Real Estate
17 June, 2026
Housing perfect for old farm site
A CAIRNS southern regional councillor is calling for ideas for the future of a former farm in his division.
Expressions of interest have opened for ‘Mann’s Farm’, a 52ha site on Mill Rd at Edmonton.
Cr Matthew Tickner (Div. 2) said, in a Facebook post, that the Mann family had been farmers on the site for a long time.
“It is a very, very strategic block of land for the south and for our growing southern corridor,” he said.
“It was purchased by the state government many moons ago with plans to build a satellite hospital, but also has zoning over it for a major town centre ... what would have been the new Edmonton town centre.”
Cr Tickner said there had been discussions about it being ideal for residential.
“Now there will be some, some density, there will be some residential, absolutely, but I’m guessing I’m getting on here today to ask, well, what else do you want to see on this block of land?,” he said.
“What does the community want to see happen with such a strategic block of land like this in the heart of Edmonton?”
The site was considered, but has since been rejected, for a southern hospital, a youth detention centre or a new Edmonton town centre.
Marketing agent Danny Betros of CBRE Cairns said the site had been described as a residential and commercial development site like no other due to its strategic location.
“Currently considered the most perfectly positioned final ‘in-fill’ parcel and closest to the Cairns city, the site offers the opportunity for a master planned residential and commercial estate to cater for the ever-growing Cairns residential population,” he said.
“The site was previously designated for the new Edmonton Town Centre which included commercial, retail, health and residential precincts with planned public transport infrastructure throughout with parklands and community space.
“There was also a parcel allocated for a proposed hospital for the south side which has since been withdrawn.
“Given the current market demand patterns the site is expected to suit low to medium density housing and infrastructure is currently in place adjacent to the boundaries of the property, thus a developer won’t be waiting for years for extended services to be connected to the site.
“Cairns has a shortage of residential land with limited supply over the next 12-18 months and the extension of the Mount Peter development zone is still some years away.”
Coles Sugarworld with fast food giants, commercial and public sporting amenities are all within a few minutes from the Mill Rd site and Piccone’s shopping precinct is less than 1km away.
Expressions of interest close on Friday 10 July at noon at the office of CBRE Cairns.
