North West Queensland local news briefing: Friday, October 30, 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in North West Queensland today.

Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle is calling for urgent changes to a major inland freight route after about a dozen trucks became stuck north of Hughenden this year.

She said the 60 km/h speed limit at White Cliffs Gorge on the Kennedy Developmental Road left loaded trucks without enough momentum to climb the steep incline.

She said the restriction put local truck drivers at risk and wanted the road realigned to improve safety.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said preparations were underway to seal the remaining 11-kilometre unsealed section south of The Lynd and to improve drainage.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) is delivering a new AI-training program to help ease financial pressure on regional operators.

The free training shows businesses how AI can help with bookings, enquiries and marketing.

A June report from QTIC found 32 per cent of operators faced significant cashflow problems due to rising fuel, energy and wage costs.

QTIC chief executive Tash Wheeler said the program could ease that pressure by helping businesses use AI agents and programs when operators were not at work.

Mount Isa's Copper City Tennis Club will host its first tournament in more than a decade thanks to a surge in pickleball popularity.

The club will stage its inaugural pickleball tournament this weekend, before tennis kicks off next week.

Club president Mathew Bowler said since introducing the sport 18 months ago, the club now attracted more than 40 pickleball players on weeknights.