Relieving pressure – Rio Tinto unveils housing strategy
Weipa residents will be given the chance to buy adjoining vacant land to their properties as Rio Tinto looks to relieve pressure on the town’s housing situation. The land-buy scheme is one of several initiatives released by the mining company as part of its long-awaited housing strategy.
Opinion: Cashless cards must go now
Samuel Davis. “Excuse me brotha, can you help me?” A gentle hand touched my arm and a man with a pained expression met my eyes as I turned. Standing with a credit card in one hand and a sheet of paper in the other, he stood next to an ATM inside a Cairns shopping centre ... The only problem was Caleb’s new credit card wouldn’t work. Reluctantly, I leaned in to see if I could help.
Raiders run over Bulldogs in final
Samuel Davis. Discipline and the occasional burst of individual brilliance has proven just enough to get Weipa Raiders over the line in a thrilling grand final at Andoom Oval on Saturday afternoon. Napranum Bulldogs entered the decider undefeated and favourites to claim the Western Cape Rugby League premiership cup.
New CEO keen to make good impression
Brian Joiner has promised not to make any hasty decisions as he wrapped up his first week as CEO of Cook Shire Council. Mr Joiner started last Monday with a packed schedule, including a council meeting, a councillor workshop and a community planning meeting at Lakeland.
Controversial tower gets green light from council
Sarah Martin. Cook Shire Council has approved a controversial 26-metre Telstra tower on Cooktown’s main street, despite community concerns ... Cook Shire received 23 submissions during the public notification period, with only two in favour of the tower. However, mayor Peter Scott said the decision to approve the tower at last week’s ordinary council meeting took into account the community’s concerns and the communication benefits the tower would provide.
Airport crisis looms – Bamaga runway in desperate need of repairs
Samuel Davis. A “dangerous” Cape York airstrip could lead to fatalities if urgent repairs aren’t carried out soon, local leaders say. Built during World War II, Bamaga airport’s rutted runway connects the Northern Peninsula Area to Cairns with around a thousand takeoffs and landings expected this year. But the most recent technical inspection found the strip is in “poor condition” with major upgrades desperately needed.
Councils call for more input into biosecurity – Include us: mayor
Samuel Davis. A proposal to give greater powers to local disaster management groups during public health crises will keep Cape communities safer, a long-time mayor says ... Under Cr Scott’s plan, a health emergency would be treated like a natural disaster, with government agencies working together.
Urgent action needed now: mayor
Samuel Davis. Cape York mayor Patricia Yusia doesn’t want to talk about the Indigenous Voice to parliament. Not while a desperate housing crisis is crippling her communities in the Northern Peninsula Area. So, when Cr Yusia met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Horn Island last Thursday, the discussion was to the point.
