Property & Business
Business & investment
Cairns is perfectly positioned for local, national and international businesses and investors to live, visit and do business.
Building & renovating
Information on building guidelines and certification, driveways, easements, fences, garages and sheds, pools, siting dispensation and tropical building design.
Property information
We offer a range of useful maps and property searches for residents, land owners, property developers and business owners.
Development
Information about the types of development, levels of assessment, making and lodging a Development Application, public notification and submissions.
Planning schemes
Current and superseded planning schemes for the Cairns region.
Plumbing
Information on plumbing approvals and inspections, plumbing and sewer plan records, backflow prevention, and overflow relief gullies.
Operational Works
Information on when you need approval for operational works and how to apply.
Tropical building design
Designing for the tropics is essential in our climate. Use our resources to help design a home or building that responds to our environment, climate, local character and community needs, including the Designing for Density in the Tropics Design Guide.
Last Updated: 5 October 2021
Latest News > All News
Council highlights advocacy wins
Hundreds of millions of dollars for housing, water security and major infrastructure are among the significant advocacy outcomes secured for...
31 July 2026
Community donations help more than 100 joeys
More than $3,000 raised through Council's Free Green Waste campaign will help The Agile Project continue its work rescuing, rehabilitating...
31 July 2026
Council invests $8.9M in wastewater upgrades
Reliable wastewater infrastructure is essential for public health, environmental protection and the continued delivery of services to the Cairns community....
30 July 2026