ABC Far North

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Foster carers warn system 'unsustainable' as costs set to hit $7 billion

Three weeks of public hearings are due to be held in the state's far north as part of an ongoing inquiry into Queensland's child protection system.

Tasmania's child protection service had to place 23 children in refuges in the last year.

Published: 4h agoMon 8 Sep 2025 at 6:31amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Childrenby Christopher Testa

Investigation launched in Queensland over alleged croc snatching video

Queensland's environment department says it is investigating a video which appears to show an influencer attempting to catch a freshwater crocodile.

Duration: 44 seconds

Published: SatSat 6 Sep 2025 at 8:20amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Animalsby Lottie Twyford

Device detects power line faults before disaster strikes

Early Fault Detection technology has been trialled in several Australian states but a national rollout is a long way off.

A fallen power pole lies on the ground in central western NSW.

Published: SatSat 6 Sep 2025 at 12:29amSource: ABC RuralTopic: Energy Industryby Megan Hughes and Kallee Buchanan

Qld prepares for hot, windy weekend with high fire danger at Birdsville Races

Travellers in Channel Country and the state's south-west are urged to be aware of high fire danger conditions and strong winds.

A close up of the horses at he Birdsville races 2018

Published: FriFri 5 Sep 2025 at 4:13amSource: ABC Southern QldTopic: Weatherby Aisling Brennan and Dan McCray

AI and sonar croc detection trial to begin in far north

Boat ramp users could soon be alerted to nearby saltwater crocodiles by a state government-backed warning system using sonar and artificial intelligence technologies.

Published: WedWed 3 Sep 2025 at 7:45amSource: ABC Far NorthTopic: Crocodile Attacksby Holly Richardson

Retailer wins right to refuse sale of 'gateway' drinks to children

Community Enterprise Queensland secures an anti-discrimination law exemption that allows it to refuse the sale of drinks such as non-alcoholic beer to underage customers.

A brightly-coloured can of zero-alcohol beer sits on a bar.

Published: WedWed 3 Sep 2025 at 2:38amSource: ABC Far NorthTopic: Retail Industryby Christopher Testa and Juanita Soper

Experts sound alarm over under-pressure Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait have seen six bleaching events since 2016, including back-to-back events in 2016-17 and 2024-25.

Published: TueTue 2 Sep 2025 at 9:00pmSource: StatelineTopic: Great Barrier Reefby Baz Ruddick

Listen back

ABC Far North Local News

Local news, updated weekdays at 6:30am.

Duration: 4 minutes 55 seconds

Source: Listen

The taste of dried mangoes is to die for. But in 2022, Jenelle's dehydrator nearly killed her

Jenelle was preparing for her annual mango dehydrating ritual. But her kitchen became engulfed in flames and she would have died, if not for the intervention of her brave neighbours who broke down her back door and dragged her out.

Duration: 6 minutes 59 seconds

Source: ABC Far NorthTopic: House Firesby Conor Byrne

Life lessons from a 79-year-old plumber

A life of plumbing has taught one Queenslander more than he could ever imagine.

Duration: 3 minutes 47 seconds

Source: ABC Far NorthTopic: Community Organisationsby Charlie McKillop

The last of Australia's steeplejacks

Climbing church spires, scaling power station chimneys, and perching atop sugar mill stacks.

Duration: 3 minutes

Source: ABC Far NorthTopic: Workby Chris Calcino

ABC Radio FAR NORTH

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Watch

Cassowary approaching for food

The family of cassowaries were observed approaching people for food for several weeks.

Duration: 19 seconds

Source: ABC Far North

Scientists discover giant stick insect in Far North Queensland

Scientists discover giant stick insect in Far North Queensland. The insect, Acrophylla alta, is believed to be Australia's heaviest. Supplied: James Cook University

Duration: 7 seconds

Source: ABC News

Community surrounding this natural wonder never want to see another death

The Babinda Boulders draw tourists from across the world, but despite safety signs and fencing, some still venture into zones which have claimed many lives.

Duration: 1 minute 38 seconds

Source: ABC News

Rusty's Markets celebrates its 50th anniversary

In 1975, Rusty Rees started a farmers market in the heart of Cairns. Now, it's known all over the world.

Duration: 1 minute 52 seconds

Source: ABC News

Features

Thrill of the racetrack entices more women into motorsport

Women are experiencing the adrenaline of racing and loving it, both behind the wheel and behind the scenes.

A woman sits in the driver's seat of a car.

Source: ABC Far NorthTopic: Car Enthusiasmby Amanda Cranston

Once a relic of the past, cane fires are burning in Queensland again

After years of mostly green harvesting, cane farmers around Mackay are reaching for the drip torch this season to get rid of old plantings that could not be harvested last year.

Fire takes over the sugarcane field with flames beginning to reach into the sky.

Source: ABC RuralTopic: Sugar Cane Growingby Liam McNally

Qld dad battling third cancer can't find stem cell donor in Australia

Jake Parker has been diagnosed with lymphoma for a third time. A stem cell transplant gives him the best chance of seeing his little boys grow up, but he doesn't match any Australian donors.

Man and woman smiling holding two young boys.

Source: ABC Far NorthTopic: Stem Cellsby Sharnie Kim

Breed of feral chickens that survived despite the odds on Qld island

Robinson Crusoe never laid an egg — but don't let that stop comparisons with this little-known breed of bush chook.

Source: ABC Far NorthTopic: Animal Behaviourby Chris Calcino

What's happening

Australia Votes: Your Vote, Your Say

This election, the ABC is asking you to be part of the conversation.

Text reads: Your Say. Tell us what's on your mind this election. Have your say here.

Published: 27 Feb 2025Thu 27 Feb 2025 at 3:05amSource: Radio

Top 100 Books of the 21st Century

Calling all book lovers to vote now for their favourite titles!

Published: 20 Aug 2025Wed 20 Aug 2025 at 7:04amSource: Radio

Know your ABCs in an emergency

This summer know your ABCs; action plan, be safe, connect with us. The ABC has a host of useful resources and tips on how to best prepare yourself for emergency weather so you can keep you and your household safe.

Letters A, B and C in pink, yellow and blue with small infographics of people completing emergency safety tasks

Published: 9 Dec 2024Mon 9 Dec 2024 at 5:23amSource: ABC EmergencyTopic: Bushfires

Download our free ABC listen app

The ABC listen app connects you to the best podcasts and live radio from the presenters you know and love. Download it today and hear the world differently.

Published: 27 Aug 2024Tue 27 Aug 2024 at 4:23amSource: ABC BRISBANE

Qld Sport

The storylines to define the NRL finals

In the industry, they call it the 'second season'. Only eight teams remain as the NRL gears up for a finals series rich with storylines. What are the narratives that will define finals time?

Tom Starling jumps on Corey Horsburgh, who is hugging Hudson Young after scoring an NRL try.

Duration: 14 minutes 54 seconds

Source: ListenTopic: Sport

Raiders leader in moon boot, Broncos captain confident of finals return

Canberra enforcer Josh Papalii is in serious doubt for the Raiders' qualifying final against Brisbane after suffering an ankle injury at training.

Canberra Raiders player Josh Papalii with his hands on hips, grimacing

Source: ABC NewsTopic: NRL

Queensland fans gear up for 'biggest ever' AFL game

Elated Gold Coast fans say "15 years of struggle" are finally paying off for the club, as the Suns look towards a QClash semi against Brisbane this weekend, hailed as a "massive" moment for Queensland footy.

David Swallow shouts to celebrate a goal in an AFL elimination final.

Source: ABC Gold CoastTopic: AFL

Molloy wonder goal stuns the crowd as Fish stars for Swans

Chloe Molloy kicks a stunner and Zippy Fish stars as the Swans account for the Dockers in the AFLW.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: AFL Women’s

Qld News

Inquest hears hospital could have prevented fatal assault on dementia patient

A coronial inquest into a fatal confrontation between two dementia patients at a Queensland hospital hears added security and anti-barricade doors could have stopped the attack.

Source: ABC Gold CoastTopic: Courtsby Mackenzie Colahan

Man charged with murder of Ipswich couple was 'hearing voices', court told

Lars Faleata has been charged with the murders of Christine and Joe Stephan, who were found dead after a fire at their home in Ipswich — south-west of Brisbane — in January, 2022.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Courtsby Lucy Loram

Foster carers warn system 'unsustainable' as costs set to hit $7 billion

Three weeks of public hearings are due to be held in the state's far north as part of an ongoing inquiry into Queensland's child protection system.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: Childrenby Christopher Testa

Raiders leader in moon boot, Broncos captain confident of finals return

Canberra enforcer Josh Papalii is in serious doubt for the Raiders' qualifying final against Brisbane after suffering an ankle injury at training.

Source: ABC NewsTopic: NRL

National News

Man critically injured in Perth workplace incident

A man in his 40s has been critically injured in a workplace incident in Perth's north-east.

Front entrance of a building marked "Hoffman Engineering"

Published: 21m agoMon 8 Sep 2025 at 10:21amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Accidents and Emergency Incidents

'Smoke in the cockpit': Plane's emergency landing after mayday call

The British Airways passenger flight BA16 was on its way to Singapore and made the emergency return to Sydney Airport about an hour after take-off this afternoon.

Published: 20m agoMon 8 Sep 2025 at 10:22amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Air Incidentsby Jean Kennedy

Bulldogs prop forced to move out of home on eve of NRL finals

Max King has been living with a mould infestation at home that he is glad to have finally escaped in the lead-up to Friday's qualification final at Melbourne.

Max King of the Bulldogs running with the NRL ball

Published: 1h agoMon 8 Sep 2025 at 9:08amSource: ABC NewsTopic: NRL

Supertramp co-founder Rick Davies dies aged 81

Rick Davies, the co-founder and lead singer for British rock band Supertramp, has died aged 81 after a decade-long battle with cancer.

Published: 1h agoMon 8 Sep 2025 at 9:04amSource: ABC NewsTopic: Music

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ABC Far North

Foster carers warn system 'unsustainable' as costs set to hit $7 billion

Investigation launched in Queensland over alleged croc snatching video

Device detects power line faults before disaster strikes

Qld prepares for hot, windy weekend with high fire danger at Birdsville Races

AI and sonar croc detection trial to begin in far north

Retailer wins right to refuse sale of 'gateway' drinks to children

Experts sound alarm over under-pressure Great Barrier Reef

ABC Far North Local News

The taste of dried mangoes is to die for. But in 2022, Jenelle's dehydrator nearly killed her

Life lessons from a 79-year-old plumber

The last of Australia's steeplejacks

ABC Radio FAR NORTH

Live. Evenings

Connect with ABC Far North

Cassowary approaching for food

Scientists discover giant stick insect in Far North Queensland

Community surrounding this natural wonder never want to see another death

Rusty's Markets celebrates its 50th anniversary

Thrill of the racetrack entices more women into motorsport

Once a relic of the past, cane fires are burning in Queensland again

Qld dad battling third cancer can't find stem cell donor in Australia

Breed of feral chickens that survived despite the odds on Qld island

Australia Votes: Your Vote, Your Say

Top 100 Books of the 21st Century

Know your ABCs in an emergency

Download our free ABC listen app

The storylines to define the NRL finals

Raiders leader in moon boot, Broncos captain confident of finals return

Queensland fans gear up for 'biggest ever' AFL game

Molloy wonder goal stuns the crowd as Fish stars for Swans

Inquest hears hospital could have prevented fatal assault on dementia patient

Man charged with murder of Ipswich couple was 'hearing voices', court told

Foster carers warn system 'unsustainable' as costs set to hit $7 billion

Raiders leader in moon boot, Broncos captain confident of finals return

Man critically injured in Perth workplace incident

'Smoke in the cockpit': Plane's emergency landing after mayday call

Bulldogs prop forced to move out of home on eve of NRL finals

Supertramp co-founder Rick Davies dies aged 81

Other ways to listen

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