THE YEAR IN REVIEW
May 2
About a quarter of a million dollars is estimated to be spent in Cairns each year cleaning up rubbish – including dead pets and food waste – dumped at charity collection bins.
May 3
Farming and tourism chiefs have made a last-ditch plea for a reprieve from a federal “backpacker tax” hike they claim will devastate the Far Northern economy.
May 4
The Far North has missed out on game-changing funding for major projects with the Federal Budget instead gifting infrastructure to metropolitan centres.
May 5
Fewer than half of the board members who will control the $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility actually live in Northern Australia.
May 6
Australia’s first on-campus training for GP registrars and a simulated courtroom will form part of James Cook University’s new $10 million venture in Cairns’ city centre.
May 7-8
The future tenure of Cairns Regional Council’s CEO is on shaky ground with highlevel council figures debating whether to terminate his contract early.
May 9
Far Northerners have been promised everything from a cancer wellness centre to 100,000ha of irrigated agriculture as federal candidates try to woo voters.
May 10
The importance of the electorate of Leichhardt in the looming federal election is highlighted by a visit to the region from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
May 11
Five men are in custody in Cairns after they were allegedly caught in a botched and farcical bid to flee Australia via Indonesia and join Islamic State terrorists.
May 12
Five wannabe jihadists pulled in at the remote Palmer River Roadhouse south of Lakeland to stock up on supplies as they entered the last leg of their alleged trip to Indonesia.
May 13
Police are investigating death threats made against Cairns MP Rob Pyne that have led to his wife and daughter being scared to leave their family home.
May 14-15
Jobs creation will be the leading issue for Far North voters in the lead-up to the federal election with results from a poll showing sitting MP Warren Entsch is likely to suffer a significant swing against him.
May 16
Five men faced Cairns Magistrates Court over an alleged plot to join Islamic State in Syria, facing charges that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
May 17
Five men who were arrested in the Far North, allegedly en route to Syria, are expected to be flown back to Melbourne within 24 hours.
May 18
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promises a $24 million upgrade of the Cairns Marine Precinct, which would transform it into one of the country’s leading maintenance hubs.
May 19
The three major shipyards of Cairns will be able to hunt for long-term maintenance contracts and hire hundreds of new workers off the back of a planned $24 million infrastructure upgrade of the city’s port.
May 20
Federal funding is finally found by both major parties to combat the acidspraying crazy ants across the Far North.
May 21-22
Far North leaders are calling on the State Government to stump up $9.75 million to unlock a Chinese tourism boom that would create 1000 jobs and tip almost $100 million each year into the Cairns economy.
May 23
A second public hospital for Cairns is back on the table with the head of the new Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Board saying another major health facility is badly needed.
May 24
Arrows made of tree branches may have saved the lives of a Cairns couple who spent 18 hours in remote bushland on Cape York after their 4WD and boat were swept away by floodwaters.
May 25
A 17-year-old mother of two has been jailed for her part in a shocking crime spree across Cairns.
May 26
Outraged Aurukun leaders have accused the State Government of abandoning their “best and brightest” after a spate of targeted attacks, carjackings and violent unrest in the strife-torn indigenous community.
May 27
Aurukun children could be taken to outstations surrounding the troubled Western Cape town to be taught respect under a plan being formulated by the community’s leaders.
May 28-29
Senior doctors have warned of a budget crisis developing at Cairns Hospital with a shortfall of $6 million forecast.
May 30
A $500 million plan to protect the Great Barrier Reef is promised by Labor leader Bill Shorten during the federal election campaign.
May 31
Tour operators fear a giant crocodile menacing the area is responsible for snatching Cindy Waldron from Thornton Beach.