nightmare for flood-hit Queensland

  After a hot, dry summer residents in outback Queensland are celebrating the weekend's rainfall. But on the north coast, more rain could prove to be disastrous.

• 'Good times, good people': Old mates say goodbye to historic saleyards

  Greg, Barry, and Leo have farewelled their town's last livestock saleyards after working for a combined 169 years of service there.

• Queensland residents urged to prepare for more rainfall in coming days

  After being hit by flash flooding during the week, north Queensland residents are being warned to prepare for more rainfall, while the west of the state could also see a significant rain event. 

• Minister backs program to deliver 2,200 hospital beds amid $6b blowout

  Eleven hospital expansions across Queensland and four new builds in Coomera, Toowoomba, Bundaberg and Brisbane will go ahead under the LNP government, despite costs escalating significantly.

• Rainfall easing in north Queensland, but heavy falls still possible

  The weather bureau says heavy falls are still possible with storms forecast across the northern and western parts of the state.

• Emergency alert as 450mm downpour cuts off parts of north Qld

  Cardwell Gap, near Ingham, cops a massive deluge overnight and flooding has again the Bruce Highway with more wet weather to come.

• Westfield rolls out body-worn security cameras a year after Bondi stabbings

  Australia's biggest shopping centre owner says the devices are being introduced to improve the safety and security of its customers and staff.

• Two herds of cattle owned by luxury beef giant AACo die in one month

  A theory for their cause of death was that a tap from a water tank to a trough was accidentally off. The deaths have horrified people in the agriculture industry, and marks more turmoil at AACo.

• Heavy rainfall expected in north Queensland, while above-average temps hit south-east

  Areas north of Townsville are set for a drenching today, but it is unlikely a tropical low forming in the Gulf of Carpentaria will develop into a cyclone. An unseasonably hot day is predicted for the Gold and Sunshine coasts. 

• From the blue line to the red carpet, retired cop takes a bow

  Former police officer Russell Reynolds has acted in Hollywood films, but as the curtain rises on the next stage in his life, he's shining a light on how to help at-risk youth. 

• The town that keeps flooding but no-one wants to leave

  In the southern Queensland town of Laidley, floodwaters come and go but the people stay. 

• Sunny forecast for southern Queensland, with storms in the north

  The Bureau of Meterology is forecasting "settled" weather in southern Queensland, allowing floodwaters to recede and recovery efforts from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred to continue. 

• Cricket star Georgia Voll always looks like she is having fun, and that's because she is

  The star batter wants to be a role model for the next generation of players on and off the field. 

• Farmer braves floodwaters with snake and spiders to save drowning bull

  Nick Colquhoun was acting on adrenaline when he plunged in with wire cutters to free a prized stud bull caught in barbed wire as the floodwaters rose.

• Rainfall expected in parts of Qld as clean-up continues after cyclone

  Showers are expected across coastal parts of the state today, with some regions on the tropical north coast picking up more than 100 millimetres overnight.

• 'We're sick of it, but used to it': Lockyer Valley residents assess flood damage

  Floods from Cyclone Alfred are a reminder that days of isolation and wearing the cost of floods out of your own pocket are part of life in Queensland's Lockyer Valley.    

• Supermarket shelves stripped bare far from TC Alfred impact zone

  Supermarkets across Queensland grapple with grocery shortages in the wake of the natural disaster, with flooding expected to affect the supply of fresh vegetables in the coming months.

• The evidence you need to make an insurance claim after flooding

  Working out how to claim insurance is confusing at the best of times. Here's how to claim, and the steps to take to make the insurance process easier.

• Brisbane records heaviest rain since Cyclone Wanda

  Australia's east coast has been pounded by rain, wind and surf for a week, with Brisbane recording its highest daily rainfall in half a century.

• Record emergency calls in QLD as ex-Alfred rain lingers in northern NSW

  Rapid creek rises and dangerous flash-flooding is impacting parts of South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

• Up to 800mm of rain could fall over parts of Queensland, increasing flood risk

  Almost 250,000 homes and businesses are without power in Queensland's south-east, with warnings the wild weather is not over yet despite ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred weakening to a tropical low.

• World's worst bee-killing parasite found in Queensland

  Varroa destructor mite has been found in southern Queensland, the first detection of the world's worst bee-killing parasite in the state.

• Private donor puts up $5,000 to find Tayla Spies

  A family friend of Tayla Spies posts a $5,000 reward for information leading to the missing mum's discovery as police remain stumped by the disappearance.

• 29yo man charged with murder after Toowoomba shooting

  A man has been arrested and will face court on Monday after the death of a 27-year-old Toowoomba woman.