Cairns water park plan: New Paradise Palms masterplan launch
A revamped $300 million plan to transform Paradise Palms will be launched today with the promise of a massive boost to the struggling Cairns economy — and a water park.
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A REVAMPED $300 million plan to transform Paradise Palms into a world-class residential and tourism precinct will be launched today with the promise of a massive boost to the struggling Cairns economy.
The controversial golf course conversion project has undergone a major shift since its first iteration, with a significant increase in green space, a major caravan park and a sprawling water park with about a dozen slides, children’s splash areas and a swimming lagoon.
SEE THE FULL PARADISE PALMS WATER PARK PLAN
Owner and developer Darren Halpin says the new vision will create hundreds of jobs during construction and more upon completion, injecting $34 million into the economy each year with 95,000 new visitors to Cairns expected to visit the tourist attraction.
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The community will be known as The Palms, with 34ha of open space — a little more than 30 per cent of the entire property — available for the public to use.
“The Palms offers everything from meeting places in cafes, restaurants and bars, to kilometres of walking and cycling trails,” Mr Halpin said.
“And children will be in wonderland with the magnificent water park and adventure playground we have designed.
“It is sure to give great joy for many generations to come.”
A caravan park and motorhome precinct is planned, as well as short-stay villas for visitors or locals looking for a mini “staycation”.
The original plan for the site made no mention of a tourist park but included 557 residential lots with an average size of 610sq m.
That number has now reduced to 295 lots with an average size of 661sq m.
The development has been one of the most fiercely fought projects in the city’s history with neighbouring residents launching a petition with thousands of signatures calling for the land to be retained as green space, if not a golf course.
Mr Halpin said he had overwhelming support from the wider community and, if the project received Cairns Regional Council approval late next month, he intended to start construction early next year.
“We are local and ready to get started,” he said.
“This is no pie in the sky idea, this project is shovel ready.
“We just need the people of Cairns to let council know they want it, so we can get the approvals in place to commence work and get this exciting project under way.”
A display centre will be established in the Paradise Palms Clubhouse and a series of shopping centre pop-up stations will take place over coming weeks to share details of the project with locals.
“We encourage everyone to come out and chat to us and see what we have in store,” Mr Halpin said.
“We know that when they see the plans with their own eyes, they will be just as excited as we are.”
Mr Halpin also hinted at plans to open a new purpose-built primary school in the neighbourhood, with announcements expected in the coming weeks.
The controversial golf course conversion project has undergone a major shift since its first iteration, with a significant increase in green space, a major caravan park and a sprawling water park with 12 slides, children’s splash areas and a swimming lagoon.
Owner and developer Darren Halpin says the new vision will create hundreds of jobs during construction and more upon completion, injecting $34m into the economy each year with 95,000 new visitors to Cairns expected to visit the tourist attraction.
The community will be known as The Palms, with 34ha of open space – a little more than 30 per cent of the entire property – available for the public to use.
“The Palms offers everything from meeting places in cafes, restaurants and bars, to kilometres of walking and cycling trails,” Mr Halpin said.
“And children will be in wonderland with the magnificent water park and adventure playground we have designed.
“It is sure to give great joy for many generations to come.”
A caravan park and motorhome precinct is planned, as well as short-stay villas for visitors or locals looking for a mini “staycation”.
The original plan for the site made no mention of a tourist park but included 557 residential lots with an average size of 610sq m. That number has now reduced to 295 lots with an average size of 661sq m.
The development has been one of the most fiercely fought projects in the city’s history with neighbouring residents launching a petition with thousands of signatures calling for the land to be retained as green space, if not a golf course.
Originally published as Cairns water park plan: New Paradise Palms masterplan launch
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