s n r i a C
Local News
APRIL 28, 2023
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Queen Elizabeth makes a royal entrance to the Port of Cairns. Picture: Ports North
Cairns
City reaches new population high Page 3
Cass owar y Coast
Community connect liftout
Our ships come in l CAIRNS A RECORD 102 cruise ship visits to the Port of Cairns are scheduled next year in what Ports North attributes to the $127 million dredging project completed three years ago as well as a rebounding cruising sector.
The growth of nearly 30 visits or 26 per cent on top of this year’s expected 75, as well 59 in 2022, has delighted the port authority’s operations general manager Richard Stevenson. “It’s the first time it’s been over 100. It’s quite incredible,” he said. “The city can be proud of that
achievement.” Ports North has a target of 150 ships a year by 2031. Mr Stevenson said another milestone was reached in February when, for the first time, two 294m ships – Island Princess and Coral Princess – docked at the same time. “That involved 6000 passengers
and 2000 crew. The (economic) injection is pretty significant,” he said. Mr Stevenson said Ports North was considering increasing the diameter of the swing basin so even longer ships could enter the port but that would depend on a business case. CONTINUED PAGE 2
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Ed g e Hill
Four Days in Dallas play review Page 23
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