General News
19 September, 2025
Lobbyists quit
A GROUP established to champion Palm Cove has shut down, with its president Robert van den Hoven taking a swipe at the state government, the regional council and other stakeholders for neglecting the resort town.
“When the cameras are rolling, Palm Cove is called the ‘jewel in the crown’,” he said in a final statement from the organisation.
“But the reality is stark. For over 15 years, Palm Cove has been bypassed, neglected and left behind.
“Promises have been broken, opportunities squandered and investment directed elsewhere.
“The results are visible every day – empty shops, for lease signs, dark empty esplanade after 9pm and a community slowly fading.
“We admit we were naïve, thinking we could bring back Palm Cove to what it used to be with the support from state government and local Cairns Regional Council. How wrong we were.
“The truth is simple. Palm Cove has been forgotten. When politicians, bureaucrats and public servants talk about the future, or as in the case Vision 2045, it often dodges responsibility for past and current failures. And the proof is in the pudding.”
Mr van den Hoven said the broken promises and missed opportunities included:
Palm Cove Master Plan 2021/22 – not even a toilet block delivered
Wangetti Trail – $38 million spent for 5km of dirt track, with no real parking or proper infrastructure, not even a carpark included
Tourism reports – while international tourism booms, Palm Cove continues to decline in overseas guests
The council and state government – more “visions” (Cairns 2045) instead of responsibility and delivery today.
“What we need is not more talk. We don’t need more glossy presentations or media releases. We need delivery of things that are achievable, practical and proven around the world,” Mr van den Hoven.
He said in 2022 Advance Palm Cove put forward practical, proven ideas to restore the suburb, including year-round events, a safe harbour and Double Island revitalisation, a parking solution, such as park-and-ride services connecting Palm Cove, Wangetti Trail to Ellis Beach boardwalk extension involving a cantilevered walkway around the headland and south from Clifton Beach to the Palm Cove esplanade, a safe, well-lit footpath with separate bike path along Williams Esplanade, international-standard hotels with the three remaining commercial lots to attract international visitors through marketing and create more jobs, an entry statement and roundabout reflecting Palm Cove’s boutique identity and a one-way esplanade.
“There is a general lack of support and interest from the council, the government, new business owners, new residents, part-time residents and investor Airbnb owners not even living in Palm Cove,” Mr van den Hoven said.
He said the opportunities were there, the committee had vacancies, including president and Airbnb/body corporate co-ordinator, “but not one person stepped forward”.
Mr van den Hoven thanked Daryl O’Reilly (event coordinator and fundraiser), Staci Hosking (secretary), Steve Herbing (vice president), Mark Byron (Palm Cove Hospitality Group) and Denis Donaghy (infrastructure) for their contributions to the group.
One of the group’s final acts was donating $15,000 to Ronald McDonald House at Palm Cove.
Deputy mayor and divisional councillor for the area Brett Olds urged Mr van den Hoven and the committee to reconsider.
He said he met three or four members of the organisation yesterday to hear their concerns as well as discuss with them some “exciting new ventures” proposed for the area.
Cr Olds said Palm Cove needed their “passion” and “voices” to continue but it was hard to get everyone in Palm Cove on the “same page” to work for the betterment of the area.
“I haven’t been able to, but I am trying,” he said.
Member for Barron River Bree James said the group did “an incredible job” and would leave “a massive gap”.
“I do hope others step up in their place,” she said.
Ms Bree said she would continue to advocate for Palm Cove and would have some updates on Double Island soon.
