TIME TO PAWS FOR GRATITUDE
THE most rainfall Townsville has seen since March was recorded in the city on Sunday night but it could be the last for at least a week.
The official Bureau of Meteorology gauge at Townsville Airport recorded 10.5mm of rain had fallen until 6am yesterday.
Some suburbs received even more including Vincent 18mm, Louisa Creek 18mm, Pallarenda 16mm, Garbutt 16mm and Kirwan 10mm.
Bureau forecaster Jess Gardener said yesterday the upper trough that brought rainfall would begin to move offshore and a ridge would arrive in its wake.
That ridge could bring above average temperatures to Townsville for much of this week.
The daily maximum temperature in Townsville for July is 25C and the mercury could hit 27C today.
The bureau forecast shows there is very little chance of any more rain until Monday. KEEN whale watchers hoping to take jet skis out towards Magnetic Island during migration season have been issued a warning by the State Government.
Jet skis and other personal watercraft are forbidden within 300m of whales at any time, with on- the- spot fines for intentionally moving too close to a whale ranging between $ 630.75 and $ 20,814.
Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said people using jet skis, paddle boards and boats must play it safe around whales.
“With the school holidays starting, our coastal waters are expected to be busy with people enjoying Queensland’s mild winter conditions,” she said. “Our waters will also be hosting thousands of 40- tonne humpback whales heading north on their annual migration.”
Reports of people acting inappropriately around whales can be sent to wildlife. manage ment@ des. qld. gov. au TWO months’ worth of vet bills for animals rescued by Angel- Paws will be covered thanks to support from generous Queenslanders.
The animal rescue organisation raised $ 21,000 at their annual charity event last Saturday.
Angel- Paws marketing and fundraising co- ordinator Stephanie Parkinson said the group was overwhelmed with support from people and businesses all over the state.
“We are pretty ecstatic with the result,” Ms Parkinson said. “I think it’s pretty overwhelming to see how much everybody has really stepped up to participate.”
More than 200 people attended the evening at Otto’s Alley and 130 businesses from Brisbane, Atherton Tablelands and Townsville made donations. She said the group was struggling to meet demand since the closure of the RSPCA shelter in Townsville.
“That kind of money will allow us to pay vet bills for about two months,” Ms Parkinson said.
“It’s pretty expensive to operate this kind of organisation, which is why it is so important for us to have this kind of fundraiser — we rely on that kinds of income to be able to pay these vet bills.”
Angel- Paws has rescued more than 300 animals in the first six months of the year and believe almost 800 animals will need to be rehomed in 2018.
Ms Parkinson said the impact donations could have on the animals’ lives was huge.
“Every single person who contributes to Angel- Paws is not just helping us rehome but is literally helping us change lives and give them a second chance to find a deserving home,” Ms Parkinson said.