A weekly re-cap of the events that have made news in Cairns over the past week.

Monday June 17, 2002 70th Edition

News that the North Queensland population is growing towards 250,000 bodes well for local businesses, reinforcing the renewed confidence that the region is experiencing. Tourist numbers have recovered well following September 11th and real estate prices have started to climb with demand almost out stripping supply.

North Queensland populations approached 250,000
Cairns and Townsville continue to experience one of the fastest population growth rates in the country. Based on current projections the population of the two cities is expected to exceed 250,000 within the next 12 months. Townsville continues to be just ahead of Cairns in terms of total resident numbers.

Unseasonal hot weather set to continue
Cairns temperatures in recent days were sultry to say the very least with the highest June minimum temperatures on record. In what is normally the coolest time of the year, the people of Cairns had to deal with overnight temperatures of 23.3 C, almost 6 C above normal.

Huge advertising campaign aimed at new markets
A $16 million advertising campaign is being planned to coincide with the international launch of Australian Airlines in September 2002. Most of the advertising budget will be spent in Asia, highlighting the new flight options for the new no frills carrier. The campaign is being co-ordinated by the Australian Tourism Commission and Tourism Queensland, with the aim being to promote Cairns and the Gold Coast.

Cairns Police round up missing "Gnomads"
Garden Gnomes around the world are often abducted. Cairns is no different with pranksters often preying on these harmless garden characters. Approximately 30 "Gnomads" appeared on a Cairns lawn last week and most have been identified as coming from other homes throughout the Cairns region. Police have been called in to try and return the much loved garden creatures to their homes. No details have been released in regards to the perpetrators of the abductions.

Cairns couple celebrate 70th wedding anniversary
Cairns couple Bill Lee Long and Felicia Lee Long celebrated 70 years of marriage in Cairns last week. The couple tied the knot in 1932 and both believe that their key to success is "patience".

Cairns set to feature in current affairs show
Sixty Minutes is one of the leading current affairs shows in Australia. Cairns is expected to feature prominently in a pending show, which is featuring backpackers travelling along the east coast of Australia. 60 Minutes reporter, Peter Overton, travelled with backpackers along the well-traversed route to research the report.