On one part of the Sunshine Coast, up to 116mm of rain is still needed to saturate the soil to reduce the risk of bushfires flaring.

As beaches reopen on the Gold Coast, mayor Tom Tate has called on the Federal Government to allow the "gradual" return of the city's crippled hospitality industry.

Police say "no action" will be taken against 15 waterfront campers in Far North Queensland who say they have nowhere else to go during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authorities in a 'dry' Queensland community say illegal alcohol poses one of the biggest health threats to its people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many restaurants and cafes are struggling to keep their businesses alive on takeaway only and the industry is lobbying the Queensland Government for further relaxing of social distancing restrictions to get people eating out again.

First-time mayors and councillors who are the subject of minor misconduct complaints will get a three-month amnesty, Queensland's Office of the Independent Assessor says.

A new species of bacteria is found to be behind mystery lung infections in pigs, resulting in economic and animal health benefit.

Hundreds of thousands of "coffee table"-sized units will help power a renewable gas plant being built on the Western Downs.

It is almost impossible to sit still when listening to The Jungle Giants.

MORNING BRIEFING: Relatives are insisting they be allowed to see loved ones at an aged care home where 11 people have died of COVID-19, while the Waverley Council applauds people for abiding by rules at reopened beaches.

Mr Millard says all residents have been provided mobile phones but it's not always possible to assist with calls.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese has endorsed Bega Valley Shire Mayor Kristy McBain after she nominated for pre-selection to contest the Eden-Monaro by-election.

A man is jailed for circling a family in his car and hurling anti-Islamic abuse at them on the New South Wales south coast last year.

Gail Baker's dying wish has been granted, with her sister allowed a travel exemption to fly to Australia from New Zealand to care for her in her final days.

The New Zealand Warriors will fly into Tamworth tomorrow, in an exemption from current travel rules.

While no Australian state or territory has made the call to release inmates early because of the coronavirus, COVID-19 is being considered in bail applications, including in the case of Chantelle Baker.

The native desert rice flower plant that appeared on New South Wales properties after widespread rainfall has caused death and serious illness in cattle

A Sydney school is shut after a student tests positive for COVID-19 but Gladys Berejiklian says all children could be back in classrooms full-time by the end of May.

People with Tourette syndrome appeal for compassion as pandemic panic exacerbates their neurological condition, causing their anxieties and tics to worsen.

This is an absolute gem of a movie.

The wintry weather dampens spirits in this performance from an artist whose music is 'quintessential summer'.

While thousands at the Arena were 'dancin' in the dark' with Bruce Springsteen, down a secret side street in Subiaco a few lucky festival goers were eating in the dark enjoying a meal they will never forget.

If you're spending more time at home lately, Gardening Australia's Tino Carnevale suggests you get planting. Here, he gives the drop on what grows best at this time of year, inside and out.

Gambling giant Federal Group is demanding Tasmanian pub owners continue paying rent on leased poker machines, even while hoteliers have been forced to close due to coronavirus — a move blasted by Senator Jacqui Lambie as "trying to make a quid" during a "wartime scenario".

Small businesses are struggling across Australia as the coronavirus outbreak unfolds. But there are ways you can help keep them going — and stick to social isolation guidelines.

Renters in Tasmania could be safe from eviction until at least September under emergency laws to shield them during the coronavirus crisis — with New South Wales tenancy advocates welcoming the development and calling on "all governments" to follow suit.

Nigel Lazenby always dreamed of owning a house with river frontage, but that turned into a nightmare when a landslip wrecked his and other homes along the Tamar River in 2016. Now, Nigel is one of a group of owners who just want "fair" compensation.

The former Children's Commissioner is calling for school-based care services to stay open for vulnerable students, even if tougher lockdown measures are introduced.

Some families are already taking advantage of "demand response", reducing their bills by cutting their electricity use at peak times. But a move to promote competition in the demand response market has come up against some serious opposition.

Amber Brea Rover was suffering from undiagnosed schizophrenia when she stabbed her friend Zoe Fenn in July last year.

MORNING BRIEFING: Police release CCTV footage showing a man and a woman they wish to speak to over the vandalism of the Dog on the Tuckerbox statue, while Opal card travel discounts are extended.

Drought-stricken farmers are calling for failing grain trader GrainPro to be wound up in a bid to receive some of the $6 million they are owed.

After taxpayers were promised Snowy Hydro 2.0 for $2 billion in four years, the project is now likely to cost five times that amount and take twice as long to be completed.

The significance of the Springboks' third Rugby World Cup victory will be felt far beyond the record books, as captain Siya Kolisi wants all South Africans to feel united by the epic win over England in the final.

For the first time in Australia, a farmer is taking legal action against Monsanto the manufacturer of Roundup claiming it caused his cancer.

The lessons that Ash Barty learned while playing cricket keep paying off for the world tennis number one, who picks up the prestigious The Don award.

Antony Hamilton, who stepped into the artistic director role of Chunky Move in April, presents a five-year vision in the epic, collective new work Token Armies.

Returning to a country she adores, Kumi Taguchi wanted to find her family to deliver news her dad had died.

Foreign high-rollers can take bags full of cash to the gambling floor at Crown Casino. But a whistleblower says it could be a sign of much bigger problems at the gambling giant.

A Melbourne man on trial for planning terrorist acts allegedly told others he wanted to "go around cutting throats in the city centre", a court is told.

Convicted terrorist Ahmed Mohamed only participated in the plot because he was ignorant and wanted to make bombs, he tells a Melbourne court. He thought Islamic State was cool after seeing them "giving charity" in propaganda videos.

Police are searching for this man, who was armed with a knife, over a sexual assault in a Melbourne park. The woman managed to wrestle the knife away from him and stabbed him.

The headmaster of St Kevin's College in Melbourne has labelled the behaviour of his own students "offensive" and "misogynistic", after a group were filmed screaming an offensive song during the weekend.

Toxic masculinity's latest appearance comes in the form of private school boys chanting a sexist song on a packed tram. So what do we need to do to set things right? asks Emma Jane.