Online test trial

GORDONVALE State High School is one of six schools in Queensland to be the first to trial a new online learner driver test. The new test could replace the ’old’ multiple choice written paper. Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to investigate new ways to better support young people in becoming safe and responsible drivers.

JCU staff vote

MORE than half James Cook University staff voted on the proposed enterprise agreement. The university will now consider its next steps after 18 months have failed to deliver changes. Of the 54.4 per cent who voted, 58 per cent voted no while the remaining 42 per cent voted yes.

Students shine

EIGHT secondary school students from Atherton, Innisfail, Cairns and Tully will attend Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University’s State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) Queensland during the school holidays. The local students will be among 956 of Queensland’s finest young secondary school musicians.

Emergency test

PARAMEDIC students from Cairns’ CQ University were put to the test with a practice mass casualty incident. The third-year students joined Queensland Fire and Emergency Service and State Emergency Service personnel for the simulation exercise at the SES headquarters yesterday.

Speeding charge

A 21-YEAR-OLD Smithfield woman has been handed a $1177 fine after she was allegedly travelling almost 50km/h over the speed limit. It is alleged the woman was detected travelling at 148km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Kennedy Highway at Mareeba on September 15.

Waterways funding

CAIRNS Areas Fish Stocking Group received $30,000 to pour more fingerlings into the region’s waterways and dams. The threeyear funding agreement received $10,000 from the Cairns Regional Council.