Developer reveals Taylor Point move
TAYLOR Point owner Robert Prettejohn has applied to start developing part of the 18.81ha headland at Trinity Beach but residents have not given up the fight to have the land put in public hands.
The land has been on the market for $8m for some time.
Mr Prettejohn lodged a development application with Cairns Regional Council late last year for operational works to create six lots, all of more than 1000sq m, on the southern part of the land, adjoining Mararna St.
Council responded with an information request, saying “officers hold significant concerns with the proposal in its current form” and seeking more detail on water, stormwater, traffic, electrical drawings, refuse collection, vegetation and public open space.
The development has been on the cards since 2012 and has 3.08ha allocated as park for coastal protection purposes.
Trinity Beach resident Annabel Brittain created a petition to have the state government buy Taylor Point, but Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon has categorically ruled it out, saying it did not have significant conservation values.
Ms Brittain said if the six blocks were developed and sold, the $8m price tag of the overall parcel of land would hopefully be reduced.
“We found out there will still be a track in to Taylor
Point, but if he owns the beach, will the public have access to beach?” she said.
Fellow resident Eugenie Navarre said the Mararna St section was an “easy start”.
“This is just a section of the entire development; it is a very easy beginning because there isn’t the huge challenge of steep slopes,” Ms Navarre said.
“Part of the beach people normally use will be privately owned and closed to public,” she said.
She said she hoped a philanthropist such as climate activist Simon Holmes a Court would buy the land.
“We are really at a bit of a stalemate,” Ms Navarre said.
Barron River MP Craig Crawford said while he respected the minister’s decision, “it doesn’t mean we are out of options”.
“It doesn’t mean the gates are shut; we could look at getting at least part of it for public use with council as caretaker,” Mr Craig said.
Taylor Point was left to the Anglican Church by Josephine Blessas when she died in 1969.
But the Anglican Church sold the land to Mr Prettejohn in 1996 for a reported $3.2m.
Mr Prettejohn was contacted for comment.
IT DOESN’T MEAN THE GATES ARE SHUT; WE COULD LOOK AT GETTING AT LEAST PART OF IT FOR PUBLIC USE WITH COUNCIL AS CARETAKER
BARRON MP CRAIG CRAWFORD