Today in Cairns: Toddler in hospital after Lake St incident
A toddler was taken to hospital following a vehicle and pedestrian incident, and a woman was injured after crashing into a pole.
Cairns
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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 20 – December 26.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Unit rape case retrial ordered after court finds legal error
Major residential project surges forward with first lots snapped up
Far North council appoints new CEO
Health unions warning of reduced hospital services during Covid wave
‘Been crazy’ for vax demand since hospital closes its clinic
TODAY’S NEWS
Cairns City – vehicle and pedestrian incident
Paramedics transported a male toddler to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after a vehicle and pedestrian incident on Lake Street at 9.16pm, Thursday.
Cullinane – single-vehicle crash into a pole
Paramedics transported a woman in her 20s to Innisfail Hospital in a stable condition with pelvic pain following a single-vehicle crash into a pole on Sundown Road at 1.19am.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23
Multiple stolen cars across Cairns
CAIRNS police had a busy start to their Thursday morning with reports of multiple stolen vehicles on the loose around the city, with one reported to be “swerving at pedestrians.”
About 7am, police were notified of a stolen 2017 Toyota CH-R, which at the time was last seen in Kanimbla and then Manunda and reported as driving dangerously
There were also another two stolen vehicles – a blue 2021 Subaru Forester and a white Toyota Corolla, which were reported as “appear to be driving together”, last seen around Earlville.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman said police were still searching for the vehicles.
Captain Cook Hwy closed
UPDATE: At 8.40am police officers at the scene advised both lanes of the Captain Cook Hwy had reopened.
EARLIER: THE Captain Cook Hwy is closed to all traffic at Killaloe, between Coolalinga Drive and Colenso Road, South of Mossman following a multi-vehicle crash.
Queensland Ambulance is at the scene of the two-vehicle crash which occurred just before 7am.
Two patients were assessed by Queensland Ambulance after one was reportedly trapped in their vehicle.
A QAS spokesman at 8am said an adult male with head and neck injuries was being transported Mossman Hospital in a stable condition along with another patient, also stable, who had “no serious injuries.”
A Queensland Police spokeswoman at 8am said officer at the scene reported the road “should be open shortly.”
Property and trespass – Bungalow
A 19-year-old Yarrabah man has been charged after he was allegedly located in the yard of an Aumuller Street residence about 11.35pm on December 22.
Police were called to the location after a resident saw a man enter his property.
The 19-year-old was taken into custody and later charged with trespassing and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Police will allege the man was involved in the theft of a sedan from a Timberlea Drive residence at Bentley Park earlier that morning.
The vehicle was recovered in a damaged state on Mulgrave Road about 2.30pm December 22. Investigations are continuing.
He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on January 7.
Vehicle theft charges – greater Cairns area
Officers from the Property Crime squad on Wednesday charged a 15-year-old Yarrabah boy after he surrendered himself into police custody at Yarrabah Police Station.
It will be alleged the boy was involved in numerous offences committed in Edge Hill, Manunda, Parramatta Park, Stratford, Cairns North, Woree, Whitfield, Yarrabah, Brinsmead and Westcourt between December 8 and December 22.
Offences included the theft of vehicles, fuel and personal property.
The boy was charged with six counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts each of stealing and burglary and one count each of entering a dwelling and entering a premises.
He was bailed on strict reporting conditions to appear in the Cairns Children’s Court in January.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Teen arrested and charged
A 13-year-old Yarrabah boy has been arrested and charged following investigations into alleged break and enters in the Manunda, Stratford, Edge Hill and Freshwater areas.
Police will allege entry was gained to homes, at times while people were asleep, stealing cars, money and other valuables.
At about 9.20pm police conducting patrols around Edge Hill located and arrested the boy.
He was charged with seven counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, four counts of burglary and one count each of attempted enter dwelling with intent and wilful damage.
Police opposed the boy’s bail and he will appear in the Cairns Children’s Court.
Police earlier this week, charged juvenile co-offenders in relation to several of these alleged offences.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20
Bushwalker located, Speewah
POLICE have located a 26-year-old man who became lost while hiking in Dinden National Park.
About 3.15pm on Sunday, the man rang police and advised that he had become disorientated.
Police, along with a rescue helicopter and State Emergency Services personnel, began searching the park.
The search recommenced on Monday morning and the man was located and flown to safety with only minor injuries.
Police advise any person that is going to partake in bushwalking to make sure that they are adequately prepared.
The following tips will help ensure your safety:
• Plan your hike. Don’t go walking in remote areas alone.
• Find out how long it should take to get there and to return in daylight hours.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Take enough water, suitable clothing and basic emergency and overnight items for the trip and in the event you become lost, have a fall or are injured.
• Always check the weather forecast and stay on marked trails.
• If travelling or camping in remote areas, consider having safety communications equipment such as a Satellite Navigation system and a personal EPIRB.
Boys rack up 40 charges
FOUR boys aged 12 and 13-years-old have been arrested and charged following an extensive investigation by Cairns plain clothes officers.
Police located all four boys on Friday, December 17, at separate addresses.
Police will allege the boys have been actively targeting homes and vehicles over the past week across the Cairns region.
The boys have been charged with 40 offences including burglary, stealing, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
They appeared in the Cairns Children’s Court and will reappear at a later date.
Break and enter, Manoora
A MAN who police allege tried to steal a motorbike from a home before being disturbed by the resident and his dog has been arrested.
On Saturday, December 18, police charged an 18-year-old Manoora man following alleged offences that occurred over the past month.
Police will allege that around 5.15am on October 28, two men entered the rear yard of a home on Moignard Street and stole cigarettes from the rear porch.
The men allegedly attempted to take a motorbike but were disturbed by the resident and his dog.
Later that morning the men allegedly entered the grounds of a health care service, also on Moignard Street, breaking a lock to a building and entering before being disturbed by security.
Both men fled before police attended.
On November 3, a man allegedly stole a wallet from an unlocked vehicle in Sunbird Street in Woree then used the credit card several times before it was blocked.
Police used CCTV footage to identify the man, locating and arresting him on Saturday, December 18.
The 18-year-old Manoora man was charged with three counts of enter premise, four counts of fraud, one count each of attempted fraud, common assault, possess utensils, receiving tainted property and stealing.
He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on January 12.
Single vehicle crash
EMERGENCY services were called to a single vehicle traffic crash on the Captain Cook Highway at Barron early on Monday morning.
Lanes were reduced as a result of the incident.
The highway was fully reopened by 12.53am.
WEATHER
The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting a mostly sunny Friday. Light winds will become north-easterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon before becoming light in the evening.
Across the region
Cairns: Mostly sunny 24-34C
Atherton: Mostly sunny 18-33C
Cardwell: Mostly sunny 23-34C
Cooktown: Mostly sunny 25-34C
Innisfail: Mostly sunny 21-34C
Mareeba: Mostly sunny21-35C
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
Xmas Holiday Workshop with Socceroo Michael Thwaite
A Christmas workshop with Michael Thwaite where he will pass on his wisdom that he gained in his career playing in A-League teams. This is available for children within the ages of 6 and 15.
Where: The Grounds Cairns
When: Monday and Tuesday, December 20 and 21 from 9am to 11am
Cost: $130 per player, tickets can be purchased here
Christmas Eve Party
There will be live music with the Barbary Coasters at Roo Bar
Where: Roo Bar and Grill
When: Christmas Eve at 7pm
Cost: Free
For Christmas lunch options check out here. There are many options from a water cruise to a seafood lunch and roast lunch.
Zic Zac Festival
10 hours of non stop performances, DJs, activities, pool access and food. There will be performances from Mosaic, King Princess and Anna Maria.
Where: The Benson Hotel
When: Sunday, December 26 at 12pm
Cost: $27.46, tickets can be purchased here
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