🥽 Surge in Moreton Bay microplastics | Redland Hospital endoscopy review major reforms | Apple's new M4 unveiled | Record-breaking Telecom Review | A ghostly game more!
Today’s newsletter is 1,023 words: a 5-minute read.
Happy ghoulish Redland City Minute Thursday, a creeepy October 31 🕷️
In today's email:
One Big Thing: Moreton Bay faces surge in microplastics 7,000 tonnes and counting
Redland Hospital endoscopy review leads to: Major safety reforms
Record-breaking: Telecom Review highlights rural needs
Trending: The real winner of the election is…
Around the Web (Snippets): Nominations for the 2025 Redlands Coast Australia Day Awards now open, Apple unveils its new M4, Crocs are being banned by schools, local council’s smart solar compacting bins and more!
Upcoming Events
👻 That’s Fun: Ghost Typing is a spooky typing game that’s quick and free with a Halloween spin, where you type Halloween words as they appear on ghosts to make them disappear before they get you.
The team scored a terrrifying 32,000…
Redlands Weather Forecast and Tides
The Weekly Dream Gig
This week - Redland City Medical Centre is calling for a GP with a healthy dose of passion in a role offering ~$230,000k–$304,000k for a VR GP or final-year registrar to take on family medicine and skin cancer care.
If you’re ready to “practice” what you preach with top-tier patient care, this permanent, part-time role could be just what the doctor ordered!
Need to advertise a job? Contact us here👇
Live National Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Moreton Bay faces microplastics surge - 7,000 tonnes and counting
What’s Happening
New research by QAEHS and UQ have uncovered a staggering 7,000 tonnes of microplastics in Moreton Bay—equivalent to 700 million half-litre bottles—flowing primarily from the Brisbane River.
Why It Matters
These tiny plastic particles are not just unsightly; they’re embedded in marine ecosystems and mistaken as food by marine animals, impacting the entire food chain from microorganisms to dolphins.
By the Numbers
7,000 tonnes of microplastics in Moreton Bay have been discovered, a number that’s growing
Seven types of plastics have been identified so far, with polyethylene the most common
There’s supposedly been an exponential rise in microplastics since the 2000s, mirroring plastic production
Local Impact
Redland’s coastal economy, with its emerging eco-tourism, boating, and fishing attractions, faces risks as microplastics threaten marine life and water quality, and the Moreton Bay pollution potentially affecting the health of local waters and dependent industries.
What to Look For Next
The full article, below 👇
2. Redland Hospital endoscopy review leads to major safety reforms
What’s Happening?
Just days ago, Queensland Health released the Executive Summary and Recommendations of the Part 9 health service investigation into the endoscopy practices at Redland Hospital.
Why It Matters
The review focused on procedures performed by two doctors from 2008 to 2018, revealing lapses in standard care.
The investigation was initiated after concerns were raised about the quality of endoscopies provided at Redland Hospital, underlining the importance of patient safety and care standards.
Zooming In
From the investigation, Metro South Health have apologised to affected patients, stating, “We extend our sincere apologies for any concern or distress caused to the patients, families, and carers impacted by these issues.”
This review led to a series of procedural reforms, emphasising Metro South Health’s commitment to improvement. “Providing high-quality and safe care is our number one priority,” Metro South Health asserted.
What To Look For Next
Read the full article below 👇
3. Record-breaking Telecom Review highlights rural needs
What’s Happening
A record-breaking number of submissions has been received in the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review, reflecting heightened concerns over connectivity issues for Australians in regional, rural, and remote areas.
Going Deeper
Chaired by the Hon. Alannah MacTiernan, the independent Committee conducted face-to-face consultations and reviewed these submissions to ensure comprehensive input.
By The Numbers
3,404: total submissions – reflecting a 400% increase from 2021, a record in the Review’s history
3,098: online survey responses, thanks to an accessible format introduced this year
306: written submissions, capturing in-depth accounts of connectivity challenges
What To Look For Next
With the Committee soon delivering its report and recommendations to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, who established the Review’s Terms of Reference in January 2024, you can read the full article, below 👇
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Nominate someone for the: 2025 Redlands Coast Australia Day Awards
Crocs are being banned by schools because: Gen Alpha keep tripping and falling at a higher rate than closed-in-toe shoes
Redland City Council has set 10 key priorities to: improve community health, boost the economy, create jobs, and enhance travel safety
20 of the scariest horror movies of all: Time, according to science
Local Council enhances waste disposal with: Smart solar compacting bins
A portrait of Alan Turing (the father of modern computer science and artificial intelligence) made by an: A.I. powered robot may sell for $180,000 at an upcoming auction
Apple unveiled its new M4: iMac, supercharged by Apple Intelligence and fresh colours
The launch of autonomous commercial semi-trailers has been: Is coming, but has been pushed back to 2025
6. Upcoming Events
🎶 🎞️ The Music of James Bond – Live in Concert: November 1 from 7:30 pm to 10 pm; a night of intrigue, action, glamour and music at Redland Performing Arts Centre
🇮🇳 DIWALI Festival 2024: November 2 from 2 pm to 9 pm; Indian and multi-cultural dance, music, food, lights, fireworks and more at Capalaba Bulldogs Football Club
📋 Digital Solutions Information Session: November 4 from 10 am onwards; join Regional Business HQ’s Digital Solutions Program Coordinator, Georgia Burgess, for an overview of the program
🏒 Redlands Hockey Association Woman's Magic Round: November 5 from 6 pm onwards; players can come to all weeks or just try out hockey for 1 week at Henry Ziegenfusz Park
👩🏼🍼 Connecting Mums-to-Be: November 6 from 3 pm to 4:30 pm; a monthly session designed to connect pregnant mums and provide them with the necessary resources and support at the Cleveland Library