Today in Cairns: Victorian police search Far North for wanted man Jamie Spencer
Police in Victoria have issued a warrant for the arrest of a man they believe may be in Cairns. Plus we have all your latest headlines, forecasts 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, September 20-26.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Police interviews with rape-accused played to court
’Disgusting’ attack on guard at Far North prison
Court hears of serious accident which led to Brit’s drug addiction
Cairns among lowest paid, most insecure workforce
TODAY’S LATEST NEWS
Wanted man
Police in Victoria have issued a warrant for the arrest of a 51-year-old man they believe may be in Cairns.
Victoria Police issued a statement saying 51-year-old Jamie Spencer was wanted on alleged assault-related matters.
He was described as about 184cm tall, medium build with blue eyes and grey hair.
“Investigators believe that Spencer may be in Cairns,” the statement continued.
Police have released photos of Mr Spencer in the hope someone may have information on his current whereabouts.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au to make a confidential report.
Bungalow ditch crash
A patient was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after a vehicle crashed into a ditch on Little Spence St at 9.13pm on Thursday.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Cold snap hits FNQ
Winter weather has made a last gasp across the Far North with the mercury dropping to 6.6C in one town this morning.
The temperature hit a minimum of 15.6C at Cairns Airport at 2am, and fell to 13.1C at Cannon Park Racecourse in Woree – both significantly down on the historical average September minimum temperature of 18.7C.
However, the chill was really felt up the hill.
Mareeba hit 8.9C at 2.24am and Ravenshoe dropped to a frigid 6.6C at 5.50am.
Cold conditions were also felt to the south with Innisfail notching up 10.6C.
Conditions in Cairns are expected to be partly cloudy today with a slight (20 per cent) chance of a shower.
Yesterday’s windy conditions are also expected to ease with 20-30km/h south-easterlies becoming light in the evening.
Dangerous drug charges
A 28-year-old Manoora man was charged by officers from the Tactical Crime Squad following a search of a vehicle on Severin St in Parramatta Park at 12.40am on Wednesday.
Officers searched the vehicle following a routine intercept.
Police allegedly uncovered ammunition in a bag and will further allege the man had a knife and another bag containing methamphetamine stored between his legs.
Officers also allegedly seized cash, a set of scales and other restricted drugs.
The man was arrested and later bailed to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 8, charged with unlawful possession of explosives, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug utensils, possession of property suspected of being used in the commission of an offence and possession of a restricted drug.
Quad bike rollover
A teenage male was taken by helicopter to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with a leg injury following a quad bike rollover at location off the Kennedy Highway at Upper Barron at 5.53pm on Wednesday.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Smoke warning
Motorists are warned of a smoke hazard on the Captain Cook Highway near Port Douglas.
The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has issued an advice-level alert for the fire near Mowbray.
There is currently no direct fire threat to property however smoke is affecting visibility.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has warned that delays are expected and motorists should proceed with caution.
A trough moving across Queensland has elevated the bushfire risk in the Far North this week.
Knife arrest
Police have charged a 19-year-old Gordonvale man after he allegedly pulled a knife during an argument on Norman St at 1.40pm on September 17.
Witnesses allegedly saw the man arguing with another person at the front of a Norman St cafe before arming himself with a large kitchen knife.
The man then allegedly fled after being told police were coming.
He was found and arrested by officers at a Howe St home a short time later and charged with possession of a knife in a public place.
His bail was refused, and he appeared in the Cairns Magistrates Court on September 18 where he was granted bail.
The matter will next be heard in court on October 8.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Multi-vehicle crash at Mowbray
Police and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services are on scene at Captain Cook Highway near Mowbray River Bridge after a multi-vehicle crash.
A police spokeswoman said there had been reports of a tree that had impact with a truck and a taxi.
There are expected to be delays as lanes are reduced in both directions.
Multi-vehicle crash at Mungalli
A QAS spokeswoman said a man was taken to Atherton Hospital in a stable condition after a multi-vehicle crash on the Palmerston Highway at the Brooks Rd intersection near Mungalli.
A police spokeswoman said they were called at 4.34pm after a small truck and a car were involved in the crash.
She said after the road was closed in both directions, one lane has reopened. Motorists are urged to proceed with caution.
No entrapments, fires or hazards have been reported.
Motorbike hits pole
Paramedics have rushed a man and woman to Cairns Hospital after a motorbike crashed into a pole at Clifton Beach.
A QAS spokesman said the man received a head injury while the woman sustained minor injuries following the Endeavour Rd smash at 8.05pm on Sunday.
Both patients were in stable conditions.
Redlynch alleged theft
Police have charged a 19-year-old Woree man following alleged thefts from vehicles in the Redlynch area early on Saturday morning.
He was arrested by an off-duty police officer who was responding to an alleged attempted burglary.
Police claim the man stole cash and credit cards from vehicles in Pilosa St, Celtis Cl and Acmena Cl.
He has been charged with entering premises and committing an indictable offence, entering premises with intent to commit an indictable offence, trespassing, and two counts of unlawful possession of property suspected of being stolen.
He was granted bail to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 5.
Police are now broadening their investigation to determine whether the man acted alone.
Marijuana investigation
Tully detectives have charged a man following the alleged discovery of a marijuana crop at a Carruchan property on Saturday, September 18.
Detectives acted on a tip-off to find a plantation which allegedly consisted of 248 cannabis
plants.
As part of the investigation, they searched a nearby property and located items allegedly used to cultivate the plants.
A 49-year-old Carruchan man was charged with producing dangerous drugs, trespassing and possession of property used in the commission of an offence.
He was granted bail to appear in the Tully Magistrates Court on November 4.
Truck crash
A patient has been taken to Atherton Hospital with leg injuries after a multi-vehicle crash involving a truck on Malanda Atherton Rd in Upper Barron at 5.10am on Monday.
Queensland Traffic warned issued a warning at 6.55am saying traffic was blocked in both directions.
Fire blocks road
The Captain Cook Highway was blocked in both directions at Oak Beach due to fire at 4.47pm on Sunday.
Queensland Traffic also issued a northbound traffic warning on the highway at Mowbray due to debris on the road at 3.33pm.
The hazard had been cleared by traffic by 8.17pm.
Dog bite ends in hospital
A patient was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with a hand injury after a dog bite in Earlville at 11.39am on Sunday.
WEATHER
It is expected to be a partly cloudy day in Cairns on Thursday with a 30 per cent chance of rain. Winds easterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light before dawn then becoming easterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 13 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching 22 to 30.
Across the region
Cairns: Partly cloudy 19-28C
Atherton: Partly cloudy 13-23C
Cardwell: Possible shower 18-26C
Cooktown: Partly cloudy 22-28C
Innisfail: Possible shower 18-26C
Mareeba: Partly cloudy15-27C
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
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.
Kuranda / Smithfield
Survey work on the Kuranda Range Rd began on August 18 and will continue until September 27.
Motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
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
CARMA Youth Peace Finale
Date: Friday, September 24, 6.30pm
Location: Fogarty Park Cairns Esplanade
Contact: CARMA 0449 101 024
Showcasing the talents of Cairns multicultural youth in music, instruments, and creative arts.
QSuper Cardiac Challenge
Date: Saturday, September 25, 6.30pm
Location: Far North Queensland
Contact: Glenys Duncombe 4226 6327
Every year, hundreds of cyclists from around Australia and overseas are drawn to Cairns to saddle up for the Cardiac Challenge. And every year, the fundraising bike ride from Cairns to Cooktown gains momentum: 2020’s riders raised an average of $1800 per person – an incredible achievement given the economic circumstances during the year. Organisers are hoping this year’s event will build on that success.
CARMA Multicultural festival
Date: Saturday, September 25, 10am
Location: Fogarty Park Cairns Esplanade
Contact: CARMA 0449 101 024
CARMA aims to bring together all community groups in Cairns to share, conserve and promote the cultural diversity of the region. Enjoy entertainment, food, art, craft and music from the many cultures that call Cairns home.
Fashique Runway 2021
Date: Saturday, September 25, 5.30pm
Location: Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Bookings: Here
The first of its kind – Fashique Runway – has designed an exciting new platform, celebrating “Sustainable Fashion”. The night of fashion, food and fun includes 15 breathtaking collections, present formal and couture designs, supplied by local fashion designers, fashion boutiques and our local recyclable retail stores. A fashion tapestry with a difference, revealing an alternative and creative high-end fashion perspective.
Tanks Market Day
Date: Sunday. September 26, 9am
Location: Tanks Arts Centre precinct, Collins Ave, Edge Hill
The Tanks Markets showcase a wide range of locally made products. Come along and enjoy the fun!
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