DARK SIDE OF ‘BRIGHT’

WITH respect to the article “Future Looking Bright” (CP, 3/12), I invite a reporter to speak with me or other residents in the vicinity of the proposed development, particularly those in any of the 10 single-story dwellings that will be living in the shadow of this fourstorey monstrosity. Significant concerns have been raised by residents to council.

The development site is on both flood hazard and bushfire potential impact buffer zones. Building 22 units on this site only erodes our city’s disaster resilience, particularly under future climate change scenarios. With surrounding drainage networks in Izatt Close and Woodward St already at capacity in the wet season, residents fear the proposal will increase risk of urban flooding.

Engineering reports estimate traffic flow in Izatt Close will almost double if the proposal goes ahead. The narrow cul-de-sac will become dangerous, especially with the increased likelihood of cars parking on the street.

The sheer size of the proposed building will be out of keeping with the character and amenity of the area, and the tranquil, community feel will be ruined. The leafy streetscape will be destroyed by a 14.8m-tall eyesore.

To add insult, the proposal is code assessable, meaning residents have no formal right to appeal. They are at the mercy of Cairns Regional Council Development and Planning Division, who may approve the application even if it doesn’t comply with assessment benchmarks.

These reasons should shed some light on why the future is not looking so bright for residents of Izatt Close and Edge Hill.

Peter Christensen, Edge Hill