Lettersto the editor

Concerns about Yorkeys Knob tree

SOME residents of Ray Street, Yorkeys Knob, contacted the Yorkeys Knob Residents Association for some advice and support in relation to a proposed subdivision application for a block of land in the street at number 9.

The application suggests issues regarding the trees on the boundary of the land as well as access issues due to the steep terrain.

The association is interested in this application due to impacts on neighbours and the potential impact on the significant trees, particularly, a large bombax ceiba (red silk cotton tree) that may be impacted with access requirements for the second half of the subdivision.

This tree has large red flowers, and when in bloom, can be seen when driving into Yorkeys Knob along Varley St.

Cairns Regional Council has made its decision to grant the sub-division with no access directly from Ray St and directions for the protection of the bombax tree.

The council has further instructed that access to the proposed two house blocks will utilise the easement in front of 11 Ray St. YKRA will continue to monitor this situation.

Adrian Gover, Yorkeys Knob Residents Association

Beating ageism in the workforce

AS Australia’s workforce ages, policies that combat ageism and support older workers can be used to help senior staff stay on the job.

I was part of a collaborative study with Edith Cowan University’s Centre for Work + Wellbeing, and the NSW Centre for Work Health and Safety that examined human resource practices oriented towards older workers.

In Australia, workforce participation rates for workers aged 65 and over have more than doubled in the past 20 years.

With a critical need to engage and retain older workers, organisations need practices designed to meet older workers’ specific needs.

The researchers surveyed 300 Australian employees over the age of 45 in order to uncover what was important to them.

Practices which alleviate age discrimination and focus on continued meaningful work opportunities and career paths for older workers were valuable.

This includes creating new roles or redesigning work so it is appealing to older employees, providing flexible work arrangements, giving older workers an opportunity to have input into workload allocation, and supporting training for their skill development.

It is crucial that ageism is addressed.

Dr Leigh-Ann Onnis, senior lecturer at James Cook University’s College of Business, Law and Governance, Cairns

Support Ronald McDonald charity

RONALD McDonald House Charities (RMHC) North Australia is encouraging local schools, businesses and community groups to add a splash of colour to their day on Friday, March 24, and fundraise in support of the almost 4000 children that RMHC North Australia cares for each year.

Now in its third year, RMHC North Australia’s ‘Colours for the Kids’ campaign gives the community the freedom and flexibility to fundraise however they wish.

A few favourites include hosting a free dress or crazy hair day, dressing up the classroom or office, or hosting a rainbow bake sale or morning tea. Community members can donate directly through the RMHC North Australia ‘Colours’ page and set up their very own personalised fundraising page to share with their family, friends and colleagues or simply take cash donations on the day.

Tamara South, RMHC North Australia chief executive, Townsville

7.30am - 9.30am

Ironman to be seen across the globe

THIS June’s Cairns Airport Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns is set to be broadcast to screens around the world, highlighting the incredible region and action-packed racing.

The 2023 race, to be held on Sunday, June 18, will be broadcast live through Ironman.com/LIVE,

Last week we asked what airline and route should be attracted to Cairns. Here are some of your comments.

We used to be able to fly to Guam, initially with Continental Micronesia, then United after they merged, from 1998 until 2015. But the numbers didn’t stack up. I wonder if the airport has revisited this route?

John, Manoora

China needs to be added as soon as authorities allow the Chinese to travel again. At one stage China Southern from Guangzhou, China Eastern from Shanghai and Hainan Airlines from Shenzhen flew here regularly, particularly for Chinese New Year, but COVID-19 put paid to the services.

Mike, Brinsmead.

Come back Cathay Pacific. The flights to and from Hong Kong were popular from 1993, carrying more than one million passengers and tens of thousands of tonnes of export produce. They ended in 2019, believed to be politically motivated by the Chinese government. Ross, Mt Sheridan

Korea needs to be on the list. South Koreans love to travel and come to the tropics but they have to come via southern ports. There are many airlines that fly to Korea from Australia. We need just one. Jetstar flies to Seoul from Brisbane, as well as Qantas, and so does Korean Air. Taiwan is another destination that should be explored, as well as the Middle East, especially Dubai. Margaret, Westcourt

YouTube and Facebook, bringing the world to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

The broadcast is a great opportunity to show the triathlon world all that is great about Ironman Cairns.

We all know how incredible an event Ironman Cairns is and we look forward to sharing the action from this year’s race with viewers from around the world.

Phone app makes paying for parking easy

8 March 2023 | 7.30am - 9.30am Pullman managing director

Ironman Cairns is one of the most spectacular events on the global calendar, from the 3.8km swim in Palm Cove to the stunning 180km ride along the Captain Cook Highway where the rainforest meets the reef and the 42.2km run spectator-lined run course in Cairns.

Geoff Meyer,

of

Oceania for the Ironman Group

Improvement works

Works

Cannon St, Manoora: Water main replacement. Traffic control as required. Links Dr, Skull Rd and Kowinka St, White Rock: Upgrades to a sewer rising main from Tuesday 16 March. Traffic control as required. Mount Peter Rd: New footpath construction near Petersen Park. Traffic control as required.

pavement rehabilitation works commencing 6 March. Expect temporary road and lane closures with detours.

Oleander St, Hollowasy Beach:

Spence St at McLeod St intersection, Cairns City: traffic light works commencing 6 March. Expect temporary lane closures. Grafton St at Florence St intersection, Cairns City: traffic light works commencing 6 March 2023. Expect temporary lane closures.

Arthur St at McLeod St intersection, Cairns City: culvert renewal works. Expect temporary lane closures and traffic control.