This month marks an important milestone as we celebrate two years of the Crisafulli Government delivering for Queenslanders. Over the past two years, we've focused on tackling the issues that matter most to our community, including strengthening community safety, improving healthcare, investing in infrastructure, and supporting the growth of Far North Queensland.
There is a lot more to do, but every step we take is a move in the right direction.
October has been another productive month both locally and in Parliament. We've continued delivering on our commitment to restore community safety through stronger laws, whilst also celebrating significant progress on projects that will shape the future of our region.
As always, I'm proud to share the latest updates, achievements and opportunities from across Barron River and Far North Queensland.
There is a lot to do, I will continue advocating for the issues that matter most to our community.
Until next time, take care, stay safe, and keep telling me what matters to you. And please, share what I’m doing with your family, friends and neighbours- word of mouth matters. Together, we can make sure our community has the facts.
The reopening of Henry Ross Lookout to two-way traffic is a major milestone in the ongoing recovery of the Kuranda Range following Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
This is fantastic news for the thousands of motorists, commuters, tourism operators and visitors who rely on this vital connection between Cairns and the Tablelands every day.
With the lookout now accessible again and repairs at the Skate Bowl completed, we're seeing real progress right across the range. Of the 32 repair sites identified after Jasper with final sites scheduled to begin later this year.
Crews are also continuing repairs at locations impacted by the February 2025 weather event, with half of those sites already completed and works progressing well on the remainder. Ther are only five slips that remain under construction, with three of these to be completed by the end of the year, and the final two to be completed by mid-next year.
Works completed across the Kuranda Range include:
13.2km of soil nails installed (91% complete)
11,245m² of geomat stabilisation completed (89.3% complete)
537m³ of shotcrete applied (93.7% complete)
590m³ of rockfill and gabion baskets installed (90% complete)
And, even better news… during the busy school holiday Christmas period the Kuranda Range will be open to two-way traffic from top to bottom for 4 weeks.
That's right - no works, no stop and go, and two lanes fully open from Friday 18 December to Monday 11 January 2026. Scheduled night closures will still be in place from Sunday 18 October 2026 until Thursday 10 December 2026, weather and site conditions permitting.
In 2027 TMR will be working closely with the contractor to complete the remaining 2 sites from the 2025 weather event by mid-2027, site and weather conditions permitting.
One of the most common concerns I hear from local families is the need for safer ways to get around our community, particularly for children travelling to school and young athletes heading to training.
That's why I'm thrilled to see funding secured for the Freshwater–Redlynch Connector Pathway through the Active Transport Grants Program. This $6 million project, jointly funded by the Crisafulli LNP Government and Cairns Regional Council, will deliver a safer and more connected route for local residents.
For years, community members have advocated for this link, raising concerns about pedestrians and cyclists having to navigate busy roads without a dedicated pathway. I’ve been proud to support those calls alongside Councillor Kristy Vallely and many passionate local advocates.
The new 1.5-kilometre shared pathway, including a bridge over Freshwater Creek and improved access to local schools and sporting facilities, will make it easier and safer for families to walk, ride and stay active.
This is a great example of what can be achieved when a community comes together, advocates for change and secures the infrastructure it has long deserved.
Listening to Victims, Delivering Stronger Bail Laws
This month, I joined my Far North Queensland parliamentary colleagues, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington and Police Minister Dan Purdie as the Parliamentary Committee visited Cairns to hear directly from people affected by crime in our community.
One of the most powerful parts of the hearing was listening to the brave locals who shared their personal experiences. I want to sincerely thank Kieran from Southside Comets FC, along with Sarah, Andy and Milla from Ten06, for having the courage to tell their stories. Reliving the impact crime has had on them is never easy, but their willingness to speak up on behalf of victims across our region is important.
For too long, Far North Queensland communities have been frustrated by the revolving door of bail. Time and again, police do the hard work to apprehend offenders, only to see repeat offenders back on our streets within days.
That is why the proposed "Breach Bail, Go to Jail" reforms are so important. Our community deserves a justice system that prioritises community safety, supports victims and gives Queenslander's confidence that there are real consequences for repeat offending.
The First Piece of the Olympics Emblem Revealed
This week we officially unveiled the first piece of the six-piece emblem puzzle for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games right here in Cairns.
Joining Olympic legend Ian Thorpe, Paralympian Scooter Patterson, the Sports Minister and many other special guests, we celebrated an important milestone on the journey to a Games that will belong to all of Queensland, not just Brisbane.
I am so proud to see that Cairns will get a piece of the Olympics puzzle and not just figuratively with football (soccer) most likely confirmed and more sporting announcements to come.
And now for the big question...
What will the emblem be? A flower? A crocodile? A surfboard? All will be revealed next week.
Last month in Parliament, I spoke in support of the Crisafulli Government's Circuit Breaker Sentencing reforms, an important initiative designed to tackle youth crime by combining accountability with rehabilitation.
Across Far North Queensland, people have been clear: they want a youth justice system that keeps communities safe, supports victims and stops the cycle of repeat offending. For too long, communities have been frustrated by seeing the same offenders repeatedly move through the justice system, only to reoffend again.
Circuit Breaker Sentencing is aimed at changing that trajectory. The program targets serious repeat young offenders and places them into a structured, supervised environment focused on accountability, rehabilitation and breaking patterns of criminal behaviour before they become lifelong habits.
Importantly, this is not a soft option. It is a court-ordered intervention with strict supervision and clear consequences for non-compliance. While participants are undertaking the program, they are not committing further offences, thus creating more victims.
I believe protecting the community and changing lives should go hand in hand. By holding young offenders accountable while giving them the opportunity to choose a different path, we can reduce reoffending, prevent future victims, and build safer communities across Far North Queensland.
