John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Cathy Zeiger, CRC Representative for Division 3, about the Cairns Regional Council's dog management process.

Following a 4CA talkback caller and "Letters to the Editor" in our local Cairns Post regarding nuisance barking dogs, Councillor Cathy Zeiger was called upon to address the issue and explain the Council's current role and responsibilities.

Electronic barking-deterrent devices can be purchased for reasonalble prices which detect a bark and emit a high pitch noise to dissuade the dog from continuing.

One 4CA listener approcahed their neighbour to fit an electronic device instead of making an official complaint to council.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about two council matters: "Facilities Going Cashless" and "Security Guards at Libraries".

The crime emergency plaguing Cairns and Far North Queensland has now crept into public libraries with the Cairns Regional Council now employing security to protect staff and the community.

The other hot topic of local controversy is the Council's internal move away from accepting cash payment at the Cairns transfer station. Enraged resident, Frankie Hogan, has organised a petition that is fast gathering signatures to express the want for cash payment options.

You can find the "Bring Back Cash Payment Option to CRC Facilities" petition at supportive businesses/groups. List Below:

TEN06 Cafe Bar
79 Sims Esplanade, Yorkeys Knob

Kels Kitchen Takeaway 
Hargreaves St, Edmonton

Friendly Grocer
29-31 Hardy Rd, Mount Sheridan

Helgas Pancake House
45-47 Spence Street, Cairns

Oasis Kebab & Pizza
83 Esplanade, Cairns

The Source Bulk Foods
Hop 10/85 Lake St, Cairns

Snoogies Health Bar
Main St Arcade, Between Lake and Grafton Sts, City

Barista Sista
Rusty’s Market, Sheridan St, Cairns

CRM Raw Materials
Comport St, Portsmith

Spence Street Barbers
1/46 Spence St, Cairns

Copy Shop Print & Signs
8/25 Grafton St, Cairns

Urban Iron Cafe and Takeaway
26 Scott St, Bungalow

Bushmans Pies
187 Scott St, Bungalow

AMX Super Stores
341 Mulgrave Rd, Bungalow

Viola
Shop T54, DFO Westcourt

West Cairns Bowling Club
216 Gatton St, Westcourt

Round the World Home and Gifts
Next to Best and Less, Earlville Shopping Town

Jamaica Blue Cafe
In front of Coles, Earlville Shopping Town

Earlville Superette
66 Balaclava Rd, Earlville

John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller, Bob from Mooroobool, about wasted policing resources in the face of escalating crime.

Bob spoke about public drunkenness and anti-social behavoour, explaining his recent experience of people being threatened on the Cairns Esplanade. A situation that is getting worse as governent fails to ensure the duty of care it owes people.

The conversation moved onto the "000" emergency call line and how one is now directed away from a local police station to speak with an out-of-state operator who cannot respond to known locations are cairns and Far North Queensland.

John MacKenzie chats with Dale Last, Shadow Minister for Police and Corrective Services, about the ongoing crime emergency after incidents of courtroom brawls and police being chased by offenders.

A fight erupted in a courtroom between relatives of the victims and defendant, during the hearing of a teenager who was allegedly driving the vehicle that killed 14 year old Bradley Smith.

Earlier this week, in Townsville, three stolen vehicles attempted to run a marked police car of the road by performing tactical manourvers. The frightened officer retreated to a nearby police station to seek refuge.

The crime crisis continues in Far North Queensland while communities desperately look toward the Queensland Government for support.

John MacKenzie chats with Warren Entsch, LNP Federal Member for Leichhardt, about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Mr. Entsch is not convinced that the "voice" will create a concrete era of positive change for Indigenous communities because propnents cannot explain what the voice is or how it will work.

Advocates have stated that all questions and frameworks regarding the voice should only be explained after a successfull referendum, effectively asking voters to hand them a blank cheque.

John MacKenzie chats with Linda Tuck, Principal of Property Ladder Real Estate, about rental pressures, shortages, and the impact crime is having on tenants and landlords.

Linda Tuck experinces the horrors and financial worries of repeated home invasions, as doors, locks and windows are dmaged in order to gain entry to invade someone's personal safe space.

The cost of increased security puts additional stresses on all parties, as tenants plead with landlords to wear costs of ever-increasing security measures.

The Queensaland Goverment is introducing new laws to curb escalting youth crime but many stakeholders have critisied the laws as inadequate.

John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Byrne, Executive Manager of Enterprise North and Former Mayor of Cairns, about the proposed Banned Drinking Register for Cairns.

The Mayors of Cairns, Townsville, and Mount Isa penned a letter urging the State Government to introduce a Banned Drinkers Register, where a magistrate can issue an individual with a ban on alcohol sales.

Mr. Byrne countered the Cairns Regional Council's idea by explaining that alcohol can still be easily accessed by problem individuals.

"...get them off the streets into diversionary facilities..." Kevin Byrne said.

John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Goan, Detective Inspector for the Far North District Crime Group, to provide an update about Rajwinder Singh's court appearance following his successful extradition from India.

Rajwinder Singh is being charged with the murder of Toyah Cordingley in 2018.

Mr. Singh landed in Cairns yesterday after remaining a fugitive for four years. The Queensland State Government offered a record $1-million reward that led to his capture.

Detective Inspector Goan has been at the forefront of this case and its developments.

John MacKenzie chats with Mark Perry, CEO of TARGA Australia, about the return of the Targa Great Barrier Reef event in September 2023.

After the racing and all-round car-lovers event was cancelled in 2022 due to safety, TARGA will return this year with some changes following Motorsports Australia’s release of a safety report.

94 recommendations have been made in regard to cars, driving standards, courses and safety.

TARGA GBR will be held 1st to 3rd September 2023.