2019 April 11 Rural etc

COMMUNITY NEWS

Serious assault police, Innisfail: An 18-year-old Hudson woman was charged with two counts of serious assault police officer whilst adversely affected in public place by biting spitting etc, and one count of public nuisance in the vicinity of a licensed premises.

Around 2am Friday morning police were called to Lily Street in relation to the woman being at the location swearing and being abusive towards members of the public.

As the officers were arresting her it will be alleged she has spat in the faces of the officers striking one officer in the face, she has continued to struggle with officers striking the other officer with her shoes.

She was eventually restrained and taken to the Innisfail Watchhouse, she is scheduled to appear at the Innisfail Magistrates Court on April 15 Vehicles damaged, Mirriwinni: Police are investigating damage that was caused to two vehicles in March.

Two Toyota Landcruiser’s that were parked at a Healy Road address during the last week of March received deep scratches to a number of panels on the vehicles.

Anyone with any information are encouraged to contact Policelink and quote reference number QP1900666318 Theft of power tools, Deer-

al: Babinda police are investigating the theft of power tools and damage to a shipping container at a construction site.

Between 5pm April 3 and 5:30am April 4, locks were cut on two shipping containers at the Bruce highway construction site, several Makita tools including cordless and electric angle grinder and drills , and a blower were stolen.

Anyone with any information are encouraged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number QP1900664779 Drink Driving, Mission Beach: Police have charged a local man after a traffic intercept in Mission Beach on Friday evening.

It will be alleged that the 25-yearold man was intercepted on Southward Street at about 11.15pm and returned a reading of 0.119 per cent BAC. He is expected to appear in the Tully Magistrates Court on April 18 charged with drink driving.

Break and enter, Goondi Hill: Police are investigating after a business was broken into in Goondi Bend on Friday evening.

Initial investigations suggest that unknown offenders have entered the business on Palmerston Drive at about 11pm by breaking the front door.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote QP1900679473.

Drink Driving, Tully: Police have

charged a local woman after a traffic intercept in Tully on Saturday morning.

It will be alleged that the 24-yearold woman was intercepted on Butler Street at about 3.30am and returned a reading of 0.114 per cent BAC. She is expected to appear in the Tully Magistrates Court on April 18 charged with drink driving.

Unregistered, uninsured and Unlicenced, Goondi Bend: Police have charged a local woman after a traffic intercept in Goondi Bend on Saturday evening.

It will be alleged that the 30-yearold woman was intercepted on Hickory Street at 8pm driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.

It will further be alleged that she was also unlicensed and her registration plates were seized for 90 days.

She is expected to appear in the Innisfail Magistrates Court on May 13 charged with unlicensed driving and was also issued two Traffic Infringement Notices for driving unregistered $313 and driving uninsured $522.

Quote this reference number: QP1900679473 Trespassing, Innisfail: Two local men aged 45 and 46-years-old were charged with trespassing after allegedly being located around 4pm Wednesday sleeping at an Edith Street premises.

Both men were heavily intoxicated when they unlawfully entered the

premises. They were taken to a place of safety, by police, to allow them to sleep off their intoxication.

Learner driver fined, Innisfail: An 18-year-old Babinda woman was intercepted around 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon after she failed to give way to vehicles at an Edith street intersection.

It will be further alleged the woman was a learner driver who was driving without supervision or displaying L plates. She was issued with a number of traffic infringements totalling $807 and nine demerit points.

Stealing from house, South Johnstone: South Johnstone police are investigating the theft of power tools, garden equipment, and a bicycle. Between March 25 and March 29, the property was stolen from the underneath of a Driscoll Street, South Johnstone address.

Anyone with any information are encouraged to contact Policelink 131 444 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 and quote reference number QP1900660045.

Attempted break and enter, Innisfail: Police are investigating the attempted break into a Bunda Street address. Between 11am and 2:30pm on Monday, an unsuccessful attempt has been made to gain entry to the address.

Anyone with any information are encouraged to contact Policelink 131 444 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 and quote reference number

QP1900659779.

Police want to remind residence of the importance of ensuring you take adequate measures towards home security.

• Ensure external doors and windows are locked when you are not at the house or when you are a distance from the property (e.g. being in the back yard or at a neighbour’s house); • Fit security screens to your doors and windows and ensure they are locked; • Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to ensure visibility to your property; • Lock away items of value such as bikes, lawn mowers, garden tools; • Keep garage doors closed and locked when not in use; • Install security lighting including sensor lighting; • Engrave property; and • Record serial numbers and keep them in a safe place for easy reference.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld. com.au 24hrs per day.

Coquette Point Police Investigate Theft Burglary, Coquette Point: Police are investigating the theft of a Stihl chainsaw and fishing equipment from a houseboat.

The boat was moored on the Johnstone River, Coquette Point, between 5pm April 7 and 4am April 8. Entry was made to the cabin where the property was stored.

Anyone with any information are encouraged to contact police and quote reference number QP1900700312.

Burglary, Tully: A wallet and two mobile phones were stolen from a house on King Street, Tully.

Around 2am Tuesday morning entry was made to a closed but unlocked door. The intruder was disturbed and fled the house.

Anyone with any information are encouraged to contact police and quote reference number QP1900699272.

Traffic offences, Cassowary Coast: A 32-year-old Garbutt woman was intercepted on the Bruce Highway at Damper Creek by Townsville Road Policing Unit on Sunday evening.

It will be alleged she was intercepted around 6pm for exceeding the speed limit and travelling with an un-

restrained child in the vehicle.

She was issued with two traffic infringement notices totalling $652 and six demerit points.

Slow down and survive the drive: Innisfail Road Policing officers were conducting speed camera operations earlier this month within the Mourilayn area when they allegedly detected a vehicle displaying ‘P’ Plates travelling at 132km/h in a 80km/h zone.

Innisfail Road policing unit Officer in Charge Acting Sergeant Sue McBride said there is no excuse to be travelling at that speed and that they

are endangering themselves and other road users.

“This excessive speed is dangerous for any driver to be travelling at, but for an inexperienced provisional driver to be travelling at this speed is sheer disrespect for the traffic laws and disregard for themselves and other road users,” Sergeant McBride said.

Sergeant McBride urges all drivers to be patient and to ensure they drive to the conditions whenever they get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

“The tragedy that can arise from this type of stupidity is heart breaking

for families, friends and the community, please drive to the conditions and arrive at your destination safely.”

With the Easter Safety Campaign in full force, road users can expect to see an extra police presence on the roads over the course of the school holidays and Easter break.

A zero tolerance attitude will be in force and we are encouraging people to drive safely and enjoy their time with family and friends during this busy time.

Safe drivers, safe vehicles, safer roads.

Are you prepared to go away this Easter

JANE MORAN SENIOR CONSTABLE | CASSOWARY COAST CRIME PREVENTION Search and Rescue authorities are urging far northerners to be well prepared for whatever outdoor activities they are planning across our region over the Easter period.

Easter is traditionally a busy time for outdoor activities such as boating, camping, fishing hunting and hiking.

This can become a busy time for Search and Rescue authorities and volunteer search and rescue organisations who are called on to help out those persons who get themselves into difficult situations.

Take your time to make sure all your equipment; whether it be a boat, vehicle or camping gear are all in good condition before you go.

Make sure you have reliable emergency communication equipment for the area you are venturing into.

People have become too reliant on mobile phones which unfortunately in Far North Queensland have limited coverage areas.

If you are going to be in an area where your friends or family cannot contact you, make sure you let them know beforehand.

Make sure you leave clear trip plans with someone so that if you don’t return by the agreed time a search can be started.

If you change those plans and stay away longer make sure you let someone know!

Some popular camping areas are still inaccessible due to the wet season and in some cases areas such as Lakefield National Park are closed altogether.

Do not put yourselves and your families at risk by attempting to enter areas that are closed.

Ensure that you call ahead and check road condition reports before embarking on travel.

Page 8 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, April 11, 2019

People venturing onto our waterways over Easter are asked to have consideration for other vessel operators especially in busy areas such as Lake Tinaroo.

When operating near other vessels or persons in the water, slow down, reduce your wash and keep a good lookout at all times.

If your boat is unregistered, you are unlicenced or you aren’t carrying the required safety equipment, don’t leave the boat ramp!

Not only are you putting your boat, yourself and your friends and family at risk, but you are also liable for hefty on the spot fines.

Queensland Water Police will be out and about on our waterways over the Easter period to ensure it is a safe one for everybody.

For more updates: * Before you drive, please check Qld Traffic website: https:// qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/ * Please report any issues on our roads to the 131 940 hotline

RURAL REPORT

Flying Fish Point School Plans Billabong to Help the Reef

REEF protection on the Cassowary Coast will be boosted by a new billabong after the Flying Fish Point State School received a Local Action Community Reef Protection Grant. Cassowary Coast Local Marine Advisory Committee Chair Cr Jeff Baines said the committee proposed the project following the success of a similar venture which recreated a wetland from a weed-choked drain near the Mission Beach State School. “We saw great synergies when the Reef Guardian school community and Reef Guardian Council came together with the wider Mission Beach community and are keen to repeat the magic at Flying Fish Point,” Mr Baines said. The project will upgrade an open stormwater channel into a functioning billabong, improving water quality flowing into the Reef and educating the next gener-

ation about the local ecosystem.

School principal Karen Spannagle said the staff and students were excited about the project. “Our small rural school is adjacent to World Heritage listed Reef and rainforest,” Ms Spannagle said.

“The staff and students consider it a priority to care for our environment.

We want the billabong to become a living classroom which is integrated into the school culture and curriculum.” The project will be led by Cassowary Coast Regional Council, which will oversee weed removal, earthworks and revegetation, with assistance from the local Landcare group and Mamu Traditional Owners.

Cr Baines said committee members would continue to be involved in the project by providing background support, visiting the school and promoting the project throughout

the wider community.

“We hope the billabong will illustrate the value of coastal wetlands, their importance for healthy fisheries and ultimately the health of the Great Barrier Reef,” Cr Baines said.

Local Marine Advisory Committees are made up of community volunteers who have been working for more than 20 years to provide advice to Reef managers on local issues, promote exchange of Reef-related information and foster regional actions to protect this World Heritage marine icon. The Community Reef Protection projects are funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

A list of all successful applicants and a brief description of their projects can be found on the Great Barrier Reef Foundation website.

Cane growers ready to tell their Reef story CANEGROWERS members in every sugarcane district of Queensland are ready to tell their stories of working for the Great Barrier Reef’s future to a parliamentary committee this week.

Following an outcry that a single session in Brisbane was not enough to canvass all of the concerns about a State Government move to further regulate farming in Reef catchments, the Queensland Parliament’s Innovation, Tourism Development and Environment Committee has scheduled hearings in key regional centres.

“We welcome the fact that the Committee has heard the uproar from across the community and decided to travel beyond Brisbane to seen and listen to the people who will be affected by the provisions of the Bill,” CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.

“I particularly want them to hear firsthand from cane growers and farmers across the agricultural spectrum.

“I encourage cane growers to register to attend so that the Committee is able to get a very personal

account of the decades of commitment to improve water quality for the Reef in our industry.”

The hearings are: * Tuesday in Cairns * Wednesday in Townsville * Thursday in Mackay * Friday in Bundaberg CANEGROWERS is campaigning against the Environmental Protection (Great Barrier Reef Protection Measures) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019.

“This Bill is an unnecessary impost on cane growers given the huge amount of investment, innovation and change is underway voluntarily within our industry,” Mr Galligan said.

“There was no consultation on some key specifics of the Bill before it was introduced to parliament and this was a slap in the face to the collaboration and trust we need to ensure the Reef is secured for future generations.

“CANEGROWERS is deeply concerned that the Bill ‘big brother’ provisions will give the government the power to demand records and data from agricultural advisors, sup-

ply chain partners and businesses which supply farms.

“It will also hand to the Department of Environment and Science the ability to change a regulated farming standard at any time without having to consider the impact on farmers or their communities and without any mechanism for appeal or review.

“Our message, loud and clear, is that the way forward for agriculture and the Reef is through cooperation and engagement, building on world-leading best practice management programs which are already underway – not through regulation. ”This is also the key message in the online #RejectTheRegs petition which has surged past 1,300 signatures in a week.

“Not only cane growers, but farmers in every industry, their families and the regional business people who support and work with them are signing this,” Mr Galligan said.

Details of the public hearing times and locations are on the Committee web page.

Fisheries Minister takes on Origin legend in Queen Street Mall

Dam desilting rebate now available

PRIMARY producers can now claim up to 25% of the cost of a private contractor to desilt a dam on their drought-declared property up to a maximum of amount of $25,000 per property identification code (PIC), per financial year. Information regarding the rebate including qualifying and applying can be found in the guidelines.

You must obtain an endorsed Dam Desilting Statement before paying

for dam desilting. The statement provides assurance that the proposed desilting activity can be considered for the rebate and is within the typical range of costs for dam desilting .

BACKDATING claims to 1 July 2018 If you undertook dam desilting between 1 July 2018 and the start of the scheme on 6 April 2019 you do not need to have an endorsed Dam Desil-

ting Statement. You may lodge the claim (including both the statement and form) directly with Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).

The dam desilting rebate is funded by the Australian Government and is administered by the Queensland Government (in Queensland only).

Information on qualifying and applying can be found on our website or call our Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.

FISHERIES Minister Mark Furner has stared down Queensland State Of Origin legend Sam Thaiday in a prawn peeling competition to promote Queensland seafood.

Mr Furner and the former Broncos hard-hitter launched the ‘Ask for Queensland seafood’ campaign in the Queen Street Mall to encourage Queenslanders to support their fishing industry and buy local produce.

“My aim is to get every Queenslander to ask for Queensland seafood when they head to their seafood shop this Easter,” Mr Furner said.

“Buying local produce benefits everyone, it’s fresh and delicious, local businesses profit and create more jobs, and professional fishers can continue to support their fam-

ilies.

“Our local seafood industry is vibrant and strong, injecting over $200 million dollars into the state’s economy from primary production alone and directly employing more than 1,500 people each year.”

Marshall Betzel, from the Queensland Seafood Marketers Association, said the industry was working around the clock to make sure shops were stocked full of Queensland seafood this Easter.

“Everyone in the industry from commercial fishers through to retailers are working day and night to catch, collect and stock the best seafood Queensland has to offer,” Mr Betzel said.

The Queensland Government has been working with the Queensland Seafood Industry Association,

the Moreton Bay Seafood Industry Association, Queensland Seafood Marketers Association, Love Australian Prawns and local seafood businesses to deliver the campaign.

Mr Furner said buying Queensland seafood was a great way to support Queensland jobs.

“Our commercial fishers and aquaculture producers have a reputation for the best seafood in the world and they were really hard to keep it that way,” Mr Furner said.

“That’s why we recently launched our #eatqld campaign asking Queenslanders to buy great-tasting Queensland produce.

It supporters our fishers and farmers, and creates jobs right across the state.”

Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, April 11, 2019 Page 15