Today in Cairns: Customers want broken access services to Earlville Shopping Town addressed
An elderly man living with a disability and regular customer of Earlville Shopping Town is infuriated by the centre’s broken access services and demands action. Read the details
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G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region this week, August 22 to August 25.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
‘No-brainer’: FNQ concern over China’s interest in nearby islands
Same-day appointments: Cairns practice aims to not close its books
Trending roles: How school kids are influencing Cairns employers
Events feast: Festival, fashion, sport and culture light up Cairns
‘First-world problem’: Decision on fence dividing Cairns public park
Barramundi, Mackerel and Red Emperor: Check out the big catches of the week
TODAY’S NEWS
Earlville Shopping Town
Mount Sheridan man Peter Robertson, 71, suffers from a physical disability and requires use of small shopping trolleys as walking aids whenever he visits the shops.
The travelators at Earlville Shopping Town that connect the underground car park and ground floor have been out of order for some time, but when Mr Robertson discovered the lifts were broken down too, he’d had enough.
“It’s a disgrace,” he said.
“I have an extremely bad back and great difficulty walking. It’s not good enough for a large shopping centre to not provide services for disabled people and the elderly.”
A spokeswoman for Earlville Shopping Town said staff at the centre are working to rectify both the travelators and the lifts.
“Our technicians have attended the site, the part required for the lift has been ordered and the ETA for delivery is approximately two weeks,” she said.
“New travelators have been ordered and these are being custom built overseas. We are waiting for confirmation from the manufacturer as to the ETA for delivery and installation.
“We apologise for any inconvenience while the works are being undertaken.
“In the interim, a significant number of accessible car spaces are located at the Birch Carrol & Coyle carpark on Level 1 and there are multiple entrances on Mulgrave Rd adjacent to the bus stops that have an even surface.”
Arson and weapons charges
Detectives on Thursday arrested and charged a 26-year-old Bayview Heights man who was allegedly wanted for a number of outstanding serious offences.
He was located by specialist police hiding at a Piccone Drive residence at 1pm on August 25.
Police seized a large amount of tools and a vehicle canopy which officers will allege belonged to a Toyota HiLux allegedly stolen from Portsmith on August 22.
The property was seized and later returned to the owner.
The vehicle was located destroyed by fire at Stoney Creek, Edmonton on August 23.
At 12pm on August 23 it will be alleged the 26-year-old was observed driving on the wrong side of Toogood Rd before running a red light.
He was further involved in the alleged theft of fuel from service stations in the Edmonton, Woree and Manunda areas between August 19 and August 22 both in the stolen car and his own car.
On August 18, the 26-year-old allegedly discharged a firearm outside a residence in Atherton at approximately 10pm and threatened the residents inside who were known to him.
He fled the scene in a waiting vehicle on Victoria Street.
The 26-year-old was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, threatening violence –
discharging a firearm, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, vehicle arson, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possession of dangerous drugs, failing to appear, five counts of unlicensed driving and three counts of stealing.
His bail was refused and he is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday, August 26.
White Rock – single-motorcycle crash
Paramedics transported a male patient to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with a hand and leg injury following a single-motorcycle crash on Hollywood Boulevard at 11.27pm, Thursday.
THURSDAY’S NEWS
Two vehicle rash at Smithfield
PARAMEDICS and firefighters are at the scene of a two car crash at the intersection of Skyrail Drive and Kamerunga Drive, shortly after 12.30pm on Thursday.
A Queensland Ambulance representative said two road ambulance crews were in attendance at the incident.
“We were called at 12.38am to a low-tech crash,” the representative said.
“We have two crews on scene doing patient assessments.
The representative was unable to confirm at this time how many people were involved.
Meanwhile, a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services representative confirmed firefighters were at the scene of the crash.
“We are there to ensure the scene is safe.”
It is understood police are also en route to the incident.
The cause of the incident is not yet known.
WEDNESDAY’S NEWS
Busy Wednesday night for emergency services
EMERGENCY services were kept busy on Wednesday night with a call-out to a multi-vehicle crash as well as multiple calls to police for a potential hiker in trouble as the rescue helicopter circled over the city’s south.
About 6.55pm Queensland Police and Ambulance attended a two-vehicle crash with rollover reported on Carnation Drive, Mooroobool.
Three occupants were assessed on scene, with a man in his 50s sustaining minor injuries and transported in a stable condition to Cairns Hospital.
A QPS spokeswoman confirmed police also responded to reports of a vehicle on its side on Carnation Drive just before 7pm.
The spokeswoman also confirmed police receives reports of a hiker possibly in trouble at White Rock Peak but it ended up just being someone walking and using their torch and that was likely why the chopper was circulating the city’s south between about 8.37pm and 9.08pm.
Serious assault police and driving under the influence charges
A 21-year-old Woree man was charged on August 24 after he attempted to flee a routine traffic stop.
It will be alleged about 10am Wednesday, an officer from the Cairns Highway Patrol Unit intercepted a car on Mulgrave Rd, Bungalow after observing a rear passenger not wearing a seatbelt.
Another crew stopped to assist and while police were talking to the driver, the man in the rear seat allegedly produced a knife.
The man was disarmed and was being placed under arrest when he allegedly attempted to get into the front seat and drive off.
It is further alleged the man struck out at officers in his attempt to escape but was quickly handcuffed and removed from the car.
He was charged with two counts of serious assault of a police officer and one count of unlawful possession of a category M weapon.
He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on August 25.
The driver, a 22-year-old Mount Sheridan woman, was charged with driving while under the influence of liquor or a drug, learner fail to display legible L plate(s), learner drive motor vehicle not under direction of authorised supervisor or not seated next to supervisor, fail to produce learner driver's licence as required by police officer, drive with unrestrained passenger 16-years-old or older.
Her licence was suspended for 24 hours, and she will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on September 19.
TUESDAY’S NEWS
Wounding at Manoora
A 46-year-old Manoora man will face court on Tuesday charged with wounding and assault occasioning bodily harm.
It will be alleged the man was involved in an argument over an ashtray at a Pease Street caravan park on Monday, August 22.
Police will allege that around 7pm the man was involved in an altercation with another resident from the park, a 45-year-old man, who received stab wounds as a result of the fight.
Police were called and arrested the man who had returned to his caravan, seizing a large carving knife.
He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.
The 45-year-old man was conveyed to the Cairns Hospital for treatment.
Attempted robbery, Smithfield
A 15-year-old Earlville boy was charged yesterday (August 22) following investigations into an alleged attempted robbery on June 6.
Police will allege the boy, along with a large group of other youths, made threats towards passengers on a bus travelling from Smithfield to Cairns before turning their attention to a 17-year-old Holloways Beach boy, demanding he hand over his phone and wallet and making threats of violence.
The group left the bus empty-handed at Cairns North. Police were able to identify the boy and he was subsequently arrested.
He will appear in the Cairns Children’s Court charged with one count of attempted robbery.
Stealing at Earlville
Police have arrested three youths in relation to an alleged stealing matter at an Earlville shopping centre on August 22.
It will be alleged about 12.30pm the three boys approached a 72-year-old woman and stole her handbag from her trolley, before running from the centre.
Police were called and they located the boys after a short foot chase.
It will be alleged a 17-year-old Manoora boy was also linked to a burglary at an aged care facility on August 5, where he allegedly gained entry to a unit and stole money.
He was charged with one count each of stealing, burglary, enter premise with intent to commit an indictable offence, obstruct police, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property and two counts attempted enter dwelling.
A 16-year-old Manunda boy was charged with one count each of stealing, trespass and obstruct police.
A 12-year-old Holloways Beach boy was charged with stealing, obstruct police, burglary and unlawful possession of suspected stolen property.
All three boys will appear in the Cairns Childrens Court at a later date.
MONDAY’S NEWS
Armed disturbance, Manoora
A person has been taken into custody with another person sustaining injuries after Cairns Police received reports of a disturbance.
Officers arrived on scene at 8.05pm at Pease St in Manoora.
Queensland Ambulance Service were called to the location to attend to the person injured.
More to come.
Burglary at Mooroobool
A 22-year-old Mooroobool man was arrested on Sunday following an investigation into an alleged burglary that occurred on August 19.
It will be alleged the man broke into a Grevillea Street home about 1.45am conducting a
search and locating house and car keys.
The man was disturbed by the 30-year-old male occupant and a physical altercation occurred. It will be alleged the homeowner was assaulted during this altercation.
Police were called and an investigation was commenced.
It will be further alleged on August 20 the same man returned to the home and attempted to break in using the keys he’d previously stolen. The homeowner had changed the locks and the man was unable to gain entry. He subsequently stole a scooter from the yard, before fleeing.
It will be alleged both incidents were captured on CCTV and police subsequently attended a Mooroobool address on August 21 locating and arresting a 22-year-old man.
He was charged with one count each of burglary, assault occasioning bodily harm, attempted enter dwelling and stealing.
Police opposed his bail, and he is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday, August 22.
Multiple property offences at Kewarra Beach and Stratford
A 23-year-old Cairns North man was arrested and charged with 14 property related offences following an investigation into offences committed on August 11.
It will be alleged about 1.30am that day, the man approached the front door of a Sarina Close, Kewarra Beach home and attempted to gain entry before walking off.
It will be further alleged the man was captured on CCTV cameras forcing entry to a Poolwood Road business, stealing money.
The same man then allegedly stole a car from a Queenscliff Close home before driving to Stratford and breaking into several businesses and homes in the area. Police will allege one of those was a post office where several parcels were taken. It appears the man fled when the alarm activated.
It will be further alleged about 9pm on Friday August 19 the same man also broke into a Nautilus Street, Port Douglas home and stole car keys before stealing the car outside.
On Saturday August 20 officers attended a Sheridan Street unit to locate the man. It will be alleged that as police arrived, he jumped from the balcony to the ground to flee, however he was arrested by awaiting officers.
He was charged with two counts each of burglary, unlicensed driving and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, four counts of attempted enter dwelling, three counts of enter premise and one count of obstruct police.
He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday, August 22.
Sunbus attack
Police charged a 45-year-old Edmonton woman following an alleged attack on a Sunbus driver that occurred about 6.20pm on August 21.
It will be alleged the woman got onto the bus outside a Mulgrave Road shopping centre and became abusive towards the driver. The driver stopped the bus and asked the woman to leave.
The woman allegedly punched the plastic screen, before punching the driver and exiting the bus.
Police located the woman a short time later and it will be alleged that during the arrest process she spat on the leg of a female police officer.
She was charged with one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm and serious assault police.
She is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on September 5.
Cairns City – boating incident
A man in his 50s was transported to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with hypothermia after his boat reportedly capsized in the water off Pier Point Road at 8.10pm.
Whitfield – motorcycle crash
A man in his 30s was transported to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with a head injury following a motorcycle crash on Jensen St, Whitfield at 8.16pm.
WEATHER
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a partly cloudy day for Cairns on Friday.
Across the region on Friday:
Cairns: Partly cloudy, 18C – 27C
Atherton: Cloudy, 11C – 21C
Cardwell: Possible late shower, 14C – 23C
Cooktown: Cloudy, 19C – 27C
Innisfail: Showers developing, 15C – 23C
Mareeba: Partly cloudy, 14C – 25C
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.
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 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
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Originally published as Today in Cairns: Customers want broken access services to Earlville Shopping Town addressed
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