New life pitched for former sugar cane land at Machans Beach
A new venture could soon be operating in a Cairns coastal suburb if a new development application receives the green light.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A NEW plant nursery could soon be operating in Machans Beach from seven new sheds if a recently pitched development receives the green light from Cairns Regional Council.
Tree Rural Holdings has submitted a material change of use application for largely vacant land at Machans Beach Access Rd.
The application proposes seven new sheds without walls, creating a materials stockpile, mulch stockpiles and the formation of four outdoor areas for propagating and growing plants and trees.
Tree Rural Holdings paid $390,000 for the 11.25Ha Machans Beach Access Rd rural-zoned land in 2019 and applied to council for permission earlier this year to divide one lot into two.
That application is currently on hold pending the lodgement of a variation request.
“The proposed development is for an intensive horticulture activity and specifically the propagation and production of plants and trees,” the application reads.
“The plant stock will not be available for retail or wholesale markets.”
Falling within a 3km wildlife habitat zone controlled by the Cairns Airport any development will require approval of a draft wildlife hazard assessment report by the airport.
The report has been attached to the pending application to council and includes analysis of the likelihood of wildlife being attracted to features created by the development and strategies to mitigate the risk.
The draft report concluded wildlife may be attracted to the site of the proposed development due to water accumulation and fruit eating birds feeding on plants being grown at the nursery.
“(But) there was a low risk of bird strike (to planes) as a result of the development providing that recommended management practices are implemented,” the application stated.
The proposed development represents a “sensible reuse” of a degraded cane paddock, according to the application.
Cairns Regional Council are yet to approve the development application.
More Coverage
Originally published as New life pitched for former sugar cane land at Machans Beach
Car allegedly stolen, set ablaze
Emergency service crews have responded to reports of a stolen vehicle on fire, south of Cairns, on Friday morning.
Cairns’ 40 ethnic groups to receive $4m gathering place
Labor candidate for Mulgrave Richie Bates has pledged $4m to build a new multipurpose centre in Cairns, should the party remain in power after the October 26 state election.