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Dangerous Feluga Bruce Highway intersection upgrade underway

KENNEDY MP, Bob Katter, says despite two years of fighting with the Cairns Transport and Main Roads Department (TMR) and the Qld Transport Minister, the dangerous Bruce Highway intersection at Feluga is finally being rebuilt with heavy machinery on the ground.

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“It’s a disgrace that it took the locals of Feluga this long to get an outcome,” Mr Katter said.

“I have never seen a more dangerous intersection. You’ve got a blind s-bend onto the main north- south highway of Australia, and you’ve got an s-bend on the other side. To compound things, you have a cane tramway, a bridge and a railway line all in the vicinity.

“There have been too many tragedies here and far too many lives lost.

“But we’ve now seen a result thanks to the locals and the fabulous hard work of the Member for

Hill, Shane Knuth, and our local Councillors. You won in the end.”

The $8.4 million intersection upgrade project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments and is due to be completed late this year.

The roadworks will include the installation of a staggered T intersection which are used as a safer alternative to four-way unsignalised intersections (see map attached).[1]

Air-conditioning installed at End Vaccine Mandates

MARIA GIRGENTI THE EL Arish RSL Memorial Hall at Chauvel Street is now an air-conditioned venue after completing the Stage 1 project, courtesy of a Queensland Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant for $33,000.

Les Carman Cooling Solutions of El Arish contracted the project, along with Sedgman Electrical Pty Ltd of Mission Beach.

The installed air conditioners are coinoperated at $2 per half hour and already have proved to be a smash hit with hall hirers.

Before Christmas, the El Arish Hall Committee received advice on a successful Stage 2 grant of $9,950 for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal project.

The committee is thrilled to receive this news. It means they can continue to care for the iconic community asset into the future, especially with the Hall’s 100th birthday celebration in 2030.

Since 1930, the Hall has been the hub of the El Arish community. This air conditioning means patrons can be comfortable and enjoy the venue all year round.

Over the past 92 years, many love stories started at the venue and weddings celebrated.

The popular 250-seat venue has a large dance floor, curtained stage, bar, cold room, full stainless-steel kitchen, air-conditioning, as well as undercover front and rear entries.

Adjacent to the Hall is the Council’s

El Arish RSL Memorial Hall MEMBER for Hill Shane Knuth is calling on the State Government to end amenities block, each with two male and mandates and follow the lead of UK female toilets. Prime Minister Boris Johnston, who has Members of the public and community announced the end of face masks and groups use the Hall for tea and toast on vaccine passports. ANZAC Day, cent sales, tai chi classes, With double vaccination rates theatre productions, concerts, dances, reaching 90 per cent, it is time to end exhibitions, meetings, trivia, weddings/ the mandates and for life to go back to birthday/anniversary celebrations, normal. funerals and car boot sales. Mr Knuth said enough was enough. Anyone interested in hiring the Hall “For months, the State Government for public and private functions, or to has been contradicting themselves and arrange an inspection, please call Lorna shifting the goalposts,” he said. Williams on 0427 642 346, email ian- “They told Queenslanders they would lorna@bigpond.com, or visit El Arish be safe if fully vaccinated with two Hall and Museum Facebook page for doses, and now they are using scare further information. tactics that COVID is hunting down the unboosted and recently projected a fourth shot which could be available by the end of the year. “We need to stop these forced vaccinations and vaccine passports and return to life as normal.” Mr Knuth said these mandates have affected communities, families, and businesses. “This is now a human rights issue, and it is getting to the point that it is creating a severe worker shortage in hospitals, aged care and disability sector, and it is also affecting patients who have a right to a certain level of care. “Our health workers are overworked; our restaurants and cafes can’t find staff, our education sector is in limbo, and those who need support are going Les Carman from Les Carman without. Cooling Solutions of El Arish “It is also affecting our supply chains installed the air conditioning at with many supermarkets out of stock the EL Arish RSL Memorial Hall. which has forced the Government to backpedal on their decision that essential workers, who are considered a close contact, can return to work without isolating, provided that they have a negative RAT test.”

“There are many other countries that are effectively dealing with COVID without enforcing mandates onto their people, and English Prime Minister Boris Johnston has successfully taken these steps.”

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