Corporate Plan
About the Corporate Plan
Council's Corporate Plan 2021-2026 was adopted at the Ordinary Meeting of 28 June 2021.
The five-year plan provides a blueprint for Council to achieve a sustainable future for our region. It also provides the basis from which specific Council strategies, plans and policies are developed. Each year the Annual Report provides a scorecard about our achievements against the Corporate Plan.
All Local Governments in Queensland are required to develop a Corporate Plan under the Local Government Act (2009). This plan adheres to the principles outlined in the Act:
- transparent and effective processes, and decision-making in the public interest;
- sustainable development and management of assets and infrastructure, and delivery of effective services;
- democratic representation, social inclusion and meaningful community engagement;
- good governance of, and by, local government; and
- ethical and legal behaviour of councillors, local government employees and councillor advisors.
Read the Corporate Plan
- Download a printable Corporate Plan ( PDF, 5.91 MB )
- View it in the e-book reader (fullscreen mode recommended)
- Peruse key content below
Our Vision
Shaping the future
Our Values
- Trust: Honouring the trust of our residents, each other and staff
- Responsibility: Transparency and responsibility to our community.
- Cairns-ness: Safeguarding what makes Cairns, Cairns
Shaping the future for our city by striving for better social, economic, environmental and cultural outcomes for our community is the over-arching focus of Cairns Regional Council‘s 2021-2026 Corporate Plan.
In developing the plan, Council took into account the results of the Our Cairns Survey, conducted in August 2020 and involving more than 8000 respondents, who provided an insight into the sort of city they want to live in and the values they hold dear about where we live.
This plan translates those identified community expectations and insights into clear goals and measurable objectives to be achieved over the next five years and sets the foundation for everything we do through three key values – Trust, Responsibility and Cairns-ness.
These values underpin the five strategic goals of the plan which emphasise the need to have a robust economy; protect our natural assets; design our city for liveability whilst coping with population growth; foster a vibrant and healthy community where everyone feels they belong; and strive for our Council to be a leader in local government practices.
Never before has the need for agility and determination been more critical as we negotiate a world with constant new challenges that require us to adapt quickly and decisively in the best interests of our community.
Importantly, the plan sets the values and direction for our more than 1200 employees who each have a role in achieving the goals of this plan. They must work as a team, sharing a common vision that will deliver real results for the entire region.
Together we will move toward becoming a sustainable, globally connected city, driven by innovation and resilience and renowned for the enviable lifestyle our community values so much. After all, Cairns is where the grass is really greener.
Bob Manning, Mayor of Cairns and Mica Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Cairns Regional Council
Our focus
Supporting a diversified and resilient economy that backs business innovation, growth and jobs.
Strategies
- Optimise visitation and tourism opportunities
- Promote and protect the growth of diverse industries and small business
- Inspire innovation and embrace new technologies
- Grow and sustain education and employment opportunities
- Promote Cairns as the place to relocate
Key performance indicators
- Growth in visitation and yield
- Growth of high-profile events
- Population growth
- Growth in employment
- Diversification and growth in the economy
Our focus
Promoting, protecting and enhancing our iconic natural environment now and for generations to come.
Strategies
- Prioritise water security to accommodate population growth
- Improve resource recovery through new technologies for a green circular economy
- Value and protect Cairns’ pristine natural environment
- Encourage community and business to adopt sustainable practices
Key performance indicators
- Stage one Water Security Strategy delivered
- State of the Environment Report delivered
- Improved landfill diversion rates and uptake in recycling
- Increased investment in renewable energy
- Improved quality of our waterways
- Progression towards net zero emissions
Our focus
Creating a safe, sustainable and connected place that supports a quality life.
Strategies
- Proactive advocacy and collaboration with state and federal governments
- Address opportunities for sustainable travel choices
- Enhance community wellbeing, safety and natural disaster resilience
- Deliver valued suburban community infrastructure
- Deliver contemporary land use planning that supports growth, liveability and sustainability
Key performance indicators
- Improved feeling of community safety and wellbeing
- More people choosing sustainable transport options
- Improved connectivity of cycleways and footpaths
Our focus
Fostering a vibrant and healthy community where everyone feels they belong.
Strategies
- Promote Cairns as the arts and cultural capital of Northern Australia
- Support diverse sport, cultural and community groups that contribute to wellbeing
- Complete the arts and cultural precinct with support from State and Federal Governments
- Provide spaces and programs for the wellbeing of the community
Key performance indicators
- Participation in events and activities funded, supported or delivered by council
- Improved sustainability of community groups
- Increased visitation to and activation of Council’s venues
Our focus
Being a leader in local government.
Strategies
- Maintain and drive a safety culture of everyone home safe and well today and everyday
- Deliver a positive customer experience to the community
- Support an inclusive organisational culture that invests in continuous improvement, learning and leadership
- Build effective partnerships with community and governments
- Maintain sound financial management including robust long-term modelling
- Ensure decision making is collaborative, transparent and accountable
Key performance indicators
- Long term financial plan achieves sustainability benchmarks
- Improve staff engagement and well-being
- Improve Council’s health, safety and wellbeing cultural maturity
- Capital projects delivered in line with key milestones and Budget
- Annual Operational Plan delivered
The five-year Corporate Plan is a major document within Council's corporate performance, planning and reporting framework.
Other key documents and strategies include:
- Annual Operational Plan
- Annual Reports
- Annual Budget and Revenue Statement
- Economic Development strategies
- Climate Change Strategy
- Cairns Libraries Strategic Plan 2019-2023
- Cairns City Centre Master Plan
- Strategy for Culture and the Arts 2022
- Cycling and Walking Strategy (incorporates Active Transport, Recreational Walking Trails, and Mountain Bike strategies)
Last Updated: 15 November 2023
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