State funding to fix Cairns council’s ‘$25m hole’ caused by TC Jasper included in election priorities

The push for political candidates to back major projects in the Far North is on with Cairns councillors set to spend the next 23 days spruiking seven advocacy priorities ahead of the state election.

Ellis Beach was one of dozens of communities in Cairns that were adversely affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December. The coastal community was smashed by landslides caused by flooding rain which took weeks to clean. Picture: Brendan Radke

The push for political candidates to back major projects and disaster funding in the Far North is on, with Cairns councillors spending the next three weeks spruiking seven advocacy priorities ahead of the state election.

In July, the council outlined its case for key initiatives, with further support following TC Jasper, a major sporting precinct and a Palm Cove entrance statement included in its wishlist.

Cairns Regional Council Division One councillor Brett Moller says ratepayers will be forced to pay for damage caused by the Far North flood in December if the state and federal government provide further assistance. Picture: Brendan Radke

Division 1 councillor Brett Moller said the pitch constituted a “modest ask” for the region with additional funding following December’s cyclone and flood event still desperately needed.

“Our ask in terms of dollars is not that much,” Mr Moller said.

“They’re important projects to us and, without any bias, they should all get up. We really do need to understand the funding arrangements for recovery from Jasper.

“The community is still struggling out there. We’re struggling in terms of infrastructure and we know any shortfall will come back to our residents and ratepayers will have to bear the brunt of that.”

Cairns Regional Council’s Deputy Mayor Brett Olds is advocating strongly for a Palm Cove entrance statement. Picture: Brendan Radke

Deputy Mayor Brett Olds backed the call, declaring that the council faced a “$25m hole in our budget” caused by the natural disaster if the next state government didn’t provide more support.

The council’s director of economic development and advocacy Nick Masasso said 10 months on from TC Jasper, significant gaps had emerged in funding arrangements provided by the state and federal governments, including for public infrastructure.

“There are packages that have been provided for other events in other regions previously,” Mr Masasso said.

Renderings of a proposed entrance statement for Palm Cove have been released, one of Cairns Regional Council's top advocacy priorities. Picture: Supplied.

Meanwhile, Mr Olds said a groundswell of support for the northern beaches entrance statement was growing.

“Tourism Tropical North Queensland have backed it,” he said.

“They’ve done some concept drawings. I know that the Cairns Chamber of Commerce is behind us as well.

“I spoke to the Main Roads Minister’s (Bart Mellish) office and they said they are taking it seriously and considering it.”

Councillors commended the LNP for pledging $14m for an expanded trail network at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park and called on Labor to match the election promise.

“These are all good asks and they’ve all been well-researched,” Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan said.

A council report said 941 homes were damaged by floodwaters in December.

Cairns Regional Council’s State Election Advocacy Priorities

Cairns Community and Multicultural Centre

State to contribute $4m towards the project’s estimated construction cost (~$8m) under a joint (50/50) funding arrangement with council.

Concept plans for the Community Development and High Performance Centre in the Barlow Park precinct. Photo: Supplied.

Major Events Precinct

State to support the establishment of a high-performance facility within the Major Events Precinct adjacent to Barlow Park. State to fund the Major Events Precinct Masterplan.

Destination Mountain Biking

State commitment of $14m to deliver an expanded trail network at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. State to deliver a parking solution for the Wangetti Trail Southern Trailhead.

The Barron River in Cairns, Far North Queensland, reached a record flood peak, with roads closed and homes flooded in the catchment area on Sunday, December 17. Picture: Brendan Radke

TC Jasper Recovery Funding

State (in conjunction with the federal government where appropriate) to fund recovery activities through a range of category D DRFA funding programs for restoration of community assets, flood resiliency and build back better initiatives.

An aerial view of the Rocky Creek precinct of the burgeoning Pinecrest housing estate in Mount Peter. Picture: Supplied

Housing

State to declare a Priority Development Area over the Mount Peter Southern Growth Corridor and work collaboratively with the council, industry and other stakeholders on planning and infrastructure delivery within this PDA to support long term housing supply.

Palm Cove Entrance Statement

State to deliver an entrance statement for Palm Cove/Great Barrier Reef Drive (Cnr Captain Cook Highway and Palm Cove Boulevard).

Community Sporting Facilities

State to partner with Council on joint (50/50) funding for a range of community infrastructure projects including the Leisure Precinct Smithfield, Redlynch Community Sporting Precinct, Jeff Pezzutti Park Youth Activity Space

Originally published as State funding to fix Cairns council’s ‘$25m hole’ caused by TC Jasper included in election priorities