Cairns weather: City records cold 17.5C Friday morning as mercury begins to drop across Far North
Emergency services have provided an update on a crash causing a build up of traffic on the Bruce Highway near Woree.
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, May 23 to May 27.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Parents respond to meningococcal outbreak
Cairns teacher not guilty of indecent treatment charges
‘Still need closure’: Bradley Smith memorial to heal broken hearts
Cairns’ newest restaurant swaps traditional dining for popular trend
Future of divisive Smithfield retail revealed as court battle concludes
‘Outrage over Airbnb rental plea
Future of 2m croc residing in popular FNQ lake decided
‘Ugly thing’: Divides over replacing the Cook statue
TODAY’S NEWS
Cairns wakes to chilly morning
FAR North residents could be forgiven for reaching for a jumper this morning with the temperature dipping more than three degrees below the average, making for a chilly start to the day.
The Cairns Airport recorded a brisk 17.5C on Friday, much lower than the 22C and 23C mornings the city has enjoyed recently.
Meteorologist, Helen Reid, from the Bureau of Meteorology, said the cooler mornings would hover at around 18C in the coming days as the region enters June.
“That is chillier, the morning has a little bit of an edge to it, “ she said.
“It reflects the humidity, the air has dried out, there are clear skies and there is not much in the way of wind either, so it has cooled right down.
“It’s going to be a good, sunny day though, so you will all be able to thaw out soon.”
The city can expect a spectacular Friday and weekend, however, with tops of 27C and clear, blue skies.
Ms Reid said the chilly mornings would continue.
“You can expect minimum temperatures of about 18C over the coming days, the forecast suggests there could easily be another morning where it dips below 17C again,” she said.
“We are looking at it being a little bit cool in the mornings, just because that air has dried out and we are heading into June.
“I wouldn’t call it winter for you, but most mornings are expected to be a bit below average right through into the middle of next week”
Woree crash causing delays
EMERGENCY services are responding to a traffic smash at Woree which is causing delays.
A Queensland Police spokesman said a two-vehicle collison on the corner of Bruce Highway and Des Chalmers Drive was causing a build up of traffic.
“Inbound towards the Bruce Highway is backing up near the Murgatroyd Rd overpass, so there are some delays there,” the spokesman said.
The crash “is not serious” and no injuries have been reported.
The police spokesman said traffic congestions is expected but both lanes remain open.
THURSDAY’S NEWS
Stolen car charges
Police have arrested a 20-year-old Manunda man allegedly behind a mini crime wave that included stealing and crashing a car, a hit-and-run accident, brandishing what appeared to be a pistol and burglary.
Brian Nicholas fronted Cairns Magistrates Court on a string of 17 charges this afternoon.
Mr Nicholas allegedly attempted to steal a vehicle from a driveway in Dalton St at around 12:45am.
Police said he was allegedly seen fleeing the scene in a Toyota sedan stolen from Whitfield on May 23.
At 12.50am the man was allegedly involved in a hit and run traffic crash on Dalton St.
Police alleged he failed to remain at the scene after crashing into another sedan and fled in the stolen car.
Later, at 1am the Manunda man allegedly attended a Pease St service station and brandished what appeared to be a pistol in the driveway of the business.
Witnesses described Mr Nicholas’ behaviour as erratic, he left in the stolen vehicle.
The same vehicle allegedly driven by Mr Nicholas was then involved in a second traffic crash on Alfred St at Manunda around 1.05am.
The Manunda man allegedly lost control of the stolen sedan causing it to roll and flip through a garden bed, Mr Nicholas allegedly fled from the wreckage.
Police located the crashed vehicle along with a BB gun and a backpack allegedly belonging to Mr Nicholas.
Police units attended and the Police Dog Squad was called in.
Police dog Jury and his handler began tracking the stolen vehicle and located the 20-year-old in McCormack St following an hour-long chase.
Mr Nicholas was arrested and transported to the Cairns watch house where he was later charged with dangerous conduct with a weapon, driving while under the influence of liquor, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, burglary, unlicensed driving, receiving tainted property, entering a premises and two counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and failing to comply with duties after a crash.
Mr Nicholas was further charged with outstanding matters in relation to offences allegedly committed in the suburbs of Stratford, Manoora and Mount Sheridan between May 2 and May 9.
Those charges include two counts of burglary and one count each of attempting to enter a dwelling, stealing, receiving tainted property, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlicensed driving.
Mr Nicholas did not apply for bail and will be held in custody until his next court appearance on June 16 at 9.30am.
Heavy vehicle crash
City View residents have been fortunate not to have suffered major damage to homes after an out of control truck rolled down a steep hill taking out everything in its path.
The Forensic Crash team is onsite at a heavy vehicle crash in Mooroobool’s City View estate.
Shortly before 8am rescue, police and tow truck crews were called to the incident at the corner of Southerden Drive and Strutton Place after a flat-bed truck careered down a hill hitting a blue Kia Rio and coming to rest in front of a large palm tree.
Police said the crash is being considered a Workplace Health and Safety incident and access to the area would be restricted until about 12pm.
Police allege an unoccupied vehicle rolled down the street before colliding into three vehicles and crashing into a garden and front retaining wall at a neighbouring property.
A 48-year-old Cairns man sustained serious non-life threatening injuries and was conveyed to Cairns Hospital.
WEDNESDAY’S NEWS
Queensland Ambulance have been busy with paramedics attending a motorcycle crash in Smithfield around 7.30am.
A QAS representative said the single vehicle crash on McGregor Rd, Smithfield, involved a man in his 50s.
“The man has been transported to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition,” she said.
The representative also confirmed that an incident after 8am involved no transports to hospital.
Earlier today QAS confirmed they had two road crews at a two vehicle crash at the intersection of Bruce Hwy and Petersen Rd, Edmonton.
A Police representative confirmed officers were at the incident.
“We were called at 8.14am and are at scene,” she said.
“It appears to be a two vehicle crash with one person injured.”
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said they were not called on to attend.
TUESDAY’S NEWS
Cairns police have reported that several teens have been charged over vehicle theft in Westcourt on May 23.
According to police, four youths aged between 13 and 15 years were arrested at around 11am on Monday after fleeing from a Mitsubishi station wagon allegedly stolen from Robson St at Mooroobool on May 22.
The group allegedly abandoned the stolen car at the intersection of Brown and Earl streets in Westcourt.
Multiple police units in the area took the youths into custody as they fled into nearby streets.
The stolen car was towed from the intersection due to mechanical failure and extensive damage.
Police said a 13-year-old boy was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, his bail was refused.
A second 13-year-old boy was charged with burglary, stealing, and two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and his bail was refused.
A 14-year-old boy was charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, unlicensed driving and two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and his bail was refused.
A 15-year-old girl was charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
She was released on strict bail conditions and is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Children’s Court at a later date.
MONDAY’S NEWS
FAR North water police have launched a search and rescue operation in Cape York after a man and his boat failed to return on Sunday night.
The operation is underway near Rocky Point in Weipa for a missing 62-year-old Umagico who was sailing a four-metre tinnie in Albatross Bay.
He did not return to Rocky Point when expected.
He was reported missing at approximately 10pm “after he had made no contact with anyone”, according to a Queensland Police spokesman.
“Thursday Island Water Police are co-ordinating the search and rescue operation, with aerial assets including a fixed-wing aircraft to assist in the search,” he said.
Far North Police are pleading with anyone with information regarding his whereabouts, or who may have seen a vessel in the waters off Weipa, to contact them
WEATHER
On Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a sunny day with a light winds.
Across the region on Thursday
Cairns: Sunny, 19-28C
Atherton: Mostly sunny, 13-25C
Cardwell: Sunny, 17-27C
Cooktown: Mostly sunny, 21-28C
Innisfail: Mostly sunny, 18-27C
Mareeba: Mostly sunny, 15-27C
TRAFFIC
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.
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.
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
Cairns African Festival
This festival combine Africa Day and International Day of the African Child celebrations. There will a free children's drum workshop in the week leading up.
Where: Fogarty Park
When: Saturday May 28 at 12.30pm
Cost: General admission is $28
Cairns Ecofiesta 2022
A free music festival with food and an environmental expo. There will be more than 50 market stalls with a huge selection of green tech.
Where: Munro Martin Parklands
When: Sunday May 29 from 10am
Cost: Free
Pool Party at the Benson
An experience held at the Benson. There will be eight hours of non stop performances with activities, pool access, food, vip areas, bars and cocktails.
Where: The Benson
When: Sunday May 29 from 12pm
Cost: $20
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