Businesses keen to see temporary pedestrian-friendly zones replicated City thriving as precincts pack streets
Man held as assault, grog theft case adjourned
CAIRNS may not have seen the last of a dining precinct that has paid dividends for businesses during the Commonwealth Games.
The Esplanade was closed to vehicular traffic between Shields St and Aplin St to create the precinct.
“We have been pleasantly surprised how big it was,” Cairns Chamber of Commerce president Nick Loukas said.
“We have had a lot of feedback from operators that there has been a big influx of people from the festival.”
The chamber would like to see more of the same in the future.
“We have had some businesses down there saying that it has been fantastic,” Mr Loukas said.
Future events would benefit from a similar precincts, he said.
“It is bringing business into the city,” Mr Loukas said.
“If we create more activity, more people will come down and businesses will benefit.”
Big screens along the precinct show Commonwealth Games action for diners along the Esplanade.
Hotels in the CBD were close to booking out during the Games.
“Hotels and resorts in the CBD reported around 95 per cent occupancy while rainforest tours were about 90 per cent full,” Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Pip Close said.
“The family and friends of teams competing in the basketball have been seen booking tours.”
While the Esplanade buzzed, the last Commonwealth Games hoops in Cairns were shot last night at the Convention Centre.
England faced off with Canada and Scotland shaped up against Nigeria in the men’s preliminary finals.
Australia’s Boomers had already booked their berth in Saturday’s semi-finals on the Gold Coast after thumping Nigeria in their final pool game.
Although the sporting action has wrapped up here, the buzzer has not sounded on Festival 2018.
Sister Liberty, Los Caracoles and Melanfunk Collective will entertain with R&B, reggae funk, world music and Latin sounds tonight.
The classical vocals of Kate Miller-Heidke will headline Thursday night at the Live Site with a string quartet.
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MATTERS against a man accused of assaulting a friend and stealing alcohol from Cairns hotel rooms have been adjourned.
Wayne Stuart Chevathen, 33, was charged with entering premises and stealing, entering premises with intent, assault occasioning bodily harm, possession of tainted property and receiving tainted property.
It will be alleged he entered two rooms at the Sheridan St complex about 5.30am on Monday and stole a quantity of liquor.
Police patrols found a man hiding under a trailer near the intersection of McLeod and Gatton streets.
He was taken into custody and interviewed in relation to a number of matters, including the alleged assault of a 37-yearold female acquaintance at Earlville on Sunday afternoon.
Matters were adjourned to April 12 and he was remanded in custody. Show your support with a voluntary gold coin donation. Every $1 donated to OzHarvest gives 2 meals to those in need.