Budget 2023-24: Briefs

Towards Cairns 2050 Growth Strategy

Council has committed $1.7 million to progress work on the Towards 2050 Growth Strategy.

The strategy will ensure long-term growth is being appropriately, proactively, and sustainably managed by identifying growth targets and strategies to 2050 and beyond.

The growth strategy will encourage investment in the region, recognising that population is predicted to reach up to 265,000 by 2050 – more than 90,000 more people than live in the Cairns LGA today.

It will support a wide range of businesses, industries and services and form a foundation for Council’s contemporary land use planning that supports growth, liveability and sustainability.

Technical studies will be prepared as part of the growth strategy to identify key elements, including where people will live and work, assessment of hazards that face the region and how people will move around.

To ensure that the strategy reflects the expectations of residents, the project includes one of the largest community engagement programs undertaken by Council.

The Towards 2050 Growth Strategy will form a foundation of the new planning scheme.

Contributions, donations and events – $10.8 million

Council will provide $10.8 million in funding, grants and donations in the 2023/24 financial year to assist with attracting major events, promoting the region, and supporting community organisations.

This includes:

• $3.4 million in funding set aside for Tourism Tropical North Queensland, as well as support for major sporting events, including Ironman Cairns, Cairns Marathon, and Reef to Reef, as well as sponsorship of the Cairns Taipans and Northern Pride.
• Support for numerous organisations, including Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, Study Cairns and Cairns Superyacht Group.
• Community groups, sporting clubs and arts and cultural organisations will share in $1.2 million in assistance from different grant steams.
• Support to a number of local organisations, including the Cairns Regional Gallery, Cairns Historical Society, and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.
• An allocation of $630,000 for Council-hosted and supported community events, such as Carols in the Park, New Year’s Eve celebrations, citizenship ceremonies and International Women’s Day.

Cairns Festival – $780,000

Council has allocated $780,000 to facilitate a 10-day Cairns Festival program, to be held from 25 August to 3 September.

The annual event showcases local, national and international entertainment, including music, theatre, film, and comedy, and also highlight the city’s rich cultural diversity.

Traditionally popular events such as the Grand Parade, Esplanade fireworks and Carnival on Collins remain on this year’s program, complemented by the return of the stunning immersive light show Reef Light.

The program features free and ticketed events.

Resource Recovery 2040 – $685,000

Council is aiming to be a leader in resource recovery, recycling and landfill diversion as part of its commitment to reducing its impact on the natural environment, aligning with the Cairns Climate Change Strategy 2030, which was endorsed in March 2022.

A commitment of $685,000 has been made in this Budget to progress the Resource Recovery 2040 roadmap, which considers how Council will meet State and Federal Government landfill diversionary rates.

This includes obligations under the State Government’s landfill diversion targets of 70% by 2030 and 90% by 2040.

Challenges to Council’s diversionary rates include the future expiration of the Bedminster contract, the end of its current kerbside waste and recycling contract in November 2026, and the need to improve recycling and recovery rates.

Local Laws Amendment Project – $85,000

Building on the local laws review, changes to the suite of 14 Local Laws, which are used to govern Council’s roles and responsibilities, will be considered.

Specific to the Cairns Local Government Area, the project provides an opportunity to review, amend and create new Local Laws that the community requires.

Council officers will work in conjunction with legal representatives, with input from Councillors, to determine necessary changes.

Flying-fox management – $500,000

Spectacle flying foxes are listed as threatened species and are recognised as an important part of the natural environment.

Council conducts on-going deterrent measures to discourage the spectacled flying-foxes from returning to the Cairns City Library or settling in other areas where there could be unwanted interactions between the animals and people.

These management activities are undertaken with relevant State and Federal Government approvals, using appropriately qualified and experienced individuals in order to minimise any stress on the animals.

Councils’ management activities have been successful on two fronts, for the wellbeing of the animals and for the community.

FUNDING NOTE: The Queensland and Australian Governments have provided funding for some items listed within the Cairns Regional Council budget.