Palm Cove News

JUNE, 2002

Triton Palace to set new standard

Editorial

NEWS that the three-day Carnival at Port Douglas last weekend was a colossal success with 35,000 visitors leaves a sour taste in Palm Cove mouths.

"They had a great atmosphere and vibe the whole weekend," one observor said.

Actually, not long ago we had our own one-day colossal success with an atmosphere and vibe you could die for. The annual Fun in the Sun beach day at Palm Cove was a day we all looked forward to.

A lack of police (there were none) in 1998 led to a minor drunken bust-up which led to a local businessman complaining to police which led to a ban on alcohol on the beach and an army of gun-toting constables marching up and down the esplanade the following year.

Half the crowd stayed away that year and more were absent the next, despite a bigger and better program. Local businesses then refused to support the day, and Trinity Beach took on what in Cove for years had been a financially successful, genuine day of fun.

What went wrong? No police in 98, the ban on alcohol (families couldn't even take a can or two in the esky) and all those gun-toting police.

A small police presence in the first place would have stopped the rot.

We can only hope the authorities provide a police presence at similar events in future - one or two officers is enough - or the same will happen again.

One lesson we can all learn : if you're going to complain to anyone about something like this, think hard before complaining to the police. They are forced to do something about it, and the cure is sometimes worse than the cold.

A TRULY palatial resort should gladden Palm Cove eyes when completed by Christmas next year.

A colored sketch of five-star Triton Palace in Cairns Post on May 22 displayed architecture good enough to outshine anything in Cairns, on the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, or even Monte Carlo.

The 183-room resort, just over the bridge on Triton St, will havedirect beach access, restaurants, swimming pool, private beach areas, and a health and spa facility.

The developers are FTV Properties Australia. Mr Rod Askew of Resort Brokers Australia, who are handling the issue of management rights, said the five-star development "will raise the bar for quality accommodation."

"Palm Cove iswithout a doubt the jewel in Far North Queensland's crown," he said.

Askew said it was a recognised International tourism destination with established resorts including Courtyard, Sebel, Novotel, and the new Outrigger.

Highway entrance gets

master plan

A MASTER PLAN for an entry statement at the top of Cedar Rd is being prepared by Tourism Palm Cove, Cnr Sno Bonneau says.

In the May/June edition of Northern News, the councillor said local development company Stateland Pty Ltd had offered landscape advice.

The Palm Cove Promotions Association recently changed its name to Tourism Palm Cove.

Suggestions for the entry statement include work between Foley Rd and Cedar Rd.

The revamp of the Coachhouse Restaurant grounds will fit in with the proposed entrance.

Offenders caught

TWO CAIRNS males, 16 and 20, were arrested on May 1 in connection with home burglaries along Cairns Beaches including Palm Cove.

The robberies were reported in our May edition which was published prior to the arrests.

Credit cards, cash, a weapon, drugs, DVD discs, and computer games were recovered by police on raids on a number of properties.

Sgt Baxter of Smithfield Police said some property recovered, suspected as stolen, had no apparent owners. Anyone who had property stolen and not returned should contact 4055 6055.

(From Readers Digest)

Two women, A & B, went into adjoining toilet cubicles.

After a while, A said : "How are you?"

B thought: "I don't know this woman, do I?" but said : "I'm all right, how are you?"

A said : "So what's new?"

B said : "Nothing much, what's new with you?"

A said : "Do you mind. I'm on the phone."

No smokes in dining areas

IT IS now illegal to smoke in indoor dining areas in Queensland.

A new state law banning smoking in restaurants and similar public indoor places came into force on May 31st.

The maximum penalty is $1,500.

More information is on : www.health.qld.gov.au/atods

or the Tobacco Hotline 1800 005 998.

Another Novotel award

NOVOTEL RESORT has won Best Convention Centre in Australia, says Quorum Magazine.

Convention Centre manager Kevin Burton said the award followed their recent accolade as Tropical North's Venue of the Year.

Published by Jerry Dukes, 52Terebra St Palm

Cove 4879. Ph 40591610; Fax 40590058

Email : jdukes@ozemail.com.au