Memorial planned for Cairns murder victims

A Cairns house where eight children were found dead will be removed to make way for a permanent memorial for the victims, a state MP says.

The house where eight children were murdered in Cairns

The Cairns house where the bodies of eight children were found will be removed. (AAP)

A far north Queensland house where eight children died in one of Australia's most horrific massacres will be removed and the site transformed into a permanent memorial.

The plans for 34 Murray Street, Manoora, came about after talks with family representatives, pastors and elders from the Torres Strait Island community, state MP Gavin King said.

"It's the right thing to do going forward to help with the grieving process," he told reporters near the house, which remains a crime scene three days after the discovery.

Four boys and four girls, aged between two and 14 years, were found dead in the home on Friday morning.

A steady stream of mourners has since visited a park across the road, leaving flowers, cards and soft toys at a makeshift memorial.

While the final plan for a more permanent memorial will be decided by the family, one idea has been to extend the park to the block of land.

The mother of seven of the children and aunt of the eighth, Raina Mersane Ina Thaiday, 37, also known as Mersane Warria, is facing eight counts of murder.

During a brief mention in the Cairns Magistrates Court, a request from Ms Thaiday's lawyer to have the case heard in the mental health court was rejected by Magistrate Alan Comans.

Ms Thaiday did not attend the hearing and the case was adjourned until January 30.

Her lawyer, Steve MacFarlane, says his client is still coming to terms with what happened.

"I think she probably knows what happened but doesn't realise it and it hasn't sunk in," he told reporters outside court.

"I've spoken to her and she's coping the best that she can at the moment."

Police have served Ms Thaiday with an involuntary treatment order as she recovers from stab wounds in the Cairns Base Hospital.

Vigils and memorials for the slain children were held throughout Queensland at the weekend and more services were expected to be held in Cairns on Monday night.

Plans are being made for funerals for the children however no date had been set.

Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Taylor thanked support groups, including the Salvation Army and Relationships Australia, which have been helping to support the community.

"It's the collective actions of those groups, those people, and the broader community that I reckon has provided a level of solidarity and strength," he said.


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