Cairns councillors to vote on ‘eyesore’ Redlynch development application
A controversial Redlynch development application to turn a horse park into a commercial precinct is tipped to be hotly debated with Cairns mayor Amy Eden potentially casting the deciding vote.
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A controversial Redlynch development application to turn part of a popular horse park into a commercial precinct is tipped to be hotly debated with Cairns mayor Amy Eden potentially casting the deciding vote.
Under the proposal Bengali Land would transform the Crystal Cascades Horse Park property, located on the Redlynch Intake Rd, into the Currunda Trades and Services Development Area.
A 143-page report prepared by Cairns Regional Council has recommended councillors approve the application which would subdivide the park into two lots with some horse agistment paddocks and a house set to remain on the western lot.
If approved, the eastern lot, which currently contains a horse arena and additional paddocks, would be broken up into four separate parcels of land.
Those lots would then accommodate future development including mini-storage facilities, builders’ yards, vehicle, caravan and boat storage, bulk landscaping supplies and other light industry uses.
Councillors will debate the proposal which some residents have opposed due to its environmental impact, flood risks and how it will affect the area’s semi-rural lifestyle at this Wednesday’s ordinary meeting.
Redlynch resident Janine Hall said hundreds of submissions opposing the development application were made by community members during the public notification period.
“As a valley resident, one of my biggest concerns is that they (the council) have dismissed those concerns,” Ms Hall said.
“As a mum, the increase of trucks on that road is just not feasible without significantly upgrading it. Also, my kids play in Currunda Creek almost every day.
“What kind of impact is this development going to have? You can’t tell me that an industrial estate doesn’t pose a risk to a fragile ecosystem.”
More than 150 residents attended a public meeting at the Red Beret Hotel last July, with many voicing their strong opposition to the zoning change which could significantly impact the relatively secluded residential area, Ms Hall said.
“It was a pretty angry room,” she said. “We moved here during COVID and fell in love with it.
“You feel like you’re in your own little getaway. It (the development) just doesn’t belong and will be an absolute eyesore.
“An 11-metre building would look huge right at the front of the road, so that all the tourists can see it on their way to Crystal Cascades.”
The vote is expected to be close with councillors divided on the issue. If so, Ms Eden’s vote may prove to break the deadlock either way.
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