North West Queensland local news briefing: Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Detailed summary

Here's what's making news in North West Queensland today. Diphtheria tracing on Mornington Island. Health officials are contact tracing on Mornington Island after a toxigenic stra…

Health officials are contact tracing on Mornington Island after a toxigenic strain of diphtheria was detected this week.

The bacterial infection can cause wounds and sores and produce toxins that damage tissue and enter the bloodstream.

Townsville Public Health Unit's Kate Murton said vaccination and contact tracing should stop local transmission.

Dr Murton said the toxigenic strain was probably in communities now, but good vaccination rates would prevent severe disease.

The final 11 kilometres of the Kennedy Developmental Road between The Lynd and Hughenden will be sealed under an $87.5 million project jointly funded by federal and state governments.

Work begins this month and could finish by July next year, while 2.5 kilometres of upgrades between Winton and Boulia are now complete.

Assistant Minister for Western Queensland Sean Dillon said the upgrades would improve safety along the major inland freight route.

He said heavy vehicle access was critically important for business, but tourists and locals in passenger vehicles also needed to be able to travel safely alongside heavy vehicles.

Police are responding to a serious traffic crash near Einasleigh this morning where a man in his 30s sustained critical injuries.

Opening of the article, excerpted from ABC Business. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.