Why do we need a different approach to urban change in Cairns?
Cairns, a unique tropical city, faces challenges like rapid population growth, environmental sensitivity, and limited land availability. Striking a balance between urban development and preserving the city's natural beauty and cultural heritage is essential. Because Cairns is enclosed by world heritage rainforests and mountains to the west and the ocean to the east, the city's development is restricted to a narrow corridor, resulting in a long, thin suburban landscape. Large houses with diminishing household sizes create suburbs with insufficient population bases to justify infrastructure investments. Continuing with this approach will also consume valuable farmland and compel residents to travel greater distances for jobs and services. The most sustainable solution is to house most of the future population in the right locations within Cairns’ existing footprint, close to jobs, services and transport.
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