Cape York Weekly FREE – #276 | Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Editorial: lmortimer@region.com.au|Advertising: sales@region.com.au
STARFISH STRIKE
INSIDE TODAY
‘Critical step’ to stop Great Barrier Reef feeding frenzy
SNAKES ALIVE Page 2
READY FOR RODEO Page 6
AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS Pages 8 & 9
A diver culling a crown-of-thorns starfish in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Photo: The Reef Authority.
AN intensive program to control a notorious natural predator decimating coral in the Great Barrier Reef will redeploy resources after field intelligence confirmed an outbreak intensifying between Cairns and Lizard Island. FULL STORY PAGE 5.
LOCKED IN
Massive mining cash splash safeguards Cape York jobs
by LUKE MORTIMER WEIPA is set to benefit from a huge public funding injection aimed at keeping the nation’s second largest aluminium smelter up and running. The Commonwealth and Queensland governments, alongside Rio Tinto, have announced $2 billion in a landmark partnership to lock in the future of Boyne Smelter near Gladstone and transform the state’s energy grid.
It’s been described as one of the most significant industrial investment and decarbonisation commitments in Australian history. Rio Tinto’s bauxite operations at Weipa supply raw material to the Central Queensland smelter and provide work for more than 1300 people. Jobs at Weipa and Gladstone will be protected thanks to the deal, according to a joint government statement. – Continued page 3
FARMERS JOIN FORCES Page 8
LIKE DUCKS TO WATER Page 15
WHAT’S ON @ THE ALBY... MONDAY $18 PASTA
NIGHT
YOUR CHOICE OF SAUCE TOSSED WITH YOUR FAVOURITE PASTA: SPAGHETTI LINGUINE CHICKEN TORTELLINI OR GF PENNE
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
TACOS! TRIVIA YOUR CHOICE NIGHT OF 3 TACOS FOR $15
SPORTS BAR 6PM - 8.30PM
FROM 7.30PM
$15
RUMP NIGHT
FRIDAY 5.30 – 7.30PM
JAG THE JOKER
JACKPOTS WEEKLY ‘TIL JOKER IS FOUND!
+ MEAT TRAY RAFFLES
FROM 7.30PM
MUSICAL BINGO FREE TO PLAY WITH GREAT PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS
THE DECK RESTAURANT IS OPEN 7 DAYS, 6 TO 8.30PM