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

Monday August 27, 2001 29th Edition

The continued surge in infrastructure projects is proving positive news for Cairns with signs that the overall economy continues to improve. A visit to the region by the Premier is expected to provide local residents and business people with the opportunity to lobby for continued attention to Cairn's need for large Government back projects amongst claims that too much attention was focused on the south east of the state and not enough on the far north.

Burns victim settles into new home
Burns victim Carol Mayer has moved into her new home at Trinity Park, north of Cairns. Ms Mayer received serious injuries in an accident 19 months ago. During this time she has undergone numerous operations and intensive physiotherapy. Her plight has been closely watched by the people of Cairns, culminating in a charity drive which raised the money to purchase the new house for Ms Mayer and her three year old son Zachary.

Huge turnout for Rosie's Run
More than 2300 people turned out for this years Rosie's Run. People of all ages participated in the annual event, which starts and ends at the Foggarty Park, with a run, walk or ride along the Cairns Esplanade. The aim of the run this year was to raise $10,000 to purchase an animal shaped treatment bed for the Children's Ward at the Cairns Base Hospital. This target was achieved and the overall event was considered a runaway success.

Premier heads to Cairns
Premier Peter Beattie and his entire cabinet will be heading to Cairns next month on an information-collecting trip. There have been some concerns that the Premier has not visited the region enough during his term. Cairns business leaders will meet with the Premier and his team as the public will have the opportunity to view their opinions and needs during public forums.

New Department store for Cairns
Following the demise of the Harris Scarfe retail chain good news has been announced from the 828store.com. The large retailer has taken the lease on the empty 5500 sq metre Harris Scarfe store in Stockland Shopping Centre. Most of the previous employees of Harris Scarfe will be offered jobs with the new retailer in both Cairns and Townsville. 828stores.com specialise in fashion for the 16-40 year age bracket.

More blood donors needed
Blood donors in the tropical north are in short supply, resulting in a shortage of blood at the Cairns Base Hospital. Australian Red Cross Blood Service spokeswoman Nina Hughes said that demand for blood was increasing in Cairns on a daily basis, whilst supplies were being hit by people battling with cold and flu's.

New cinema complex for Cairns
Stockland Cairns will be the host shopping centre for the latest enterprise by Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinema Complexes with the building of a six cinema, state of the art complex, due to open in December. The six million dollar project has been underway for almost a year with the complex expecting to be well patronised by people living in the southern suburbs of Cairns.

James Cook University calls for tender on $9 million building
Due to increased demand for enrolments, James Cook University has called for tenders to build two new building at a price of approximately $9 million. The new buildings will be used for health sciences and an extension to the administration building. JCU Cairns acting Professor Peter Pierce said the new buildings were essential considering the campus's student population had more than doubled in the past four years.

Work commences on $120 million waste system
In a joint venture between the Cairns City Council, Douglas Shire Council and Mareeba Shire Council, work has commenced on a revolutionary waste disposal system valued at $120 million. The combined project was the largest of its sort in the region and it is expected to be up and running by this time next year. The waste plant will use the 'Bedminster System" which converts rubbish into compost. Cairns residents will have only one rubbish bin for normal waste and recyclable material which will be sorted by the plant itself. The contractors running the plant will sell the by-product.