Council to test appetite for Esplanade dining
AN impressive vision for the Cairns Esplanade has been revealed with new concept artwork showing the city’s dining precinct transformed into a bustling hive of activity. This morning’s Cairns Regional Council meeting will decide if the community should be consulted on the new proposal and the council goes ahead with a new CBD master plan.
A STRIKING vision for the Cairns Esplanade has been revealed, with new concept art showing the city’s gastronomic epicentre transformed into a bustling dining precinct.
This morning’s Cairns Regional Council meeting will decide whether to put the new concept out for community consultation and push ahead with a new CBD master plan.
A stretch between Spence and Aplin streets has been earmarked for the upgrade, with wider and more accessible footpaths, a snaking road replacing the current straight thoroughfare and extended outdoor dining areas.
The most controversial element of the proposed upgrade – shutting down the stretch of road to vehicle traffic at night – has not been implemented.
Instead there will be the option to close the Esplanade during specific events, similar to what happened for Festival 2018 during the Commonwealth Games.
“The Esplanade dining precinct project will enhance the best features of the existing Esplanade outdoor dining area,” a new council report says.
“The dining area will be expanded to provide space for additional dining and seating, improve views to the parklands and increase pedestrian connections.
“The design will allow the Esplanade roadway to remain open for one-way vehicle traffic and also provide the opportunity for temporary closure of the road to create a public event space when needed.
“The design will link into Shields Street and complete the interface with the earlier Shields Street Heart project.”
Crystalbrook Collection acting CEO Geoff York has urged the council to fast-track the project and to seriously consider the nocturnal traffic shutdown proposal. The Cairns Post understands the full work could be up to a year away.
The design was influenced by more than 5800 residents who took part in a consultation process in 2018.
“Council heard that when dining outdoors at the Esplanade people greatly value the parkland and waterfront views, the relaxed, casual dining experience, and the lively and vibrant atmosphere,” the report says.