Cairns CBD development: Gallery precinct secret trigger for population density

Mayor Bob Manning has his heart set on one key project to make the Cairns CBD a place more people want to live.

MAYOR Bob Manning has his heart set on one key project to make the Cairns CBD a place more people want to live.

His push to develop a $40 million gallery precinct linking Abbott St to the Esplanade has so far failed to secure state or federal funding.

However, Cr Manning says it is a matter of when, not if, the project goes ahead and builds on the city’s cultural transformation.

“We’ve got to keep moving – we can’t sit back and wait for something to happen,” he said.

“That’s going to be huge for us.”

Inner-city life already has its devotees but there is plenty of room for more.

Cairns City leaders want to increase the population density of the CBD, creating an area where Cairns residents live, work and play. Pier Bar supervisor Reilly Davis lives and works in the CBD. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

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Pier Bar supervisor Reilly Davis moved straight to the central business district when he first shifted to Cairns.

“I chose it because it was available and it was so accessible to the city,” he said.

“I can walk anywhere and I really don’t need a car.

“That position has made everything really easy, especially to get to work.”

Mr Davis was happy to be back at work after months in lockdown and hoped locals, tourists and even an influx of new CBD dwellers would make the most of their newly regained freedom.

Originally published as Cairns CBD development: Gallery precinct secret trigger for population density