Gracemere – vehicle and pedestrian incident
A man in his late teens was transported to Rockhampton Hospital in a stable condition with back pain after a vehicle and pedestrian incident on Boongary Road at 6.10pm Monday.
Refunds to the rescue
Millions of Australians are waiting to lodge their tax returns as they desperately need the cash, according to new research by Finder, Australia’s most visited comparison site.
A Finder survey of 1,077 respondents revealed a worrying 1 in 8 Australians (12 per cent) – equivalent to 2.4 million people – admit this year’s tax refund is ‘critical’ to their financial health.
Almost 1 in 4 (23 per cent) say the end of financial year cash injection is ‘very important’ to their budgets.
The research shows 1 in 7 Australians (15 per cent) – equivalent to 3 million people – will be withdrawing their refund to pay for household bills, while 5 per cent will be putting it towards their mortgage.
Finder money expert Rebecca Pike said the cost of living crisis has triggered an over reliance on tax returns.
“There’s a cash flow crisis and many are counting on their tax return to address everyday expenses and get them out of a tight spot,” she said.
“If you’re waiting for your tax return to bail you out, you are likely living beyond your means.”
More than 1 in 3 (36 per cent) Australians – around 7.3 million people – plan to put their tax return into savings.
Outback tourism
Two 52-year-old Queensland-built, 2000 class ‘Silver Bullet’ railmotors are part of 29 new Outback Queensland visitor experiences for 2023.
Longreach-based Outback Rail Adventures’ facilities including workshop and storage area and rail sidings have been officially opened by Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy.
The $2.7 million tourism infrastructure project supports railmotors RM2034 and RM2036 on day trips across the flood plains of the Thomson River, Ilfracombe and sunset dinner tours to the Darr River.
Outback Rail Adventures is an initiative of Alan and Sue Smith, owners of Outback Aussie Tours which has been operating in the Outback for more than 35 years.
Outback Rail Adventures’ Alan Smith said the first phase of the Outback Rail Adventure will include the Great Darr River Run, the Silver Tail Sunset, the Historic Ilfracombe Excursion and the Old Bluey’s Flyer.
“All going well future phases will include trips to Barcaldine, Emerald and Winton,” he said.
Outback Rail Adventures is predicted to bring an extra 6000 visitors to Longreach, generating $3 million for the visitor economy annually.
The iconic 17 metre long, ‘Silver Bullet’ railmotors were built in 1971 for passenger services on Brisbane’s southside and the North Coast Line to Gympie and Bundaberg.