Development group lobby for ‘best outcome’ for Cairns’ southern growth corridor
Immediate investment in trunk infrastructure in Cairns’ southern growth corridor could fast track 5000 homes and address the city’s housing shortage, industry leaders say. Cairns Regional Council disagrees.
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Immediate investment in trunk infrastructure in Cairns’ southern growth corridor could fast track up to 5000 homes to address the city’s crippling housing shortage, according to the region’s peak development body.
Deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie teased that a major housing announcement for Cairns was forthcoming last week, prompting speculation within the building sector that a funding commitment for the city’s southern growth corridor was near.
The council is currently seeking $150m each from the state and Commonwealth with ratepayers tipping in the same amount to help build 3800 homes in Mount Peter, south of Cairns.
But the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Far North president Nathan Lee Long said he didn’t support the council’s $450m plan, which would require a new master plan for the area and to be declared a Priority Development Area.
“Our members see the best outcome being a direct funding of infrastructure and that would facilitate houses in the quickest way possible,” Mr Lee Long said.
“What we have is an infrastructure issue where we need to fund and construct trunk infrastructure to facilitate those homes.”
Mr Lee Long said direct funding for works was the best way to ensure homes were built quickly.
“Ultimately, the immediate need is infrastructure,” Mr Lee Long said.
“We need to see sewer upgrades and new diversion trunk lines constructed in order to get housing released as soon as possible.”
Under the state government’s $12.5m Scheme Supply Fund, Cairns Regional Council was awarded $350,000 to address planning amendments aimed at addressing future population growth last week.
The state government has yet to consult the Far North building sector on the region’s last major greenfield development site, Mr Lee Long said.
“There’s been very little engagement with industry around this,” he said.
“We would hope that with any announcement that there would be in-depth engagement and consultation to facilitate the state and industry working together.”
Following the release of the council’s budget last month, mayor Amy Eden said the council’s plan would ensure the southern growth corridor was properly planned and developed sequentially.
“If they’re (the state government) in the tent with us, we’re going through that journey together,” Ms Eden said.
“From that point of view, we believe that it will be faster.”
Mr Lee Long said the median housing price in Townsville was about $150,000 less than Cairns, with limited housing supply pricing many residents in the Far North out of the market.
Meanwhile, Cairns Regional Council is closing in on appointing its next planning director following the resignation of Ed Johnson in June.
It’s understood that a strong field of about 30 applicants, featuring both internal and external candidates, have applied, with recruitment agency Davidson assisting in the selection process.
Council CEO Ken Gouldthorp is chairing the selection panel and an appointment is expected soon.
Mr Johnson’s successor will play a critical role in shaping the future of Cairns.
In addition to helping determine the direction of development in the Mt Peter region, the incoming director will be responsible for leading plans to build a new waste transfer station following the Bedminster blaze in January.
They will also be responsible for guiding the completion of the city’s $472m water security project.
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