Cairns deaths: House to be destroyed

Distraught locals embrace at the scene after eight children were found stabbed to death at a house in Manoora near Cairns. Photo / AAP

The Cairns home where eight children were allegedly murdered will be demolished, making way for a memorial at the request of the family.

Queensland MP Gavin King, who lives in suburban Manoora, says everyone wants the house gone.

"It's the right thing to do going forward to help with the grieving process," he told reporters on Monday near the house, which is still a crime scene.

"In terms of unanimous, I've been here since Saturday and I haven't had anyone say they want it to stay."

The Cairns community and the nation were rocked when the four boys and four girls, aged two to 14, were found dead at the Murray St home on Friday morning.

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.

Mr King said the decision about the house was made after talks with family representatives, pastors and elders from the Torres Strait Island community.

He said the memorial to the children will be decided by the family.

One idea is to extend the park, which is next to the house.

The park has been turned into a makeshift memorial where hundreds of bouquets of flowers, cards and soft toys have been left over the past three days.

Mr King said the family were going through a "harrowing" grieving process.

The house - 34 Murray St - will remain a crime scene for some time as detectives try to piece together what led to one of the nation's most horrific tragedies.

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 told reporters.

Police were looking at how they could assist the family in a culturally appropriate way, he said.

Queensland's acting premier Tim Nicholls will meet locals including emergency services personnel at Cairns police station later on Monday.

- AAP