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Cairns Regional Council e-news - Volume 18, 25 August 2016

 

Get ready for Cairns Festival

Cairns Festival kicks off this weekend, embracing the theme, “Colours of Us”. The festival stretches across 10 full days of dynamic events and activities that showcase the vibrant tropical lifestyle and creative spirit of the Far North. The Grand Parade and Fireworks will take over the Cairns Esplanade this Saturday 27 August from 5.30pm. Also happening this weekend is the Ukulele Community Concert, Enlightenment at the Cairns City Library and Sunday on the 'Nard featuring the Melbourne Ska Orchestra. Download the program for a full listing of what’s on each day of the celebration. 

 

Final days to have your say

Residents have just a few days left to the complete the Our Cairns surveyThe survey is gauging residents’ opinions on what would make Cairns an even better place to live and addresses topics such as fluoride in drinking water and flying fox management. Results will assist in the preparation of Council's new Corporate Plan. They survey will close on Wednesday 31 August. 

 

Clean up the great north

Registrations are now open for the Great Northern Clean Up, to be held on 24-25 September. Get a group together and register a site or join one of the public clean up sites. For more information or to find a clean up site, visit the website.

 
 

Coming up...

 

Work to start on bridge replacement

Replacement of the Collins Avenue bridge at Edge Hill will improve safety and provide a more attractive entry point to one of Cairns’ most important cultural precincts. The project includes a two-lane, two-span, piled, concrete bridge deck, cycle lanes and landscaped verges. New lighting will be installed at either end of the bridge. Work will start on Monday 5 September, with the bridge expected to be closed to all traffic for about six months. Demolition of the existing bridge is expected to be completed by the end of September, allowing construction of the substructure to occur before the wet season. For the duration of the works, access to the Cairns Botanic Gardens and Tanks Arts Centre will be via the western end of Collins Avenue only.

Recommended detours are:

  • Access Collins Ave from the north via Greenslopes St > Pease St > Collins Ave.
  • Access Sheridan St from Collins Ave via Pease St > Greenslopes St > Sheridan St.

The bridge replacement will occur in conjunction with the upgrading and widening of McLean Street, which joins with Collins Avenue on the eastern side of the bridge. Further information about the projects and detours are available on Council’s website.

 

Vote with your butts

Cairns Regional Council has teamed up with Keep Australia Beautiful to test an innovative cigarette butt bin that jolts people out of their littering behaviour by asking fun questions on which everyone has an opinion. The "ballot bin" is located on Grafton Street, between Spence and Shields sts, and is currently seeking an answer to the burning question of whether pizza is better than a kebab. The aim is to end up with less cigarette butts on the ground and a firm consensus on some of life's more pressing matters. 

 

Munro Martin Parklands are open

The Munro Martin Parklands were officially opened last weekend by His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland. About 1400 people braved less-than-perfect conditions to attend the opening night, which featured Rossini's The Barber of Seville performed by Opera Queensland and supported by a local community choir. Among the upcoming acts to take the stage at Cairns' newest performance venue are the Soweto Gospel Choir, Queensland Ballet and British singer-songwriter Passenger. Visitors are welcome enjoy the parklands daily from 6am to 8.30pm on non-performance days, with thousands of tropical plants and vines and historical elements incorporated in the design. Shade trees and park benches are included at the northern end of the parklands and there is also plenty of open space for children to play. See Council's website for more information about the Munro Martin Parklands and upcoming performances. 

 

What's in a park name?

Council is documenting the history behind the naming of parks throughout the region and is seeking information from the public to help complete the task. The names of more than 50 parks are presently unaccounted for and Council hopes residents may be able to fill in some of the blank spaces. There are around 600 parks and public open spaces in the Cairns region and many of them are named after people who have contributed greatly to the region. The full list of parks can be viewed on Council's website. Anyone with information on the history of the naming of parks on the list is encouraged to email sportrecreation@cairns.qld.gov.au

 

CEO departs Council

Cairns Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Peter Tabulo has confirmed that he will not be returning to his role at CRC. Mr Tabulo has been on leave since July and yesterday informed staff that he would be "returning home" to Caboolture for family reasons. At this week's Ordinary Meeting, Mayor Bob Manning paid tribute to Mr Tabulo's leadership during the past four years and his distinguished 30-year career in local government.
"Peter's depth of knowledge and experience in local government has provided a wealth of support to the elected Council and I thank him for everything he has brought to the role during the past four years," he said. "Peter was appointed to the CEO role in 2012 based on his extensive experience and his achievements as the General Manager of Planning and Environment. I would personally like to thank Peter for his contribution to our city and wish him well for all future endeavours."

 

Rates due 7 Sept

All ratepayers should have now received their half-yearly rates notices with a due date of Wednesday 7 September, 2016. Anyone in the Cairns Regional Council area who has not yet received their notice is asked to contact Council as soon as possible by phoning 4044 3044. Payment of rates can be made conveniently and securely via the Online Self Service page. Anyone who is having difficulty paying their rates is asked to contact Council to discuss a payment plan. View all Payment options

 

Grants up for grabs

Applications are now open in Council's Local, Regional and Major Events grant streams. Event organisers can apply for financial assistance for events to be held from December 2016 and February 2017. Applications under the Arts and Cultural Infrastructure Grants program can now be submitted all year round. These grants assist organisations to improve their premises. Visit Council's website for more information about all of Council's grants programs and how to apply.

 

Have say on nature play

Consultation closes at 4pm tomorrow (Friday) on a nature play park proposal for the Cairns Botanic Gardens Precinct. Let us know your thoughts on the proposed interactive elements. More info