Today in Cairns: Emergency services respond to car on its side
Emergency services have rushed to a single-vehicle rollover on a major highway.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region this week, April 25 to April 29.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Coronial inquest to be held into death of Cairns toddler with fractured skull
Club set to cash in on travelling golfers with new RV park
Pair sentenced for role in five-person home invasion
‘Over the edge or into the hill’: Kuranda range priority for plan
‘NDIS chaos’: Shorten says government is destroying scheme
TODAY’S NEWS
Single vehicle rollover
Emergency services have attended to a single-vehicle rollover on the Macalister Range.
A police spokesman said police received a call about a single vehicle on its side about 2km from Smithfield.
There were no severe injuries reported as the car was found unattended.
The police spokesman said the car was towed and there were no reports of significant delays.
Grievous bodily harm
Two Mossman boys aged 12 and 16 have been charged in relation to an incident that occurred on April 25 outside the Mossman Courthouse.
It will be alleged about 6.15pm a 49-year-old Mossman man was walking along Front St,
when he became involved in an altercation with several juveniles.
During the altercation it’s alleged the man was punched to the back of the head and pushed causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head.
The juveniles involved allegedly left the scene.
A member of the public has stopped and rendered assistance, calling police and an ambulance.
Subsequent investigations on Thursday, April 28 lead officers from the Mossman Criminal
Investigation Branch (CIB) to locate and charge two boys with one count each of grievous bodily harm.
Both boys were given bail on strict conditions and are expected to appear before the Mossman
Children’s Court.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Obstruct police
Police were called to a Sunflower St address in Mooroobool on Thursday, April 28 following
reports of a man allegedly threatening people while armed with a knife.
It will be alleged that about 4.30pm, a 29-year-old Bungalow man was at the Mooroobool
home when an altercation broke out between him and a 32-year-old Edge Hill man.
During the altercation it is alleged the 29-year-old threatened several people at the premises.
Upon arrival, police repeatedly directed the man to drop the weapon.
He complied, however it’s alleged the man then refused to comply with further directions and
attempted to lock officers out of the premises.
Officers were able to gain entry to the residence and the man was taken into custody without further incident.
The 29-year-old Bungalow man has been charged with one count of obstruct police.
He was refused bail and is expected to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.
THURSDAY’S NEWS
Serious quad bike crash
Weipa Criminal Investigation Branch is investigating after a man sustained critical injuries in a quad bike crash at Rocky Point, Weipa, on Tuesday, April 26.
Preliminary information suggests that about 12.50am, four men were on the quad bike, travelling along McLeod Dr, when one of the men, who was sitting on the rear rack of the quad bike, fell off.
The passenger, an 18-year-old Trunding man, sustained serious head injuries and was transported to Weipa Hospital before being flown to Townsville University Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
The other three men were not injured and are assisting Weipa CIB with their inquiries.
The incident led Weipa police acting senior sergeant Rod Stanley to issue a prompt reminder that quad bikes are designed for specific purposes and within particular operating conditions.
He said quad bikes could be unstable due to their light weight and high centre of gravity, increasing the risk of a roll over on rough terrain, especially when turning or driving across slopes.
“Heavy fines are applicable for drivers and passengers of quad bikes if they do not comply with registration, licensing and the wearing of helmets,” Senior Sergeant Stanley said.
According to Safe Work Australia there have been three quad bike fatalities to date this year, with 11 people killed in 2021.
“As a community, we need to change our attitudes towards quad bikes or another fatality will occur.
“Having to tell family and friends that their loved one has been seriously injured or killed is one of the hardest jobs we have, as police.
“That job is made even more difficult in small communities like Weipa, because we are more likely to know the people involved.
“You are committing the offences of driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle if you drive or ride a quad bike or ATV on a road or road-related area.
“You may also be committing other offences, such as failing to wear a helmet or drink driving.”
Wilful damage
Police are appealing for witnesses to two separate incidents that occurred in Earlville and Westcourt over the past two days.
About 10pm on April 26, an unknown person approached a white utility parked on Hoad Street, Earlville, and threw a timber block through the passenger window.
The glove box and centre console were opened but nothing was stolen from the vehicle.
QP2200715510 refers.
In another incident, between midnight and 6.30am on April 27, an unknown person walked up to three vehicles parked in a unit complex on McCoombe Street, Westcourt, and slashed a tyre on each of the cars.
The owner of one of the cars found the damage as they were leaving for work that morning.
QP2200714265 refers.
Police are appealing for anyone that may have been in the vicinity and witnessed these incidents or may have been driving past to check any dashcam footage.
Edmonton – two-vehicle crash
Paramedics transported a stable female patient in her 30s with an arm injury to Cairns Hospital after a two-vehicle crash on Walkers Road at 8.02pm.
WEDNESDAY’S NEWS
Fallen tree blocking Captain Cook Hwy
Motorists are being advised to allow for extra travel time as a large tree down on an busy highway causes delays.
Queensland Traffic at 10.30am reported a large tree had fallen on the Captain Cook Hwy, near the Cairns Airport’s General Aviation Terminal entrance.
While the highway remains open, motorists are advised both directions are likely to be affected by the delays.
At 10.50am a Queensland Police spokeswoman said one lane northbound was still blocked, while the southbound lane was flowing normally.
Property crime charges
Police located and charged a 19-year-old Westcourt man with a total of 21 offences on Tuesday, April 26 following several investigations into property crime offences.
The man was charged with six counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, four counts each of enter premises and commit indictable offence and enter premises and commit indictable offence by break, two counts each of burglary and commit indictable offence and receiving tainted property and onecount each of enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence, evade police and stealing.
Police objected to the man’s bail and he is scheduled to appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on April 27.
Suspicious vehicle fire
Emergency services were called to attend a vehicle fire about 6.45pm, Tuesday April 26, at Endeavour Park carpark, Manunda.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services extinguished the blaze and police are investigating the cause.
Police are appealing for any witnesses to please come forward with any details related to the fire.
TUESDAY’S NEWS
Arson
Police charged a 37-year-old White Rock man on Friday, April 22 following an investigation into a burnt-out vehicle located on Jackson Dr, Woree on March 29.
Police will allege the vehicle was stolen from an Academy Cl, White Rock address three days prior before it was dumped and set alight.
With the assistance of CCTV footage and eyewitnesses police were able to identify the man.
Cairns detectives executed a search warrant on a White Rock residence on Friday locating and
arresting the man. During the search police also located a small quantity of dangerous drugs and utensils.
The 37-year-old man was charged with one count each of arson, attempted fraud, dangerous
operation of a motor vehicle possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils.
Attempted robbery
Police arrested and charged a 17-year-old Westcourt boy following an attempted robbery at a
Mulgrave Rd shopping centre on Sunday, April 24.
It will be alleged about 11.20am, the boy approached a 70-year-old woman as she was getting
something out of the back of her car. The boy grabbed at the woman’s handbag causing the woman to fall and hit her head.
The woman has screamed out and the boy has fled.
Police viewed CCTV footage and were able to identify the boy locating and arresting him on Tills St, Westcourt about 4.15pm the same day.
The boy was charged with one count of attempted robbery. Police opposed the boys bail, and he will appear in the Cairns Childrens Court.
The woman received a bump to her head but did not require any medical assistance.
Hoax call
On Monday a 43-year-old Loganlea man was charged after he made a call to triple-0 making an alleged bomb threat.
It will be alleged the man used a payphone on Mcleod St and called in the bomb threat.
Police traced the call back to the payphone and with the assistance of the City Safe cameras were able to locate the man on the Esplanade, Cairns City.
About 8am, the man was arrested and charged with one count of use a carriage service for a
hoax or threat. He was bailed and will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on May 12.
Burglary
A 19-year-old White Rock man was charged on Sunday, April 24 following a burglary that occurred at Kurruck Cl, White Rock.
It will be alleged the man entered the home about 2.30pm the same day through an unlocked
door, locating and stealing a handbag. The man has gone through the bag as he was leaving taking money and a ring before discarding the bag in a bin out the front.
An occupant of the home has seen the man as he left and called police.
Police conducted a search of the area and arrested the man at Atlantic Cl, White Rock.
The man was charged with one count of burglary and was bailed to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on May 11.
WEATHER
On Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a cloudy day with a medium chance of showers for Cairns. Winds are expected to become south-easterly at 15 to 25 km/h in the morning.
Across the region on Friday
Cairns: Shower or two 23-30C
Atherton: Shower or two 18-25C
Cardwell: Shower or two 21-29C
Cooktown: Possible shower23-30C
Innisfail: Showers 22-28C
Mareeba: Partly cloudy 21-28C
TRAFFIC
Cairns North
Roadworks, line marking on Sheridan St, Cairns North, southbound towards Cairns City to April 4, 2022. Allow extra travel time.
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.
Craiglie / Mowbray
Road safety upgrades on the Captain Cook Hwy are expected to cause delays to March 30, 2022.
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.
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.
Malanda
Bridge Replacement Works are being undertaken at Williams Creek on Merragallan Road commencing 29 November 2021 through to April 2022. A full road closure will be in place. There will be no access across the Williams Creek or any sidetrack in operation.
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
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 THIS WEEK
Anzac Day service and parade
Commemorate our fallen soldiers with the Anzac Day service starting 5.30am with the parade commencing at 7.30am at Fogarty Park.
When: 5.30am on Monday, April 25
Where: Cenotaph on the Cairns Esplanade
Price: Free
Katanak – ‘Weigh Down’ Regional Queensland Tour
Indie and alternative artist Katanak are stopping at Cairns on their tour and promise a night full of music and fun.
When: 7pm to 11pm on Saturday, April 30
Where: Elixir Music Bar, Cairns
Price: $12 presale or $15 at the door
Festival of Colours (Holi)
A day full of Bollywood music, food, and chasing your friends and family to throw biodegrable coloured powder on them.
When: 11am to 4pm on Saturday, April 30
Where: Mckenzie St Parklands Cairns Esplanade
Price: Free
Parrothead Party
Hosted by the Barbary Coasters, this event marks their 30th year of the Parrothead Party. Dress up as tropical as you can for music, food trucks, competitions and raffles.
When: 2pm to 6pm on Sunday, May 1
Where: Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron
Price: Free
More Coverage
Originally published as Today in Cairns: Emergency services respond to car on its side
Cyclist suffers ‘significant injuries’ in solo crash south of Cairns
A Far North cyclist is recovering in hospital with “significant injuries” after crashing into a stationary vehicle.
Rising stars set to shine in AFLW’s Cairns curtain raiser
Future Cairns AFLW prospects will showcase their skills in front of some of the game’s top stars with a take-no-prisoners midfielder and silky-smooth ruck ready to renew hostilities at Cazalys stadium later this month.