Cairns Esplanade traffic: Council decision to lock down cars
Cruising down the Esplanade in your souped-up Mustang just got tricky after a bombshell decision from Cairns Regional Council. JOIN THE CONVERSATION
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CRUISING down the Esplanade in your souped-up Mustang just got tricky after a bombshell decision to shut down the heart of the glitter strip.
Cairns Regional Council has finally come to split decision on what to do about cars along on the $28m outdoor dining precinct after weeks of speculation.
All non-commercial traffic will be banned between Shields and Aplin streets at all times every day.
However, commercial vehicles will be permitted at any time with a 10km/h speed limit.
The decision – made when Mayor Bob Manning broke the gridlock with his deciding vote – did not sit well with Division 5 councillor Amy Eden.
She had tried and failed to get an alternative motion across the line that would have led to a closure to all traffic from 11am-11pm.
Outside those hours, any vehicle would have been able to drive through the area with a 10km/h speed limit.
“We created a precinct to integrate the dining precinct into the parklands and intimately link them, and this unfortunately takes that away,” she said.
Cr Eden urged the council to review the decision in three months, citing concerns from Esplanade traders about the total loss of vehicular traffic.
Division 9 councillor Brett Olds was on her side.
“We’re taking something away 100 per cent from residents instead of just for a limited time,” he argued.
In the end, it was the council officers’ recommended resolution that got up.
Division 7 councillor Max O’Halloran said the council would get raked over the coals no matter what decision it made.
“I think Shields St is the perfect example – whenever we close a street, we get flogged,” he said.
“It’s one we don’t win, no matter what way we go.”
He said he would have preferred speed-detecting “smiley face” signs to be installed, similar to the ones in Collins Ave in Edge Hill.
“I think we’re on a hiding to nothing if we close it,” he lamented.
However, he wound up supporting the 24-7 closure to all non-commercial vehicles.
Police, traders and traffic engineers had all stated urgent steps needed to be taken to improve safety before a pedestrian was killed on the road.
No-entry signs will be erected at the entrance to the area, rather than time-set bollards that would have been used if a total 11am-11pm lockdown was introduced.
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