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

Monday May, 12 2003 114th Edition

Local plants on world market
Hybrids of a native foliage plant found in the Tully River region may soon be used by florists and floral designers world wide. Trial plantings have begun of the soft leaved stenocarpus plant on the Atherton Tableland which is a result of a four year plan between Walkamin’s Yuruga Nursery, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and the Rural Industry Research and Development Corporation. Over 70 plants for cultivation have been culled to a handful and some are now undergoing field trials. Trial plants have been highly successful in markets in Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Japan.

Sausage kings snag prize again
Bayveiw butchers John and Suzie Clarke have won the regional Sausage King Competition held in Cairns over the weekend. North Queensland butchers from Mossman to Mackay participated in the event held at the Matson Resort. But the former Australian and Queensland Sausage King John Clarke beat the competition hands down taking out three of four categories and two placings. Mr Clarke’s honey, lamb and rosemary sausage won the gourmet category and he will now contest the state titles in August. “You think a sausage is a sausage is a sausage, but it ain’t. We had 54 different kinds of gourmet sausage in our category,” Mr Clarke said.

New Reef Terminal open
Big Cat Cruises are the first reef operators to move into the new Reef Fleet Terminal at Marlin Jetty. The Terminal, part of the Cairns Port Authority Cityport development, is the ultimate departure point to the reef. Other operators yet to move into the complex include Sunlover Cruises, Great Adventures, Reef Magic, Passions of Paradise, Raging Thunder and Terri Too. “The terminal will become the focus of reef fleet tourism in Cairns with an estimated minimum of 650, 000 passengers to depart through the Reef Fleet Terminal,” Port Authority marketing manager Pennie Burke said. The two storey complex includes office and retail space and can process up to 2000 pasengers per day during peak times.

Bargain hunters paradise
Driveable, near roadworthy cars are being auctioned off for as little as $10 in Cairns of late. Sedans, campervans, utilities and wagons have been selling at Cairns City Council public auctions for about the cost of a six pack of beer. The cars have been collected after being found abandoned with around 500 found each year on city streets. Ususally the cars are kept for a month, giving owners a chance to reclaim them. Yet most are never recovered and are sold at monthly auctions. The latest auction saw 14 vehicles – many driveable – auctioned off for an average price of $30.

Historic grave to be moved
One of the region’s most historically significant grave sites is to be relocated to prevent it from damage at its current location on the Barron River. Recognised as the oldest known marked grave in Cairns, the 125 year old grave of former Cairns police constable Michael Dwyer is under threat from erosion. The grave is located on Crown-owned bushland on the banks of the Barron at Stratford. The exhumation is scheduled to begin on July 20. It is believed Constable Dwyer shot himself accidently after returning from a shooting expedition around Stratford on July 19, 1877.

Thorpe and Hackett head for Cairns
Cairns will play host to the Australian Swimming Grand Prix later this month, attracting some of the world’s best swimmers. World record-holders Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett will participate for the first time in the 300m event. The 300m is one of several unusual events which have been added to the program to promote close racing. These events will be the highlight of the three day meet. Australian Swimming high performance director Greg Hodge said the Thorpe-Hackett clash would be among the meet highlights. “I think the people that come and watch the races will see some really spectacular things,” Mr Hodge said.

$7m expansion for airport
The State Government has approved a $7 million project to expand the aircraft parking bays at the international terminal, which will increase capacity significantly. The bays will be expanded from six to eight. Transport Minister Steve Bredhauer said the new bays would place the airport in a strong position for future growth. “Last financial year, more than one million inbound and outbound passengers travelled through the international terminal, strengthening Cairns’s position as the fifth busiest international airport in Australia,” he said. “This latest investiment is based on strong international passenger growth over the past couple of years.”