John MacKenzie chats with distraught talkback caller Alan from Kamerunga whose dog was just taken by a crocodile.
John MacKenzie chats with distraught talkback caller Alan from Kamerunga whose dog was just taken by a crocodile. Alan's wife was walking the family pet when a known crocodile came out of the water and killed their dog. Alan said that for too long politicians have known about the crocodile, but nothing more than a trap was used in an attempt to remove the threat. This a massive warning to an...
6m Dec 14, 2022
6m
John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, local crime-emergency activist, after a local tradesman lost his vehicle and work tools due to an alleged home invasion and robbery.
John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, a local crime-emergency activist, after a local tradesman lost his vehicle and work tools due to an alleged home invasion and robbery. Mareeba resident, Max Cherepanov, found his vehicle missing over the weekend. It turned up on a Mooroobool street rolled over and was destroyed, with thousands of dollars worth of tools also missing. The alleged offender h...
12m Dec 13, 2022
12m
John MacKenzie chats with Craig Crawford, ALP State Member for Barron River, about Cairns City's new electric buses.
John MacKenzie chats with Craig Crawford, ALP State Member for Barron River, about Cairns City's new green buses. Five new electric-powered buses have been introduced to service the people of Cairns in an effort to shift to sustainable practices. In addition to the green move, six Network Officers will be employed to ensure an experience of safety and well-being on board. The officers can ass...
9m Dec 12, 2022
9m
John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail.
John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about the Northern beaches trail link. Council recently announced plans for an 8-metre bridge over Deep Creek. The bridge is a part of a $6.4M project to connect our northern beaches.
13m Dec 09, 2022
13m
John MacKenzie chats with George Karagiannis, owner of Fetta's Greek Taverna, about violent behavior and assaults in Cairns CBD and the reflection this has on visitors.
John MacKenzie chats with George Karagiannis, Owner of Fetta's Greek Taverna, about violent behavior and assaults in Cairns CBD and the reflection this has on visitors. Reports of fearful travelers have emerged as violent attacks in the city show no signs of decreasing, putting pressure on authorities to act before the perception of Cairns as a safe tourist destination wanes. Mr. Karagiannis ...
15m Dec 08, 2022
15m
John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matt Canavan about the comments made by Chris Bowen on energy prices and renewables power.
John MacKenzie chats with Senator Matt Canavan about the comments made by Chris Bowen on energy prices and renewables power. Chris Bowen, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, called out the "liars" who blame the rise in energy costs on the radical shift to renewable power, instead pointing to other factors, including the war in Ukraine. Senator Canavan wanted to correct the record,...
8m Dec 07, 2022
8m
John MacKenzie chats with Mark Wuth, Infrastructure and Assets Director at Cairns Regional Council, about the future of our local water supply and security.
John MacKenzie chats with Mark Wuth, Infrastructure and Assets Director at Cairns Regional Council, about the future of our local water supply and security. With 98% of cairns' water coming from either Copperlode Falls Dam or Behana Creek, some experts are warning a diversification is necessary, esp after the 2018 issue where both sources were temporarily cut off by a storm. Mr. Wuth said tha...
11m Dec 06, 2022
11m
John MacKenzie chats with Ian leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union about "Jack's Law" and police powers as Cairns faces an ever-increasing rate of criminal activity.
John MacKenzie chats with Ian leavers, President and CEO of the Queensland Police Union about "Jack's Law" and police powers as Cairns faces an ever-increasing rate of criminal activity. Jack's Law will expand police wanding powers to detect metallic objects, especially knives, after the random 2019 stabbing death of 19-year-old Jack Beasley. Mr. Leavers spoke about the battle to protect inno...
10m Dec 05, 2022
10m
John MacKenzie chats with Tom Cooper, General Manager of Beam, about the rollout of the company's electric scooter service for the city of Cairns.
John MacKenzie chats with Tom Cooper, General Manager of Beam, about the rollout of the company's electric scooter service for the city of Cairns. Visitors and locals alike can now enjoy a faster way to traverse our tropical paradise on one of Beam's e-scooters for hire. Using a mobile phone app, users can jump on an e-scooter and go. The registered riding zones include Cairns City, Cairns No...
8m Dec 02, 2022
8m
John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller, Rossco from Townsville, who has had first-hand experience working with young offenders.
John MacKenzie chats with talkback caller, Rossco from Townsville, who has had first-hand experience working with young offenders. Rossco explained how not only education and practical training is imperative to turn around the lives of juvenile recidivist offenders, but that real-world jobs should be available to them to instill a sense of responsibility and purpose.
4m Dec 01, 2022
4m
John MacKenzie chats with Nick Dametto, KAP State Member for Hinchinbrook, about the shocking revelation of alleged child-on-child abuse happening within the residential care home system.
John MacKenzie chats with Nick Dametto, KAP State Member for Hinchinbrook, about the shocking revelation of alleged child-on-child abuse happening within the residential care home system. Nightmarish allegations of children being raped and abused by their peers have come out from workers who fear things will only get worse as juvenile sex offenders are being put in homes with children who in t...
11m Nov 30, 2022
11m
John MacKenzie chats with Anna Stanbridge from Redlynch about community groups coming together to fight crime after she was the victim of a home invasion.
John MacKenzie chats with Anna Stanbridge from Redlynch about community groups coming together to fight crime after she was the victim of a home invasion. In anticipation of rising crime, Anna and her neighbours had already formed an action plan to tackle thefts and home invasions in their Redlynch cul de sac. Using a prepurchased airhorn, Anna was able to alert her neighbour in the early hou...
13m Nov 29, 2022
13m
John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Goan, Detective Inspector for the Far North District Crime Group, about the arrest of Rajwinder Singh in India for the alleged murder of Cairns local Toyah Cordingley.
John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Goan, Detective Inspector for the Far North District Crime Group, about the arrest of Rajwinder Singh in India for the alleged murder of Cairns local Toyah Cordingley. Local and federal police worked tirelessly in two countries in an effort to locate person-of-interest, Rajwinder Singh. A reward of $1 million was recently announced if it lead to the arrest of Mr...
15m Nov 28, 2022
15m
John MacKenzie chats with Senator Jim Molan, Retired Major General and Chief of Operations in Iraq, about his book titled Danger on Our Doorstep about a potential war with China.
John MacKenzie chats with Senator Jim Molan, Retired Major General and Chief of Operations in Iraq, about his book titled Danger on Our Doorstep about a potential war with China. The argument is being made that for the first time in many decades, war could soon be on Australia's doorstep with the growing danger of Chinese growth and expansion in the Pacific region. Senator Molan's book looks ...
8m Nov 25, 2022
8m
John MacKenzie chats with Professor Greg Barton, International Security Expert and Chair of Global Islamic Politics in the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, about Defence Minister Richard Marles's meeting with China.
John MacKenzie chats with Professor Greg Barton, International Security Expert and Chair of Global Islamic Politics at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, about Defence Minister Richard Marles' meeting with China. Minister Marles spoke with Wei Fenghe, his Chinese counterpart, in Cambodia as a part of the ASEAN meeting to discuss the role of the Australian and Chines...
6m Nov 24, 2022
6m
John MacKenzie chats with Senior Constable Heidi Marek of the Cairns District Crime Prevention Office, about the recent spate of bicycle thefts, sometimes with force.
John MacKenzie chats with Senior Constable Heidi Marek of the Cairns District Crime Prevention Office, about the recent spate of bicycle thefts, sometimes with force. Traditional and electric bikes and expensive E-Scooters are being stolen across the region, often ending up in what is being called a "bicycle graveyard" where bikes are stripped for parts and then dumped. Some younger people ha...
13m Nov 23, 2022
13m
John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Don Mackie, Executive Director of Medical Services at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, to gain a local perspective on the latest wave of Covid-19.
John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Don Mackie, Executive Director of Medical Services at Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, to gain a local perspective on the latest wave of Covid-19. Cairns Hospital changed its pandemic response from "Green" to "Amber" last week, meaning that no elective surgery has been rescheduled and other limitations are in place. Face masks are recommended whe...
6m Nov 22, 2022
6m
John MacKenzie chats with David Walton, Owner of Cairns Snake Removals, for some necessary safety advice following the deaths of two pet dogs from a suspected death adder snake.
John MacKenzie chats with David Walton, Owner of Cairns Snake Removals, for some necessary safety advice following the deaths of two pet dogs from a suspected death adder snake. The short and stubby snake found commonly along our eastern coastlines will see increased activity as the weather warms into summer. Mr. Walton provided insight into why dogs and cats are more at risk of snake bites, ...
12m Nov 21, 2022
12m
John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, Chairman of the Redcliffe Highway Proposal (an alternate tablelands access route), about the current state and safety of the Kuranda Range.
John MacKenzie chats with Ken Harley, Chairman of the Redcliffe Highway Proposal (an alternate tablelands access route), about the current state and safety of the Kuranda Range. The discussion was sparked after two letters to the editor in our local Cairns Post which pointed to the dangers of the road surface, particularly for motorbike riders. The federal government has committed $210 millio...
8m Nov 18, 2022
8m
John MacKenzie chats with Wayne Coutts, Regional Director SES (State Emergency Services), about the best ways to prepare for the upcoming cyclone and wet season.
John MacKenzie chats with Wayne Coutts, Regional Director SES (State Emergency Services), about the best ways to prepare for the upcoming cyclone and wet season. Everyone residing in our beautiful region should be ready with an emergency kit and plan of action for any cyclone, storm, or flooding events that are common in our summer months. Furthermore, there are steps to undertake beforehand t...
13m Nov 17, 2022
13m
John MacKenzie chats with Lisa from Woree about the Cairns Regional Council's investment property proposed rate increase.
John MacKenzie chats with Lisa from Woree about the Cairns Regional Council's investment property proposed rate increase. Lisa was responding to Councillor Olds and Moller from the previous day, in particular, the story about a collective of ratepayers who successfully sued Mackay Regional Council over the same issue. As a result, the state government changed the law so that the act allows for...
9m Nov 16, 2022
9m
John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about the controversial proposal to increase rates on investment properties.
John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about the controversial proposal to increase rates on investment properties. The Cairns Regional Council has sent out letters warning ratepayers of a potential rate increase between 15-40% for non-principal places of residence. Mr. Olds has voiced his concerns and opposition to the proposal stating that it wasn't equ...
12m Nov 15, 2022
12m
John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Byrne, Executive Manager of Enterprise North and Former Mayor of Cairns, about the $210 million in federal funding promised to upgrade the Kuranda Range Road.
John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Byrne, Executive Manager of Enterprise North and Former Mayor of Cairns, about the $210 million in federal funding promised to upgrade the Kuranda Range Road. Residents feel not enough is being spent on the notorious range where crashes and hold-ups are commonplace. A Cairns Post survey showed that nearly 90% of their readers support this claim. The $210M is pr...
12m Nov 14, 2022
12m
John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Goan, Detective Inspector for the Far North District Crime Group, about investigations surrounding the death of Toyah Cordingley in 2018.
John MacKenzie chats with Kevin Goan, Detective Inspector for the Far North District Crime Group, about investigations surrounding the death of Toyah Cordingley in 2018. Kevin Goan recently returned from India where he worked productively with local authorities in an effort to locate the person of interest, Rajwinder Singh. The Queensland government has offered a reward of $1 million for infor...
16m Nov 11, 2022
16m
John MacKenzie chats with John Moore, Former Director of Australian Rugby League, about the 2023 NRL season and cairns hosting a Premiership game.
John MacKenzie chats with John Moore, Former Director of Australian Rugby League, about the 2023 NRL season and cairns hosting a Premiership game. South Sydney is set to return to Barlow Park after five years, which has reinvigorated the calls for Cairns to get its own, world-class sporting stadium. John Moore has long pushed for the government to invest more in quality, sporting infrastructu...
9m Nov 10, 2022
9m
John MacKenzie chats with David Crisafulli, LNP Member for Broadwater and State Leader of the Opposition, about troubling the rates of youth crime following a recent debate in the Queensland parliament.
John MacKenzie chats with David Crisafulli, LNP Member for Broadwater and State Leader of the Opposition, about the troubling rates of youth crime following a recent debate in the Queensland parliament. The debate focused on victims of crime and the negative impact it has made on their lives, with a local Cairns mother's story given airtime during the parliamentary debate. Mr. Crisafulli aske...
9m Nov 09, 2022
9m
John MacKenzie chats with Lisa from Woree about the Cairns Regional Council's rate rise for investment properties.
John MacKenzie chats with Lisa from Woree about the Cairns Regional Council's rate rise for investment properties. The announcement of an approximate 15% increase will come into effect during the 2023/2024 financial year for all non-principal places of residence. Lisa made salient points raging from the pressure this will put on tenants during an already unstable rental market, to the fact th...
9m Nov 08, 2022
9m
John MacKenzie chats with Dave Ellery, Owner of Urban Wheelz, to better understand the electric scooter market following recent changes in Queensland law.
John MacKenzie chats with Dave Ellery, Owner of Urban Wheelz, to better understand the electric scooter market following the recent changes in Queensland law. E-scooters, also known as Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs), are now allowed in bike lanes on roads with speed limits of 50 km/hr or under and are limited to a top speed of 12 km/hr on footpaths. A range of new fines have also been intro...
10m Nov 07, 2022
10m
John MacKenzie chats with Dominic Davies, Managing Director of The Woolshed, about vandalism following an attack and destruction of property at his club.
John MacKenzie chats with Dominic Davies, Managing Director of The Woolshed, about vandalism following an attack and destruction of property at his club. The outdoor seating was destroyed and gang-style graffiti was sprawled on tables, including "F*** the Police" and "4865", which is a reference to a southern suburb postcode. Mr. Davies made a point to juxtapose the success of CBD shopping ma...
18m Nov 04, 2022
18m
John MacKenzie chats with Linda Tuck, Principal of Property Ladder Real Estate, about a rate increase for investment properties announced by Cairns Regional Council.
John MacKenzie chats with Linda Tuck, Principal of Property Ladder Real Estate, about a rate increase for investment properties announced by Cairns Regional Council. An increase of 15-40% will come into effect during the 2023/2024 financial year for all non-principal place of residence, meaning any property which is not your main home. Linda Tuck spoke about the struggle for "Mum & Dad" inves...
9m Nov 03, 2022
9m
John MacKenzie chats with a powerful talkback caller, Leon from Edmonton, about his personal experience in turning his own son's life around from a troubled youth into a productive community member.
John MacKenzie chats with a powerful talkback caller, Leon from Edmonton, about his personal experience in turning his own son's life around from a troubled youth into a productive community member. Leon explained how he needed to turn his own life around to help his son and that community support and practical institutions are the answer. Leon believes that a boarding school facility where y...
13m Nov 02, 2022
13m
John MacKenzie chats with Scott Morrissey, PhD Candidate at JCU Townsville, about a technology being developed to detect the proximity of marine stingers in our waters.
John MacKenzie chats with Scott Morrissey, PhD Candidate at JCU Townsville, about a technology being developed to detect the proximity of marine stingers in our waters. Mr. Morrissey is working on forensic testing of water samples to detect the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of marine stingers, which would effectively eliminate the need to continuously drag nets at local beaches.
6m Nov 01, 2022
6m
John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about the proposed changes to public drunkenness, urination, and begging.
John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Brett Olds, CRC Representative for Division 9, about the proposed changes to public drunkenness, urination, and begging. In a shocking move, the state government hopes to reduce crime statistics by legalising particular offences and offering diversionary programs as an alternate means. The law change would effectively encourage the harassment of tourists and loca...
10m Nov 01, 2022
10m
John MacKenzie chats with Peter Scott, Mayor of Cook Shire, about the historical significance of World War II after a memorial was recently restored.
John MacKenzie chats with Peter Scott, Mayor of Cook Shire, about the historical significance of World War II after a memorial was recently restored. The state government recently reversed its decision to remove a war memorial erected to commemorate David Ellerton of the Royal Australian Air Force who was killed in 1942 around 100km from Cooktown. Peter Scott brought the story to light and el...
8m Oct 31, 2022
8m
John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Peter Ridd, Independent Scientist and Marine Geophysicist, about the federal government's guarantee to spend $1.2 billion on reef "protection".
John MacKenzie chats with Dr. Peter Ridd, Independent Scientist, and Marine Geophysicist, about the federal government's guarantee to spend $1.2 billion on reef "protection". Dr. Ridd explained that record coral cover has been reported recently and that the billion-plus dollar pricetag is a waste of taxpayer funds. Dr. Ridd also weighed in on the decision by QANTAS to effectively label farmer...
7m Oct 28, 2022
7m
John MacKenzie chats with Warren Jonsson, Owner of Jonsson's Farm Market, about the rising costs of living due to the increases in food and energy prices.
John MacKenzie chats with Warren Jonsson, Owner of Jonsson's Farm Market, about the rising costs of living due to the increases in food and energy prices. Fuel and transport expenses are up with primary producers forced to pass on the cost to the consumer. Groceries and fresh produce prices have been steadily increasing and putting huge pressure on household budgets. The second wham comes as ...
14m Oct 27, 2022
14m
John MacKenzie chats with Nick Trompf, Chairman of Advance Cairns, about the funding secured for vital projects in and around Cairns following the release of the 2022-2023 Australian federal budget.
John MacKenzie chats with Nick Trompf, Chairman of Advance Cairns, about the funding secured for vital projects in and around Cairns following the release of the 2022-2023 Australian federal budget. The major projects that were included in the budget include $50m for the CQUniversity Cairns campus, $107.5m for Cairns' water security, $210m for Kuranda Range upgrades, and $150m for the Cairns M...
9m Oct 26, 2022
9m
John MacKenzie chats with Linda Cooper, General Manager of Study Cairns, about the increase in student numbers studying abroad in Cairns.
John MacKenzie chats with Linda Cooper, General Manager of Study Cairns, about the increase in student numbers studying abroad in Cairns. A strong return of Japanese students to the region should see others follow suit, and many are anticipating the numbers to begin to rise in the Chinese and Taiwanese markets. With many students holding working holiday visas, the flow-on effects should be a ...
11m Oct 25, 2022
11m
John MacKenzie chats with Wayne "Prong" Trimble, family friend of Toyah Cordingley, after the Indian Government set a court date of November 5th as authorities hope to make an arrest soon.
John MacKenzie chats with Wayne "Prong" Trimble, a family friend of Toyah Cordingley, after the Indian Government set a court date of November 5th as authorities hope to make an arrest soon. Rajwinder Singh is the person of interest sought by police after he left for India on the same day as the disappearance of Toyah Cordingley in October 2018. Her body was found the following day. It has be...
9m Oct 24, 2022
9m
John MacKenzie chats with Robbie Katter, State Member for Traeger and Queensland Leader of Katter's Australian Party, about the proposed remote camps for troubled youths.
John MacKenzie chats with Robbie Katter, State Member for Traeger and Queensland Leader of Katter's Australian Party, about the proposed remote camps for troubled youths. Mr. Katter supported the motion made by local councils to pressure the state government to respond to the youth crime emergency by providing facilities in remote locations which would limit the individual from committing harm...
11m Oct 21, 2022
11m
John MacKenzie chats with Mario Mlikota, Mareeba Shire Councillor, about remote camps for troubled youth where vital skills can be learnt in hopes that their lives turn around.
John MacKenzie chats with Mario Mlikota, Mareeba Shire Councillor, about remote camps for troubled youth where vital skills can be learnt in hopes that their lives turn around. Mareeba Shire submitted a motion at the Local Government Association of Queensland Annual Conference in Cairns, calling on the state government to introduce diversionary facilities in very remote locations across the st...
11m Oct 20, 2022
11m
John MacKenzie chats with Brett Moller, Cairns Regional Councillor Representative for Division 1, about solutions to curb the crime trend, which has become a major talking point at the LGAQ annual conference.
John MacKenzie chats with Brett Moller, Cairns Regional Councillor Representative for Division 1, about solutions to curb the crime trend, which has become a major talking point at the LGAQ annual conference. After 3 years the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has returned to Cairns to host its annual conference, with crime being a topic of conversation. Although crime and pol...
11m Oct 19, 2022
11m
John MacKenzie chats with David Crisafulli, LNP Member for Broadwater and State Leader of the Opposition, about the need for the state government to tackle crime.
John MacKenzie chats with David Crisafulli, LNP Member for Broadwater and State Leader of the Opposition, about the need for the state government to tackle crime. At the time of writing this article, Cairns and the greater region have seen 1066 cars stolen so far this year. This smashes the 782 total for last year and is up again on 2020's total of 542 stolen vehicles. Mr. Crisafulli called o...
12m Oct 18, 2022
12m
Gavin King, covering for John MacKenzie, chats with talkback caller, Simon from Brinsmead, about potential and realistic solutions to tackle the youth crime issue.
Gavin King, covering for John MacKenzie, chats with talkback caller, Simon from Brinsmead, about potential and realistic solutions to tackle the youth crime issue. Simon elaborated on the need for a military-inspired disciplinary program for youth who commit multiple and ongoing offenses.
10m Oct 17, 2022
10m
John MacKenzie chats with Senator Susan McDonald about the Albanese government's controversial agreement to follow the United States and sign up for methane reduction targets of 30% over 10 years.
John MacKenzie chats with LNP Senator Susan McDonald about the Albanese government's controversial agreement to follow the United States and sign up for methane reduction targets of 30% over 10 years. Bigger polluters, such as China, India, and Russia will not back the pledge, leaving Aussie farmer's scratching their heads at the government's decision. In a surprise statement, Minister for Ag...
7m Oct 14, 2022
7m
John MacKenzie chats with Roger Ward, Director of Cairns Mortgage Brokers and Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, about mortgage stresses as interest rates continue to rise.
John MacKenzie chats with Roger Ward, Director of Cairns Mortgage Brokers and Senior Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, about the mortgage and financial stresses facing Cairns homeowners, as interest rates continue to rise. The Reserve Bank of Australia raised rates to 2.6 percent, which is the highest it has been in seven years. The rates rise will hit many hard as th...
11m Oct 13, 2022
11m
John MacKenzie chats with Perri Conti, Co-Founder of Changing Cairns Crime Problems, in response to what solutions were provided by local members of parliament regarding the crime crisis.
John MacKenzie chats with Perri Conti, Co-Founder of Changing Cairns Crime Problems, in response to solutions provided by local members of parliament regarding the crime crisis. All of our state and federal members weighed in on the crime issue providing a range of possible ways to curb the trend, ranging from remote relocation programs to early intervention and more liaison support. However,...
15m Oct 12, 2022
15m
Talkback caller, Mike, had questions about self-defense and your rights to protect yourself during a home invasion.
5m Oct 11, 2022
5m
John MacKenzie chats with Ralph Cremer from NEAMCO after the surprise announcement of its closure.
John MacKenzie chats with Ralph Cremer from NEAMCO, after the surprise announcement of its closure. The closure is due to the retirement of owner Ray Fry, who has been in the engineering industry for decades. Ray's father, Dick Fry, was the local legend who founded NQEA, which was formerly one of Cairns' biggest employers. Ralph spoke fondly and recalled memories of the local engineering family.
12m Oct 11, 2022
12m
John MacKenzie chats with Aimee McVeigh, CEO Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS), about homelessness and rental issues in relation to the upcoming housing summit.
John MacKenzie chats with Aimee McVeigh, CEO Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS), about homelessness and rental issues in relation to the upcoming housing summit. Over 500 Cairns locals have applied for social housing during the last financial year, as approximately 4,000 people wait for a home in our region. "People are sleeping in cars and on the streets across the regions," says A...
6m Oct 10, 2022
6m