Janel Shorthouse

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Janel Shorthouse |Jessica Ross

It is believed Eddie the echidna got stranded on the northern tip of Bribie Island due to ocean breakthroughs. The animal ended up in veterinary care after swimming to the mainland. Work will soon begin to shore up the island which acts as a barrier against storm surges for low-lying mainland communities. A juvenile echidna which is believed to have completed an epic one-kilometre swim in waters off Queensland's Sunshine Coast has been released back into the wild.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Lottie Twyford |Janel Shorthouse

Family and friends of Norma Dutton and Clive Millers have been left reeling after their deaths earlier this week. Police have charged their carer, 61-year-old Stuart Gray, with two counts of manslaughter, alleging he deliberately drove into a tree with the couple as passengers. Mr Gray will appear before Gympie Magistrates Court later this week while police investigations are continuing.

Mar 25, 2025 | abc.net.au | Josh Dye |Lottie Twyford |Janel Shorthouse

The Queensland government has broken a key election promise by scrapping the final stage of the Sunshine Coast direct rail line. It means the rail line will no longer extend all the way to Maroochydore. The rail line will now end at Birtinya, and bus service will connect commuters to Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast Airport. The Queensland government has broken a key election promise by scrapping the final stage of the Sunshine Coast direct rail line.

Nov 27, 2024 | abc.net.au | Janel Shorthouse

The Sleepbus non-profit organisation was formed in 2016 after a crowdsourcing campaign raised money to transform an old bus into temporary overnight accommodation. The project was rolled out across the country but there are currently only four buses operational, according to the Sleepbus website. Founder Simon Rowe said delays to rollouts were due to mechanical issues, volunteer shortages, and funding challenges.

Nov 12, 2024 | abc.net.au | Janel Shorthouse |Jessica Ross

Penny and Troy Freeman and their three children had been sleeping rough on Queensland's Sunshine Coast for 18 months before they finally found a place to live. They had done their best to make the modest rental cabin at Tanawha feel like home — adding fresh paint and a vegetable garden. Last night they could only watch on, in shock and despair, as flames ripped through the timber structure. "All we got out was what we were wearing," Ms Freeman said through tears.