Towards 2050: Shaping Cairns Growth Strategy

Cairns is growing

Cairns is a popular place to live and work, thanks to our special character - our 'Cairns-ness'.  In the past 30 years, our population has nearly doubled - growing from 89,000 residents in 1992, to 172,272 in 2022. By 2050, it’s predicted to reach up to 241,000 (based on Queensland Government information released in June 2023). That’s nearly 70,000 more people than live here today.

We need to plan for this growth now, to make sure that everyone can live here and enjoy what we love about Cairns today.

Growth brings challenges but also opportunities

People will always fall in love with Cairns and want to live here. We need to make sure that this predicted growth doesn’t threaten the environment and lifestyle we all enjoy today.

Growth can deliver benefits including more and better jobs, diverse housing options, public spaces, roads and public transport, entertainment, health and education services. We need to consider the needs of those who live here now as well as our future residents. Thoughtful planning now will help us shape our growth in a positive way.

Together, we can shape Cairns for the future

We need to look to the future and plan for the next phase of growth. Good design and planning will help us protect and embrace many of the things that make Cairns special: our unique environment, economic, social and cultural values.

The Towards 2050: Shaping Cairns Growth Management Strategy will establish a clear and coordinated long term plan for the growth and development of the Cairns local government area.

The strategy will address the key planning challenges and opportunities facing the region, including climate resilience, the impacts of natural hazards, housing choice, diversity and affordability, retaining neighbourhood character and scenic amenity, and identifying future employment opportunities.  It will set the scene for a new planning scheme for the city and identify appropriate and sustainable growth for the next three decades and beyond.

The project will be underway from August 2022 to April 2025. During this time, there will be many ways for residents, businesses and community groups to help shape Cairns.  Visit our Towards 2050 project website to get involved and stay informed of opportunities to contribute.

Towards 2050 project website

About Towards 2050: Shaping Cairns

The Growth Strategy will:

• Shape a prosperous, resilient and sustainable future for the Cairns local government area (LGA).
• Promote, protect and enhance our iconic natural environment now and for generations to come.
• Create safe, sustainable and connected places that support a quality life.
• Ensure the community adapts to the inevitable changes in how we live and interact with our places, spaces and environment.
• Provide for a range of housing and employment supported by essential infrastructure, services and facilities that meets the future needs of the Cairns LGA.
• Comprehensively engage with and be informed by the Cairns community.
• Represent best practice, contemporary and progressive planning and growth management in a manner that directly responds to the unique environment, including needs and challenges of the Cairns LGA.
• Provide the foundation and necessary data inputs for Council’s new planning scheme and other growth-related initiatives being delivered by Council.