Council to rule on shore upgrade
Barbecues, landscaping security in $2.9m plan for Holloways Beach
CAIRNS Regional Council will tomorrow decide on a $2.9 million plan to redevelop the Holloways Beach foreshore with new barbecue shelters, landscaping, improved lighting and CCTV security.
The proposal also includes reopening Casuarina St at the intersection of Luke St to create a new one-way northbound thoroughfare, ensuring additional room required for a new foreshore leisure trail does not impinge on green space.
Division 8 Cr Jessie Richardson said a new and safer pedestrian crossing and associated lighting would also be established further away from the Oleander St bend near the esplanade cafe than the current crossing.
“Work should start in about six weeks, and it has to be finished before June 2019 (as stipulated by Works for Queensland funding criteria),” she said.
“It’s fantastic, especially alongside all the extra work they will be doing in the area.
“There are four major projects all coming together at the same time.”
The concept formalises carparking on Casuarina St with an asphalt foundation and implements a section of the 3mwide Northern Beaches Leisure Trail along the full length of the Holloways Beach foreshore through to Hibiscus Ln.
The old playground at the southern end of the esplanade will also be replaced, alongside a new shelter and event space.
Cairns City resident Naomi Scowcroft visits the northern beaches a few times a week with her two daughters, who are always on the lookout for somewhere to rollerblade or zoom around on their scooters.
“The beaches are our happy place,” she said.
“They’re a good place for the kids to unwind and for us to have early dinners, beach walks and ice cream.
“The best thing they could do is definitely put in a path for scooters, skateboards and rollerblades.
“And there’s plenty of space there but a few more gazebos for the rainy weather would be good.”
The project’s original budget was set at $1.5 million but has since doubled after funding commitments from the State Government allowed the scope to expand.
The Holloways Beach Markets, held on every second
IT’S FANTASTIC, ESPECIALLY ALONGSIDE ALL THE EXTRA WORK THEY WILL BE DOING IN THE AREA
Monday of the month, will be temporarily relocated to the Syd and Jane Granville Park during construction.
A report to the council says the redevelopment will provide all-abilities access along the length of the foreshore as well as recreational, security and safety improvements for the entire community. TACKLING the scourge of erosion will be next on the Holloways Beach agenda after the foreshore redevelopment. Cr Richardson said she expected a report on the best methods to retain sand on the beach to be made public in a few weeks. The current sand replenishment program, which involves periodically pumping sand back on to the beach, costs more than $1 million every time. “There has to be a better option — it’s a very big issue for the locals,” she said.