New plan to guide planning to 2050

Published: 11 August 2021. (Note: information was correct at date of publication but may have since been changed or superseded.)

Council has committed to the development of a strategy that identifies targets and approaches to ensure the sustainable growth of the region to 2050 and beyond.

The 2050 Growth Strategy will look to support a wide range of businesses, industries and services and form the foundation for Council’s contemporary land use planning, which will supports growth, liveability and sustainability.

The development of the Growth Strategy will consider trends and challenges outlined in the Corporate Plan 2021-2016, and will refine the need and scope for specific Master Plans, including development of a new Master Plan for the City Centre.

The growth strategy also provides an opportunity to look at planning in a holistic and integrated manner, which will allow for considerations of land availability and uses, how people travel to and from work, public transport, providing the diversity of housing needs, infrastructure provision, creating employment opportunities, managing risks and improving the liveability of our neighbourhoods.

In terms of the current Cairns City Centre Master Plan 2019, it was noted that it remained a relevant plan and that through significant capital expenditure over the last two years, Council has progressed each of the five identified project opportunities, with two projects (Florence Street and the Esplanade Dining Precinct) completed.

The growth strategy will encourage investment in the region, recognising that population is expected to reach 300,000 in the medium to long-term.