Today in Cairns: All your weather, traffic and events

A 17-year old and 18-year old have been charged by police, accused with deliberately lighting fires on Horn Island. Plus, all your weather, traffic and events happening today.

Mark Zita and Daniel Bateman

5 min read

October 10, 2019 - 7:27AM

The Cairns Post

Photo: Queensland Police Service

Cairns

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ALL the news headlines, weather and events for Thursday, October 10, 2019.

HEADLINES

>> Tennis stars deliver inspirational message to FNQ kids

>> Conflict chaos plagues council’s Unity team

>> Cape York township remains at peace after tragic death

>> Calls to reduce school zone speed limit hours

>> Council looks for ‘City Deal’ after submitting infrastructure plan

CRIME WRAP

Endangering property by fire charges, Horn Island: Thursday Island detectives yesterday charged an 18-year-old Horn Island man along with a 17-year-old Thursday Island boy.

Police were called to investigate a series of fires lit in the early hours of October 7 in bushland and near a business on Airport Road, Horn Island and on Nawie Street at the school and PCYC stadium.

Local volunteer fire fighters worked to save nearby homes and buildings, setting up fire breaks and putting out more fires that appeared to be deliberately lit.

A 17-year-old Thursday Island boy was charged with one count each of a child under 18 endangering property by fire and child under 18 setting fire to indigenous standing trees and shrubs.

An 18-year-old man was charged with one count each of setting fire to indigenous standing trees and shrubs and wilful damage. He is scheduled to appear in the Thursday Island Magistrates Court on November 5.

Investigations are continuing.

Drug and property charges, Cairns: Officers from the Cairns Property Crime Squad investigating the theft of a vehicle on September 20 from a Cairns car rental company intercepted the vehicle in Kambara Street Whiterock yesterday at about 4pm.

It’s alleged a 20-year-old Manunda man was driving at the time while a 28-year-old Mooroobool man was a passenger. A search of the vehicle allegedly located a quantity of methylamphetamine, scales, syringe and other drug paraphernalia.

The 20-year-old man was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving and possess dangerous drugs exceeding schedule 3.

The 28-year-old man was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possess dangerous drugs exceeding schedule 3 and possess property suspected as used in connection with the commission of a drug offence.

Both men are scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.

Assault charge, Cairns: Officers from the Cairns anti-social and public space task force yesterday charged a 45-year-old Woree man with two counts of common assault, one count each of possess dangerous drug and possess utensil.

Police allege the man was walking along Shield Street near the Esplanade at about 4.30pm yesterday when he spat in the faces of two little boys aged 8 and 6, who were walking with their parents.

Police were contacted and the man was apprehended a short time later. It’s further alleged the man had a quantity of cannabis, pipe and cone in his possession at the time.

He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.

WEATHER

Today has been forecast to be a mostly sunny day in Cairns by the Bureau of Meteorology, with a five per cent chance of rain. Patchy fog is expected inland early this morning. There is also predicted to be light winds. There is a high fire danger, and sun protection is recommended from 8.10am to 3.50pm, when the UV index is predicted to reach 13 (extreme).

Other locations:

Atherton: mostly sunny, 14-29

Cardwell: mostly sunny, 19-29

Cooktown: partly cloudy, 21-30

Innisfail: mostly sunny, 18-29

Mareeba: mostly sunny, 16-32

Vehicle traffic backs up on the Kuranda side of the Smithfield roundabout in the late afternoon. The $150 million Smithfield bypass is currently being constructed to help alleviate the number of cars and trucks using the Smithfield roundabout. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

TRAFFIC

Barron / Smithfield / Yorkeys Knob

Construction of the Smithfield Bypass project, which is to be completed in December 2020, 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.

Brinsmead / Kanimbla

The Cairns Western Arterial Road (Brinsmead Kamerunga Road) is under construction until November 30. Motorists are advised to expect lanes to be reduced in both directions, and delays during active construction hours. Please allow extra travel time.

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.

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.

Bartle Frere / Eubenangee

Bridge works on the Josephine Creek Bridge on the Bruce Highway have been scheduled until December 20. Motorists can expect one or both lanes to be reduced to traffic during active construction hours. Please proceed with caution.

Danbulla

Danbulla Rd is affected by previous flooding. Both lanes are affected and motorists advised to proceed with caution.

Tarzali

All lanes on Hitchconole Rd affected due to earlier flooding. Drive with caution.

Wondecla

The Wondecla Creek Bridge on Longlands Gap Rd is thought to be hazardous by the Department of Traffic and Main Roads.

No delays are expected however drivers are advised to proceed with caution.

Evelyn

All lanes are affected by a slippery surface on the Sluice Creek Rd. All lanes are affected.

Cardstone

The Cardstone Road Access track is load limited to GVM 25 tonne in all directions. This track may be closed against if there is heavy overnight rainfall. The next road inspection is on October 22, and motorists are to observe signage.

Mighell

Delays should be expected in both directions on the Bruce Hwy and River Ave until September 30 during the hours of 6.30am-6pm as pavement works get under way. Proceed with caution.

Upper Barron

An intersection upgrade is taking place along the Kennedy Highway, Mareeba. There are lane reductions expected for the duration of the project, which will continue until October 31.

Innisfail

Edith St has been temporarily closed to traffic, and motorists are advised to follow an alternative route.

Palmerston

Motorists are advised to expect both or single lanes reduced in both directions along the Palmerston Highway due to slope remediation works, with construction work expected to end today.

Cooktown

The Isabella Creek bridge is damaged along Endeavour Valley Rd, and motorists are advised to proceed with caution. Long delays are expected.

Cairns Dinner Theatre's most popular show, the Little Restaurant of Horrors, has kicked off its 2019 season. The Nutcracker, aka James Hawkes, and Sampson, aka Peter James, scare the patrons with makeup effects and costumes every night. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

WHAT’S ON

Little Restaurant of Horrors, Cairns CBD

Time: 7pm-9.30pm.

Paramour Cabaret Theatre presents a night of dining in a two-storey haunted asylum, underwear the Reef Casino. If you’re lucky enough to make it to your seat in one piece, wipe the tears from your eyes and enjoy a 3 course meal while confined to a private room where your nightmares come to life and wait to frighten you throughout the evening.

Tickets are available from www.paramourtheatre.com

Active Living Zumba, Gordonvale

Time: 5.30pm — 6.30pm

Location: Norman Park, Gordonvale

Cost: Free

Contact: activities & program officer (07) 4044 3715

Free Zumba fitness class for all ages & abilities, held weekly in Norman Park.

Active Living Fitness for All, Trinity Beach

Time: 9am — 10am

Location: Northern Beachfront, Vasey Esplanade, Trinity Beach

Cost: Free

Contact: activities & program officer (07) 4044 3715