Cairns Esplanade traffic shutdown: Crystalbrook, traders have their say

Traders have thrown support behind the impending Esplanade dining precinct traffic shutdown – even if there is some confusion about how it will be policed.

TRADERS have thrown support behind the impending Esplanade dining precinct traffic shutdown – even if there is some confusion about how it will be policed.

Crystalbrook Collection has been calling for a pedestrian-only zone to be established between Shields and Aplin streets since its Flynn hotel was still under construction.

Cairns Regional Council has closed the Esplanade outdoor dining precinct to cars, following the completion of its multimillion dollar facelift. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Regional Council’s decision to keep the street open to commercial vehicles is a partial win, even if Crystalbrook CEO Geoff York had been calling for a total shutdown during peak hours.

“It’s just a matter of how do they stop anyone coming down who’s not delivering, or who doesn’t know or see the commercial traffic-only sign?” he asked.

Churro Time restaurateur Daniel Rhodes had similar concerns but said the decision was a win for the city.

He had personally seen too many near-misses involving children to not support a change.

“It’s perfect,” he said.

“Even if only 90 per cent of people know about it, you might get the odd straggler but I think this is the only way to do it.”

Mr Rhodes said the all-access decision for commercial vehicles was a commonsense move, not just for deliveries.

“I had some tradies here today and they had to go back to their cars a few times,” he said. “Imagine if they had to walk all the way back to Abbott St.”

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Originally published as Cairns Esplanade traffic shutdown: Crystalbrook, traders have their say