Fraser Island shipwreck linked to Gallipoli

The famous wreck of New Zealand’s SS Maheno, aground on Fraser Island’s eastern beach for the past 80 years, today provided a backdrop to the celebration of a special connection between Australia and New Zealand at Gallipoli. The ship’s bell was escorted to the island by school children from the town of Maheno in New […]


Fuel discounts still attract shoppers, despite warnings

In the wake of record fuel prices across Queensland, motorists say increased shopper docket discounts will have a “dramatic impact” on where they fill up. According to locals, most drivers go out of their way to shop at Coles or Woolworths in order to take advantage of the discounts. The shopper dockets offered by major […]


Council condemns government bus cuts

Plans by the Queensland government to cut back bus routes have been condemned by the Brisbane City Council. In a rare unanimous urgency motion, Liberal National Party and Labor Party councillors called on the government to reconsider the changes. “(They) will have significant impact to Brisbane residents – in particular seniors … and those with […]


Win for Newsbytes as bubblers return to city rail stations

Hot and thirsty train commuters are welcoming the arrival of water bubblers on Brisbane station platforms this week – but it could take up to four months before they can take a drink. Newsbytes reported last year on the quiet withdrawal of bubblers across the Queensland Rail network. Our story resulted in reversal of the […]


Electric cars generating more interest

Electric cars on Australian roads lead the charge to a zero-emission future, but how soon will they become popular? Newsbytes asked a range of people, including car experts and members of the public, to find a mixture of views. Mitsubishi released the first mass-produced electric car to Australia’s fleet and government market in late 2010, […]


Commuters to get free travel after nine trips a week

Brisbane commuters will get free travel after nine journeys from next week. Premier Campbell Newman says commuters would feel real hip pocket relief, but a critic of travel costs says more help is needed. “The fact remains that there will be a 7.5 per cent increase in fares next year and the following year which […]


Commuters unhappy at train crowding

Commuters in south-east Queensland are angry at shoulder-to-shoulder crowding on trains and soaring ticket prices across the public transport network, according to a Newsbytes street poll. One Brisbane commuter said trains were “packed to the rafters” in peak hours. “I think they need more trains to allow people to get in and out,” he said. […]


Two rail corridors to service coal mines

The State Government will restrict rail services to new and existing coal mines in the Galilee and Bowen Basins to only two corridors. Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney told Parliament the plan would replace the eight railways proposed by the previous government. There would be an extension for the east to west corridor on the existing […]


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