John MacKenzie chats with Darren Halpin, Managing Director of Halpin Property Group, about an exciting submission for a water and tourist park at the former Paradise Palms site.

The $141 million proposal called "Reefsedge" would see 25 water slides, a 2500 square-metre wave pool, 364 villas, and 47 caravan sites.

Mr. Halpin estimated the park would eventually accommodate 2,500 people per day and attract 100,000 visitors each year.

John MacKenzie chats with Dean from Cairns about the cooperation between the council and local police officers to address a vagrant campsite on Fearnley Street in Portsmith.

Dean reported the story a couple of weeks ago after being threatened by dangerous animals on-site. He updated John today with the positive news that the campsite and mountains of rubbish had been cleaned up.

Cairns Regional Council's Mayor Bob Manning happened to be in-studio to comment on the resolution.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about climate predictions made while federal treasurer Jim Chalmers attended a National Drought Forum in Rockhampton.

New modelling from the federal government shows that our country could lose $1.8 billion per year over the next four years, due to reduced production of farming crops.

Senator Canavan made the point that the Australian government should be quickly building dams if they are predicting bigger drought seasons. 

"Why did Jim Chalmers, in his first budget, cut all the funding to build dams?" Senator Canavan said, "So the solution seems to be to shut everything down... to fight this climate change thing."

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, for an update about the "voice to parliament" polling numbers for the final week of September 2023.

The most recent Newspoll shows the Yes Vote drop down to 36% in support, whilst the No Vote has gained momentum with support now sitting at 56%

The referendum date is set for October 14th, 2023. It will mark the first time Australians have voted in a referendum since 1999.

Dr. Williams provided his valuable insight into polling news that keeps unfolding rapidly.

"Vale Kevin Byrne" is the message being spread following the death of former Mayor of Cairns, Kevin Byrne. John MacKenzie pays tribute to his legacy.

Kevin Byrne was Mayor of Cairns twice, from 1992-1995 and again from 2000-2008, and was behind many projects and developments, in particular the iconic Cairns Lagoon that opened in 2003.

Kevin Byrne passed away on Thursday 21 September 2023.

Picture: Opening of the Cairns Lagoon in 2003, (from left) John MacKenzie, Singer Graeme Connors, Premier Peter Beattie, Mayor Kevin Byrne.

John MacKenzie chats with a talkback caller, Frankie Hogan, about some local businesses that are deciding to go cashless in an effort to protect staff from crime.

Frankie was one of many concerned citizens who successfully led the charge against the council's ban on cash at certain facilities.

With crime running rampant in and around Cairns, and following attacks and threats against staff members, some business owners are making the tough decision to EFTPOS only, even if it means losing profits.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about nuclear power options following Peter Dutton's push to consider the renewable power source.

Federal Climate Change & Energy Minister Chris Bowen rejected the idea, basing the decision upon departmental figures that claim it would cost $376 billion to replace coal power with nuclear.

The debate is raging in Australia as blackouts are being assured as inevitable in the upcoming summer months; many are rejecting off-putting wind turbines and instead looking toward realistic alternatives to coal.