General News
17 June, 2026
Redlynch project rejected
A PROPOSED trades and services precinct at the former Crystal Cascades Horse Park in Redlynch Valley has been blocked by the Planning and Environment Court, with a judge overturning Cairns Regional Council’s approval of the project.
In a judgment delivered in Cairns on 5 June, Judge Tracy Fantin allowed an appeal by local resident Janine Hall against the council’s approval of a development application lodged by Bengali Land Pty Ltd for land at 626 Redlynch Intake Road.
The proposal sought approval for the Currunda Trades and Services Development Area on rural land in Redlynch Valley, allowing low-intensity industrial, trades and services uses.
Mrs Hall said the ruling meant the industrial development could not proceed.
“The material change use and the variation, so that’s changing the land from rural to industrial, was thrown out, so they’re not allowed to do that,” she said.
“There will be no industrial development in the valley.”
The court found the proposal conflicted with multiple provisions of the Cairns planning scheme and would introduce industrial-type uses onto land not designated for that purpose. The judgment also found that the proposal would have adverse ecological impacts and reduce future opportunities for public input on development applications.
The proposed precinct would have accommodated uses, including bulk landscape supplies, storage facilities, mechanics workshops and other trades and services businesses.
Mrs Hall said the case highlighted the importance of community consultation in council planning decisions.
“This case sets a really strong precedent that the community’s voice needs to be listened to by council,” she said.
“We had almost 300 submissions against this. The community was very strong in their opposition to this from the start – and we weren’t listened to.”
The development application attracted 247 properly- made submissions opposing the proposal and 20 supporting it. Concerns raised included traffic, environmental impacts, flooding, amenity and the suitability of industrial development in the valley.
Mrs Hall said she hoped the decision would prompt a review of future planning decisions.
“I think this is a really good opportunity for a reset,” she said.
“I’m hopeful that the planning department will read the decision from today and understand why the judge made the decision she did.”
The court ordered that part B of the development application be refused, while parts A and C, relating to lot reconfiguration, be returned to the Cairns Regional Council for reassessment and determination in accordance with the law.
