TEST OF TIME IS HARSH
City could be an icon of tropical housing
AN online community committed to preserving Queenslander-style homes wants Cairns to develop an international reputation for tropical architecture.
Cairns Queenslanders Group founder and real estate agent Cheyenne Morrison said Cairns could become the next South Beach in Miami or Florida’s Key West, areas that are renowned for preserving and maintaining their period architecture.
More than 35 members of the Facebook group held their first face-to-face meeting at Cairns Museum this month, where architect Shaneen Fantin spoke on the history of Queenslanders.
Mr Morrison said he had only lived in Queenslanders since moving to Cairns 30 years ago.
“The prices of inner-city Queenslanders in Brisbane have rocketed in recent years, but they are still very underappreciated in Cairns,” he said.
“I hope that as more people join (the group) it will lead to a better appreciation of Cairns’ historic buildings.”
Cairns lost a piece of history every time a Queenslander was demolished, according to Mr Morrison.
“Over the years I have watched them being demolished and, each time one is lost, Cairns loses a piece of history,” he said.
“I started the group to create a public forum where other people like myself can swap information, stories and advice.”