Lots of great things have happened in the past month including:

• the opening of two exciting new children's playgrounds in Mossman and at Sugar World gardens with numerous activities for children of all ages and those with a disability.

• the launch of the Cairns Walking and Cycling circuit with three guided bike rides

, information and a post ride sausage sizzle organised by Cairns Bicycle Users Group. Click here to find maps for the Lily Creek, Esplanade and Swamp circuits and explore the links through places such as Centenary Lakes and behind the cemetery and the PYC.

• the long-awaited opening of the $2.1M Cooper Creek causeway/bridge north of the Daintree enables residents to have certainty of access to their homes and businesses for the first time

• the Changing Lanes exhibition of public art has been attracting people to Temple Lane off Grafton St, the lane near Rockman's in Lake St and to Bank Lane off Spence St.

• the signing of a MOU between Maryborough Sugar and the Council to work together on alternative uses for the site of the sugar mill which closed down in February with the loss of 60 jobs

• making the Daintree ferry free over Easter, the school holidays and May Day encouraged many Cairns people to explore the northern parts of our region. The fabulous weather might also have had an influence; it's a long time since we've had a fine Easter.