Smithfield planning hurdles near end

A LIGHT at the end of the tunnel is now visible for a Cairns developer who has fought for five years to extend the footprint of Smithfield’s light industrial precinct.

Since 2017, David Chapman has tried to develop canefields, through his firm Eljasie, in an area long earmarked for growth by Cairns Regional Council.

But hurdles in the form of Transport and Main Roads land resumption and opposition from a nearby neighbour have meant earthworks have only recently kicked off.

A stage 1 estate with cul-desac-style access off Mount Milman Drive was meant to be 22 lots, but has been reduced to four lots after TMR resumed almost 90 per cent of the property when realigning the Smithfield Bypass to the west.

A decision notice handed down by council in July finally gave the green light to the project that adheres to the Cairns Plan and an order handed down by the Planning and Environment Court in 2018.

Mr Chapman said two of the four lots had been sold off-theplan and Eljasie was in negotiations with national outlets about the remaining two lots.

“The logical expansion of the Smithfield business district is long overdue,” Mr Chapman said. “Smithfield desperately needs more commercial land to meet the needs of the growing population. Stage 1 should see construction starting early in the New Year.”

Stage 2 is before the Planning and Environment Court and set to be finalised in 2023.

Editor’s note

The story published in the Cairns Post on November 10 sourced superseded planning documents and inaccurately stated a new industrial estate would be made up of 22 lots to have internal access. Modified plans mean the development will be four lots with access from Mount Millman Drive.

The Cairns Post apologises for the error.