Today in Cairns: Man taken to Cairns Hospital after Lake St crash
Multiple incidents between vehicles and riders have resulted in a number of injured people taken to hospital overnight. Catch up on everything you need to know today.
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G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region this week, November 15 – November 20.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Revealed: Crimes that have spiked in the Far North
Cairns man’s pornographic pastime detailed in court
‘Gone quiet’: Photos show lack of progress on $13m project
Favourite Far North pub gets multimillion dollar makeover
New film hub to create ‘fully rounded’ Far North industry
Top 10 buys at new-look Cairns Central Target revealed
TODAY’S NEWS
Cairns City – vehicle and motorcycle crash
A man was transported to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with a leg injury following a vehicle and motorcycle crash on Lake Street at 7.42pm.
Webb – vehicle and bicycle incident
A male child was transported to Innisfail Hospital in a stable condition with abrasions following a vehicle and bicycle incident on Jodrell Street, Innisfail around 6.15pm
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Power outage hits Earlville area
LATEST: Power has been restored to most homes in the Earlville area after an earlier outage was triggered by a fallen tree hitting power lines.
However more than 250 Ergon Energy customers are waiting for power to come back on.
“Crews are making the area safe. While there’s no restoration time in Outage Finder yet, they’re working to restore power to as many customers as possible as soon as possible,” an Ergon spokeswoman said.
“Any damage will need to be fixed before properties in the immediate vicinity can be safely reconnected.”
EARLIER: More than 2100 Ergon Energy customers have lost power around Earlville this afternoon.
The affected suburbs include Earlville, Bayview Heights, Bungalow, Mooroobool and Westcourt.
Ergon says the loss of supply is due to the operating of protective equipment and that crews are en route.
There is no estimated fix time yet.
Beach reopens after crocodile sighting
Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas has reopened after lifeguards closed it on Thursday morning due to a crocodile sighting.
Beachgoers were left stunned when a small saltwater crocodile emerged near the main swimming area, resting on the sand in front of lifeguards.
The beach was closed for four hours and people were advised to follow the advice of lifeguards and stay out of the water.
All other patrolled beaches in the region are currently also open.
Men charged over alleged taxi robbery
Two men have been arrested and charged over an alleged robbery of a taxi driver on Monday.
Police will allege that three men entered the taxi on Murray Street in Manoora and asked to be taken to Grove Street.
Upon arrival one of the men allegedly produced a screwdriver and placed it against the driver’s neck, demanding money.
Another passenger allegedly grabbed hold of the driver’s arm.
The driver refused to hand over any money.
All three men left the taxi without further incident.
The 65-year-old taxi driver was not injured.
Police investigating identified the men locating and arresting a 27-year-old Manoora man and a 27- year-old Whitfield man in Manoora.
The 27-year-old Manoora man was charged with one count each of attempted robbery, wilful
damage and two counts of enter premise and commit.
Police opposed the mans bail and he is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.
The 27-year-old Whitfield man was charged with one count each of attempted robbery, unlawful use of motor vehicle and two counts of enter premise and commit.
Police opposed the mans bail and he is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Missing man
UPDATE: The man missing in bushland behind Kanimbla has been found by police safe and well.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the man, who suffered from a medical condition, was found just before the rescue helicopter joined the search this afternoon.
“It was resolved fairly quickly,” she said.
EARLIER: Emergency services have launched a search for a man lost in mountainous terrain behind Kanimbla.
At 4pm a search co-ordinated by police with the help of tracker dogs began in the vicinity of Lake Morris Rd for the missing man.
It’s understood the man’s dog has returned down the mountain to a Delaney Cl address without its owner and people exercising in the area have not sighted the lost walker.
At 4.40pm no sign of the missing man had been detected.
Kuranda – snake bite
Paramedics transported a man in his 50s to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after a reported snake bite to the lower leg at a private address 7.25pm.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Truck rollover
Police rushed to the Dirran Creek Bridge on Malanda Millaa Millaa Road after a truck rollover.
A police spokesman said they received the call about 8pm Tuesday that a B-double truck had rolled over.
The spokesman said the driver of the vehicle was OK.
The spokesman said the road would remain closed in both directions for a couple of hours while they waited for heavy haulage to attend and assist with the removal of the truck.
At 8am Wednesday the road was reported as still closed with long delays expected.
A man in his 30s was transported to Atherton Hospital in a stable condition.
Snake bite
Paramedics have taken a patient to Cairns Base Hospital in a stable condition after a snake bite.
QAS attended to the patient in Kuranda with a snake bite to the leg at 7.25pm
Alleged wounding
Paramedics, including critical care, transported a 33-year-old woman from Kuranda to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with a head injury and significant abdominal injuries following an alleged wounding at a private Greenhills Rd address at 10.53pm, Monday.
A Queensland Police spokesman said officers were called to a physical altercation between two women that left the 33-year-old with puncture wounds and investigations were ongoing.
No charges had been laid.
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service said the 33-year-old was in a stable condition.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Taxi driver assaulted
Police have rushed to Parramatta Park after reports a taxi driver had been allegedly assaulted with a screw driver.
A Police spokeswoman said they received the call about 7.10pm that a taxi driver had been allegedly assaulted after three males demanded cash.
She said the incident happened on Grove Street in Parramatta Park.
The taxi driver was not injured. Police are still investigating the incident.
Diesel spill
A major Far North road has reopened after a “large” diesel spill forced it closed in both directions on Monday afternoon.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman said there we no injuries and the road reopened in both directions about 6.10pm.
The road was forced shut as emergency services worked to clean up the mess. A Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokesman said one fire crew was in attendance at Gillies Range Rd near Yungaburra, where there was a truck that had lost a large amount of diesel.
The spokesman said crews put absorbent on the road to soak up the spill.
Armed Robbery
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate the driver and passenger of a gold Nissan Pulsar in relation to an armed robbery at a Bungalow business on November 12.
Police will allege about 4.30am, two men entered a business on Scott St, Bungalow, threatened a 48-year-old male staff member with a screwdriver and demanded money before removing cash from the till.
The men then left the store on foot.
The employee was not injured during the incident.
One of the men is described as Aboriginal in appearance, between 18 and 20-years-old, wearing a yellow hooded jumper and black pants.
The other man is described as Aboriginal in appearance, about 183 cm tall, mid to late 20s, with black shoulder length hair.
Police believe the occupants of the vehicle pictured below may be able to assist with investigations.
Anyone who was travelling along Mulgrave Road between 4.35am and 5am that may have seen or captured footage on a dashcam of a gold-coloured Nissan Pulsar is urged to come forward.
WEATHER
The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting a mostly sunny day Friday with a 20 per cent chance of a shower in the early morning. Winds are expected from the southeast 20 to 30 km/h.
Cairns is heading for a top temperature of 32C after an overnight minimum of 24C.
Across the region
Cairns: Mostly sunny 24-32C
Atherton: Partly cloudy 18-27C
Cardwell: Partly cloudy 24-30C
Cooktown: Mostly sunny 25-32C
Innisfail: Possible morning shower 23-30C
Mareeba: Mostly sunny 20-30C
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
Things I Know to be True
It is an Australian drama about the honest account of family life in the Australian suburbs. It details the life of Bob and Fran after they brought up four kids.
Where: The Rondo
When: Monday – Saturday, 8pm
Cost: $31.50, tickets can be purchased here
Brian Cassey: A Photographer’s Life – Part Two
An exhibition from the archives of Cairns-based photographer Brian Cassey, an award-winning media photographer who has been capturing moments and events locally and from around the world for several decades.
Where: The Court House gallery, 38 Abbott St, Cairns
When: Until December 11
Cost: Free
Understorey Film Festival – My name is Gulpilil
A Q&A session with director Molly Reynolds to listen to her discuss her documentary feature on the life and career of the great veteran Yolngu actor David Gulpilil.
Where: Cairns Performing Arts Centre
When: Friday, 7pm
Cost: $20, Tickets can be purchased here
No Scrubs: 90s + Early 00s Party
No Scrubs has finally arrived in Cairns. There will songs from people like Spice Girls, The Black Eyed Peas and Destiny’s Child.
Where: The Jack Hotel
When: Friday, 8pm
Cost: $35, tickets here.
Understorey Film Festival – Filmmakers Symposium
This is the annual filmmaker’s talk in FNQ used to start a discussion and debate new ways of thinking. It is a free event and open to the general public.
Where: CPAC Studio
When: Saturday November 20, 2pm – 4pm
Cost: Free, Tickets can be booked here
Understorey Film Festival Screening and Awards Presentation
Celebrate the stories of FNQ through medium and short film. This is an evening that will recognise filmmakers in FNQ.
Where: Munro Martin Parklands
When: Saturday November 20, 7pm -10pm
Cost: $18, Tickets can be purchased here
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