General News
18 February, 2026
Crucial priorities for village
THE new Palm Cove Alliance lobby and advocacy group has outlined its plan for the resort settlement in a submission to the draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025.
Palm Cove Alliance president Peter Bon said the submission set out a clear pathway to deliver long-awaited improvements while protecting Palm Cove’s unique village character.
“The submission focuses on practical infrastructure projects that respond to years of community feedback and existing council planning, while supporting Palm Cove’s role as one of Cairns’ most important and valuable tourism destinations,” he said.
Mr Bon said the proposal was about planning growth more strategically, not stopping it.
“Palm Cove is a major economic asset for Cairns, but it’s also a small village. This submission shows how we can improve safety, liveability and tourism infrastructure without losing what makes Palm Cove so special,” he said.
The submission identifies four early priorities that would deliver immediate benefits for residents, businesses and visitors:
Williams Esplanade improvements to create a safer, greener beachfront with better pedestrian and cyclist movement and reduced traffic conflict
A refreshed Palm Cove streetscape and landscape master plan to coordinate parking, traffic, public spaces and future development, reducing piecemeal decisions
Activation of Tom McDonald Park into a shaded, community space for all ages that can be enjoyed year-round
Extension of the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail, improving walking and cycling connections and positioning Palm Cove as the gateway to the Wangetti Trail experience.
Mr Bon said a central feature of the alliance’s submission was an innovative tourism precinct framework, which would formally recognise Palm Cove as a strategic tourism village within the regional plan.
The framework would:
Guide where and how future development occurs
Protect village scale and character
Prioritise tourism-enabling infrastructure
Give certainty to residents, businesses and investors.
“The tourism precinct framework helps make sure future development supports Palm Cove’s economy and lifestyle, rather than undermining it,” Mr Bon said.
Once finalised, the regional plan will guide Cairns Regional Council planning schemes and future infrastructure funding.
“If Palm Cove isn’t properly recognised at the regional level, these projects become much harder to deliver,” Mr Bon said.
He said the submission put Palm Cove’s needs on the map early.
