Possible arson

COOKTOWN Police is calling for public assistance as it investigates a possible arson offence. About 1.20pm Saturday, police responded to reports of a suspicious blaze at a Boundary St property. The fire destroyed a car and a portion of a shed. Scientific officers from Cairns were called to the scene to investigate. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Chamber lunch

REGISTRATIONS close today for the Cairns Chamber of Commerce June Business Lunch. The event is being held tomorrow at Pullman Cairns International from 11.30am. The topic is — “What’s Creating the Biggest Challenge for Cairns: Crocs, Bats or Coral Bleaching?”. Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and Cairns Post editor Jennifer Spilsbury are among five panellists. For more information visit cairnschamber.com.au.

Centrelink fire

A SMALL fire caused minor damage to the Centrelink building on Mulgrave Rd, Earlville, on Saturday night. Fire crews were called to extinguish an electrical fire about 7.50pm. At the same time, crews were also working to extinguish a minor blaze at a property on Mestrez St, Mooroobool. Nobody was injured.

Bus report

THE state government spent more than $10 million on bus services in Cairns last financial year. Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the Department of Transport and Main Roads works with multiple operators to deliver urban bus services across the Cairns TransLink region. In the 2015-16 financial year, the Palaszczuk Government subsidised $10.191 million for 202,999 scheduled services across 16 urban bus routes.

Budget drop

CAIRNS Regional Council will hand down its 2017-18 Budget in a Special Meeting at 9am today. The meeting will be held at the council chambers on level 3 of the Spence Street Administration Building. The meeting is open to the public.