A weekly re-cap of the events that have made news in Cairns over the past week.

Monday February 23, 2004 128th Edition

Cairns beach cleanest in Australia
The work of many volunteers has paid off at Holloways Beach, just north of Cairns, which has recently been named winner of the Australian Clean Beach Challenge Protection of the Environment Award. The prestigious award recognises outstanding accomplishment in the protection of the local natural environment and the preservation of fauna and flora. The Holloways Beach community and Cairns City Council has worked tirelessly to stop severe erosion of the coastline with sand replenishment and retention measures. Member for Barron River Lesley Clark said of the win “it is a recognition of their commitment to protect and enhance the coastal environment. To win a national award is just amazing.”

18 storey vessel docks in Cairns
One of the world’s largest cruise ships, The Star Princess, docked in Cairns last week, bringing with it more than 2500 tourists. The vessel which boasts 18 storeys, features five pools, nine Jacuzzis, a wedding chapel, two storey theatre, mini golf course and casino. While the ship only stayed for 10 hours, around 1200 passengers visited top tourist attractions in Cairns including Kuranda, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Rainforestation and The Great Barrier Reef.

Australian Airlines exceeding job target in Cairns
Australian Airlines has created an extra 400 new jobs in Cairns in the past three years. State Development Minister Tony McGrady says the achievement was 100 jobs above the predicted target. “The $600 million Australian Airlines estimates it has contributed to the local economy annually has come either directly from company purchases or indirectly from spending in the region by tourists carried by the airline. The burgeoning growth we are seeing in the aviation industry in Cairns demonstrates the great foresight of Australian Airlines in its decision to base its operational hub in the Far North,” he said.

Thrill seekers experience in extreme
AJ Hackett Bungy in Cairns has launched a new form of extreme adventure with the opening of its parabungy jump last week. Combining bungy jumping and parasailing, the parabungy allows thrill seekers to parachute 150m above the sea while attached to a 30m bungy cord. Director of AJ Hackett Adam Lichtenstein said the parabungy plunge was three times higher than the bungy tower at the Smithfield site. “We can get that height and so much more under a parachute. It’s a lot more than just a bungy jump. It’s definitely our most extreme activity,” he said. Cairns is the first AJ Hackett Bungy location in the world to offer parabungy jumping.

Reef boat bolts to outer reef
The fastest reef boat in Cairns, known as Thunderbolt 1 is the latest edition to the Raging Thunder cohort of river rafts, air balloons and island resorts. Based at Fitzroy Island, the inflatable boat takes only 20 minutes to reach the outer reef, which means the half-day reef trip is now a reality. “It travels at 76km/h which means it goes twice the speed of most reef ferries,” Cairns boat builder Ralph Seed said. Mr Seed continued “this is the first boat of this style and speed that’s been built in Australia, in fact anywhere.” A range of Cairns companies were responsible for producing the boat during the past 18 weeks.