Mornings with John Mackenzie

John MacKenzie chats with Professor Jon Nott, Professor of Geoscience at JCU Cairns, contrasting the emergency response of Cyclone Jasper with Cyclone Alfred. The issue of a safe harbour rock wall at the northern end of Palm Cove and how this would disrupt the natural sand flow.

John MacKenzie chats with Locky Bensted, former Mareeba Councillor and Owner of Mareeba Truck School, about federal feasibility and funding commitments to replace the Barron River Bridge at Kuranda and find an alternative route to access the Atherton Tablelands.

John MacKenzie speaks with David Bobberman, CEO of the Queensland Seafood Industry Association, about the steps toward requiring the clear labelling of Australian versus foreign-caught seafood.  David also reflected upon the recent struggles felt by the industry after the ban on certain net fishing and the reduction in quotas of certain fish. 

John MacKenzie speaks with Nick Dametto, KAP State Member for Hinchinbrook, about the Bruce Highway being cut yet again at the Seymour River crossing, and the impact this has on Far North Queensland. The question is being raised in 2025 as to how a large portion of the state seems to be cut off by only a small section of the highway being closed, and the need to secure alternative access routes.

John MacKenzie chats with Wayne Rees, local actor and marriage celebrant, about his time on the stage entertaining the people of Cairns. John also reminisced about Wayne's position as a former councillor and his father's role in founding the famous "Rusty's Markets" in the city.

John MacKenzie chats with Cr. Kristy Vallely, CRC Rep for Division 6, about the light-industrial development site voted in favour by council for Redlynch Valley. Cr. Vallely also expressed her frustrations at abusive members of the community and how a new culture of decorum needs to be respected.

John MacKenzie speaks with Emily Jade, 102.9 FM Hot Tomato Breakfast Show in the Gold Coast, for an update on the events following Tropical Cyclone Alfred's crossing of the Southeast Coastline. Furthermore, some controversial implications were intimated toward the Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and his political future.

John MacKenzie speaks with Deputy Mayor Brett Olds, CRC Rep for Division 9, about the controversial "bed tax" which would see an additional charge for accommodation providers to raise money to promote and fund local tourism initiatives. Also, Cr. Olds weighed in on the "Palm Cove Reimagined" proposal for a safe harbour development.

John MacKenzie chats with Deputy Mayor Brett Olds, CRC Rep for Division 9, about a proposed development at Palm Cove's northern end to build a lagoon and safe harbour. The safe harbour approach would be utilised by commercial vessels to provide ventures for cruises and visitation to Double Island. The mainland would see the construction of a world-class, tropical lagoon, and over 180 additional car parking spaces. Image/Graphic by Hunt Design.

John MacKenzie speaks with Brynie Rosser-Guyatt, Allissa Tenni, and Emily Cocks-Wheeler, who have organised the rally against crime being held this Sunday, March 2nd at Midday on the Esplanade (Freedom Park). "Enough is enough" is the message being shouted by Cairns residents who want governments to finally address the seriousness of the crime emergency in Far North Queensland.  The rally is being held in the wake of an horrific alleged rape of a woman by three teenage boys whilst her partner was being held at knifepoint.

John MacKenzie discusses the importance of an anti-crime rally to be held on Sunday March 2 with Aaron McLeod, President of The Crime & Justice Action Group, following the alleged vicious attack and rape by three teenage boys in Cairns.

John MacKenzie speaks with Deputy Mayor Brett Olds, CRC Rep for Division 9, about the horrific alleged rape and assault by 3 teens at a Cairns address. Pressure is being put on the State Government in the wake of the upcoming Community Cabinet being held in Cairns this Sunday, March 2nd 2025.

John MacKenzie chats with Keith Hamburger AM, Former Director-General of Queensland's Corrective Services Commission, about the current state of law and order in Cairns and across the state. The Cairns Post reported assault statistics in Cairns City which saw only a 'marginal increase' from 808 assaults in 2001 to 878 in 2018. However, this rate has jumped rapidly in recent years, with a whopping 2592 reported assaults in 2024.

John MacKenzie chats with Mayor Ramon Jayo, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, about the Bruce Highway closed between Ingham and Cardwell due to flooding at Seymour River, which has stranded food delivery trucks only moments after the temporary bridge crossing Ollera Creek was opened.

John MacKenzie chats with Brad Stewart, Coles Regional Manager, for an update on the availability of stock and groceries at our local supermarket shelves. Late last night saw a convoy of semi-trailers enter Cairns City full of produce and groceries.

John MacKenzie chats with Gary Mahon, CEO of the Queensland Trucking Association, about the logistics for transport companies to fill the supermarket shelves in Far North Queensland following the devastating flooding and collapse of the bridge crossing Ollera Creek, north of Townsville.

John MacKenzie chats with Deputy Mayor Brett Olds, CRC Rep for Division 9, about the need for alternate routes to better access North Queensland following the supermarket stand-still due to the collapse of one small bridge at Ollera Creek. Councillor Olds also touched on the recent controversy in which Mayor Amy Eden proposed to spend ratepayer's money on purchasing a stake in the Cairns Airport.