Council encourages development in Cairns

• New Council policy simplifies Council’s approach to infrastructure charge waivers to help unlock investment and speed up development across Cairns.
• Incentives will support new development in the Cairns CBD, Gordonvale and Babinda, encourage more housing choice and support new industry and employment.
• Developers must substantially commence construction within two years and ensure at least 80% of the construction workforce is local to access incentives.

A new streamlined policy encouraging more development across Cairns will help unlock investment, boost housing diversity and support local jobs.

Cairns Regional Council’s new Development and Investment Incentive Policy aims to support specific development by providing financial incentives for developments that meet certain conditions.

A key feature of the new policy is the introduction of targeted infrastructure charge waivers to improve project viability and investment attractiveness.

Rather than broad-based incentives, the simplified approach focuses Council’s support on development outcomes that align with economic activation, housing diversity and revitalisation objectives.

By reducing upfront costs, the incentives are designed to encourage more projects to proceed, attract private investment and support developments that deliver jobs, housing and long-term economic benefits for the Cairns community.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the new approach would be simpler, more effective and better targeted.

“I particularly welcome the focus on encouraging activation within areas such as the Cairns CBD, Gordonvale and Babinda, while also supporting stronger infill residential development and more diverse housing outcomes.

“The framework includes clear expectations around delivery, including substantial commencement requirements and the expectation that at least 80 per cent of the construction workforce is local.

“This is about encouraging real projects, real investment and real economic outcomes for the Cairns community.”

Council has reviewed two existing General Policies – the Development and Investment Incentive Support Policy and the Deferred Payment of Levied Charges Policy.

This review builds on existing investment momentum and has been informed through direct collaboration with industry expertise to ensure settings reflect practical experience and current market conditions.

The review found the current deferred payment model had limited uptake and created unnecessary complexity and financial risk.

Under the previous system, unpaid infrastructure charges could ultimately become attached to the land if a developer failed to meet their obligations, potentially impacting future property owners.

The revised policy will support:

• Major projects that bring significant investment and long-term jobs to the region
• New development specifically in the Cairns CBD, Gordonvale and Babinda centres
• More housing diversity and gentle density in existing residential areas
• New industries and business activity that strengthen the local economy

Council says the revised framework is designed to encourage projects to proceed sooner, with incentives also tied to developers substantially commencing construction within two years of approval and ensuring at least 80 per cent of the construction workforce is local.

Incentives offered under the new Policy do not apply to development located within the Mount Peter Priority Development Area or State Development Area.