Advance Cairns CEO Dr Paul Sparshott talks public transport and urban density

Advance Cairns CEO Dr Paul Sparshott has a vision for the Coral Sea city but if leaders don’t act fast, we might all be bearing the cost.

DR PAUL Sparshott has a vision for Cairns.

The new Advance Cairns CEO said the Coral Sea city had to act quickly or become an example of bad planning, dominated by sprawl and devoid of green space.

The key, he said was smart densification, eco friendly planning and a shift to integrated public transport.

“Even though we are advocating for roads we are chasing our tails,” Dr Sparshott said.
“When we build a new road new development happens and congestion follows, we only get five years of relief.

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“It all comes down to transport. If we develop in a lineal route, commute times get longer and longer.

“We need to move away from the old transport by road in a car into more modern principals, develop good quality public transport to connect our communities.

“We are very car dominated.”

Smart urban and public transport models are increasingly recognised internationally as the key to ensuring liveable cities.

“We need to look at integrated transport and urban planning together,” Dr Sparshott said.

“Current leaders see it as a long way away and it’s too expensive, but we need to start planning now.

“By 2040 this city will look completely different. We need to plan how this city will look 30 years out.

“We can’t wait or we won’t have green space; it needs to happen faster and be collaborative.

“In other parts of the world there is an increase in densification closer to the city.

“On the Gold Coast they have a light rail with villages and good densification around the stations.

“The quality of public transport is not what is happening in other cities around the world.”

He said Cairns has found itself in a position not shared by many western populations.

“Cairns is pretty unique for a western country (city) in a tropical environment,” Dr Sparshott said.

“Probably Singapore is the closest city that is semi westernised. It is quite a liveable city.”

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Earlier this year Dr Sparshott began his role at Advance Cairns, drawing on a background in urban planning and transport infrastructure.

His private advisory firm, Katarno, has worked on projects including Gold Coast light rail, the development of eco-towns and other transport initiatives.

“The city needs to look at how it intends to grow and expand,” Dr Sparshott said.

“I think it is time to start the conversation about where Cairns is heading into the future.

“It is a lineal city and very confined to its base of flatlands. We are developing on a very narrow strip of coastal land that is rapidly diminishing.”

Advance Cairns has been energetically pushing for major infrastructure projects in the Far North, and with the upcoming and as yet unannounced federal election, is keeping a keen eye on how candidates will tackle the big two; health and the ports.

“Our number one priority is the marine precinct; watch that space, there will be a lot of things being done, driven by what is coming out of Defence at HMAS Cairns and we will be strongly advocating,” Dr Sparshott said.

“The other one is the Cairns University Hospital, particularly if JCU can get additional medical places.

“There is a lot of master planning and we are part of the steering committee.

“That is really exciting and could be a game changer for Cairns.

“Health is already one of our biggest employers.”

Another hidden but rapidly approaching concern is how the region can continue to export its product.

In March, the federal government’s International Freight Assistance Mechanism was extended to the spring.

“The IFAM has been extended to September,” Dr Sparshott said.

“After that do we drop of a cliff? I hope not.”

Data by the Department of Infrastructure revealed that the 90 per cent reduction of international passenger flights due to Covid was immediately felt by Far Northern exporters.

“At the moment food is going out in subsidised freight planes; how do we get our food out?
“We are a food hub and have some great produce but how do we get it on those planes?”

Originally published as Advance Cairns CEO Dr Paul Sparshott talks public transport and urban density