CAPE YORK & TORRES STRAIT

Cape fire forum

LEADERS in fire management came together recently in Cooktown to further their work in managing fire across northern Australia for grazing, biodiversity, greenhouse gas emission reduction and cultural outcomes. The Cape York Fire Forum, held on December 3-4, focused on the opportunities and challenges of carbon farming through burning. Presentations focused on fire management projects on the Cape, how to plan and monitor fire projects using the latest technology and the co-benefits of planned burning practices.

Gardens upgrade

THE Cooktown Botanic Gardens car park upgrade will kick off in early January, providing new sealed user-friendly car parks for the Gardens, Queen’s Oval and PowerHouse, as well as a new sealed entrance and section of Finch Bay Road. Nature’s Powerhouse, Cooktown will be closed from today until the works are completed, but the gardens and oval can still be accessed via Furneaux Street.

Waste collection

WEIPA landfill will be closing for Christmas Eve today at noon. They will be closed Christmas Day and will reopen on Boxing Day at 8am. All scheduled domestic services will operate as normal from Boxing Day onward.

Christmas lights wins

AURUKUN Shire Council announced the winners of their Christmas Lights Competition yesterday, with resident Harriet Pootchemunka coming out on top. Loretta Kepple placed second and Delina Peemungina was third. Also highly commended were Chris Woolla Jnr, Patrick Bell, Errol Pamtoonda, Felecia Walmbeng, Lila Bowenda, Miles Kerindun, Shirley Wolmby, Thomas Korkatain and Les Pootchemunka.