Cairns Bluewater subdivision: Trinity Beach’s newest homes so close they almost touch

An underfed greyhound would have to suck its guts in to squeeze between some of the homes being crammed into new subdivisions in Cairns - but it appears the developments are all up to code.

AN UNDERFED greyhound would have to suck its guts in to squeeze between some of the homes being crammed into new subdivisions in Cairns - but it appears the developments are all up to code.

Trinity Beach residents have expressed serious concerns about some of the properties being built in the newest neighbourhood of Bluewater, called The Reserve.

Some houses on Shipmate Dr are so close they are almost touching - and the minuscule gap is certainly too tight to fit a conventional lawnmower or allow enough sunlight for a small garden.

Mary Petersen, who describes herself as “a disgusted local”, said she feared the long-term effects of approving such close-quarters neighbourhoods.

“How do you put in a dividing fence, paint the house, clear your guttering?” she asked.

“Then go to the (tiny) backyard to plant a garden or, God forbid, a tree.

“Where are two cars going to park? The garbage truck collect rubbish?

“Who is running the planning department of Cairns Regional Council?”

The answer to that final question is interim planning and environment general manager Martin Garred, who took on the temporary role after the shock resignation of the department’s former top dog Kelly Reaston in October last year.

Mr Garred said such matters were out of the council’s hands and relied on the State Government’s Queensland Development Code (QDC).

Another wall-to-wall set of houses in Shipmate Dr, Trinity Beach. Picture: Chris Calcino

That code states new homes must generally be built at least 1.5m apart - but Mr Garred said that did not apply in every case.

The Shipmate Dr properties in question did meet those standards.

“The QDC allows non-habitable parts of a dwelling, such as a garage, to be built to the boundary of a property in certain circumstances,” he said.

“These (Shipmate Dr properties) are self-assessable under the QDC and would have been given final approval by a building certifier.

“Building certifiers, and not council, are responsible for issuing the final approval for dwelling houses and ensuring that the design and construction complies with the approved plans before issuing a certificate of occupancy.”

The Reserve is the newest neighbourhood within the Bluewater subdivision in Trinity Beach. Picture: Chris Calcino

While it does not have any statutory authority on such matters, it is clear these wall-to-wall developments are not what the council wants for its city.

Mr Garred said the council strongly encouraged quality and well-designed residential development that reflected the unique character of Cairns.

“This intent was demonstrated through council’s recent publication of the Designing for Density in the Tropics Design Guide,” he said. “The guide provides the community, council, developers, design professionals and builders with practical guidance on designing residential developments that are appropriate for Cairns and its tropical climate.

“While the design guideline is not statutory, it provides design responses that make a home more pleasant to live in and outlines some very simple measures which developers can adopt to achieve good quality design and that inherently reflects the Cairns tropical character.”

Population density is on the rise in Cairns with subdivisions like this one in Mount Peter seen as crucial to the city being able to grow. There is also a growing appetite for small yards among certain buyers - not least because of the reduced cost. Picture: Brendan Radke

Division 9 councillor Brett Olds said he was appalled by the fact the local government’s hands were tied.

“There’s no accountability on developers, or on council because now everything is done by the certifier,” he said.

“Once the certifier signs off on it, that’s it.

“It’s just a big roundabout where no one is culpable, and we get these terrible outcomes like this.

“Even if you really wanted carports that close, why not make it a common wall with a gabled top?

“That’s way better than that gap with all the weeds and rats you’ll get in there.

“You can’t mow it, you can’t maintain it and it will just go to muck.”

Originally published as Cairns Bluewater subdivision: Trinity Beach’s newest homes so close they almost touch