Cairns Regional Council e-news - Volume 19, 27 October 2016

Get ready for cyclone season

The cyclone and wet season officially starts on 1 November. While there is nothing on the radar at the moment, now is the time to prepare your home and your family for the potential hazards that could come our way during the next few months. Make sure your Household Emergency Plan is up to date; check that your insurance details and important documents are on hand and you have back up copies; and grab a few extra items with your weekly shop to keep your emergency kit stocked. If you don't know whether your home is at risk of storm surge in a cyclone, check now on our website. If you are in a storm surge or flood prone area, you can pick up free sandbags (see below) and you can get your yard ready by making use of the free green waste drop off. For more information on preparing for natural disasters, visit our website.

Last chance to vote in People's Choice

There are just days left to vote in the People's Choice category for the 2016 Tropical North Queensland Innovation Awards (TNQIA). A People’s Choice shortlist of 20 entries has been selected from the 68 applications received for this year’s awards.
You can view the full list of entrants and vote for your favourite until 5pm on Monday 31 October. Winners of all eight TNQIA categories, including the People’s Choice, will be announced on Wednesday 16 November.

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Get kids disaster-ready with puzzles

Cairns kids are being asked to tap into their creative side to boost the region’s disaster resilience. A competition has been launched to design an activity book and stickers to help younger members of the community to learn about natural disasters and how to prepare. Entries can be in the form of a colouring-in drawing, maze, quiz, crossword, find-a-word, join-the-numbers, spot-the-difference, sticker activities or any other fun and creative method. There will be five prizes up for grabs. Entries close on 25 November. More info

Council spending drives economy

Cairns Regional Council spent almost $300 million in the local community last financial year, leading to a total economic output of $634 million. A report tabled this week shows that, of a total $330 million expenditure in 2015-16, 91 per cent was spent in the local area through materials, services and employment. Council spent $199 million on locally purchased goods and services, including materials and local contractors for the extensive capital works program. A further $100 million was invested in Council’s workforce. Council directly employs upwards of 1200 people, more than 50 trainees and apprentices. Hundreds more jobs are created or maintained through capital projects and contracted services. The report shows that 10.8 jobs are created for every $1 million Council spends. read more

Fees scrapped for community use

There will be no cost for borrowing Hot Speed Reads from libraries and runners can access the Barlow Park athletics track for free under a new Fees and Charges Schedule to be implemented from Monday. Non-profit organisations will also be granted free hire of most public parks and facilities. A major review of fees and charges has simplified the schedule and removed unnecessary charges. Casual regulated parking rates are unchanged. Most other continuing fees will rise by 2%. Read more or view full schedule