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DECEMBER 1, 2023
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Moller new Cairns deputy mayor
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Airport’s festive ‘present’
IT LOOKS LIKE
Christmas
l AEROGLEN | Nick Dalton
l CAIRNS REGION EXCITEMENT is building ahead of tonight's lighting of the city's Christmas tree on the Cairns Esplanade. Looking forward to the event from 5.30pm are local artists India Collins and Hayley Gillespie, Memphis Neeve, 5, Cairns Mayor Terry James and major sponsor of Carols in the Park Solarhart Cairns director Sarah Sexton. Festivities will include entertainment for the kids. FULL STORY PAGE 6
Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez
No crocs swim plan
Watersports precinct idea for old Barron River delta sand mine l CARAVONICA | Nick Dalton PLANS are afoot to develop a large crocodile-free watersports playground, including a swimming area, at an old sand mine on the Barron River delta.
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford has revealed the proposal which he told Cairns Local News was in the very early stages. It comes as Cairns regional councillor Brett Olds calls for a weir to be built at Lake Placid to
prevent crocodiles and to create a safer swimming enclosure. Mr Crawford said water sport clubs in Cairns had asked about the fate of the sand mines on the Barron delta, and the potential for a conversion into a water sports zone. “But these conver-
sations are very early days and would need to be led by (Cairns Regional) council,” he said. “We could have more success at croc-proofing that area, but there would still be a week or so every wet season when the delta floods and crocs swim in.
“If council works up a plan in the future, I’d be happy to back it.” Mr Crawford said he supported a crocodile-free swim area but not at Lake Placid because it was difficult to control the volume of water and crocs. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
ANOTHER international route for Cairns is on the radar of the airport with the hopes of a “fantastic” Christmas present for the region. The route – which could be revealed in just over two weeks – follows the announcement this week of Chinese New Year services by China Eastern in February next year. Airport chief operating officer Garry Porter said the airport was “very hopeful and excited” about the next route. “We are hopeful it will be a lovely Christmas present for everyone,” he said. “I’ll be in the terminal giving away colouring-in books, and lollies and chocolates to everyone … but I won’t be wearing a (Santa) costume.” More than 2300 passengers are expected on the 10 flights scheduled by China Eastern to operate from February 1-18 four times a week, bringing a $3 million boost to the region’s economy. Mr Porter said it would be the only Chinese New Year services but Singapore Airlines was expected to bring people in for the Year of the Dragon as well as travellers arriving on domestic flights from direct Chinese flights into Brisbane. FULL STORY PAGE 5
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