The Cairns region’s new planning scheme will take effect on 1 March, following the 24th of February 2016 adoption of the long-anticipated plan.
Sustainable growth key to new CairnsPlan.
CairnsPlan 2016 sets a clear direction for the region’s development, supporting sustainable growth while maintaining the characteristics that make Cairns a lifestyle city.
“After three rounds of extensive public consultation, two State Government checks and several technical studies, Council is confident that this Planning Scheme reflects both the wants and needs of the community while catering to further growth and development,” Council CEO Peter Tabulo said.
“The objective of the plan is to ensure the right development happens in the right place to support future population and infrastructure needs.”
Through tropical urbanism principles, CairnsPlan 2016 encourages building design that draws inspiration from the natural environment and brings elements of the rainforest into the city centre.
Council received advice from the State Government last week that approval had been granted for the adoption of the new planning scheme and confirmed the removal of the Behana Gorge Key Resource Area (KRA), which was the subject of thousands of public submissions.
More than 6780 formal submissions were received across the life of the draft plan. This is in addition to more than 1400 people attending forums and information sessions and a range of other forms of feedback. All public contributions were taken into consideration during the drafting of the scheme.
Council started drafting the new scheme in 2011 and has worked closely with the Queensland Government and professional industry bodies throughout the lengthy process.
CairnsPlan 2016 will be implemented as of Tuesday 1 March 2016. Development applications lodged prior to 1 March will be assessed under the 2009 planning scheme.
