John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matthew Canavan about the changing of town names around Australia to an Indigenous alternative.

Senator Canavan explained how a historically common motivation for changing a town's name is when a new ruling or revolutionary body wishes to erase the memory of its predecessors. A prime example is the renaming of St Petersburg to Leningrad following the violent Bolshevik revolution in Russia in the early twentieth century.

John MacKenzie chats with Paul Taylor, former Senior Police Officer, about the 2024 Cairns Regional Council elections, following his announced discussions in consideration to run for Mayor.

Former two-time Mayor of Cairns, Kevin Byrne, has ruled out his own mayoral run and is discussing options of forming a team, with Paul Taylor in the driving seat. 

With 45 years of experience serving with the Queensland Police Force, including time spent as the Northern Regional Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Taylor agrees that law and order will be a hot topic that will influence people's vote.

Anti-social crimes and senseless violence are rising in the city, with car thefts at record highs for the last few years. The trends are sadly continuing.

John MacKenzie chats with Fran Lindsay, Former Division 2 CRC Councillor, about the proposed site in Edmonton for a youth detention centre.

Local residents are demanding answers from the state government following Deputy Premier Steven Miles's announcement two weeks ago confirming the probable location, wondering how the logistics of a youth prison will fit harmoniously in the suburban community.

"Where will its exact location be? What will it look like? How many children will it hold?" ...are some of the questions that need answering according to stakeholders.

John MacKenzie chats with Michael Salerno, Owner of Stratford Service Station, about picking up the pieces following a break-in.

A brick was allegedly used by two offenders, a male aged 28 and a female aged 31,  to gain entry to the store, but they were scared off before stealing anything by an employee living on-site.

Mr. Salerno stated how people have a fundamental right to feel safe and secure in their own homes, businesses, and community. He also reminded people that the cost of break-ins are passed onto consumers, who are already struggling with their own financial concerns.

John MacKenzie chats with Craig Crawford, ALP State Member for Barron River, Minister for Child Safety, and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, about the completion of a new driving lane for the northern access of Cairns City.

The new inbound lane is now open between Airport Avenue and Lily Street, which brings a much-coveted third lane to the bottleneck that drivers experienced previously. The new lane is part of a funding package aimed to improve the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns CBD and Smithfield, with total costs at $359 million.

Changes in outbound traffic in the same area around the Airport intersection are now beginning and Minister Crawford estimated the completion to be within two years.

John MacKenzie catches up with Shai Ager, Founder of The Agile Project, about the latest wallaby relocation project.

The mammoth task will see the relocation of wallabies from a site on Trinity Beach Road to make way for a new Woolworths supermarket development.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Jim Chalmers, Federal Treasurer of Australia, about a myriad of economic issues facing Cairns' residents and the people of Australia.

The treasurer spoke about the pressure facing the nation including the cost of living crisis with rising inflation and skyrocketing energy prices.

Jim Chalmers was in town to have a meeting with Margy Osmond, CEO of the Tourism and Transport Forum of Australia, about the need to reinvigorate the tourism industry for the city of Cairns and Far North Queensland.

The Cairns Marine Precinct was also touched on, with construction beginning very soon, which would help diversify the economy in Cairns.

John MacKenzie chats with Frank Dangelico, Food & Wine Event Curator for Cairns Italian Festival, about the degustation evenings on offer in 2023.

The festival is offering specialised courses hosted at local Italian restaurants, that represent food and wine from the different regions of Italy.

The degustation courses are a lead-up to the big "La Festa" party this Saturday at Fogarty Park. Don't Miss Out!

John MacKenzie chats with Dean from Cairns about an alleged attack on patrons at a Shield Street restaurant last Saturday evening.

Dean was one of many who witnessed a public urination incident escalate into a violent attack against patrons and staff by one individual.

Listen to Dean's story here.

John MacKenzie chats with Gilberto Risa, founder of Cruze Coffee in Cairns, about selling his coffee business after 13 years of operating.

Known for his infectious smile, Mr. Risa opened his first Cruze Coffee store in Oceana Walk in 2010. The business's popularity saw it move into a larger location on Grafton Street and then expand to a second location in Cairns Central shopping mall.

Gilberto plans to enjoy some free time with family in Italy before returning to Cairns to begin the next chapter in his life.