Today in Cairns: Man charged over alleged bomb threat to bank
A man has been charged after police blocked off a Cairns street in response to an alleged bomb threat. Plus we have all your weather, events and traffic updates.
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G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region this week, December 27 – January 2.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Hospital changes visitor policy as Cairns records huge case spike
Leaders call for Torres Strait lockout as Cairns rise
22 Cairns businesses that closed for good in 2021
Your New Years’s Eve weather forecast for Cairns
TODAY’S NEWS
City crash
A woman aged in her 80s was transported to Cairns Hospital following a two vehicle accident on the corner of Florence St and McLeod St in Cairns at 11.30am on Friday, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.
Man charged over alleged bomb threat
Police have charged a 24-year-old Parramatta Park man following alleged threats made to a staff member of a Cairns bank.
Police will allege about 11:30am Thursday, the man contacted the bank by telephone where it will be alleged he told the employee he was going to strap a bomb to himself and come down there.
Police attended a Lumley Street address where they located and arrested the man.
The 24-year-old man was charged with use a carriage service for a hoax threat and is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on January 17.
Boys charged over break-in, stolen car
Three boys aged 13 and 15 have been charged with several offences following an alleged break-in at a Kowa Street home in Mareeba on December 28.
Police will allege the boys gained entry into the home through a closed but unlocked window.
The boys allegedly stole car keys and a wallet before leaving the home.
Police will further allege that the boys have pushed the car parked in the driveway out onto the road before driving away.
The boys are alleged to have driven around in the car before attending a motel in Williams Close, Mareeba, smashing their way in and stealing alcohol.
Police commenced an investigation into the incidents and with the help of CCTV footage were able to identify and arrest the boys.
A 15-year-old Mareeba boy was charged with one count each of burglary, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, enter premise and commit an indictable offence and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
He appeared in the Mareeba Children’s Court and was remanded to reappear at a later date.
A 13-year-old Mareeba boy was charged with one count each of burglary, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, enter premise and commit an indictable offence and enter premise with intent to commit an indictable offence.
He is scheduled to appear in the Mareeba Children’s court at a later date.
A 13-year-old Mareeba boy was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle. He was bailed on strict conditions to appear in the Mareeba Children’s Court at a later date.
Crash creates delays
UPDATE: The accident scene on Sheridan St, Cairns North has been cleared and both lanes of traffic are now flowing following an earlier incident involving a car and scooter.
EARLIER: Delays are expected on a major Cairns road after paramedics were called to an incident involving a car and a motorised scooter.
At 6.50am Queensland Ambulance Service received a triple-0 call after a woman riding a scooter was hit by a car on the corner of Sheridan St and Collins Av, Cairns North.
Traffic disruptions are impacting an outbound Sheridan St lane.
A Queensland Police spokesman said a woman in her 40s was being assisted by medics and was conscious and breathing.
A QAS spokeswoman confirmed medics had assisted the scooter rider.
“Paramedics assessed one patient following a scooter and car incident, they transported one female, reportedly in her 30s, to Cairns Hospital as a precautionary measure,” she said.
THURSDAY’S NEWS
Bomb threat closes street
A street near the Cairns CBD has reopened after it was closed earlier in the day from a bomb threat.
A police spokeswoman said they received a call about a possible bomb threat about 11.30am on Lumley Street in Paramatta Park.
She said police had searched the property and nothing had been located to suggest any risk to the public.
The street remains reopened about 2pm when nothing of concern had been located. One person of interest is in custody.
Beaches off limits
Multiple Far North beaches are closed today due to weather and jellyfish.
Mission Beach north and south is closed due to dangerous surf, while Ellis Beach is off limits after the stinger nets were removed.
Kewarra Beach is closed due to stingers.
Surf Life Saving Queensland has warned beachgoers to stay out of the water.
Boil water alert
A boil water notice has been issued by Tablelands Regional Council for properties connected to the Ravenshoe and Millstream (North and South) water supply schemes.
The council is also asking Cassowary Heights and Belleview Estate residents to reduce water use.
“The wet weather has increased the turbidity (cloudiness) of their water source which means we aren’t able to adequately treat the supply,” the council says.
WEDNESDAY’S NEWS
Truck fire
Emergency services were called to an early morning truck fire in Portsmith.
Paramedics assessed one patient at about 2.30am, but the driver did not need to be taken to hospital.
Wangetti crash
A man in his 30s was taken to Cairns Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a single vehicle crash on the Captain Cook Highway at Wangetti.
The man was transported by ambulance in a stable condition, with minor injuries, after the 1am crash.
TUESDAY’S NEWS
Machans Beach rollover
After a slippery day on the roads emergency services were called to a single vehicle rollover on the Captain Cook Highway.
A Queensland Ambulance Spokeswoman said they received a call that a single vehicle had rolled over on Machans Street and Captain Cook Highway in Machans Beach at 4.01pm.
A female in her 20s was uninjured and declined to be taken to hospital.
Single vehicle rollover
A female in her 70s has been taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with an arm injury after she was trapped in her car after a single vehicle rollover on Gillies Range Road about 2.50pm
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said they received a call that a single vehicle had rolled over on the cross streets of Gillies Range Road and Appaloosa Street.
Gillies Range Road was closed at Little Mulgrave for some time but was reopened about 4.40pm.
Kuranda crash injures three
Three people have been taken to hospital after a single-vehicle rollover on Myola Road near Kuranda at 2.46pm.
The trio was taken to Cairns Hospital in stable conditions, Queensland Ambulance confirmed.
Bushfire warning for Etty Bay
Smoke from a bushfire is currently affecting Etty Bay and surrounding areas, the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service has warned.
There is no direct fire threat to property at this time but reduced air quality may cause health impacts for some people.
Smoke may also reduce visibility on the roads.
Beaches still closed
Four beaches remain off limits on Tuesday after they were closed due to marine stingers on Monday.
Palm Cove, Clifton Beach, Kewarra Beach and Trinity Beach are closed.
Highway crash
Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics were called to a single vehicle crash on the Captain Cook Highway at Mowbray at 7.30pm on Monday night.
Two patients were assessed and neither needed to be taken to hospital.
Vehicle into pedestrian
A woman was taken to Weipa Hospital after being struck by a car in Mission River.
Paramedics transported the woman in a stable condition after the incident in Prnunum Street at 8.40pm.
MONDAY’S NEWS
Collision in Cairns CBD
Multiple ambulance and police crews have responded to an incident between a car and pedestrians in the Cairns CBD.
A Queensland Police spokesman said there were reports a mother and a child had been knocked by a car about 4.15pm on the corner of McLeod and Spence streets.
The mother and the child were being assessed by paramedics and were in a stable condition.
Beaches closed
Four Far North beaches have been closed today due to marine stingers.
Surf Life Saving Queensland says Palm Cove, Clifton Beach, Kewarra Beach and Trinity Beach are all closed.
Beachgoers are warned to stay out of the water.
Crash on Captain Cook Highway
Three people have been taken to hospital after a single-vehicle rollover on the Captain Cook Highway, the Queensland Ambulance Service has confirmed.
The trio were taken to Cairns Hospital as a precaution following the crash near Machans Beach at 1.17pm.
All were in a stable condition.
One injured in quad bike rollover
One person has been taken to hospital after an ATV rolled off Threadingham Rd at Kurrimine Beach at 10.22am.
Queensland Police said the patient was taken to Innisfail Hospital in a stable condition.
It was the second quad bike incident in North Queensland this morning, with a man in a critical condition after a crash near Ingham.
WEATHER
The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting a possible storm across the Far North on Wednesday with possible heavy falls and damaging winds.
Across the region
Cairns: Rain. Possible storm 23-28C
Atherton: Rain. Possible storm 19-23C
Cardwell: Possible storm. Heavy falls 23-27C
Cooktown: Showers. Possible storm 24-29C
Innisfail: Rain. Possible storm 21-27C
Mareeba: Rain. Possible storm21-25C
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.
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.
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.
Freshwater
Roadworks on a shoulder of Kamerunga Road / Stratford Connection Road at Freshwater are expected to cause delay for motorists with lanes reduced. Proceed with caution.
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 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.
Macalister Range
Henry Ross Lookout is closed for restoration works from December 2 to December 10.
Motorists inbound to Smithfield on the Kennedy Highway are advised to proceed with caution.
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.’
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.
Woree
Roadworks on Mulgrave Road at Woree have led to reduced lanes inbound towards Sandown Close. 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
There are multiple events happening over New Year’s including:
Havana Nights New Year’s Eve
A luxurious three course dinner with a drink on arrival or a 2 hour canapes and beverage package for the cocktail party.
Where: Salt House
When: 5pm, New Year’s Eve
Cost: Luxury dinner, $139pp, cocktail party, $129pp and general admission $30 at the door.
NYE at The Pier Bar
Watch the fireworks on the deck at Pier Bar. There will be live music and DJs til late.
Where: The Pier Bar
When: Entry fee from 10pm
Cost: $20
Afro Carribean New Year All White Party
Get the year started with the biggest Afrobeats music event in Northern Queensland.
Where: The Reef Hotel Casino
When: January 1, from 6pm
Cost: Tickets can be purchased here
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