WEATHER FORECAST
Cairns: 25-31C max, 40% chance of rain
Port Douglas: 22-28C max, 20% chance of rain
Mareeba: 17-29C max, 10% chance of rain
Innisfail: 20-28C max, 20% rain

TODAY'S TOP STORIES

CBD TOWER POWERS AHEAD
The Federal Department of Environment has approved the construction of a $120 million tower in the CBD set to be built by Ghassan Aboud's Crystralbrook Collection.
The hotel project is promising to deliver hundreds of jobs for the city, and timeframe conditions of the approval dictate work must start within five years. The project must also meet stringent environmental conditions, ensuring the resident flying fox population is treated with care. 

BUDGET BOOST FOR BRUCE
Another year, another mixed bag of reactions to a Federal Budget. Some have welcomed the $840 million pledged for upgrades along the length of the Bruce Highway, while others have lamented the lack of specific funding for local projects.
But there was sign light at the end of the funding tunnel, with Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch saying a mooted ring road in Cairns could apply for cash as part of the announced 10-year, $50 billion plan for roads, rail and runways. The ring road plan, pushed by Advance Cairns and Cairns Regional Council, needs to be firmed up and formally submitted before funding can be considered.

CRAZY ANT FIGHT
A battle to reclaim pockets of rainforest taken over by yellow crazy ants is being won by the good guys.
Native animals and insects are returning to the hills south of Cairns after facing a wipeout by the invasive pests. Extra funding and targeted aerial bombing programs by Wet Tropics Management Authority have significantly dented the yellow crazy ant population. But authorities warn it will take 10 years of consistent management and eradication to fully solve the pest problem.

CHECK YOUR SPEED IN REAL TIME
Council is stepping up its fight against speeding with the installation of interactive speed signs at a trouble spot in Trinity Beach.
The two LED-display signs in Madang Street – with more to come in Mayers St at Manunda – will let drivers know when they are speeding and also collect information on vehicle speeds to allow council to track changes in behaviour.

PRIDE ON THE LINE
With a shaky start to the season, the Northern Pride need to win a string of games to stay in touch with top of the ladder teams.
That's the message from coach Ty Williams as the Pride gear up to take on last placed Tweed Head Seagulls at Barlow Park this Saturday. Williams has warned against complacency against the Seagulls, with calls for stronger defence early in the game.