Palm Cove development: New concept for jetty, lagoon and car park
A bold vision to dramatically transform one of the Far North’s most popular tourism retreats has been pitched with business and community leaders eager to support the proposal.
Cairns
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A bold vision to dramatically transform one of Far North Queensland’s most popular tourism retreats has been pitched by a leading architect with the backing of business and community leaders.
Under the plan, the northern end of Palm Cove’s Williams Esplanade would undergo a radical makeover including relocating the caravan park, building a swimming lagoon and park, and redeveloping the marine facilities to feature a “safe harbour”.
Far North architecture firm Hunt Design has released a “Palm Cove re-imagined” concept, with principal Gary Hunt hoping the public infrastructure revamp will entice other developers with premium landholdings to bring forward their ideas.
Concept images rendered by Mr Hunt showed part of the existing caravan park land converted into a public carpark with 180 spaces between what is currently the northern most point of Williams Esplanade, and Cedar Rd.
Closer to the waterfront would be a “village green” park, a kids splash park and adjacent swimming lagoon.
The concept also included new facilities for amenities and cafe and beach bars, as well as commercial spaces for reef operators.
However, Mr Hunt said the centrepiece to the concept would be building rock walls around the Palm Cove Jetty to create a harbour safe from winds and extending the jetty and pontoon to allow up to 15 commercial vessels to birth at the facility.
“A similar facility at Yeppoon has proven to be a magnet for locals and visitors with amazing amenities for all,” Mr Hunt said.
It is understood that the lagoon would be comparable to the 2500-square metre pool in Yeppoon which features an infinity pool and panoramic views of Keppel Bay surrounded by parkland and nearby shops.
The tourism drawcard, which opened in 2018, was part of a $53m revitalisation project for the central Queensland town’s foreshore funded by the Livingstone Shire Council and state and federal government.
“With no reliable maritime operators providing all year-round access for snorkellers, divers and fishing tours wishing to go to the Great Barrier Reef, this has meant locals and visitors need to head to Cairns or Port Douglas.
“The existing jetty is unusable in moderate to stronger winds, which also limits safe maritime access to nearby Double Island.”
Mr Hunt said the rebirth of Double Island as a tourism asset meant it was critical to have safe all-weather maritime access.
“The Crisafulli Government has made tourism one of its key economic drivers and this vision for Palm Cove has the potential to generate massive growth for the industry.”
Mr Hunt’s concept had support from community groups Advance Palm Cove, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Palm Cove and TTNQ, the mayor and deputy mayor.
“Currently, there are more than 10 commercial properties unoccupied,” Chamber chief executive Patricia O’Neill said of Palm Cove.
“This in itself is a negative brand image; however, we can understand the lack of enthusiasm to risk to commit to a tenancy when the foot traffic is minimal.”
Mayor Amy Eden said she supported “many elements of this vision” while deputy mayor Brett Olds said the concept “addressed decades of headaches and resolved conflicts relating to parking, safe maritime access and a place to swim year-round”.
A public meeting to discuss the concept will be held at Palm Cove Surf Club on Wednesday, from 6pm.
Originally published as Palm Cove development: New concept for jetty, lagoon and car park
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