Today in Cairns: Manoora man arrested after alleged Kamerunga assaults
Police say a suburban violence spree ended with a passerby and a traffic controller copping punches to the face and their alleged attacker in handcuffs. Plus we have all your latest headlines, weather 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, October 4 – October 8.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
More delays, LGAQ boss ‘suffering’ due to conduct of trial, court hears
Questions over Cairns quarantine hotel damage claim
FNQ real estate doyen Angela Capitanio retires after 34 years
Major cruise company announces new program including Cairns
TODAY’S NEWS
Violent assault charges
Police have arrested and charged a 33-year-old Manoora man following three alleged violent attacks on Thursday.
The man allegedly became involved in an altercation with a 29-year-old woman who was known to him while walking along Mistletoe Cl in Kamerunga about 10.45am.
Police said a 48-year-old man who was passing by tried to intervene but was allegedly punched in the face.
At noon, the 33-year-old allegedly approached a 51-year-old traffic controller on Cowley St, got in an argument, kicked the roadworker’s vehicle and punched him twice in the face.
Police arrived a short time later and found the man on Charlekata Cl.
He was immediately arrested, opposed bail and remains in police custody charged with two counts each of contravening a domestic violence order and assault occasioning bodily harm along with one count each of wilful damage and obstructing police.
The man is scheduled to appear at Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 7
Man burned in shed fire
A man has been airlifted to Cairns Hospital after suffering severe burns in a shed fire.
The incident occurred on Aerodrome Road, Mundoo, about 6.15pm on Wednesday.
The man, aged in his 30s, suffered severe burns to his hands and legs and was originally taken to Innisfail Hospital, before later being airlifted.
Motorcyclist taken to hospital
A motorcyclist was taken to Atherton Hospital with concern for his spine after a crash at Silver Valley.
The incident occurred at Top Nettle Mount Misery Road at 8.22pm.
He suffered multiple abrasions and was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Man injured after hit by car
A man was taken to hospital on Wednesday evening after he was hit by a car in a Mareeba street.
The incident occurred on Fenwick St about 6.58pm.
The man suffered back pain, and was taken to Mareeba Hospital in a stable condition.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 6
Suburban snake bite
A woman in her 30s was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after sustaining a snake bite at a home in Bentley Park at 7.21pm.
It comes as Cairns snake catchers warn residents to be vigilant with warm weather breaking snakes out of their lethargy across the region.
Fire closes highway
A fire near Millstream is causing poor visibility on the Kennedy Highway between Wild River Road and the Archer Creek Rest Area.
The road was closed on Tuesday but motorists are currently urged to proceed with caution due to poor visibility from smoke.
The fire is currently burning between Wild River Road and Charmaine Road.
As of 11.15am Wednesday there was no threat to property but reduced air quality could cause health impacts for some people.
A QFES spokesman said there were 13 units at the scene on Tuesday with a mix of urban and rural brigades putting in containment lines and monitoring the fire.
Crews will assist Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services to put in further fire breaks.
A QFES spokeswoman said it was quite a large fire.
“The wild fire is burning in the Wild River Rd area. It’s a 5km front and flames are 2m high, so our mission is to control the grass fire to the eastern side.”
A fire control point has been set up at 291 Wild River Rd, midway between Millstream and Innot Hot Springs.
No injuries have been reported.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has warned long delays are expected.
Temperatures on the Tablelands have been up to six degrees hotter than the October average this week as a heatwave hits the region.
Innisfail attempted robbery
Detectives have called on the public to help track down offenders responsible for an attempted armed robbery of a man at Innisfail on Monday night.
Preliminary investigations indicate the 57-year-old Edmonton man was walking along Station St at 8.50pm when he was approached by a group of four people.
One of group allegedly struck the man in the neck with a metal bar before demanding property.
He managed to flee the area and contact police.
The suspects are described as Aboriginal in appearance, two males and two females, aged between 18 and 20 years old potentially travelling in a white sedan.
Police are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.
Innisfail property charges
A 48-year-old Flying Fish Point man was arrested and charged on Tuesday afternoon following the alleged theft of multiple power tools from an Innisfail hardware store.
Police allege the man entered the business on Sunday before forcibly removing several power tools from the shelf and stealing them.
It will be further alleged the man again entered the business on Monday before stealing more power tools and other items.
Detectives attended an Enid St home in Innisfail on Tuesday afternoon where they located the man and executed a search warrant.
During the search police allegedly located drug utensils.
The man was slapped with 18 charges including five counts of stealing, four counts of possessing tainted property, three counts of wilful damage, two counts of attempted stealing and possession of an implement that was used in a particular offence.
He was also charged with one count each of possessing a drug utensil and failing to properly dispose of a syringe.
The man is scheduled to appear at Innisfail Magistrates Court on October 25.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5
Serious injuries in crash
One person has been seriously injured in a crash involving a vehicle and a motorcycle in the Cairns CBD.
For more details on this incident click here.
Gillies Range crash
A single-vehicle crash on the Gillies Range Rd has left a woman in a serious condition after she was flown to hospital by rescue helicopter with chest injuries.
Paramedics responded to crash at 6.45pm on Monday.
A second patient declined transport to hospital.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4
Single vehicle crash
Police are unable to locate the driver involved in a single vehicle crash this evening on the Huntsbrook Creek Bridge along Gillies Range Road.
The vehicle’s passenger has been taken to hospital with a non-life threatening injury.
A police spokesman said they had been unable to locate the driver of the vehicle and a search was ongoing.
Police received a call at 6:45pm that a vehicle crashed into a concrete embankment with no reports of significant injuries.
Serious crash
Critical care paramedics have rushed to the aid of a man with serious injuries after he was hit by a vehicle on a highway early on Monday morning.
The crash at the intersection of the Mulligan Highway and Wetherby Rd in Mount Molloy happened at 1.07am.
A 45-year-old man sustained head, chest, abdominal and leg injuries and was taken by ambulance to Mareeba Hospital where the rescue helicopter was tasked to fly him to Cairns Hospital in a serious condition.
A Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service spokesman said the man remained in a stable condition on Monday afternoon.
Near-drowning at FNQ beach
A man in his 70s is expected to be flown to Cairns for further treatment after a near-drowning at Port Douglas this morning.
The man was initially taken to Mossman Hospital in a stable condition after the post-immersion incident which occurred on the beach near the Esplanade and Mowbray St at 8.57am.
The Rescue 510 helicopter has been tasked with transferring the patient to Cairns Hospital.
Motorbike crash
A man was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with a leg injury following a motorcycle crash on Laurel Ave in Mount Sheridan at 8.16pm on Sunday.
Snake bite
A patient was taken to Atherton Hospital in a stable condition after a reported snake bite off the Kennedy Highway at Innot Hot Springs at 3.28pm on Sunday.
WEATHER
The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting a partly cloudy Friday with a 5 per cent chance of rain and light winds from the east at 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.
Cairns is heading for a top temperature of 32C after an overnight minium of 22C.
Across the region
Cairns: Partly cloudy 22-32C
Atherton: Mostly sunny 16-29C
Cardwell: Partly cloudy 21-30C
Cooktown: Mostly sunny 24-32C
Innisfail: Partly cloudy 21-30C
Mareeba: Mostly sunny 19-32C
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
Seafood Feast – Cairns Food and Wine Festival
This is the opening event for the Cairns Food and Wine Festival which includes a seafood extravaganza that will have a carefully selected range of Australian beers and wines.
Date: Friday October 8, 6:30pm
Location: Ochre Restaurant
Cost: $162
Cairns Food & Wine Festival
Experience the best food and beverages available in the Cairns Region. Enjoy a range of food to purchase from some of Cairns most popular restaurants with six hours of live entertainment.
Date: Saturday October 9, 3pm – 10pm
Location: Munro Martin Parklands
Cost: General admission $25, paired dinner $192 and premium reserved seating $48
Holloways Beach Seaside Markets
Spend a beautiful Sunday morning with the family to go to a huge variety of stores including food, plant and clothing stalls.
Date: Sunday October 10, 8am – 1pm
Location: Holloways Beach Esplanade
Cost: Free
Oktoberfest 50
Celebrating 50 years of the German Club Cairns with Oktoberfest festivities. There will be food, music, dancing and traditional drinks.
Date: Sunday October 10, 4pm – 11:30pm
Location: German Club Cairns
Cost: $5
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