General News
28 August, 2024
$50m housing boost
PART of a caravan park and two houses are to make way for a new 150-unit low-cost housing development at Manunda, worth at least $50 million.
Cairns Regional Council last week approved the plan for 45 one-bedroom units and 105 two-bedroom units in three separate towers and 160 car parking spaces.
NQ Villas Pty Ltd has been given a material change of use permit for the land at 10-30 Pease Street and 164 and 172 Hoare Street, Manoora.
About 14 cabins off Pease St and two houses in Hoare St would be demolished for the towers.
Sydney-based businessman Tony Breuer said Cairns Villa and Leisure Park – which was currently full – would remain for the time being but would be considered for redevelopment in the future as well.
He said he hoped to start on the project as soon as possible but was seeking funding support from the federal and state governments.
Mr Breuer said there was a lack of rental housing stock in Cairns and this would help fulfil the need.
He said it was very hard to make medium to high residential density housing “stack up” in Cairns because construction costs were much higher than in capital cities.
Mr Breuer said he hoped that some of the people who would be forced to leave when the cabins were demolished would be able to return and live in the new towers.
The park once was a popular holiday destination before the global financial and housing crises, eventually leading to long-term accommodation for lower socioeconomic groups and it subsequently spiralled into a den of squalor, drug use and high rates of domestic violence.
But the opening of the Cairns West police station across the road in January last year, the availability of support services at the park and new management have successfully turned around the situation.
The development application said “this type of development is desperately needed in Cairns and should be highly supported and encouraged by council”.
“(It) is unlikely to have any significant impacts on the infrastructure, environment or community of the surrounding area,” it said.
Cr Anna Middleton told the council meeting that it was good use of the land while Cr Cathy Zeiger said she hoped the developer would consider a playground for children as well.
Cr Brett Moller said it was a good example of an infill development while Cr Matthew Tickner said it was “exactly what we are after”.
But, he said, it was important that people forced to leave were looked after.
Mayor Amy Eden said in-fill development would be crucial to supporting growth while retaining the character of Cairns.
“Infill housing creates these homes in areas that have existing water, sewer and road infrastructure, and close to services such as health and education, reducing the need for large capital investments to provide these essentials. It’s a sustainable approach to addressing the housing shortage, while preserving the unique character of our city.”
Mr Breuer said he was grateful to the council for supporting his new housing project.
He said he hoped to start next year after working with the state and federal governments for support.
