General News
8 October, 2025
Coping with growing pains
AN ambitious roadmap to cater for an extra 72,000 people living in the Cairns region by 2050 has been unveiled by the regional council.
The ‘Towards 2050: Growth Strategy’ plans to create thriving neighbourhoods, more housing choice, resilient infrastructure and a stronger economy.
The plan aims to ensure Cairns remains one of the most liveable and sustainable cities in Australia while safeguarding the tropical lifestyle, cultural heritage and natural environment.
Deputy Mayor Brett Olds said the strategy was one of the most important long-term plans ever developed for Cairns.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of our city,” he said.
“Towards 2050 is about balancing growth with protection of our natural assets, ensuring Cairns continues to be an exceptional place for future generations.”
The strategy was developed over nearly three years of research, background studies and consultation.
More than 205,000 community interactions and almost 7000 direct pieces of feedback helped shape the plan.
Insights were gathered through online surveys, pop-up events and targeted engagement, such as a 350-member community panel, community and youth summits and consultation with First Peoples groups.
The plan is built on six foundations:
Protecting and celebrating Cairns’ blue and green tropical landscapes
Delivering diverse housing to meet changing community needs
Proactively planning for natural hazards
Focusing growth in key areas
Creating great tropical neighbourhoods
Supporting a thriving economy.
These foundations are supported by seven city-wide strategies and detailed precinct-based planning across northern, central and southern Cairns, recognising the different opportunities and challenges in each part of the region. The strategy also highlights the significant role of the state government in planning for growth, particularly in the Mount Peter southern growth corridor and the Cairns South State Development Area.
