John MacKenzie chats with Senior Sergeant Gary Hunter, Cairns City Police Beat, about the increased police presence in the CBD after a spate of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Business owners welcome the move to patrol the streets as an effort to improve public safety and social morale.

Gary Hunter said increasing police patrols, deploying additional plain-clothed officers, and a mobile police station are the new crime-fighting measures to be implemented. 

John MacKenzie chats with Geoffrey Thomas, Editor-in-chief at AirlineRatings.com, about an odd news story where airlines may allow passengers to bring their dogs on board during a flight.

CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) has updated its 'carriage of animals' policy which will now absolve the regulator of any responsibility, with the potential for individual airline companies to decide whether you can fly with your beloved pet.

The move has divided travellers.

John MacKenzie chats with Dominic Davies, Owner of The Woolshed, about the ongoing crime crisis plaguing Cairns City's CBD.

Dominic, who has owned his Shield Street business since 1994, describes inner-city problems as the worst he has ever seen them.

Recent statistics reveal the crime hot spots of Far North Queensland and community leaders are calling for the Qld State Government to do more.

John MacKenzie chats with Professor Greg Barton from Deakin University, about the recent powerplay by China in their effort to intercept an Australian aircraft in international waters.

An Australian RAAF P-8A was intercepted by a Chinese J-16 fighter during routine maritime surveillance.   The Chinese fighter flew dangerously close to the Aussie aircraft and released a bundle of chaff, including metal filings, which was subsequently ingested by the plane's engine.

Defense Minister Richard Marles described the antagonistic move as a "dangerous situation".

Gran Fondo is a bicycle ride along the Great Barrier Reef Drive held on Sunday 11th September 2022.

Other minor events will be happening all of that weekend in Port Douglas.

John MacKenzie hosts CRC Deputy Mayor Terry James in studio, who chats with talkback caller Gayle Allen, a CBD café owner, about the implementation of the Cairns Regional Council's new community safety plan.

The plan includes introducing "wet zones" or areas designated for legal public drinking, as an effort to dissuade people from camping out in the city.

Youth crime, itinerants, anti-social behaviour, and public toileting have been increasing in severity and regularity.

John MacKenzie chats with Terry James, CRC Deputy Mayor & Representative for Division 4, about the council's new Community Safety Plan to address anti-social behaviour and public unwantedness. 

Social connectors will be employed during late-night "hotspot" hours in an effort to reduce crime in the Cairns CBD.

Increased CCTV and security measures will also be adopted.

John MacKenzie chats with Gary Kerr, President of Tourism Palm Cove, about their tourism industry and bookings considering the oncoming influx of winter travelers.

With beautiful weather and warm temperatures, Cairns and Far North Queensland have seen over 3000 people fly in since March, with Queensland state receiving over 160,000 visitors.

Palm Cove numbers are strong with a dedicated domestic market, and the region is looking to market itself as the new number one place to be!

John MacKenzie chats with David Nye, Manager of Aviation & Business Development at Cairns Airport, about the increase in flights from Singapore Airlines to Cairns Airport.

Five flights per week will be operating out of Cairns, giving Aussies the ability to travel overseas and backpackers the chance to holiday in Australia.

Cairns and Far North Queensland expect to benefit from the traveler increase.

John MacKenzie chats with Craig Crawford, ALP State Member for Barron River, Minister for Seniors & Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, about the state and future of traffic infrastructure in Cairns' Northern Beaches.

The northern access to the city is a hotly discussed topic, with a range of different solutions in the air. Overpasses and slip lanes are being considered for either their efficiency or cost-effectiveness, while traffic lights are being labeled by locals as "not wanted".