Master Plan for the Redevelopment of the Flecker Botanic Gardens / Tanks Arts Centre / Centenary Lakes Precinct
Community Consultation Process
During the course of the planning phase of this commission, a four phase consultation process was conducted.
Phase one commenced with Consultants writing to individual and organisations with an existing or potential stakeholding in the project. Approximately 40 stakeholders were sent letters describing the objectives of the commission and project expectations. They were invited to contribute to the planning process and requested to respond with any comments, ideas or issues. Unfortunately only 20% responded and the majority of responses simply acknowledged the correspondence. Development Strategy Diagram
Phase two was an information gathering exercise where a questionnaire was mailed out to over 3000 households in the Edge Hill/Whitfield area and made available on Council's website, libraries and reception. Print media was also utilised to reach the wider community. A display at the Garden Show in May 2004 raised the level of interest with user groups and the broader community. Displays at the Tanks Markets gave locals the opportunity to provide comment and learn about the project on a one to one basis with Council officers. More than 300 responses were received in this phase. Draft Master Plan
Phase three consisted of invitations to interested parties to comment on the draft area masterplan. Again, the invitation was dropped in letter boxes of the residents of Edge Hill and Whitfield inviting them to view the draft area masterplan at the 2004 Cairns Show, Tanks Market Days, Council's libraries, reception, Botanic Gardens Administration and Restaurant. Only 29 responses were received during this phase. Although only a small response, the feedback offered in the consultation process was invaluable in assisting the design team to assess community feeling for the site's development. To enhance this process, Council officers held meetings with interested groups and stakeholders explaining the master plan process and the plan.
Phase four of the consultation was the release of the Council adopted draft masterplan. 39 responses were received during this phase where the print media was utilised to raise the level of interest in the community. A newsletter was produced and mailed to interested stakeholders. At this stage, the Neighbours of the Botanic Gardens formed, Council encouraged regular meetings with the group to work through a number of potentially project stopping issues.
Council adopted the Botanic Gardens/Tanks/Centenary Lakes Master Plan Report at its March 2005 meeting. The Master Plan Document is available for your viewing here - simply click on the desired heading number to view information, or a hard copy can be viewed at Council's Administration Building, Spence St, Cairns.
If you are interested in further information regarding the consultation process, please see 1.7.7 Community Consultation Process within the Master Plan Report.
