Hi, Just thought i'd start a thread about whats happening around town to keep everyone up-to-date.
Feel free to add stuff as we are all eager to know... I for one dont listen to the radio or watch t.v. much and im constantly checking out for new posts on Sky scraper city.com
Have a nice day :)
Bergin

Well the extra lane has been added both ways between sheehy and foster rd's. Queensland Rail is currently installing new railway crossing lights at the Coombs st-Bruce Highway intersection. Traffic congestion can be felt during the day (especially peak hours) as their still resurfacing the bitumen.

They have also started work on the slip lane Roberts rd to Bruce highway (in front of Portsmith fuel). Some of the road signs that were there have been taken down (and hopefully put back up). Portsmith fuel will be constructing a car wash pretty soon (thank goodness for that, as i am sick of going to earlville to get my car washed). Right now all looks good to be completed soon :)

Pauline Hanson has stopped over in Cairns for a brief visit trying to buy some votes for saturday's election. Ms Hanson visited the esplanade chemist(she bought cold and flu tablets) and also said hello to the locals out at Smithfield Shopping Centre. Even though i dont support her, i must say that she has changed considerably since her imprisonment. Good luck to her :)

I have also noticed that the Sugar World Traffic lights have finally been activated after thier installation over 10 years ago by the former Mulgrave Shire. Im pleased that Cairns City Council has taken this big step in ensuring the intersection is safe and the flow of traffic is smooth. Good on ya CCC :)

I've noticed a couple of new bigger disabled friendly sunbuses have been added to the Cairns fleet. I hope they gradually replace the small match box type ones with these bigger/better/airconditioned comfort buses- you go sunbus :cool:

I hate those little old buses. Are the new Cairns buses new or secondhand? There's an old Brisbane bus sitting at the Sunbus depo in Townsville - must be planning to redo it for service in Townsville.

they're new buses (i hope they are cos they convincingly look new - must be the paint work (hahha). God it would be good to get rid of the little match box buses. I find that at times they get very full and overcrowded. The bigger buses are designated for the southern and north routes only (Gordonvale - Smithfield) the inner city suburbs get the little match boxes and so does Gordonvale and Smithfield Ocassionally. And with those ex Brissy buses geez we have some up here too. Did you know before sunbus came into existence the former Cairns Trans buses comprised mainly of those old ex brissy buses (white and yellow). But i reackonn the ex brissy ones are cool!! the aircon is better. And its just cool riding in the them (hahaha) :)

Dept labor leader (forgot her name, im not good with names) joined her fellow running labor candidate Jim Turnour on the Cairns esplanade to announce labour's promise of $10million dollars for the continuation fo the Cairns foreshore project. The Coalition recently pledged $10million towards the project. Either way whoever wins, the Cairns esplanade will come out the big winner :)

I havent been down there to have a look yet but i do ocassionally drive past and admire thier art work. Just thought i'd let people in Cairns know that Sand sculpting Australia will be leaving soon (last weeks). The sand sculpting is located at munro martin park :)

A medical centre will be opening next to spot light (cnr Tills&Mulgrave road). They've finally found a tenant to keep spot light company :)

KFC Earlville is currently undergoing renovations. I have noticed alot of fence work surrounding the site and the drive-in is finally operational after a couple of days closure. Thier giving the building a bit of a face lift and hopefully it shouldnt take much longer cos boy i feel like chicken tonight oops i mean i like it like that (hahaha) :) :cheers:

The KFC renovations are part of a nationwide expansion. This happened in TSV last year to early this year with KFC Cranbrook, and Garbutt getting revamped and a new KFC at Hermit Park, replacing the old one down the road as it was also too small.

thats good KFC has finally decided to replace the paint work, it was starting to peel and crack (hehehe) :)

Cairns seems to be lucky at getting government funding for a foreshore redevolpment. When we had the Strand upgraded, It was all state money. So your politicians seem to be real fighters up there.

lets wait and see. These guys like making alot of promises and sometimes wont deliver

Same here, Our scumbag, Lindsay is staying for the next 3 or 4 years, hopefully then Mark Latham will be PM.

There's a Circus in town at Barlow park till 24th October, i dont know the name of this circus but i have seen the advertisments around town, (le cirque....international time travellers tour......something along those lines) but anyways get down there and see them. I've been hearing some great reviews from other people. So i guess its worth going down and checking out

I know what you're talking about. Cirque le Voyague or Voyage or something like that. They were in Townsville a couple of weeks ago. Its worth a good look yeah. Did you watch the Footy Show when it went to Townsville before the Cowboys-Broncos match. Well on no Talent Time (Segment on Footy Show) there were a couple of Romanian Strongmen at the end. Well they were promoting Cirque le Voyague.

kool, mite go see them sounds like fun :)

the taipans beat the wildcats in a thrilling overtime battle. Cairns led for most of the three quarters then perth bounced back to lead by three points.
I will post the rest of the story once i get a copy of today's post :)

We lost against the Wildcats when They versed us a couple of Days ago. Or was it another team, my brother would know, he's a basketball fanatic like I am a Pizza freak. The score was 108(Pth or Another)-101(Tsv)

We lost against the Wildcats when They versed us a couple of Days ago. Or was it another team, my brother would know, he's a basketball fanatic like I am a Pizza freak. The score was 108(Pth or Another)-101(Tsv)
we were sweating on that win, geez Cairns had the opportunity to beat Melbourne as well but let it slip. So it was good to at least post a win at the start of the season. The Cowboys thread will come alive again soon once the NRL season kicks off again for 2005. :)

Thats very true. Have you seen Bergin's Taipans and Crocs thread. That might now be the place to put Basketball posts.

sure thing will post good comments in there :)

I've posted a couple of Comments in there, one is a couple of pics for Bergin.

who knows sth about the rumours of Gilligans developing the old innercity Coles shop into an upmarket backpackers? and who has more information about the development plans in clifton beach / palm cove ?

cheers

19 October 2004
TO: ALL MEDIA

Mayor Sees Red Over Kewarra Vandalism

Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne today issued a warning to the perpetrators of the senseless vandalism of the Kewarra Beach surf lifesaving cabin, warning that vandalism will not be taken lightly and that council will cooperate fully with police and local residents to put an end to the spate of vandalism of council facilities in the northern suburbs.

The warning follows another attack on the Kewarra Beach lifesaving cabin over the weekend, causing more than $1000 damage to council property.

“These cowardly acts of vandalism are not acceptable and we will be doing everything in our power to ensure those responsible are found and made to face up to the consequences of their action and the effect it has on the rest of our community,” said Mayor Kevin Byrne.

“The sorts of facilities that are being targeted by these vandals are used primarily for the benefit of our community. The local residents of beachside suburbs such as Kewarra Beach are paying dearly for this crime, with facilities having to be closed for repairs, sometimes for weeks at a time, and with council having to utilise funds that could be used for improvements instead to pay for repairs.

“This is the third time the Kewarra Beach surf lifesaving hut has been vandalised, and it was not only the hut that was damaged this time, but also the nearby barbeque and welcome sign.

“This is by no means an isolated incident, as the hut at Trinity Beach was also recently vandalised . We are constantly repairing shade sails over playgrounds that appear to be used as trampolines, and the disabled toilet at Clifton Beach was recently set on fire, costing thousands of dollars to repair and causing great inconvenience for the disabled people it was built for.

“The deliberate damage to shade sails erected over children’s playgrounds is a particularly malicious act, as the shade is there to protect children from the effects of the sun. I hope the selfish vandals who use these shade sails to jump on or set alight think about this, it may be their brother or sister who sustains a burn on a hot slide while the sail is being replaced or repaired. It just astounds me that people can be so reckless and inconsiderate.

“We have to put a stop to this wanton vandalism and destruction and make sure the perpetrators are made accountable for their actions.

“Residents living in the affected areas can keep a close eye out for any suspicious behaviour and should report it immediately to the police.

“Council will also offer a reward for any information leading to the conviction of these vandals. I urge anyone with important information on who may have been responsible for this vandalism to contact my office with the details. Any calls will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and no names need be left.

“We simply want to put a stop to this reckless vandalism and make sure the facilities we put in place for community use remain intact and useable.”

The Kewarra Beach cabin was repaired yesterday and is now operational.

Anyone with information on the recent spate of vandalism in the northern beaches, can contact the Mayor’s office in the strictest confidence on 4044 3083.

*taken from the Cairns city council website: www.cairns.gov.qld.au

Samething happens with our mayor too sometimes, except he gets a man called Jack Wilson (Who happens to also be a City Councillor) to deliver statements and work on it.

who knows sth about the rumours of Gilligans developing the old innercity Coles shop into an upmarket backpackers? and who has more information about the development plans in clifton beach / palm cove ?

cheers
havent heard any but will definitely find out, sounds exciting :)

The Fridge liqour barn and bottle shop has opened its doors in Cairns at the Balaclava Hotel on mulgrave road. The fridge has a larger presence in Townsville whereas Cairns owned Hedley Liqour group has a more concentrated presence in Cairns with outlets all over Queensland

I never noticed something before about this thread. We've got a new NQ n FNQ member. Welcome aboard Spuckigel :)

Everything is Hedley up there in Cairns, so is Townsville but not as big an infustructure as Cairns. We have about 10 or so fridges in Tsv/Thur Metro. Fridge was known as Liquer Xpress. Same thing with Woolworths and Coles. in Townsville, there are about 9 woolies stores and in Cairns theres about 4, Coles is a different story, There is 5 Coles and A Bi-lo in Tsv, and 4 Coles and a Bi-lo Mega fresh in Cns.

The Cairns All-blacks will be held on 5th&6th November at the Vico oval ground.
Hey Gertzy you comin up for it? heard its gonna be choppy on saturday nite, everyone will hit MY Bar

Maybe If my Dad is going up for it. He goes to em when they're held in Tsv. You own a Bar or was that just to say that the bar you often go to.

lol, no silly, my bar is the name of a popular niteclub where all the murri's in Cairns hang out.
It was ok saturday nite. David Peachey from Cronulla sharks was there big noting his crack (lol) but he was cool.
They also had Bill Harrigan up for the all blacks refereeing. Bindall sharks won, they beat Wide Bay.
It was a good all-blacks carnivale and i hope to see more celebrities up here next year :)

Huh, Okay, I don't really know much about the Nite Club scene in Cairns so the only place I really know of is Troppos where Shakaya used to perform on a couple of Saturdays. The Murri's all go to various pubs and Bars in Townsville but I don't know which ones the most Popular. There was a couple of New Taverns opening this month and one was a Tom Hedley owned one near Stockland here in Town and went there for tea one night and there were alot of murris have a feed and a snap at the pokies.

tropos from my experience is racist. The bouncers are such idiots, all the murri's know this for a fact and so they all hang out @ my bar.
I love my bar, the atmosphere is friendly and inviting plus not much trouble happens there :)

Ever consider relocating the airport to free up the floodplain, and build it adjacent to the CBD?

How does the Palm Island Riots affect anybody up in Cairns. It was a big thing here in Townsville. Alot of people talked about sinced it happened and its been eaten by the bloody media looking for a big story.

The Cairns community share the pain with the people of palm island. alot of indigenous communities in the cairns region have expressed thier support for palm islanders and have expressed anger over the handling of the situation by the police

In wake of the recent death on Palm Island of Mr. Cameron Doomadgee, a nation wide march in each city has been called for by the indigenous leaders on 11th December 2004. The march will be a peaceful one aimed at gathering support for equal rights for indigenous australians and to address the issue of black deaths in custody.
I will be attending the Cairns march and will report its progess on here

Cheers!
Ferdinand :)

It is the 14th of December today.

I didn't go to the March here in Townsville. A bit of a shame though. Ferdinand, Do you agree with what Murrandoo (Jason) Yanner is saying. To cause more harm to the police or kill the police for Indigenious deaths in Custody or to cause more violence against black deaths in custody.

http://www.cairnsport.com.au/cityport/CPA%20Cityport%20Development%20Brochure.pdf
Found the above link while searching for aviation data - its about the Cairns waterfront.

Cairns really has it together - I mean the ocean liners pull up right at the CBD, impressive!

jt

Yeah, they had the P&O Ship thats the equivelent of 20 stories high or so. The Cruise Ship Dwarfed the Corparate Tower which is the Tallest building in Cairns.

I didn't go to the March here in Townsville. A bit of a shame though. Ferdinand, Do you agree with what Murrandoo (Jason) Yanner is saying. To cause more harm to the police or kill the police for Indigenious deaths in Custody or to cause more violence against black deaths in custody.
I went to the Cairns march which was held on the 18th of December. There were a few people there, could've really did with a bit more as feel there werent sufficient numbers.
Anyways in regards to your question on murandoo yanner: I dont agree with anyone that calls for violence against another. I agree to a peaceful solution where both parties have some sort of mutual agreement, in regards to Mr. Doomadgee's death i would like to see those who were the cause of it to be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.

True, Murrandoo is just putting a bad name towards Indigenious people. We already have a bad name towards violence, so why can't we stop it and at least get a good name.

It can be frustrating when the laws dont work your way and for most of our people the only way to release some that frustration is to resort to violence. However we are not all violent, its just a stereo-typical view that has been cast upon us by the non-indigenous community. In terms of reducing the violence, i believe we are playing a game and the government is always on the look-out for little loop holes in the game. They know that by intimidating us, we will have no choice but to resort to violence in most cases, however if we were to think more logical and play the game thier way and beat them at thier game, than we wont have to fight as much with the government as we will take a more strategically planned approach :)

Damn the Government, It'll be much better if we had an Indigenious Politician as The Indigenious Affairs Spokesman/Senator.

Damn the Government, It'll be much better if we had an Indigenious Politician as The Indigenious Affairs Spokesman/Senator.
We need more indigenous politicians! its good to see outspoken people like Aden ridgeway, noel pearson, and murandoo yanner (even though i dont agree with him on some issues - at least he has the capacity to let his opinions be heard).
It would be good to see an indigenous prime minister one day, maybe one day that will hopefully happen in our lifetime. :)

One of my dream jobs is to be a politician, and maybe I could be that first Indigenious PM, Thats of course if I stick with politics.

i will vote for u.

Of course u would have to donate 50% of government money into my bank account... :D

No Problem will do.

same here bro and i'll encourage all of my family members to do the same thing :)

Thanks Bro, but dont forget eh, that I might not even be a politician.

Thanks Bro, but dont forget eh, that I might not even be a politician.
you may never know, it is possible. :)

But as you said, It is possible. This is the list of Jobs I'm considering

1. Pilot (Commercial) with Qantas or Virgin Blue
2. Politician
3. Entrepuneur (or however you spell it)
4. A secret job which, I'll only tell if I P.M anyone who asks.

How far are the tides in Cairns? The many U/C projects along the esplanade are all overlooking the harbour. Having visited last year, I noticed the tides are quite large, about 500 metres? Correct me if u know. It looks a little odd at low tide...perhaps seawall 500m out to increase CBD amentities...

The mud-flats are an essential part of the foreshore ecosystem and could not be encroached upon.

I smell a rat.... :) :) :)

What do you mean you smell a Rat.

How far are the tides in Cairns? The many U/C projects along the esplanade are all overlooking the harbour. Having visited last year, I noticed the tides are quite large, about 500 metres? Correct me if u know. It looks a little odd at low tide...perhaps seawall 500m out to increase CBD amentities...
500m tides? impossible, i think it was 3m tides not 500m and besides the tides were quite high as the weather bureau predicted, however i havent been in the city to see it as i live in the suburbs... your probably right on the seawall thingy but not 500m please that will definitely be an eyesore

I smell a rat.... :) :) :)
please explain?

Probably Notra, you could make many things out of his name like I made No Rat

i think your right on that one :)

Mayor Kevin Byrne has vowed to lobby the State and Federal Governments in the near future (once Cairns' traffic demand increases) for a 6 laned Bruce Highway to Edmonton and a further 4 lanes to Gordonvale to cope with traffic growth that will be experienced in these two suburbs over the next decade.
However in vowing to support a widened bruce highway to Gordonvale, the surrounding lands between edmonton and Gordonvale would still be set aside for Agricultural use and not urban developments as in the Cairns plan draft management.

That would be quite good, infact in those areas, they should add a couple of overpasses, on/off ramps etc. But however that would still be great.

bizaar that he has 'vowed to lobby the government' for the increased lanes, even though the demand isnt there yet... i spose its good that hes forward planning rather then waiting for the demand and fixing the problem too late.

6 lanes for north qld?

What an extreme waste of state money.

the M1 between Brisbane and the GC has 6 lanes if im right, and it services somewhere around 2,200,000 people or more..

I think you mean, 8 lanes (4 to, and 4 from). Six lanes is something for Queensland, Cairns even, is good, infact, have any of you people seen the Traffic in Cairns from Edmonton to the CBD. I can tell you, it definitly needs 3 lanes to the CBD and Three lanes back. Infact, Ross River road (In Townsville) is six lanes and Upper Ross River road has been upgrade to six lanes.

so your reffering to a main road into the city, not a freeway.

and nomatter what you say ill still think its un-nessacary.

A 4 lane freeway would be suitable for Cairns and Townsville, but then a six lane freeway could do good in Townsville.

Malt the traffic situation is pretty nerve wracking up here in Cairns..please do not have a misconception that even though Cairns is a small regional city, it dosent suffer with congested traffic problems.
Most traffic pass through Cairns to access other towns and cities therefore putting more pressure on Cairns arterial roads and the Captain Cook, Bruce and Kennedy Highways leading in and out of Cairns.

bizaar that he has 'vowed to lobby the government' for the increased lanes, even though the demand isnt there yet... i spose its good that hes forward planning rather then waiting for the demand and fixing the problem too late.
I agree also, its better to identify the problem earlier on and take appropriate measures before it grows bigger (just like cancer)

i dont have a misconception that its small.

Im just saying that i honestly dont believe it would be worth the cost, and i dont think it would be used. Why would everyone in cairns drive on this new road?

8 lanes gets 10's of thousands of people per day... The amount of cars that go on it would total the population up there easily in a week. My point being, is every single person living in cairns going to use this road to make it worth the cost?

What is the current road? 1 lane each way? 2?

i dont have a misconception that its small.

Im just saying that i honestly dont believe it would be worth the cost, and i dont think it would be used. Why would everyone in cairns drive on this new road?

8 lanes gets 10's of thousands of people per day... The amount of cars that go on it would total the population up there easily in a week. My point being, is every single person living in cairns going to use this road to make it worth the cost?

What is the current road? 1 lane each way? 2?
I understand your point however being a local resident and having first hand accounts with driving around Cairns i'd say The roads would be used quite heavily... we're not talking about building a new road, just uprgrading the current Bruce Highway in the southern Suburbs of Cairns to cope with traffic demand over the next decade or so. The current road situation for the Bruce highway is its 4 lanes Edmonton to Cairns on the south side(14k's), and the Captain Cook Highway is 4 lanes Cairns to Trinity Beach on the north side (21k's)
The idea being proposed is:
* 6 lanes to Edmonton (Its currently 6 lanes to White rock, a further 4 k's of 6 laning to Edmonton)
* 4 lanes to Gordonvale (a further 9 k's of widening from Edmonton to Gordonvale)

We aren't talking about 8 lanes malt. At the moment, The Bruce Highway from south of Edmonton to White Rock is 4 lanes and the Bruce Highway from Edmonton to Gordonvale is just 2 lanes, so what we are talking about is the Widening of a bloody busy road, that would be much used if it was 4 lanes all the way to Townsville.

I was in Cairns last july and headed back from the south after a trip to the Tablelands to my hotel 2kms north of the city centre at home-going time. Apart from LA, I can't recall seeing such traffic gridlock on a long major thoroughfare. No kidding, it was bright daylight as we approached Cairns and dark by the time the bus got to the hotel. Those who live there know exactly how serious this problem is and that there is an urgent need do something drastic to improve traffic flow. It seems to me to be at least in part a State responsibility.

p.s. Thanks again to Gertzy and ferdinand (if you missed the Emerald Tower thread).

Australian football fans packed Cazaly's stadium to capacity on saturday with the record 9486-strong crowd expected to boost chances of securing an AFL fixture match for Cairns next season.
Melboune coach Neale Daninher will make Cairns footy fans wait at least another week for his verdict on whether the city should host an Australian Football League home and away fixture in 2006.
There were many positives from the Demons' overwhelming 3.10.11(98) to 0.7.11(53) defeat of a second-string Brisbane in front of a healthy 9846 crowd at Cazaly's stadium on saturday night.
The Melbourne football club is in negotiation to bring a regular season fixture to Cairns while its MCG home ground is unavailable because of the Commonwealth games commitments during the opening six rounds next year.
Capacity would need to be boosted to at least 15,000 to give Cairns a chance at hosting a fixture.

Cowboys will play a preseason trial game at Barlow Park this friday or saturday (sorry im not good with dates) against Melbourne storms.
should be a good game, im looking forward to going out nightclubbing after the game :)

Cool, I reckon Cairns should get an AFL team, just for Northern Queensland, like we have the NQ Cowboys for NRL.

Cairns huh, I usually transit between Townsville and Cairns due to my line of, work. I work for the AFP and I am in Townsville at the moment but I go up to Cairns for work at the AFP NQ Head office on Shields street.

I went to the Game last night at Barlow Park and i am proud to say that i as well as other Cairns footy fans enjoyed themselves. According to today's Cairns post, Barlow Park had a record breaking crowd for the game about 17,052 fans. There were people actually outside wanting to come in but were refused entry as the ground was at 90% capacity.
Cairns City Council will now use this statistic to lobby the state government for about $1.5m to upgrade Barlow Park's capacity to about 21,000..
In the near future Cairns may see some more NRL action.
(Would be good if Brisbane Broncos came, i bet they would also bring in a big crowd).
Anyways good on the Cowboys, its unfortunate they couldnt win. But The people of Cairns enjoyed themselves :)

Cool, I reckon Cairns should get an AFL team, just for Northern Queensland, like we have the NQ Cowboys for NRL.
Your right about that, North Queensland should submit an AFL team and have it based in Cairns. Hopefully if Cairns gets the go ahead to host a melbourne tigers AFL fixture that should open some window/s of opportunity.. fingers crossed :)

I keep to the news in every City. So I saw that on the front page of the Post.

Ferdinand, I've got a piece of info that I dont want to place on the forum.
I'll PM you as Gertzy or ASIS so look out for it.

oh just place it on the forum :)

No, It is something that concerns me and Ferdinand but If you want to hear it, I'll PM you.

PM me :)

Cairns' only 24 hour supermarket Piccones Supa IGA will cease 24 hour trading on April 18th 2005. The move comes amid fears for staff safety.
There has been a couple of incidents over the last month that has prompted Management to decide to cease 24 hours trading.
Piccones has been trading for 24 hours for 5 years now...
Mr piccone apologises for any inconvenience this may cause as he feels its in the best interest and safety of his staff.
From April 18th 2005 the new trading hours will be 5am - 12am monday to friday

5am-12am is still a good enough time frame I guess. Still, Piccones is a good reliable supermarket.

a measley five hours shouldnt hurt anyone, only the nite taxi drivers and clubbers will be inconvenienced

Its better than IGA here, Both Mundingburra, and Upper Ross are open from 5am-10pm

Ok i wont go into too much depth with this issue, some of you may have seen in the Cairns post, here's a quick summary..
*apparently a couple of officers were caught forwarding racist email. The email was supposedly architected to coincide with the launch of the second inquest into Palm Island man Cameron Doomadgee, which is currently in process.
* contained in the email: "aboriginal idol" with a participant singing named Albert from Palm Island.
* Police commisioner Bob Atkins has ordered an inquiry into why the officers were let off with light punishment.

Again i wont go into too much detail, you would've probably seen or heard something on the national news service here is a quick summary.
* top far north police inspector left unacceptable comments on a Cairns Post journalist answering machine in response to racist email forwarding
his comments were directed (supposedly, according to the paper) at
- the Cairns post journalist
- police union
- the staff who exposed the incident to the media
* this inspector has been summoned to Brisbane for a private meeting with commissioner atkinson

All i can say to this and the racist email forwarding is: shame, shame shame! we as citizens of this country rely on you people for your professionalism and expertise to undertake your duty in the community by upholding the following ethical and moral standards
- identify and take appropriate action to incidents and situations that affect the community
- alert the community of issues that may affect them (and not to cover-up)
- build and strengthen relationships with the community and any other important thing i may have missed.

We're both Equal on this issue now, but here in Townsville its Army Jerks and in Cairns, its the Police. Justice seems to be slipping off a racial grip.

i know! this has come as big shock to me! didnt think highly regarded and respected "public servants" would behave in this manner and would go to great lengths to cover up thier dilemas

There is a Good Guys store thats under construction and nearly finished @ Westcourt next to Interactive City Movie Libraries on Mulgrave road.
The former site was occuppied by I.G.A.

The Good Guys currently has stores in Townsville and Mackay and soon Cairns.
Keep up the Good work Guys! :)

A Good Guys, That'll be the Second in Northern Queensland. The Police don't seem to do anything about thing nowadays, If its a Murder, they do something but if its robbery, they hardly do something and thats just Townsville And Cairns.

Did Cairns get anyrain from Ingrid.

yes the weekend post said were in for some more showers over the weekend.

A FLOOD of Rain more like it.

This, is ABC and CNN

just letting everyone know that the Foley Shield wlil be held saturday, march 29th at Alley Park Gordonvale
the following grades will be playing
under- 17
under- 19
open

Okay, that sounds alright, don't know if I'll be going up

A proposal to merge cash-strapped Johnstone Shire council with Cairns will be aired on Thursday.
Johnstone Shire councillor Tom Mauloni is planning to recommend a merger with the backing of Deputy Mayor George Pervan.
Cr Mauloni said Johnstone Shire was on shaky financial ground thanks to a spending spree starting in 1997.
His commnts follow a Queensland Treasury which showed the council was possibly insolvent.
But Cr Mauloni said recent development projects showed it had the potention to achieve long-term sustainability.
"Merging would save hundreds of thousands in administration costs, improve purchasing power and give us more voice in government funding applications he said.
Cr Pervan said a merger would provide a larger and more flexible worksforce.
"There's a real buzz in the town now, with lots of projects happening but we need greater expertise to see them through". he said.
"If we join up with Cairns city we will be kicking goals and can even supply Cairns with our water from the Johnstone (river)."

Johnstone Shire Mayor Neil Clarke said the proposal was typical of irrelevant issues raised by some councillors in the past 14 months and boundary changes were to be debated at a Local Government Association meeting in Brisbane on May 31.
"I would prefer Johnstone Shire Council to retain its independance," he said.
"Cairns city Council centres on the city from Gordonvale north and its main focus is on tourism, with only 10 percent rural areas.
"Representation is a problem: if we ever merged we would have a maximum of tow councillors instead of nine as at present.
"Distance from the central admininstration also is a difficulty as is availability and access to the mayor and councillors."
Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne said he would consider any approaches.
"My comments are that we would look objectively at all options presented to us." he said.
"these matters should be considered as part of a wide review of local government boundaries to probide for viable ecomonic communities of interest.
"there are far too many financially dysfuntional local authorities in Queensland and Johnstone Shire is one example of this.
Cr Mauloni will make his merger recommendation at a meeting of the Johnstone Shire Council on Thursday.

Aumuller Street in Cairns has had a make over thanks to state and federal government funding.
The road which is one of Cairns' major arterial roads was built by to be used mostly by American Navy which was based in Cairns during the second world war.
The old cement road which has been converted to a 4 lane bitumen carriage way between Comport street (southern access road) and Scott street.
Member for Leichardt Warren Entsch said now that the Aumuller street beautification works are complete the next stage would be to get the ball rolling on 6 laning the Bruce Highway to Edmonton. "Money is there, we are just waiting on the ball to start rolling," he was quoted as saying on Channel 7 local News (Cairns edition)

You're back Bergin, welcome back buddy.
Its good that they're upgrading the highway to 6 lanes to edmonton, it'll be very efficient.

yeah thanks Gertzy.
It would be efficient once the Bruce is converted to 6 lanes to Edmonton, i notice when im in peak our traffic in the afternoon, most of the traffic congestion stops at Edmonton, Cairns would greatly benefit from this upgrade.
In the meantime Mayor Byrne is still keen on pushing for the Bruce Highway to be 4 laned to Gordonvale and by the looks of things it wont be long before that eventuates.

Johnstone Shire and Cairns city councils could soon hold discussions on merging the two authorities.
Cash-strapped Johnstone Shire, which has a debt of $13.5 million, is expected to approve formal advances to Cairns next Thursday.

Cr Geroge Pervan floated the proposal at council's corporate services committee on Thursday but the vote was tied four-all in the absence of Cr Tom Mauloni. Mayor Neil Clarke used his casting vote against the motion but it is expected to succeed at next week's meeting when Cr Mauloni, known to support a merger, returns.
Cr Clark said Cairns City Council would receive no benefit and Johnstone Shire Council would be sidelined. There was little common ground between them.

"most Johnston Shire residents are within 30minutes of the shire office, but would be an hour and a quarter to Cairns" he said. "there would be only one, or at best two , representing what is now Johnstone Shire.
"And being a close-knit community, we would lose the personal contact."
Cr Pervan saw many advantages.
"The Brisbane Line is still there and they are still feeding us (the far north) peanuts," he said.
"A large combined municipalitywould have a lot more pull within the Government. As far as representation is concernedm, there could be a mayor and two deputies, and possibly four southerm councillors."
The shire woult get more federal funds and the workforce would be able to work all the time, he said.

Big Brother evictees will come to Cairns to lick thier wounds and meet thier fans every week from June 5.
Gilligan's Backpackers hotel and Resort confirmed yesterday the venue has snagged a "visiting" spot on the show's national tour circuit.
"Obviously with the success of Big Brother last year, i just thought it would be a good idea to see what we could do about securing a Big Brother status and get some celebrities up here" Gilligans promotions manager Micheal Brown said.

Gilligan's was one of only five venues in Australia to secure a permanent spot on the celebrity tour circuit.
He said the first evictee from Sunday's episode of Big Brother would fly into Cairns on June 5.
Each week another evictee will meet and greet fans on Sunday afternoons at the hotel.
"Were just trying to provide something for North Queensland and put us on the map, so to speak, within the entertainment industry," he said.
"The evictee, after doing a couple of appearance sin Sydney and Adelaide will be then flown to Cairns."
Mr Brown siad the appearance would spice up the Cairns nightlife and expected big crowds to rub shoulders with the evictees.
"Its going to be great for the locals," he said.
"I know alot of people get into it and get really excited. Its just going to grow and grow and grow."

Big Brother national tour organiser, Alli Rian of Amazon Management, said the tour was anticipating Cairns with excitement.
"They're a marketable bunch, highly entertaining house mates," he said.
Mr Brown said, "Its a good opportunity for the locals up here who follow Big Brother to come and meet them and get some signatures off them, basically a meet and greet."

This is the fifth season Big Brother has been aired on Channel 10 and while some of the show's stars have visited the region before, this is the first time Far North Queensland will host regular weekly appearances.

Yeah and Hot Dogs got arrested up there, very funny indeed.

Hmmm, interesting to see a place in Australia with the same name as my city :) ...I've even heard of this Edmonton in QLD before because I have an Australian Atlas book given to me by relatives in Sydney as a Christmas gift years ago in the '80s. In that book, there is a small but fairly detailed map of what I think is now the south part of Cairns City Council Area. The map may be pretty outdated even in the book, which was published in the early 1980s - that map's probably from the 1970s because Cairns' built-up area doesn't show up as being that large and Edmonton in that map doesn't look bigger than just a village.

Anyhow, I'd suppose that Edmonton, QLD is now a part of Cairns City Council because I know Cairns did merge with the surrounding shire not long ago to form a much large City Coucil area. I'd also imagine that this Edmonton's now a part of Cairns' built-up area because Cairns certainly has grown by a lot since the 1970s.

Are you actually Canadian born CanadianCentuar or where you from another Country, Edmonton, Cairns is a large suburb in southern Cairns, I think theres about 20 - 30 000 people living in the area from Mt Sheridan to Edmonton.

^^ I am Canadian born, but used to live in Sydney and Canberra during my early childhood and still have rellies in Sydney and Bathurst today. It's because although my parents (my dad is from Parramatta and mom was from Northern England) had first arrived in Canada a few years before I was born, my dad wanted to work a few more years in Australia as a lawyer. We returned to Canada in 1975 and been there since.

Okay, Cool, I'd like to live in Canada, have you been to the West Edmonton Mall.

^^ Hey, I've lived in Edmonton since 1977! :) I kind of know both the mall and the city like the back of my hand now, although the mall's hell during the xmas season. People do actually drive hundreds of kms to the mall from as far as Northern BC and Saskatchewan and even Manitoba even in the xmas season, because I see a lot of these provinces' license plate on cars parked there.

To give you an idea how big Western Canada really is, Edmonton to Winnipeg, Manitoba is about as far as between Adelaide and Sydney by either air or car. Edmonton and Vancouver are farther apart than Sydney and Brisbane by a couple of hundred kms by road due to BC's terrain, although the flying time is fairly similar.

And by the way, I have actually been to Cairns before. :D This was way back in July '93, during the Dry of course, so the weather was quite nice - not too hot nor too wet. I didn't see too much of Cairns itself though I did go out for a little bit. I was using Cairns more or less as a base for going out the Reef and out to Cape Trib for a few days, like most overseas visitors to Cairns do. And none of the trip really disappointed me. I later went down to Sydney and Bathurst to see my relatives for a few weeks afterwards and to see Canberra and the new House of Parliament there.

I will be returning to Australia within a few years. But this time, I'd like to see if I can check out Melbourne along with Sydney.

Hi just thought i'd let everyone know that the Cairns Post is finally available for online viewing www.cairnspost.com.au ...finally! however i find the site isnt all that crash hot..unlike Townsville bulletin where you can submit & read feedbacks from readers.
However its just a start and hopefully the team at Cairns post will develope fresh new ideas to add to the new website in the near future...happy reading :banana:

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/images/2007/01/10/STORY1.gif
Lucky escape: Sgt Jeff Tanswell (left) lived to talk about the horror of being held in the jaws of a crocodile. Picture: BRIAN CASSEY
CROC attack survivor Sgt Jeff Tanswell has told how he cannot believe he survived an attack by a 4m crocodile that grabbed him by the head and dragged him underwater as he swam in the Torres Strait.

Thursday Island Sgt Jeff Tanswell yesterday said he feared he would die when the saltwater croc rose from the water and clamped its jaws around his head and shoulders as he snorkelled near Little Adolphus Island, about 40km east of Thursday Island, on Monday afternoon.

"I’m over the moon about how I got away from him," he said. "I can’t believe I survived – I’m amazed I’m alive at all."

Nursing a bandaged head and bite marks on his face, the 37-year-old cut a relieved figure yesterday when he spoke of the terrifying encounter.

The 37-year-old off-duty officer was snorkelling with two colleagues – Constable Amanda Jeppesen and Sen-Constable David McCarthy – when the croc struck from behind.

His wife Jane, a senior constable on Thursday Island, watched in terror from on board their boat as the beast dragged him beneath the water.

Sgt Tanswell described the force of the attack as like being struck in the back of the head with a rock and said he felt like he was in a "washing machine" as the croc thrashed around underwater.

"It hit me and it overwhelmed me," he said.

"I thought ‘My God, this is a croc attack, and this is it. This boy is going to come back and finish me off and it’s over. I can’t beat him off’."

But when the croc let go, Sgt Tanswell was able to scramble to the surface and shout for help.

His wife drove the boat between her husband and the croc before hauling him aboard.

The croc then swam towards one of the other officers in the water and "eyed him off" before losing interest and swimming away, allowing them to get on board the boat.

Sgt Tanswell, who struck a deal with A Current Affair to tell his story on television, said he believed the predator was at least 4m long.

Medical staff who treated him were stunned he emerged from the attack with only six minor puncture marks on his scalp and face.

"Given the nature of the attack, they are quite minor, " Thursday Island Hospital medical superintendent Dr Peter Arnold-Nott said.

Intensive care paramedic Dennis Walker, who treated Sgt Tanswell on the way back from Little Adolphus Island after meeting his boat, said the officer had compared the attack to "being hit in the head with a large rock".

When the croc submerged with him, Sgt Tanswell said it was like "being in a washing machine".

"It is quite a tale," Mr Walker said.

"He’s definitely got someone upstairs looking out for him."

Good work Cairnsinite, I've been using that site since about November... in fact I check most of the major regional publications in Qld on a daily basis, easy as:

www.cairnspost.com.au (http://www.cairnspost.com.au)

www.townsvillebulletin.com.au (http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au)

www.dailymercury.com.au (http://www.dailymercury.com.au)

www.themorningbulletin.com.au (http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au)

www.thechronicle.com.au (http://www.thechronicle.com.au)

10.01.2007
DON’T step on the gas if you’re a motor sports fan hanging on V8 Supercars coming to Mackay.
Mackay councillor George Christensen wrote to the V8 Supercars organisation late last year suggesting they consider the city as a venue for a race, after moves to bring the cars to Townsville stalled due to lack of State Government funding.

Cr Christensen said yesterday he had not received a response to his letter, and repeated attempts by The Daily Mercury to find out if the proposal is a possibility have been unsuccessful.

A spokesman for the V8 Supercars, Cole Hitchcock, said yesterday the organisation’s chairman was on holidays until the end of the month but had been made aware of the letter from Cr Christensen.





"We are not commenting on any racing in Mackay until he returns," he said.
"We don’t have a proposal to race there as far as we are aware."

Cr Christensen said he had received a few calls from members of the motor sports community asking if he had had any response to his letter.

"It's still very much up in the air," he said.

"I have not done any preliminary work on it, as there's no point if the V8 Supercars come back and say it’s not an option.

"There is the likelihood that they could come back and say that.

"We'll take it one step at a time, wait and see if they respond to us."

The V8 Supercars hold races in all states, in New Zealand and at Bahrain in the Middle East.

Some of the races are held on street courses, such as at the Gold Coast.

Others are held on dedicated race tracks, such as Phillip Island, Ipswich and Sandown.

There are 17 teams racing in the V8 Supercars series, with each maintaining at least two cars. There were 41 cars racing last year, and each race has a capacity of 32.

But a major sticking point for Mackay, apart from providing a racetrack and facilities, could be finding accommodation for the thousands of support staff who accompany each race, let alone the many motor sports fans.

Ok i think that just killed any or all hopes of a Cairns bid :cry:

I very much doubt the Mackay proposal had any real weight behind it. By the looks of it the V8 Cars Authority couldn't give a damn, and Townsville is back on the radar from what I've heard.

I think Cairns would have the greatest scenary, and would certainly be the most differentiated of the three cities given it's location and surroundings.

yeah i agree...however my gut feeling tells me there arent really that much v8 supercar enthusiasts here in Cairns and surrounds

^^ But apparantly our plan is too small compared to most other V8 tracks, like Phillip Island and Bathurst for example.

Is the Townsville proposal a street circuit, or would it be a dedicated raceway?

Is the Townsville proposal a street circuit, or would it be a dedicated raceway?

a street circuit centred mainly around boundary street, Sth Townsville.

Townsville has alot of land that can accomodate a permanent venue...hey Gertzy would it be suitable to build it next to Townsville speedway or in that area around shaw road? i was thinking either there or somewhere out at stuart

^^ Actually yeah, it probably would be, alot more land, alot more space, but then again, only just recently, Lacini developments and the Parkside group have brought alot land out that way for a new $1 Billion dollar housing estate called Liberty Lakes or something along those lines.

^^Yeh, I found an article about Liberty Lakes from the Bully (see here (http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,20976603%255E14790,00.html)). More boring urban sprawl - $1.6b, 400ha, 4500 lots, 14000 people. They have a similar sized estate called Liberty Lakes proposed for Adelaide and I couldn't resist reproducing this quote but Loopy70:

Liberty Lakes? omg

Why dont they just call it George Bush Park...

Couldnt we come up with something more ozzie, like Mateship Gardens.
:rofl:

^^ Lol, yeah, Liberty just sounds too American for my liking, its seems more associated with American Patronism than what it does Australia.

instead of liberty lakes why not call it harmony lakes

^^ Probably, but as long as the development itself incorporates some land made lake or billabong, anything lakes will do.

Super council

THE CAIRNS POST
25Jan07

CAIRNS would merge with Port Douglas and Kuranda in a radical council plan to create a super shire with a combined annual revenue of more than $210 million.

Business leaders are lobbying officials to scrap Douglas Shire Council and replace it with two councillors and municipal services centralised in Cairns.

Control of Kuranda would shift from Mareeba Shire to the Cairns-based council. The region north from Mossman would be folded into Cook Shire to expand its rate base.

Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne strongly supports the plan, saying Douglas Shire ratepayers would get a better deal and streamlined services under the merged council.

The proposal has also met with widespread support from Far Northern business, tourism and political leaders.

"The approach for this has been made to me in non-official ways from business people and the community up there and the people of Douglas Shire should give it serious consideration," Cr Byrne said.

"We would create a new division with one or two councillors and be able to administer services to Port Douglas far more efficiently."

"There would be enormous savings in service delivery and I would hope the Port Douglas community use this opportunity to make their voices heard if they want this to happen," Cr Byrne said.

The plan has met with opposition from Douglas Shire Mayor Mike Berwick and his Mareeba counterpart Mick Borzi.

Cr Berwick said the focus should be on disbanding state governments in favour of large regional shires.

He said a "Wet Tropics region" from Cardwell to Cooktown could replace state and local government boundaries, with up to 60 similar regions across Australia.

"I welcome debate on local government boundaries because I think local government across Australia needs a massive overhaul," he said. "Instead of tweaking the edges in a bid to keep expanding Cairns, I’d like to see a debate on the need for a North Queensland regional government.

"I don’t see a need for the states and I’m not certain of the future of local government. Most of the Federal Government’s services are delivered on a regional basis and we need a long debate about the merit of 50 or 60 regional governments throughout Australia."

Cr Borzi said his council would take the suggestion of Kuranda being amalgamated with Cairns lightly.

He said council and shire amalgamations did not necessarily result in greater efficiency of service and savings.

Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser was on leave and not available for comment yesterday.

^^ They might as well call it the Cairns Shire Council if they go ahead with that, Cairns LGA is big enough as it is.

There was an unsuccessful attempt by Johnstone Shire Council (they couldnt get the council voting numbers) to merge with Cairns City Council as the shire council was in financial chaos or on the verge of...as posted in this forum...and now they want to add Kuranda and Port Douglass to Cairns...um i dont know...maybe the boundaries should stay the same.....Its gonna get to a point where Cairns City Council would be too big to manage itself and alot of smaller divisions and suburbs would find it very hard to voice thier opinions if they are only represented by one council who has to cover over a 20-40k radius for example Babinda,Mirriwini, Deeral...maybe they are better off under Johnstone Shire as they are probably more closer to Innisfail than Cairns...you will find they are in Division 1...they also share the same councilor as Gordonvale/Pyramid Estate and thats a very large area....i say NO overall

Cowboys Cairns Pre-season match coming up soon....dont know the date but will find out

Both Cairns & Townsville will be hosting thier NBL elimination finals at home this week


Taipans v Dragons Cairns Convention Centre February 15, 06:40PM AEST
http://nbl.com.au/_content/club/taipans-logo.gif VS. http://nbl.com.au/_content/club/dragons-logo.gif at http://www.cairnsattractions.com/images/p-cairnsconventioncentre-night.jpg

Crocodiles v Slingers Townsville Entertainment Centre February 14, 06:40PM AEST
http://nbl.com.au/_content/club/crocodiles-logo.gifVS.http://nbl.com.au/_content/club/slingers-logo.gifathttp://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/regionalParliament/townsville/townsvilleConventionCentre.jpg

Hi all just thought i'd keep people update on whats happening at Barlow Park (from what i know)...

Ok the park has finished stage 3 of Upgrades and will commence stage 4 sometime this year... here is some info from Greenspace: Cairns City Council's Sport and recreation community newsletter:

Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne and Member for Cairns Desley Boyle MP officially opened the new extensions to Barlow Park grandstand on Friday 24th November 2006. The grandstand extension was jointly funded by sport and recreation Queensland and Cairns City Council at a total cost of $1.6million.
The upgrade included extending the main grandstand, an official's box that will house electronic timing for athelitics' meets, a function room that will hold 120 seated people, a new kitchen, canteen and toilets. The grandstand has now been expanded to include an extra 972 seats, the capacity of the stadium remains at 15,000. The new facility will be home to a broad rang of activities including rugby league and union, junior athelitcs, oztag, and school sporting carnivals. Stage 4 of the Barlow park upgrade, scheduled to commence in early 207, will include new entry facilities, amenities and access stairs to the southern mound.
to look at pics of the upgrade log onto: http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/files/services/goals_greenspace_newsletter_jan_Mar.pdf or http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/files/services/greenspace_newsletter_june..PDF

Where exactly is Barlow Park? I don't know if i've ever seen it.

And for the basketball, Qld has a great chance of bringing the NBL championship to the state this year. Our 3 teams are all good chances. Excellent stuff. :)

I never knew the NBL also included Singapore as well, and yeah, i also dont know where Barlow Park is.

^^
lol
You learn something new every day!! Next year, we'll have 4 QLD teams.

Where exactly is Barlow Park? I don't know if i've ever seen it.
Barlow Park is behind the Cairns Showgrounds on scott st... and a few blocks up from Cairns Central.. it is also adjacent to Bunnings & Kennedy's retravision on Spence st...and also couple of blocks from Cairns City Council.
..Barlow park would be similar to Townsville Sports Reserve but minus the big grandstand

Ok while googling just found out something new and that is Rockhampton has a Stockland Shopping Centre (the former Rockhampton Shopping Fair). So that makes Rockhampton, Townsville&Cairns with Stockland in NQ...and they also have a Cinemas in thier complex
http://www.beefaustralia.com.au/images/S8AQe3hBR2_stockland_rockhampton.jpg
http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/stockland_townsville.gif http://www.e-mailmarketing.com.au/taipans/CairnsLogo.jpg

Barlow Park is behind the Cairns Showgrounds on scott st... and a few blocks up from Cairns Central.. it is also adjacent to Bunnings & Kennedy's retravision on Spence st...and also couple of blocks from Cairns City Council.
..Barlow park would be similar to Townsville Sports Reserve but minus the big grandstand

Ahh okay, i would have driven past it before then, cos i remember going past Bunnings. Didn't take alot of notice i suppose!! Thanks mate!

That means that our stockland should have cinemas placed when they start their extension works.

Stockland Townsville getting a Cinemas? how many? Cairns and Rockhampton both have 6.... if Stockland Townsville is getting it then all 3 Stocklands in NQ will have Cinemas in thier complexes :)

Ahh okay, i would have driven past it before then, cos i remember going past Bunnings. Didn't take alot of notice i suppose!! Thanks mate!
should be a sell out crowd at this years Cowboys Cairns trial game...in the last few years crowd averages have been around 15,000-17,000 with a large portion of crowd turned away because of packed capacity

Ah yep, Barlow park is on Spence, and Severin streets. I've been to Barlow Park before, and i know its close to the Cairns City Council buildings.

As for Stockland Townsville, Management has claimed many times that an Upgrade is going to happen, and its needed if Townsville is going to get a Myer, but i was just speculating that ours could get a 6 cinemas BCC complex if they do decide to. If that happens, Townsville will have 21 cinemas overall (4 Complexes).

^^
Well i think Stockland management might be starting to have a few more restless nights lately. It's other 2 main competitors are well advanced as far as expansion plans go. Also if this Lancini complex in the city goes ahead, that will only add to their woes. Stockland Townsville is a pretty crappy shopping centre really.

Earville and Rockhampton's shits all over ours, just to say how crap ours is.

Earlville - not really Gertzy... in terms of popularity i think Townsvillians generally like thier Stockland more than we do in Cairns, mostly its Cairns Central thats the popular one, i generally hear alot of people saying "lets go to centrals"...half the time we generally refer to our Stockland as "Earlville" even on our buses..our sunbuses generally say "Gordonvale via Earlville" or "Edmonton via Earlville" actually our sunbuses never mention shopping centres on it except for the number 5 bus "Raintress via Mooroobol"... in Townsville i notice all your sunbuses generally mention your shopping centres like "Kelso, Willows, Stockland" i rang up the sunbus manager one day and asked "why dont our sunbuses say Stockland instead of Earlville" and hes like "why" i said cos Townsville does and he got real pissed off saying i just wasted my money on calling up about that...hahahaha

^^
Lol
That's funny. Oh well, i'm glad you pissed him off. Sunbus are a bunch of wankers anyway.

On another note, Cairns Central is overrated as well. Though it's still the best shopping centre in NQ.

Shopping frenzy looms

Roger Dickson

20Feb07

CAIRNS is set for a brand name discount shopping bonanza after confirmation Direct Factory Outlets has purchased Westcourt Plaza.

In a project worth $100 million, the centre will almost double in size.

Coles will stay, but Kmart will relocate to Mt Sheridan Plaza and the first DFO outside an Australian capital city will open at the Mulgrave Rd site next year.

More than 90 heavily discounted typical DFO outlets including Rivers, Colorado, Sony, Billabong, Oakley, Royal Doulton, Quiksilver and Pumpkin Patch are expected to be represented in the new centre.

DFO chief executive Geoff Porz says both Cairns locals and tourists will benefit from the bargains.

"Cairns has a strong local population base and high tourist visitation numbers which makes it a terrific location for a DFO," he said.

"By redeveloping Westcourt Plaza, we can open in 12 months with over 90 stores of international and national brand tenants offering premium brands at up to 70 per cent off."

The centre will be modelled on the format used at its existing five centres in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane where all shops are accessed from a single mall. Merchandise includes discontinued lines, last season’s stock, new season end-of-lines and special purchases.

The planned purchase of the shopping centre by DFO from Trinity Consolidated Group was reported in The Cairns Post last May.

The centre itself has sold for about $45 million and DFO says it will spend $55 million on setting up 17,000sq m of floor space for 95 discount outlets, food courts and a number of service shops to complement Coles.

Trinity paid $26.2 million in December 2004 for the centre.

Many of the shops near Coles are tipped to stay in a refurbished area.

The speed of redevelopment and DFO’s planned opening in March next year throws plans of a seamless move by Kmart into Sheridan Plaza into disarray. DFO said construction on its project will begin in May and that Kmart would vacate Westcourt Plaza in January.

Sheridan Plaza owners Mirvac said they could not guarantee their $65 million expansion to house Kmart and 38 specialty stores would be complete in time.

"At the moment, we are endeavouring to work around that date," Mirvac’s boss Nick Read said.

Tigers too strong
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 09:26 PM
Chris Tremonti, Sportal

The Melbourne Tigers have drawn first blood in their semi-final series with Cairns after downing the Taipans 100-87 at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday night.

The Taipans looked like they might continue their giant-killing run during an evenly-matched and sometimes fiery first half, but a 32-13 third quarter ensured the home side maintained its unbeaten playoff record under coach Al Westover.

Dave Thomas, who signalled his intentions early with a rebound and flush on Melbourne's first foray up forward, led from the front again with 16 points and nine rebounds.

But it was the home side's depth that proved the difference, Axel Dench (18 points, three rebounds), Nathan Crosswell (nine points, two rebounds) and the league's best sixth-man, Stephen Hoare (17 points, seven rebounds), handy all night and instrumental in the match-winning third quarter.

For the Taipans, Martin Cattalini began strongly but went missing in the second half and finished with just 13 points, while Damon Thornton battled all night and grabbed 12 points and six rebounds.

The Tigers can now book a spot in the Grand Final with a win in game two in Cairns on Friday.

Cattalini knocked in seven straight points early in the first term to open up a 13-7 lead, but when he was subbed out the Tigers levelled thanks to two coast-to-coast baskets, including a massive dunk from Rashad Tucker.

The Taipans responded with a treble of three-pointers to Gary Boodnikoff, Darnell Mee and Aaron Grabau, before Dench landed one from the corner for the Tigers.

The quarter, however, ended in sensational fashion when Thomas landed a bomb from three-quarter court right on the buzzer, and while the Taipans argued the shot was late, the referees, after almost a minute of deliberation, awarded the points to give the home side a 25-24 lead.

The Tigers came out stronger after the controversy, Dench extending their run to 12 straight points with the first four points of the second term before Thornton responded with two buckets of his own.

Cattalini found himself in foul trouble midway through the quarter, and in his absence the Tigers pounced, some brilliant passing under the hoop sparking the home side on a 10-3 run that pushed the lead into double figures for the first time in the game.

But the visitors once again answered with six late points to cut the deficit to four (45-41) before the quarter again finished in controversy with Taipans coach Al Black again arguing vehemently with the referees after the Tigers were awarded an out-of-court ball that gave them the final play of the half, though Anstey missed the three-point chance.

McDonald then sparked the Tigers on a 19-4 with six straight points that pushed the lead back into double figures, before Thomas had the crowd on their feet with a massive three.

http://www.nbl.com.au/_content/image/00003297-image.jpg

Hoare continued the scoring blitz with four straight points, while Crosswell closed out the quarter with three consecutive baskets, including one right on the buzzer, to make it 77-54 at three-quarter time.

Thornton tried to spark his side back into the contest with a pair of incredible dunks early in the last, but the Tigers matched his party tricks at the other end with two slick passes from Tucker and McDonald resulting in baskets for Hoare.

The Tigers got out by as much as 25 points before four late three-pointers, including two each to Anthony Stewart and Kane Oakley, kept the scoreline respectable for the Taipans.

Melbourne Tigers 100 (Dench 18, Hoare 17, Thomas 16)
Cairns Taipans 87 (Oakley 13, Cattalini 13, Thornton 12)
Crowd: 2839 @State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne 21/02/07

have a look at the crowd number for the game....looks like melbournites are soo used to seeing thier team in the semis and grand final....hopefully taipans can beat them in Cairns

Looks like we'll see more traffic on Mulgrave Road when DFO opens, they might as well build another lane on Portsmith Rd in preparation for people to get to the city. I am predicting Traffic Jams, or just really heavily congested Traffic.

have a look at the crowd number for the game....looks like melbournites are soo used to seeing thier team in the semis and grand final....hopefully taipans can beat them in Cairns

The state netball centre doesn't hold much more than that. But you're right, they're a bunch of slack pricks. lol

Good news on the DFO. Townsville won't be too far behind hopefully.

i think there are future plans to widen Mulgrave Rd to 6 lanes to join Sherriden St-Cpt Cook Highway... its either that or divert thru traffic via Mcoombe St-Brinsmead Rd and four lane the remainder of Brinsmead Rd to Skyrail roundabout.... hopefully in the near future :)

Hi all i would just like to hear feedback on the idea of a Cairns Stadium..... its either upgrade Barlow Park to Dairy Farmer's standards or build a new stadium from scratch, and if that ever eventuates i would like it built at either one of the following places

1) Edmonton...near the Cairns Speedway or on the former site of the proposed Cairns Race Course

2) Smithfield: near Smithfield Shopping Centre on vacant land behind Mcdonalds or near the Yorkeys Knob or Holloways beach Roundabouts (near Cairns Cart Hire)

The reason why im exploring this option is for many reasons
1) to attract more North Queensland Cowboys Games
2) explore the possibility of a Cairns based NRL, Union, or A-League Soccer team
3) to attract national and international sporting events to the city
4) and to also get even with Townsville :lol: ...not really to get even but to make Cairns more competitive with Townsville in attracting big events

A new Cairns Stadium would be a wonderful idea! we would have to ditch Barlow Park though if Cairns was to have another national sports team...We could call Barlow Park: Cairns Sports Reserve....but on the other hand Barlow Park would be the ideal venue for an A-League Soccer Team...gee i'd have to say im in 2 mindsets atm in that i want Barlow Park to be upgraded to full stadium status but then i also agree with you Cairnsinite of a new football stadium either at Smithfield or Edmonton..
In regards to getting another national sports team here of course we would need to look at the financial factors.. i suggest we form a committee and invite Cairns City Council, CDRL, Tom Hedley, Desley Boyle (member for Cairns), Advance Cairns and other Cairns business people like: Lou Piccone, Terry and Annette Walters, Lou Garozzo etc...
I think it is possible to get another national team in Cairns....rugby would be good!:)

i reckon an NRL team would be good....call it Cairns Cyclones but re-do the team logo!

Base them temporarily at Barlow Park while building a new stadium at either Edmonton or Smithfield. would be good though to build near the Cairns Speedway at Edmonton....i remember Cairns City Councillor Fran Lindsay sayin something about a new sports facility in the Edmonton area in the near future and the new Cairns Stadium should be it :)

Then there's the issue of traffic if we were to build at Edmonton... i suggest build a new road link from Cairns South Industrial Park to East Edmonton (the other side of the Bruce Highway at Piccones...i think its called swallow rd or mill dr)

Sunbus could operate shuttle services from Cairns Transit Mall or either Cairns Reef Fleet terminal to the stadium via Southern Access road.

Get Mr Hedley on Board definitely for sure....and the piccone and walter's families:)

No, it would have to be in the city. Edmonton is too far for Northern Beaches people and Smithfield is too far for Southerners. Barlow Park is most practical. I wounder if that site is big enough though.

No, it would have to be in the city. Edmonton is too far for Northern Beaches people and Smithfield is too far for Southerners. Barlow Park is most practical. I wounder if that site is big enough though.

Yeah i asked the same question about Barlow Park too:nuts:
Barlow Park is very limited on space...i have a few suggestions on dealing with Barlow Park
1) resume the parking spaces around the stadium (spence st & severin st) and turn them into paralell loading zones only.
2) with the parking area in front of Barlow Park main entrance...i say re-develope this into premium parking and a miniature version of Dairy Farmers Stadium western main entrance....the general public can either park thier cars at Cairns Central, the showgrounds, Bunnings...or have park at the Cairns City Council multi-storey carpark and get the free shuttle bus from the city mall!

Man i have a good feeling this will work (a Cairns NRL team) cos there are thousands of footy mad fans in Cairns and surrounding districts and the cape and torres straits. Cos i know alot of die hard fans do make the journey to Townsville to see thier team. With a Cairns based team, it saves them the long and tireless journey down (i know cos i've done it)... And of course they dont have to support the Cairns based team but at least they are still contributing to the development of the team with attendance numbers.

I talked to someone within the Cairns City Council (this person doesnt want to be named) and they told me that Cairns City Council is currently looking at resuming land on the eastern side of Edmonton (near Cairns Speedway) and are looking at reserving them for future development either sports, residential or community facilities etc. They also said that a stadium the size of Townsville's Dairy Farmers is possible and that to justify building it we would need a national team using it.
Then they went on to mention money! if you can find the money to build it then it is possible the council will support it.
They also emphasised that because Mackay and Townsville have strong mining links, they generally have the upper hand...but hey if there's a will then there's definitely a way! Not only that this person also wanted to know what would the team be called? will it be a Cairns team? or have Far North Queensland in it? they also said that maybe i should look at Mareeba or Port Douglass for some money as well...

Anyways the bottom line is: a stadium and Cairns NRL team is possible if we can find the money and support for it and also sell the idea to government, the people of Cairns and Far North Queensland and potential sponsors/investors...

We currently have a national Basketball team based in Cairns, what is stopping us from having another team? i know what it is: its risk taking... no one is willing to take big risks, everyone is waiting on the next person to make that stand...It is possible! i know it is...everyday i daydream about a Cairns NRL team playing thier first game either at a revamped Barlow Park or a new stadium...Once momentum takes off you can guarantee it will pick up rapidly, i guess i will be one of the driving forces but in the background....
My vision is for a Cairns NRL team by 2020 by the latest! who's with me on this one?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7e/Cairns_cyclones_logo.jpg & http://www.canz.com.au/images/billboards/taipans/Taipans-logo.jpg
Doing Far North Queensland proud

Dude im definitely with you on this one! i love my footy and just like you, i cant wait for the day watching the Cairns team run out to thier first ever home game! of course we would need to change the logo...looks a little lame if you ask me :)

Hi all just thought i'd let everyone know that the new Cairns Skate Park (or Skate Bowl) is now opened for business...its really cool!

http://www.cairnsinfo.com/dbimg/rg_li_707.jpg http://www.cairnsinfo.com/dbimg/rg_li_709.jpg http://www.cairnsinfo.com/dbimg/rg_li_711.jpg

as you can see the facility is a real hit with the locals...gee its very attractive however i dont skate...so i just go and specatate sometimes...
Plus there is also a beach volley ball facility built next to the skate bowl

That looks great. :)

As for the NRL team and stadium. Yeah, there's no doubt the support would be there. A 20,000 stadium would be reasonable. I think the only way Cairns would get the money would to use the same argument it used to get funding for the lagoon and Esplanade redevelopment. We pleaded 'hard done by', as T'ville already had one. This could work for a stadium and NRL team.

A 'bedroom sized' shop on the Cairns Esplanade has just been sold for $1.35M...or $64,285/sqm!!!!!

This has total smashed the record price per sqm for the local area and possibly the state!!!!

As for the NRL team and stadium. Yeah, there's no doubt the support would be there. A 20,000 stadium would be reasonable. I think the only way Cairns would get the money would to use the same argument it used to get funding for the lagoon and Esplanade redevelopment. We pleaded 'hard done by', as T'ville already had one. This could work for a stadium and NRL team.
When you look at it alot of footy talent comes from the Cairns region (incl Cape York & Torres Straits)....we could base our argument around the fact that Cairns is a regional hub for the Cape and Torres Straits (also serving a region of about 220,000) and it would make perfect sense to have a football team (either NRL, AFL or A-League) based in this city....And also that yes we are starved of footy action....the gold coast is an hour's train ride from Brisbane and they got a stadium...we are 4 hours by car away from our nearest stadium that hosts national footy games.....we could do better than 20,000 maybe go to 35,000?

A 'bedroom sized' shop on the Cairns Esplanade has just been sold for $1.35M...or $64,285/sqm!!!!!

This has total smashed the record price per sqm for the local area and possibly the state!!!!

guess that goes to show that Cairns CBD is very hot property...especially down at the waterfront

Gold Coast titans coming to Cairns

Just thought i'd let Cairns forumers know that the Gold Coast titans will be playing thier first ever pre-season match in North Queensland against the Cowboys at Barlow Park in February 2008 (i spoke to someone active in the Cairns league scene and they confirmed it)...

Sorry Townsville but Cairns will be the first NQ city to see the new team play upclose and personal outside of thier SEQ base!!!! if you dont believe me check the Cowboys 2007 draw http://nrl.com.au/Clubs/Cowboys/CowboysDrawResults/tabid/201/Default.aspx and you will see that they only play the Titans once in round 8 @ Carrara Stadium 7th May 2007 Yay!!!! cant wait to see them.....

Ok i wont give away much at this stage so once the story appears in the Cairns Post i will post it on here

http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/images/logo_Cowboys.gif VS http://www.ilovesport.com.au/new_images/NRL/N698_sm.jpg February 2008, Cairns

*Images courtesy of: www.townsville.qld.gov, www.ilovesport.com.au

Get your Cowboys tickets in Cairns at Taipans Shop, Stockland Cairns

The Cairns Taipans' partnership with North Queensland Cowboys ticketing company Tickets Online means Far Northern rugby league fans can buy tickets to Cowboys games before they leave for Townsville.

In the past, fans had to book online or risk making the four-hour trip to Dairy Farmers Stadium without a ticket and buy one at the gate in Townsville.

The new partnership means Cairns fans can piock tickets up from the Taipans Shop, the first retail outlet outside of Townsville to sell tickets to all Cowboys games.

Cairns Taipans general manager Denis Keeffe said the partnership was a very strong business development for the club.

The Taipans already have thier own ticketing system but have made sure the hardware and software is compatible with the Cowboys to allow fans to be able to purchase tickets "live".
"For Cairns fans to have the opportunity to book and actually get a guaranteed ticket in thier hands for any Cowboys home game this season, before leaving Cairns, is a wonderful opportunity" Mr Keeffee said.

Cowboys CEO Peter Parr said the deal highlighted the importance of the Cairns region to the Cowboys.

"Outside the immediate Townsville area, our biggest home game attendees come from the Cairns region" Mr Parr said.
"To provide an opportunity for Far North supporters of the Cowboys to purchase tickets in Cairns makes sense."

The Taipans' own ticketsPlus system and the Taipans sho's status as a Ticketek outlet made it Cairns's best venue for any form of ticketing, Mr Keeffe said

Gold Coast titans coming to Cairns

Just thought i'd let Cairns forumers know that the Gold Coast titans will be playing thier first ever pre-season match in North Queensland against the Cowboys at Barlow Park in February 2008 (i spoke to someone active in the Cairns league scene and they confirmed it)...

Sorry Townsville but Cairns will be the first NQ city to see the new team play upclose and personal outside of thier SEQ base!!!! if you dont believe me check the Cowboys 2007 draw http://nrl.com.au/Clubs/Cowboys/CowboysDrawResults/tabid/201/Default.aspx and you will see that they only play the Titans once in round 8 @ Carrara Stadium 7th May 2007 Yay!!!! cant wait to see them.....

Ok i wont give away much at this stage so once the story appears in the Cairns Post i will post it on here

http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/images/logo_Cowboys.gif VS http://www.ilovesport.com.au/new_images/NRL/N698_sm.jpg February 2008, Cairns

*Images courtesy of: www.townsville.qld.gov, www.ilovesport.com.au
Lol
We'll let ya have that one i suppose! :)

Lol
We'll let ya have that one i suppose! :)

Then again i could be wrong, you never know come finals time.... Cowboys may host Titans at Dairy Farmer's Stadium :)

Also Bergin the Taipans shop is also a Ticketek Agent...so i gather you can also purchase your state of origin tickets from there as well :cheers:

Hey all
I've got an arvo to kill this Tuesday in Cairns.
WHat is there to do?
I will not have a car to get around, and will probably have my gear to cart around.
What attractions are close to the CBD?

I'd like to go on the Skyrail, but that may be too hard to access. Are there any easily accessible rainforest walks or the like?

My cousin who lives up there has recommended spending the arvo by the Esplanade beach, but surely there is more to do in the CBD than that?

Thanks guys.

PS, what company runs the best value for money snorkelling trips out to the reef?

Hey all
I've got an arvo to kill this Tuesday in Cairns.
WHat is there to do?
I will not have a car to get around, and will probably have my gear to cart around.
What attractions are close to the CBD?

I'd like to go on the Skyrail, but that may be too hard to access. Are there any easily accessible rainforest walks or the like?

My cousin who lives up there has recommended spending the arvo by the Esplanade beach, but surely there is more to do in the CBD than that?

Thanks guys.

PS, what company runs the best value for money snorkelling trips out to the reef?

Skyrail is accessible by sunbus....if you are in the area between Edmonton and Smithfield you can purchase a country club pass for bout $8 (24hr unlimited bus pass)

Other than the esplanade lagoon...try taking a walk along the esplanade from the lagoon and head north....the Council has turned the northern end of the esplanade into a parkland...there is a skate bowl, and beach volleyball facilities along the way...its about a 2km walk....

You could also go out to the reef or do one of the following activities for the day through one of the adventure companies
1) Great adventures (green island)
2) quicksilver (Cairns-Port Douglass to reef)
3) Whitewater rafting (Cairns to tully or Barron river)...phone great adventures for more info
4) for the adrenalin seeker there's: Aj Hackett Bungy Jumping out at smithfield...or Cableski water park which is also located out at smithfield
5) while on smithfield...you could go to the Tjapukai Aboriginal cultural park and learn about the rich history of the local indigenous tribe/s of the Cairns and surrounding district
6) take a trip up on the skyrail and then maybe come down on the kuranda scenic railway? which gives you a breathtaking view of Cairns and the barron falls/gorge

*most of the attractions are accessible by sunbus...just ask the driver where you want to go and he will give you the appropriate directions....enjoy your time in Cairns :)

just like Townsville, Cairns now has a Harvey Norman mega supa store.....i think its still at the current site on spence st....i dont know as i just caught the tail end of the advertisment on tv:)

Yen to stop tourist drain

THE CAIRNS POST
Gavin King

12May07

THE number of Japanese tourists visiting the Far North has dropped by more than 30,000 in the past two years, but stronger alternative markets are softening the blow.

Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey yesterday described the Japan situation as "dreadful" while Far Northern operators fear the decline will continue for at least the next two years.

Nearly 250,000 Japanese tourists visited the Far North in 2005, but the numbers have continued to fall since the 224,000 total in 2006.

The past six months have seen a slide of 9 per cent, despite overall international growth of more than 4 per cent.

Bosses at the Hilton Cairns, Sofitel Reef Casino and The Quicksilver Group’s Green Island operation said their respective Japanese numbers had fallen by up to 15 per cent on the same time last year.

Strong visitor numbers from the US, Canada and Europe are softening the blow.

"Since mid-April, our Japanese numbers have dropped by about 15 per cent compared to last year, and those 2006 numbers were already disappointing on the back of the cyclones," Hilton Cairns general manager Guy Hutchinson said.

"The most critical issue we face is that the launch of Jetstar services in August is managed as well as it possibly can be managed.

"If it’s not handled smoothly and there isn’t trust and confidence in Jetstar in the Japanese market the downward trend will accelerate. The next 12 months are absolutely critical."

Sofitel Reef Casino’s Richard Dudley said the Japanese market was up to 40 per cent of the hotel’s business, but the numbers had declined by up to 15 per cent over the same time last year.

"The rate of decline seems to be accelerating and we’re noticing it in both the hotel and casino sides of the business," he said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Rob Giason said a concerted effort was needed to stop the "freefall", including the need for an overhaul of Australia’s image in the Japanese market.

"If people rely on the Japanese market solely and wholly, they would be feeling the lion’s share of the impact of the decline," Mr Giason said.

"The challenge is to get Japanese visitor numbers at a stable level to try to stop the freefall so we can pursue new opportunities provided by Jetstar’s launch into western Japan."

Ms Bailey said she was concerned by the continued fall in Japanese visitor numbers, largely blamed on the soaring values of the Australian dollar against the Japanese yen.

"I can assure all of the Cairns operators we are doubling our efforts in Japan because the figures have been dreadful, 9.2 per cent over the last six months, which is so different from every other market where numbers are increasing," Ms Bailey said.

"But we can’t simply keep relying on the same old thing, products have to be fresh and new and there is absolutely no doubt the challenge is for the Australian industry to invest more.

"The Federal Government is doing that and it is something everyone in the tourism industry needs to consider."

State Tourism Minister Margaret Keech conceded emerging markets such as China and India would not fill the gap left by the Japanese market during the next few years.

But she applauded Far Northern operators for remaining resilient in the face of the decline.

Well it seems that only a few Japanese visitors will be coming to see the Australia A vs Japan Union match in June then, in Townsville of course.

Cairns Airport was featured in the March/April edition of Airports of the World, it consisted of some very old photos and a picture of the International Terminal after it was built. It was also the Travel spot for that Edition too.

have heard whispers around Cairns that the following retailers have been closely eyeing Cairns...so watch this space :)

1) http://www.theage.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1056449240969_2003/06/24/B-DFO,0.jpg ( at Westcourt Plaza)

2) http://www.blueant.com.au/resellers/logo/wow.gif (Possibly opening somewhere on Mulgrave Road)

3) http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/abortus2/files/jbHifi.bmp (Dont know where at this stage)

4) http://www.brr.com.au/upload/images/logo/NCK_logo.gif (Dont know where at this stage)

5) Joyce Mayne (Dont Know where at this stage)






*this is what i have been told, so it is unconfirmed at the moment
**images courtesy of: www.theage.com.au, www.blueant.com.au, www.brr.com.au, www.members.optusnet.com.au

Cool, Townsville already has Nick Scali, Wow and Joyce Mayne, but JB Hi-Fi is opening soon, and DFO is still trying to find a site.

Cairns will do very well with a WOW. It is the best place to get a bargain on electronics goods.

You will generally find that what's in Cairns will likely end up in Townsville further down the track or vice versa....Cairns and Townsville with thier population base alone can sustain retail activity/development..Just like the example with Myer. Cairns has it but within a few years hopefully Townsville will get one.
In my opinion it would be retail suicide if a retailer has a shop in one city and not both because of thier relatively close population margins and the respective areas that they service...e.g. Townsville: Mt Isa/Charters Towers/Ingham/Bowen. Cairns: Innisfail/Mareeba/Port Douglass&Mossman/Cape York/Torres Straits/ and probably PNG..
And with both Cities' population forecasted to increase, retailers cant compromise when it comes to profits

wow sight and sound are in the process of establishing a Cairns store wont be long.....there is a new building going up on the corner of Mulgrave rd and Mccoombe St and i am told by people around town that it maybe where Wow is going....can someone please enlighten me cos the council isnt telling me much but i do know that wow will open within the next 12 months

The cairns show ended with a bang!!!!!!!!!! this year's show saw the return of clear blue skies.....organisers are hoping to crack the 70,000 record mark and set a new record for regional shows across Australia....The same old rides came this year though i didnt approve of the cyber party which was a clone of the Break dance....hope all goes well next year :)

http://www.psychopanic.com/images/show2006/show2006-36.jpg

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.psychopanic.com/images/show2006/show2006-36.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.psychopanic.com/showpage.php&h=768&w=1024&sz=136&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=-8TjYEepgGncZM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dspace%2Broller%2Bshow%2Bride%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.psychopanic.com/images/show2006/show2006-36.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.psychopanic.com/showpage.php&h=768&w=1024&sz=136&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=-8TjYEepgGncZM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dspace%2Broller%2Bshow%2Bride%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.psychopanic.com/images/show2006/show2006-36.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.psychopanic.com/showpage.php&h=768&w=1024&sz=136&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=-8TjYEepgGncZM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dspace%2Broller%2Bshow%2Bride%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.psychopanic.com/images/show2006/show2006-36.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.psychopanic.com/showpage.php&h=768&w=1024&sz=136&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=-8TjYEepgGncZM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dspace%2Broller%2Bshow%2Bride%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.psychopanic.com/images/show2006/show2006-36.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.psychopanic.com/showpage.php&h=768&w=1024&sz=136&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=-8TjYEepgGncZM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dspace%2Broller%2Bshow%2Bride%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG

http://www.psychopanic.com/images/show2006/show2006-36.jpg


*images courtesy: www.psychopanic.com

That space roller ride is awesome, quite weird looking though.

DOUGLAS Shire Mayor Mike Berwick is calling for a revolt against the Cairns council merger, claiming the shire would become a "suburb of Cairns at the end of a four-lane highway".

"Cairns has a development mentality, development at all costs, development or bust," he said.

"Everything we have worked for – opposition to high rise buildings, the fixed urban footprint, conserving the Daintree, looking after the rural landscape and the farming sector – it is all up for grabs.

"To set out guidelines and then ignore them is the height of dishonesty and arrogance. Whatever trust I had for the government is gone."

Cook MP Jason O’Brien admitted to being surprised by the announcement.

"It’s going to be hard for me to sell … but the behaviour and conduct of councillors in recent times has not endeared it to anyone and this is a considerable factor," he said.

"They might want to blame the Government but they should take a good hard look at themselves."

The Independent Reform Commission listed a number of reasons for the merge, including strong transportation and tourism links, a shared cane industry, and a shared wet tropics, Reef and coastal identity.

The proposed shire will not be divided, meaning the Douglas Shire is not guaranteed a councillor from the area.

Cr Berwick is calling an urgent public meeting of the council today at 10am, at the shire chambers at Mossman, to create a council response to the announcement.

Executive officer of Port Douglas Daintree Tourism Doug Ryan believed the merger could be managed if "common sense prevailed" to prevent changes to Douglas Shire’s strict development code that prevents development higher than the height of a palm tree.

Port Douglas businesswoman Jenni Gardner was among those in Port Douglas yesterday who mirrored Cr Berwick’s concerns, stating dissatisfaction with Cairns’s "ad hoc" development code, which she said would threaten Port Douglas’s unique identity.

Cr Berwick is urging residents opposed to the merger to write to Cook MP Jason O’Brien and to Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser, and to attend today’s meeting

***Cairns post july 28, 2007*****

Cairns Regional Council (pop: 142,723): Cairns City Council & Douglass Shire Council..Boundary to stretch from waugh pocket (12k's north of Innisfail) in the south to near Wujal Wujal in the North (size: 4135 sqkm)

Tabeland Regional Council (pop:48,266): Mareeba Shire Council, Atherton Shire Council, Eacham Shire Council, Herbeton Shire Council...Boundary to stretch from mid-way Kuranda range (with Cairns Regional to near gulf) giving it an area similar size to Tasmania (size: 64,000sqkm)

Cassowary Coast Regional Council (pop:30,843): Cardwell and Johnstone Shire Councils...Boundary to stretch from waugh pocket (12k's north of Innisfail, bordering with Cairns Regional Council) in the north to Hinchinbrook Islander in the south bordering with Hinchinbrook-Ingham

Stand alone councils: Cook Shire, Yarrabah Aboriginal shire, Lockhart River Aborginal shire, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire

http://www.blueant.com.au/resellers/logo/wow.gif
Cairns
Cnr Mccoombe St & Mulgrave Rd (Bruce Highway)

http://courtenaycentral.co.nz/whoshere/mcdonalds/logo_mcdonalds.gif
Woree (Bruce Highway)
Drive thru service now open 24 hours from July 2nd, 2007

You will generally find that what's in Cairns will likely end up in Townsville further down the track or vice versa....Cairns and Townsville with thier population base alone can sustain retail activity/development..Just like the example with Myer. Cairns has it but within a few years hopefully Townsville will get one.
In my opinion it would be retail suicide if a retailer has a shop in one city and not both because of thier relatively close population margins and the respective areas that they service...e.g. Townsville: Mt Isa/Charters Towers/Ingham/Bowen. Cairns: Innisfail/Mareeba/Port Douglass&Mossman/Cape York/Torres Straits/ and probably PNG..
And with both Cities' population forecasted to increase, retailers cant compromise when it comes to profits

^^ Heck yes thats true, But it really annoys me that if u go on the DFO website u fine that cairns is on there but townsville isnt, iam pretty sure the cairns dfo store will open in the nxt few months, but townsville will have to wate a FEW YEARS until the lanci (massive i think 6 story 3level carpark and 2 retail and 1 cinema) shopping centre is built cause in the bully they said that mr lancini's shopping centre will be a fashion shopping centre with dfo, and american fashion outlets never seen here in NQ!! HMMMM HURRY!!! iam sick to death of stockies!! This is the interior of the huge shopping mall, Cant wate and its about time,

http://i18.tinypic.com/6be46dt.jpg

HMMMM HURRY!!! iam sick to death of stockies!!

God tell me about it!!!!! i am sick of Stockland Cairns!!! thats all you here...."stockland this...stockland that...stockland movies!!!! shut the f*** up :bash:

***GRAND OPENING***9am Thursday 23rd August 2007***
http://www.blueant.com.au/resellers/logo/wow.gif
Cairns
Cnr Mccoombe St & Mulgrave Rd (Bruce Highway)

Work will soon begin on the 6-laning of Mulgrave (Woree tavern end) to Sherriden St (Captain Cook Highway)....i got this info from the Premier Beattie's "smart state" infrastructure building advertisment (Cairns region) which appeared in the Cairns Post....similarily there's probably an adv in the Townsville Bulletin in regards to projects in Townsville region

A south Australian company has the won the redevelopment contract for Cairns Airport, with construction set to start next week.
Deputy premier Anna Bligh was in Cairns yesterday to announce Hansen Yucken had been awarded the $135million contract for the main building section of the domestic terminal.
The company has not worked in Queensalnd before but recently completed upgrade of the Adelaide Airport.
It also built the Alice Springs terminal.
"This is a very big consctruction and will be a great re-development but it will see some 30 months of construction" Ms bligh said.
"the whole project will be done in stages taking just under three years so there will be a bit of inconvenience but in the end it will be worth it."
Hansen Yucken cheif executive Peter Kennedy said the project was a boost for the company and it allowed it to expand into North Queensland.
He said the airport would look "a hell of a lot nicer than what it does now".
"Its fundamentally a refurbishment and will involve working from one part of the airport right through with some extensions and changes of layout" he said.
"This really just brings it up to speed to make it work alot more effectively"
Mr Kennedy said it would be a challenging process.
"We've got to make sure our people do thier best to keep public inconvenience to a minimum" he said.
"The other thing is with alot of different areas to do, its quite complicated.
"If you have a new terminal which you start from scratch, its very much easier than trying to work in one where people are still operating".

Cairns Airport Domestic Terminal Re-Development
* extension and reconfiguration of the existing terminal to accomodate new and expanded facilities
* expansion and redevelopment of the departures area including more retail variety
* one area for all airline check-ins and new baggage handling equipment
* replacement of three aerobridges and ramps and the addition of two new aerobridges
* major redevelopment of public facilities including car parks, pedestrial areas and roadways
* widening of the aircraft parking aprons and relocation of airside roadways
* construction of a purpose-built interim arrivals hall and baggage reclaim facility

****Due for completion in early 2009, the redevlopment will be undertaken in consecutive stages while the terminal remains fully operational, careful planning and design will ensure service delilvery is maintained.****

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2007/08/26/STORY3.gif
CAIRNS, you rocked.

The timeOUT concert is now officially the biggest event on the Far North’s music calendar after drawing almost 9000 people to Cannon Park on Saturday night.

The massive crowd rocked on to headline acts Cat Empire and Hilltop Hoods and support acts Ash Grunwald and The Vasco Era.

Cairns acoustic rockers The Venus Battery, who took out the Battle of the Bands, opened the show that is being described by organisers and concert goers as one of the region’s best.

Families soaked up the atmosphere at the gig, which attracted people of all ages.

The Cairns Post marketing manager Sylvia Palumbo said yesterday it was the biggest concert in Cairns since rock legends AC/DC played 20 years ago.

She said the event’s reputation as a premier show now meant top acts were keen to be involved.

"It was a perfect day and we didn’t have any issues on the night," she said.

"There were lines of people at the gate when it opened at 3pm and at 4pm when local band The Venus Battery started playing, there would have been more than 1000 people there."

Ms Palumbo said six months of hard work went into organising the event and this year’s success meant it was likely to become an annual outdoor concert.

Cat Empire fan Tamzin Lardedo had such a fantastic time she wants timeOUT to become a Cairns tradition.

"It was a fantastic event," she said yesterday. "It was relaxed, people were friendly and it was really well organised.

"Cairns people normally behave themselves at live music events and timeOUT was no exception. Everyone had a great attitude."

Insp Russell Rhodes yesterday praised concertgoers and said no arrests were made.

http://www.wordstorm.com.au/images/sumo_logo.gif
Cairns Central Food Court

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2007/08/26/STORY3.gif
CAIRNS, you rocked.

The timeOUT concert is now officially the biggest event on the Far North’s music calendar after drawing almost 9000 people to Cannon Park on Saturday night.

The massive crowd rocked on to headline acts Cat Empire and Hilltop Hoods and support acts Ash Grunwald and The Vasco Era.

Cairns acoustic rockers The Venus Battery, who took out the Battle of the Bands, opened the show that is being described by organisers and concert goers as one of the region’s best.

Families soaked up the atmosphere at the gig, which attracted people of all ages.

The Cairns Post marketing manager Sylvia Palumbo said yesterday it was the biggest concert in Cairns since rock legends AC/DC played 20 years ago.

She said the event’s reputation as a premier show now meant top acts were keen to be involved.

"It was a perfect day and we didn’t have any issues on the night," she said.

"There were lines of people at the gate when it opened at 3pm and at 4pm when local band The Venus Battery started playing, there would have been more than 1000 people there."

Ms Palumbo said six months of hard work went into organising the event and this year’s success meant it was likely to become an annual outdoor concert.

Cat Empire fan Tamzin Lardedo had such a fantastic time she wants timeOUT to become a Cairns tradition.

"It was a fantastic event," she said yesterday. "It was relaxed, people were friendly and it was really well organised.

"Cairns people normally behave themselves at live music events and timeOUT was no exception. Everyone had a great attitude."

Insp Russell Rhodes yesterday praised concertgoers and said no arrests were made.
According to my Sister who lives in Cairns that concert sucked balls, she has her tickets to Elton John
_________________________________________________________________ TOWNSVILLE 168,000 PEOPLE AND BOOMING http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=216

According to my Sister who lives in Cairns that concert sucked balls, she has her tickets to Elton John
_________________________________________________________________ TOWNSVILLE 168,000 PEOPLE AND BOOMING http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=216

i went and it totally rocked Cairns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cant wait for the next one :banana:

Cairnsinite you make me proud to be a north queenslander, also referring to tsv vs cairns aswell go on ya mate!

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/08/26/grinspoonstory_ent-lead__200x240.jpg Innisfail bound: Grinspoon to perform at the Triple J AWOL concert at Innisfail Showgrounds on Saturday, September 8

One of the current darlings of alternative radio, Red Riders, will join Grinspoon, Mia Dyson and Cairns group Sleeping In Trains on the Triple J AWOL bill on Saturday, September 8 at Innisfail Showgrounds

Red Riders recently released their single In My Sleep. This is their most commercial single to date and follows My Love Is Stronger Than Your Love, which received high rotation on Triple J and extensive Video Hits play.

Both tracks are taken from the debut album Replica Replica which has been greeted with glowing reviews.

Winners of the Jack Award for Best Live Newcomer, Red Riders have toured with everyone from Snow Patrol to Little Birdy, The Living End, Franz Ferdinand and The Pretenders. They also have played a host of festivals including Big Day Out and Homebake.

After their national sold-out tour, for which they put on a host of mind-blowing live performances, it’s safe to say Red Riders are among the most exciting bands in Australia at the moment. And now they’re gearing up for a massive tour around Australia, which includes one of the biggest gigs they’ve ever done.

Red Riders join Grinspoon, Mia Dyson and Sleeping In Trains on the bill for the Triple J AWOL concert at Innisfail Showgrounds on Saturday, September 8.

http://www.derwent.com.au/picts/powderfinger_silverchair.jpg

Northern Australia Tour


DARWIN
friday 5th October 2007 Darwin Showgrounds, w/ KISSCHASY

Tickets available from http://acrossthegreatdivide.oztix.com.au/ or via phone sales call centre on 1300 762 545, usual Ticketek outlets, The Lost Arc, Discovery 08 8942 3300, C.D. City Hi Fi - Darwin, Kitty O'Sheas - Darwin, Sounds Of Music - Casuarina, Curved Air Record Store - Palmerston and The Palmerston Sports Club (At The Hub) – Palmerston.
$89.90 (inc GST) plus booking fee and any other ticketing agency charges if applicable.
All ages – please bring photo ID

CAIRNS
Sunday 7th October 2007 Cairns Showgrounds, w/ KISSCHASY

Tickets available from http://acrossthegreatdivide.oztix.com.au/ or via phone sales call centre on 1300 762 545, usual Ticketek outlets, Ticketlink outlets, 07 4031 9555 or www.ticketlink.com.au
$89.90 (inc GST) plus booking fee and any other ticketing agency charges if applicable.
All ages – please bring photo ID


TOWNSVILLE
Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th OctoberSOLD OUT - Entertainment Centre, w/ ANDREW MORRIS


Tickets available from Townsville Entertainment Centre, Dial ‘n’ charge 07 4771 4000 or www.tecc.net.au
$89.90 (inc GST) plus booking fee and any other ticketing agency charges if applicable.
All ages and licensed – please bring photo ID if you wish to drink


Mackay
Thursday 11th September 2007, Mackay Showgrounds w/tba

Tickets available from http://acrossthegreatdivide.oztix.com.au/ or via phone sales call centre on 1300 762 545, usual Ticketek outlets, 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au
$89.90 (inc GST) plus booking fee and any other ticketing agency charges if applicable.
All ages with 18+ areas – please bring photo ID if you wish to drink














*image/s courtesy of www.acrossthegreatdivide.com.au, www.derwent.com.au

CAIRNS Amateurs horse racing carnival again proved its status as the city's prime social event, attracting more than 14,500 people to Saturday's race meeting.

Last-minute horse flu and alcohol service issues threatened to keep people away from Cannon Park but in true Cairns style, the women frocked up and the men shined their shoes and headed trackside to have a punt on the local nags.

Despite the reduced crowd, by 2pm the line to get in the front gate was just as long as the lines at the bars but the “less squeezy” crowd meant the toilet queues were almost non-existent.

Cairns Amateurs president Alan McPherson thanked the punters who visited the horse-free track on Friday and joined the throbbing crowd to watch the five-event locals-only horse races on Saturday.

“Given the circumstances, we are very happy with the turnout,” Mr McPherson said.

“We really want to thank the ladies for putting in so much effort and looking so fantastic and the sponsors for sticking by us.”

Fashions on the Field was a highlight of the day with Alice Bright, 21, taking out the under 25s best dressed title and Jannette Garden winning the open racewear section.

Vanessa van Haeften and Sam Bush were named the best dressed couple.

It was standing room only along the track with punters keen to get a glimpse of the local horses thundering past during all five races.

John Stanton, who trains race-horses in Victoria, travelled to the Far North specifically to experience Amateurs after learning of the event’s reputation.

“The atmosphere is fantastic, though there needs to be more outlets selling alcohol,” Mr Stanton said.

“It’s on par with the Victorian race meets and probably up there with the best of them.”

Three-time Melbourne Cup jockey Les Burgess said he was shocked by the magnitude of Cairns Amateurs.

"I didn't expect it to be so big with such a good atmosphere," Mr Burgess said.

http://www.countrymusicbulletin.com.au/pix/telstraroad.jpg
Cairns auditions
Sunday 16th September, 2pm at Brother's Leagues Club

http://www.realitytvcalendar.com/shows/dance2/logo.jpg
Cairns auditions
10am-5pm at Riparts
194 Progress Rd, Whiterock
for ages: 16-30yo

^^ It was not surprising, seeing how this series of that show has become so popular, then it was no surprise at all that there would be an Australian version.

^^ It was not surprising, seeing how this series of that show has become so popular, then it was no surprise at all that there would be an Australian version.

most of the shows on tv nowdays are American inspired....dancing with the stars, sale of the century/temptation, Australian/American Idol, family feud...etc...

found this article while googling on ABC....posted Aug 22, 2007




The peak business body in Cairns, in far north Queensland, has renewed calls for an Australian Technical College in the far north.

The Federal Government initiative is designed to tackle the skills shortage and give senior high school students more on-the-job training.

Townsville is one of several cities nationwide that already has a college.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Jeremy Blockey says business leaders are trying to establish a steering committee to help get a college in the far north.

"The chamber of commerce has been looking at this for a number of months now with a view to putting a proposal up to Canberra," he said.

"It has had a number of people around the region briefed on the potential of the project and we would anticipate going down to Canberra to present a proposal to the Federal Government some time in early September."

OK but why in such big font?

And Everything that Townsville has cairns seems to have these days, Just whish we could get a few more things of cairns, like international airport, DFO etc etc

OK but why in such big font?

the article was in small print so i thought i'd "blow it up" and make it reader friendly to the eyes :nuts:

LOL thanks!!

http://www.canz.com.au/images/logo/Gilliganslogo.jpg
4th Birthday Celebrations September 30th, 2007

special guest:
http://www.poster.net/diesel-vin/diesel-vin-photo-xl-vin-diesel-6209130.jpg

I see Jodie Foster was also there, hoping off a plane in Cairns to head to some island.

arent they filming near cardwell? nimb's island or something?

Retailers eyeing Cairns for future openings

http://www.laserco.com.au/images/logo_ph.jpg

http://www.biomagnetic.tv/database/files/stockists/bedshed.jpg

http://www.thepegasusgroup.com.au/new/vouchers/vouchers/dan_murphys.gif

:lol: Townsvilles got all of them, But anyway I though Cairns already had a dick smith Powerhouse cause according to there website Cairns has 2

i dont know actually....just a dicksmith electronics in cairns...maybe soon they will merge it into Dicksmith powerhouse or something

$4 million upgrade of Barlow Park under way

October 2, 2007

Stage 4 to further improve facility

Jointly funded by Cairns City Council and Queensland Sport, Recreation and Racing, the $4 million Stage 4 upgrade of Barlow Park is now under way.

Work will include a new entrance on the Spence Street side of the complex, along with a new catering outlet, pathways and amenities facilities.

The changes will see improvements to spectator's comfort with better catering, access and viewing amenities, ensuring Barlow Park continues as one of the premier sporting complexes in North Queensland.

CMC Cairns Pty Ltd was awarded the contract and the project is expected to be completed by January 2008, weather permitting.

Council has undertaken a staged development of Barlow Park over the past six years to position it as a high level regional facility with the capacity to host state, national and international standard training and competition.

The $1.8 million Stage 3 upgrade was officially opened in November last year. This work included main grandstand extensions, an official's box with electronic timing for athletics' meets, air-conditioned function room that holds 100 seated people, new kitchen, and canteen and toilets.

The Hot House Party has become one of the highlights on the youth social calendar!

The event is open only to High School Students from 12-17 years of age (school ID is required). It is a drug and alcohol free event and is fully supervised.

This month’s theme is HALLOWEEN and is sure to involve a lot of tricks and treats!!!

^^ lol, you're obviously not in that age group are you Cairnsinite. Anyway, if i was in Cairns i'd probably go, but i dont believe in Halloween.

im just over that age thank god....find it really annoying partying with the teenie boopers....:lol:

Region's first direct factory outlet unveils $55m Plan
http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif
The long-awaited list of retailers at the $55million Direct Factory Outlets centre has revealed more than 85 shops spread acress nearly 25,000sqm of retail floor space.

Queensland's first DFO centre outside Brisbane will feature discounted fashion and lifestyle shops, a new food court and a Coles supermarket.
Due to open in April, a floor plan of the former Westcourt Plaza site obtained by the Cairns Post shows popular clothing brands such as Witchery, Cue, Peter Alexander, Dotti and Nine West.
Other high-profile stores include Lorna Jane, Mitch Dowd, Just Jeans, Converse and Diana Ferrari.

DFO spokeswoman Jenny Freyer siad the final mix of tenants may change pending lease contract negotiations but she declined to comment further.

The shopping hub is expected to be completed in three stages with Coles continuing to trade during the renovations.

DFO purchased the Westcourt Plaza site from property group Trinity for $45 million earlier this year.

The discount shopping retailer runs five shopping centres in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane with plans for others in Tasmania, Canberra and a second in Brisbane.

Cairns Chamber of commerce president Jeremy Blocky said the new DFO centre would be a boon for the city's retail industry and provide a boost to the domestic tourism market.
He said shoppers from Townsville often travelled to Cairns for shopping at major stores such as Myer and the DFO centre would provide an extra incentive to visit.

*image courtesy of http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif

He said shoppers from Townsville often travelled to Cairns for shopping at major stores such as Myer and the DFO centre would provide an extra incentive to visit.*image courtesy of http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif

Thanks Cairnsinte for the article, AHHHHH that pisses me of :lol: iam all for Cairns having a store but thats a loads of shit, DFO stated they would open two stores won in Townsville & Cairns, AHHHHHHH OMG So I dount Townsville will have a DFO store, All Townsville needs is a good Fashion outlet!

Look at the mudflaps jks

http://i22.tinypic.com/2s8iufd.jpg

Look at the mudflaps jks

http://i22.tinypic.com/2s8iufd.jpg

thats a nice pic...where'd you take it from? top of hilton, casino or pacific?

^^Its was a unit selling for 1250000 on www.realestate.com.au :D

From that angle and view, i would actually say the top floor of Harbour Lights.

Yip it was harbour lights gertzy its for sale for 1.25 mill lol

man i have to get me a dig camera....how much would i be looking at for a cheap one?

^^ http://www.pcplus.co.uk/__data/assets/image/704455/ebay-logo-716-90_302_x_302.jpg

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff48/cairnsinite/nightowl.jpg

^^Wow do they have these stores accross aus or just in Cairns?

i think just across Queensland and New South Wales atm
there's one in Mackay while the rest are in SEQ....(www.nightowl.com.au)
http://www.nightowl.com.au/nightowl/images/map.jpg

the're good when your clubbing and need a quick fix....four stores in the city are 24/7: Earlville, Sherridan St, Shield St and Spence St

http://www.mww.com/images/casestudies/kmart.gif
will start plans to move to Mt Sherridan Plaza (south side near edmonton) soon as the DFO development takes place,

Night Owl is like Australia's 7/11, though i still like 7/11 better though unfortunately.

i prefer nightowl cos its aussie and plus they have some good snack deals :)

Nightowl or 7/11 would do well on Flinders Street or somewhere in the City.

$200m terminal revival

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2007/10/22/STORY3.gif
First class: Work has begun on Cairns airport’s $200 million makeover that will include extra parking, shops and bigger terminal space.

THIS is the Far North's first look at the sleek new $200 million makeover of Cairns airport's domestic terminal.

The redevelopment will include expanded shopping outlets, bigger terminal space with new baggage handling equipment and more car parking spaces, including some undercover.

Architects also incorporated new security elements in the redesign, with taxis and buses dropping off passengers at a separate area to the general public.

The airport will be decked out in three themes of reef, rainforest and outback to match the region’s Change Your Latitude branding.

Cairns Port Authority chief executive Neil Quinn said the airport was last redeveloped in 1997 when about 1.8 million passengers passed through the domestic terminal.

Mr Quinn said an estimated three million passengers were expected next year.

"Construction has commenced at the former Qantas arrivals end at the southern end of the terminal, and a complex staging process will go through to December 2009," he said.

"Parts of the redevelopment will be delivered through that time, underlying the requirement to maintain an operating terminal throughout the construction phase."

Mr Quinn urged people using the airport to allow an extra 15 minutes for their visit in case of delays caused during the construction period.

"It’s a long construction period, the terminal will change through that time, and we appreciate everyone’s tolerance and patience.

"We will end up with a product that’s absolutely first class."

The redevelopment is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.

Mr Quinn today will reveal his vision for the airport and seaport at a Cairns Chamber of Commerce lunch.


***here's just a small sneak peak by Cairns Port Authority into the redevelopment, still i wish they'd show the whole thing :nuts:

^^Nice!

Another article regarding Cairns Airport Upgrade:


There are 3 million reasons to transform Cairns Domestic Terminal into a state-of-the-art gateway to our region.

That's how many local, interstate and international visitors get their first impression of the region when passing through Cairns Domestic Terminal and that's why we are investing $200 million.

Qantas passengers now arrive through the interim arrivals facility at the northern end of the terminal to facilitate construction within the Domestic Terminal.

All other passengers will continue to arrive through the arrivals hall within the Domestic Terminal building.

Check-in counters for all airlines remain the same during the first stage of construction. Qantas check-in is located in the southern part of the terminal building; Virgin, Jetstar, MacAir and all other airlines in the northern part of the Domestic Terminal.

All rental car offices are now located in the interim facility with Qantas arrivals.

With these changes, traffic and parking conditions around the Domestic and International Terminals have changed. Please watch out for new signage.

News Update: 19 September 2007-
Civil works will start in the week commencing 17 September 2007. As a result, construction trucks will frequently be crossing Mick Borzi Drive and Airport Avenue. Public traffic will be given right of way but new speed restrictions will apply along Airport Avenue and minor delays are possible. Please allow for possible delays when planning your next trip.


Render/Plan:
http://i24.tinypic.com/2k0kuf.jpg

http://www.awbillboard.com.au/category/08/Restaurants-Cafes/images/Hungry__Jacks.gif
Cairns Central food court

http://www.burnett.com.au/images/logos/esprit.gif
Ground floor Myer end

http://www.beefaustralia.com.au/images/S8AQe3hBR2_stockland_rockhampton.jpg
http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/stockland_townsville.gif http://www.e-mailmarketing.com.au/taipans/CairnsLogo.jpghttp://www.qrex.com.au/images/Stockland%201176249718.jpghttp://www.gladstonefestival.com/images/l_stockland.gif

How many shops does the Stockland's centre in Cairns consist of? Is there only one?

How many shops does the Stockland's centre in Cairns consist of? Is there only one?
according to the stockland website http://www.stockland.com.au/Retail/QLD/Regional/StocklandCairns/Information/ over 130 shops plus Birch Carrol and Coyle 6 Cinemas

To be honest out of my opinion, Stockland Townsville is a maze if I may add, has over 140+ shops now and I think Stockland Townsville would be bigger than Cairns Stockies, but In general Townsville would have more shops than Cairns seeing as we have:

-Stockland (After Reno should expect around 200-210+ shops and to expect Myer and 3 Cinemas!)
-Modernized Castletown (100+ shops)
-Willows (80+ Shops, I think after Reno that could come to 100+? with rumors of Willows being transformed into a Double story centre)
-Soon Flinders plaza (6 story shopping Complex 180+ Shops to expect I think 6 Cinemas)
-Domain Central (80+ Homemaker stores)
-Add another Domain Central (50+ Homemaker stores off/near cluedon and Fairfield shopping centre)
-Fairfield shopping centre (Around 40+ stores, major Big W, to be completed soon, I think Big W are going to Ditch Stockies Townsville
for Fairfield shopping centre)

From my calculations :lol: Townsville has about 600+ major retail stores, that doesn’t include major retails like WOW and Joyce mane, and cookie man (Cairns already has) apparently Oporto and dreamy donuts, We’ve got a broad population of around 180000+ that’s why I thought Townsville would have more retail value? Cairnsinite what does Cairns have in Terms of retail, Cairns has Myer and DFO (Lucky People) but then we have Queensland’s first regional Trade secrets, which is kinda like DFO so iam Down with that :lol:, Just asking because I havent been to Cairns in ages!

http://i20.tinypic.com/nz3cqu.jpg

But I must admit I find Cairns stockland FARRRRRR better than Stockies Townsville take a Look even from this picture you can find that Stockland Cairns is better.

Townsville-
http://i23.tinypic.com/j15bmc.jpg

Cairns-
http://i23.tinypic.com/j81e2h.jpg

By the way I know Oporto and dreamy donuts arnt retail :lol:

Someone forgot to drop the Bombshell:

A 22'000sqm Direct Factory Oulet, is to be incorporated with The Fairfield Waters Central Shopping Centre and Homemaker Centre.

^^I still heard about the site at the aiport I never heard for The Fairfield Waters Central Shopping Centre and Homemaker Centre.

http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif http://www.findnearest.com.au/images/logos/dfo.gif

:banana:

http://www.southcanterburycricket.co.nz/images/bp2go.gifhttp://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/1/1b/Red_Rooster_Logo.PNG
BP featuring Red-Rooster
Sheridan St, Cairns

Mayor welcomes tennis centre funding



Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne has welcomed funding of $2.3 million from the State Government for a new regional tennis facility in Cairns.

The funding, announced by Sports Minister Judy Spence, will form approximately 70 per cent of the cost of the new centre.

Mayor Byrne said Council would contribute $1 million towards the centre which he hoped would be completed by 2010.

“We have been working with the State Government and Tennis Queensland for around 12 months to secure this funding which will allow us to establish a regional tennis centre of excellence that will add to the city’s high quality existing sports facilities such as Barlow Park,” he said.

“Now that we have the green light on the funding, Council will proceed to the next stage of designing the facility and determining the final costing.”

The facility would feature 12 courts of high standard – one of which would be a “show court” – a club house, tennis pro shop and café.

“While the centre will primarily be a facility to enable young people to achieve a high status in their sport, it is also hoped that it will attract some international exhibition games in the future,” Cr Byrne said.

“The centre will no doubt bring tennis to a new level in Cairns and it will fit neatly into Council’s overall plans for the North Cairns reserve as an area of sporting excellence.”



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another major award for Cairns Esplanade


The Cairns Esplanade redevelopment has picked up another prestigious award.

Cairns City Council was presented with the Local Government category award for the Esplanade North Parklands redevelopment at the Australian Property Institute's (API) 5th Annual Excellence in Property Awards.

The API Excellence in Property Awards recognise outstanding achievements in the property profession or the built or natural environment.

Over the past 7 years, the Cairns Esplanade redevelopment has picked up more than 20 different awards.

Deputy Mayor, Cr Terry James, accepted the latest award on Council's behalf at a Gala Dinner on 4 October 2007 in Brisbane.

The Local Government award is made to a local authority that has delivered a project that contributes to the local community for the long-term benefit of the community.

The entry was up against major State-wide projects such as Australia's first dedicated bus, cycle and pedestrian bridge, the Eleanor Schonell Bridge, in Brisbane which cost $55 million.

The $10 million Esplanade North project has completed the redevelopment of the entire Esplanade. The completed parklands feature a state-of-the-art skate park, volleyball courts and children's playground.

Among the 24 awards won by the Cairns Esplanade redevelopment since the start of the project are the:
• 2007 Cement Concrete & Aggregates Aust Public Domain Awards – State Award & National Award Best Public Domain (Skate Park)
• 2004 Overall Winner at the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia, Queensland Division – Awards for Excellence
• National Local Government Engineering Medal 2005
• The Presidents Award, by the International Federation of Landscape Architects 2005
• Planning Institute of Australia, The Royal Australian Institute of Architects and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Australian Award for Urban Design Excellence 2003
• International Association Of Business Communicators (IABC) – Gold Quill Award - Community Consultation 1999