Water, roads, and housing: The key challenges as Cairns population grows

Cairns is growing, but with new population growth predictions tipping more than 60,000 new residents by 2046 there is work to be done to make sure the region is ready for them. Read the biggest challenges ahead for Cairns.

Water, Roads and Housing have been highlighted as key issues that will need to be addressed as cairns population continues to grow.

Experts say housing, roads and water infrastructure will be the biggest challenges for Cairns if the population soars to 230,000 in two decades.

New population growth predictions estimate there will be 60,000 new residents to the region by 2046.

But Regional Development Australia Tropical North chair Hurriyet Babacan said housing would need to be addressed for that to happen.

“Housing is a big issue and in order to have better migration outcomes we need to have the right homes,” Ms Babacan said.

New home construction at Mt Peter Estate in the Cairns southern growth corridor. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We already have issues with housing and I know a number of examples of people who have moved away from the region because they have not found suitable accommodation.

“We are losing people with skills due to housing ... we will need to look at medium density housing to help solve some of the issues with a growth in population.”

FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils executive officer Darlene Irvine said

the appropriateness of dwelling types was key to growth.

“We need to look at one to two bedroom units that make better use of the existing assets under the ground,” she said.

FNQROC Darlene Irvine.

Ms Irvine also highlighted the need for adequate roads and water infrastructure.

“Cairns is a linear coastal city meaning it is limited in the way it can only grow longer not wider,” Ms Irvine said.

“How we access our services such as the hospital and universities are becoming more difficult as we move out from the centre.

“We will get to a stage were we will need to look at things like a hospital in our southern growth corridor.

“At the moment our road network doesn’t compare to others as we don't have many alternative access routes to the centre meaning if you get stuck there is no getting around it.”

Ms Irvine said there was opportunity to expand to Kuranda.

“Kuranda is just as close to hospital as Gordonvale and it is closer to JCU so there is opportunity there,” she said.

Traffic driving on the stretch of Kennedy Highway between Smithfield and Kuranda, better know as the Kuranda Range Road. Heavy vehicles including trucks, buses and caravans, as well as cars frequently use the roadway. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Whenever you talk about growth in the region you need to talk about water. We get a lot of rainfall in this region but have nowhere to store it,” Ms Irvine said.

“We will need to look at new water storage options as a way to manage our urban water needs.”

Southern Cross Reservoir Services staff work on the Smithfield water tower PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS

Ms Irvine said the region must focus on attracting the right people.

“Nurturing and planning for these opportunities in health, marine, defence, aviation, space and agriculture will ensure we set up our region to be sustainable in the future,” she said.

“And part of that planning is adjusting the housing portfolio for what we need.”

Originally published as Water, roads, and housing: The key challenges as Cairns population grows