Today in Cairns: Kennedy Highway blocked after multi-vehicle crash
Traffic on a major Tablelands route was blocked in both directions following a multi-vehicle crash.
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, November 29 – December 3.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
‘Should never have been let out’: Anger over child rapist release
Where did all the cane toads go?
Former Cairns childcare worker Dionne Grills in pre-trial hearing
What’s happening to the Captain Cook statue?
‘I’ll chain myself’: Owner refuses to budge for uni hospital demolition
Top cop farewelled after stellar career spanning four decades
Northern Belle: Cairns brothel’s new life revealed
FRIDAY’S NEWS
Drug charges in Cairns North
Meth, drug utensils and a flick knife were allegedly found during a vehicle intercept just after midnight on Friday on Sheridan St.
Police from the Cairns Property Crime Unit searched the vehicle and found the alleged cache of illicit materials.
A 33-year-old Mooroobool man was charged with one count each of possessing a dangerous drug, possessing drug utensils and unlawful possession of a weapon.
A 34-year-old Brinsmead woman was charged with possessing drug utensils.
Both are due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on December 16.
Tolga crash blocks Kennedy Highway
Both lanes of the Kennedy Highway at Tolga were blocked with long delays expected following a multi-vehicle crash near the intersection of Torchio Rd.
A Queensland ambulance spokeswoman said paramedics attended the scene at 6.50am and assessed two people who were in a stable condition and did not require transport to hospital.
Traffic diversions are in place.
The accident occurred in the stretch of highway where there are road widening works with lanes reduced to 3m in width.
The road was reopened by 8.24am.
THURSDAY’S NEWS
Fallen tree, Kennedy Highway
Traffic is flowing again after delays on the Kennedy Highway, the result of a large tree falling across both lanes of the major road just after midday.
At the time the fallen tree was reported, the Department of Transport and Main Roads advised traffic was blocked in both directions and delays were expected.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area.
Appeal for witnesses, Smithfield
Smithfield police are appealing for public assistance to identify the driver of a white Holden Jackaroo that was allegedly involved in a hit and run traffic crash involving three cars yesterday.
Police will allege the vehicle was travelling north along the Captain Cook Highway between the Barron River Bridge and Machans Beach roundabout when it hit two vehicles travelling in the same direction. The white Holden Jackeroo has continued on before pulling over and the driver has got into a taxi.
Police are appealing for witnesses with or without dashcam vision to come forward by contacting Policelink on 131444. Please quote QP2102237249.
Extortion charges, Tully
Tully detectives have charged a 39-year-old Tully man with two extortion offences after he allegedly threatened to release images unless he received payment.
A complaint was lodged with interstate police on October 4 after the man threatened to release
intimate images of a woman to her family if she didn’t pay him a nominated sum.
Tully detectives commenced an investigation and took the man into custody yesterday afternoon.
He is scheduled to appear in the Tully Magistrates Court on January 6 charged with threatening to distribute intimate images and extortion.
WEDNESDAY’S NEWS
Parramatta Park crash
A man in his 20s was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition with hip and lower leg pain following a vehicle and motorcycle crash at the intersection of Mulgrave Rd and Draper St at 6.11pm on Tuesday.
TUESDAY’S NEWS
Man allegedly stabbed in Cairns CBD
A man has been taken to hospital after critical care paramedics and police responded to an alleged stabbing in the Cairns CBD on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident occurred on Spence St, near the Rainbow Car Wash and opposite the Cairns Regional Council building.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said police had taken a person into custody in relation to an alleged stabbing.
The Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed paramedics had attended an incident in Cairns CBD.
“We have one crew comprising two paramedics at the incident plus one critical care paramedic attending a man who appears to have been assaulted,” the QAS spokesman said.
“We were called at 3.19pm today and paramedics are currently assessing the man.”
Queensland Ambulance later said the man had been taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition.
Captain Cook Highway cleared
The Captain Cook Highway at Wangetti is now cleared, according to the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Earlier, one lane of traffic was blocked while police responded to an incident.
At 10.55am police said the road was expected to be impacted for at least an hour and delays were expected.
“Please follow the direction of traffic controllers,” police said.
Croc sighting
Authorities shut down the beach at Palm Cove due to a confirmed crocodile sighting at about 2.30pm on Monday.
Surf Life Saving North Queensland listed the beach as back open to the public on Tuesday morning.
The beach is be patrolled from 8am-5pm every day.
Single-vehicle rollover
One patient was transported in a stable condition to Cairns Hospital after a single-vehicle rollover on Lyons St in Westcourt at 9.26pm on Monday.
Drugs and weapons charges
A 28-year-old man was charged on Friday following a search warrant at an El Arish home on November 10.
Detectives from the Innisfail Criminal Investigation Branch executed the search warrant at a Crupi Rd address and allegedly found drugs believed to be cannabis, MDMA and cocaine. They also allegedly found drug utensils and a telescopic baton during the search.
Police allege these items were the property of a resident who was not home at the time.
Police located the 28-year-old El Arish man on Friday and charged him with three counts of possessing dangerous drugs, possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence and unlawful possession of a weapon.
He will appear in the Innisfail Magistrates Court on December 13.
Property offences
Police have arrested and charged two boys, 12 and 13, over a series of alleged break and enters in Cairns.
Officers allege the youths broke into multiple homes in Edmonton, Brinsmead and Westcourt over the past week, stealing valuables and vehicles.
The 12-year-old boy was charged with two counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle and attempted enter premise, four counts of enter premise and one count of stealing.
The 13-year-old boy was charged with four counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle, three counts of burglary and attempted enter premise, two counts of enter premise and one count each of wilful damage, possess dangerous drugs and possess thing intended for use in connection with an unlawful entry offence.
Both boys were refused bail and will appear in the Cairns Childrens Court.
MONDAY’S NEWS
Esplanade assault investigation
Police were called to the Esplanade Lagoon after reports three men were causing a disturbance and trying to fight other people about 3pm on Saturday.
Officers allege that when they spoke with the men, one lashed out and kicked an officer in the chest.
Another man then allegedly jumped on the officer’s back, allowing his associates to flee.
One of the two escapees allegedly stripped naked and jumped into the inlet to avoid being caught, with police commandeering three vessels to get to him.
All the men were eventually arrested.
A 22-year-old Cairns North man was charged with serious assault police, public nuisance, assault police, wilful exposure, contravene banning notice and four counts of obstruct police. His bail was refused, and he is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday.
A 21-year-old Cairns North man was charged with one count each of Serious assault police, public nuisance, assault police, contravene banning notice and three counts of obstruct police.
He was granted bail and will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on December 14.
A 21-year-old Cairns man was charged with one count each of serious assault police, obstruct police and public nuisance.
He was bailed to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on December 14.
Fraud and drug charges
Police have charged a wanted man with multiple fraud and drug offences after arresting him in an Oak Beach hotel room about 3am on Sunday.
Police searched the man’s room during the arrest and allegedly found dangerous drugs, drug utensils and cash.
He was wanted for allegedly passing counterfeit money at a Mount Sheridan Grocery store on October 11.
The 28-year-old Edmonton man was charged with six counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of fraud, one count each of possess utensil, obstruct police, possessing counterfeit money, uttering counterfeit money and possessing counterfeit money.
His bail was refused.
He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court of Monday.
CBD assault case
A 23-year-old Gordonvale man has been arrested and charged following an altercation outside a pub on November 26.
Police allege the man was arguing with a 40-year-old man outside a bar on Pier Point Rd before punching him in the head.
The 40-year-old was taken to the Cairns Hospital for treatment while the 23-year-old allegedly fled the scene.
Police located and arrested the 23-year-old Gordonvale man on Saturday, charging him with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.
He was bailed to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on December 14.
Kuranda Range crash
Paramedics were called to the Kuranda Range Rd after reports of a vehicle crashing off an embankment at 7.24am.
Motorists have been warned to expect delays with lane closures in place.
A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said a long patient extrication process was likely with a man still trapped in the vehicle, albeit with only minor suspected injuries.
He was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition.
A woman was also assessed at the scene after managing to get free of the vehicle.
The road was cleared by 9.19am.
Cairns North crash
Two men in their 50s were taken to Cairns Hospital in stable conditions, one with leg injuries and the other with shoulder pain, following a motorcycle and pedestrian crash at the intersection of Sheridan and Grove streets at 8.01pm on Sunday.
WEATHER
It’ll be a partly cloudy for much of the day in Cairns on Friday, with a slight chance of a shower and light winds becoming easterly at 15 to 20km/h in the middle of the day, before easing in the evening.
The mercury will hit an overnight low of 24 degrees before hitting a maximum of 34.
Across the region
Cairns: Partly cloudy 24-34C
Atherton: Partly cloudy 19-30C
Cardwell: Shower or two 24-32C
Cooktown: Mostly sunny 26-34C
Innisfail: Shower or two 23-32C
Mareeba: Partly cloudy 21-33C
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.
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.
Freshwater
Roadworks on a shoulder of Kamerunga Road / Stratford Connection Road at Freshwater are expected to cause delay for motorists with lanes reduced. Proceed with caution.
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 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.
Macalister Range
Henry Ross Lookout is closed for restoration works from December 2 to December 10.
Motorists inbound to Smithfield on the Kennedy Highway 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.’
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.
Woree
Roadworks on Mulgrave Road at Woree have led to reduced lanes inbound towards Sandown Close. 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
Christmas tree light up
Cairns Regional Council’s annual Christmas tree Light switch on will take place in the Lagoon Plaza on Wednesday December 1.
Come down in your best Christmas attire and enjoy Christmas themed live music, dance performances, carols and a special performance by the QLD Youth Orchestra from 4:30pm.
Metal gig
Since their inception in 2011, Adelaide built thrash metal brutes Hidden Intent have been working harder than a meat mincer in an Aussie pie factory.
Check them out live on stage this Thursday from 8pm at Bar 94.
Supported by Meat Bikini, Forest and Odius.
Gordonvale Cottage Markets
Come along to Norman Park in the heart of Gordonvale for the Gordonvale Cottage Markets. Browse a huge variety of items to purchase for both locals and tourists alike.
The markets are held at Norman Park, Gordonvale from 7am – 12pm on December 4.
Elite Fight Series
The Elite Fight Series gets underway at the Pullman International Hotel on December 4.
Doors Open At 6pm First Fight 7pm.
General seats cost $70 and range up to $85 for front row seats.
Contact Explosive Fight Promotions on 0491 011 148 to secure tickets.
Annual Christmas Luncheon
Join us on Thursday 2 December for our not to be missed event – the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas luncheon and be entertained by nationally renowned and TV famous Anthony Laye.
The luncheon will be on Thursday December 2 at the Pullman Cairns International from 11.30am – 2.00pm.
This year the Chamber is supporting Centacare with their very important School Savvy initiative for local families who are struggling financially in the busy back to school period.
Secure tickets through the Cairns Chamber of Commerce website.
Originally published as Today in Cairns: Kennedy Highway blocked after multi-vehicle crash
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