No fault in ferry death
Grass is Greener fans can expect rich music pickings TMR puts new limits on speed
A CAIRNS coroner has identified “missed opportunities” to improve the safety of the Daintree River ferry before a Mossman man died in 2013.
Julian Wlodarczyk, 62, drowned while trying to escape his car after it became submerged in the river about 12.05am on April 30, 2013.
Coroner Kevin Priestly, who released his report into UP to 8000 festival-goers are expected to flood through the gates at Cairns Showground on Saturday for the city’s premier boutique music festival.
Johnny Eddings and Oli the death, found that Mr Wlodarczyk had driven off the ferry at the Daintree River Crossing likely thinking it had reached the southern bank.
“There are a number of factors that likely contributed to this error of judgment,” Mr Priestly said.
Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu said Mr Wlodarczyk’s death “was a tragedy and a shock to his family and friends”. “Lessons have been learnt and safety measures Frost launched The Grass is Greener last year, and due to its success decided to do it all over again, but this time adding another leg of the festival in Mackay.
The festival series will kick off in Cairns at noon on Saturday with Aussie favourites since that time have been substantially upgraded,” she said.
It had been raining heavily and multiple drugs had been found in Mr Wlodarczyk’s system, including methylamphetamines, diazepam, codeine and cannabis.
Mr Priestly said the traffic management procedures in place at the time did not sufficiently address the prospect of a vehicle going overboard.
“There were missed opportunities to identify and mitigate Peking Duk, rap sensation Allday, electronic music project What So Not (WSN) and indie rock band British India headlining the stage.
“When it comes to locking in these big acts it’s really high risk, but we really feel strong the risk of a vehicle going overboard through containment,” he said.
The ferry service came under scrutiny after a fatal crash in 1998 and a non-fatal in 2000 when a vehicle went overboard.
After Mr Wlodarczyk’s death, the Douglas Shire Council ordered an independent risk assessment report and safety measures were adopted.
“Physical barrier gates were about bringing something special to Cairns,” Mr Eddings said
Local acts Drew Boy and the Sax Addicts and DJ Lachy McDiarmid “Faure’” will also join the all-star line-up.
Visit www.thegrassisgreener.com.au for your tickets. installed immediately – and additional safety measures are now strictly enforced,” Cr Leu said. “All car engines must be turned off and handbrakes on. No one is allowed out of their vehicles.” She added that the council was committed to shore-based boom gates.
Mr Priestly made no recommendations in light of what he regarded as “quality remedial action taken by all stakeholders in response to this tragic incident”. Watch the video online at www.cairnspost.com.au REDUCED speed limits will be implemented on several key Tablelands roads this month in an effort to improve safety.
The 100km/h speed limit along the Millaa Millaa-Malanda Rd near the Landry Rd intersection will be reduced to 80km/h.
At Atherton, the speed limit along Main St will be reduced from 50km/h to 40km/h, helping to protect pedestrians.
The speed limit between Magnolia Rd and Rockley Rd will be reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h.
The maximum speed limit along the Atherton to Herberton road will change from 100km/h to 80km/h between the Waste Transfer Station access road and Carrington Rd.
The changes were recommended by the local Traffic Advisory Council.
Department of Transport and Main Roads Far North district director Sandra Burke said the speed limit reviews were completed by TMR in July and endorsed by the Queensland Police Service and Tablelands Regional Council traffic engineers.
The new speed limits will take effect from mid-October 2017.
New signs will be installed, weather permitting.