Today in Cairns: Man hides in garden bed to hide from police
A man was arrested and charged after allegedly attempting to run and hide from officers late Monday night. Catch up on everything you need to know today.
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G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region this week, October 11 – October 17.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
NOVA CITY: Inside story of $550m Cairns mega development’s death
‘Virus is absolutely coming’: Newest place to get jab in Cairns
Witness recalls horrific details of fatal attack at manslaughter trial
Two-lane traffic to roll again over bridge plagued by problems
Nova City’s collapse: Could council incentive still be put to use?
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20
Vegetation fire on Tablelands
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews responded to a vegetation fire near Tarzali on the Tablelands.
A QFES spokesman said they received a call about the fire, on Hosie Road near Hosie Lane, about 12.50pm.
He said the fire was reported to burn through half an acre of grass but fire crews were able to get it under control within 15 minutes and declared it was safe to leave about 1.30pm.
There was no threat to property.
Toyah Cordingley remembered
There will be a gathering to remember Cairns murder victim Toyah Cordingley tonight, three years after the 24-year-old’s body was tragically discovered on Wangetti Beach on October 21, 2018.
The memorial will take place at 6pm on Thursday at the Toyah monument at the southern end car park of Wangetti Beach.
Organisers said everyone was welcome and encouraged people to bring flowers to lay down after the event.
Toyah’s mum Vanessa Gardiner wrote on social media that she wanted today to be a “happy day and not a sad one”.
“I will be somewhere that I know I will feel Toyah’s presence. Toyah would want us all to celebrate her life and not be miserable.”
Toyah’s father Troy has previously spoken about his fears that the person who murdered his daughter could strike again and has called on the Far North community to never give up its fight for justice.
Man charged over alleged machete attack
Far North detectives have arrested and charged a 39-year-old man following an alleged violent incident at Cape Tribulation.
During the early hours of the morning on September 8, it will be alleged the man became involved in an argument with four tourists who were camping in campervans along Cape Tribulation Road.
The argument escalated after the Diwan man allegedly struck one of the vans with a machete while demanding property.
It will be further alleged the man used the machete to threaten the group before taking a bottle of alcohol.
As the man was leaving, he allegedly struck a 23-year-old tourist in the face with the machete causing a small graze to the man’s face.
Following the investigation an arrest warrant was issued for the 39-year-old man.
The man surrendered to police on Wednesday morning.
He was arrested and later charged with four counts of common assault, two counts of wilful damage and one count each of going armed as to cause fear, armed robbery and assault occasioning bodily harm.
He is scheduled to appear at the Mossman Magistrates Court on November 3.
Driver allegedly four times limit
Police have charged a 38-year-old Westcourt man after he allegedly drove a vehicle with a breath alcohol content over four times the legal limit.
It will be alleged the man was driving a purple Skoda sedan along Mulgrave Road when he was intercepted by police.
Officers arrested the man based on his indicia and transported him to Cairns Police Station.
The man was later subjected to a breath analysis which returned a reading of 0.217 BAC.
He was later charged with one count of driving a vehicle under the influence of liquor.
He is scheduled to appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on November 10.
The man is the second person to be charged in two days for allegedly driving while four times the limit.
Man allegedly ran, hid from police
A 24-year-old Woree man was arrested and charged after allegedly attempting to run and hide from officers late Monday night.
At 10.45pm, officers from the Far North Tactical Crime Squad were conducting patrols of Bungalow when they observed the 24-year-old man allegedly riding an electric bike.
The man was wanted by police for a separate matter.
The man allegedly ignored police, riding away along Newell Street then onto Scott Street before riding the bike into a creek.
It will be further alleged the man then swam across the creek before running away.
With the assistance of the Dog Squad, officers located the man hiding in a garden bed and covered in mulch on Cava Close.
He was immediately arrested and later charged with one count of obstruct police along with two traffic related offences.
The man is scheduled to appear at Cairns Magistrates Court on November 4.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20
One injured in ladder fall
Paramedics responded this morning after a person fell from a ladder in Edge Hill.
Queensland Ambulance says the patient fell at a private residence at 10.34am.
The patient was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition.
Mount Molloy crash
Rescuers have pried a man out of a vehicle after he became trapped following a highway crash into a tree.
Paramedics responded to the single-vehicle crash southbound on the Mulligan Highway at Mount Molloy 6.44pm on Tuesday.
A man was entrapped but was freed with the assistance of firefighters.
He sustained head and lower limb injuries and was taken to Mossman Hospital in a stable condition.
Caravan flips
A family of five was fortunate to escape serious injury after they were involved in a single vehicle traffic crash in Malanda.
The family was driving in a Ford utility while towing a large caravan along Malanda Atherton Rd at 11am on Tuesday.
The vehicle has suddenly braked, causing the caravan and vehicle to flip on its side.
Both lanes of the road were blocked.
The family members were taken to Atherton Hospital with only minor injuries.
Drink driving
A 58-year-old Trinity Park woman was charged after allegedly driving a vehicle with a breath alcohol content over four times the legal limit.
Police will allege the woman was driving a blue Holden sedan along Rabaul St in Trinity Beach when she allegedly swerved to the opposite side of the road.
Police intercepted the vehicle and conducted a roadside breath test which allegedly returned a positive result.
The woman was later subjected to a breath analysis which allegedly returned a reading of 0.207 blood-alcohol content.
She was later charged with one count of driving a vehicle under the influence of liquor.
She is scheduled to appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on November 5.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19
Smithfield crash
Paramedics have been called to Smithfield Village Dr in Smithfield after a vehicle and a motorbike collided at 6.21am on Tuesday.
No major injuries were reported but ambulance crews were still on site at 7am.
Tractor crash
A patient was taken to Tully Hospital after a vehicle and a tractor crashed at on Porter Rd at Lower Tully at 4.23pm on Monday.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18
Animal crueltycharge
A barbecue attendee has been arrested after allegedly throwing a knife at a plover on the Cairns Esplanade.
Police have charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty after CCTV footage allegedly captured the act at 11.30am on Friday.
The man was at a public barbecue when the cruel act allegedly occurred, with police saying he pulled a knife from his bag and threw it at a nearby masked lapwing bird.
The man then allegedly picked up the knife and placed it back in his bag.
The Cairns Regional Council City Safe Camera Network captured the alleged incident and notified police.
The man was located a short time later, arrested and charged with one count of animal cruelty. He is scheduled to appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 26.
Multiple property offences
A 14-year-old Brinsmead boy and a 13-year-old Brinsmead boy have been arrested and charged following an investigation into several burglary offences throughout the Greater Cairns Region over the weekend.
It will be alleged the pair entered seven homes throughout Manunda, Kanimbla, Brinsmead and Mooroobool and stole personal items including, jewellery, mobile phones, identification cards and a white Hyundai hatchback.
The break-ins allegedly occurred between late Friday night and early Saturday morning.
Officers from the Far North Tactical Crime Squad tracked the boys to two separate Mayers St homes early on Sunday morning.
They were immediately arrested with bail opposed and remain in police custody.
The 14-year-old boy was charged with 10 offences including four counts of attempting to enter a premise with intent, two counts each of entering a premise and committing an indictable offence and burglary along with one count each of driving without a driver’s licence and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
The 13-year-old boy was charged with 10 offences including four counts of attempting to enter a premise with intent, two counts each of entering a premise and committing an indictable offence and burglary along with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of suspected stolen property.
Both are scheduled to appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday.
Redlynch motorcycle crash
Paramedics took a man to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition following a motorcycle crash at the intersection of Springbrook Ave and Norfolk Circuit about 6.15pm on Sunday.
WEATHER
The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting a shower or two on Friday with a 60 per cent chance of a shower. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 19 and 24 with daytime temperatures reaching 30 to 32.
Across the region
Cairns: Shower or two 23-32C
Atherton: Showers. Possible storm 19-30C
Cardwell: Possible late shower 23-32C
Cooktown: Possible shower 24-32C
Innisfail: Possible Shower 21-32C
Mareeba: Showers. Possible storm 21-32C
TRAFFIC
Archer River/ Mission River
Sealing of 10.1km of the Peninsula Developmental Road including drainage provisions at Archer River and Mission River is expected to continue to December 24 2021 with works ongoing Monday to Sunday 6am to 6pm and delays are expected.
Barron/Smithfield/Yorkeys Knob
Construction of the Smithfield Bypass project, which is to be completed in December 2021, could result in some delays during active construction hours. The project will construct a new 3.8km bypass between the McGregor Road roundabout and the Cairns Western Arterial Road and Captain Cook Highway roundabout as an alternative route to the Captain Cook Highway.
Bungalow
A speed reduction is in force on Mulgrave Road at Bungalow due to culvert damage near Brown Street.
Access across culvert in both directions along Mulgrave Road and Brown Street intersection is restricted to vehicles that comply with the general mass and concessional mass limits.
Cape Tribulation / Kimberley
Roadworks have been reported on Cape Tribulation Bloomfield Road at Cape Tribulation / Kimberley
Long delays are expected in both directions towards Wujal Wujal.
Deeral / Gordonvale
There will be roadworks on the Bruce Highway between Mulgrave River Bridge and Lewis Road until December 6.
Motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
Edmonton/Gordonvale
Roadworks are being carried out on the Bruce Highway — Cairns Southern Access Corridor — Stage 3: Edmonton to Gordonvale. Delays expected (during active hours of work), with all lanes in both directions affected. The work is expected to run until June 30, 2023.
Edmonton / Gordonvale / Wrights Creek
Road works on Yarrabah Rd and the Bruce Highway due to the Cairns Southern Access Corridor — Stage 3: Edmonton to Gordonvale are expected to cause motorist delays.
All lanes in both directions are affected and changed traffic conditions are in place.
Gordonvale
Temporary closure of Maher Road intersection with the Bruce Highway in both directions. From 7pm Monday to Sunday 7pm until December 31. Forms part of the works for the Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor.
Gordonvale
Culvert replacement works on the Gillies Range Road will be taking place until at least September 30. Lanes will be reduced as a result and motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
Japoonvale
A 25 tonne load limit has been imposed on the Little Liverpool Creek Bridge between Torrisi Rd and Walter Lever Estate Rd. No delays are expected.
Kuranda
Barron River Bridge on the Kennedy Highway reduced to one lane. Restricted to vehicles that comply with general mass limits. Partial lane closures. Both directions affected and delays expected. Allow extra travel time.
Lake Barrine
Road widening works on the Gillies Range Rd at Lake Barrine are expected to continue to September 2021 and delays are to be expected.
Lake Eacham
Wrights Creek Road is closed to all traffic. Motorists are advised to use an alternative route.
The next road inspection will take place on November 11, 2021.
Mareeba / Walkamin
Road widening works on the Kennedy Highway near Walkamin will take place between May 20 2021 and December 24 2021.
All lanes in both directions are affected and motorists are advised delays expected during active hours. Allow extra travel time.’
Georgetown
Roadworks to widen the Gulf Developmental Road to the east of Georgetown will continue until October 30.
Proceed with caution
Stewart Creek Valley
Road hazard being soft shoulders on Douglas Creek Road at
Stewart Creek Valley has forced a 5 tonne GVM limit.
Heavy vehicles have been advised to use an alternative route.
Boogan / Mourilyan
Pavement widening and rehabilitation is underway on the Boogan Road at Mourilyan.
Works are expected to operate from Monday to Sunday, 6am to 6pm.
Delays are expected, motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
WHAT’S ON
The following Cairns Regional Council services are available:
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
Picnic benches outside of Muddies
Public barbecues
Fitness equipment
Playgrounds including Muddy’s Playground and the Fun Ship Playground
Basketball and tennis courts
Bump tracks and BMX tracks (within parks)
The Esplanade Activity Precinct (skate plaza, bouldering park, beach volleyball courts, multipurpose court)
The Lagoon and Council-run swimming pools
Flecker Gardens
Arts and cultural venues including Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Tanks Arts Centre, the Courthouse gallery
Buy Back Shop
Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre
Barlow Park
Tobruk, Smithfield and Gordonvale pools
Marlin Coast Recreation Centre
Green Space Our Place
TOP EVENTS IN CAIRNS THIS WEEK
HAMLET & the Climate Emergency
Hamlet but with a twist to celebrate the 13th Annual Shakespeare at the Tanks production. The tragedy of Hamlet will play out in the world with people oblivious to climate change.
Where: Tanks Art Centre
When: Friday, October 22 at 7pm and Saturday, October 23 at 7pm
Cost:Get tickets here
Guyala Wine and Cheese Tasting – Part VI
A delicious afternoon of wine tasting, complete with a selection of gourmet cheeses. There will also be a glass of prosecco on arrival.
Where: Guyala Cafe
When: Friday, 22 October at 5:30pm
Cost: Get tickets here
The Grass is Greener 2021
The Grass is Greener is returning this week with some great artists headlining including Ziggy Alberts, Peking Duk and Crooked Colours.
Where: Cairns Show Grounds
When: Saturday, October 23 from 12pm
Cost:Get tickets here
Spooky 13 – Cairns Pride Festival Closing Party
To celebrate the end of Cairns pride festival they are celebrating 13 years of parties for the LGBTQIA in Cairns. Wear a spooky outfit and celebrate the end of the festival with music and some spine tingling shows.
Where: The Benson Hotel
When: Saturday, October 23 at 7pm
Cost:Get tickets here
Oktoberfest 3: OMG! We are doing it again! 23 October
To Celebrate 50 years of the German Club, they are hosting an Oktoberfest celebration every Saturday in October.
Where: The German Club Cairns
When: Saturday, October 23 at 4pm
Cost: $10 at gate
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