Today in Cairns: Yarrabah man in Cairns Hospital with serious chest injury
A young Far North man is recovering in hospital following an alleged wounding which left him with a serious injury. Plus we have all your latest headlines, weather, traffic and events.
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G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region today, Thursday, August 19.
HEADLINES
Seven biggest council construction projects happening right now
New Barron River bridge fix date revealed at estimates hearing
Cairns businessman fails to beat public nuisance charge
What you can and can’t do when Cairns Covid restrictions ease
Cairns hospital nurse pleads guilty to indecent treatment of child
How Cairns may have avoided super spreader event
LATEST NEWS
Yarrabah – alleged wounding
A MAN in his 20s was transported to Yarrabah Hospital in a serious but stable condition with a chest injury following an alleged wounding at a private residence at 1.46am, Thursday. The patient was later flown to Cairns Hospital.
WEATHER
The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting a mostly sunny Thursday with a 10 per cent chance of rain and wind from the south to southeast at 20 to 30 km/h becoming light in the late evening.
BOM forecaster Peter Markworth said a low chance of rain on Thursday around Cairns would increase on Friday and Saturday.
“We are looking at not too much rain and a fairly low chance of rain on Thursday,” he said.
“It will be fairly dry couple of days but we do see a return of showers on Friday, particularly on the Cassowary Coast.
“We could get up to 10mm on Friday around Innisfail and 10-25mm on Saturday.
“The cloud cover (around Cairns) is quite certain, not all the time, but for a large chunk of the day.”
Cairns is heading for a top temperature of 27C after an overnight minimum of 18C.
Around the region
Cairns: Mostly sunny 18-27C
Atherton: Mostly sunny 13-23C
Cardwell: Possible late shower 16-26C
Cooktown: Mostly sunny 20-28C
Innisfail: Possible late shower 16-25C
Mareeba: Mostly sunny 15-26C
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.
Edmonton/Gordonvale
There are reports of potholes on the Bruce Highway in both directions between Edmonton and Gordonvale. 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.
Innot Hot Springs
Bridge or culvert damage has been reported on Mandalee Road at Innot Hot Springs.
The road closed to all traffic and motorists have been advised to use an alternative route.
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.
Kewarra Beach / Palm Cove
Night works between the Kewarra Beach Roundabout and Palm Cove on the Captain Cook Hwy are Sunday to Friday from 7pm to 4am and expected to last until August 18. Delays are to be expected with lanes reduced.
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.
Kuranda / Smithfield
Survey work on the Kuranda Range Rd begun on August 18 and will continue until September 27.
Motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
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.
Fishery Falls
Roadworks are in progress on the Bruce Highway at Fishery Falls. Delays are expected until completion of works on August 24.
Lanes reduced in both directions, proceed with caution.
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.’
Mount Surprise
Damage has been reported on the Elizabeth Creek Bridge on the Gulf Developmental Rd at Mount Surprise. Delays are expected and motorists are advised to 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.
Port Douglas
Upgrade works on the eastern side of the Macrossan and Owen St intersection are scheduled between Monday to Friday 6.30am to 5pm and expected to continue until September 3. Delays are expected.
WHAT’S ON
Outdoor facilities, events and programs have resumed following the end of the three-day lockdown in Cairns.
The following services are once again 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
TODAY’S EVENTS
Lady Luck Bingo
Not your average game of bingo.
Join Boardwalk Social for a hilarious, ahem … naughty, take on life’s greatest game of chance.
Grab your dabbers and party stilettos and get ready for the campest night out in Cairns with prizes to be won.
WHERE: Boardwalk Social by Crystalbrook
WHEN: 7.30pm
COST: Free
Free Active Living Fitness
Learn the basics of pilates at the Fogarty Park soundshell on Thursday mornings. Please bring water, a towel and/or mat.
WHERE: Fogarty Park
WHEN: 6.30am
COST: Free
Cardiac Challenge fundraiser
Hosted by Laurie Greenwood the Cardiac Challenge dinner fundraiser offers a four course dinner at Piccolo, an auction for charity and a guest appearance by winemaker and
owner Ashley Ratcliff.
WHERE: Piccolo Cucina
WHEN: 6pm
COST: $100 per person
Trial aqua fit class
An in water fitness class. Low impact but high energy. Funky music and a friendly vibe. This is a Free trial session to work out spacing and class content
WHERE: Cairns Learn to Swim at Home Pool
WHEN: 10.30am
COST: Free
Where’s Your Permit? CIAF Exhibition
Australian communities are living through a period of restrictions on movement, in response to controlling the spread of COVID-19. For many of our Elders, it is not the first time they have lived with restrictions on movement.
WHERE: Tanks Arts Centre
WHEN: 9am – 4.30pm
COST: Free
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