Esplanade win for trade
THE closure of part of Cairns’ glitter strip to general traffic has been labelled a “big win” for business and safety.
Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill said the overwhelming response from chamber members prior to council’s decision this week was that allowing the section of the Esplanade to remain open to all vehicles was a potential safety hazard.
Cairns Regional Council on Wednesday voted to ban all non-commercial traffic on the Esplanade between Shields and Aplin streets in a decision that came down to the wire.
Ms O’Neill said the fact the road didn’t look like a road made it difficult for families with young children who were unable to differentiate between the two.
“People weren’t in favour of the whole Esplanade closing … but were very much in favour of creating that proper fivestar dining precinct look, in a safe way,” she said. “What the council have done is definitely a big win, and the retailers will benefit from it.”
Ms O’Neill said young families in particular would feel better about the reduced traffic.
“I think those that have been put off going down with their families will now feel not only a level of safety but a willingness to stay longer and therefore that will result in a positive uplift in trade,” she said. “It’s a beautiful precinct and to have people hooning up and down it takes away the look of that five-star look and feel of the precinct.”
A council spokesman said the changes would come into effect from Wednesday, December 15, following a notification period and installation of the required signage.
“The Esplanade Dining Precinct roadway will be restricted to commercial vehicles and limited to a 10km/h speed limit where pedestrians have right of way (shared zone),” he said.
The council decision – made when Mayor Bob Manning broke the gridlock with his deciding vote – did not sit well with some councillors.
Division 5 councillor Amy Eden urged the council to review the decision in three months, citing concerns from some traders about the total loss of vehicular traffic.