Latest News in Cairns

See below for the latest and breaking news in Cairns and Tropical North Queensland.

You can click through to the main news websites to see what they're reporting, or see the latest feed of Headlines in Cairns from the ABC, just scroll down below.

Cairns & TNQ News

 

Latest ABC Cairns & Tropical North Queensland News

Below are listed news articles taken from the ABC News website, relating to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland.

QLD Redclaws double in size - Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:21:16

North Queensland redclaws have doubled in size after a five year breeding program to strengthen genetics.

Powell says port developments no threat to Barrier Reef - Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:20:17

The Queensland Government says it is confident the Great Barrier Reef will not be put on the 'in danger' list when a UN committee meets again next year.

Kowanyama traditional owners take back Cape land - Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:10:03

A 240,000 hectare area of western Cape York in far north Queensland has been formally handed back to traditional owners.

High Court rejects challenge to alcohol restriction laws over smuggling conviction - Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:49:31

A Palm Island woman has lost her High Court appeal against her conviction for smuggling alcohol into a restricted area.

Trawl boat operators are concerned northern irrigation will harm prawn stocks - Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:47:43
Andy Prendergast says there is a clear link between catch data and river flows. He talks to Rural Reporter Charlie McKillop.

Gulf prawn trawlers in Cairns port - Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:47:43

Fears northern irrigation will harm prawn stocks - Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:47:43

Fishermen are concerned that if more irrigation water is taken from the big inland rivers of North Queensland, it will affect fishing in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Knife bandits rob cabbie - Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:28:31

A taxi driver has been robbed at knife-point in Cairns overnight.

Qld seeks change to council referendum question - Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:37:20

The Queensland Government says it cannot give its full support to the referendum question on local government.

UNESCO postpones decision about adding Great Barrier Reef to 'in danger' list - Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:01:48

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has deferred its decision to place the Great Barrier Reef on the "in danger" list until 2014.

Stuey Carter is used to riding the highs and lows of the northern prawn season - Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:45:30
Skipper Stuart Carter has been chasing prawns in the Gulf of Carpentaria since 1986 and he's seen the best and worst of catches.

Boom to bust for Gulf prawn season - Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:45:30

Crews in the northern prawn fleet have just wrapped up their season with this year's banana prawn catches down by more than half.

Gulf skipper Stuart Carter is back in port after the banana prawn season - Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:45:30

Drivers urged to watch for wandering cassowaries - Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:51:32

The Mission Beach Community Association says action needs to be taken to protect cassowaries after cars hit two birds yesterday.

NRL: Rabbitohs prop George Burgess suspended and fined after being charged with wilful damage to a car - Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:18:33

The NRL and South Sydney have handed George Burgess a two-match suspension and a $10,000 fine.

ACCC accuses door-to-door seller Titan Marketing of Indigenous rip-off - Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:13:02

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched Federal Court action against a company it has accused of ripping off people in Indigenous communities, including Queensland's Cape York.

Saibai Island kids screened for skin disease that can lead to kidney failure - Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:06:26

Health authorities are screening all children on Saibai Island in the Torres Strait, off far north Queensland, to try and contain a highly infectious skin disease outbreak.

Cairns court hears graphic details over child's death - Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:54:47

The Supreme Court in Cairns has heard details of the events leading up to the death of an eight-year-old girl in November 2011.

Man refused bail over armed home invasion charge - Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:40:49

A Bandidos associate charged over an armed robbery in far north Queensland has been denied bail in a Cairns court.

Macadamia growers 'doing it tough' - Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:16:41

The Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) says many Queensland growers are facing their fourth successive year without making a profit.

Experts test how fish cope with climate change - Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:13:23

Researchers from James Cook University in north Queensland and the Australian National University are hoping to prove mature fish can adapt to cope with climate change.

Weather takes toll on some vegie growers - Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:08:07

Rural lobby group Growcom says a warm, wet start to winter is wreaking havoc for some Queensland vegetable growers.

Fears sewerage snub limits development potential - Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:00:12

The Cardwell Chamber of Commerce has condemned the local council's decision not to install sewerage in the far north Queensland town.

Man accused of knocking out policeman's teeth - Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:45:07

A man has allegedly punched a police officer at Mapoon on Cape York overnight, knocking out two of his front teeth.

More time tipped for Great Barrier Reef protection policies, WWF says - Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:22:50

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says it is likely the World Heritage Committee will give Australia another year to strengthen its policies to protect the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland.

Energex, Ergon power merger proposal smacks of secret privatisation plan, Qld Opposition says - Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:25:30

The Opposition says the State Government failed to mention its plan to merge Queensland's two biggest electricity suppliers in the budget less than two weeks ago.

NRL: Rabbitohs hold off Titans; Storm edge out Knights; Warriors upset Roosters - Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:52:36

South Sydney survived a stern test from Gold Coast before prevailing 30-24 at Barlow Park in Cairns.

Myles takes on the Rabbitohs defence - Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:37:11
Nate Miles of the Titans is tackled by the Rabbitohs during the round 14 NRL match at Barlow Park, June 16, 2013 in Cairns, Australia.

Nicholls non-committal on funding for Cairns upgrade - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:41:18

Treasurer Tim Nicholls says he needs more detail before deciding whether to commit State funding to an upgrade of the CBD and performing arts precinct in Cairns in far north Queensland.

Qld Government seeks foreign interest in ecotourism - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:26:35

Queensland National Parks Minister Steve Dickson says he wants to see more tourism operators invest in infrastructure at the state's natural attractions.

Man fractures leg hanging high above ground - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:12:52

A man has been flown to Cairns hospital in far north Queensland after a flying fox accident at Cape Tribulation.

Pay offer sparks JCU industrial unrest - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:23:06

Staff at James Cook University (JCU) will start industrial action today after rejecting an offer of a 2.6 per cent pay increase.

Royal Flying doctors' service review promises more efficiency, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg says - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:23:06

Queensland Health Minister Lawrence Springborg says a review into the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is not aimed at cutting staff.

Springborg looks to deliver Cooktown birthing services - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:18:17

Cooktown Hospital's medical superintendent says reinstating the town's birthing services would bring huge benefits to Indigenous mothers in the town.

Crown of thorns starfish pest 'the greatest impact on Great Barrier Reef' - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:28:55

Queensland National Parks Minister Steve Dickson says the crown of thorns starfish continues to be the biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef.

A draft protocol is already on the table as PNG cattle export plan progresses - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:09:37
Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Deb Hancock says it's the private sector that's driving the push to open up a long-term niche market with Australia's closest neighbour.

Momentum builds for PNG cattle exports - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:09:37

It started out as an idea to help drought-stricken graziers, but now the proposal to send North Queensland cattle to Papua New Guinea is starting to take shape.

Hungry cattle in drought stricken Queensland could soon be on a boat to PNG - Fri, 14 Jun 2013 09:09:37

Minister David Crisafulli 'moved' to help finish Avenue of Honour war memorial - Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:37:00

A new national war memorial in far north Queensland to Australian soldiers who have served in Afghanistan has reached its funding target.

Group close to funding target for far north Qld's Avenue of Honour - Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:48:43

A far north Queensland business group says it is close to reaching its funding target for the Avenue of Honour memorial to soldiers who have served in Afghanistan.

Pair safe after Cape emergency landing - Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:16:36

Police in Cape York have found two 60-year-old Victorian men who were forced to land their plane on a remote airstrip on Cape York in far north Queensland yesterday.

Cairns 'less vulnerable' to coal downturns - Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:54:59

A Cairns economist says the region is well placed to weather downturns in the coal sector in central Queensland.

Indigenous group keen to manage crocs - Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:53:47

A Cape York Indigenous ranger group says it wants the power to manage crocodiles in the Cooktown region.

Man to face trial over woman's Cape York murder - Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:26:21

A man has been committed to stand trial in the Supreme Court, charged with murdering a woman in Cape York in far north Queensland last August.

Rural fire brigades are angry volunteers will be asked to pay an emergency services levy - Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:30:31
The Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland's Mike Garrahy says brigades have received no guarantees they'll see any of the money raised through the new levy.

Levy angers Qld rural firies - Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:30:31

Rural fire volunteers in Queensland say they are being pushed to the "verge of financial annihilation" by a controversial new emergency services levy.

Rural firies assess a blaze at Millstream in Far North Queensland - Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:30:31

Ken Atkinson believes Wairuna homestead should not be demolished - Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:11:04
Mr Atkinson grew up on the property which pioneered the use of brahman stock in northern Queensland. He tells Charlie McKillop he wants the Heritage Council to stop the State Government demolishing the house.

Queensland Government urged to dump plans to demolish homestead - Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:11:04

Heritage appeal for historic Brahman property - Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:11:04

An historic homestead in North Queensland has received a stay of execution from plans by the Queensland Government to bulldoze it.