Resort fury

Council has difficult decision to make amid fierce objection to Palm Cove proposal

You only need to read some of the 300 submissions regarding a proposal to build a resort in Palm Cove, to understand the level of emotion attached to it.

More than 300 submissions objecting to the proposal have been sent to Cairns Regional Council ahead of public exhibition closing on Wednesday.

The 120-room resort would include a gym and day spa, pool bar, and boutique retail, restaurant and conference facilities.

Cynthia Cole is one of the many who have campaigned against the proposal.

She maintains her and the rest of the objectors are not antidevelopment.

They don’t, however, want to anything “higher than a palm tree” built.

That has long been the sentiment of those living in the northern beaches village.

In February the developers said they wanted Palm Cove to remain in essence “in its current idyllic village atmosphere with its low rise buildings”.

The developers have scaled back an eight-storey resort with a height of 28m to a six storey resort with a height of 20m.

The development was first proposed in 2020 when council issued developers with “further issues” of concerns that needed addressing.

The developer responded with a new document five days before the deadline in February 2023.

Council officers have a difficult decision to make once submissions close on Wednesday before presenting its recommendations to a future council meeting.

Whether the developers have done enough to satisfy council’s requirements, is unclear.

But it’s evident many people don’t believe it should get the tick.

Developments are important, and a region will only be able to grow if they are approved.

Gerhard Labuschagne said a new development would bring new energy but was concerned about the height.

When making its decision, it would be remiss of council not to recognise the investment Palm Cove residents have in getting this right.

It’s important Cairns Regional Council weighs that up before making the final call.