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Cairns Regional Council e-news - Volume 9, 11 December 2015

 
 

Jingle all the way to Fogarty Park

Carollers of all ages are warming up their voices and preparing to light up the Fogarty Park stage for Carols by Candlelight. More than 300 performers, including 10 choirs, will grace the stage during a two-hour musical extravaganza to celebrate the festive season. Carols by Candlelight is also the major fundraiser for the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal, which packs and distributes food hampers to 700 local families who might otherwise go without on Christmas Day. Sale of glow products, including battery-operated candles and head boppers, will support the appeal. Food will also be available to purchase on the night. Cairns Carols by Candlelight will be held on Sunday 13 December from 6.30pm, concluding with a fireworks display at 8.30pm. Free song books will be available at the event.

 
 
 

Christmas walkies

Join us for a Community Dog Walk at Goomboora Park on Sunday 13 December. Starting at 8.30am, the walk will be followed by a free dog obedience/agility session thanks to Canine Training School and craft activities for the kids. Pets and owners, come in your best Christmas outfit to win a prize or have your photo taken with Santa. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat and water for you and your pooch.

 
 

Make a splash

Sugarworld Waterpark is open every day of the summer school holidays, except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Cool off with waterslides, pools and toddler play areas. Located within the Sugarworld Parklands at Edmonton, the waterpark is suitable for kids (and the young at heart) of all ages. See the website for opening hours and pricing.

 
 
 

Have your say on Local Laws

Residents are invited to have a say on proposed new Local Laws that will govern a wide range of areas, including nuisance barking, selling products on roadsides, drinking alcohol in public, and "wayward" shopping trolleys. Council surveyed the Cairns community in 2014 to gauge public expectations on a raft of issues and used the feedback in drafting the proposed new laws and amendments to existing laws.

Under the proposed local laws:

  • Cats will need to be registered
  • Dogs will be banned from within 2m of Council playgrounds, barbecues or conveniences
  • A permit won't be needed to plant, prune or trim vegetation on road verges (so long as it undertaken in accordance with certain guidelines)
  • Display of vehicles for sale is prohibited on roadsides
  • Mobile food vendors will not need a permit (but will have to comply with certain criteria)
  • It will be an offence to possess liquor on Council land (unless in a designated wet area) and Council officers will be able to confiscate and dispose of liquor
  • Retailers with more than 25 trolleys will need to install trolley containment technology to stop trolleys leaving their premises
  • A permit is needed for more than one noisy bird
  • Dogs will continue to be prohibited in the CBD and around the Lagoon

Read more and find out how to have your say

 
 

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Thank a top citizen

Nominations are now open for the 2016 Cairns Region Australia Day Awards. Awards will be presented in seven categories, including the Citizen of the Year. Other categories include sports, culture and voluntary service. These awards are a great way to thank someone who has made a contribution to their community or has excelled in their own achievements. Nomination forms can be downloaded from our website. Nominations close on 18 December.

 
 
 

Grants available to cultural groups

Cultural organisations wanting to upgrade their facilities are invited to apply for a share in $300,000 grant funding under the Cultural Infrastructure Grant. The grant helps organisations to provide quality infrastructure for use by members and the public. The grant has already made significant improvements to cultural facilities around Cairns, including an extension to the Cairns Potters Club building on Grove Street to house a glaze room, improved accessibility to the Cairns Brass building and an extensive upgrade to the foyer at Cairns Little Theatre on Greenslopes Street. Grants of between $1000 and $50,000 are available. Full guidelines and an eligibility checklist is available on Council’s website. Applications will close on 29 January 2016.

Read more

 
 
 

Upcoming meeting dates

There is just one Council meeting left for 2015, with an Ordinary Meeting to be held on Wednesday 16 December. The first meeting of 2016 will be an Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday 27 January. All members of the public are invited to attend these meetings. Agendas will be published on the Monday prior to each meeting.

 
 

Mobile black spots in spotlight

Do you know of a site within the Cairns region that needs improved mobile phone coverage? The Commonwealth Government has committed $60 million to provide new or upgraded mobile coverage to black spots in regional Australia under Round 2 of the Mobile Black Spot Programme. Cairns received a share of funding under Round 1 for improved coverage in the Goldsborough Valley, and Council urges residents to again nominate local black spots by 31 December 2015 using the online form at www.communications.gov.au/blackspots

 
 
 

Christmas Cheer continues 

700 hampers will be packed this week by more than 80 volunteers to help local families enjoy a festive Christmas.

The Mayor's Christmas Cheer Appeal runs throughout the year raising funds to buy hampers for those less fortunate in the community. 

More information is available on Council's website

 
 
 

Cyclone season on approach

While the Far North is famous for it's sunshine, our stunning tropical surrounds also make us vulnerable to natural disasters. Council encourages residents to get prepared this cyclone season by taking the Plan. (make and emergency plan) Pack. (pack an emergency kit) Listen. (stay informed) approach. A number of resources are available on Council's website or at our customer service centres.