Election candidate Robert Lee is taking Rotorua Lakes Council to court for a judicial review of its November decision to pursue a bill to change electoral rules for the district. Rotorua Lakes Council chief executive Geoff Williams…

Police have renewed their search for the killer of Queensland woman Deborah Smykalla, who was found strangled to death in her home with a dog lead more than 40 years ago.

A new $500,000 reward has been offered for anyone with information that may lead police to the 22-year-old's killer.

Smykalla was found dead in her Redlands home around 9.45pm on September 6, 1981.

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She was found on the kitchen floor with a dog lead wound around her neck as a small fire burned in the room.

"There was a small fire in the kitchen that was smouldering on police arrival and an overturned heater on the carpet," a statement read.

"Police believe an unknown person attempted to set the house alight."

Smykalla lived at the Capalaba house with several housemates and three dogs.

On the day of her murder, Smykalla was seen in her yard with a man in his 20s who was described as thin with short brown hair.

"Later at approximately 7.30pm, two people were observed to be sitting on the front porch," police said.

"Detectives would like to speak with these people or anyone with information about their identities."

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A motorbike, possibly a 250cc or 500cc road trial bike, was also seen at the address.

In 2014, more than 30 years on, police received an anonymous tip including specific details about who was responsible for Smykalla's murder.

Detectives are urging whoever made the Crime Stoppers submission to come forward once more to assist with enquiries.

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Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said she hopes the $500,000 reward will be key to finding those responsible.

"Police have commenced a full review and know there are people out there who can provide crucial information in regards Deborah's activities and movements around the time of her death," Kentwell said.

"The smallest piece of information could lead to a breakthrough in the investigation and I encourage anyone who has information about who was responsible for Deborah's murder to come forward".

The reward includes an opportunity for indemnity against prosecution for anyone involved who did not commit the murder.

New forensic technology will also be used to analyse any DNA left on the dog lead found around the young woman's neck, with testing underway at the Institute of Environmental Science and research in New Zealand.

Smykalla's sister Diana Walton described her as loving and kind, entering a new phase of life as a young woman in her 20s.

"She was very free-spirited, fun-loving, she loved animals … and she'd often bring home lame animals that she found by the side of the road, she had a beautiful heart," Walton said.

"Her murderer has been free to walk free while her life was cut short at their hands.

"We would like justice for her and closure for us.

"It won't bring her back, that's true, but there's someone out there who knows something."

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Florida authorities got a little more than they could chew this week after a helicopter captured dozens of sharks basking in shallow waters off Tampa.

Pasco Sheriffs Aviation United filmed the unidentified sharks off Anclote Sandbar earlier this week.

They uploaded the shark-infested video to social media warning swimmers of the potential danger.

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"A day in the water is a fun way to beat our Florida heat, but it's important to be aware of the dangers below the water as well as above," it wrote.

Beachgoers were urged to familiarise themselves with their surroundings and to "keep a fully charged phone and first aid kit close by for emergencies".

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The sighting comes after the International Shark Attack File declared Florida the shark attack capital of the world in 2021.

It's a trend the US state has followed "for decades".

The state had 28 unprovoked shark bites last year – none were fatal. Volusia County had the most shark bites at 17, representing 63 per cent of the state's total.

Some of the shark species commonly found off Florida include: the lemon shark, blacktip shark, nurse sharks, tiger sharks, bull sharks and great hammerheads.

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Parts of Queensland are bracing for severe weather next week, with the state's far north and western outback regions on high alert for record-breaking rain and potential floods.

The rain is predicted to hit on Tuesday, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urging residents to make preparations and heed safety advice.

"There's going to be incredibly heavy rainfall so we want people to think very carefully over the weekend," she said.

"Of course, some of our catchments are already saturated."

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The rain is not expected to be as heavy in the south-east, parts of which are still recovering from flooding earlier this year.

But North Queensland is expected to receive record-breaking showers for May.

"It's very unusual to see this type of situation occurring in Far North Queensland, especially this time of year," the premier said.

The rain event will be triggered by a low-pressure trough and upper low-pressure system mixing with tropical air and developing over inland Queensland, exacerbated by waning La Nina influences.

Regions likely to be most affected are Townsville and Ingham to Longreach, Windorah, Winton and Barcaldine in the west.

The rain event may also impact Rockhampton on the Central Queensland coast, Yeppoon and Gladstone.

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David Grant from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said flash flooding is likely in parts already saturated with rain from the Anzac Day long weekend.

"As a result, those catchments are going to be more responsive to this rainfall event as they would have been prior to that last event," he said.

"Localised flash flooding will become a risk during the course of next week."

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The BoM will monitor the situation closely, with a flood watch possible over the coming days.

Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll urged residents to follow safety advice to prevent more flood fatalities.

"We have had a number of tragedies out of the last event, some 14 people passed away," Carroll said.

"A lot of that was people driving through floodwaters or people being caught in floodwaters obviously rising."

Residents are urged to keep up to date with warnings from the BoM and follow the advice of their local councils and emergency services.

"Please stay connected, please listen to the authorities, listen to those warnings and always, always if it's flooded please forget it," Carroll said.

Thousands of school students have descended on Sydney's CBD to march for climate action today.

The planned student-led march has shut down key CBD streets with students and activists calling on the federal government ahead of the election to address the climate crisis.

The protesters have marched along Macquarie street to the NSW Liberal Party headquarters.

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https://twitter.com/LaurenTomasi/status/1522394076347498498

One student told 9News that although many at the march are too young to vote, this is their way of sending a message to the government.

"Voting is just one way to engage in our democracy and that's why we're here today to have a platform and get our message across and tell voters and plead with them to vote for our future," Natasha Abhayawickrana said.

"Our communities are going to be voting for climate and we need climate action now."

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Many students can be seen wearing their school uniforms during the protest.

Bailey Linton-Simpkins, a student and organiser, told 9News that he wore his school uniform to set an example for other students on taking action against climate change.

"I'm out here in my blazer as a prefect showing that the youth are powerful and we're here," Linton-Simpkins said.

"Being engaged is really important, so I think it's nice to see prefects and other people in leadership positions kinda supporting such a good cause.

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https://twitter.com/andrewmacfnz/status/1522393462745690119

"The government's telling us that we've had action on the climate crisis, that's a lie.

"At the end of the day, we're here on the right side of history."

Macquarie Street is currently closed due to the protest.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air. The concept of whakapapa is central to William Hatton’s approach to landscape architecture.Hatton, of Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Muaūpoko, Ngāti…