Police have appealed for information on the whereabouts of a 21-year-old Cairns North man who was reported missing on April 28 Please call us on 1800 070 535 and we’ll help resolve the issue or try again later Any Questions? Please call 1800 070 535 Saturday & Sunday 7:00am – 11:30am (AEST) Note: Do not approach anyone you believe is displayed in these images Call Policelink on 131 444 and quote the reference number Local Sites Subscribe to myPolice Queensland Police News Answers submitted on this optional form will be used only to send you the newsletter you request. We will not give this information to third parties without your consent, unless required by law.More information about privacy Share CCTV Images Recruiting Cairns, Australia, 29 September 2024 | Tennis Queensland Qualifying kicked off today as the Cairns International Pro Tour returns to Far North Queensland Among the 39 men and 37 women in Qualifying matches which started at 10am this morning and will continue tomorrow Sienna prevailed centre court over fellow Aussie Sophie McDonald 6-2 The tennis action isn’t limited to the courts with community barbeques school engagement and local tennis clubs amongst the events activities over the next two weeks in collaboration with Edge Hill Tennis Club will host a community barbeque on Friday 4 and 11 October starting from 5:30pm alongside the twilight tennis matches The community barbeque is a chance to engage with fellow tennis enthusiasts who share a love for the sport Throughout the event period tennis will make a splash at Trinity Beach with a Red Ball competition at Trinity Beach Tennis Club on Wednesday 9 October Tennis Queensland will be facilitating the entry level competition for the Trinity Beach kids Additionally, kids will take to the courts at the Cairns International Tennis Centre on Friday 11 October from St Andrews Catholic College and St Gerard’s Majella School to learn from Baseline Tennis Coaches before their participation in the Primary Schools Cup competition alongside Australia Pro Tour Event Cairns International Tennis Centre Representative said “Athletes and locals alike are thrilled with the return of the Australian Pro Tour to Cairns featuring two weeks of back-to-back tennis The community barbeque and school engagement are some of the great ways to enjoy these weeks of international tennis in Far North Queensland.” This Australian Pro Tour event provides a unique opportunity to witness international tennis up close featuring top players from around the globe Notable athletes to watch this week include Emerson Jones a proud local from Townsville; Omar Jasika the 2023 Champion; and rising star Talia Gibson The general public can head along to the Australian Pro Tour events for free with shaded seating The community BBQ and twilight matches will be held at Cairns International Tennis Centre (365 Sheridan Street Live Scoring and Live Streaming weblinks are below Live scoring and live streaming will start once the chair umpired matches begin on Tuesday 1 October 2024 Order of Play Week 1: https://www.itftennis.com/en/tournament/w35-cairns/aus/2024/w-itf-aus-2024-010/order-of-play/ An internationally recognised biostatistician and a tireless volunteer dedicated to supporting veterans were among Far North Queenslanders recognised this year’s Order of Australia honours The Order of Australia was established in 1975 and is Australia's highest system of honours recognising significant contributions across various fields It includes four categories – Companion (AC) Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said it was important to recognise people who contribute to their community “Though the stories and backgrounds of this year’s recipients vary each one shares a common dedication to serving their community and leaving a lasting impact,” Cr Eden said “Recognising those in our community who do great things in the service of others and for their community is so important “I encourage everyone to make the effort to nominate someone you believe is worthy of an Order of Australia honour “To all of this year’s recipients thank you again for your service and commitment to our community.” Among this year’s Far Northern recipients were Distinguished Professor Louise Ryan AO who was recognised for her ground-breaking biostatistical research and contribution to environmental science and David Chalk OAM for his tireless efforts supporting veterans and their families Other notable recipients included Colin Sparkes OAM a dedicated figure in surf lifesaving and rugby league and Effie Bacalakis OAM for her extensive service to the Cairns community Medals of the Order of Australia were presented to the following Far North Queensland residents in 2024 The greenery and natural ambience of the Cairns Botanic Garden provided the perfect backdrop for today’s launch of the Mayor’s.. May is the month of Masters in Tropical North Queensland with hockey teams mountain bikers and an array of athletes.. Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Advance Cairns have added their support alongside Master Builders and Access Housing.. Cairns Regional Council acknowledges and pays our respects to the Traditional Custodians of our region Gimuy Walubara Yidinji; Mandingalbay Yidinji; Gunggandji; Dulabed and Malanbara Yidinji; Bundabarra and Wadjanbarra Yidinji; Wanyurr Majay; Mamu and NgadjonJii peoples Postal address: PO Box 359 Cairns QLD 4870 Email: council@cairns.qld.gov.au Web: www.cairns.qld.gov.au Phone: 1300 69 22 47 After hours emergency phone: 1300 69 22 47 Cairns Arts and Culture Map Cairns Disaster Dashboard Cairns Libraries Cairns Performing Arts Centre Smart Green Economy Choose Cairns (Living in Cairns) Go Clubs Great Barrier Reef Masters Games Tanks Arts Centre Ticketlink After lengthy delays a new gelato joint is at last serving freshly made summer delights including a signature dragon fruit sorbet and Ferrero Rocher gelato Residents are advised that king tides will be experienced in Cairns from this Sunday (13 October) through to Saturday 19 October Cairns Regional Council would like to remind motorists that tidal flooding is saltwater Avoid parking cars in low-lying tidal areas Motorists should drive carefully and slowly not only for the safety of road users and pedestrians which can push water into nearby properties Council may close roads which are inundated by tidal flooding to prevent damage to private property Motorists are required to adhere to signs advising the road is closed and should find an alternative route until the road is reopened The impact of these king tides on low-lying areas could be exacerbated by heavy rainfall King tide levels for Cairns are expected at the following times (other areas may vary): Streets that are most likely to be impacted by king tides include: Residents should also monitor the Bureau of Meteorology website for general information related to tide heights Whether you’re hightailing it for your morning caffeine hit we’ve got you covered with the list below Best for: Locally sourced seasonal ingredients Caffiend is easy to spot thanks to the incredibly large mural that dons its entrance the artwork depicts the profile of an Ethiopian girl who watches over the cafe’s satisfied customers Stop here for unique food made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients Order a generous helping of chilli eggs alongside the house-made coconut and caramel-infused latte for a uniquely addictive shot of coffee Try the house-made coconut and caramel-infused latte Conveniently located on Cairns Esplanade next to the playground, Muddy’s Cafe is the ultimate kid-friendly and pet-friendly venue for a family meal Take your pick of take-away or breakfast options Find fresh smoothie bowls and all the classics at this kid-friendly and pet-friendly venue If Bondi and Byron Bay got together to create a light, airy hospitality baby and plonked it right in a former 1920s NAB Bank, they’d give birth to The Chambers Located right in the heart of the bustling CBD you’ll find the who’s who of Cairns inside this unique landmark The Chambers is housed within a former 1920s NAB Bank Its charming cafe features a lineup of breakfast all-stars from the banoffee French toast to smashed avocado and eggs benedict Turn breakfast into a special occasion with bottomless brunch – there are three alcoholic and one non-alcoholic version to choose from The space is also home to an in-house pastry chef who creates irresistible freshly baked sweet Or perhaps you take your breakfast in liquid form The Pantry and Juice Bar serves smoothies and cold drinks ready to go The smashed avo on toast is a standout on the menu With gorgeous inlet views in the background, sip on a mimosa overlooking the sea and watch the boats pass by at Wharf One Cafe this is the closest cafe to the water in the Cairns area Open for breakfast and brunch, you can expect to find home-style cooking in an easy-going atmosphere at Pete & Paulz From the benedict special with locally made black pudding or breakfast burrito to the brioche French toast with maple syrup No bookings are required — just rock up and grab a table Annee’s Caphê Sua Da is the city’s premiere Vietnamese iced coffee bar serving up A-Piece of Happiness with every perfect cup Vietnamese coffee is a strong coffee using a small amount of condensed milk and plenty of ice but what makes it extra special is that each drink is personalised to its customer for taste and preference It has become quite the phenomenon so make sure to stop by and order one of your own Annee’s Vietnamese iced coffees are the best Bang & Grind Spence Street has been a TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award Winner for three years in a row and we can see why Stop in for a welcoming plate of fried eggs on Turkish toast or if you have a sweet tooth go for the banana split or homemade orange almond cake Bang & Grind Spence Street is a local favourite (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Andrew Watson) For awesome coffee, breakfast, lunch and yummy cakes, you can’t go wrong with Smith Street Cafe with macadamia and white chocolate muffin to follow You can’t go wrong with Smith Street Cafe (Image: Tourism Tropical North Queensland) From the everyday smashed avo or pancakes to wood-fired pizza, pasta, and banoffee delight, Hopscotch Cairns has you covered for breakfast With a relaxed atmosphere and attentive staff it’s the kind of cafe where you know you’ll be well looked after With two cafes in Stratford and Portsmith, Sipping Duck Coffee Roasters specialises in coffee The cafe makes everything in-house featuring such items as croissants with butter and your choice of spread bacon and eggs wrap with chilli pawpaw chutney and sweet delicacies Sipping Duck Coffee Roasters specialises in all our favourite hot beverages Nestled in Edge Hill, Ozmosis Cafe offers a casual outdoor dining setting From vibrant salads to mouthwatering smoothies the menu is brimming with fresh and healthy food options Ozmosis supports local farmers and growers by using locally sourced fruit and veg — often buying directly from the source Order up a stack of fluffy pancakes at Ozmosis Cafe + Kitchen Whether you choose to take away or dine in, you’ll soon find out that pastries from Woodward Street Bakery are some of Cairns’ finest Pick up a loaf of freshly baked sourdough and treat yourself to a coffee and pastry Local favourites include the almond croissant rhubarb Danish and its go-to vanilla slice and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" From the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics of Queensland to the scenic Atherton Tablelands here are 15 Cairns waterfalls you need to chase right now... Australian Traveller Media acknowledges the traditional custodians of the Country on which we live and work The first year at school marks a significant moment in a child’s life and our My First Year feature celebrates that milestone CBA reaffirms its commitment to regional Australia as new data indicates growth in tourism spending and associated industries New Commonwealth Bank (CBA) data released today shows Australians are rediscovering their desire to travel with tourism spending in Far North Queensland helping to rejuvenate the region’s economy Cairns and Far North Queensland have experienced strong growth across key sectors in the June quarter to date compared with the same period last year The CBA data comes off the back of the release of the latest passenger numbers from Cairns Airport which showed continued improvement reflecting similar figures to March 2019 pre-Covid levels (365,031 Mar 2019 vs 360,444 Mar 2024) These latest figures bring welcome news to the region as it rebounds following Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the widespread floods of December 2023 CBA announced its commitment to keep all regional branches open and welcomes the opportunity to partner with regional customers to help them achieve their business goals Go to CBA Newsroom for the latest news and announcements from Commonwealth Bank Loan applications are subject to credit approval Interest rates are correct at the time they are published and are subject to change Journalists can email media@cba.com.au or call us on (02) 9595 3219 Subscribe to receive the latest CBA media releases and announcements, or unsubscribe to stop receiving emails from CBA Newsroom Follow Commonwealth Bank news via @CBANewsroom CommBank acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia as the continuing custodians of Country and Culture We pay our respect to First Nations peoples and their Elders ©2025 Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL and Australian credit licence 234945 Cairns’ first 7-Eleven opened Tuesday 27 June at 334-336 Sheridan Street North Cairns with a team of 18 ready to grow under the leadership of Senior Store Manager Rebecca Inkson and Store Manager Justus Dower This investment is part of 7-Eleven’s focus on providing regional Australians access to career opportunities and to the same choice and convenience that is available in metropolitan areas That focus is expected to see the brand continue to grow in regional Queensland in the next few years “The team members we recruit will be provided with extensive training to deliver an excellent customer experience so previous work history in the petrol and convenience industry isn’t a requirement Mr Yerbury said that the company is proud to be investing in the region “Our multi-million dollar commitment to Queensland will see us open a number of stores in the next few years including more in North Queensland,” he said “We are continuing to work with landlords and developers to open stores in the right locations to meet the needs of the community.” and each Councillor is elected by eligible voters in each division Their key role is to plan for the future of their local community and put in place the strategies and policies to achieve those plans Councillors must make decisions for the benefit of the entire local government area not just the interests of the particular division they represent The Mayor has the same responsibilities as other councillors plus additional roles including presiding over meetings and representing the Council at ceremonial and civic functions.  The Mayoralty is decided on a majority popular vote across the entire local government area which has 117,585 enrolled voters (as at March 2024) Queensland local government elections are held every four years Cr Amy Eden was elected as Mayor at the 2024 local government elections Mayor Amy Eden is focused on delivering a better She sees local government as the bridge between policy and people and cultivates close relationships to enable the realisation of collective prosperity Amy acknowledges the importance of ‘Cairns-ness’ and continuing to respect and invest in the unique spirit and identity of the region Read more about Mayor Amy Eden Division 1 extends from Bramston Beach and Eubanangee in the south to the southern part of Edmonton in the north Division 2 focuses on Edmonton and Bentley Park Division 5 focuses on the inner suburbs including Cairns city Division 6 includes the areas of Brinsmead Division 7 includes Edge Hill and Whitfield Division 9 includes part of Trinity Park and the suburbs of Trinity Beach The Local Government elections were held on Saturday 16 March 2024 The Mayoralty and all Divisional Councillors have now been declared as follows Enter your street address in our Property search tool (on the home page of our website) to find your Cairns Regional Council Division You can also check the interactive map on the Electoral Commission of Queensland website Printable PDF maps of each Division can also be downloaded from the ECQ Local Government maps web page The role of a local government Councillor is a demanding one It requires knowledge of local government systems an interest in people and a willingness to invest time and energy in serving the needs and interests of the local community Candidates must complete mandatory "So you want to be a councillor" governance training no more than six months before nominating for any election or by-election even if you have completed the training before. The training provides information about accountability The Local Government Act 2009 and Local Government Regulation 2012 determine how local government in Queensland is constituted and the nature and extent of its responsibilities and powers It aims to provide a system of local government that is accountable Councillors must complete a Register of Interests of financial and non-financial particulars Each Councillor's Register of Interests is publicly available and can be found on their Divisional webpage via the links below The Local Government Remuneration Commission is an independent body established under the Local Government Act 2009 Its functions include establishing the categories of local governments deciding the category to which each local government belongs and deciding the maximum amount of remuneration payable to the councillors in each of the categories Councillor remuneration is reviewed annually As required by section 150DX of the Local Government Act 2009 Council has developed a Councillor Conduct Complaints Register The register lists complaints made against councillors and the outcome of these complaints The Councillor Conduct Tribunal is an independent body responsible for dealing with complaints of misconduct by councillors The local government quadrennial elections were held on Saturday 16 March 2024 The Electoral Commissioner has approved the following declarations for Cairns Regional Council: Cairns will become a key base of operation for the Australian Defence Force to support partner navies and smaller South Pacific states in an era of Chinese expansion Any Questions? Please call 1800 070 535. Monday to Friday 7:30am – 6:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 7:00am – 11:30am (AEST) James Cook University has turned the first sod on its newest building site, marking the official start to the construction of the Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre (CTEC). The $50M project will stand alongside Cairns Hospital’s new 32-bed surgical centre on Charles Street in North Cairns, as part of the Far North Queensland Health Innovation Precinct. Images revealed in July show a striking four-storey building featuring engineered-timber construction. “Today we’re starting our build, creating a centre for clinical teaching, training and research in medicine, allied health and related disciplines – all aligned to the needs of this region and its health workforce,” JCU Vice Chancellor Simon Biggs said on Wednesday. “This is a landmark that we’re proud to be building – one that celebrates its place in tropical Cairns, and will help secure a healthier future for Cairns and Far North Queensland.” Professor Biggs acknowledged the support of current and previous governments in addressing the region’s health challenges. He said the University was also honoured to reveal a new name for the Far North Queensland Health and Innovation Precinct, bestowed by local Traditional Owners. Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Elder Henrietta Marrie presented the new name for the Precinct in a ceremony on site today – the Dugurrdja Precinct. “In our Yidinji language, Dugurrdja is the name of the Milky Way – our galaxy – which we see in the southern sky at night, arching from the sea to the mountains,” Mrs Marrie said. “Dugurrdja represents the knowledge, the songlines and stories that flow through this country. “We’re proud to be participating as partners in this project, so we chose a name that represents the coming together of knowledge. “The Milky Way can be seen by people around the world. The work that happens here will reach out around the world, and it will take with it the Yidinji name of Dugurrdja, so everyone will know where it comes from. ”We welcome people to this place, but we also ensure it is protected under Dugurrdja.” Leena Singh, Chief Executive of the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) said the partnership with JCU underpins the development of the health, research and education precinct at Cairns Hospital. “There is currently over $350 million being invested in developing Cairns Hospital, including a new surgical centre, emergency department expansion and a new mental health building, which is due to open next year,” Ms Singh said. “As we continue to grow, partnerships with providers such as JCU are important in attracting, retaining and developing high health and research talent to the region. "This partnership along with the development of the health, research and education precinct will generate ideas, research and innovation that will ultimately translate to improved health outcomes for our communities,” she said. CTEC has been designed by Wilson Architects, in collaboration with local firm Clark & Prince Architects. It will be built by BESIX Watpac. The four-storey building will house a multi-disciplinary clinic on the ground floor, with teaching and research facilities on the floors above. It will also be a meeting point where health and medical staff can connect with JCU’s engineers, data scientists, and IT specialists. The $50M project will create an estimated 150 jobs during its construction, and is planned for completion by early 2025. Media enquiries: linden.woodward@jcu.edu.au JCU websites use cookies to enhance user experience, analyse site usage, and assist with outreach and enrolment. By continuing to use this site, you are giving us consent to do this. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) © 2025 Country & Town House.All rights reserved  Lauren Ho discovers rock, rainforest and reef in the north-eastern corner of Australia. Read on for the C&TH travel guide to Cairns At 8am – the temperature already well into the mid 30s – our plane has just touched down and a suffocating blast of hot air immediately fogs up our sunglasses as we descend the air stairs onto the scorching tarmac fresh weather in South Australia where I had just spent the past few days wandering around the wineries and the rolling hills of the Barossa Valley Cairns is considered the gateway city to the Great Barrier Reef From Cairns, the gateway city to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in tropical Far North Queensland, it’s a one-hour scenic coastal drive north to Daintree National Park. As we motor along the winding Captain Cook Highway, sandwiched between the blue waters of the Coral Sea and jungle-sheathed emerald green mountains Len – who has lived in the region his whole life – chats to me about the area which is home to an exciting panoply of attractions including the Whitsunday Islands (one of Australia’s loveliest destinations) the 135-million-year-old Daintree Rainforest (the oldest in the world) and has 36 national parks and sits to the north of Queensland which is Australia’s second largest state and is seven times the size of Great Britain Australia’s sandstone monolith that has not one but two UNESCO World Heritage listings to its name as well as a strong significance to the local Anangu people who have lived within the region for thousands of years this makes for a perfect nature-oriented itinerary of rock The Daintree Rainforest is located just outside the city of Cairns And so, back on the Captain Cook Highway, we pass Port Douglas, a relaxed seaside village, before heading slightly inland to Silky Oaks Lodge (silkyoakslodge.com.au). Recently having emerged from a major refurbishment, the retreat sits on the banks of the gently babbling Mossman River The 40 treehouse-style suites are fashioned from local timber each with specially commissioned local artwork floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the emerald greenery outside outdoor bathtubs and balconies with gently swinging hammocks against the high-pitched soundtrack of buzzing cicadas Silky Oaks Lodge is a retreat in the Rainforest Later that day I meet up with Juan Walker, an Indigenous Kuku Yalanji person who teaches me about the history of his people in the area, their customs and past way of life. At the same time, we explore the string of beaches and rainforest all of which are filled with flora and fauna traditionally used to treat everything from sunburn and sprains to even drawing the fatal venom from a stonefish After a brief stop at Mossman Gorge – a 56,000-hectare area within the Daintree National Park where vibrant blue butterflies flit above crystal-clear waters that tumble over a scattering of ancient granite boulders into a rock pool filled with frolicking locals and visitors – we make our way through the jungle to a clearing on the banks of the Mossman River we bundle up in wetsuits for a snorkelling session in the (crocodile-free) crystal-clear waters where we spot drifting freshwater turtles and I boarded a catamaran and headed north east towards the Low Isles a four-acre coral cay punctuated by a 144-year-old lighthouse surrounded by 55 acres of reef we were received by a cacophony of nesting marine birds their high-pitched chatter harmonising with the lapping of the waves on the beach nurse sharks and parrot fish dart in and out of the gently swaying coral we head back on board for lunch and a gentle afternoon under the sun the gentle bobbing of our catamaran breaking the stillness of the water around us We were only a short 15km from the buzz of Port Douglas the wind propelling us quietly forward in a hushed corner of beautiful Australia Lauren was a guest of Tourism Australia and Cathay Pacific. For more information, visit australia.com; walkaboutadventures.com.au; cathaypacific.com; backcountrybliss.com.au. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to Country & Town House in print or the app to make sure you get the very best of property, interiors, style, food and travel every month. Country & Town House is an introducer appointed representative of Wealthify Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Country & Town House acts as an introducer appointed representative for the purpose of promoting Wealthify products and introducing customers to Wealthify © 2025 Country & Town House. All rights reserved. The McLeod Street frontage of the proposed new building A NEW two-storey medical centre and office building could be the latest commercial development to go ahead in North Cairns Townsville-based builder Kier Constructions has lodged plans with Cairns Regional Council to realign the boundary to create two lots at the corner of Charles and McLeod streets Permits for a two-storey building on the former resort site behind the Mobil service station on Sheridan Street have been applied for Plans have been submitted to Cairns Regional Council for a new two storey medical and office building at the corner of Charles and McLeod streets Mysterious tale of abandoned highway building 10 of the coolest FNQ backyard swimming pools Cairns side hustles: How to make some extra cash Currently declared a tourist accommodation zone the proposed building is considered impact assessable and the public will be invited to offer feedback on plans Two of the three tenancies offered will be strata managed in the building expected to be of a concrete construction insulated roofing and extensive glazing for natural light CBRE Cairns is selling and leasing medical and office tenancies off the plan at a corner block in Cairns North CBRE Cairns managing director Danny Betros has begun marketing offices off the plan for sale or lease and we hoped to have some occupants committed by the time construction begins later this year “We are finalising plans and approval can’t be far off,” he said “We are hoping to get about 50 per cent precommitment for the building “We are in discussion with a variety of tenants The block at the corner of Charles and McLeod streets Approval was granted by the council in 2018 – at the site of a former backpackers’ resort – for office buildings planned as a second stage development to the current Mobil service station built last year “Development impacts that are new and/or different from the original proposal and therefore require a new assessment to ensure these matters will not result in any unacceptable development impacts over and above that already considered on the site,” the application read Mr Betros said the proposed new building’s proximity to Cairns City staples such as the hospital CBD and airport plus 20 off-street car parks made leases an attractive proposition third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. https://www.cairns-hinterland.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/melioidosis-alert-for-far-north Health officials are advising residents to be cautious when coming into contact with soil and muddy water following a spike in cases of a dangerous disease in the Cairns region after the heavy rain and flooding There has been 14 confirmed melioidosis cases reported since December 2023 This is a high number of cases for the time of year Melioidosis is a serious disease found in ground water and soil It causes death in up to 50% or more of untreated cases and up to 20% of treated cases Early recognition and treatment is important Tropical Public Health Services Cairns director Dr Richard Gair said the disease occurred when skin abrasions or wounds came into contact with wet soil or water contaminated by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei ‘Melioidosis is very uncommon in healthy adults but can occasionally occur in people with diabetes lung problems and people on medication that lowers their immune system,’ he said ‘Symptoms of acute Melioidosis may include fever cough and difficulty breathing; the effects can be very severe and often require hospitalisation for antibiotic treatment Sometimes the disease presents as superficial skin infections or abscesses in various part of the body ‘If anyone has noticed non-healing wounds or persistent fevers over several weeks then they should be seen by their GP and checked for this infection as it can require prolonged antibiotic treatment.’ There is no vaccine to prevent Melioidosis particularly those with an underlying medical condition The Cairns community is supplied with water from Copperlode Falls Dam and Behana Creek Water from Copperlode Dam supplies areas to the north of Cairns and the Cairns city The Behana Creek source supplies areas south of Cairns as well as the Cairns city This raw water is treated at Council's treatment plants and then stored in our 68 reservoirs Council's YouTube site Water infrastructure provides a technical account (with subtitles) of water and wastewater infrastructure for professionals and specialist authorities Copperlode Falls Dam is the main supply of water for the Cairns Region The dam has a total capacity of 38,400 megalitres (ML) which is approximately 15,000 olympic swimming pools The dam is designed to capture some of our high seasonal rainfall and provides a reliable water source for homes and businesses in the region Behana Creek provides run-of-river water extraction and is the region's second major source of water run-of-river water sources that supply towns and suburbs in the southern Cairns region Cairns Regional Council advises that where Boil Water Notification signs are in place at public water supplies the following precautions must be adhered to for safe human consumption of the water Customers should bring water to a boil by heating the water until a continuous and rapid stream of air-bubbles is produced from the bottom of a pan or kettle Kettles with automatic cut-off switches are suitable Variable temperature kettles should be set to boil.After heating water must be allowed to cool before using it Care should be taken to avoid scalding injuries This water level data is not validated prior to publishing and Cairns Regional Council does not guarantee its accuracy A water summary report is available If you would like more information about which water source supplies your suburb or to view a Monthly Water Quality Report please refer to the table below: Council undertakes an Annual Review of the Drinking Water Quality Management Plan in line with the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 The management of drinking water quality outlined in the Act aims to protect public health The Drinking Water Quality Management Plan includes a Register of critical customers such as the elderly and immunocompromised Cairns Regional Council’s Water and Waste Department invite those who believe they may fit into this category to apply for inclusion on the Register People who believe they fit into this category are invited to apply for inclusion on the Critical Customer Register by completing the Critical Customer Registration form ( PDF, 0.14 MB ) Sometimes the chlorination and filtration system may not be able to adequately filter and disinfect the water due to storm events decreasing the quality of raw water or due to unforeseen mechanical faults This increases the risk of microbiological contamination Council’s Cairns Infrastructure & Assets Directorate regularly takes water samples to test for waterborne pathogens and bacteria E.coli and Cryptosporidium which can cause illness If the supply cannot be guaranteed as fit for use further testing is undertaken and a Boil Water notice is issued in consultation with Queensland Health As the owner of Copperlode Falls Dam,  Cairns Regional Council has a legal obligation under the Queensland Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) The EAP has provisions regarding the identification detection and management of dam hazards and emergency events and how effective warnings and notifications are communicated to those potentially impacted Learn more about the Copperlode Falls Dam Emergency Action Plan. Flooding is common in Cairns due to our high annual rainfall Most flooding is minor and causes inconvenience such as closed roads and bridges you will receive information relevant to your location and may be advised to evacuate Flooding is sometimes confused with storm surge Storm surge is sea water pushed onto land during a cyclone These flood maps show what’s known as a one-in-100-year flood – an extreme weather event generating very high rainfall over a short or sustained period of time Council has installed flood cameras at known flood inundation areas to provide real time information about flood status. You can view the flood camera feeds on our website or via the Cairns Disaster Dashboard Can you survive five days without electricity and tap water Your Household Emergency Kit will be your lifeline if a disaster impacts services and supply lines Sound preparation is key to weathering any natural disaster Use our template to create your own Household Emergency Plan There are many ways to get official information from the Cairns Disaster Group before The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issues advice and warnings about potential flooding taking into account several factors including: The Cairns Disaster Group works with the BoM to determine the possible impact of flooding on local communities and respond to the potential threat A flood watch provides early advice of a developing situation that may lead to flooding Flood watches are generally issued for a large geographical area where flooding could occur Flood warnings are issued when the BoM is more certain flooding will occur in a specific river catchment and location They typically include the expected rise in river level and anticipated impact on adjacent / nearby land and communities Low-lying areas next to watercourses are inundated Minor roads may be closed and low-level bridges submerge There may be flooding in backyards and buildings below floor level Moderate flood warning: more substantial flooding Main traffic routes may be affected and there can be flooding in buildings above floor level with many buildings affected above floor level Parts of residential areas may be isolated and major roads closed Flood warnings and river height data is updated as needed with updates increasing with the expected severity of the flooding Any anticipated changes in flood status are advised immediately These warnings will give information and advice about potential flash flooding and other effects In the Cairns region it is common to have flooding in specific areas and not others for instance all the northern beaches suburbs If water levels are expected to impact homes residents may be advised to take protective measures Be aware that if flash flooding is expected you may be advised to take action or evacuate with little warning.   evacuation advice will be issued by street or suburb Watch and Act: initial advice to be aware of flood risk and monitor Cairns Disaster Group communication for further advice Prepare to Evacuate: the risk of flooding has increased and residents should begin to prepare to leave their homes Evacuate: the risk of flooding has increased further and residents should leave the area immediately Official evacuation advice will be issued on the Cairns Disaster Dashboard, Cairns Disaster Group Facebook page the Cairns Disaster Group will provide information on evacuation routes that avoid flooded roads or roads that could soon be flooded If an area is at risk of being isolated by flood waters you may be advised to travel to a designated area on higher ground and wait for authorities to arrange transport out of the area It can take several days for flood water to recede and you are allowed home your best and most comfortable option is to stay with friends and family outside the affected area Places of refuge are designed to accommodate as many people as possible and provide very basic services If a Prepare to Evacuate advice is issued: It's important to continue to shelter in place until you receive official information it is safe to go outside gas or water until suppliers have advised it is safe to do so It can take several days for flood waters to recede emergency services will conduct Rapid Damage Assessments of properties and advise residents when it is safe to return to their homes Do not return to your home until you have been advised it is safe Places of refuge will be opened (or remain open) for people who are unable to stay in their home or have nowhere else to go These facilities are designed to accommodate as many people as possible and provide basic services Evacuation centres will be established to provide more comfortable longer term accommodation options in situations where homes have become inaccessible or unsafe These hubs will bring together government agencies insurance companies and other support services so residents can access assistance The Cairns Disaster Group will announce locations of these facilities. For information go to the Cairns Disaster Dashboard, the Cairns Disaster Centre Facebook Page or the news section of this website Residents who are frail, aged and/or have a disability should refer to their Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Toolkit. People are the best experts at knowing what they need P-CEP can help people who are ageing at home P-CEP was co-designed by people with disability Council is committed to working with all people to increase personal awareness and ability to prepare for and weather any crisis in their life We need to support everyone in our communities to build their self-reliance based on flood modelling used for planning purposes They can not be used to determine your overall flood risk or used for insurance purposes.   These maps are provided to help residents gain a high-level view of water inundation in their local area and help plan evacuation routes to leave a low-lying area if flooding is imminent the Cairns Disaster Group will issue evacuation advice for streets or suburbs that are at threat including recommended evacuation routes to avoid roads that are flooded or likely to be flooded (see the evacuation section above) You can request an individual property assessment by contacting Council - fees and charges apply A Flood Zone and Storm Tide Information search typically provides the following information: To request a flood search download the Land Record Search Request Form ( PDF, 0.3 MB ) and submit it to Council or complete a request form online In this region we live with water - everywhere tropical climate and we need fresh water to live Living With Water is a project telling stories about what happened and what we did at times when Bana Bidagarra It explores the river's history and the experiences of people affected by the flooding Through this legacy of experiences we are learning how to manage better during future floods as well as celebrating a staunch community spirit Visit our Living With Water page to read or listen to these stories The Building for Flood Resilience guide is designed to assist you in making informed decisions for better flood resilience as you rebuild Increasing your flood resilience involves altering the way you rebuild or retrofit potentially reducing damage in future floods While it may not be possible to completely avoid flooding in some areas we can implement flood-resilient design and materials to minimise disruption to life and work during and after a flood event Don't just replace 'like for like.' A flood-resilient building doesn't have to be expensive; it's all about making smart choices Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the associated flooding event is estimated to have had a $390 million adverse impact on the Cairns economy Conus Consultancy Services was engaged by Council on behalf of the Economic Recovery Sub-Committee to undertake an Economic Impact Assessment of the Cairns region to understand the economic impact of the event Of the 511 organisations across the Cairns SA4 region surveyed 85.9% reported that they were impacted by the event and 38.8% reporting impacts to their employment levels Asset damages to those organisations was more than $100 million with over 7.5% of respondents stating their asset damages exceeded $500,000 The estimated adverse gross economic impact in the Cairns Local Government Area was $389.4 million and $649.1 million in the wider Cairns SA4 region Council is now forecasting a $127 million repair bill associated with the flooding event of which $100 million is expected to be recovered from external funding Council will continue to work closely and collaboratively with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to advocate for funding This document includes the economic and employment impacts of Tropical Cyclone Jasper in Cairns with an Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) by Conus Business Consultancy Services and recovery challenges for 511 surveyed businesses https://www.cairns-hinterland.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/far-north-queensland-residents-warned-of-floodwater-risks Tropical Public Health Services (Cairns) is advising residents to be aware of potential health risks following the severe weather event and flooding impacting Far North Queensland Tropical Public Health Services (Cairns) is advising residents to be aware of potential health risks following the severe weather event and flooding impacting Far North Queensland Tropical Public Health Services director Dr Richard Gair said there was an increased risk of infection if people came into direct contact with polluted waters along with the potentially life-threatening infectious disease Melioidosis 'Melioidosis is a potentially life-threatening infectious disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei a soil organism found across tropical regions,' Dr Gair said 'This organism usually lives deep in the soil but comes to the surface when the soil is disturbed by heavy rainfall and flooding do not swim in floodwater and ensure you and your children keep away from stormwater drains and creeks as it may be contaminated – if you must enter shallow flood water wear gloves and covered shoes when cleaning up and treat any cuts immediately with antiseptic Apply a protective dressing to the wound and see a doctor if injuries are serious.' Dr Gair advised people with loss of power to avoid using generators or pumps in confined spaces to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning; and to minimise fridge or freezer opening 'Contaminated food or perishable foods that have not been refrigerated for greater than four hours should be discarded,' he said liquids or medicines that have come into contact with contaminated floodwater can also make you ill.' Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Acting Chief Executive said outpatient clinics and elective surgery appointments were gradually being reintroduced starting with the most urgent cases across Cairns 'The health service has been notifying patients affected by postponements of their outpatient or elective surgery appointments,' he said 'If your outpatient appointment has been affected you will receive a text message from the health service informing you of the change 'The health service will also contact you if your elective surgery appointment has been postponed For people unable to access the hospital for their procedure 'I would like to acknowledge the hard work of all our clinical and non-clinical staff who continued to work and put patient care first to ensure all of our hospitals remain operational throughout this weather event 'Our thoughts are also with our staff and those community members who have been directly impacted by the flooding.' Melioidosis can present in a variety of ways such as: A conserve water notice is currently in place for the suburbs from Cairns North to Smithfield until further notice. Residents and businesses in these areas are asked to use water for essential purposes only. For more information, read the Community Alert permanent water conservation measures apply Permanent water conservation measures promote responsible and efficient use of town water Watering in the cool of the day ensures low evaporation rates and by alternating watering times between odd and even numbered houses we are supporting the sustainable use of water While there’s been plenty of rain recently the rain doesn't always fall where we need it to By making some simple changes in our daily lives we can significantly impact water conservation in our tropical paradise Visit the Queensland Government's Using Water Wisely webpage for more tips on how to save water at home Using Water Wisely website Smart Water Meters use wireless technology to record water usage data which is collected more frequently and more accurately without having to physically read the meter The collection of data on a near real-time basis improves the ability to identify any unusual activity such as water loss or reduction in water supply As part of our Cairns Water Security Strategy, we recognise that water is one of our most valuable resources Managing our water supplies to meet growing demand over the next 30 years is a high priority for Council The use of Smart Water Meters will make a significant contribution to our water security by reducing water loss caused by leaks Find out how Council has been planning for the water needs of a growing population. Council is replacing existing mechanical water meters with smart water meters throughout the Cairns region to improve the community’s water network and achieve overall water savings These new meters will assist residents in identifying hidden water leaks early to minimise water wastage and help residents track and manage their water use Find out more about the smart water meter program. Council is replacing existing mechanical water meters with smart water meters throughout the Cairns region to assist residents in identifying leaks early minimising water wastage and improving the capability of Council’s water network This is an action identified under Council’s Water Demand Management Strategy 2016-2025 and will make a significant contribution to our water security by achieving water savings for the community Smart water meters use wireless technology devices with long life batteries to record water usage data which can be collected more frequently and more accurately without having to physically read the meter for billing purposes You will benefit from improved detection of hidden water leaks.  Smart meters provide Council with information about backflow your water meter is manually read by a contractor every four months for billing purposes which only provides Council with a one-time reading of your water usage provides Council with daily data which can help you quickly identify leaks and facilitate timely repairs improving water management and potentially saving you money Smart water meters are highly accurate when recording usage and some customers may notice differences in their overall water usage when compared to readings from their current meters all new smart meters undergo testing to ensure accuracy including both manual and wireless readings Your water usage bill will still be issued every four months All water meters are the responsibility of Council and will be repaired and maintained by Council If you experience any issues or damage with your meter There will be no charge to you for the cost of the new replacement smart meter or its installation The outcomes will have long-term cost savings to Council and ratepayers over the next 20 years smart water meters are becoming the new industry standard with many councils within Queensland and across Australia transitioning to this new technology.   A good case study of the effectiveness of smart water meters is in Mackay where over 90% of residents now have smart water metering.  As a result the average per capita residential consumption reduced from approximately 240 litres per person per day to around 210 litres per person per day - a reduction of just over 12% and the average duration of a water leak reduced from over 150 days to 60 days The smart water meters are powered by batteries with a 15 year life time CRC will be responsible for monitoring the battery status and replacement when required the meters have built alarming to notify council to assist with monitoring The residences/owners/occupiers will not be required to monitor or replace batteries The smart water meters transfer the water consumption data securely electronically to council this removes the need for manual water readers to visit your property The water meters have display screen with the water consumption on them which can be manually read If you have a smart water meter installed at your property, your billing duration or cycle won't change. Please refer to Smart Water Meter Read Instructions ( PDF, 0.48 MB ) on how to read your smart water meter As part of the project Council will also be developing a customer portal which will allow users to access and monitor their own water usage data online Once the regional installation program is complete what it will offer and how you can access it A water meter measures the amount of water used by each property it will be outside and in the ground near the front of your property Most meters are at or just below ground level and have a metal or plastic lid there may not be an individual water meter for each residence It is important that residents keep their water meter accessible and free from shrubs branches and other obstructions so that Council officers can read the meter correctly and easily There are two kinds of water meters in use across Cairns mechanical water meters and smart water meters A dripping tap or a running toilet is annoying and difficult to ignore Take the time today to check for hidden leaks in four simple steps If you have a smart water meter installed at your property, your billing duration or cycle won't change. Please refer to Smart Water Meter Read Instructions ( PDF, 0.27 MB ) ( PDF, 0.48 MB ) on how to read your smart water meter Fixing water leaks is one way to conserve and save water and money FIND MORE WATER SAVING TIPS, TRICKS AND INFORMATION Council recognises that residential water leaks can go undetected for relatively long periods and may cause financial difficulties for some customers If you have had a larger than normal water account due to a concealed water leak AND the leak has been repaired by a licensed plumber you may be eligible for financial assistance Assistance is only available to residential and not-for-profit water customers For details, refer to Council's Concealed Water Leak Policy ( PDF, 0.11 MB ) ( PDF, 0.11 MB ) To apply, complete the Application for Financial Assistance - Concealed Water Leak online form. Council is responsible for maintenance and repairs to both water and wastewater networks to your home's connection points Property owners are responsible for the costs repairs and maintenance of all the water and wastewater pipes on your property If you receive a Notification of Temporary Repairs Card from Council you are responsible for organising a licensed plumber to check the plumbing and carry out any further repairs as necessary at your own cost Cairns Regional Council is not responsible for prior or any further loss or damage on the property side of the service due to these repairs For further details about Council and Property Owner’s responsibilities, please view the Water and Resource Recovery Customer Service Standards. ( PDF, 1.74 MB ) If you are aware of a water or wastewater issue and would like to discuss this with a Council officer please contact Water and Wastewater Operations Staff on 1300 69 22 47 For the most up-to-date information for Freshwater Creek at Copperlode Dam's daily summary of volume, spillway level and combined regional water production data, view our CRC Water Summary Report on our water sources and supply page. Metered standpipes provide a fair and equitable way to ensure charges reflect actual water consumption Standpipes are used to obtain water directly from hydrants on Council mains for activities such as road works Drawing of water from Council’s reticulation system other than by a Council-owned metered standpipe is not permitted.  Fines apply for breaches.  Fire Brigade and Emergency Services are exempt To draw water from our reticulation system, you must hire a metered standpipe  on either a short term or long term basis. Form can be found in Water Billing under the Water Billing Services and Connections Forms drop down option James Cook University’s Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre (CTEC) is another step closer with JCU releasing artist’s impressions of the landmark building Images released today show a striking four-storey building featuring engineered-timber construction reflecting CTEC’s place in tropical Cairns in collaboration with local firm Clark & Prince Architects the building will house a multi-disciplinary clinic on the ground floor Clinicians and teachers in medicine and allied health will operate the clinic and doctors studying to be specialist general practitioners The building will also provide facilities for clinical skills training as well as teaching and research in medicine allied health and a broad range of related disciplines CTEC will stand alongside Cairns Hospital’s new 32-bed surgical centre on Charles Street in North Cairns as part of the Far North Queensland Health Innovation Precinct “This will be a game-changing building,” JCU Vice Chancellor Simon Biggs said “CTEC brings together clinical teaching and service delivery allied health and related disciplines – all aligned to the needs of this region and its health workforce “The building is designed with collaboration at its heart It will further strengthen JCU’s research and teaching partnership with Cairns Hospital,” Professor Biggs said “It will also be a meeting point where health and medical staff can connect with our engineers “This is a region with extensive practical technical and cultural expertise in living and working in regional and remote Australia We see great potential in applying that knowledge Chief Executive of Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service said it’s exciting to see the research education and innovation precinct take shape “The CTEC building will enable collaboration and partnerships to form between us to research issues experienced specifically by the people of Far North Queensland including First Nations health and tropical medicine,” Ms Singh said these partnerships will focus on translating that research into clinical practice “Continuing education and research opportunities are integral to our ambition of being an employer of choice.” Yidinji Elder and research academic Henrietta Marrie said JCU had consulted with community members from the very early stages of the project “We wanted to see a building that is welcoming and inclusive “It’s important to us that the building reflects the beauty of its location and its long connection with Yidinji and other Indigenous people “We look forward to working in partnership with JCU and other stakeholders to make this a place of healing and collaboration.” Community consultation on the ministerial infrastructure designation for the Far North Queensland Health and Innovation Precinct will commence tomorrow [Friday 30 June] Stage One of a two-stage managing contract has been awarded to BESIX Watpac and they are now in the market to engage sub-contractors for early works.  Stage Two will be awarded in early August at which time construction will commence on site An estimated 150 jobs will be created during construction of the $50 million project JCU websites use cookies to enhance user experience