General News
9 July, 2025
Remedy for growing pains costs $450m
COST estimates and the need for accelerated and robust planning and investment from all levels of government to unlock the southern growth corridor and deliver new housing sooner have been outlined in a report unanimously endorsed by Cairns Regional Council.
Cairns Chamber of Commerce, RDA Tropical North and Advance Cairns have added their support alongside Master Builders and Access Housing to the council’s strategy for development of 3300ha undeveloped land to the south of the city, between Edmonton and Gordonvale.
The first stage, which has been costed at $450 million, requires a third share funding by the council, state and federal government for the land which has the potential to deliver 18,500 new homes and ease the city’s housing crisis.
Pivotal to accelerating delivery of development in the southern growth corridor will be implementation of a Priority Development Area (PDA).
Through the PDA process, the council can work collaboratively with the state government to bring forward the planning and delivery of infrastructure in the corridor, meaning more new homes in liveable communities can be delivered sooner.
It also strengthens the council’s advocacy position to secure the necessary state and federal government investment for critical trunk infrastructure.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said it was the last remaining greenfield site of the scale to create “vibrant, healthy and sustainable communities – places that people will want to call home”.
“Implementation of a PDA is the best way to do that and ensures active collaboration with the state government, as well as landowners, industry and other stakeholders,” she said.
“It will also mean that accelerated planning, design and approvals get shovels in the ground sooner.
“We welcome the federal LNP’s recent announcement of a $33.8m commitment toward road infrastructure in the southern growth corridor – it’s a start.”
Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Patricia O’Neill said “infrastructure investment will be required from all three levels of government to ensure the Mount Peter development can be realised”.
“When we have adequate housing, it signals the potential to attract both private and public investment into other areas such as schools, transport and commercial opportunities to assist in growing our regional economy,” she said.
Advance Cairns chief executive officer Jacinta Reddan said state and federal funding to support essential infrastructure was critical “if we are to deliver affordable housing sooner and ease the cost burden on our communities”.
“The Mount Peter southern growth corridor has the potential to address a housing crisis while easing cost pressures on local residents,” she said.
RDA Tropical North chairwoman Professor Hurriyet Babacan said “Cairns is facing an unprecedented housing supply gap, and the Mount Peter southern growth corridor presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to respond”.
Access Community Housing chief executive officer Aidan Lang said Access Community Housing supported the council’s efforts to unlock new land for “much-needed housing in our community”.
Master Builders Queensland Far North Queensland regional manager Sharon Vella said “unlocking land supply through targeted infrastructure investment is vital to addressing the housing shortfall in our region”.
