4|
NEWS
Cairns Local News
Friday January 29, 2021
Watercraft ride for cancer TANYA MURPHY ANYONE with a jet ski, yacht, power boat, or other watercraft is encouraged to join in the Watercraft Charity Ride to Fitzroy Island this Saturday, January 30. The cost to participate is a $20 donation, which the organisers, Duncan Powersports and Cairns Watercraft, will use to purchase much-needed equipment and furnishings for the Cancer Care Ward at the Cairns Hospital. Participants are invited to meet on the water at the end of the Salt House at 9:30am (weather depending) to venture to Fitzroy Island as a group, and return to Cairns at their own leisure. Cancer Care Ward Nurse Unit Manager Danielle Peever thanked the sponsors for their ongoing support and said the annual fundraiser made a big difference in patients’ lives. “Last time they allowed us to brighten up patients’ rooms with large signs featuring beautiful local scenery
of things like beaches and Paronella Park. They were magnetic allowing patients to put up photos of their family or write notes to their doctors,” she said. “This year we hope to obtain an ice machine, for the patients who are unable to tolerate food or diet due to their treatment or condition.” On the day there will also be a raffle to win an overnight stay at Fitzroy Island for two adults donated by Fitzroy Island Resort, and an auction of a signed T-Shirt donated by the Jamie Whincup Red Bull Racing Team. The event was previously called the Jet Ski Charity Ride and has been running for a number of years, except 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. By opening it to other forms of watercraft this year it’s hoped even more participants will attend. People who are unable to attend but wish to make a donation to the fundraiser can do so at Duncan Powersports.
PHOTO: Colliers International Taylor Point
Fast action needed on Taylor Point NICOLE GIBSON CALLS for the State Government to buy one of Queensland’s last undeveloped headlands are growing stronger but time is running out with the sale of Taylor Point expected to come to a head within 60 days. Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC) launched a campaign this month encouraging the community to sign their Save Taylor Point Forever petition which calls on the Queensland Government to buy back the land. CAFNEC Director Lucy Graham said the organisation put an expression of interest in to purchase the property late last year in the hopes of working with the State Government to secure a buyback. “CAFNEC put an expres-
sion of interest in not because we have any ability to purchase the property but because we had a lot of community members approaching us about what was possible if the land is for sale and the potential to work with the State to have a buyback happen,” Ms Graham said. The organisation said they hoped the Government would buy the land as part of their Protected Areas Strategy which commits to grow the number of protected natural areas in Queensland. Ms Graham said CAFNEC had favourable conversations with Member for Barron River Craig Crawford and hoped he would raise the matter at Parliament Sitting Week next month. “We’ve had some positive conversations with the local
member Craig Crawford and I think he will be talking to the government about what’s possible,” Ms Graham said. However, selling agent Jay Beattie of Colliers International said the commercial nature of the sale meant CAFNEC and the State Government needed to act fast. “My feeling is that unless there was a quick reaction by that party and their funders the chances are their timing processes are going to be not aligned with the commerciality of sale of this property,” Mr Beattie said. Mr Beattie said the sale had attracted interest from a number of strong contenders who aligned with the current owner’s desire to preserve the natural integrity of the headland meaning a sale was likely within months, not
years. “The reality is there are some strong contenders that have stood up and it’s likely based on my experience that within the next 60 days we’ll bring this to a head by where we’re in a very different position than what we were in at the end of November.” Member for Barron River Craig Crawford’s office confirmed by email that he does intend to raise the purchase of Taylor Point with his Ministerial colleagues however at the time of publication no response had been received on the exact timeframe this would occur in. Community members wanting to show their support for the government buyback can head to CAFNEC’s website to sign their petition.
New Maternity Care at Cairns Private In addition to the quality time and expert support offered before, during and after birth – with choice of obstetrician and our Know my Midwife Program – Cairns Private has added NEW Maternity Care features:
New menu including complimentary ‘snacks as you please’ room service
Luxury hotel stay option – two nights at Riley Crystalbrook with midwife visits, if eligible for discharge within 24 to 48 hours post birth
Maternity Care Navigator offers a personal, convenient one point of contact throughout your pregnancy journey
Postnatal Drop In Clinic for up to 12 months post-delivery and also New Lactation Clinic
Contact our Maternity Care Navigator Jessica on 07 4052 5280 or hello.cph@ramsayhealth.com.au
cairnsprivate.com.au
