Development support

The Policy provides support for eligible development in the form of:

• Waiver of infrastructure charges;
  • Charges up to $500,000 - 100% waiver;
  • Charges between $500,000 and $1 million – 100% of the first $500,000 and 50% of the remaining amount; or
  • Charges above $1 million – the above calculation, plus 25% of the amount exceeding $1 million.

The waiver available for catalytic development is determined by Council.

To be eligible for support, eligible development types must meet all of the following::

• The development was approved on or after 1 July 2026;
• Permanent building works substantially commence before 30 June 2029, with expenditure exceeding 20% of the total value of approved building works;
• At least 80% of the construction workforce consists of local workers;
• The development is acted upon within its initial currency period;
• The development is not associated with a compliance or enforcement matter;
• The development is not within the Cairns South State Development Area or Mount Peter Priority Development Area.

The above requirements do not apply for development that is defined as catalytic development, or development that incorporates tropical design for revitalisation of the Cairns CBD.

• Catalytic development – development delivering significant regional economic and community benefits. This includes consideration of an initial investment exceeding $20 million and the creation of more than 20 ongoing post-construction full-time equivalent jobs. Applications are considered by Council on a case-by-case basis. Reconfiguring a Lot is not eligible as catalytic development.
• Key centre development – Accommodation Activities or Centre Activities, as defined in the policy, within Cairns City, Cairns North, Gordonvale CBD, Babinda CBD or the Babinda Mill redevelopment area.
• Infill residential development – a Material Change of Use for a Multiple Dwelling or Rooming Accommodation within the Low-Medium Density Residential or Medium Density Residential zone, where the proposed building height complies with the applicable acceptable outcomes.

At the time the infrastructure charges for your development become payable, you will need to submit the Development and Investment Incentive Support Policy Eligibility Criteria Form ( PDF, 0.35 MB ) to Council:

• By email – planningadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au
• In person - over the counter at Council's main Customer Service Centre, 119-145 Spence Street, Cairns.
• By mail - Cairns Regional Council, Attention: Executive Manager, Development & Planning, PO Box 359, Cairns QLD  4870.

Eligibility criteria form ( PDF, 0.35 MB )

Council is able to levy charges for new development under the Planning Act 2016 and our Charges Resolution ( PDF, 1.48 MB ). As part of the development assessment process, Council may issue an infrastructure charges notice. This notice sets out the amount of infrastructure charges required to be paid, how these are calculated, and when they are due.

Infrastructure charges are intended to offset the impact of new development on infrastructure which is shared between multiple users and the public (trunk infrastructure). The infrastructure charges which Council levies contributes towards the costs of expansion and augmentation of trunk infrastructure. They are an important revenue source for Council and assist Council in managing the financial impacts of infrastructure demands arising from development growth and help in managing the fiscal impacts across the broad rates base (i.e. ratepayers).

Read more on our Infrastructure planning & charges webpage.

Council encourages developers to design for the tropical environment of Cairns.

Our Tropical building design webpage contains practical guides on how to achieve to:

• Appropriately respond to the local climate;
• Provide increased comfort and liveability;
• Positively contribute to the Cairns tropical character;
• Respond to the natural environment;
• Include landscaping that contributes to local biodiversity; and
• Reduce energy consumption through passive design.

Council offers a range of useful maps and property searches for residents, land owners, property developers and business owners. Visit our property information page for general property information including:

• Property Report Tool
• searches
• online maps.