Crocodiles are part and parcel of life on Cape York, so it’s no surprise they feature heavily in this year’s top 10 news stories – one is an absolute tragedy, the other a lucky escape. Take a look at what local news stories piqued your interest most during 2024.
10. Cape York Land Council boss sacked following arrest on domestic violence charges
by Lyndon Keane
Cape York Land Council chief executive officer Dion Creek (left) has been sacked by the board with “immediate effect” after he was arrested and refused bail in relation to 15 domestic violence-related charge. Photo: Cape York Land Council.
The Cape York Land Council terminated the employment of its chief executive officer after he was arrested and charged with 15 serious domestic violence offences.
Dion Creek was refused bail when he appeared in the Cairns Magistrates Court on the charges, which Cape York Weekly understands relate to alleged offences over the past few years.
9. New GM hits ground running as Rio Tinto strives for ‘strong, vibrant Weipa’
by Lyndon Keane
New Rio Tinto Weipa operations general manager Steve Dunstone says it is “really critical” the organisation works with stakeholders to plan for the long-term sustainability of the township. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
Rio Tinto’s new operations general manager in Weipa says it is “really critical” the mining giant works closely with stakeholders to ensure the community has a sustainable long-term future.
Steve Dunstone has replaced Shona Markham in the company’s top job after moving to Cape York from the Northern Territory township of Nhulunbuy with his wife, Sian and two children – Ezra, 5, and Matilda, 3 – to take up the posting.
8. Tourists survive seven-day Cape York ordeal following Google Maps failure
by Lyndon Keane
Philipp Maier attempts a river crossing over a flooded creek in Oyala Thumotang National Park after he and his travel partner, Marcel Schoene, became bogged on 6 February, 2024 following a Google Maps alternative route from Coen. Photo: Supplied.
A chance encounter in Adelaide and a Google Maps failure have resulted in a lucky escape and the travel story of a lifetime for two German tourists after they were stuck in remote Cape York bushland for seven days.
On 6 February 2024, Marcel Schoene, 25, and Philipp Maier, 20, set off from Coen in the hope of making the 385-kilometre trip north to Bamaga in their four-wheel drive.
After discovering the Archer River crossing on the Peninsula Developmental Road was closed due to floodwater, the pair decided to follow the alternative route proffered by Google Maps, unaware it was telling them to drive through the closed – and impassable – Oyala Thumotang National Park.
7. Cultural heritage agreement signed as EIS details released for silica project
by Cape York Weekly
Diatreme Resources boss Neil McIntyre and representatives of Walmbaar Aboriginal Corporation celebrate the signing of a cultural heritage management agreement relating to the Northern Silica Project at Cape Flattery. Photo: Supplied.
The Queensland Government Coordinator-General has prepared a draft terms of reference for the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Northern Silica Project (NSP) at Cape Flattery.
The $534.8 million project, located near Hope Vale, is being driven by Diatreme Resources and the EIS sets out what matters the silica miner must address when preparing the document.
6. Former Bundaberg mayor, police minister to take reins of Aurukun council
by Cape York Weekly
Former Bundaberg Regional Council mayor and Queensland police minister Jack Dempsey has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Aurukun Shire Council. Photo: Supplied.
Aurukun Shire Council has appointed former Bundaberg mayor and Queensland police minister Jack Dempsey as its new chief executive officer.
The council made the decision at a special meeting on 20 June following a nationwide search to fill the organisation’s top job.
5. Torres Strait men, 39, refused bail over $44m Seisia cocaine bust
by Lyndon Keane
Two 39-year-old men are loaded onto the Queensland Police Service Air Wing by Australian Federal Police officers at Bamaga’s Northern Peninsula Airport after they were arrested on 2 September for allegedly possessing 110 kilograms of cocaine. Photo: Australian Federal Police.
Two Torres Strait men were refused bail after being arrested in the Northern Peninsula Area and charged with allegedly possessing a commercial quantity of cocaine with a street value of $44 million.
The Australian Federal Police charged the men, Patterson Mosby and Eli Wapau, both 39, after they were arrested in Seisia on 2 September for possessing 110 kilograms of the drug, which police will allege they collected from a small boat in the Torres Strait.
4. Police confirm missing NSW woman crossed Jardine River
by Lyndon Keane
The search for missing woman Jamilla Humphrey, 52, was called off on 6 September following an extensive operation. Photo: Supplied.
Missing NSW woman Jamilla Humphrey crossed the Jardine River twice in a short period of time before disappearing in remote Cape York, police have confirmed.
The extensive search for the 52-year-old was called off on 6 September after her white Mitsubishi van was located on the Old Telegraph Track, about three kilometres south of the Jardine River in the Northern Peninsula Area on 29 August.
3. Mobile boost for Musgrave Roadhouse as Telstra eyes tower
by Lyndon Keane
Musgrave Roadhouse boss Adam McDowell says Telstra’s plan to install a 4G tower at the well-known Peninsula Developmental Road stopping point is a win for travellers and locals. Photo: Facebook.
Visitors to Musgrave Roadhouse could be texting photos of their trip in real time within months if a Telstra plan to install a long-awaited mobile tower receives the planning green light.
A development application to build a 4G small cell at the roadhouse is currently with Cook Shire Council, and Telstra regional general manager Rachel Cliffe said the telecommunication giant hoped to have the infrastructure operational as soon as the planning process permitted.
2. Annan River crocodile spotting attempt proves costly after campervan submerged
by Lyndon Keane
An attempt to spot crocodiles ended in disaster for the female driver of this campervan when the vehicle rolled down the Annan River boat ramp and into the water. Photo: Lyndon Keane.
A woman has had a costly attempt to spot one of Cape York’s favourite reptiles after her campervan struck disaster in the Annan River near Cooktown on 28 June.
Cape York Weekly understands the female driver of the Ford Transit campervan drove onto the boat ramp to try and view a saltwater crocodile, only to have her vehicle roll down the concrete slope and into the river after she failed to apply the handbrake.
The woman was not injured in the incident and a Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the vehicle would be recovered.
1. NSW tourist, 40, killed in Annan River crocodile attack
by Cape York Weekly
A male tourist, 40, has been killed by a saltwater crocodile following an attack in the Annan River, about seven kilometres south of Cooktown. Photo: Supplied.
A 40-year-old NSW man was killed by a saltwater crocodile after he fell into the Annan River near Cooktown.
The Cape York Weekly understands the tourist, who was travelling with his family and another group, slipped down the steep bank of the river at Crocodile Bend, about seven kilometres south of Cooktown, at about 2 pm on 3 August while fishing.
