🚰 Townsville ranked #6 for water quality
New QLD lifejacket laws | Local teens off to QUT | Toyota LandCruiser hybrid release | $120k maritime projects and more
G’day and welcome back to another Townsville Times Thursday, June 26.
Today's newsletter is 983 words and a 5-minute read.
In today's email:
One Big Thing: Townsville ranks #6 in water utility study
New lifejacket rules: Now enforced
Townsville teens to attend: QUT leadership Summit
Trending: How do people meet organically?
Around the web (Snippets): $120k for maritime projects, Meta wins in court, Road works for NTI Townsville and more
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1. One Big Thing: Townsville ranked #6 for water quality
What’s Happening: Townsville has ranked 6th among Australia’s cities for water reliability and affordability, according to a national assessment of 73 utilities by All Kind Gas & Plumbing.
Why It Matters: Australians depend on safe, consistent access to water for hygiene, health, and daily life. Failing systems can lead to flooding, water shortages, and increased repair costs for homeowners.
By The Numbers:
327 kL of water: Strong supply per household, more than double that of underperforming cities like Bass Coast (91 kL)
$1,764 average annual water bill: Reflecting strong value for a high volume of consistent supply
42.8 sewer main breaks per 100 km: Higher than top sewer performers like Mackay (1.1), but below the highest regional breakdowns (e.g., 133 in rural NSW)
What To Look For Next: As of 2025, Australia’s water supply industry includes 694 active utilities, with future comparisons likely to guide investment and reform.
Read more in the full article below👇
2. New Queensland lifejacket rules now enforced
What’s Happening: From 1 July 2025, Queensland boaters must follow new lifejacket laws or face $333 fines.
Why It Matters: The education-first period that started in December 2024 is now over, and with over 1 million boat licence holders, the rules aim to reduce preventable deaths and improve safety, especially during busy holiday periods.
By the Numbers:
64 deaths (2019–2023) - Only 5 wore lifejackets
$333 fines - Now apply for non-compliance
1m+ Queensland boaties - Must now follow the updated rules
The rules mandate that lifejackets must be worn:
While boating alone or with kids under 12 in open boats <4.8m.
During night travel (sunset-sunrise) in open boats <4.8m.
While crossing coastal bars, in open boats of any size or open deck areas.
By children under 12, always, in open vessels underway.
They are mandatory also for certain craft when crossing bars, including:
Lasers, herons, and other small sailing boats
Pedal boats, inflatable rafts, rowboats (excl. SLSA surfboats), sea/surf kayaks
What The People Say: “This is about saving lives,” said Maritime Safety Queensland.
What to Look For Next: The full article below👇
Weekly Dream Gig
This week - Silvershop is on the hunt for a Casual Silver Stylist to join their Townsville store team and bring sparkle to every customer experience.
This casual retail role is perfect for someone stylish, engaging, and passionate about jewellery, with availability across the 7-day trade week, including evenings and weekends. Apply here now.
Have a job opening? Promote your vacancy here 👇
3. Townsville students to attend QUT leadership Summit
Top-performing students from Townsville and surrounding North Queensland communities will join the 2025 QUT Future You Summit in Brisbane.
The four-day event runs from 1 to 4 July and welcomes over 340 high-achieving Year 11 and 12 students for a university immersion like no other.
North Queensland is sending 18 students, including representatives from Townsville, Proserpine, Mount Isa, Bowen, and Ingham.
The program features workshops in disciplines like sports tech, astrophysics, privacy law and more. Every student receives Inspired Success, a goal-setting book by QUT alumnus Rashan Senanayake.
4. Trending
🕰️ In Case You Missed It - Last week’s newsletter
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
The Australian National Maritime Museum has awarded: Over $120,000 to 25 projects through the 2025 MMAPSS grants program.
In November 2026, a human-made object will reach a: Light-day from Earth for the first time in history.
The Australian Festival of Chamber Music Festival Garden returns to Townsville from: 25 July to 1 August 2025, at the Civic Theatre
Federal judge sides with Meta in lawsuit over: Training AI models on copyrighted books
Australian-first operating theatre to boost: Surgery capacity at Townsville University Hospital
Ancient DNA has revealed a mysterious new: Group of humans in Colombia with no genetic ties to people today.
Bizarre trend emerges in Townsville as: $400 worth of unopened food found in bush
Road closures and traffic changes are rolling out on: Charters Towers Road and Boundary Street as the street circuit takes shape for NTI Townsville 500
Investigation continues after: 32-year old woman’s body found in Railway Estate in Townsville
The first details Toyota’s first ever: Toyota Landcruiser 300 Hyrbid 👇
6. Upcoming Events
🏉 Queensland Country Rugby Championships: from June 27 from 8 am onwards; witness junior and senior tournaments at Mike Carney Toyota Park, Townsville Sports Reserve and Townsville Grammar School
🌈 Townsville Pride Festival - Rainbow Rave: June 27 from 8 pm; celebrate Pride Month with a free DJ night at The Mansfield, featuring vibrant LGBTIQ+ community performances
🏃 Magnetic30in30 Day 27: June 27; challenge yourself to a daily run as part of the biggest multi-day marathon event in the world at various Townsville locations