Today in Cairns: Officer assaulted at Lotus Glen prison
A prison officer has suffered burns after an attack from an inmate at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre. Plus, we have all your traffic, news and weather covered.
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G’day Cairns and Far North, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region today, Wednesday, June 17, 2020.
HEADLINES
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NEWS WRAP
Prisoner attacks Lotus Glen officer
A PRISON officer has suffered burns after an attack from an inmate at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre.
Queensland Correctional Services (QCS) has confirmed the attack took place about 12.30pm yesterday when an “agitated” prisoner threw a cup of hot water at a worker at the unit’s officers station.
The officer was assessed at the medical centre and is receiving treatment.
“Management and senior officers are continuing to support the officer, their families and their colleagues,” QCS said in a statement.
“Unfortunately from time to time our officers are required to put themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety and security of the community.
“We are thankful for their commitment, and for the important role they play in making Queensland safer for all of us.
“Every day our officers interact with the most challenging and complex people in our society.
Officer safety is Queensland Corrective Services’ absolute priority.
“Every officer deserves to go home safely at the end of shift.”
QCS said it took seriously its responsibility as an employer to support officers through appropriate training and equipment, technology and policy but could not remove all risk from the workplace due to the “dynamic nature” of correctional environments.
“People who have been removed from society for violent or anti-social behaviour sometimes display that same behaviour in a prison environment, despite the best efforts of our officers to de-escalate situations,” the statement continued.
“When an officer is injured on duty, QCS is committed to supporting the officer and their family while they recover.”
Registration fines
Police have reminded motorists to ensure their vehicles were registered and insured after issuing fines to two Far North residents.
“With people staying home more in recent months, vehicles haven’t been driven as much and people may have forgotten to pay their registration,” QPS said in a statement.
“Remember, it is your responsibility to change your address with the Department of Transport and Main Roads so that you receive reminder notices for your registration and driver's licence.
“A quick look on the QLD Rego app will let you know that your registration is paid and you don’t run the risk of receiving a fine.”
A 32-year-old Bowen man and a 39-year-old Vasa Views man both received traffic infringement notices for $533 for uninsured vehicles and $320 fines for unregistered vehicles yesterday.
The Bowen man was intercepted on River Ave in Innisfail at about 4.35pm and the Vasa Views man was intercepted on the Bruce Hwy at Fitzgerald Creek at about 5.25pm.
Drink driving charge
Police have charged a woman with drink driving after a traffic intercept in Innisfail last night
The woman was intercepted on Ernest St at about 9.10pm and as a result of a roadside breath test, she was transported to Innisfail Police Station for further testing.
It will be alleged that the woman returned a reading of 0.057 per cent blood alcohol concentration.
The 50-year-old woman is scheduled to appear in Innisfail Magistrates Court on August 3.
WEATHER
A partly cloudy day with a high chance of showers to continue a week of rain, most likely from the late morning. Up to 10mm of rainfall is expected. Light winds becoming south-easterly 20 to 25 km/h in the morning. The fire danger is low to moderate but the UV index will reach high.
Today’s temperature forecast across the region:
Cairns: Possible shower, 21-27C
Atherton: Shower or two, 16-21C
Cardwell: Showers, 21-25C
Cooktown: Partly cloudy, 22-27C
Mareeba: Shower or two, 18-26C
Innisfail: Showers, 21-25C
TRAFFIC
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 travel restrictions have been introduced across Queensland. Signage will be in place advising of community or border access restrictions. Exclusions apply for transport of essential goods and services.
Queenslanders can now travel freely throughout the state meaning no travel distance limitations will apply.
However restrictions are still in place for the Far North’s indigenous communities.
People will now be able to enter the Far North’s indigenous communities without having to quarantine beforehand as stage 1, under a new three-stage plan to ease restrictions in the vulnerable areas.
Stage 2 for these communities is expected by June 12, where these communities are set to become part of “safe travel zones” made up of either a single community or several government areas depending on the risk profile of the area.
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 McGregor Road roundabout and the Cairns Western Arterial Road and Captain Cook Highway roundabout as an alternative route to the Captain Cook Highway.
Chillagoe
The Burke Developmental Road at Chillagoe is closed to through traffic. This is due to a COVID-19 checkpoint. No access to Kowanyama without Biosecurity Determination 2020 (F2020C00288). The Army is currently in place at the location.
Coen
Port Stewart Rd south of Coen is closed between the coast and the Peninsula Developmental Rd in both directions due to long-term flooding.
There is a 5T load limit in place between Coen and Weipa on the Peninsula Developmental Rd. Any vehicle over 5T must apply for a load limit permit from the Cairns Traffic Management Centre. Contact 13 19 40 for permit application.
Desailly
A COVID-19 checkpoint has been set up on the Mulligan Highway.
There is no access to Cape York without Biosecurity Determination.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads’ permits are still required travelling on the PDR between Laura and Weipa.
Call 13 19 40 for more information.
El Arish
Roadworks associated with rural access on the Bruce Hwy. Expect reduced lanes and delays until June 25.
Ellinjaa
Programmed roadworks on Brooks Rd from May 25 will shut the area down to all through traffic.
The estimated to completion is four weeks. Motorists are advised to seek alternative route via Junction Rd.
Einasleigh / Mount Surprise
Drive with caution, four-wheel drives and high clearance vehicles only permitted through Gregory Developmental Rd. Due to boggy conditions, all lanes affected, expect delays.
Kamerunga/Redlynch
Construction on an upgrade of the Cairns Western Arterial Road/Hartley St intersection begun last week and is expected to be completed by January 31, 2021.
Motorists should expect all lanes of traffic affected by delays during active construction hours, in all directions. Please allow extra travel time.
Killaloe
A relaying of a section of the Captain Cook Highway at Killaloe is expected to cause delays for motorists in both directions. Delays are expected during active hours.
Allow extra travel time.
Koah / Kuranda
Shoulder widening works are being carried out at various locations along the Kennedy Highway between Koah and Kuranda. Delays are expected (during active hours) and motorists are urged to proceed with caution. The works will be in place until at least August 7.
Kuranda
The Barron River Bridge on the Kennedy Highway, Kuranda is restricted to vehicles that comply with general mass limits due to repair works being carried out. Transport and Main Roads has advised that the bridge is restricted to vehicles that comply with general mass limits and concessional mass limits as defined in Schedules 1 and 2 of the Heavy Vehicle National Regulation. This will be in place until June 30.
Mareeba
The John Doyle Bridge in Mareeba is closed as of May 29, for major works. A temporary footbridge over the Barron River on Anzac Ave has been constructed to provide safe pedestrian access across the river during the works.
Bridge will remain closed for about four months. During this time traffic lights will be in use on the Anzac Ave /Kennedy Highway intersection and the Byrnes St / Costin St intersection. This was a requirement from Department of Main Roads due to increased traffic flows at these intersections. These works will increase the load limit and life of the John Doyle Bridge.
Millaa Millaa / Minbun
Pavement rehabilitation works are being undertaken on Millaa Millaa Malanda Rd until June 30. Lanes will be reduced in both directions during active hours and delays are expected.
Proceed with caution.
Mungalli
Programmed roadworks on Brooks Rd at Mungalli, 400m east of Campbell Rd intersection, are being carried out, with the road currently closed to all traffic. The works were forecast to commence 25th May 25, estimated to be completed within four weeks, weather permitting. Motorists are advised to seek alternative route via Junction Road.
Murray Upper
Murray Falls Rd is closed to traffic heading through to Jumbun community due to COVID-19.
Pin Gin Hill
Works on Henderson Dr to allow for upgrading of MSF Sugar cane train infrastructure mean lanes in both directions are expected.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time.
Portsmith
Long term roadworks are taking place on Aumuller St, Draper St and Ray Jones Dr at Portsmith and Woree.
This is due to Cairns Southern Access Stage 4 and works will be carried out until December 24, 2021. A new bypass of the Captain Cook Hwy will be constructed between McGregor Rd and Cairns Western Arterial Rd roundabouts providing motorists an alternative route to the Cook Hwy. Delays are expected during active hours in both directions.
South Johnstone
Pavement widening and rehabilitation works will be carried out on Innisfail Japoon Road, affecting the suburbs Stockton / Wangan from June 8 to August 31.
Lanes reduced during this time and delays are expected (during active hours).
Motorists should allow extra travel time.
Wondecla
Motorists are advised to proceed with caution on Longlands Gap Road due to bridge hazard at Wondecla Creek. The road remains open.
Yarrabah
A roadblock has been set up on Pine Creek Yarrabah Rd to limit access during the COVID-19 crisis.
There is no access to Yarrabah without Biosecurity Determination.
Expect Queensland Police to be on scene, no through traffic in both directions.
WHAT’S ON
Due to the unique and complex circumstances surrounding COVID-19, all non-essential events within the Cairns Regional Council area have been cancelled or are subject to date changes. This includes council-run events as well as those organised by community groups and other entities.
However as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease council facilities are beginning to come back online.
Public barbecues across the city have reopened following advice from Queensland Health.
All public barbecues including the Cairns Esplanade, beaches, Babinda Boulders, and Lake Morris are now open.
Users are encouraged to bring their own cleaning and sanitising products to give barbecues a clean before and after use in line with good hygiene practices.
Campsites
Three campsites – Rotary Park Babinda, Babinda Boulders and Greenpatch in Gordonvale – have opened and operate on a “first in best served basis” (no bookings) with limits of 60 sites at Rotary Park Babinda, 10 at the Boulders and 40 at the Greenpatch.
A council spokesman said the campgrounds would operate under strict health regulations, which would include the capping of numbers to ensure social distancing rules could be followed.
Visitors are reminded that there is a 72-hour limit in place, which allows more people to use the venues.
For more information on camping and caravan parks visit: the Cairns Regional Council website.
Council services, venues and facilities that have reopened
Cairns Regional Council has reopened a number of facilities and venues in line with the relaxation of COVID restrictions.
Users are reminded they should adhere to physical distancing measures, good hygiene practices, be vigilant of 20 -person limits and follow the direction of any signage.
The following services, venues and facilities are open:
All Cairns Libraries branches – borrowing only, external book return chutes open (capped at 20 visitors per venue)
Muddy’s Playground (wet and dry areas)
Centenary Lakes Nature Play
Fun Ship playground
Bouldering Park
Botanic Gardens Conservatory
Barlow Park (open for casual athletics only)
Outdoor gym equipment
Public basketball courts
Public tennis courts
Lake Morris recreation area
Playgrounds, skate parks and bump tracks
Green Space Our Place program
Pools
Tobruk Memorial Pool, Smithfield, Woree, Gordonvale and Babinda pools have opened but are capped at 20 patrons at any one time.
Originally published as Today in Cairns: Officer assaulted at Lotus Glen prison
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