Rejig for MiHaven project

DESPITE praising other projects by a prolific Cairns developer, the city’s council has voted against its latest modern residential development.

MiHaven’s plans for eight two bedroom, two bathroom units at 30 Lily St were rejected last week after council planners decided it did not meet a majority of the development code’s provisions, including ample recreational space.

Director Sarah Mort said there was also an issue with the design sitting too close to a setback at the rear of the block and the team would redesign the proposal and submit it again.

She remained confident the build would go ahead given Cairns’ lack of housing stock.

“Airbnb has taken a huge chuck of rental stock out of the market and we are now running at 1 per cent vacancy rates,” she said. “This town is an accommodation town and that doesn’t mean everyone is an owner-occupier. There are transient people who are subsidised with rent, they are good tenants with no intention to buy.”

Each unit in the Lily St development would have a patio/ outdoor dining space, storage, laundry and a carparking space.

Cr Terry James moved the motion to reject the development application.

“This applicant has a record of creating a great product … but in this instance it does not meet most development codes,” he said. “I think with some redesign … we will be able to support the applicant in future.”

Council’s planning and environment general manager Kelly Reaston said the development’s reliance on the nearby Esplanade and Tobruk Pool for recreational space was an issue.