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

Monday July 8, 2002 73rd Edition

As the sporting frenzy subsides, the people of Cairns start to catch up on some sleep. Whilst jubilant at the results of Wimbledon there is no doubt that it is time to get moving again, especially as the tourism season has kicked off with a major influx of both national and international tourists to the region.

Cairns airport reports a record year
International arrivals and departures at Cairns Airport have set a new record with 900,000 movements recorded in the last financial year. Cairns Aport Authority spokesperson, Pennie Burke, said the figures represented a 6.2 per cent growth on last financial year and show to continued optimism in Cairns as a tourist destination. Mr Burke also reinforced the significance of the figures when taking into consideration September 11th and the collapse of ANSETT during this period. International arrivals and departures for the last ten years are listed below:

Investors head to Palm Cove
A luxury development on the beachfront at Palm Cove has been inundated with investors seeking a share of what is being described as one of "the most innovative and exciting developments in North Queensland in ten years".
Triton Place Resort has secured deposits on 20 apartments despite a six week wait until the official release.

Tea Tree Plantations sold to national group
A collective of North Queensland Tea Tree plantations has been sold to an Adelaide investment and management company for $5.2 million. 'Essential Asset Management Ltd" has purchased the properties west of Dimbulah on the Atherton Tablelands and the current landholders will continue to operate the farms on behalf of the organization. A public float of EAML is expected in the next 12 months to assist with the expansion of the business. A further 300 ha of Tea Tree is being sought.

No Coconuts
The battle continues to rage between regional Councils, the Department of Environment and Heritage and the rest of the community as the argument about whether coconut trees should be cut down as exotic weeds goes on. The debate started several years ago with the removal of coconut trees from a number of isolated communities as Rangers tried to put the areas back into a pristine state. The environmental arguments is that the coconut trees are not native to Australia and as a result they should be removed. The Councils are concerned about nuts falling on people's heads and the rest of the community like the way they look and want to keep them just the way they are. This could be a long argument.

Cairns trainer a fitness winner
Cairns personal trainer, Sonya Dainer, has been recognised as the first person outside of a capital city to be awarded the prestigious national Australian Fitness Network's Fitness Leader of The Year Award. Miss Dainer, 28, is the owner of Cairns based fitness studio, Betterbodiez. Miss Dainer won the award for "having displayed professionalism while an active role in the contribution of the health and fitness industry".