Award winning Cairns police officer faces court on assault charge and other top stories.

• Award winning Cairns police officer faces court on assault charge

  

  UPDATE: A Cairns police officer has appeared in court for the first time over the alleged assault of a British backpacker.Constable Matt McKinnar was flanked by his partner and several colleagues when he appeared briefly in the Cairns Magistrates Court this morning.He is facing one count of grievous bodily harm in relation to an incident which allegedly took place in the Cairns CBD earlier this year.The case was adjourned until September 7.Constable McKinnar has been stood down from the Queensla..

  >> view original



• Defence Industry Minister tours Cairns shipbuilding infrastructure

  

  CAIRNS businesses set to benefit from a $24 million upgrade to the city’s ship maintenance capabilities should know more about how that money will be spent later this month.Yesterday, Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne was in Cairns to meet company representatives and talk up Cairns’ importance as a key ship base and naval base.Mr Pyne spoke about the need to “end the cultural cringe” surrounding the use of domestic industry in defence.“There is a tremendous opportunity here in North Que..

  >> view original



• Cairns councillors vote to give up control of city park, despite pleas

  

  A GROUP of Westcourt residents campaigning to save their neighbourhood park will take their fight to the State Government after their pleas to council fell on deaf ears.Cairns Regional Council was presented with a petition of 114 signatures and five public submissions against relinquishing its trusteeship over 51st Park in Mann St, behind Cazalys Stadium.AFL Cairns had approached the council about acquiring the land, with yesterday’s council decision the first step in that process.The park will ..

  >> view original



• $550m Nova towers project set to launch in Cairns after new approval

  

  AN innocuous approval for sewer and drainage upgrades in the Cairns CBD could be the biggest sign yet the $550 million Nova Towers project is about to launch.Cairns Regional Council yesterday approved more than $3.5 million worth of infrastructure upgrades tied to the project, which the Cairns Post understands is just days away from launching to the world market.To cater for future growth, council had planned to upgrade a sewer pump station in Hartley St, but the station will now be moved behind..

  >> view original



• Cairns racegoers turn to eras past for fashion inspiration

  

  CAIRNS racegoers are raiding op-shops and their grandmother’s closets in search of a unique look with a vintage feel. Accessories with cane and wooden accents, leather and suede gloves, broad-brimmed hats and textured fabrics are tipped to turn heads at the Brothers Cairns Cup, which kicks off tomorrow with a luncheon and calcutta at Cannon Park.Vintage Seeker in Oceana Walk Arcade sources vintage and preloved clothing from wholesalers in Melbourne and Sydney, online auctions and even Japan.“For..

  >> view original



• Lucky escape for occupants of a Machans Beach house

  

  THREE people have escaped a house fire in Machans Beach overnight.Fire crews responded to the blaze, on Mitchell St, about 2.30pm.Investigations are continuing, with the cause of the fire yet to be identified.None of the people inside the property at the time were injured.

  >> view original

One man's plan to grow his own dinosaur .	Insider Trading Alert: EXACT Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ:EXAS) .
Meet Brian Burston: One Nation's power behind the throne .	Cairns man accused of heading drug syndicate denied bail .