Today in Cairns: Smithfield, Wrights Creek incidents delay traffic, storms possible
The first thunderstorms of the season are rumbling across parts of the Far North this afternoon. Plus we have all your latest headlines, weather forecasts and events.
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G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region this week, September 27- October 1.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Jury delivers verdict in Cairns cane paddock child gang rape trial
‘Fatigued’ and ‘tired’ healthcare staff’s safety concerns revealed
Your guide to Savannah in the Round festival
‘Takes a village’: How to fix city’s southern suburb strife
PM to lift international travel ban earlier than expected
TODAY’S NEWS
Storms forecast for parts of FNQ
Thunderstorms are starting to build across parts of the Far North this afternoon.
Severe storms, which yesterday lashed Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast with hailstones and flash flooding, are expected to be limited to south of Mackay.
However, parts of the North Tropical Coast and Tablelands could still cop some thunder and lightning.
Areas inland from the Cassowary Coast and Tablelands are the locations most likely to be affected.
Smithfield crash cleared
A multi-vehicle crash which was affecting traffic on the Captain Cook Highway this morning has now been cleared.
Traffic was reduced to one lane northbound following the crash on the Smithfield Roundabout.
An earlier crash on the Sheridan St portion of the highway has also been cleared.
Broken-down car
A vehicle has broken down on the Bruce Highway near Wrights Creek this morning.
The stationary vehicle is at the intersection of the highway and Davis Road.
Northbound traffic towards Cairns has been affected and the Department of Transport and Main Roads has warned motorists that delays are expected.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Emergency services respond to medical incident
A number of Queensland Ambulance Service units as well as Queensland Police responded to a “medical incident” at the Cairns Marlin Marina about 5pm, Thursday.
No further information was available.
Crash blocks highway
One lane of the Kennedy Highway is blocked following a two-vehicle crash and there are no reported injuries.
Queensland Police were called to the incident about 2.15pm at Kuranda near the Barron River Bridge and a QPS spokeswoman said at 2.50pm officers were still on scene with the vehicles blocking at least one lane.
String of break-ins
It was a long day for officers from the Cairns Property Crime Squad who tracked down and charged eight alleged offenders on a combined total of 33 charges.
Charges included burglary, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property and driving offences.
An 18-year-old Manunda woman was taken into custody after she was spotted by officers in the drive-through of a Manunda fast food outlet at 8.45am on Wednesday.
The vehicle being driven by the woman was allegedly unregistered and failed to display any number plates.
The woman was taken into custody and later charged with driving an unregistered vehicle, unlicensed driving, failing to display number plates and other outstanding matters including burglary and receiving tainted property.
She was scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Throughout the course of the day officers made further arrests at various locations across the city.
A 24-year-old Woree man was charged with four counts of failing to comply with reporting conditions, two counts of failing to appear and one count of stealing.
His bail was refused and he was scheduled to appear in Court on Thursday.
A 30-year-old Earlville woman was charged with three counts of stealing and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
She was scheduled to appear in court on October 15.
A 16-year-old Manoora boy was charged with three counts each of entering with intent and burglary, and two counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and entering a dwelling.
An 18-year-old Manoora woman was charged with two counts each of attempted burglary and entering a dwelling and one count of burglary.
She was scheduled to appear in court on October 15.
A 36-year-old Manunda woman was charged with contravening a police direction, she is scheduled to appear in court on October 5.
A 17-year-old Cairns North boy was charged with trespassing.
He was scheduled to appear in the Cairns Children’s court next month.
And a 15-year-old Earlville boy was charged with two counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempted burglary and entering a dwelling with intent and one count each of burglary and possession of property suspected of being stolen.
His bail was refused, he is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Children’s Court.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Armed robbery charges
A 17-year-old Westcourt boy has been charged after investigations into an alleged armed robbery at Parramatta Park on September 15.
Police allege the youth approached a 15-year-old boy on Draper St about 7.50pm and pulled a knife before demanding the boy’s scooter.
The 17-year-old boy allegedly fled east on Draper St after the boy hand handed over his scooter.
The alleged victim and his friend ran to a nearby restaurant and contacted police.
Neither boy was injured.
The 17-year-old was arrested in Manunda on Monday.
It will be alleged he was in possession of a knife, set of car keys and stolen watch.
He was later charged with robbery, robbery in company, possession of suspect stolen property and two counts of receiving tainted property.
His bail was refused and he is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Children’s Court.
Rock throwing allegations
A 26-year-old Edmonton man has been charged after he was arrested outside Edmonton Police Station last night.
Detectives were inside the station at around 9.10pm when they were alerted to noises on the roof.
Upon investigation outside, officers allegedly found the man standing in an adjacent block with a rock in his hand.
The man allegedly verbally abused officers and refused to comply with the directions of officers to drop the rock.
The man was taken into custody and taken to the Cairns Watchhouse where he was later charged with two counts of committing a public nuisance and obstructing a police officer.
He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 19.
Speeding charge
A 37-year-old Atherton man has been issued a fine for $1286 after he was allegedly detected travelling at 130km/h in a 60km/h zone.
The man was intercepted by the Mareeba Highway Patrol Unit on the Kennedy Highway at 12.40pm on Tuesday.
The infringement notice also incurs the accumulation of eight demerit points and a six-month driving suspension.
Kuranda Range smash
Motorists faced delays at one of the city’s most critical entry points after a multi-vehicle crash.
Queensland Traffic issued an alert at 6.55am on Wednesday saying the westbound lane of the Kuranda Range had been reduced towards Hair Pin Bend due to a crash.
The crash was cleared by about 9.15am.
Ellis Beach crash
A patient was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after a single-vehicle crash on the Captain Cook Highway at Ellis Beach 12.11am on Wednesday.
The highway was cleared by 1.40am.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Public assistance required after traffic crash
Forensic Crash Investigators are seeking public assistance from anyone who may have dashcam footage or further information relating to a three-vehicle traffic crash on the Captain Cook Highway at Killaloe that occurred about 1.40pm on September 23.
Police spoke to a witness at the scene however were called away before they could obtain their personal information and have requested they make contact again as soon as possible.
The Captain Cook Highway was closed for several hours while police and emergency services attended to those injured, conducted investigations and cleared the scene.
Initial investigations revealed a northbound vehicle veered into the opposite lane colliding with a southbound truck.
The first vehicle then spun and collided with a third vehicle that was also southbound.
A 67-year-old man and a 68-year-old man both from Mossman and 52-year-old Smithfield man were all admitted to hospital with injuries.
“Police ask motorists to follow the directions of emergency service personnel and to avoid distractions when using the road,” a police spokeswoman said.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Bushfire alert for Mulligan Highway
A bushfire is currently active in the Annan River area south of Cooktown, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has warned.
There is currently no threat to property, however the fire is affecting visibility along the Mulligan Highway, south of the Annan River Bridge.
Dense smoke may affect driver visibility along the highway during the remainder of Monday.
As the fire is burning in inaccessible terrain, smoke could persist in coming days.
Drivers are advised to exercise caution and to slow down when passing through smoke, as fire crews may be working off the highway to contain the fire.
If smoke continues to pose a concern or a greater risk to traffic, traffic control may be installed to stop or slow traffic in the area affected by smoke and fire operations, the department has advised.
The smoke may also reduce air quality, so those impacted should close windows and doors to minimise smoke exposure, and keep medications close by or seek medical advice if suffering respiratory health conditions.
Traffic crash following motorbike theft
A 19-year-old Edge Hill man remains in hospital in a serious condition following a traffic crash about 5am on Murray St on Sunday.
The man sustained significant injuries on September 26 after the motorbike he was riding crashed into a concrete wall at the entrance of a unit complex.
The motorbike involved was one of two motorbikes allegedly stolen earlier from an Anderson St business at Manunda.
Forensic investigators and emergency services attend the scene. The man was flown to Townsville for surgery.
The alleged stolen motorbike was seized for forensic examination. Police recovered the second motorbike near Fearnley Street. Investigations are continuing.
Drink drive and weapons charge
A 20-year-old Manoora man will face traffic and weapons charges after he was intercepted riding a motorbike on Swallow Street in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Officers from the Tactical Crime Squad intercepted the man due to his alleged manner of driving about 3.25am. He was detained after allegedly providing a positive roadside breath test. Following a pat-down search officers allegedly located three knives in the waistband of his shorts.
It is further alleged the motorbike he was riding was unregistered and uninsured. He was taken into custody and later returned a breath alcohol reading of 0.125.
The man’s licence was immediately suspended, he was charged with driving while over the middle alcohol limit, unlicensed driving, driving an uninsured vehicle, driving an unregistered vehicle and possession of a knife in a public place.
He was issued with a notice to appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 13.
Property offence, Greater Cairns area:
A 17-year-old Cairns North boy has been charged with multiple property related offences after he was taken
into custody on September 24 by officers from the Tactical Crime Squad.
The boy fled from police on Lake Street on Friday morning but was arrested after officers found him hiding in
a vacant room at a Charles Street accommodation complex.
The alleged offences involve burglary and stealing offences committed in the Cairns North and Cairns City
areas between September 13 and 24. It will be alleged that items stolen included clothing, jewellery, a mobile
phone, personal ID and cash.
The teenager will face 11 charges; five counts of attempting to enter a dwelling, two counts of burglary and
one count each of attempting to enter a dwelling, stealing, obstruct police and possession of suspect stolen
property.
He was denied police bail and will appear in the Cairns Children’s Court.
Property offence
A 17-year-old Cairns North boy has been charged with multiple property related offences after he was taken into custody on September 24 by officers from the Tactical Crime Squad.
The boy fled from police on Lake Street on Friday morning but was arrested after officers found him hiding in a vacant room at a Charles Street accommodation complex.
The alleged offences involve burglary and stealing offences committed in the Cairns North and Cairns City areas between September 13 and 24. It will be alleged that items stolen included clothing, jewellery, a mobile phone, personal ID and cash.
The teenager will face 11 charges; five counts of attempting to enter a dwelling, two counts of burglary and one count each of attempting to enter a dwelling, stealing, obstruct police and possession of suspect stolen property.
He was denied police bail and will appear in the Cairns Children’s Court.
Motorbike crash
A man was transported to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition following a motorcycle crash on Poolwood Rd and the Captain Cook Highway at Kewarra Beach at 6.48pm, Sunday.
WEATHER
It is expected to be a partly cloudy day in the Far North with a 40 per cent chance of rain in the south in the afternoon and evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds becoming northeast to south-easterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching 28 to 35.
Across the region
Cairns: Mostly sunny 21-31C
Atherton: Shower or two developing 15-30C
Cardwell: Partly cloudy 19-30C
Cooktown: Mostly sunny 22-31C
Innisfail: Mostly Sunny 19-29C
Mareeba: Possible shower developing 18-33C
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
Roadworks incorporating the upgrade of the pedestrian crossing to a signalised pedestrian crossing at Byrnes St, Mareeba are scheduled Sunday to Friday from 6pm to 6am and expected to last until September 26.
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
Witness Grant “Scooter” Patterson receive the keys to the city
Paralympian Grant “Scooter” Patterson will receive the keys to the city in recognition of his efforts in Tokyo. The council will present the keys as a special public Celebration including Face painting, giveaways and refreshments.
Date: Friday, 1 October 2021, 3pm
Location: Tobruk Memorial Pool, 370 Sheridan Street
Cost: Free
TIGERLILLY performs live at a Candy Land Party
For one night the venue will transform into a colourful world of Candy land. TIGERLILY will be returning to the Far North in one of the biggest 18+ parties of the year.
Date: Friday, 1 October 2021, 9pm
Location: Gilligan’s Hotel and Resort, 57-89 Grafton Street, Cairns
Cost: $15 at the door or free entry before 9pm
The Ironing Maidens perform live
The Ironing Maidens is a live electronic experience that uses real irons and ironing boards into electronic instruments. Lara Biggs and Tegan Koster Project will also be performing. Under 15yrs are not permitted.
Date: Friday, 1 October 2021, 6:30pm
Location: Tank Arts Centre – Tank 5
Cost: $20
Fuller Sports Gordonvale Cup 2021
A five race program is on at Gordonvale Cup which will include Fashions on the Field, a jumping castle and a fun-e-farm.
Date: Saturday, 2 October 2021, 11am-5pm
Location: Gordonvale Turf Club, 75 George Street, Gordonvale
Cost: Tent packages are available. Email info@gordonvaleturfclub.com.au for more package info.
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is being celebrated this year with live music and entertainment by Tony George, German style beers, German food, local breweries.
Date: Sunday, 3 October 2021, 12pm
Location: Hemingway’s Brewery FNQ, Wharf Street, Cairns
Cost: Free
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