Toowoomba News

1. Toowoomba woman charged after child found in locked car, as heatwave continues in south-east Queensland

   The 30-year-old woman was taken into custody after police were called to rescue a child left unattended in a Toowoomba shopping centre car park.

2. 'Why should I pay for poor partner choices?': Lawyer called out over comments on paid DV leave laws

   A Queensland law firm director has defended comments he made about the financial impact of new domestic violence leave laws on small business owners.

3. How a US equity giant helped Australia's latest budget airline take flight

   Bonza promises cheap airfares and new routes but how sustainable is their business model? 

4. 'Sweat-O-Meter' shows heatwave conditions across Queensland with stifling nights in the south-east to come

   No let-up forecast for days as Brisbane swelters thorough stifling overnight humidity. 

5. First airline to launch in Australia in 15 years looks to open up routes but says Sydney fees are too expensive

   Newcomer Bonza hopes to launch its Melbourne base within weeks after successfully flying its first passenger flight on Tuesday.

6. Are you struggling to afford school uniforms and lunches? Here are some ways to save

   Many parents are wondering how to afford the essentials their kids need as students return to the playground. Here are some tips from mums and experts on how to rein in the spend.

7. This town ran out of water during the drought, so why has it been left out of a $370m pipeline plan?

   The Queensland government grants $370 million to construct a pipeline connecting two towns via Wivenhoe Dam, but it will not extend as far as Stanthorpe — a town that had to truck in drinking water for 15 months.

8. Cattle Australia boss's comments leave industry women 'profoundly disappointed'

   Comments by Cattle Australia chair David Foote about women's role in the industry being at "every kitchen table" have renewed calls for gender diversity on agricultural boards.

9. 'Television is about the only thing keeping us going in life', residents say as council switches off transmission tower

   This small rural town will lose most of its free-to-air TV services today when the local transmission tower is switched off. Local residents say the closure will "cut them off from the world".

10. Couple killed in crash with baby daughter remembered as 'great parents'

    Jake Pearce, Katy Tattam and their one-year-old daughter Charlie died on Tuesday when their car collided with two trucks on Queensland's Darling Downs.

11. Queenslander with world-class eye for steak dominates US meat judging comp

    The science behind carcase competitions directly influences the quality of meat produced in Australia and plays a role in developing the next generation of experts.

12. Man, woman and baby killed in multi-vehicle crash at Oakey near Toowoomba

    A man, woman and one-year-old child have been killed in a multi-vehicle crash west of Toowoomba on the Darling Downs.

13. Unlocking phone towers could improve mobile reception in the bush within 'weeks, not months'

    Mobile phone towers are locked to specific telecommunication providers, but mandatory roaming advocates say unlocking them is a simple process that will have big benefits for rural communities.

14. Farmers, environmental groups say coal mine's water licence should never have been approved

    Environmental groups are planning fresh legal action against the New Acland Coal mine, arguing a permit obtained by the mine is "a licence to take or interfere with water".

15. Jeannette Young first mentioned a novel coronavirus to Queenslanders three years ago today. Here's what's happened since

    Queensland's fourth year of living with COVID-19 begins today – marking the anniversary of the first time the state's then Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young warned the public of a novel coronavirus emerging out of China.

16. Fertiliser prices are falling, but there's no guarantee food prices will follow

    Farmers and consumers are waiting to see how a global fertiliser price drop will impact their bottom lines and grocery budgets.

17. Family of alleged Tara shooting teens receiving threats, court hears

    Fears for the welfare of two boys charged over a shooting incident which sent streets of a small town into lockdown have been aired in court.

18. Queensland's COVID-19 protocols downgraded from amber to green, so what's changed?

    COVID-19 will continue to place significant pressure on Queensland's health system in 2023 with more waves predicted throughout the year, the state's Chief Health Officer John Gerrard says.

19. Three teens charged after alleged crime spree leading police on car chase across Darling Downs

    Police say early intervention strategies are key to breaking the cycle of youth offending, after arresting three teens who allegedly led officers on a day-long pursuit involving a police helicopter.

20. Scientists discover planet that rings in the new year every five days

    Hundreds of light years away, the hot Jupiter exoplanet has temperatures high enough to melt silver and is orbiting its sun in the length of a working week.

21. Firefighters brace for a bushfire risk trifecta

    Built-up fuel, lack of rain, and soaring temperatures have Southern Queensland firefighters on alert.

22. This is one of the industries offering free study as part of an initiative to address labour shortages

    This year, 180,000 fee-free TAFE places are on offer for courses related to industries with recognised skills shortages such as agriculture.

23. Magistrate questions why man charged with rape did not appear in court

    The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court, west of Brisbane, when two counts of rape were mentioned for the first time.

24. This family of graziers just had their wettest year on record, but they know how quickly things can change

    Three wet summers have changed many farmers' fortunes. But those with experience — along with scientists and accountants — say now is the time to talk about drought.

25. Just $500 worth of weed killer is all it took to ruin up to $100 million worth of cotton

    Anyone can buy the herbicide 2,4-D from a shop, but its misuse may have caused millions of dollars worth of damage to cotton crops, prompting calls for more controls.