Online Community Hub Archives - CAFNEC

Development Application- 39A Law Street, Cairns North

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 22:00:17 +0000

A Development Application (DA) by Halpin Pty Group has been submitted to Cairns Regional Council on 27/01/22. The Reference number is 11526/2022.

The Development Application is for a self-storage facility and warehouses. The application includes a Material Change of Use for the lot.

UPDATE (23rd August 2022)

Just by way of an update, Sarah was invited by Council to make a closed door presentation along with Planner Liz Taylor. Yesterday she gave a rundown over coffee here, about 10 people showed up which was good. One even brought a great cake she baked!

Sounds like Sarah could not have done a better job. Focussed on key issues, had a good response and on top of commenting in the context of the planning scheme, presented concerns re the nature of the development. Still sounds like an uphill battle because the Halpin fella sounds like a fighter but I reckon we all could not have done a better job with our submissions and focus in general.

So now we wait and see, and we will try again to get some media interest.

UPDATE (9th July 2022)

Article in TropicNow:

https://www.tropicnow.com.au/2022/july/8/concerns-raised-over-precedent-setting-application-for-storage-sheds-in-cairns-residential-area

UPDATE (5th July 2022)

The Public Notification stage which is the period when members of the public can lodge concerns is open until the 28 July. The DA reference number is 11526/2022.

UPDATE (27th June 2022)

A community meeting with Councillor Amy Eden Saturday 25 June at 8am about the proposed development at 39 Law Street. It will be held on site, near the old gate. The notification sign went up about the material change of use last week.

UPDATE (14th March 2022)

The residents’ meeting held on 14 March to discuss the current Development Application for 39 Law Street was a success.

People local to the area discussed their concerns about the project and its suitability for this open space in Cairns North.

Given the Development Application (Ref Number 11526/2022) has not proceeded to Public Notification yet, there is time for anyone concerned to consider getting their submission ready for lodging in the “Have Your Say” section of the Council website or mail in a handwritten submission once the Public Notification period starts.

Cairns North is a beautiful suburb so if you have concerns about how this Development Application aligns with the town plan, this is an opportunity to raise them.

If you would like to get more involved email our Community Organiser at getinvolved@nullcafnec.org.au.

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Proposed Subdivision of Trinity Beach Rainforest

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 05:26:42 +0000

Residents became aware of a proposed 11 lot luxury gated subdivision at the base of Earl Hill in Trinity Beach, when a real estate ad appeared in January 2022 in the Cairns Post. Further investigation unearthed a 2019 development approval that had never been to Council, to other agencies or to the local community for consultation. Council staff approved the development under the superseded 2009 CairnsPlan instead of the 2016 Plan, under which it would be impact assessable.

The rainforest area in question is a wildlife habitat, refuge and corridor with many species of native flora and fauna, including very large trees. (The approval requires removal of mango trees on the site, which are very large and provide sites for flying fox roosting). The steep site contains a stream providing drainage from Earl Hill. The 8.4 acre site is located in the environment management zone, in which a subdivision is generally not regarded as supported development. The development will significantly impact the amenity and privacy of neighbouring properties. The site also has Hillslope and Landscape values. It is mapped in a Significant Vegetation precinct and has high ecological significance.

It is of major concern that this development has been given approval under these circumstances. Local residents have only now become aware of this proposal and have written to the State member and local Cairns Councillor seeking action to rectify this situation, so far without success (February 2022).

Contact: Russell family, Trinidad Close, Trinity Beach (the_russells@nullbigpond.com)

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Mass Fish Die-off

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 05:09:48 +0000

As we arrived at Saltwater Lake we found council vehicles and workers about, including a boat in the water – they were scoping up dead fish by the dozens, and some were huge. They did not know the cause and were sending some carcasses off for autopsies.

Unlike four years ago when low oxygen levels were blamed, this time it has occurred on a high king tide where that cannot be the reason. The council are now cleaning up the mess and deflected the matter to the Department of Environment and Science.

If anyone knows what the results are and would like to do more contact Brian Venables at

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Beach Pollution and Vehicles

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 23:25:42 +0000

I went for a long walk on starting at Ellis Beach and headed North. There are two smaller beaches where at times I saw cars or car tracks before but this time the view was terrible.

I have attached the photos that don’t really show just how many tracks there were with new sand dunes trashed by tyre marks.

There were also the car oil spills and trash. There is a burned car on one of the smaller beaches with what seems a toxic trash left behind that may be reached by very high tides. I also saw a car parked right at the ocean edge where a man was fishing. There was an old sofa chair left behind as trash on one of the beaches and the other one had an old tyre.

There has been a lot of erosion at one end of Ellis Beach and I am shocked that cars are still allowed to damage the sand dunes and its protective plant growth on beaches that are ok. There is no need for cars to have access to the beach, not only because of car oil spills but because they destroy the many little creatures living in the sand.

It shocks me that there are still people around that don’t care about the environment and that for a few people, every surface has to be fenced, protected, security cameras put in place, etc. There should be a much bigger fine for environmental issues and would be a great revenue to add to Environment protective services and the like.

I took photos and forwarded them to CAFNEC. My friend has sent email with photos to the Cairns Council.

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