Welcome to Cairns Regional Council
Latest News
Council news direct
Follow us on social media and sign up for e-news More
Coronavirus update
Latest info on Council services More
Rates due 27 May
Deadline extended in response to Coronavirus... More
Like us to stay up to date
😷 CORONAVIRUS ADVICE No. 11
Council encourages people to use walking tracks
With sporting clubs, gyms and swimming pools all closed, going for a walk remains a safe exercise option as long you adhere to the government’s strict social distancing measures.
If you're not self-isolating or unwell, Council is encouraging you to make use of the many walking and cycling tracks that are available throughout the region.
However, you must practise social distancing, keep up good hygiene practices, and wash your hands when you get home.
Below are a list of popular tracks you might want to try.
🏃 The Arrows (Mt Whitfield Conservation Park)
Red Arrow:
Remains open but with new restrictions to help maintain the government’s social distancing measures. The Red Arrow is now a one-way circuit, with entry from the western side, behind the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre. This 1.5km circuit includes steep sections, lots of steps and two open viewing areas overlooking Cairns city and north towards the airport. The track is suitable for people with no prior bushwalking experience.
Yellow Arrow:
A 1.9km formed track with many steps and takes about 1.5 hour return.
Blue Arrow:
A very steep, 6km track that takes about 4-5 hours return. It is a rugged bush track with steep climbs and some obstacles. A moderate level of fitness is required and some bushwalking experience is recommended.
Green Arrow:
A very steep 3km track, which starts toward the top of the Blue Arrow loop and branches off toward Brinsmead, ending at Whitfield. It takes about 3 hours return and contains steep slopes and obstacles such as tree roots, rocks and fallen debris. A moderate level of fitness is required and some bushwalking experience is recommended.
🏃 Earl Hill:
A 2km trail that features a great forest setting and is suited to all bushwalking levels. The entrance is off Roberts Road in the Bluewater Estate (Trinity Park).
🏃 Ivan Evans walking track:
This 2.4 km (return) track winds through dense rainforest and vineforest behind Bayview Heights and climbs gradually to a lookout. The track starts from Ellen Close and continues to Toogood Road. It is relatively easy to walk, but sturdy footwear is recommended, as some sections can be slippery and steep.
🏃 Glacier Rock hike:
Starting from Stoney Creek in Kamerunga, this walk (about 2.2km) up to Glacier Rock features panoramic views extending out over Stoney Creek Gorge and Mt Whitfield. Suited for a family hike (bring plenty of water and a snack), the children will love the footbridge over the Kuranda railway line.
🏃 Cattana Wetlands:
An 80-hectare nature conservation park at Smithfield, it has a 420m boardwalk through feather palm forest, freshwater and salt water lakes and abundant plant and birdlife.
🏃🚴 Suburban cycling and walking tracks:
There are a range of paths and cycle ways through the city. Unless otherwise marked, the cycle ways are also walking paths.
For a full range of maps, visit: www.cairns.qld.gov.au/facilities-sport-leisure/cycling-walking-fitness/cycle
Visit Council’s dedicated coronavirus webpage for the latest information: cairns.qld.gov.au/council/covid19
😷 CORONAVIRUS ADVICE No. 10
Council services in operation and facilities that are open
Council has assured residents that bin collection services, kerb and roadside maintenance and transfer stations remain open.
Following announcements by the Prime Minister to extend restrictions to help stop the spread of coronavirus, Council has closed a number of events, activities and facilities.
However, there remain many Council facilities and services still open/operating:
✅ Transfer stations: Open and are operating as usual. Visit the Council website for operating hours.
✅ Bin collection: Operating as usual.
✅ Council works: Kerb and road works and maintenance continuing.
✅ Recreational Parks: Open for use, but playgrounds and exercise equipment is closed. Users to adhere to strict social distancing measures.
✅ Walking tracks: Open for recreational use and some may have additional restrictions in place. Users are to adhere to strict social distancing measures and bring their own water bottles.
✅ Cairns Botanic Gardens: Open with restrictions and users must adhere to social distances measurers. The cafe remains open for takeaway only. The conservatory is closed.
✅ The Cairns Esplanade: The boardwalk and promenade are open, but people must adhere to social distancing measures. The Aqua Lagoon Café and Muddy’s Cafe are open for takeaway only.
✅ Cattana Wetlands: Walking tracks and viewing platforms are open, but users must adhere to social distancing measures. Barbecue facilities are closed.
✅ Sugarworld Gardens: Open with some restrictions and users must adhere to social distances measurers. The playground equipment and barbecue areas are closed.
✅ Beaches and swimming holes: Remain open, but users must adhere to social distancing measures.
Visit Council’s dedicated coronavirus webpage for the latest information: cairns.qld.gov.au/council/covid19
😷 CORONAVIRUS ADVICE No. 9
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday to extend restrictions to help stop the spread of coronavirus, Council has closed all public playground facilities.
Parks remain open, but users are reminded to observe the government’s social distancing measures.
The new Cairns Local Coronavirus Hotline provides information, advice and support for residents.
The hotline is based in Cairns so you will speak to a person in Cairns with local knowledge.
Open 8am to 5pm, every day.
📞 1300 396 102
It's a free call.
We have created a list of ALL current closures of Council facilities and services.
CORONAVIRUS ADVICE No. 7
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement last night to extend restrictions to help stop the spread of coronavirus, Council has taken the following actions.
CLOSURES
-------------
Cairns Esplanade remains open with following facilities closed.
---
All formal gathering areas including:
❌ Lagoon
❌ Muddy’s Playground (wet and dry playground)
❌ Fun Ship
❌ Bouldering Park
❌ Volleyball courts/multi use sports facilities/basketball courts
People using the boardwalk and promenade must adhere to social distancing measures. Cafes remain open for takeaway only.
Facilities
---
❌ Centenary Lakes Nature Play
❌ All Green Gyms (exercise equipment in parks)
❌ All public barbecues
❌ Barlow Park, Parramatta Park
❌ Swimming pools
❌ Sugarworld Adventure Park, Edmonton
⚠️ Botanic Gardens Conservatory (Botanic Gardens remains open, but users must adhere to social distances measurers. The cafes remains open for takeaway only).
Skate Parks
---
❌ Coastwatcher Park
❌ Esplanade
❌ Tenni Skate Park, Redlynch
❌ Jeff Pezzutti Park, Woree
❌ Todd Park, Edmonton
❌ Kenrick Park, Gordonvale
❌ Bill Wakeham Park, Babinda
BMX tracks
---
❌ Allyson Street Park, Smithfield
❌ Barrine Court Park, Caravonica
❌ Barron Waters Park/Burrawungal Park, Caravonica
❌ Evergreen Street, Clifton Beach
❌ Rainy Mountain Park, Smithfield
❌ Evergreen Park, Clifton Beach
❌ Old School Park, Yorkeys Knob
❌ Syd Granville Memorial Park, Holloways Beach
❌ Engineers Park, Whitfield
❌ Gamburra Drive Park, Redlynch
❌ Equestrian Park, Redlynch
❌ Loridan Drive Park, Brinsmead
❌ Jeff Pezzutti Park, Woree
❌ Todd Park Youth Activity Space, Edmonton
❌ Fuller Park, Edmonton
❌ Bill Wakeham Park, Babinda
❌ Moody Creek Detention Basin, Kanimbla
❌ Touch Park, Aeroglen
RESTRICTIONS
---
Playgrounds at the following parks will be closed:
❌ Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove
❌ Vasey Esplanade, Trinity Beach
❌ Sims Esplanade, Yorkeys Knob
❌ Holloways Beach foreshore
❌ Goomboora Park, Brinsmead
❌ Sugarworld Gardens
❌ Norman Park, Gordonvale
❌ Coastwatcher Park, Trinity Beach
⚠️ The parks remain open, but users must adhere to social distancing measures.
Natural areas – restrictions in place
---
These natural recreational areas remain open, but barbecue facilities will be closed. Users must adhere to social distancing measures.
⚠️ Beaches
⚠️ Whitfield Trails (Arrow Tracks)
⚠️ Cattana Wetlands
⚠️ Crystal Cascades
⚠️ The Boulders, Babinda
⚠️ Behana Creek Picnic Park, Aloomba
⚠️ Behana Gorge, Aloomba
⚠️ Goomboora Park, Brinsmead
⚠️ Glenoma Park, Brinsmead
⚠️ Stoney Creek, Kamerunga
⚠️ Gamburra Park Drive, Redlynch
⚠️ Xavier Herbert Drive Park, Redlynch
⚠️ The Rocks Reserve, Redlynch
⚠️ Western Arterial Conservation Park, Redlynch
⚠️ Ryan Weare Park, Freshwater
⚠️ Ross and Locke Reserve, Goldsborough
⚠️ Petes Bridge, Goldsborough
⚠️ Petes Falls, Goldsborough Valley
⚠️ Goldsborough Road parks, Goldsborough
⚠️ Little Mulgrave
⚠️ Smithy Holmes Park, Aloomba
⚠️ Harvey Creek, Bellenden Ker
⚠️ Josephine Falls, Bartle Frere
⚠️ Golden Hole Reserve, Bartle Frere
Note: Toilet facilities will remain open.
For the latest information on Council services, closures and cancellations in regards to the coronavirus pandemic visit:
👉 http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/covid19
😷 CORONAVIRUS ADVICE No. 6
❌ Our Customer Service Centre at Spence Street will close at 4.30pm today.
This decision follows the Prime Minister’s advice last night for people to stay home except for essential trips.
Residents can go to the Council website (www.cairns.qld.gov.au) to access a full range of services, including:
✔️ Payment of bills
✔️ Renewing registrations
✔️ Payment of fines
✔️ Reporting a problem
✔️ Making applications
Payments by MasterCard and Visa Card can be made conveniently and securely via the Online Self Service payment page on Council’s website.
Those aged persons having trouble navigating online services, can call Council’s Customer Service Centre on 1300 692 247 for assistance.
Residents are also encouraged to download the My Cairns app, free of charge, which allows users to report a problem.
The message is simple. Only pee, poo and paper should be flushed down the toilet. This is what happens if you don’t. Even if your wipes says it’s flushable, it isn’t. Using anything other than toilet paper causes messy, unwanted blockages. Everything you flush down the toilet or pour down the drain goes through our sewerage systems. Think before you flush. For more information visit https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/water-waste-roads/waste/drains-sinks-toilets
😷 CORONAVIRUS UPDATES
CORONAVIRUS ADVICE No. 4
-----
In light of the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding changes to non-essential gatherings, Cairns Regional Council has suspended the following events and activities, until further notice:
❌ The Esplanade and Suburban Active Living programs.
❌ Esplanade Markets and Tanks Markets.
❌ Green Space Our Place volunteers program.
Council has also taken the following actions:
❌ Cancellations and no further bookings for the use of outdoor spaces, such as barbecues and parks.
❌ Cancellations and no further bookings for the use of community halls.
❌ Suspension of Community Recreational permits.
❌ Closure of the Bramston Beach campgrounds.
❌ Closure of the Babinda Rotary Park and Babinda Boulders campgrounds.
❌ Ticketlink box office closed to the public, but remains contactable by phone, email and online.
Public swimming pools (managed by lessees) remain open with adapted opening hours and increased management and supervision to implement social distancing requirements.
https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/news-publications/media-releases/releases/covid-advice-4
CORONAVIRUS ADVICE No. 5
-----
Council wishes to inform those aged persons looking to renew their dog’s lifetime registrations that this service can be provided over the phone.
There is NO NEED to visit Council offices.
Please phone Council’s Customer Service Centre on 1300 692 247 and have your pet’s details handy.
Renewal notices (which are free but require confirmation) were sent out at the beginning of the month and are due on 31 March.
https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/news-publications/media-releases/releases/covid-advice-5
Council’s key priorities remain the safety and wellbeing of staff and the community and continuity of services, as appropriate.
The Cairns Chamber of Commerce have created a dedicated Facebook page for Keep It In Cairns to help the community find local suppliers of services and products.
Be sure to like the page and share it with friends and family.
If you are a local business you can use the page to promote your products and services.
Coronavirus advice No. 3
LIBRARIES CLOSURE
In light of the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding changes to non-essential indoor gatherings, all Cairns Libraries branches will close at noon today, until further notice.
The decision reflects the need to protect the most vulnerable in our community.
A lending amnesty has been extended to all residents who currently have borrowed items. There is no need to return items to the libraries.
Residents can continue to access online library services including e-books, e-magazines, audio books, streaming services and e-learning services. Online services can be found on the Cairns Libraries website:
👉 https://bit.ly/33DexrT
OTHER CHANGES
The Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre and Tank 4 (exhibition space) are also closed until further notice.
Council’s key priorities remain the safety and wellbeing of staff and the community and continuity of services, as appropriate.
You can also find this information in the official media release on our website at:
👉 https://bit.ly/3agJ55e
As local businesses are struggling through this challenging time, it is more important than ever to make an effort to 'keep it in Cairns'.
Even if you are doing your shopping online, please remember that many local businesses also offer online services.
We have put together some assets you can use to spread this message on socials. You can find them here:
https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/building-planning-business/business-and-economic-development/keep-it-in-cairns
Let us know what you are doing to keep it in Cairns to help inspire others to shop local.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning today announced a series of measures to assist businesses and generate employment in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
👉 https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/news-publications/media-releases/releases/support-covid
😷 CORONAVIRUS ADVICE No. 2 😷
Council continues to follow the advice of Federal and State authorities regarding measures aimed at restricting the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement this morning of a ban on non-essential indoor gatherings of 100 people or more, Council has made the following decisions regarding events and services.
Council’s two key priorities when it comes to day-to-day operations are the safety of our staff and the community, and the continuity of Council services.
EVENT CANCELLATIONS
----------------
Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Performing Arts Centre events scheduled until 31 May have been cancelled.
A full refund will be provided to the original ticket holder. If you paid by credit card you will automatically receive your refund to the card you paid with.
If you paid by cash or EFTPOS Ticketlink staff will be in contact with you in the coming days to arrange your refund.
There is no need to contact Ticketlink at this time, ticket holders are asked to be patient.
The following events have also been cancelled:
❌ Makin’ Markets at Sunrise,scheduled for Friday
❌ The Cairns Children’s Festival, scheduled for 16 and 17 May
❌ Ecofiesta, scheduled for 24 May
LIBRARIES
----------------
Visitor numbers at all Cairns Libraries branches will be capped at 100. Staff will actively monitor numbers to enforce the cap.
OTHER SERVICES
----------------
All other Council services continue as usual.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
----------------
The Local Government election is run by the Electoral Commission Queensland. They advise the election will continue as scheduled on 28 March.
Please note, there is no voting at Council facilities.
Residents with questions or concerns about the election should visit the ECQ website: https://bit.ly/3d8bVql
You can also find this advice on our website:
👉 https://bit.ly/2WnfRh5
❗️❗️❗️Important Election Information! ❗️❗️❗️
We are getting a heap of questions about the 28 March local government election.
The Council election is run by the Electoral Commission Queensland. This includes operation of polling booths (pre-poll and on the day).
Advice from the ECQ is elections are going ahead as planned.
Please note, there is NO voting at Council buildings.
If you have questions, concerns or need more information please visit the ECQ website: https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/
👷 🚧 Florence Street lane closures!
The eastbound lane of Florence St will be closed for water main trenching on Wednesday, 18 March from 6.30am until 6pm on the eastern side of the Grafton St intersection in front of 24 Hour Medical Centre / Day Surgery.
On Thursday, March 19, the westbound lane of Florence St will be closed on the eastern side of the Grafton St intersection (in front of Ibis Styles Hotel) from 6.30am until 6pm.
Detours will be in place and we thank road users for their patience.
More information: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/water-waste-roads/works-in-progress/open/florence
😷 Are you worried you may have contracted the Coronavirus?
Please read this important update from the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.
🚷 Footpath and road upgrades will take place along Florence Street from Monday, March 16.
Pedestrian detours will be in place outside Cairns Aquarium and Dundee’s Restaurant on Florence Street between Lake and Abbott for footpath works from Monday.
Access to the aquarium and restaurant will be maintained at all times.
Lane closures will also be in place on Wednesday and Thursday at the Florence- Grafton Street intersections for roadworks.
Link to more information about Florence Street roadworks: https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/water-waste-roads/works-in-progress/open/florence
😍🎉 The Cairns Performing Arts Precinct which includes Cairns Performing Arts Centre and Munro Martin Parklands won the 2020 Minister’s Award for Urban Design at this year's awards!
Happy International Women's Day!
💜💐 Once again, congratulations to our Cairns International Women's Day Award Winners Amanda Lee-Ross (Cairns Woman of the Year) and Shai Ager
(Cairns Young Woman of the Year and winner of the People's Choice Award).
A big thank you also goes to all 393 guest who attended the International Women's Day Breakfast and Award Ceremony on Friday morning, making it the biggest one yet.
A quick reminder that our Free Green Waste Drop-Off starts today.
If you are taking advantage of this service please remember to bring some loose change for a voluntary gold coin donation to support the work of Cairns Meals On Wheels.
We have created this video clip to showcase the best of what our region has to offer to encourage visitors to come to our little patch of paradise.
Now we need your help to get the word out. Please share this video with family and friends around the country and encourage them to 'come up' and see for themselves what Cairns has to offer.
