🚰 Rocky ranked #5 for water quality
New QLD lifejacket laws | Rocky teens off to QUT | Max’s mission | Urgent dog rescue call and more
G’day and welcome back to Rocky News, it’s June 26th.
Today's newsletter is 993 words, a 5-minute read.
In today's email:
One Big Thing: Rockhampton ranks #5 in water utility study
New lifejacket rules: Now enforced
Rockhampton teens to attend: QUT leadership Summit
Trending: 100km left to Rocky on foot
Around the web (Snippets): Mount Archer tribute walk, Meta wins in court, CQ Budget wins, AI lawsuit twist and more
Upcoming Events
Rockhampton Weather - Weekend Forecast
📚 Need a read? Here’s a bizarre (but mostly true) book of local tales: 101 Weird, Wacky and (mostly) True Things About Rockhampton and Central Qld
Live Housing Price Index
Live National Meat and Livestock Index
1. One Big Thing: Rockhampton ranks #5 in water utility study
What’s Happening: Rockhampton placed 5th in a national study of 73 cities for water reliability and affordability, led by All Kind Gas & Plumbing.
Why It Matters: Reliable, affordable water helps ease living costs and proves regional cities can lead in essential services.
By the Numbers:
328 kL/year: Strong supply per household, above national average.
$1,677/year the average cost: Nearly 30% cheaper than nearby towns like Emerald.
11.6 breaks/100 km: Far fewer water main breaks than most cities.
Local Impact: Fitzroy River Water’s quick responses and solid infrastructure are keeping local water service strong and costs down.
Smarter Pipes, Better Living: With good planning and maintenance, Rockhampton is setting the bar for water services in regional Australia.
What The People Say: “Unreliable plumbing disrupts daily life across Australia, leading to unexpected water damage, followed by high repair costs”, said Cameron Anderson.
2. New Queensland lifejacket rules now enforced
What’s Happening: From 1 July 2025, Queensland boaters must follow new lifejacket laws or face $333 fines.
Why It Matters: The education-first period that started in December 2024 is now over, and with over 1 million boat licence holders, the rules aim to reduce preventable deaths and improve safety, especially during busy holiday periods.
By the Numbers:
64 deaths (2019–2023) – Only 5 wore lifejackets
$333 fines – Now apply for non-compliance
1m+ Queensland boaties – Must now follow the updated rules
The rules mandate that lifejackets must be worn:
While boating alone or with kids under 12 in open boats <4.8m.
During night travel (sunset–sunrise) in open boats <4.8m.
While crossing coastal bars, in open boats of any size or open deck areas.
By children under 12, always, in open vessels underway.
They are mandatory also for certain craft when crossing bars, including:
Lasers, herons, and other small sailing boats
Pedal boats, inflatable rafts, rowboats (excl. SLSA surfboats), sea/surf kayaks
What The People Say: “This is about saving lives,” said Maritime Safety Queensland.
What to Look For Next: The full article below👇
3. Rockhampton teens to attend QUT leadership Summit
A group of Rockhampton teens will represent Central Queensland at the 2025 QUT Future You Summit in Brisbane from 1–4 July.
Held at QUT’s Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses, the summit offers leadership training, university workshops, and mentoring to help students explore life beyond high school.
Local students from The Cathedral College, North Rockhampton State High, Girls Grammar, and Grammar School are part of a 28-student Central Queensland delegation.
The fully funded program aims to build career confidence and long-term connections for young leaders.
4. Trending
Follow us on our social media, Facebook and Instagram 🙌
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
The ‘Neil Fisher Memorial Walk’ was officially unveiled: This morning at Mount Archer, honouring the late Councillor’s enduring connection to the beloved site.
The Australian National Maritime Museum has awarded: Over $120,000 to 25 projects through the 2025 MMAPSS grants program.
In November 2026, a human-made object will reach a: Light-day from Earth for the first time in history.
Dogs at Rockhampton’s Animal Management Centre face imminent death: Urgent foster or adoption support is desperately needed to save lives.
Max Taylor is 73 days into a 5,000km solo ride: from Melbourne to Cairns, raising funds to build a recycled plastic school in Lombok.
Federal judge sides with Meta in lawsuit over: Training AI models on copyrighted books
A recent dam inversion in No. 7 Dam: has altered tap water taste and smell in Mount Morgan, but safety is not affected.
Central Queensland’s 2025-26 Budget delivers a bold reset: with new schools, hospital upgrades, and a $47M netball precinct to match.
Ancient DNA has revealed a mysterious new: Group of humans in Colombia with no genetic ties to people today.
The first details Toyota’s first ever: Toyota Landcruiser 300 Hybrid 👇
🕰️ In Case You Missed It:
7. Upcoming Events
🎵 Anthony Callea & Tim Campbell - The Songs of Elton John & George Michael: June 27-28, 2025, Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton. Sing along to iconic hits performed by Anthony Callea and Tim Campbell in this sensational tribute concert.
🧺 Picnic with the Planes - RFDS Rockhampton Base: June 28, 2025, RFDS Base Rockhampton, From lawn games, face painting, live music, the RFDS Simulator, and of course birthday cake, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy.
🎪 Flipside Circus – School Holiday Workshops: June 28–29, 2025, Pilbeam Theatre surroundings. Fun, family-friendly circus workshops for kids during the school holidays, including acrobatics, juggling, and performance skills.
🏁 Confraternity Carnival: June 30 – July 4, 2025, Rockhampton (multiple school venues). An annual rugby league carnival featuring over 1,200 Catholic and independent secondary school students competing in boys' and girls' divisions.
🦏 Rockhampton Zoo 100 Year Celebration: July 3, 2025, Rockhampton Zoo, Join for a community open day to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rockhampton Zoo and the official opening of the new Rockhampton Botanical Gardens and Zoo Visitor Hub!
🏇 Rockhampton Cup Race Day: July 4–5, 2025, Callaghan Park, Rockhampton.
Saddle up for one of Central Queensland’s premier racing events featuring the Magic Millions Capricorn Guineas, fashion, food, and entertainment.