Minister stumbles over bat question

  ENVIRONMENT Minister Leeanne Enoch has failed to provide a straight answer over what support her department will provide Hinchinbrook Shire Council as they attempt to rid Ingham of a massive bat colony. In a Question Without Notice from Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto in parliament on Tuesday morning, Mr Dametto referenced the “technical and financial […] READ MORE

Katter’s Australian Party enters new era

THE future of Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) is secure after Maverick Kennedy MP Bob Katter announced he will hand over his leadership of the party to the next generation. Mr Katter’s son and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has been named as the new KAP leader, with Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto praising the move. “I congratulate […] READ MORE

Telstra abandons Upper Stone customers

RESIDENTS in Upper Stone fear their calls will go unanswered in a potentially life-threatening situation due to failing Telstra infrastructure that has left them largely without any landline phone service for almost a month. Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said his office had been inundated with emails, mobile phone calls and visits from furious residents, with […] READ MORE

Contractor to help fight against Ingham bats

AN environmental management firm with a proven track record of bat roost dispersal will get to work in Ingham shortly following a productive meeting with Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto and Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo. Mr Dametto said he was pleased Cr Jayo had announced a $250,000 contract to environmental management firm Biodiversity Australia to disperse […] READ MORE

Automation hurting local jobs

SELF-service checkouts will largely kill off entry-level local jobs for young people in small towns unless guarantees are given by major franchises to protect them, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) MPs have warned. KAP Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said “creeping automation” was slowly being rolled out across regional centres like Townsville, Ingham, Charters Towers and Tully, […] READ MORE

MAJOR PARTIES TREAT DAIRY FARMERS WITH CONTEMPT

Katter’s Australian Party State (KAP) MPs have today launched a scathing attack on Labor and the LNP for politicising the plight of struggling Queensland farmers to win favour with voters. State KAP Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter said he was furious that after years of silence and repeated refusal to back KAP legislation designed […] READ MORE

Another dredging milestone for Cardwell

THE long-awaited dredging of Cardwell’s One Mile Creek has reached another milestone with a set of existing dredging permits secured. Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said he was pleased to hear that Port Hinchinbrook liquidator Offermans had agreed to allow Cassowary Coast Regional Council to use their existing dredging permits after attending a meeting with key […] READ MORE

Key meeting to help solve bat problem

INGHAM’S bat problem is another step closer to being solved following a key meeting between Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto, Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo and an environmental management firm. Mr Dametto and Cr Jayo joined Biodiversity Australia operations manager and senior ecologist Karl Robertson for an inspection of flying fox roosts in the town last week, […] READ MORE

Works to start next year on highway blackspot

FUNDING has been allocated and will be spent upgrading a dangerous stretch of the Bruce Highway at Black River that has been the site of several fatal accidents. Transport and Main Roads (TMR) officials revealed works were set to start by Easter next year on a duplication of the highway between Veales Rd and Pope […] READ MORE

KAP warns of green monster’s latest QLD attack

Drastic changes to the Lake Eyre Basin Management Plan, proposed by the Palaszczuk Government under new “Pristine Rivers” legislation, could crucify future development in north and western Queensland, Katter’s Australian Party MPs have warned. Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch announced a review into the basin’s management plan just before Christmas, saying the “proposed framework will increase […] READ MORE