Planning schemes

Council has one planning scheme for the region - the CairnsPlan.

It has been prepared in accordance with the Sustainable Planning Act 2016 as a framework for managing development in a way that advances the purpose of the Act. It sets out Council’s intention for the future development in the area over the next 20 years. Periodic reviews will ensure that it responds appropriately to community changes at a local, regional and state level.

Current scheme

The CairnsPlan 2016 Version 3.1 is the current version of the planning scheme. It was adopted by Cairns Regional Council on 13 July 2022 and commenced on and from 2 August 2022.

CairnsPlan Property Report tool

Council's CairnsPlan 2016 Property Report tool is an easy and convenient way to access planning scheme information that relates to a specific property.

Local Government Infrastructure Plan

The Local Government Infrastructure Plan forms part of the planning scheme. It addresses the planning and provision of trunk infrastructure ie water supply, wastewater, stormwater, transport, and parks and land for community facilities.

Superseded schemes

A planning scheme becomes superseded when a new planning scheme or amendment is gazetted. Once a new scheme comes into effect, an applicant may request an application to be determined under a superseded scheme.