Skate rink on thin ice because of parking
PLANS for a permanent ice skating attraction in Cairns have been slowed up over parking issues.
Ken Jensen, who owns Frozen Wonderland in Townsville and operated a successful rink at the Cairns Showgrounds during the school holidays, has hit a roadblock with Cairns Regional Council refusing initial approval of the venture.
Council planners said there was not enough on-site or street parking to accommodate expected numbers of up to 60 skaters per session at the Adelaide St site.
“We’ve signed a lease on it for the next nine years, subject to approval,” Mr Jensen said.
“We could reduce numbers to 20 per session, that would reduce parking issues. But on Friday you can shoot a gun up the street, there is no one there.
“If the council introduced timed parking there would be room for every business.”
More than 10,000 people headed to Mr Jensen’s attraction through the Easter holidays.
The council’s planning and environment general manager Kelly Reaston said officers were “always happy to work with proponents of new businesses”.
“However we have planning guidelines that we need to work within. The current onstreet and off-street car parking in the area does not meet those guidelines,” she said.
“We have met with the proponent in this instance and advised of parking requirements and have offered to work through the requirements with him.”