s n r i a C
Local News
MARCH 10, 2023
100% LOCALLY OWNED & INDEPENDENT
cairnslocalnews.com.au
COV E R I N G C A I R N S , P O R T D O U G L A S & C A S S OWA RY COAS T R E G I O N S
Cairns-Smithfield
Ca ir n s
Cass owar y Coast
Good feedback to highway plan by community
Celebrating our 2023 women of the year winners
Community Connect liftout inside
Page 3
Page 7
Pages 13-16
A young guest enjoys the slide at Sunlover Reef Cruises Great Barrier Reef pontoon.
Picture: Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Noisy flying fox roost driving residents batty l PORT DOUGLAS | Nick Dalton
Hello world Influential event to showcase FNQ overseas
l CAIRNS | Nick Dalton G’DAY Australia, a million-dollar tourism marketing event in Cairns later this year, is expected to kickstart the revival of the region’s international visitor market. G’Day Australia involves bringing 300 specialist travel agents from the US and Canada, the UK, Europe (including Germany, France and Italy),
Asia (including China and Japan) and New Zealand for three days in October for training about the destination and to experience the tropical north and the Great Barrier Reef for themselves both before and after the event. The event (previously known as ‘Corroboree’), which is a partnership between Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland Tourism, is being held for the first time in the city in 10 years and in Australia since 2019.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said G’Day Australia was critical to revitalising the region’s lucrative international tourism market which was currently only worth 20 per cent in terms of volume and value. “This will give it a massive boost … it will be worth millions of dollars in advertising value,” he said. “It will be an enormous shot in the arm for international aviation recovery.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
WAYS to safely move a roost of flying foxes at Port Douglas are being investigated by the Douglas Shire Council. The council is applying for state government funding to act on complaints about the roost as well as develop a long-term flying fox management plan for the region. At least six residents of the Lakes Estate have complained to the council about the spectacled flying foxes on the western side of Old Port Road. In a council report residents raised issues about the noise of the bats, the risk of disease from bat droppings, the expense of cleaning and running air conditioners 24/7 and the damage to their lifestyles. “I can’t sleep because of the noise 24/7,” said one unnamed resident. The mess I have to clean daily. I have to lock myself in my home feeling like a prisoner, still I can hear them,” the resident said. “I can’t swim in my pool in fear of catching some horrendous disease. My outdoor furniture is ruined, everything is splattered with their mess. It is affecting my health, sending me mad.” Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said fixing the problem would protect the community and local flying fox populations. “I have spoken to many residents who are worried about living so close to flying foxes and asked council to consider safely nudging them back into trees across the road,” he said. Cr Kerr said he wanted to create a plan to protect both the bats and residents. “Spectacled flying-foxes play a vital role in our eco-system and are efficient pollinators and seed dispersers of native trees,” he said. “I would like to see this issue addressed in a sensitive and safe manner under supervision from a trained ecologist ...”
From little things big things grow! • Full Weekly or Daily Care • Catering for 12 months to School Age • Vacation, Before and after School Care • Great, Safe Central Location • All meals supplied • Qualified chef and nutritionist • CCS Approved • JET Payment Approved • Swim and Survival Classes • Sports World PE Program • Isand Box Learning Technology • Theatrical Adventure Classes • Environmental and Safety Education • Dance and Music Classes • Kindy Gym • Qualified teachers • Kindergarten curriculum • Natural gardens • Natural playgrounds
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 6.00AM - 6.00PM
Local family owned and operated
Call us on:
10 Hardy Road, Mount Sheridan admin@littleworld.com.au www.littleworld.com.au
Offering 4 se per day. 8,9 ssions ,10 12 hr sessio and ns