Council reiterates State election priorities

Projects and initiatives to enhance liveability and community connectivity, strengthen the economy and help with flood recovery are top of Council’s State Election wish list.

Council is advocating for commitments on nine key projects ahead of the State Election on 26 October.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the Council-led priorities (which were unanimously endorsed by Council on 24 July) would pave the way for future growth and development across areas such as housing, recreational infrastructure and tourism.

“These projects and initiatives will enhance the community and safeguard our city’s prosperity,” Cr Eden said.

“We have been actively engaging with government members, candidates, ministers and shadow minsters, to outline the needs of our community.

“And we we’ve already had some success, with a commitment from the LNP to help enhance and expand mountain bike trails at Smithfield.

“I am confident that as the election nears, there will be further announcements and we can expect to secure commitments for more initiatives.”

Adding to visitor experiences and enhancing sporting facilities have been identified as fundamental for the city’s future prosperity.

To that end, Council is looking to secure a $14 million commitment from Barron River candidates to expand the trail network at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park to match a pledge made by the LNP last month.

There is also a call for the new government to support the establishment of a high-performance facility within the Major Events Precinct next to Barlow Park, as well as providing funding for the Major Events Precinct Masterplan.

We are also calling for a new entry statement for Palm Cove on the Captain Cook Highway, to mark one of the city’s iconic tourist destinations, support broader destination marketing, and improve traffic and pedestrian safety

There is a push to secure more than $12.3 million in funding that will enhance community amenity.

This includes $5 million to expand sporting facilities at the Redlynch Community Sporting Precinct, $4 million to design and build the Cairns Community and Multicultural Centre in White Rock, $1.46 million for further improvements to Jeff Pezzutti Park in Woree, and $1.85 to enrich leisure facilities in the Smithfield/Trinity Park area.

Meeting the housing needs of the region’s growing population has been recognised, with Council calling on for a Priority Development Area (PDA) to be declared over the Mount Peter Southern Growth Corridor to fast-track development and infrastructure delivery.

This corridor has the potential to deliver around 18,500 new homes for an estimated 42,500 people so will be critical to meeting the medium to long term housing needs of Cairns

Council is seeking a commitment from the State Government, in conjunction with the Federal Government (where appropriate), to address gaps in the Tropical Cyclone Jasper funding arrangements is also on the agenda.

While grateful for funding from the Queensland and Australian Governments to support the community recovery from the December 2023 flooding following Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Council has identified funding gaps in key areas.

This includes for restoring and building resilience of community infrastructure; ensuring public and private assets are rebuilt to a more resilient standard; and mitigation and assessment to better manage flood risks.

As well as these Council-led Advocacy Priorities, Council will continue to work collaboratively with regional stakeholders (including neighbouring councils, Advance Cairns, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, FNQROC, RDA Tropical North and TTNQ) to support other advocacy priorities and initiatives where appropriate.

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