Welcome to Cairns Regional Council
Latest News
Water restrictions
Check your permitted watering times... More
Celebrate Australia Day
Enjoy free, family fun events... More
Flying fox relocation
Have your say on flying fox plan More
Like us to stay up to date
⚠️ All patrolled beaches (Ellis to Holloways) have been closed due to the presence of Irukandji jelly fish.
It is likely they will remain closed for the rest on the week due to the forecast weather conditions.
More hazard mitigation works are necessary on the RED ARROW walking track.
The western part of the loop will be closed on Monday, 20 January, to remove dead and dying tree branches.
Work will start at 7am and are expected to be completed by midday.
During this time the western arc of the Red Arrow loop will be closed. The eastern side (airport side) of the Red Arrow will remain open.
The RED ARROW walking track will be partially closed tomorrow morning (16 January).
Hazard mitigation works (removal or dead and dying tree branches) on the eastern side of the Red Arrow loop will start at 7am and are expected to be completed by midday.
During this time the eastern arc of the Red Arrow loop (airport side) will be closed.
The western arc, which will be accessible via the entrance behind the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre building, will remain open.
⚠️ Temporary closures of Crystal Cascades and Nature Play this Wednesday, January 15.
CRYSTAL CASCADES
We will be undertaking maintenance works on a water main at Crystal Cascades on Wednesday 15 January. Due to these works there will be no access to Crystal Cascades from 6am to 6pm on the day.
NATURE PLAY
The playground at the Centenary Lakes precinct of the Botanic Gardens will be closed for maintenance works between 6am and 11am on Wednesday.
42 cats and kittens have ended up at the pound since the start of the year - including 20 surrendered from a single property.
Cats can produce hundreds of unwanted kittens over their lifetime.
Council, local vets and the Animal Welfare League (AWL) have therefore joined forces to offer discounted cat desexing to concession card holders:
$55 male cat
$65 female cat
$50 second female cat
Check if you are eligible and receive your discount desexing voucher by contacting the AWL on 07 5509 9044.
This offer is for residents of Cairns Regional Council while funding lasts.
Have Your Say on Council's Flying-fox Relocation Management Plan.
The plan outlines steps Council wishes to take to relocate the Cairns City Flying-fox colony from the CBD to a more suitable location.
Read the plan and have your say on Council's website: https://bit.ly/2sOy7U5
Consultation closes at 5pm on January 31.
🚍 Free bus transport will be available on New Year's Eve, following the midnight fireworks.
We are funding the free Sunbus services, which will depart from Lake Street between 12.30am and 1.20am.
See the Sunbus website for times and route details
👉 http://www.sunbus.com.au/2019-christmas-new-years-eve-services/
🅿️ Free Parking in the Lake Street multi-storey carpark all day on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Normal regulated hours will resume at 8.30am on Thursday 2 January.
ℹ️ Please note that the Cairns Esplanade will be closed to all traffic between Spence and Aplin streets from 5am on Tuesday 31 December until 4am on Wednesday 1 January.
Rare footage of Santa chilling at the Lagoon after a long night shift.
We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
*This clips is based on the artwork by Regan Cini (12), the winner of our Christmas eCard competition.
Just one more sleep till Christmas!
Perfect time for a quick reminder not to put batteries, houshold items and food scraps in your recycling bin.
These items can be a danger to our staff and equipment and will contaminate the recyclable material.
Lake Morris Road reopens today!
Lake Morris Road will reopen this afternoon (Friday, 20 December) following extensive stabilisation and drainage pipe replacement works.
These works were the first stage of a $4.6 million project to repair damage resulting from heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Cyclone Nora in March 2018.
The second stage of the works, which includes pavement repairs and bitumen resealing, will occur after the upcoming wet season.
Funding of $3.2 million for the works was secured from the State and Federal Governments through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
Work along the 16km stretch of road, which provides access to Copperlode Dam, started in May, 2019.
Council will start work to upgrade Campbells Lookout along Lake Morris Road early January.
The upgrade to the popular lookout will include a new viewing platform shelter and safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians.
Included in the $478,425 upgrade are new balustrading, interpretative signage, seating, parking and solar CCTV security.
YAAAY! Schools out!... Now what?
We've put together some ideas for things to do during the school holidays.
📚 CAIRNS LIBRARIES
For those wanting to be creative indoors, Cairns Libraries is offering a host of programs and events to suit children of all ages.
Children can get involved in the Summer Reading Club’s 40 Days in 40 ways Reading Challenge either at a Cairns Libraries branch or from home via the online website (https://bit.ly/2Pyx2s7).
The Summer Reading Club is a free online and in-library holiday program, run in partnership with State Library of Queensland, the Australian Library and Information Association, and the Australian Public Library Alliance.
Also at Cairns Libraries:
✔️ S.T.E.A.M LEGO WeDo
Explore the world of robotics and coding with LEGO WeDO robots.
✔️ The White Wizard
A hilariously, light-hearted magic performance to celebrate our Summer Reading Club Program with the White Wizard.
✔️ Recycled Christmas craft workshops
✔️ Zoo to you
An exciting wildlife experience with Zoo to You. Get up close to Australian animals and learn about their habitats.
Check out the Cairns Libraries website for details of all the events, activities and programs.
👉 https://bit.ly/34BnEbe
🌷 CAIRNS BOTANIC GARDENS
Explore the beauty of tropical plant life at Cairns Botanic Gardens.
Renowned as one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia, relax in stunning surroundings and learn about local flora and horticulture.
Discover more about the plants and animals with a tour. The Friends of the Botanic Gardens conduct free guided tours of Flecker Gardens, or take advantage of the series of audio tours and become your own tour guide.
More information is available on the Council website.
👉https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/facilities-sport-leisure/botanic
🌴 ESPLANADE & LAGOON
There is always lots to do and see for free at the Cairns Esplanade.
Swim at the lagoon, play at Muddy’s Playground, go for a stroll or a bike ride, play at the pirate ship or fig tree playground, have a barbecue or enjoy live music.
The Lagoon will be open every day from 6am to 9pm, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
The Lagoon closure each Wednesday from 6am to midday for regular maintenance will be reinstated from January 8.
🚴 CYCLING TRACKS
Cairns is a great place to get outdoors and be active.
There are a range of paths and cycle ways that allow you to explore this beautiful region at your own pace.
Unless otherwise marked, the cycle ways are also walking paths. Maps of the city’s cycling tracks can be found online.
👉https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/region/things-to-do/cycle
🚶 WALKING TRACKS
Get outside and challenge yourself and the kids on the popular Red Arrow, Blue Arrow, Green Arrow and Yellow Arrow walking tracks that wind through Mt Whitfield Conservation Park, behind the Cairns Botanic Gardens in Edge Hill.
The Park is a 300 hectare forested mountain range, home to rainforest, eucalyptus and grasslands.
The Arrow tracks vary in length and difficulty, from the 1.5km Red Arrow, through to the 6km, Grade 4, Blue Arrow. More details online.
👉https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/224957/Mt-Whitfield-Brochure2019.pdf
🦇 BAT CHATS
Learn from nationally renowned experts about the importance of flying-foxes in our natural environment. Bat Chats is an informal guided tour of the spectacled flying fox roost outside Cairns City Library and its vicinity.
Discover how the spectacled flying fox is a keystone species which has a vital role in seed dispersal and pollination around the region and other bat facts.
Bat Chats are held each Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the school holidays from 6pm; meet at the corner of Aplin and Lake streets, outside the Cairns City Library.
👉https://www.facebook.com/events/445496512781806/
🚴 SUGARWORLD
Escape the heat at Cairns' coolest water park.
With gentle rides and slides for the littlies, shaded resort-style pools and heart-pumping waterslide action for the daring thrill seekers, Sugarworld Adventure Park is fun for the whole family.
The facility also includes a 9-hole mini golf course, resort style pools and a licensed cafe with undercover dining area.
Closed on Christmas Day, Sugar World is open 10am to 5pm every weekend, public holiday and school holidays.
👉http://sugarworldwaterpark.com.au
🏊 TOBRUK MEMORIAL POOL
The facility features a toddler water play pool, Flow Rider (artificial wave rider), café and retail shop.
Other public swimming pools for use by the general public for a small fee are located at Babinda, Gordonvale, Woree and the Marlin Coast Bicentennial Pool at Smithfield. Visit Council’s website for opening times.
👉https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/region/things-to-do/public-swimming-pools
If you have other tips please feel free to share them in the comments section.
On December 17, 2018 an oil leak appeared at the Tanks precinct on Collins Avenue. Earlier today, almost to the day one year later, a new, smaller leak reappeared in the same location.
The oil is believed to be from a pipeline associated with historical World War II infrastructure.
You can read more about this on our website:
👉https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/news-publications/media-releases/releases/oil-seepage-at-tanks
