Innisfail Chamber of Commerce masterplan prioritises CBD to river connection

Connecting Innisfail’s CBD to the Esplande to attract a new water-based industry to town has been revealed as a key priority for Innisfail’s Chamber of Commerce. Here’s the plan.

CONNECTING the CBD to the Johnstone River esplanade and a massive town clean-up were revealed as the priorities when Innisfail Chamber of Commerce released its masterplan this week.

The 2021-2022 masterplan handed down by second-term president Nadine Pacini included the ambitious goal of launching a “blue economy” following a “revitalised riverfront”.

“Talking to businesses, they want to see this town cleaned up, more signs and information for people,” Ms Pacini said.

She said the completion and opening of the Cane Cutter building would be vital to the chamber’s vision of connecting the town’s centre to the river.

An aerial view of Innisfail including the Johnstone River. Picture: Brendan Radke

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“Our river is our biggest asset in Innisfail. We’re looking at bringing in night markets in the CaneCutter court.

“And then along the river we want to see how we can bring in more shops and cafes.

“I would love to see a splash pad on the river, somewhere near the skate park.

“We’re still waiting for the CaneCutter to be completed. That’s going to be a vital link.”

Ms Pacini said that following an on-land boost, the focus would shift to making the most of the underused Johnstone River

“Then we want to be encouraging the blue economy. So there’s talk of works in the river so that we can bring in larger vessels. But there’s negotiations happening with that right now.

“That would be like your yachts and bigger boats being able to moor in the river. And then Innisfail would be able to provide services for them.

“With Cairns getting quite clotted, we are the next best option. We’re the closest to the Reef, and years ago there was talk of Quicksilver coming here.”

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Originally published as Innisfail Chamber of Commerce masterplan prioritises CBD to river connection