The $100m student accommodation project that could ease the burden on Cairns renters and lure more international students to the Far North

Blockbuster developments across the city spearheaded by James Cook University could ease Cairns’ housing crisis, boost the economy and create more accommodation for international students, a key lobby group says.

Advance Cairns chair Nick Trompf is lobbying for the state and Federal government to back James Cook University's bid to build student accommodation near its Smithfield and CBD campuses. Picture: Samuel Davis

Blockbuster developments across the city spearheaded by James Cook University could ease Cairns’ housing crisis, boost the economy and create more accommodation for international students, a key lobby group says.

Advance Cairns has backed new plans for JCU to build student accommodation worth more than $100m near its Smithfield and CBD campuses that the advocacy body said will boost the region’s economy and improve livability.

Student accommodation at James Cook University’s Smithfield campus is currently at capacity. Picture: Brendan Radke

Under Queensland’s planning laws, it’s understood the university can bypass Cairns Regional Council’s development application process in Smithfield, fast-tracking construction and easing pressure on a maxed-out housing market.

Capacity to house an additional 600 students across Cairns would triple the number of beds currently available at John Grey Hall at JCU’s northern beaches campus and energise the city’s economy, Advance Cairns chair Nick Trompf said.

Construction work has begun on the $50 million James Cook University Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre, adjacent to the Cairns Hospital precinct at the intersection of Sheridan Street and Charles Street, Cairns North. The site could also be home to student accommodation in the near future. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Housing is one of the biggest brakes on economic growth in this region and surrounding satellite centres,” Mr Trompf said.

“There simply aren’t enough places to live and that’s leading to professionals and students leaving and having all sorts of economic and social effects.”

Securing funding for the project from the state and federal governments is the crucial next step, Mr Trompf said.

“JCU has the land, the approvals to be able to build. It’s essentially a shovel ready project,” he said.

“If the funding is provided in the forthcoming state and Federal budgets, JCU could break soil by the end of this year.

“We know that the existing accommodation at JCU is already beyond capacity. This project is the equivalent of 200-300 homes being built.”

The Dugurrdja Precinct, located on Sheridan Street, will be a short commute to Cairns Airport, the hospital and the city’s CBD. Picture: Supplied.

JCU has 88 hectares of freehold land at its Smithfield campus with the university now investigating multiple suitable sites closer to the city, including its Dugurrdja Precinct, which is under construction in North Cairns.

A disastrous wet season and skyrocketing rental costs were hurting Cairns residents, a JCU spokesman said.

“James Cook University recognises there are additional pressures in Cairns’ housing market, worsened by the impacts of Cyclone Jasper,” he said.

“The university is actively exploring options to create more student accommodation in Cairns.

“JCU is exploring the feasibility of building student accommodation facilities at its CBD and Nguma-bada (Smithfield) campuses.”

Mr Trompf said the project’s approval would also help reduce Cairns’ reliance on the tourism sector.

“Anything that can facilitate an increase of international students to Cairns is welcome,” he said.

“We know there are many students that aren’t coming because it’s currently either unaffordable or inaccessible.

“From a business sense, we’re hearing about professionals and companies every week who can’t find somewhere to live. It’s a real problem and students get caught up in that.”

According to SQM Research data released last November, Cairns has the lowest rental availability in Australia at 0.09 per cent with tenants copping a massive rental cost rise of 13 per cent in the past two years.

“Housing is a flashpoint all over the state and it was one of the top two or three issues when community cabinet was held in Cairns recently,” Mr Trompf said.

“We know that governments are listening to it.”

Originally published as The $100m student accommodation project that could ease the burden on Cairns renters and lure more international students to the Far North