Community
19 February, 2021
No one wants it
YORKEYS Knob residents protesting a proposed 46-unit “wellness centre” have just days left to submit their objections to the development.
Residents have until February 16 to put forward their submissions to Cairns Regional Council with locals raising a raft of concerns over the development by Chinese company, New Land Cairns.
A packed community meeting last week, organized by the Yorkeys Knob Residents Association, saw concerned locals voice their opposition to the venture.
Yorkeys Knob Residents Association President Adrian Gover said he had not spoken to anyone in favour of the development, which would charge $1000 a night and included a gym, day spa and two restaurants exclusively for guest use.
“It’s got nothing to do with the Yorkeys community at all,” he said.
“It’s a completely closed shop, I suppose you could say, it’s exclusive for the people visiting there only.”
Key concerns tabled by residents include a lack of carparking at the centre placing pressure on surrounding streets, access issues with the proposed Dowsett Close access road just 4.5m wide and the displacement of wildlife from the destruction of up to one hectare of forest, designated by the State Government as essential habitat for endangered and vulnerable species.
Divison 8 Councillor Rhonda Coghlan, who was in attendance at the meeting, said the community had valid concerns and encouraged locals to submit them to Council.
“The community is concerned and some of these concerns are quite valid and now is their time to submit their concerns to Council,” Cr Coghlan said.
Residents were notified of the development when signs were erected at the site on January 22 forcing them to act quickly.
“Legislation says that the applicant has to put this to public notification for 15 working days, which they have done,” said Cr Coghlan.
Yorkeys Knob Residents Association President Adrian Gover said many residents had already made submissions but more were needed.
“We’re trying to urgently get everybody, as many people as possible, to put it their comments and considerations,” Mr Gover said.
