Today in Cairns: Man allegedly attacked in White Rock street bashing
A terrifying violent attack has allegedly unfolded on a quiet Cairns street with an assailant raining down savagery on a 60-year-old man.
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G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region this week, February 1-4.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
‘Where are our state MPs?’: Campaign for range road fix
CBD traders respond to news of extra police on the ground in Cairns
A smart solution to get us up and down the Kuranda Range: Bailey
Developer in bold $50m pitch on new Far North retail precinct
Ready for lift off? Cairns agent’s advice for Covid-safe travel
More Far North businesses sign on for vaccine mandate legal fight
Governments finalise $300m ‘preferred option’ for key road upgrade
TODAY’S NEWS
Serious assault charges
A man was arrested after an alleged assault in Hepburn St in White Rock on Thursday.
It will be alleged a 60-year-old man was getting into his car at home with his daughter when a man, 30, started yelling at them as he walked past.
He allegedly approached the other man at the car and started a violent and physical attack.
Members of the victim’s family came out and screamed at the alleged attacker, who then walked away.
Police were called and the man was arrested.
The 30-year-old East Trinity man was charged with one count of serious assault and will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday.
Bentley Park burglary
Officers from the Cairns Property Crime Unit have arrested seven youths after an alleged burglary at a Leeuwin Cres home in Bentley Park on Thursday.
It will be alleged the youths damaged a screen and laundry door to gain entry between 10am and 2.30pm.
They then allegedly searched the home and stole mobile phones jewellery and car keys before leaving.
Police were able to track the alleged offenders down to a Mount Sheridan bus stop with the help of CCTV cameras.
A search of the youths was conducted, and the victim’s property was located.
A 15-year-old Bentley Park boy was linked to a previous incident where he was identified as an occupant of a car allegedly stolen on January 17.
He was charged with one count each of burglary, receiving stolen property, entering premises with intent and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
He was bailed with strict conditions and will face the Cairns Childrens Court.
A 15-year-old Edmonton boy, a 14-year-old Mooroobool boy and two 13-year-old Bentley Park boys were each charged with burglary and receiving stolen property.
They were bailed with strict conditions and will face the Cairns Childrens Court.
Two 13-year-old Mooroobool boys were charged with burglary and receiving stolen property.
Both had bail objected to and will appear in the Cairns Childrens Court.
Kitchen fire leads to smoke inhalation
Paramedics assessed two stable patients suffering from smoke inhalation following a kitchen fire at a private home in Kurrimine Beach at 10.22pm on Thursday.
They did not require hospital treatment.
Debris shuts highway
The Captain Cook Highway was blocked after reports of debris on the road at the Macalister Range at 3.55am on Friday.
Both lanes were affected.
The road had been cleared by 5.42am.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Man injured in crash
Critical care paramedics have been dispatched to treat a motorcycle rider injured in a collision with a truck.
At 2.08pm Queensland Ambulance Service received a call for assistance after a man was injured at the corner of Toogood Rd and Torino St, Woree.
“We have responded to a truck and motorcycle incident,” A QAS spokeswoman said.
“It appears we are just assessing one male patient and a critical care paramedic on scene.”
Seven teens nabbed over burglary
Police have arrested and charged seven juveniles after an alleged burglary that occurred in Westcourt on February 1.
It will be alleged a teenage girl entered a home on Aumuller St and stole keys and money about 5.20pm, but ran when disturbed by the 85-year-old female occupant.
The girl allegedly returned that night, broke into the garage and stole the lady’s Hyundai sedan.
Police successfully deployed a tyre deflation device to stop the car on Freshwater Rd in Freshwater about 4am on Thursday.
Seven occupants of the car allegedly fled the scene but were all located with the help of the Cairns dog squad.
A 16-year-old Bungalow girl was charged with two counts of burglary and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving and evasion offence.
Her bail was opposed, and she will appear in the Cairns Children’s Court on Thursday.
A 16-year-old Gordonvale girl was charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
She was bailed with strict conditions and will appear in the Cairns Children’s Court at a later date.
A 14-year-old Mooroobool boy, 15-year-old Mooroobool girl, 16-year-old Cairns boy, 15-year-old Manoora girl and 13-year-old Mooroobool boy have all been charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and will appear in the Cairns Children’s Court at a later date.
Police swoop over spate of thefts
A wanted man has been led away in handcuffs after a concerted police effort to track him down following a spate of alleged break-ins across the region.
Weipa detectives arrested the 22-year-old Mount Garnet man in response to the alleged property offences across the Tablelands and Innisfail.
Police allege the man had been breaking into homes since the beginning of January and stealing valuables and cars.
With community assistance and reported sightings of a stolen four-wheel drive being driven by the man, police were able to track the vehicle to a Weipa home.
He was allegedly found hiding in a bedroom cupboard on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Mount Garnet man was charged with four counts of burglary, seven counts of entering premises and committing an indictable offence and five counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
His bail was opposed, and he will face the Cairns Magistrates Court on February 4.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2
The Kuranda Range has closed to all traffic following a truck rollover east of Kuranda, at the Macalister Range “hairpin” just before 1pm.
A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said paramedics including critical care responded to the truck rollover at 12.53pm.
The spokeswoman at 1.30pm said multiple crews were working with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to rescue “at least two patients that are entrapped.”
At 3.30pm a QAS spokeswoman confirmed two men in their 30s had been extradited from the truck, one with leg injuries and the other with pelvic injuries, and both were transported to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition.
A Queensland Police spokesman at 3.30pm said officers were at the scene of the crash about 3km from the bottom of the range, and the Kennedy Hwy was likely to remain closed for a number of hours following the “prolonged extradition”.
At 1.30pm he said a tow truck was en route to the incident, while both lanes of the range were closed. There were also reports of leaking fuel.
At 9pm the road was still closed and Queensland Traffic advised of an estimated reopening time of 10pm, Wednesday.
It comes just days after a $1.6m state government report found the crash-plagued Kuranda range road didn’t meet any “clear technical justification” for a major upgrade. The report found the Kuranda route averaged 44 closures a year between 2015 and 2019, each of which had an average duration of 6.6 hours.
The report frustrated many users of the road, and responding to news of the crash, social media users again expressed their concerns with the state’s report.
“When will the government get it how dangerous this road is,” Benny Walker said.
“We will need to wait until 2051 for it be removed according to Craig Crawford (Barron River MP),” Robert Cuda said.
Mr Crawford in response said he “did not write the report” and while he wished it recommended a new route, he said the report hadn’t ruled it out.
“If you read the report, it says based on volume we can’t mount a case for an alternative route.”
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Multi-vehicle crash
EMERGENCY services were called to the scene of a multi-vehicle crash just after 7pm, with reports of fallen power lines.
About 7.30pm Queensland Ambulance reported at least one patient had chest and back injuries as a result of the incident at the intersection of Anderson and Martyn St, Manunda.
Queensland Police were also on scene with a traffic diversion in place, and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services were also at the scene.
Queensland Traffic at 7.30pm reported lanes had been blocked and delays were expected.
Flash flooding
Heavy rain on Tuesday afternoon has led to flash flooding and water over the road at the Riverstone Rd-Bruce Hwy intersection, Gordonvale.
The Department of Transport and Main roads is advising motorists all lanes are affected, but they can proceed with caution.
It comes as heavy rain has been recorded at Gordonvale with 29mm in the hour to 4.20pm.
Beaches closed
Five closed Far North beaches will be monitored after they were closed over the weekend and remained closed on Monday following Irukandji jellyfish stings and sightings.
Surf Life Saving North Queensland supervisor Jay March confirmed Ellis Beach, Palm Cove, Clifton Beach, Trinity Beach and Port Douglas were all impacted.
Mr March said following a sting or sighting, beaches had to remain closed for at least 24 hours, and each beach would be reassessed on Tuesday following routine drags.
“Reopening will depend on a number of factors like the conditions and wind direction. And we’re not just looking for jellyfish, but also food sources,” he said.
Bonfire burns
Paramedics took a man in his 30s to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after he sustained burns to his legs while lighting a bonfire on a private property at Little Mulgrave at 10.35pm on Monday.
Snake bite
A man in his 50s was taken in a stable condition to Normanton Hospital after a reported snake bite to the foot at a Karumba home at 8.47pm on Monday.
Alleged stabbing
A teenage girl was taken to Yarrabah Hospital in a stable condition with a chest injury after an alleged wounding on Jungi Lane at 6.46pm on Monday.
Bicycle crash
Paramedics took a man to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with minor head injuries after a bicycle crash on the Smithfield Mountain Bike Track at 6.09pm on Monday.
WEATHER
Denizens of Cairns can expect a showery day on Friday, with possible storms to round out a hot and humid week.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting cloudy weather with a high chance of showers and light winds throughout the day, in addition to the chance of a thunderstorm.
There’s an 80% chance of between 15 and 35mm of rain, with the city expected to hit a maximum of 32, up from an overnight minimum of 25 degrees.
Across the region
Cairns: Showers. possible storm 25-33C
Atherton: Showers. Possible storm 20-27C
Cardwell: Showers. Possible storm 25-31C
Cooktown: Shower or two 24-33C
Innisfail: Showers. Possible storm 24-32C
Mareeba: Showers. Possible storm 22-29C
TRAFFIC
Cairns North
Roadworks, line marking on Sheridan St, Cairns North, southbound towards Cairns City to April 4, 2022. Allow extra travel time.
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.
Coen / Laura
The Peninsula Developmental Road is subject to a 5 Tonne GVM limit from Laura to Coen due to water over the road.
Craiglie / Mowbray
Road safety upgrades on the Captain Cook Hwy are expected to cause delays to March 30, 2022.
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.
Feluga
Major intersection upgrade at East Feluga Road and Bruce Hwy. Delays are expected to August 12, 2022.
Lake Eacham
Wrights Creek Road is closed to all traffic. Motorists are advised to use an alternative route.
Malanda
Bridge Replacement Works are being undertaken at Williams Creek on Merragallan Road commencing 29 November 2021 through to April 2022. A full road closure will be in place. There will be no access across the Williams Creek or any sidetrack in operation.
Ravenshoe
Roadworks have been reported at Grigg St, Ravenshoe and are expected to December 12, 2022.
Wrights Creek
Hill Road Closed permanently from the Bruce Highway to Harris Road to December 2024.
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
Ocean Alley
What: Ocean Alley, one of Australia’s most exciting touring acts, kick off the series with two performances on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th February. The band have captivated audiences around the world with their infectious melody lines and memorable blend of psychedelic-surf-rock.
When: February 4 and 5
Where: CPAC Theatre
Tickets:Click here
Originally published as Today in Cairns: Man allegedly attacked in White Rock street bashing
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