Your daily local news briefing // Thursday 13 April 2017

WEATHER
Cairns: 25-31C max, 40% chance of rain
Port Douglas: 25-31C max, 50% chance of rain
Mareeba: 20-29C max, 20% chance of rain
Innisfail: 23-29C max, 50% rain


TODAY'S TOP STORIES

CIAF ON SALE TODAY
Tickets go on sale today for Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), and though the event kicks off in July, it’s best to get in quick: these are the hottest tickets in town.
CIAF will transform the city with its multi-faceted, all-inclusive celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture between July 13-16.
Last year, CIAF’s signature two-day art fair and associated events attracted 51,000 people to venues across the city.
All ticketed events, including the CIAF opening party and fashion performances, can be purchased here.
Full story to come in TropicNow.

ESPLANADE SPORTS COURTS TO GET UPGRADE
Players and fans of beach volleyball, basketball, futsal and other sports got a welcome surprise at yesterday's Cairns council meeting.
Councillors voted to support a $1.34 million expansion of the beach volleyball complex, including the addition of a multi-use court that will be suitable for basketball and other sports.
Local business Koppens Developments will undertake the work after winning the construction tender.
Deputy Mayor Terry James said the new-look Northern Esplanade Sporting Precinct would include four full-size beach volleyball courts plus a warm-up court.
“The success of last year’s Olympic Games qualifier event on the Esplanade demonstrated that beach volleyball is a natural fit for our city,” Cr James said.
“We’ve got another major beach volleyball event coming up in October and the new courts will be ready to go by then.”
“Cairns is really becoming known as a sports event hub and this project will add to the excellent facilities our region has to offer.”

CHANCE TO APPLY FOR IMPORTANT HEALTH GRANT
Local healthcare and social services organisations can now access grants of up to $5000 in a bid to improve health outcomes and minimise the risk of chronic disease for their employees.
The Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) said the latest round of Active Healthy NQ grants, with $50,000 available in total, would provide funding for the purchase of equipment and infrastructure to be used in health promotion and illness prevention initiatives.
The grant program aims to promote physical activity, and reduce sedentary behaviour among staff at healthcare and social services organisations.

CAIRNS TO GET HARMONIOUS COMMUNITY EVENT
A free community event aimed at celebrating this year's Harmony Day will be staged on April 30.
The “Cultures in Harmony” event promotes Harmony Day themes such as celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity, and encouraging inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
The event will feature information stalls, community entertainment and performances, and will run in tandem with the Tanks Monthly Market day program.

BULLS TO FEEL THE HEAT IN FFA CUP CLASH
FNQ Heat will go head to head with the Mareeba Bulls tonight in round five of the FFA Cup.
Mareeba has the home ground advantage – not to mention a handful of ex-A-League players on side – but FNQ coach Tim Campbell is feeling confident.
“I believe in winning,” he told News Corp.
“I’d like to think we play our part in developing some young players and I wouldn’t be going up there if I didn’t think we could win, it would be a waste of petrol money, so we’re going up there to win.”
Bulls coach Alex Srhoj said the Bulls had “nothing to lose” in their battle against the FNQ favourites.
The match will kick off at 7.30pm at Lindsay Australia Stadium.