Cairns Local News March 15 2024

Local News Cairns

Visitors offered discounts

l FAR NORTH

VISITORS to tropical north Queensland can reap $100 off hundreds of tours including Great Barrier Reef trips, scenic helicopter flights and guided rainforest adventures from this week with the national launch of the Tropical Dollars campaign.

The initiative is jointly-funded by the Albanese and Miles governments, following Cyclone Jasper, to support the region’s tourism industry.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen said the $100 tropical dollars discount would be applied to tours booked through Experience Oz with a minimum spend of $200.

“If you’ve never glided over the rainforest in a gondola or tried the adventure of white water rafting, now is the time to do it,” he said.

“Tropical North Queensland’s waterfalls are flowing, and the world’s oldest rainforest is refreshed from the summer rains.

“This is a great opportunity to pack more activities into your holiday, especially for families wanting to take the kids snorkelling for the first time or to visit the wildlife parks to feed a kangaroo and watch a crocodile leap from the water.” Mr Olsen said tour operators were ready to welcome visitors and there was plenty of accommodation.

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Clive bows out

Hospital chairman pays tribute to all employees

l CAIRNS NORTH

| Nick Dalton

OUTGOING Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) chairman Clive Skarott has paid tribute to the service’s staff as he prepares to hand over the reins in two weeks.

The 80-year-old finishes a seven-year term on March 31, and, while he has a long list of achievements including boosting the budget from $730m a year to $1.3 billion, he has praised the staff and the creation of a mostly happy and safe working environment as his greatest legacy.

“On one of my first days in the job, I went for a walk from Cairns Hospital’s A-block

through to D-block,” he told Cairns Local News.

“There were staff hanging their heads because CHHHS had been the subject of negative media attention for many weeks.

“The feeling I got was people were doing their job, but no one was happy.

“Now I walk through the hospital, and everyone wants to say hello to me.”

Mr Skarott said he was determined to turn that situation around and believed today the morale was high and whenever he went through Cairns Hospital and other hospitals and health care centres people greeted him by name – “It’s Clive, not Mr Skarott,” he prefers.

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Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chairman Clive Skarott outside Cairns Hospital.

Picture: Nick Dalton

realise it’s actually not Australian,” she said.

“We’ve got a unique product. It’s in a glass jar, so it’s different from the cans. You can actually see the quality, see it’s jampacked.

“You can see there are no preservatives, no hidden nasties. Everything in that jar is Australian, made by Australians.”

Having become a finalist in 2023, Ms Lamason, who founded Little Tuna with her husband in 2016, took the top spot this year amongst four impressive finalists for her innovative business approach with Little Tuna becoming one of the first local exporters of tuna in the region, her broad experience in the seafood industry and not-for-profit work.

Ms Lamason has been awarded a $15,000 Westpac grant and will now go on to represent Queensland at the national awards in August for the chance to win an additional $20,000 grant.

Ms Lamason said Little Tuna had always strived to give Australians, an all-Australian product which was also healthy and delicious.

“A lot of people ask for Australian tuna, and it can be really confusing out there. It’s not until you read the fine print when you

Ms Lamason is also an advocate for women in the seafood industry, an industry recognised for being male-dominated.

“There are many opportunities for women to join the industry, and there’s so much we can do and bring to the table, so to represent women in this industry is remarkable, and I love being a woman in the seafood industry,” she said.

Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner congratulated Ms Lamason.

“Kate Lamason is an inspiration to so many women in the seafood industry, including with her advocacy through Women in Seafood Australasia,” he said.

“Her example of success will add to the shining light of women’s contributions to primary production in Queensland, as also exemplified by the other Queensland finalists.”

FROM PAGE 1

“Our operators are ready to welcome visitors and there is plenty of availability for a range of accommodation styles from luxury hotels and resorts to family-friendly apartments.

“You may want a city getaway where everything is in walking distance, including the

marina and great waterfront restaurants and bars, or a quiet getaway on the Cassowary Coast.

“Relax at a Port Douglas resort and explore the famous Daintree rainforest or chill out at Palm Cove in between day trips to Kuranda and the Atherton Tablelands.”

Tuna processor named AgriFuture Rural Women’s winner

$100 ‘Tropical Dollars’ to lure more tourists north

The Tropical Dollars are for bookings through to June 21, 2024, with no blackout periods, and can be redeemed when booking through Experience Oz.

Tourism Minister Michael Healy said the incentive was “a great opportunity to get out and discover something you’ve

never experienced before – or even revisit an old favourite”.

“The discounts will help Aussie families, currently feeling the cost-of-living pressures to take a holiday, providing a timely boost for our local tourism operators following what has been a really tough time.”

The program is delivered in

partnership with Experience Oz and Tourism and Events Queensland, and is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Tropical Dollars deals are available at tropicaldollars. experienceoz.com.au

Little Tuna co-owner Kate Lamason with a great example of the fish. Picture: Supplied

‘Take down flood signs’

Residents refuse to remove protest corflutes after council order

l MACHANS BEACH

| Nick Dalton

MACHANS Beach residents are accusing Cairns Regional Council of being heavy-handed and restricting the freedom of speech after signs raising concerns about flooding were ordered to be taken down.

Resident and the beach’s community association vice-president Deryck Thompson said the signs were erected this week to raise concerns that many residents believed that increased development on the Barron River flood plain was a contributing factor to the flooding in December.

“Do we live in a democracy with freedom of speech?,” he asked. “Residents of Machans Beach have come together to create a corflute to remind all levels of government of their concerns and some of these corflutes were placed on front fences at Machans Beach.

“On Monday this week the council sent threatening emails to residents who had these signs on their front fences. These residents were affected by the flood event.

“Some residents have removed the signs from their fences as a result of these threats.

Some have not.

“We are concerned that council officers have taken a lot of time and effort to send these emails which have created even further anxiety for these residents and for the rest of our community.

“About one third of housing at Machans was impacted by the flood event and residents have a right to express their concerns

and their wish that any future flooding be reduced if possible.

“This action by council is an attempt to shut down legitimate freedom of speech.

“Ironically we are in the middle of an election for which freedom of speech is an underlying value.

“This deplorable state of affairs was discussed at a commu-

nity meeting last Monday and residents were very unhappy and several have requested these corflutes for their front fences.

“These signs will not be taken down until the release of an independent and transparent report into factors that contributed to the flood event of December 17.”

According to the council email, Cairns Regional Council

local laws No.4 (advertising devices) 2019 section 15 requirements for advertising devices without a permit is the law that is applied when council officers investigate and enforce fence signage. “These fence signs are not permitted and must be immediately removed from this location,” the email read. A council spokesman said

the council was acting on complaints. “With regard to the signs council has asked to be removed, we received a complaint from members of the public and are obligated to investigate the matter,” he said.

“The signs are not a type of sign able to be erected without approval under council’s local laws.”

Road name change to help emergency services

l ROCKINGHAM

| Nick Dalton

TWO dead-end sections of a road on the Cassowary Coast are to be re-named to stop confusion after emergency services were unable to find a property where someone needed urgent assistance.

Two separate sections of Stamp Rd at Rockingham are to be renamed Marsilio Rd and

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Abdullah Rd in a bid to make it easier and quicker for emergency services to respond to help.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council civic technical officer Nikiota Taifalos told last month’s meeting that “the rationale behind the application stems from a previous incident where emergency services faced challenges navigating Stamp Rd due to its complex network configuration, featur-

ing three dead-end tails, resulting in confusion”.

She said Marsilio Rd was named after the family who had previously owned or had a long association with the land prior to the council acquiring the property.

“Additionally, the council has undertaken steps to consult with adjoining property owners, of this portion only, to gather feedback on the proposed renaming,” Ms Taifalos

said.

“The feedback received from the council indicated support for the proposal to rename this portion of road. This suggests that there is local backing for the change, further strengthening the case for renaming.”

Abdullah Rd is named after P. Abdullah, who was either a student or teacher at Tully State School and served in the Second World War. “This honour roll commemorates past scholars

and teachers of the school who served during World War II. By adopting this method, council are maintaining consistency in their decision-making process regarding road renaming activities,” Ms Taifalos said.

Councillors were told it would take six months for the re-naming process because it would involve reallocating property address numbers as well as notifying various government departments.

Local Briefs

l MEN’S SHED SALE

ALL sorts of things are on sale at the Cairns Men’s Shed’s huge garage and car boot sale on Sunday, March 23. Starting from 7am, the sale will be held at the Cairns Men’s Shed at 186 Irene St, Mooroobool, with a wide variety of things for sale such as tools, plant and orchids, books, CDs, paints, hand-crafted wooden cars and trucks, clothes, turned timber items, and much more. For any more information, contact Bruce Bimrose on 4054 1949 or 0407 889 430

l BEACH MARKETS

MARKET stalls, live entertainment, drinks bar and crab races are coming up as part of Cardwell’s Easter Markets on Saturday, March 30. Along the beautiful foreshore, there will be over 70 stalls with all sorts of local goods. From 9am, market stalls and live entertainment will be open for the day along with the beer, wine and oyster shooter bar opening at 10am, and the markets’ iconic crab racing event commencing from 11am. For more information, call Thea on 0447 660 248, or email cardwelljettymarkets@ gmail.com

l SEVEN NEW COPS

NINETY-seven new police officers have been sworn into the Queensland Police Service (QPS). Of those, seven are earmarked for the Cairns police station. Premier Steven Miles said the 97 new police officers now embarked on a mission to keep Queenslanders safe.

l CRAZY ANTS

THE Wet Tropics Management Authority has declared a further 365 hectares of rainforest, farmland and suburban areas around Cairns free of yellow crazy ants, the largest single eradication of yellow crazy ants in the world. Included in the eradication area were 615 residential home lots in Bentley Park, which is the greatest number of residential properties to be declared yellow crazy ant-free in the one period.

Machans Beach resident Deryck Thompson with one of the flood protest signs the council has ordered be removed. Picture: Nick Dalton

Atherton close to his heart

l CAIRNS REGION

| Nick Dalton

DURING his reign as Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chairman, Clive Skarott and the board has attracted hundreds of millions in funding for new services and buildings.

But his proudest was the $86.4 million redevelopment of Atherton Hospital.

“I was born in the Atherton Hospital. And to me, the Atherton Hospital was very long overdue to be updated.

“When I walk through the hospital and saw the number of times you had to walk up and down stairs which were

connecting things together, it wouldn’t be easy for our staff to walk between buildings –particularly in the middle of the night, or during emergencies.

“Now, the Tablelands have a hospital they can be proud of: a brand new emergency department, maternity ward, general medical ward, new main entrance, new operating theatres, greater emergency access, new patient drop-off and pick-up zones, new medical imaging, better peace and privacy, and finally – an architecturally stunning building.”

Other projects include: the Cairns Hospital expansion project ($250m), the new mental health unit at Cairns Hospital ($70m), the Cairns Hospital

emergency department expansion ($26.4m), Cow Bay’s long-awaited primary health centre upgrade ($14.8m), the Cairns Health Innovation Centre ($4.65m for the business case), the sub-acute care unit at Oregon St, the pre-admission clinic at Cairns Hospital ($1.5m), Tully Hospital emergency department upgrade ($4.6m), Mossman Hospital emergency department upgrade ($9.9m), Mareeba Hospital medical imaging department upgrade ($5m), Cairns South Community Health Facility ($14.9m), the Youth Step Up Step Down residential facility ($9.1m) and new cardiac catheter laboratories for Cairns Hospital ($2.8m).

‘Terrific’ staff key to region’s successful medical care

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He said on Monday he got into a lift with two First Nations people and they told him they were “so sorry to see you leaving. You have done a tremendous job, you have made a difference … I was tickled pink”.

“All I’ve ever wanted for our staff is for them to want to come to work every day and enjoy it as much as they can. Because if they’re happy, this is passed onto our patients and clients.”

He said when he first started,

reducing staff was not an option to deal with an $80m debt, describing all employees as “terrific”.

“We have maintained and grown the staff. We didn’t believe cutting staff was the way to go,” Mr Skarott said.

‘I would like to thank our staff. Our staff are absolutely terrific.”

Mr Skarott said he tried to attend as many staff functions, huddles and meetings as possible –not to speak at – just to be there.

He hopes the new board and

executive management will follow through with his intention to find a suitable accommodation building to house doctors, nurse and other staff during emergencies when they were unable to get home during events such as last December’s flooding that closed the city off north of the Barron River

Mr Skarott took over when CHHHS had been through turmoil. The board was sacked for mismanagement of a budget that had blown into an $80m debt, and

the appointment of an administrator until a new board was formed in 2017. He said he had to build a full executive management team following the recent appointments of former chief executive officer Clare Douglas and chief financial officer Steve Thacker. It took months.

Mr Skarott said his main priority was reducing the debt which had been drastically reduced to the point he was confident it would be zero next year thanks to current chief executive officer

Leena Singh, whom he described as “very skilful and knowledgeable”.

The establishment of community consultative committees was critical to listening to and informing the community about CHHHS, Mr Skarott said. He said he believed Cairns Hospital would remain on the current Esplanade site but would have to consider ways to protect amenities, including the kitchen, from tidal surge.

Mr Skarott said it was vital that

Cairns Hospital became a firstclass tertiary institution – working with all universities – with first-year medical students on the job, as well as researchers and attracting the best doctors and nurses to the region.

Mr Skarott said the two-day-a week job quickly became fivedays-a week but he didn’t do the job for recognition.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I loved doing it, and the differences that have been made to the health service,” Mr Skarott said.

CHHHS chairman Clive Skarott, Member for Hill Shane Knuth and Speaker of the House Curtis Pitt at the opening of Atherton Hospital’s upgrade. Picture: The Express

Scientist’s Reef honour

l CAPE YORK

A MERIT to the dedication of his life and career to the conservation of the environmental and heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef, a previously unnamed reef in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park now bears the name of Professor Richard Kenchington.

East of the Cape York Peninsula, Kenchington Reef, formerly known as Reef 11-091, is found within a pink preservation zone in the Far Northern cross-shelf region of the Marine Park, located near Moulter and MacLennan Cay.

During his time at the authority, Professor Kenchington led multiple instrumental initiatives including the drafting of the UNESCO nomination which led to the Great Barrier Reef being listed as a World Heritage Area. Authority chief executive Josh Thomas said the naming idea was put forward by Professor Kenchington’s close marine science colleagues Jon Day, Len Zell, and Di Tarte in recognition of his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to sustainable practices which have left an indelible mark on the field of marine conservation.

He said the high honour paid tribute to the professor’s invaluable contributions to protecting the Great Barrier Reef and wider marine environments through sustainable ocean and coastal management.

Cruises peak in March

Tens of thousands of passengers bring loads of dollars to spend

l CAIRNS CBD

| Nick Dalton

CRUISE ship visits to the Port of Cairns are expected to peak this month and become the busiest period in the sector’s history.

About 27,000 passengers are due through the Cairns cruise liner terminal and they will explore the Reef, rainforest and/or dining and shopping experiences in the CBD.

In the six weeks to the end of March, 26 ships will visit.

Ports North chief executive officer Richard Stevenson said it would be a 37 per cent increase on the same period last year, and almost 50 per cent of the total number of cruise liners that docked in 2018.

Two ships will dock at the same time over several days including the Queen Elizabeth and Seven Seas Navigator on Wednesday this week.

Tomorrow Carnival Splendor and Costa Deliziosa – on its maiden voyage – will be at the port simultaneously with up to

5500-plus passengers. Mr Stevenson said improved port capacity, regional tourism experiences and convenient services contributed to steady growth.

“As a result of the successful $120 million Cairns shipping development project (dredging and port upgrades) delivered in 2020, the Port of Cairns can accommodate vessels up to 300m. This has enabled significant growth in cruise visitation and a sustained injection to our regional economy,” he said.

“Cairns is an attractive destina-

tion as passengers can visit the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest, or many tourism, dining, and retail experiences within walking distance.

“We’re seeing that cruising is taking off globally, and Cairns is no exception. The post-pandemic recovery has accelerated faster than we anticipated, and several Australian destinations are reporting record-breaking vessel numbers.

“We continue to make sure we maintain our infrastructure for today, while considering what we

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

need to meet the demands of the future. As a priority, all our plans must be appropriately sustainable from an economic and environmental perspective.”

Ninety-two visits by cruise ships are expected at the port while there will be 18 moored off Yorkeys Knob, including the giant Ovation of the Seas with up to 4905 passengers, and 25 off Port Douglas.

The other maiden voyage to come this year is the spectacular Scenic Eclipse 2 with 228 wellheeled passengers on April 30.

Queen Elizabeth and Seven Seas Navigator made a spectacular sight at the Port of Cairns on Wednesday night. Picture: Nick Dalton

Fun night raises $2000

l PARRAMATTA PARK

| Isaac Colman

MORE than $2000 have been raised for cancer through Cath and Kate’s Trivia Night.

Hosted by Catherine Pacey and Kate Fern, the night involved 14 teams, with the final winners being Anna Middleton’s A team from division 7, and Cate Mahoney’s Disco Divas from division 4.

The two teams went head-to-head in a paper plane throwing competition, with Cate Mahoney’s Disco Divas

claiming the final prize.

The duo said that the night was a great success.

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support of the community for COUCH (Cairns Organisation United for Cancer Health),” they said.

“The success of the event is a testament to the dedication and commitment of everyone involved.”

Despite the high level of competition, each team acknowledged the night’s true motives, showing so much support and dedication for the

cause that the duo are excited to announce that the second Cath and Kate's Trivia Night for COUCH is scheduled for April 5.

Ms Pacey and Ms Fern said they were extremely grateful to everyone who attended and supported COUCH.

“We are grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to making tonight a memorable success,” they said.

“We look forward to seeing you all again on April 5 for another fantastic event.”

Tully community launches three-day program to celebrate centenary in June

Sugar town readies for 100

l TULLY

IT’S not every day a town turns 100 but in less than 100 days Tully will be spending the weekend of June 7-8 commemorating and celebrating its centenary.

Tully 100 community committee chairman Dr Rob Magarey said that the weekend calendar was shaping up to be action packed.

“While everyone is invited,

the committee is looking forward to welcoming Tully residents past and present, and their families and friends to these events,” he said.

“Tully State School also celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

“So we’re starting the weekend’s commemorations there with tours, which will be a trip down memory lane for many people.

“The dinner dance on the Fri-

day night will then bring everyone together to rekindle old friendships, share stories and create new ones.

“On the Saturday morning a parade up Butler St will precede a civic reception to be held at the cyclone shelter, with re-enactment of the original auction of town blocks.

“And on the Sunday morning, a ‘Canecutters Smoko’ at the Tully Showgrounds will give everyone the opportunity to re-

Council News Update Improvement works

King tides will be experienced in Cairns next week at the following times:

n Monday 18 March: 2.83m at 6.10am

n Tuesday 19 March: 2.94m at 6.47am

n Wednesday 20 March: 3m at 7.20am

n Thursday 21 March: 3.01m at 7.48am

n Friday 22 March: 3m at 8.13am

n Saturday 23 March: 2.96m at 8.34am

n Sunday 24 March: 2.9m at 8.51am

n Monday 25 March: 2.82m at 9.05am

Residents should also monitor the Bureau of Meteorology website for general information related to tide heights.

4

Download

The My Cairns app has been designed to make it easier for residents to go about their lives.

Download the app to receive notifications, such as bin night reminders and the next green waste drop off day.

And if you’ve got a problem to report – from a pothole to a fallen tree – you can take a pic and send it straight to us.

The free My Cairns app is available for both Apple and Android devices from the relevant app stores.

lax and share new memories.”

Dr Magarey said additional Tully 100 events had been added to the 2024 calendar that included an oral history project to be launched this month, historical library displays from May and a fashion parade, car boot sale and cemetery tours – all held before the big weekend.

Next year Tully Sugar Limited and cane industry partners will celebrate the centenary of the first crush at Tully’s sugar

mill with more events and festivities planned for the community and visitors in ‘Sugar Week’ from May 17-22, 2025. The Tully 100 program can be viewed at tully100.online where tickets for the dinner dance can be booked. To be part of the Tully centenary street parade business and community groups, and individuals are encouraged to email: tullystreetparade@ gmail.com and register their interest by April 19, 2024.

Catherine Pacey (left), Cate Mahoney, Anna Middleton and Kate Fern celebrate the success of the night, raising over $2000 for COUCH. Picture: Supplied

Tully resident Nancy Marsilio cuts the birthday cake.

InternationalWomen’s Day Pioneer picks up top award

Aviation leader and Indigenous role models celebrated at annual honours

l CAIRNS CBD

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

A TRAILBLAZER in the aviation industry has become Cairns’ 2024 woman of the year for her tireless work to develop the industry in Cairns and her efforts and advocacy to encourage more women to pursue a career in non-traditional fields.

Skytek chief executive Alana McKenna was awarded the honour at Cairns Regional Council’s International Women’s Day ceremony last Friday for her pivotal role in aviation and her incessant fight to enhance women’s role in what has been a male-dominated industry.

Ms McKenna, who was also the keynote speaker at the event, began her speech saying she hated the word ‘male-dominated industry’, “they’re just industries and if we start by changing words like that, more women will feel empowered to take on these roles”.

“There’s so much ability here in Cairns, in sports, and arts, and science, so I didn’t expect to get this award,” she said.

“Cairns punches well above for a regional area, and we have an amazing array of women in different industries, and they do very well but we need

to keep making them thrive.

“There’s still a lot to improve in aviation, we’re not there yet, nor in construction and we’ve made some progress in these fields, but we need to improve all industries, anything a woman wants to do she should be able to.

“My message to women would be: be who you are today and choose the right thing for you, don’t be pressured into something. Do what you want to do.”

Twenty-two-year-old First Nations woman Indianna Tillet was awarded the young woman of the year award for her work as a program coordinator and facilitator with Deadly Choices delivering better health outcomes to First Nations people in the community.

“Receiving this award means a lot to me and I’m really grateful, and it’s a representation of who’s brought me up and my ancestors,” she said.

High-profile Indigenous athlete Libby Cook-Black left such an impact on the judges that she took home two awards – the women’s recognition award and a highly commendation award for her advancement and advocacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in sport. Her mother, Amanda Black, received the awards on her behalf.

Business group marks achievements and challenges

l CAIRNS CBD

MORE than 100 businesswomen gathered to celebrate their achievements and many challenges still to come at the Cairns Business Women’s Club (CBWC) International Women’s Day lunch last Friday.

“Everyone wants to see improvements in equality for women, and so the community has embraced our event, and they come and show support and acknowledge the improvements that have been made and realise there’s lot more work to do,” said CBWC president Kearley Dent.

Woman of the year Alana McKenna, young woman of the year Indianna Tillet and Amanda Black on behalf of Libby Cook-Black (inset), winner of the women’s recognition award and highly commendation award. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Cairns Local News’ manager Kath Maclean and Walker Real Estate representative Yvonne Carr.

CBWC president Kearley Dent and CBWC board member Kate Lamason.

Guest speakers Kirsty Nancarrow and Phulmaya Tamang.

Lynn Walker, Lisa Fleming and Carmel Josephs from ITEC Group.

Fletcher Johnson and Emma Craig from Bank of Queensland. Pictures: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

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Local flood spending

l DOUGLAS SHIRE

MORE than half of $8 million spent by Douglas Shire Council on repairs to infrastructure in the wake of Cyclone Jasper flooding has gone to shire businesses.

Mayor Michael Kerr told Tuesday’s final council meeting of the current term that 63 per cent ($5.1m) had been spent in the shire which had “been great to see”. It included $1m-plus to Whyanbeel-based business Marrin Pty Ltd for machinery hire for cyclone clean-up and Daintree River dredging and $439,862 to Cassowary-based Mc Group for machinery hire for cyclone clean-up.

Cr Kerr said an officer from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) was helping council staff with claims.

A council report said the final economic impact of the Cyclone Jasper disaster was yet to be determined. It said $4.4m had been spent on road repairs and $1.2m on water repairs. The Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) had given the council a $25.8m advance to ensure cash flow throughout the disaster recovery process.

Chief financial officer Tara Killeen told the meeting that only $88 of a $2m claim had been not approved. She said staff were flat out to meet a deadline yesterday for some claims while an extension had been granted until June 30 for others.

Council ends quietly

Douglas shire meeting lasts seven minutes as mayor finishes up

l MOSSMAN

| Nick Dalton

DOUGLAS shire councillors have ended their four-year term with a low-key ordinary meeting that lasted seven minutes on Tuesday morning.

Just two items were on the agenda – the latest financial reports and Cyclone Jasper expenditure.

The brief and surprisingly amicable meeting follows several meetings since the December floods where the multimilliondollar damage to communities and infrastructure, particular roads and bridges, as well as the water supply, involved heated debate that the council had not done enough nor was working quickly enough to fix the carnage.

Most of the last year involved acrimony between Mayor Michael Kerr and the other four councillors – deputy mayor Cr Lisa Scomazzon and councillors Abigail Noli, Roy Zammataro and Peter McKeown – critical of his leadership style, lack of transparency and communications, and issues such as the Daintree ferry and the council’s media policy.

The conflict was obvious at council meetings and reached a stage in September last year when a vote of no confidence in Cr Kerr was passed by three

councillors – Scomazzon, Noli and Zammataro.

At the next meeting in October nearly an hour of the one hour and 21-minute council meeting was devoted to two mayoral minutes.

One was Cr Kerr’s 2514word response to the no confidence motion and the other about emergency repairs to the

beleaguered Daintree River ferry (1344 words).

Cr Kerr is not standing at tomorrow’s local body elections. He announced his intention to not continue late in October, citing personal reasons, although he has been linked to an LNP bid to take on Labor’s Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui, at the state poll later this year.

There was no public farewell for Cr Kerr at Tuesday’s meeting. Instead he thanked the council and its staff.

“Thank you very much to everyone involved in this term. I wish the next council the best of luck and thank the staff for their reports over the last four years. Thank you,” Cr Kerr said. There was a round of ap-

plause by councillors and the meeting ended at 10.07am.

The remaining four councillors are standing again. Cr Scomazzon is seeking the mayor’s job with competition from two Port Douglas businessmen, David Haratsis and Stacy Wilkinson. The other three councillors are also facing nine other contenders.

Douglas shire councillors Peter McKeown (left), deputy mayor Lisa Scomazzon, Mayor Michael Kerr, Roy Zammataro and Abigail Noli held their last meeting on Tuesday. Picture: Douglas Shire Council

2024 council elections Seven contenders for

l CAIRNS REGION

John Kelly (Kel)

COMMON Sense Party leader and mayoral candidate John Kelly (Kel) wants to raise the wall of Copperlode Dam by three to four metres to help prevent serious flooding like that of December last year.

“Starting at the mouth of the Barron River create levee banks 1m high on both sides, install four large pipes with flaps on and two huge pumps, called floodlifters, to rapidly move the water out to sea,” he said.

“A big pumphouse would be necessary that can be run 24 hours a day with necessary with staff on hand.”

Regarding the housing crisis, he would build a hostel as big as a Bunnings shed, and have somewhere where homeless boys and girls could be housed and fed.

“I would go to the federal government and build 200 twobedroom units fully furnished and charge $200 a week per person to live there.

“I have identified a property at Mt Surprise in the Cairns hinterland which the Cairns Regional Council could acquire with a humanitarian grant and establish a youth and unemployed training station that is presently available.

“It is far enough away to be fairly safe from hard drugs, and could turn aimless young people into valuable and capable people able to contribute to the general wellbeing of the entire region.

“It has the space and capability for training machinery operators, stockmen and women, and creates a place where further education could be made

available in a TAFE-like campus and carbon capture taught as an art in the vast Cairns hinterland.

“The only reason young people commit crimes is boredom. My policies will give them meaningful and productive time learning life skills, plenty of tucker so they will never be hungry, and I will look to have experienced older people to pass on their skills to our young and presently bored and mischievous youngsters.”

Warren Vetters (Binda) INDEPENDENT Warren Vetters (Binda), who is a country music entertainer, is keen to see the council focus on the forgotten suburbs.

“There are suburbs that have been forgotten and a lack of support for division representatives that want to deliver better infrastructure and outcomes to support small businesses and tourism in their areas,” he said.

“We have a unique opportunity to implement change for an even greater Cairns and it will come down to the leadership in which is delivered.

“It is only you the people who are the true power of change.

“Throughout my candidacy I have met and appreciated all the good-hearted residents of Cairns, and totally hear your concerns. I truly hope whoever is successful that they listen to you and deliver the best results for your communities.

“There are so many opportunities to support small businesses and tourism throughout Cairns and sporting events that can be promoted and supported better.

“Tourism is the bloodline of

our economy and should be focused on greatly.

“There is much needed support and systems needing to be implemented to prepare for further environmental events as global warming is the driver of these outcomes.

“We need to support cleaner energy and pathways to lowering emissions.

“I love you Cairns. You have been good to me, giving me a place to call home and safe place to raise my family.

“Families matter as they are our future and the decisions we make today impact how they live in the future. I believe in you all and I am confident in the future of Cairns.

“I would like to thank the electoral commission for their support throughout this election, including the staff.

“I would like to wish all division and mayoral candidates the best in their efforts over their election.

“Also to recognise Cairn Regional Council for their ongoing commitment to Cairns.”

Amy Eden

A LOVE of Cairns and a belief

that the city’s best days are yet to come are the motivation for Team Eden leader and mayoral candidate Amy Eden running for the top job. “A Team Edenled Cairns Regional Council will build its foundation on three key values: transparency, accountability and engagement. These are the values I live by, and they represent what should be expected of a council that puts its people first,” she said.

“Our policies reflect these values. We will focus on building a more open and collaborative culture – stepping away from the secrecy and defensiveness of the past 12 years – supported by initiatives that make it easier to engage with, and do business with council.

“We’ll review council processes, ignoring the ‘that’s how it’s always been done’ argument in favour of continuous improvement and overhauling outdated practices that hinder innovation.

“We’ll combat the rising cost of living through year-round free green waste disposal, $2 summer swims, and overhauling household water costs, and

we’ll support our young people to stay and raise their families in Cairns through rates relief for first homebuyers.

“We’re excited to strengthen collaboration with our business community to foster new opportunities such as late-night trading that helps to activate our CBD as a more inviting and safer destination for residents and visitors.

“Most importantly, we’ll ask you what you want from your council. We are committed to providing genuine representation for our community, based on meaningful communication that feeds informed and transparent decision-making.

“Like many in our community, I’m raising a family. I’m working to build a secure future for my children, and I have a vested interest in the future of Cairns.

“I’ll roll up my sleeves and work tirelessly to make sure Cairns is a great place, not just for us, but also for our next generations.

“There is so much I, and Team Eden, believe Cairns can achieve with a supportive council that empowers and en-

ables its community to thrive.”

Leah Potter

INDEPENDENT Cairns mayoral candidate Leah Potter is keen to activate entertainment precincts in Cairns.

“I am the founder of the Sunset Soup Kitchen, also a comedian and a business owner here in Cairns,” she said.

“I’ve been performing at Elixir Music House for the past three years and I recently bought a cocktail bar here.

“I’m running for mayor just to bring some issues to the table around activation of entertainment precincts and the flow-on effects this has to the local economy, employment and tourism.

“Outside of comedy, I have worked tirelessly on social issues at ground level every night for six years to build the soup kitchen with no government assistance.

“I was selected as finalist for Australian humanitarian of the year for my efforts in addressing homelessness and poverty.

“I studied media law and journalism in Brisbane and I worked as a chef in Port Doug-

Three challenge for leadership

l DOUGLAS SHIRE

Lisa Scomazzon

DOUGLAS Shire mayoral contender Lisa Scomazzon believes as a current councillor and deputy mayor she feels well positioned to take the shire into a new phase.

“With good leadership, this council will have an opportunity to work as a united team to produce a positive outcome for this shire,” she said.

“As a ratepayer and resident of this shire, my family has a long history in the sugar and tropical fruit industry which helped to build this shire.

“My partner and I own a business here and my previous employment was with the state government for 26 years in the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

“I have very good knowledge of financial management and budgets, operational and administration managing roles and experience in policy writing and sound knowledge of legislation.

“Strong leadership is essential. Because I am a woman some feel that I don’t have it in

me for this job. But, the way I look at it, ‘a strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink’, so let me assure you I will always accept responsibility and ownership of my decisions and actions, rather than deflect to others.

“I can assure the community of Douglas that I will give my full attention to the position of mayor and will run as an independent with no political affiliations or outside influences.

“The next four-year term is going to be a very challenging and as you know it will involve

rebuilding and repairing major infrastructure such as water, roads and bridges making them reliable and better prepared for the changing weather systems in the future.

“This can only be achieved with assistance from outside resources with the state and federal governments irrespective of which party holds the seat.

“I am adamant in opening up the council to the community in a way never seen before, full transparency and accountability and I know this will be a battle but the community must have

trust that their shire is managed to a high standard for the betterment for future generations.

“I believe this is paramount for the ratepayers to be informed of the true costs on where their rates and services revenue and how it is spent. It’s called accountability for the ratepayer.”

David Haratsis

DOUGLAS Shire Council mayoral hopeful David Haratsis has been a practising lawyer since 2001, after graduating with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Monash University.

“I run a small law firm with my wife, and am director of our family publishing business with operations in Australia, NZ and the USA,” he said.

“My business experience has also given me great boardroom skills and I am very much at home negotiating and working with government, big business, small business and individuals.

“It is this experience that I believe stands me in good stead to help change the attitude and culture of the Douglas Shire Council, leading from the top.

“During my time living in Port Douglas, I have observed the constant negativity emanating from council meetings, and the fact that many councillors seemed to be ‘cut from the same cloth’ and spouting the same old views.

“They seem more focussed on old animosities than on representing the people.

“I am here before the electorate as someone experienced in the law and in business, offering to provide a new direction.

“And the choice at this election could not be more stark, between those offering a different

way of doing things, and those continuing for another round of the same when they have had plenty of time to put their plans into action.

“At a time when we are about to enter a state election, no time could be better to leverage different ideas and put our hand out for change.

“We need a strong negotiator to take it up to the other tiers of governments demanding the money needed to bring this region into the present day – to fix our roads and water system.

“We need a council to encourage sustainable development (not “no development”). “And we need a youth strategy to ensure we do not lose our school leavers at the first opportunity.

“We need a new direction.”

Editor’s note: Douglas Shire mayoral candidate Lisa Scomazzon did not provide a written response but did give a speech at a forum which Cairns Local News is publishing an abridged version. Third candidate Stacy Wilkinson did not provide his contribution and there is little available about his campaign in the public domain.

John Kelly of Common Sense Party. Independent Warren Vetters.

Team Eden leader Amy Eden. Independent Leah Potter.

Independent Lisa Scomazzon.

Independent Stacy Wilkinson. Independent David Haratsis.

2024 council elections coveted role in Cairns

pitch

to voters

ahead of

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

las. I have a proven track record of achieving spectacular results for the community with very little money and with no government assistance and no corporate sponsorship.

“I have rallied together teams that addressed major social issues the government was not able to solve.

“One example of this was the way we worked with the community and the mud army immediately after the floods before any government mob were able to.

“We had 1000 hot meals out to residents and volunteers within hours of the clean-up starting.

“On election day please put 1 in my box and then number every other box so that your vote counts.

“I don’t mind coming last with zero votes. I’m gonna put that on all my comedy posters for the next year: ‘Come see the loser of the mayor campaign’.

“Hopefully people will find me somewhat amusing.”

Denis Walls

COMMUNITY First leader and mayoral candidate Denis Walls

tomorrow’s local body elections. Their responses are in order of ballot paper listing.

is determined that Cairns remains a clean, green linear city with magnificent World Heritage areas on either side.

“I’ve lived in Cairns for over 33 years, and I’ve seen many changes in that time, but one constant has been the public’s desire to keep our identity as a clean, green linear city with magnificent World Heritage areas on either side,” he said.

“Cairns is now at a turning point. A growing population, a housing crisis, flooding – which has devastated so many in the northern suburbs – have led to many serious questions about our future.

“Clearly, there is a need for a new direction and style of leadership which is collective and community engaging, not secretive and controlling from the top down.

“My definition of leadership is the ability to imagine a future that is distinct from the present, then help lead Cairns in a direction where it can prosper.

“Leadership should be an exercise in vision as well as basic practicalities. As Cairns grows, we need broad thinking to address our many difficult issues

through a holistic urban development and transport strategy rather than the fragmented approach that exists at present.

“In this campaign I have addressed complex issues like CBD revitalisation, affordable housing, flood-resilient planning, effective public transport, and enhancement and protection of our trees and green spaces for recreation and wildlife.

“For each of these difficult problems, I have put forward tangible solutions. I am critical of the council decision to approve the half billion-dollar stage 1 Mulgrave water project shortly before this election – without a proper community conversation about alternatives – when ratepayers will inherit the massive debt.

“Regarding youth crime, a way forward on this complex issue would be to listen to those doing the work on the ground, facilitate coordination, ensure agencies are ‘joined up’ and not competing for funds but working together. Long term safety solutions must ultimately lie in our own community to strengthen families and our own service system alongside

increasing housing supply. Support for victims is paramount but we know that locking kids up doesn’t work.”

Paul Taylor

CAIRNS mayoral candidate Paul Taylor is “proud to be an independent candidate”.

“I have a strong history of leadership, particularly leading large teams and high-level committees in high-stake circumstances,” he said.

“I have spent over 45 years in the Queensland Police Service, some of those as deputy police commissioner, before settling with my beautiful partner and cheeky dog in our slice of Far North paradise.

“I am running for mayor to encourage positive change in the community. I am here to return Cairns to a vibrant, thriving, and exciting regional city, something that can only be achieved after we address the elephant in the room: crime.

“A Taylor-led Cairns council is committed to increasing community safety, lobbying the state and federal governments to do more with anti-crime legislation.

“It is not the time to be gentle, it is time to crack down on making you feel safe on the street and in your own home.

“With an increase in community safety, developers and local businesses will be even more inclined to invest in Cairns, increasing the local economy and creating a progressive and evolving city.

“My council will invest wisely. We cannot allow inherited debt to hang over our heads. Despite this, I am not planning to raise rates to fill this hole. I will take a fine-tooth comb to

the budget, spend and investment from the previous council, knowing there is opportunity to save or to compromise.

“I am invested in the recovery of Cairns after the devastating weather events of the past few months.

“Cairns will again thrive with infrastructure, tourism, and opportunity through improved housing, access, and emergency services under my council.

“It is my intention and responsibility to listen to you, work strategically with the elected councillors and improve community safety and vibrancy in Cairns to ensure the future is bright for us and the next generation of Far North Queenslanders.”

Terry James

SUSTAINABLE growth while promoting, protecting, and enhancing the iconic natural environment, now and for future generations, is one of the goals of Unity Team leader Mayor Terry James. “Cairns is a popular place to live, work and play and our unique position as the international gateway to two of the world’s most precious natural wonders – the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest – means we must ensure that growth is sustainable, appropriately located, resilient to natural hazards and climate challenges,” he said.

“To this end, your current Unity-led council is currently working on a multi-year project Towards 2050: Shaping Cairns Growth Strategy, which is being informed by extensive community and stakeholder input at each phase, as well as

supporting technical studies, which involve protecting our rural and natural landscapes to ensure development does not continue to expand into these valuable areas, maintaining our lifestyle, protecting places of cultural heritage significance, ensuring future growth is risk responsive and responding and adapting to extreme weather events, climate change and encouraging development that is suitable and resilient to our tropical climate.”

Cr James said he would lead a small business-friendly council to bolster the vital role small business played in contributing towards the Cairns economy and continue small business’ 88 per cent reinvestment in Cairns.

“A Unity-led council will also promote growth and ensure our community and youth achieve the best in education, career, and business opportunities through a multi-industry approach,” he said.

“Following the flooding disaster Unity will focus on building back better by raising the old timber Queenslanders to achieve the ‘acceptable Q100 flood level’ plus upgrade existing low-set masonry homes to make them more resilient to flooding.

“Cairns Regional Council, together with the 76 other councils in the state, came up with a nine-point plan to address juvenile crime in Queensland.

“If need be, I will advocate via the Local Government Association of Queensland for all councils to send a delegation to Brisbane to meet the government, demanding immediate action to urgently address these pressing law and order issues before the next state election.”

Sitting councillors vie to be boss

l CASSOWARY COAST

Mark Nolan

CASSOWARY Coast mayoral candidate, current mayor Mark Nolan, has served the Cassowary Coast region since 2004, as a councillor, deputy mayor and mayor.

“There is no greater honour or privilege than serving in public office,” he said on the council website. “As mayor, I believe it is important to be inclusive on all matters with my fellow councillors and I believe that every voice deserves to be heard.

“It is my goal to develop a positive working environment with councillors, council staff and all members of our community.”

He said his focus in the last term was to deliver budgets with lowest possible general rate increases and one of the ways was by selling off assets no longer required by the council.

“Council will work closely with the Cassowary Coast community reference group to ensure the community is consulted throughout this process.”

The qualified boilermaker

Independent Mark Nolan.

worked on the tools for 40 years. For 25 of those years he was also a shop steward (delegate) and state councillor for the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union and developed a keen interest in politics and the protection of worker’s rights and entitlements. “A move to local government was a natural progression for me,” he said.

“In my spare time I serve as

president of Innisfail Meals on Wheels and chairman of the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal.

“My favourite saying is ‘If you can dream it, do it”, which I try to live by each and every day.”

Teresa Millwood

CURRENT councillor for Cassowary Coast’s division 2, which includes the areas of

Tully, Feluga, El Arish, Silkwood and Mena Creek, Cr Teresa Millwood is running for the mayoralty for the first time.

“I was born and bred on the Cassowary Coast and have resided here for most of my life,” she said. “My family were banana growers and later in life, my father took a position in the Cardwell Shire Council where he spent the remainder of his

career. I have had a varied career where I spent 30 years as a hairdresser and also a nurse for 16 years.

“I also worked as a phlebotomist for six years and owned my own school bus run for seven years.

“As a lifelong learner with a desire to experience new things, this has provided me with a wide-ranging knowledge of dif-

ferent areas and allows me to adapt to a variety of situations.”

Ms Millwood said she ran for the position as councillor because she was a passionate advocate in the community and believed she could make a positive move in the right direction.

“My motivation comes from my passion for this wonderful place we call our home, and I am motivated by other strong women in politics,” she said.

Cr Millwood said during her term she hoped to achieve public satisfaction in all areas of the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, by reducing costs but still delivering the best possible outcomes for the region.

This included better road management, building a better rate base, building and promoting new business across the coast and consulting regularly with the community.

Editor’s note: Cr Mark Nolan did not respond to an invitation to provide a final pitch. Cr Millwood declined the offer. Their profiles were taken from the Cassowary Coast Regional Council website by CLN in the interest of fairness.

Independent Paul Taylor. Community First’s Denis Walls. Unity Team leader Terry James.

Independent Teresa Millwood.

Unity Team has been complacent

Vick Kandiah, Yorkeys Knob

Unity Team has failed ratepayers

Dympna Leonard, Machans Beach

Hope new tower not too high

Sean McGinn, Clifton Beach

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Vocal Local

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In the last edition we asked: Does Palm Cove deserve its title as the best beach in the world or are there better beaches in FNQ? Here are some of your comments.

A very beautiful beach to visit, but on a world comparison scale, nowhere near the best.

- Sam Sam, Facebook

The aesthetic look of the tall palm trees standing precariously over the white sandy beach got Palm Cove over the line.

- Joe Tara, Facebook

No, but it depends what you’re after. There are nicer beaches around this beautiful coastal country of ours.

-Dodger Reynolds, Facebook

It’s a beautiful beach and I have lived at Palm Cove previously for 12 years and even married on the Palm Cove beach but it’s definitely not the best beach in the world. There are lots better.

-Jason Brett, Facebook

I’d rather Bramston Beach.

-Stephen Accatino, Facebook

Must be yes. So the experts voted it the best based on set required criteria, and amateurs are saying no.

- David Galeano, Facebook

A very odd choice, especially as the sea is risky to swim in, what with stingers, irukandji, and the occasional croc or shark.

-Doug Pollard, Facebook

Palm Cove is by far the most beautiful.

- Marie Cynthia Norton, Facebook

No, it definitely doesn’t deserve that title. It’s a nice beach but compared to others around the world, no.

-Linda Clarke, Facebook

Love Palm Cove, love Vivo’s, but no, far better beaches, not only in Australia, but also South Africa, Brazil, Costa Rica.

- Cam Wan, Facebook

Cyclists subject to same road regulations as motorists

DO road rules apply to cyclists?

This is a question police are often asked.

There are a couple of things you need to think about before you get on your bicycle.

In Queensland, you can ride your bicycle on the footpath but you must abide by the same rules as a pedestrian – look left

and right before crossing a road and give way to all pedestrians.

When you ride your bike on the road, you must ride with the flow of traffic.

You are bound by the same road rules as motorists, as well as additional road rules specific to cyclists.

Cyclists can be issued onthe-spot fines for traffic offenc-

es, including riding through a red light, not wearing a helmet, and riding the wrong way on the road.

Some of the penalties explicitly related to cyclists include:

• carrying more passengers than a bicycle is designed for

• failing to give way to pedestrians on a footpath or

shared path

• failing to display a light at night or in hazardous weather conditions.

Cyclists who break the road rules will be given the same fines as motorists:

• failing to stop at a red traffic light

• disobeying a ‘no U-turn’ sign at an intersection

• failing to stop at a ‘stop’ sign at an intersection and

• exceeding the speed limit in a speed zone by less than 13km/h.

Always obey the road rules and remember to check your surroundings and the vehicles around you regularly.

Jane Moran is a senior police constable based in Innisfail

Jane’s view

Alan Benn, independent candidate for Cairns division 6

Gazza’s Gossip

Heart of Douglas beating strong

l MOSSMAN

THE ‘Goss’ has covered numerous stories regarding the recovery from Cyclone Jasper, which ultimately, has been more about water than wind.

Despite Cyclone Jasper’s aftermath, Mossman Support Services managed to continue their work throughout the Christmas holiday period, into the New Year and now, as we approach Easter.

While insurance companies and government departments work out their level of commitment to the cause, the help on offer at Mossman services has been indeed plentiful. This includes a dry, safe refuge for people during the day, charging of their phones and other batteries, getting warm meals, showering and washing clothes and bedding.

There have been food drops for individuals and families adversely affected, plus access to swags, tents and bedding. To assist further, there has been the availability of vouchers for fuel and

groceries and financial aid to replace essential items destroyed.

A very important requirement, during this difficult period, has been access to mental health support and engagement to pastoral care.

There has always been a caring ear to those arriving with trauma from wonderful local volunteers, plus the support services has provided water and food for attendees and staff of the essential disaster recovery hub in Mossman.

Much of this crucial help was provided when the majority of other services and council were closed over Christmas.

Overall, the team visited 100 affected homes, passing on resource packs of information, vouchers and support to those severely impacted and without the ability to leave their homes due to injury, age or trauma.

Mossman Support Services reported back to the recovery hub and began registering affected people with well

known charity GIVIT, to help assist them in acquiring items lost by the floods, while also identifying immediate essential needs and buying them without delay.

Throughout the immediate crisis their services were available seven days a week, distributing 45 Christmas hampers to residents in the shire, providing emergency relief and food parcels, plus preparing for our 17th annual community Christmas Day lunch held at the Mossman Shire Hall.

A food drop of donated prawns was made on Christmas Eve to those impacted by the flash flooding in Mossman and surrounds.

The organisation’s youth centre staff also provided an early Christmas Day lunch which offered a very much needed time for togetherness and celebration in a familiar setting, opposed to the new challenges they may be facing at home.

Throughout this year, Mossman Sup-

port Services have continued to provide community engagement programs, plus collaborate and support other community services, all while planning and providing community events. This has all been a great achievement considering they were also impacted significantly with five of their offices being flooded, destroying their furniture and making their building unsafe and in need of a full removal and rebuild of the interior.

At the time of the initial disaster, the team had already outgrown their current premises. Worst still, is the team of seven is now working temporarily from the community hub, which means the much needed community space is not available.

Some help was at hand at Harrisons Restaurant recently, with its annual ‘Girls Night Out’. Each year $10 is donated from every ticket sold to a local charity and Mossman Support Services were fortunate enough to be the chosen

recipients. In addition, on the night, Mossman support staff added to an already full load, approaching numerous generous businesses for donations and running an amazing fundraiser, ‘Not Your Grandma’s Usual Cent Sale’.

After a tough start to the year, the night was filled with goodwill and love, many taking the opportunity to get out from their own soggy homes to enjoy delicious food and great music, plus share their stories.

A total of $4750 was raised, which is a far cry from the $500,000 needed for a new building, but it certainly takes them a little bit closer. We wish them well for the rest of the year.

I’m off to share my thanks and congratulations to an amazing team, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.

Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au

Above and right, devastation and a huge clean up effort for Mossman Support Services at the end of last year.

Above, and right, happier times more recently for the Mossman Support Services team as they celebrated the Girls Night Out.

Cairns / Tablelands At Risk

In the battle against skin cancer, knowledge and vigilance are our greatest allies. At Northern Skin Doctors, we’re dedicated to empowering our community with the tools and information needed to combat the most serious forms of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Australia. There are 3 main common types of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma.

The major influence on the cause of skin cancer is Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) from the sun. UV causes sunburn and consequently damage to the skin cells. This causes the cells to become abnormal. The measurement of UV light is called the UV index, when the UV index is above 3 skin damage can occur.

Despite advancements in treatment, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise globally, making it one of the most common types of cancer. Melanoma begins in the cells that produce the pigment melanin and can occur on any skin surface - Bob Marley died of a melanoma on his big toe!

Problems occur when cells become abnormal and then they can multiply in an uncontrolled way. Melanoma is the most likely skin cancer to spread, even through the lymphatic and blood vessels (metastasize). There are several sub types of Melanomas which include superficial spreading, nodular and lentigo maligna and these make up the majority of diagnoses. However, there are also Acral types on the soles of the feet and hands and feet.

Worldwide there are approximately 132,000 new cases of Melanoma each year. Australia along with the US has the highest rates of diagnoses. Locally, Queensland has highest diagnoses of skin cancer in Australia per state with the Tropical North QLD rates being of great concern. The Cairns and Hinterland District have rates higher than the Australian Average, ranging from 32-46 % above the mean.

Prevention is your best medicine when dealing with Skin Cancers. Wearing protective clothing (covering skin, hat and sunglasses), applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater and seeking shade all limit the effects of the sun’s damaging rays on our skin.

Skin examination, which looks for any spots that have changed or look abnormal, is crucial for early detection. Two ways to lower risk include regular skin checks with a trained skin cancer doctor / dermatologist and self-checks at home with a mirror.

Following the ABCDE melanoma detection guide is useful for checking at home:

A: Asymmetry in skin spot shape

B: Irregular border of the lesion

C: Multiple colours in the skin lesion

D: Increasing diameter of the lesion

E: Evolving lesion

If they are caught early enough, simple excision can rid the skin cancer which limits the spread and effects.

Northern Skin Doctors is your partner in Skin Health and is located at the bottom of the Kuranda range in Smithfield. The team of 10 expert doctors, using the latest techniques and equipment, can offer fully comprehensive skin checks, biopsies, skin cancer surgery, skin photography, topical treatments all in a caring and professional environment. At Northern Skin Doctors, we emphasise the importance of knowing your skin, recognizing changes, and seeking prompt medical advice.

Northern Skin Doctors is open 5 days per week, and provides Bulk Billing for skin checks for all Health care Card Holders and Pensioners / Veterans.

Eradicating Skin cancer effects with early detection and treatment is our vision at Northern Skin Doctors for the Cairns and Tablelands District.

The cost of a skin check is less than the average GP consultation fee and we offer bulk billing on skin checks for Healthcare card holders.

Hair and Beauty

An apple a day good advice

Expert has developed skin, healthy and pantry products from humble fruit

l SKIN CARE

LEADING apple expert Dr Vincent Candrawinata says the humble apple is one of the world’s most misunderstood fruits.

“While the old adage, an apple a day will keep the doctor away is very true, an apple on your face a day will keep old age away. It is also one of the most unknown benefits of apples,” he said.

Dr Candrawinata is a health and wellness expert, clinical nutritionist, food scientist, antioxidant researcher and founder of Renovatio Bioscience, an Australian company that makes skin care, supplements and pantry products from 100 per cent Australian apples.

The products contain activated phenolics, the world’s most potent form of antioxidants capable of being rapidly absorbed by the body.

“Apples are one of the most beneficial and versatile fruits in the world. Not only are they good for your insides, they are also very good for your outsides,” Dr Candrawinata said.

“I have been researching the benefits of apples for many years and through my research at both the University of Newcastle and as the technical lead for product development

and research, I have been able to identify the extraordinary range of benefits that the fruit is able to provide because of its unique composition, make-up and chemistry,” he said.

Dr Candrawinata recommends that everyone consumes at least one apple a day and has some spare for other important things such as supporting facial skin health as well as apple cider vinegar which is made from apples, particularly the activated type.

“One of the best and easiest ways to treat dark circles is to apply fresh apple to the skin. Apples contain tannic acid or tannins that help reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. They also help to nourish and invigorate the delicate skin around your eyes.”

“Apple cider vinegar is also one of the most versatile products. Because of its high acidity level and natural ingredients, apple cider vinegar is considered by many beauty lovers to be one of the best facial toners on the market,”

“Used daily on the face it helps to correct the skin’s pH balance, stimulate skin renewal and remove excess oil. Over a period of time, the skin looks noticeably fresher and more toned. It is particularly helpful for the treatment of pimples and acne.”

Dr Vincent Candrawinata has developed skin products made from 100 per cent Australian apples. Picture: Supplied

TimeOut

Have a craic at BAR36

Join the luck of the Irish on St Paddy’s Day

l CAIRNS CBD

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

THE luck of the Irish is gracing The Reef Hotel Casino this Sunday for a very green St Patrick’s Day celebration with live music, roving characters, giveaways and traditional Irish dance by the hands of the iconic City of Cairns Irish and Highland Dancers.

The Paddy’s Party starts this Sunday (March 17) at BAR36 from 2pm with a live music performance by local acoustic four-piece band Shehade featuring Mick O’Meara and Peter Ella who’ll bring traditional tunes and cool classics, roving characters dressed in their Leprechaun’s best, giveaways, and two iconic performances by the legendary City of Cairns Irish and Highland Dancers.

Casino entertainment manager Bruce Stewart said this craic was made local-style.

“We’re getting the party started at 2pm, opening BAR36 two hours early for a Sunday session and this year we wanted to focus on local entertainment,” he said.

“We kick it off with local band Shehade with Mick O’Meara famous in the Cairns scene and some very nice musicians to get your toes tapping, and we’ll have roving characters walking around all day handing out Irish sweets.

“Our main event – the City of Cairns Irish and Highland Dancers – have a high impact

show with student dancers ranging from five-year-olds up to adults, beautifully costumed, with not only traditional tunes but also contemporary songs. They’ll be coming out at 3.30pm and will have another show at 4.30pm with the party going until 7pm.

“We’ve always celebrated St Paddy’s but this year we wanted to keep it local. The Irish bars get really busy and we offer nice entertainment and a celebration of Cairns’ Celtic heritage.”

With a history of over 40 years in Cairns, the City of Cairns Highland and Irish Dancers have also have joined the internationally acclaimed OzScot Australia Highland Dancing Team and have performed at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Scotland), The Oman Tattoo (Oman), the Virginia International Tattoo (USA) , the Basel International Tattoo (Switzerland), the 2010 Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Sydney), and more.

Mr Stewart encouraged people to get their green suits out to celebrate the best of Celtic traditions with the community this Sunday.

“Highland and Irish dance is very traditional in Cairns. 40 years ago they had very big Celtic celebrations in Cairns, and we want to honour that history,” he said.

“Come along, it’ll be a nice afternoon with traditional Irish flavour, free to attend, and we’ll give it a good craic.”

All shows are free at BAR36 at the Reef Hotel Casino

l CAIRNS REGION

A HOST of St Patrick’s Day activities are planned across Cairns this weekend, including:

Saturday

Cairns Irish Association, CIA and Cairns Chieftains host the annual St Patrick’s Day North Cairns Tigers Football at Events at Watson’s on Saturday from 11am with raffles and prizes, Cairns RSL Sub Branch Pipes and Drums band, traditional Irish music session, Mick O’Meara’s four-piece band Shehade, Irish dancing by Cairns Highland and Irish Dancers, an exhibition international mixed rules football game Cairns Chieftains Gaelic Football vs North Cairns Tigers Football AFL club and tug-o-war, poc fada, penalty shootouts and kids races.

Sunday

Cazalys: St Paddy’s Pot O’Gold with $2500 in prizes between 12-3pm and 6-9pm on Sunday.

Edge Hill Bowls Club: Check out the Guinness Harp, reverse bingo with 100 tickets sold, a major prize, minor prize and runner-up. Plus Irish-inspired club music on Sunday.

Palm Cove Tavern: Live music, Irish food, Guinness, games and a best dressed leprechaun competition. Music kicks off at 2.30pm and the games begin at 3pm.

Brothers: Live entertainment from Irish Dancers, Big Noise, and Andrea Mullins.plus Irish-themed food and Guinness.

Roving characters Slip Ripley and Rachel Bradley at the 2023 St Paddy’s Party. Picture: Supplied

TimeOut

Feast of the Senses to whet appetites

Tropical food in spotlight

l INNISFAIL

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

INNISFAIL is ready to put the town’s delicious food, homely local businesses and warm people on display for the fastapproaching Feast of the Senses coming this March 21.

More than 70 stallholders are gearing up for the classic Australian Bananas River Feast that continues to attract hundreds of international and interstate visitors to experience the charm of the Cassowary Coast town.

Feast of the Senses president Rosi Jensen (above right) said residents were ready to welcome the festivalgoers to its biggest event, the Australian Bananas River Feast.

“Preparations are like clockwork, we’ve got it all down and everything’s coming together very nicely,” she said.

“We’re up to 70 stalls already and we usually have a rush of new stallholders in the last

weeks. We usually get between 80-90 stalls and that’s what we’re aiming for.

“There’ll be everything from exotic fruits, food and beverage stalls, crafts, butchers, chili farmers and, of course, Australian Bananas who sponsor our River Feast and a stage with entertainment.

“This year the Rare Fruits Group, will not only be having their massive stall with over 100 fruits and tastings, but they’ve also put on a colouring competition from prep to year 6 at schools across Cassowary Coast on Dougie the Durian.

“We’ll have local entertainment with the Just Sing It choir, the Innisfail community band, a quartet Treble in Paradise, local group Juju Moon and more, so a pretty good lineup.

“Although we won’t have any celebrity chefs this year we’ve organised an international cooking stage with Indian, Italian and other international cuisines.”

Ms Jensen said one of her favourites, the Food Trails, were back better than ever this year.

“I have to say my favourites are the food trails, getting them up and running and being able to take visitors up to farms and orchards and places that aren’t necessary available to the public, to experience the behind the scenes of our produce,” she said.

“It really showcases our people and that’s what Feast of the Senses is about.”

Classic events like the Tropical Family Feast at East Palmerston Hall and the Taste of the Tropics dinner at the Brother’s Leagues Club Bistro will also be making a return.

Stallholder bookings are still open for interested businesses. For more information and to book events, visit https://bit.ly/3IF8Pec

The Rare Fruits Group will be back at the Australian Bananas River Feast once again with over 100 fruits on display. Picture: Supplied

Writers festival rated ‘best’

Annual event draws thousands of people with glowing accolades by authors

l CAIRNS CBD

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

THOUSANDS of participants joined in the book and storytelling euphoria in Cairns last weekend for the most successful Cairns Tropical Writers Festival to date despite the wet weather.

Cairns’ residents and interstate visitors didn’t let the weather rain on their parades as they flooded Crystalbrook Flynn and the Cairns Library last weekend (March 8-10) to meet some of their favourite writers and experience workshops and panels with renowned authors and journalists.

Festival director Jules Steer said this had been a writers’ festival like no other.

“We don’t have exact figures of attendance yet, but the response was beyond our expectation,” she said.

“We had a truly fabulous weekend, the feedback we’ve received from so many of our presenters has been joyous.

“One of the highlights of the weekend was our literary dinner, it was such an intimate meeting with Hedley Thomas and Lisa Millar, who were both so gracious with their time and excited for being in Cairns.

“The Julia Baird session was a crowd favourite, very well attended and one of the best literary sessions I’ve ever at-

tended, which was in conversation with local woman Amy Turnbull and another big one was Alexis Wright in conversation with her countryman Jack Wilkie Jans was definitely a crowd favourite.”

Ms Steer thanked the community for supporting the festival and sponsors and volunteers for the effort to make it happen.

“It’s difficult to put into words but there was a feeling, an energy amongst the audience that was reiterated to me by so many of our presenters. We had Chris Hammer, who’s a prolific Australian writer and has so many of his books adapted to the screen, and he said that the Cairns Tropical Writers Festival is the best in Australia,” she said.

“It was thrilling to have some of the biggest names in literature and journalism going back to capital cities to tell their colleagues what Cairns has put on and this type of publicity you can’t buy.

“We’re absolutely grateful to the audience who’s always supporting the festival and a big shoutout to our awesome volunteers. Without them this event could not go on, they dedicated so much of their time. This year we were completely self-funded, we didn’t receive any federal funding, so sponsors like Cairns Local News, Cairns Books and Crystalbrook were vital and we’re very grateful for their support.”

My Mate Jed teaching kids

l JULATTEN

| Ellie Fink

AN inspiring picture book teaching children about strokes has been released by Moyamoya Australia founder Nicola Baker and publisher Crystal Leonardi.

'My Mate Jed', written by the duo and illustrated by Vivian Saad, will tell the story of Nicola’s son Jed, who suffered a stroke when he was a baby and was later

diagnosed with moyamoya disease. The book takes readers on Jed’s journey from the initial signs, to the hospital tests and exercises needed for recovery.

The book shows the importance of understanding and supporting those who have experienced a stroke.

With practical advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent strokes, the story encourages positive habits while

assuring children that, despite differences, love remains unchanged.

This heartening tale also acknowledges the natural fears that arise during such challenging times and provides a valuable lesson on expressing and sharing worries.

'My Mate Jed' will be officially published on 4 May 2024, and will be available to buy at www.crystalleonardi.com or from local booksellers.

Penny van Oosterzee (left), Lisa Wilkinson and Jules Steer at the Cairns Tropical Writers Festival. Picture: Colyn Huber

Crystal Leonardi and Nicola Baker have released a collaborative book about moyamoya. Picture: Supplied

ARTS NATIONAL @ STRATFORD LIBRARY

l SUN MAR 17, 2:00PM

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the captivating story of “Les Parisiennes” with Anne Sebba.

Join ArtsNational Cairns at the Stratford Library Meeting Room on Sunday March 17th at 2.00 pm for an enriching journey through the lives of women who shaped the fabric of wartime Paris.

CLARICE BECKETT @ CAIRNS ART GALLERY

l FRI MAR 15, 9:00AM-5:00PM

Clarice Beckett: Paintings from the National Collection presents an intimate, rarely seen collection by one of the most original artists of early twentieth century Australia. Beckett painted the life and scenery of her coastal home with an eye for the commonplace and fleeting effects of nature. Her work captures a world on the cusp of modernisation, evoking both the natural environment and simple pleasures of suburbia. Exhibition Runs: 9th March – 19th May 2024. Free Entry, see the Cairns Art Gallery website for more details.

‘YOU & ME’ EXHIBITION 2024 @ UMI ARTS

l FRI MAR 15, 6:00PM-8:30PM

The ‘You and Me’ exhibition is an annual group members exhibition at UMI Arts, open to works in any medium and artists at any level of their artistic practice (emerging, mid-career or established). The exhibition is designed to showcase the rich artistic diversity present in the First Nations art and culture of Far North Queensland. ‘Umi’ is a Creole word that means ‘You and Me’. This is significant as we believe that we need to work together to keep our culture strong.

RSVPs much appreciated, email exhibitions@umiarts.com.au or hit GOING on the FB events page.

WOMEN’S ADVENTURE @ BALUMBA-JA

l FRI MAR 15, 7:00PM-9:30PM

Join us for a thrilling night with the Women’s Adventure Film Tour! Get ready to be inspired by incredible stories of women pushing boundaries and conquering the great outdoors.

Grab your tickets now and get ready for a day of adrenaline, inspiration, and unforgettable stories!

Book your tickets through eventbrite.

TIMBERSPORTS @ CAIRNS CONVENTION CENTRE

l SAT MAR 16, 11:30AM-6:00PM

Australia’s top professional STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Athletes are bringing the axe-ion to Cairns in the 2024 Australian Trophy & Australian Women’s Championship.

STIHL TIMBERSPORTS is Australia’s Original Extreme Sporting competition, where the Trophy format is the sport’s most physically demanding competition. Athletes are required to chop & saw four logs in four different disciplines backto-back in gruelling knockout matchups, the top athletes aiming to do so in under 60 seconds.

Book your FREE tickets through tickets.lup.com.au

MOMENTS IN MONOCHROME @ NORTHSITE

l SAT MAR 16, 10:00AM-12:00PM

Crafting Stories with Disposable Camera Diptychs at Northsite Contemporary Arts. Unlock the artistry within your everyday moments in this black-and-white photobook workshop!

No photography experience is necessary, everyone is welcome. This workshop offers participants a transformative experience. Discover and express your unique artistic voice through black-and-white photography, storytelling, and collaborative creation, fostering a deeper connection to their everyday moments and a sense of community with like-minded individuals. Book your workshop tickets through Humanitix or Northsite. Cost: $30 – $125

GIG Guide

FRIDAY

Daintree Village Hotel Christina Ukulele, 4:00pm

Dunwoodys Hotel Bobby Maguire, 4:00pm

The Salt House Hannah May, 5:00pm

Cairns Cruising Yacht SquadronJanna Mercedes, 5:00pm

The Benson Hotel Russell Harris, 5:30pm

Court House Gallery Music in Session, 5:30pm

Frogs Restaurant Jeanette Wormald, 5:30pm

O’Donnell’s Palm Cove The Blues Healers, 6:00pm

Cazaly’s Cairns Hot Ice, 6:30pm

Atherton International Club Infinity Duo, 7:00pm

CPAC Theatre Leaving Jackson, 7:30pm

Tanks Arts Centre Jeff Martin, 7:30pm

Hambledon Hotel Grey Area, 7:30pm

Bar36 Reef Hotel Casino Back to the 80’s, 8:30pm

The Jack Waiting for Alice, 9:00pm

SATURDAY

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill Dave Helgi Johan, 2:00pm

Strait on the Beach Mississippi Shakedown, 3:00pm

Yorkeys Knob Boating Club Marty Bell, 3:00pm

The Salt House Anais Campbell, 5:00pm

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill Drewboy, 5:30pm

The Vine Room Christina Ukulele, 6:00pm

Cazaly’s Cairns Fingerprint, 6:30pm

Brothers Leagues Club Cairns Big Pups, 6:30pm

Yorkeys Knob Boating Club Kim Settle, 6:30pm

Railway Hall Infinity Duo, 7:00pm

CPAC Theatre Kate Ceberano, 7:30pm

Tanks Arts Centre Lady Valiant, 7:30pm

Tablelands Music Lovers FNQ Whiskey Boat, 7:30pm

Red Beret Hotel MOEFO, 8:00pm

Bar36 Reef Hotel Casino Back to the 80’s, 8:30pm

SUNDAY

O’Donnell’s Palm Cove The Blues Healers, 6:00am

Dundees at the Aquarium DjGlennW, 11:30am

Mountain View Hotel Blue Reed, 12:00pm

Red Beret Hotel Carinda Christie, 1:00pm

Brothers Leagues Club Cairns Marc Apella, 1:30pm

Bar36 Reef Hotel Casino Shehade, 2:00pm

Ellis Beach Bar & Grill Miss Tee, 2:00pm

Dunwoodys Hotel Amber Farnan, 2:00pm

Hilton Carruthers & Others Jazz, 2:30pm

CPAC Studio NQ Chamber Orchestra, 3:00pm

Yorkeys Knob Boating Club Barbary Coasters, 3:00pm

Palm Cove Tavern Wind and Wood, 4:00pm

L’Unico Grey Area, 4:30pm

The Salt House Sunset Raga, 5:00pm

CPAC Theatre Celtica, 7:30pm

IMAGE: Clarice Beckett, Sandringham Beach, c 1933, oil on canvas, 55.8 x 50.9 cm, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 1971

Solutions

Do not get involved in joint financial ventures. A little volleyball or other outdoor sports should be on your agenda. You can make wonderful contributions to any organization that you join. Educational courses

You can get ahead if you play your cards right. Opportunities for romance will develop through group endeavours; however, the association isn’t likely to last. Others may want to steal your thunder.. Your added discipline will help you complete the impossible at work.

You will have to be careful not to let others find out about your intentions. Listen to a good friend who is truly looking out for your best interests. You are best not to confront situations that deal with in-laws or relatives. Family gettogethers will be interesting.

You can make money if you put your savings into conservative investments. You are best to avoid joint ventures, and whatever you do, don’t lend to friends. You may find yourself in the midst of a good deal. Opportunities for new romantic encounters will unfold through the social events you attend.

Joint ventures might prove to be unfavourable. Take a break; you can finally mend any disputes on the home front. Romantic encounters will be full of excitement. Do what you can to help them but don’t neglect your own family.

You are best to move quickly and to get in good with the boss. You can win if you’re open and up front with your boss. Difficulties with your mate may lead to estrangement. Keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself and you won’t get dragged into an unsavoury debate.

you haven’t been letting someone have their way.

ACROSS

8. a situation that is not clear or where the rules are not known (4,4)

9. two people or things of the same sort considered together (6)

10. the act of making someone decide not to do something (10)

11. the idea of a fortune that is predetermined and inescapable (4)

12. having or marked by great physical power (6)

14. someone who is weak, either physically or in character (8)

15. to become firm or more difficult to bend (7)

17. the most important quality or feature of something (7)

20. a number on an X-axis that shows the coordinate of a point (8)

22. an amount of money spent on

something (6)

24. a white Greek cheese (4)

25. the informal language native to a place (10)

27. a leg bowed outward at or below the knee (6)

28. containing or making severe or negative judgments (8)

DOWN

1. showing strong feelings (6)

2. a unit of data that is eight binary digits long (4)

3. to suspend a parliament for a period of time (8)

4. a type of medium-sized, pale-coloured owl (4,3)

5. a common skin condition (6)

6. the achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted (10)

7. a relationship or emotion that is loving but not sexual (8)

13. in a formal or authoritative manner (10)

16. the horizontal top part of a table (8)

18. happening sometimes, not regular or continuous (8)

19. a building used for lodging soldiers (7)

21. extremely violent, wild, or frightening (6)

23. an image that represents you on screen in online games or chatrooms (6)

26. a multi-user, multitasking operating system developed 1969 (4)

Wide-ranging proposals to lift boutique tourism destination to next level

Advancing ‘jewel in crown’

AN invigorated Advance Palm Cove has detailed a list of projects to enhance the boutique tourism destination on the northern beaches.

The group is led by president Robert Van Den Hoven and a committee of six.

“We intend establishing Palm Cove as the premier vibrant boutique destination in tropical north Queensland while maintaining our unique village atmosphere with world-class amenities, events, infrastructure, and new desirable developments,” he said.

Among their ideas are a functional jetty for boats to use, better Esplanade parking, an extension of the boardwalk from Clifton Beach to Palm Cove, a cantilevered walkway around Buchan Point to link the Wangetti Trail, a proper boat ramp and marina at the northern end, activitation of vacant land blocks and dormant Double Island, possible one-way traffic on the esplanade and a long term vision of closing the esplanade to traffic.

Mr Van Den Hoven said in five

to 10 years the complete closure of the esplanade was the vision, but it was subject to other factors.

“For this to become viable, we first need to increase tourism levels again to what it used to be and more, provide a solution for guest drop-offs and pick-ups and supplier and emergency access,”

Mr Van Den Hoven said.

“Palm Cove, the once so vibrant boutique village full of good restaurants, entertainment and events, was the reason people moved to our tourist village Palm Cove from all around Australia,” he said.

“This has disappeared, and this has to return. While many in the community profess that Palm Cove is the jewel in the crown of Cairns, a lot of times the actions from the decision-makers unfortunately don’t seem to line up with this sentiment.

“Advance Palm Cove is committed to actively working with all levels of government and tourist organisations to make the above statement a reality and for Palm Cove to flourish long into the future. And this includes desirable high quality commercial development.”

Members of Advance Palm Cove (from left) Giovanni Mazzuto Spugna, Mark Byron, Melisa Dixon, Denis Donaghy, Christine Byron, Robert Van Den Hoven, Michelle Masse, Daryl O’Reily and Steven Herbing. Absent: Staci Hosking. Picture: Supplied

Botanic gardens plant sale

Spoilt for choice at annual pre-Easter event with trees, shrubs and creepers

March 24 from 8am to noon in the Saltwater Lake area, Greenslopes St.

Trees, shrubs, creepers and climbers, hoyas, hanging baskets and a variety of indoor and understorey plants will all be on offer.

Rhizomes and potted plants of gingers and heliconias will also be available, with prices for all plants ranging from $8.

Volunteer Lee Ross said all funds would go towards buying plants and infrastructure, such as seating, for the gardens.

“Run by the Friends of Botanic Gardens Cairns, all funds raised are given back to make the gardens an even better attraction for locals and visitors,” she said.

“We are a volunteer group who have been propagating plants for sale for more than 20 years.”

The sale will be held in the Saltwater Lake area of Centenary Lakes.

Parking is on Greenslopes St (look for the signs), access is via the path opposite Little St.

The Friends of the Botanic Gardens Cairns was established in 1989 to:

• stimulate interest and awareness in the Cairns Botanic Gardens

• raise funds, generate ideas and initiate projects to enhance the gardens

• promote and support horticultural and botanical science

• help conserve and grow the only Wet Tropics Botanic Garden in Australia.

Members are engaged in a range of activities to support the gardens, renowned for having the best tropical plant exhibitions in Australia. This includes propagating plants for sale to the general public, organising events, maintaining a small library, raising funds for enhancements, conducting guided walks and bird walks on a weekly basis, organising guest speakers and meetings and volunteering in the Friends’ House shop which provides information, advice, maps and souvenirs. For more information, visit www.botanicfriendscairns.org.au

A tour bus driver admires the colourful tropical flowers at the Cairns Botanic Gardens Picture: Friends of the Botanic Gardens

Motoring

Japanese car maker storms up the sales ladder with 157 per cent growth

Nissan SUV quiet achiever

l SALES

| Nick Dalton

NISSAN is the quiet achiever of the Australian new vehicle market.

Its Nissan X-Trail mid-sized SUV has had a cracking February, finishing second in its segment behind the Toyota RAV4 and becoming the seventh best-selling vehicle overall in Australia.

The model recorded 2508 sales, its best month (and in the shortest of the year) ever with 283.5 per cent growth year on year. Its success follows improved supply for the brand across the board, as well as the e-Power series hybrid models which first hit the market about a year ago.

It is believed nearly a quarter of X-Trail 4WD sales were the e-Power.

Overall Nissan posted massive growth of 157.2 per cent (to 9317 units) in February and overall 85.6 per cent for the year. It was fourth on the sales ladder

behind Toyota, Mazda and Ford.

The UK-built Qashqai scored 974 registrations with growth of 42.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2023.

The Navara ute range also finished strong, with 140 4×2 and 1361 4×4 sales while the Juke topped 498 units, up 223.4 per cent on February 2023..

Other winners in the portfolio included the city-sized Juke crossover (498 units, up 223.4 per cent) as well as the full-sized Patrol 4WD (1020 units, up 206.3 per cent).

New products are on the way too, with the Qashqai e-Power hybrid arriving this month, an updated Juke due before year’s end, an all-new Patrol on the horizon and an upgraded Navara.

Australia’s automotive industry delivered 105,023 vehicles during February 2024, which represents a 20.9 per cent increase on the same period last year.

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber, said Australia’s demand for new vehicles had continued into 2024 with another record-breaking month of sales.

Nissan’s X-Trail stomed up the sales ladder in February, the second best-selling SUV behind the Toyota RAV4. Picture: Supplied

‘Relax’ new vehicle controls

RACQ wants federal government efficiency standards to be eased in gently

l NEWS

| Nick Dalton

QUEENSLAND’S motoring body, the RACQ, wants ute and 4WD targets “relaxed” in the initial years of the National Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).

Head of public policy Dr Michael Kane said the club largely supported the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), arguing it was not just about environmental benefits but also the safety and financial benefits for motorists.

However, he said changes to the proposed standards were needed to ensure regional Queenslanders, and those who required heavier vehicles like utes, were not penalised, but supported in the push to decarbonise transport.

In the interests of transparency, the RACQ urged the government to release NVES modelling to inform legislation which is set to come into effect in January 2025.

“The modelling is important to secure public confidence in the benefits that will flow,” Dr Kane said.

“A well-designed standard will not only incentivise manufacturers to send better and safer cars, utes, and 4WDs

to Australia, but also ensure they are competitively priced.

“Apart from Russia, Australia is the only other advanced nation without vehicle efficiency standards and this should have been fixed a long time ago.

“The longer we don’t have one, the further behind Australia will trail the rest of the world on access to the best cars, utes and 4WDs to drive.”

While the RACQ supported the introduction of a NVES, it would like to see some adjustments to the current proposal to ensure regional Queenslanders aren’t left behind.

“We would like to see future fuel efficiency targets for utes and 4WDs relaxed in the initial years to allow vehicle technology to be introduced and to make sure new and more efficient models maintain or even increase in range,” Dr Kane said.

“Vehicle range is a big factor for regional Queenslanders and off-road enthusiasts and the last thing we want to see is any new standard compromising that.”

The RACQ is also calling for the federal government to support research innovation in utility and 4WD technology and the biofuels industry development.

The RACQ wants the new emission standards to be relaxed for utes such as the Mazda BT-50.

Real Estate

Mixed sales results for city

Cairns records negative growth in houses but small increases in unit deals

l NEWS

| Nick Dalton

RESIDENTIAL sales results were a mixed bag for the Cairns market, according to the latest quarterly median sales report (December 2023 quarter) released by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ).

While across Queensland, median house prices climbed 3.88 per cent over the quarter, and 6.04 per cent over the year, it was down 1.68 per cent from $585,000 to $580,000 in Cairns. Fortunately, over the year it was growth of 5.45 per cent.

In the unit sector, Cairns recorded 1.64 per cent growth over the quarter from $320,000 to $340,500, with a healthy 10.34 per cent over the year.

The capital city led the charge for house price growth over the quarter at 6.91 per cent to a Brisbane LGA median of $1,125,000, with this growth rate matched by neighbouring city Ipswich but at a relative bargain median price of $620,000.

Previously only a position held by Brisbane and Noosa, the Gold Coast got a podium place for hitting the million-dollar median mark this quarter, after rising an impressive five per cent.

REIQ chief executive officer Antonia Mercorella said another quarter of solid performance proved the price growth experienced in Queensland was sustainable and likely to stay firm.

“Property prices in the sunshine state have continued to steadily track in a northerly direction in the December 2023 quarter, rounding out another impressive growth year,” she said.

“While these sale prices are cause for celebration for property owners when it comes time to sell, it can be frustrating and disheartening for buyers trying to enter or transition into the market. This is particularly true for first home buyers who are

competing with other prospective and established buyers for value buys and deals that aren’t as good as they once were.

“The reality is that a balanced marketplace could support both – we want to see the dream of home ownership stay alive for first home buyers in our state, and we need property investors to put a roof over the head of our renters.

“However, we’re still in a position where the shortage of supply is driving the market and

we’re lacking the housing diversity we need for everyone in our community – the critical gap of course is at the affordable end of the market.

“For listings that address this gap, real estate agents are reporting that the open homes are overflowing, and second open homes are often unnecessary.”

Ms Mercolla said while Cairns remained stable (-1.68 per cent), the potential impacts from Cyclone Jasper in December had yet to flow through

to the market. “In lifestyle locations like the Gold Coast, that just surpassed a $1 million house median, most of the stock coming to market is set to cater to luxury living, further perpetuating a high-end, high median market.

“The regions still offer exceptional value and affordability, and it’s exciting to see these economies having their time in the sun, riding the strength of their property markets.”

Over the quarter, the highest

unit sales volumes were seen in Brisbane (2787 sales) and the Gold Coast (1565 sales) both recording positive quarterly growth and even better annual performance at over eight per cent.

The regions topped the state in terms of quarterly unit growth, with Mackay achieving 7.59 per cent growth based on 94 sales, and Townsville (5.26 per cent) and Toowoomba (5.26 per cent) not far behind. ouble-digital annual growth in the unit market

was seen in Logan (11.37 per cent), Cairns (10.34 per cent), and Toowoomba (10.29 per cent), Moreton Bay (9.76 per cent), Gold Coast (8.64 per cent), and Ipswich (8.36 per cent).

The relative affordability of units has resulted in quick sales. Units in Logan weren’t on the market for long with just 15 days to sign on the line, with Bundaberg and Toowoomba taking 17 days and Brisbane and Cairns at 18 days. The state average was 22 days.

Bellenden Ker, between Cairns and Innisfail.

Real estate agent Brian Bolton said the property had everything a family wanted.

“With its spacious design, this property is a true gem that is sure to capture your heart,” he said.

Mr Bolton said the low-set home had a separate living area to the kitchen and dining spaces, with four bedrooms, a renovated bathroom with inside and outside showers, and a large laundry and storage area.

“The modern and stylish kitchen is a chef’s dream, featuring a large island bench, sleek cabinetry, walk-in pantry and a five-burner gas cooktop and electric oven,” he said.

“Imagine cooking up a storm while your family and friends relax on the spacious entertaining area that overlooks the inground pool. You will create memories that will last a lifetime.

“The granny flat/master bedroom is a true retreat, featuring polished concrete flooring, a luxurious ensuite

and a walk-in wardrobe area, giving you the perfect place to unwind after a long day.

“Step outside and be prepared to be amazed by the outdoor features of this property.

“The expansive outdoor entertainment area is perfect for hosting barbecues and gatherings, while the sparkling in-ground swimming pool adds a touch of luxury to your backyard.

“The well-maintained gardens and lush greenery create a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, with a fenced area for family pets to enjoy.”

The 2858sqm property has a large shed to store tools, equipment, and outdoor toys. It includes five-amp power, a hoist, a mezzanine floor and insulation. Other features are split system airconditioning, built-in wardrobes, a dishwasher and secure parking.

It is only 20 minutes’ drive south of Gordonvale and 10 minutes north of Babinda, with fishing and swimming in nearby creeks and a 10 minute drive to boat ramps.

The owners of 20 Munro Rd are seeking offers over $699,000. Contact Mr Bolton of @realty on 0402 440 098

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Friday March 15th

Cairns Night Markets: 54-60 Abbott St, 16:30-23:00

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Veivers Dr, 10:00-15:00

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine St, 09:30-15:00

Rusty’s Markets: Grafton St, Cairns, 05:00-18:00

FNQ Markets

Saturday March 16th

Cairns Night Markets: 54-60 Abbott St, 16:30-23:00

Clifton Beach: Clifton Beach Shopping Centre, 09:00-14:00

Innisfail Lioness: ANZAC Park, 07:00-12:00

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Veivers Dr, 10:00-15:00

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine St, 09:30-15:00

Kurrimine Beach Community Garage Sales: Kurrimine Beach, 8:00-14:00

Malanda: Showgrounds, 07:30-12:30

Mareeba Markets: 100 Park, 7:00-12:00

Mossman: St David’s Church, 07:00-13:00

Rusty’s Markets: Grafton St, Cairns, 05:00-18:00

Sunday March 17th

Cairns Night Markets: 54-60 Abbott St, 16:30-23:00

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Veivers Dr, 10:00-15:00

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine St, 09:30-15:00

Mission Beach Markets: Opposite Hideaways, 07:00-12:00

Port Douglas: by St Mary’s Church, 07:30-14:00

Rusty’s Markets: Grafton St, Cairns, 05:00-18:00

The

Wondecla: Wondecla

09:00-14:00

Ground, 07:00-12:30

Woree: Cannon Park, 08:00-13:00

Despite disabilities, schoolgirl beats odds to compete at national champs

Inspiring teen swimmer

l SWIMMING

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

BOASTING incredible records and inspiring athletes with disabilities to aim higher, 14-year-old Sophie Crumpton is making history becoming FNQ’s second female multiclass swimmer in the last decade to compete at the Australian Age and Open Championships this April.

At two-years-old, Sophie Crumpton from Mooroobool was diagnosed with a mandarin-sized benign brain tumour that paralysed her entire right side. After eight hours of surgery, and uncountable hours of therapy, Miss Crumpton was able to fully recover, walk again and improve mobility.

The teenager started swimming in 2021 as she was looking for a fun sport that would help her get stronger. What she discovered was a passion and talent that would take her to become the best multiclass swimmer in FNQ.

Having started competing in local and state competitions with Central Cairns Swimming, in the past three years Miss Crumpton has broken 18 Queensland records in the multiclass category, she’s the current FNQ multiclass champion in under-15s, and has made national qualifying times which are now taking her to the Australian Age and Open Championship for the first time in Gold Coast, from April 6-20, against the best swimmers in Australia.

“What I enjoy the most about swimming is seeing all

of my swim mates and hanging out with them. Competing is tough, I like it sometimes,” Miss Crumpton said as she laughed. “My favourite stroke is breaststroke and it’s my strongest one. I’m proud of myself, and it feels really good to break records. At these championships I’d like to break more Queensland records, more personal bests (PB), and make better times.

“I’m proud that my family, friends, coaches and swim mates are watching me and I hope make more PBs to represent my swim and my club.

“I’d really like to become a role model and inspire young starters to swim and compete, in the future I’d also like to compete in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.”

Her father Nigel Crumpton said he was extremely proud of his daughter’s achievements and hoped her story could inspire more young kids with disabilities to go into sport.

“Sophie had a brain tumour the size of a tennis ball, it left her with a right-side weakness, and a physical impairment, so it makes us extremely proud to see her thrive,” he said.

“We’re very happy because it’s hard to get kids with disabilities into sport, we’re in a very inclusive club that really brought her out of her shell and what she has achieved is huge.

“We would like more multiclass kids with disabilities to go into sport and if Sophie can show them, it can be done, we’d like her to do that.”

Sport Results

GORDONVALE BOWLS

Thursday, March 7th. Winners; Joe Jackson, Alan Peterson. R/U; Peter Mulkearns, Mick Bucklar

MOSSMAN MEMORIAL BOWLS

Friday, March 9th. Winners; Bill Smith, Dave Johnson. Nev Tesch def. Ranald Ed-

wards, Steve Hudson, Bernie Savage +25. RU; Mick Frese, Richard Anderson, Tony Brylack def. Bernie Wolland, Ted Holmes, Bill Allison +20. Peter Busch, Gordie Henderson def. Col Widdows, Col Maxted +15. Dave Blain, Daryl Hoskins, Dick Pitt def. John Fleming, Wayne Parkes, Mike Sims +7. Steve Cue, Terry

Richards, John Arnold def. Steve Fuller, Derek Franklin, Bob Carroll +2. Charlie Toohey, Nev Fletcher def. Sas, Peter McGrory +1.

MARLIN COAST BOWLS

Tuesday, March 5th. Tuesday morning bowls. Winners; Peter, Judy, Barb. R/U; Warren, Ken, June. Tuesday afternoon Men’s triples. Winners; David, Robbo, Brian. R/U; Brad, Glenn, Giles. Tuesday night bowls. Spider. Winners; Brad, Ian,

Deb, Wally, Dillen, Tommo, Rod, Sisca. Wednesday, March 6th. Wednesday mixed bowls. Winners; B Noe, R Lee, P Mc. R/U; C Thompson, L Roberts, J Brown. Thursday, March 7th.

Thursday Mixed triples. Winners; Birchy, Andy M, Peter W. R/U; Jean, Bronwyn, Giles. Saturday, March 9th. Saturday Morning Scroungers: Winner; L Mikic. R/U; B waters. Club Championships. Ladies Pairs. J Curtayne, J Baumann def. J Carey, T Spicer 19-15. A Lim,

T McAlary def. L Roberts, L McCarthy 29-10. C Thompson, B Andreatta def. J Ward, V Still 21-20. Ladies Constistency Singles. T McAlary def. B Andreatta 100-80. C Scott def. J Jenner 102 – 58. A Lim def. J Baumann 103 – 87. J Whitehead def. B Noe 103 – 67. V Still def C Thompson 100 – 90.

WEST CAIRNS MEN

Tuesday, March 5th. Winners; Rob Morris, Steve Kavanagh, Maurie Hetherton.

R/U; L. Indiens, R, McCullin, J. Bent. Thursday, March 7th. Thirsty Thursday. Best players; John Sawyer, Glen Mills, Mick Ford. Friday, March 8th. Friday night scroungers. Winner; Ann Winsor. R/U; Irene Crampton. Sunday, March 10th. Winners; Richo, Ted Edwards, Alan Paraha. R/U; E. Harris, J. Wilcox, P. Buntain. Club Championship. A pairs. Ken Vivian, Neil Mallyon def. Maurie Hetherton 18/17. Glen B, John B def. George A, Yakka 25/13.

Sophie Crumpton training at Trinity Bay High School’s swimming pool at Manunda. Picture: Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

Pride confident after win

Northern take on Brisbane Tigers tomorrow after 32-16 win against Seagulls

l RUGBY LEAGUE

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

NORTHERN Pride are nervous but confident going into round two of the Hostplus Cup tomorrow after their 32-16 win against Tweed Seagulls.

Pride take on Brisbane Tigers at Barlow Park from 3pm.

Coach Eric Smith said “there’s a bit of nerves in the lead up to the game but we’ve been able to perform well at last week’s game and that victory has given us more confidence heading into round two that what we’ve been working on is working for us, so definitely more confidence for this weekend.”

“I think we have the climate in our favour. It was a very wet game last weekend and the Tweeds had to come from Tweed Heads to this,” he said.

“We’ve been training in this monsoon rain for the last three months, and it seems we’re having more this weekend and, I think early in the season, this humidity plays to our advantage.

“Tigers also got beat in their round one game so that also leans in our favour after our strong performance.

“We’re still going against a team that won the grand final last year, with a high level of rugby and very experienced senior players, but it is a challenge we’re ready to take on.

“The goal is to win, those two points are always some-

thing you’re chasing, but it was really nice to see some things come out in that game that we’ve been working so hard on in pre-season, so I’d like to see more of that and I don’t want us to stray too far from the things that we know are going to work for us and sustain those things we know for longer periods of time.”

In the Seagulls game eight debutants and four Cowboys affiliate players were in the line up.

Jake Clifford returned to the Pride after stints with NQ Cowboys. He has also played for Newcastle Knights and the English Super League Hull FC.

About 1000 people braved the rain to support the team on Saturday, and the club is expecting a bigger crowd tomorrow.

Chief executive Garreth Smith said it was “a great crowd”.

“We are happy with the result. We still have some work to do and focus on preparing for the Tigers this Saturday. We want the entire community to come down and get behind this side,” he said.

Mr Smith said it was “a good reward for the players after a hard three months of training”.

“Jack Gosiewski was strong up front and led the way in the centre, which won him man of the match,” he said.

“Salam scored two tries for his first game for the club. The focus now is building on that performance heading in to round two.”

Northern Pride’s Ash Little in action against Tweed Seagulls last weekend. Pride won 32-16. Pictures: Supplied

Josh Allen smashes past Tweed Seagulls.

Seamus King-Smith charges through.

Nat McGavin scores a try.