New battle to keep character of ’special area’
BATTLE lines are being drawn in Edge Hill yet again after a proposal to turn one of f the prestige suburb’s characterr cottages into shops.
Cairns Regional Councillor Max O’Halloran has called a public meeting tonight to outline ts, plans for a shop, business, residence and off-street car ar parking at 1 Fleming St.
It is the second time in 12 months property owner Melissa Sinclair has applied to council to change her home into a business. Last year, she wanted to convert the cottage into a restaurant, but later withdrew the application.
Fleming St is in a designated character precinct.
But four separate proposals now threaten to change that character – shops at 1 Fleming St; removal of a highset Queenslander at No. 23; twostorey townhouses at No. 25 and removal of a house at No. 33.
Cr O’Halloran said it was a case of “buyer beware” for both proposals at No.1 and No. 23.
“The buyer should beware that they’re in a character precinct. That’s basic stuff.
“When you purchase something, the first thing your solicitor would highlight to you is that you’re in a character precinct,” Cr O’Halloran said.
“The big difference between this and the previous (appli- cation) is there’s no restaurant, but that doesn’t get away from the character precinct.”
Professionals Cairns Edge Hill principal Billy Gartner, who lives in Fleming St and owns two houses in the street, said he was shocked to learn of plans to remove the highset Queenslander at No. 23.
“It’s one of the most popular areas in Cairns because of the old Queenslander character. The last thing we want to see in those streets is houses knocked down and moved away.
“If council has approved townhouses for No. 25 and lets No. 23 get moved, they are setting a horrible precedent for the future. It’s against the whole reason we bought in that street in the first place.”
Edge Hill homeowner and Elders Real Estate agent Debbie North said changes to the character precinct would devalue properties in the area.
“Everyone’s going to feel they’ve lost something quite special,” sheh said.id “Those three streets – Fleming, Hall and Dalrymple – are pretty special. They are very loved. There is local pride in these houses, not just from Edge Hill, but the community.”
Fleming St resident Tina Todd, who opposed the restaurant proposal at No. 1 last year, said it caused “anxiety and stress” to be fighting a new development there.
“It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Something’s got to be done by council to make it clear there is a line in the sand.”
Cairns architect Jesse Bennett told council the mixed business proposal at 1 Fleming St was in keeping with the area and would act as a “transition buffer” between commercial and residential zones.
He said the cottage would be kept for its heritage value.