Relocation of the children's playground, returning underutilised roadway to green space, and improved pedestrian connectivity are among projects identified in a new Palm Cove streetscape plan.
At today's Planning and Environment meeting, Council endorsed the Streetscape and Landscape Master Plan for Palm Cove, which will guide the long-term renewal and development of public spaces along the foreshore.
The master plan focuses on the Williams Esplanade and foreshore precinct, extending from the Palm Cove jetty in the north to the Sea Temple in the south, and bounded by Oliva St in the west.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the master plan provides guiding principles to ensure that future development of the foreshore remains true to the relaxed village feel and protects the valued features of Palm Cove.
"Palm Cove is one of Cairns' most popular and iconic destinations – it is a major drawcard for visitors and is much loved by locals," Cr Manning said.
"The master plan provides a contemporary plan to guide the future development of the public spaces within Palm Cove in a way that preserves the character of the beachside community while enhancing offerings to visitors."
In developing the master plan, Council used five principles to guide private initiatives and potential Council projects:
- Celebrate the relaxed beachside village character and tropical beauty of Palm Cove
- Create a safe, accessible and connected environment
- Embrace culture, creativity and the arts
- Support economic growth
- Deliver sustainable design.
Two rounds of public consultation were held, in 2021 and 2022, helped to inform the master plan to deliver a shared vision, with direct engagement with over 650 people and 370 responses via an online survey.
Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said public engagement was critical in identifying what the community valued most in Palm Cove, and importantly what needed to be retained, enhanced and protected.
"Exhaustive consultation was undertaken in preparing this plan and highlighted areas for improvement, including opportunities to create new spaces for events and activities, enhancement of pedestrian connectivity and improvements to the playground facilities," Cr Olds said.
"I think the local community will be pleased that their feedback has been incorporated into the plan and will be happy with the projects identified for Palm Cove's foreshore.
"This is an exciting development, however, we need to be clear that the projects identified in the plan will not be delivered tomorrow; it will take time and many budget deliberations for them to be progressed."
Six key project opportunities are outlined in the master plan, including:
- Northern Activity Precinct: Reconfiguring the northern part of Palm Cove and return underutilised roadway and trafficable areas to green open space
- Play Precinct: Relocating the existing play facility by moving the children's playground to a more suitable site further to the north to address safety, access and overcrowding
- Harpa St Node: Provision of safer pedestrian crossings across Harpa St and Williams Esplanade
- Veivers Gateway Node: Improving traffic flows and pedestrian, cycle and vehicle safety, while creating a sense of arrival for Palm Cove
- Public art: Provision of public art opportunities to heighten the unique sense of place and visitor experience for Palm Cove
- Feature lighting: Installation of feature lighting that has a synergy with the character and relaxed natural ambience of Palm Cove.
The master plan also complements the Our Cairns Coast – Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy and will provide guidance for the development of a local adaptation plan incorporating nature-based solutions.
Project opportunities identified in the master plan will be progressed over the long-term through further investigation, budget considerations, community and stakeholder engagement, and concept development.
See the Streetscape and Landscape Master Plan for Palm Cove here.
