John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about the recent sale of 33-41 Ceder Rd at Palm Cove to a developer.

The property consists of 16 residential lots and it was confirmed that a single developer bought up everything after it went to market with the hope of creating a new, hot location to be known as "Beach Haven".

Brett spoke with John about the community's concerns in regards to the proposal of an 8-story tower to be constructed on the property.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Sandy Donald, Local Anaesthetist and Senior Vice President of Together Queensland, to get an update about the state of our hospital system during the third wave of Covid-19.

This comes as the state's hospitals operate at a "high-impact" Tier 3 pandemic response, putting a further strain on our medical service providers.

The effects of a spike in covid cases coincide with a statistically worse-off flu season.

People are being urged to do their part and help lessen the spread, as businesses will again struggle with staff shortages and opening hours.

John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matt Canavan about the energy crisis facing southern states.

This comes as a gas shortage in Victoria threatens to put the energy grid into crisis mode after their underground storage plant dropped to a record low.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has put in a new security measure until the end of September.

As green groups voice their want for a net zero future, the reality of relying on alternate power is not yet sustainable.

John MacKenzie chats with Ezzy Wells, Owner of Adventure Cairns & Beyond, about the latest crime trends including dangerous fire attacks in the Cairns CBD.

Pyromania is now a criminal trend in our tourist city with reports of juveniles throwing lit fire-starters into business shop fronts, terrifying patrons and workers. Fires have also been started in CBD rubbish bins and on the streets.

Pleas were made to all three tiers of government (local, state, and federal) to work together and help find solutions before the issue becomes exacerbated, with the local federal member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, weighing in on the crisis and offering his support.

John MacKenzie chats with Patrick Bluett, Executive Officer of Cassowary Coast Tourism, about the $25 million sale of Dunk Island, Mission Beach, to Australian billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes.

A statement from Annie Cannon-Brookes does not make it clear whether the property would be redeveloped into a resort tourist attraction or kept private.

The purchase has nonetheless excited the community of Mission Beach in the Cassowary Coast, who have been waiting for news after the previous owner, Mayfair 101 group, fell into trouble.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Terry Goldsworthy, Associate Professor in Criminology at Bond University, about proposed changes in the law to decriminalise unwanted drunken behaviour and public begging.

Some examples would include public urination, being drunk and intoxicated in public, and begging or threatening people for money.

White-collar lawyers in the South-Eastern corners of Queensland feel that progression means resorting to defeatist attitudes by legalising petty crime. The Community Support and Services Committee is considering alternate forms of justice, such as diversion services and sobering-up centres.

John MacKenzie chats with Craig Crawford, ALP State Member for Barron River, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, about the fight to save Taylor Point from development.

The headland, which lies between Trinity and Kewarra Beaches, is owned by developer Robert Prettejohn and is on the market for $8 million. Locals have campaigned for the state government to buy up the land, but this option was shut down by Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon.

Craig is supporting local resident Annabel Brittain's petition to preserve the pristine location. 

For more information about the petition, use this link: https://tinyurl.com/bdyvm25v

John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Byrne, Executive Manager of Enterprise North, President of Cairns Tourism Industry Association, and Former Mayor of Cairns, about the Queensland state government's announcement of $4 million for lighting upgrades to Barlow Park.

Minister for Tourism, Innovation, and Sport, Stirling Hinchcliffe, announced that the 800 lux lights would be upgraded to 1800 lux, which would allow for television broadcasting from Cairns.

While the cairns community welcomes the funding, the $4 million is well short of the $120 million required for a full upgrade to turn Barlow Park into a world-class stadium.

John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Paul Williams, Associate Professor in Politics and Journalism at Griffith University, about the results of a recent YouGov poll for the preferred government.

The Courier-Mail conducted a poll of over 1000 Queenslanders and found the ALP and LNP are now neck and neck.

The integrity scandals plaguing the Palaszczuk government have seen Labor's biggest polling drop in three years, while opposition leader, David Crisafulli, has gained popularity.

Current predictions project a hung parliament for the next state election.

John MacKenzie chats with Dale Last, Shadow Minister for Police and Corrective Services, LNP State Member for Burdekin, about the crime crisis in Cairns' after the Chamber of Commerce held a meeting to address concerns.

Community stakeholders' suggestions are shut down by authorities who assure the rights of criminals are of most concern.

Strange claims, such as the Police not being able to pursue criminals on foot in case the offender induces a heart attack, are being made.

However, the mental health impact of victims is seldom addressed by politicians who prefer to point to international law that trumps our own sovereignty.