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In Focus, 3 March 2014

Dear reader, welcome to the latest edition of In Focus, full of news, events and opportunities from your council.

Mayor's Message

Reviewing our full suite of Local Laws is not a task that we take lightly. That is why we are encouraging residents to put their thoughts forward on some of the key issues.

Local Laws are established to guide Council and residents in day-to-day activities. Without them, there would be no protection for the public from actions that may disturb their quality of life and general wellbeing.

Through this process, we want residents to understand that we don't establish Local Laws just to be restrictive or as revenue-raisers. They serve a real purpose in determining what is acceptable within a community and allow us to take measures to deter actions that are deemed unacceptable.

If you have an opinion about any of our Local Laws, now is the time to speak up. And we are open to all suggestions.

An online survey will remain open until close of business this Friday. If you have not yet done so, I urge you to take a few minutes to complete it. This is your chance to contribute to the future of your city and community.

Mayor Bob Manning

Stop dengue, avoid a fine

Aedes aegypti mosquito

Failing to empty water containers can not only help the dengue mosquito to breed but can also earn a sizable fine – up to $22,000.

Cairns Regional Council has issued five Cairns property owners with Public Health Orders as the number of reported dengue cases rises to over 100.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito transmits the dengue virus and only breeds in containers holding water, making children's sand pit toys, fallen palm fronds, wheelbarrows and old tyres perfect breeding grounds.

But not all containers are immediately obvious. One property was issued with a Public Health Order because of water pooling in a tarp covering a caravan. Fallen leaves had weighted the centre of the tarp preventing water running off the covering.

Public Health Orders are issued when Council environmental health officers find containers of water that have mosquito larvae. All five properties issued with Public Health Notices were inspected after receiving advice of a potential risk from Queensland Health's Dengue Response Team.

More information on dengue symptoms and how to stop the spread.

Have a say on Local Laws

black cat

Residents who wish to have their say on Council's Local Laws have until this Friday, 7 March, to complete the online survey.

Topics such as animal management, parking, roadside stalls, camping and commercial use of Council land are included in the survey, which has been established as part of a Local Laws review process.

All residents are invited to contribute to the process and the survey provides the choice to comment on all topics or to single out those which are of most interest.

Complete the survey.

Name the lakes at wetlands

Cattana Wetlands lake

Council invites residents to put on their thinking caps and help come up with names for the six lakes at Cattana Wetlands.

Cattana Wetlands is particularly popular with bird-watching enthusiasts, with around 150 species having been identified within the facility.

Naming the lakes will assist bird watchers in documenting their sightings and improve the overall experience for other visitors.

Download the competition entry form and submit by Entries 5pm on Friday 21 March. Hard copy entry forms are also available at Smithfield Library.

Film fest to uncover talent

Local film makers and aspiring film geniuses can gain an audience – and cash prizes – thanks to the inaugural Understory Film Festival.

The new festival is being run by Cairns Regional Council to showcase the region's talent and build industry capacity.

Submissions for short films, no longer than eight minutes, close on June 10. Selected films will be screened at the first Understory Film Festival awards ceremony at the Cairns Botanic Gardens on July 19 and winning films during Cairns Festival.

Awards, some of which have cash prizes up to $750, include:

  • Best Film
  • Best Music Video
  • People's Choice
  • JCU Emerging Talent

A separate High School category is also in development.

The competition is open to all film genres and first-time film makers are encouraged to enter.

Further details and application forms are available on Council's website. Stay up to date through the Understory Film Festival Facebook page. 

Festival applications open

Singer Leanne Tennant performing

Performers, artists, rovers, workshop holders, bands, magicians, puppeteers, children's entertainers – whatever your artistic calling, Cairns Festival could be for you.

Applications are now being sought from individuals, groups and organisations wanting to take part in the nine-day Cairns Festival (August 30 to September 7) .

"Cairns Festival is an opportunity for the Cairns community to celebrate life in the tropics and is a key event to highlight the region's talent," Community Services Chair Cr Max O'Halloran said.

"It wouldn't be a Festival without our local performers and artists so I encourage everyone in the artistic community to get involved."

Visit the Cairns Festival website for information about the application process and expectations on performers/artists and to complete an online application form.

Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday 18 March and successful candidates will be notified by Friday 4 April.

Buy local to taste paradise

Taste paradise logo

Our region produces an amazing variety of fresh food and value-added produce. In fact, there isn’t much the local farmers, graziers and fishers can’t put on our dinner plate.

But it can be difficult to buy local when the region's food supply relies so heavily on food being shipped from across the country and around the globe.

Taste Paradise is the food brand of Tropical North Queensland that is proudly supported by Cairns Regional Council.

Look for the Taste Paradise logo when shopping or eating out to experience fresh local produce that hasn’t taken the scenic route from farm gate to dinner plate.

Find out more about Taste Paradise, including participating restaurants and retailers visit the website.