Chris Burns

Premier David Crisafulli has ruled out meeting with embattled Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson in his first visit to the city since the state election, and said his new local government minister’s “top priority” was investigating how to make Mr Thompson stand aside.

A Labor-led government has pledged to construct a war memorial in Oonoonba to better commemorate the site of a fallen World War II bomb if re-elected.

Townsville City Council has narrowed down a permanent chief executive, following the approval of councillors to approve recommendations related to a “human resource matter”.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli said it was “heartbreaking” watching the dysfunction within the Townsville City Council not only as a past councillor, but as someone who owed his career and family to the city.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli has called for an examination of the Local Government Act to find any flaws that enabled the appointment of Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson.

Disendorsed Katter’s Australia Party Thuringowa candidate Clynton Hawks has denied rumours he was booted from the party because of an affiliation with embattled Townsville mayor Troy Thompson – who had been his preferred option for campaign manager.

The Local Government Minister will appoint a special adviser to examine the conflict within the Townsville City Council, as she warned council to ‘act like adults’.

Mayor Troy Thompson’s bid for a political adviser who could be paid a $175,000 salary was rejected by every single councillor in the room, with one councillor firing up over the mayor’s proposal to directly appoint the role.

A past serial council protester has prepared his pickets and T-shirts to make his displeasure known about the Townsville City Council’s parking meter rollout.

Townsville City Council has reopened its procurement and safety sessions, which is aimed at giving local businesses an advantage in their applications to work with local government.