Let’s hear the voices of south

CAIRNS is in a difficult situation where we want and need as much development as we can get without letting absolute shockers through to the keeper.

COVID-19 is set to take a sledgehammer to the city’s employment rate and wider economy, and anything that can be done to stimulate the flow of money should be considered.

Cairns Regional Council is doing the right thing and looking at ways to incentivise small, quick “mum and dad” developments by cutting fees and targeting areas of the city earmarked for strategic growth.

At the same time, it is reviewing its CBD masterplan and fielding growing calls from northern beaches residents who want a return to the good old days when the planning scheme had suburb-specific overlays determining what could and could not go ahead.

There is a risk among all of this northern noise that the southern suburbs get overlooked, as they so often have over the decades.

The northern beaches always seem to have the most outspoken communities when it comes to planning matters.

Maybe it is the culture, and it likely has a lot to do with the fact that those suburbs have the beachside appeal that inspires developers to push that little bit harder to see what they can get away with.

Either way, residents of the southern suburbs need to make their voices heard loud and clear to avoid playing second fiddle to those more affluent and vocal areas.

The council’s upcoming Our Cairns survey in about October will be the best way to ensure the southern suburbs are not drowned out once again — but participation will be key.