Real Estate
22 January, 2026
Rental relief
A DEVELOPER is planning to transform a tourist park at Edmonton into a relocatable home park to ease the lack of rental properties in the Cairns area.
Kelly Reaston Development and Property Services on behalf of Eureka Barrier Reef Ltd have submitted an application to Cairns Regional Council for material change of use for the relocatable home park.
“The objective of this new development is to establish a relocatable home park on the site of an existing tourist park that will provide affordable, long-term rental accommodation to cater to the needs of the Cairns community,” the application says. The Barrier Reef Tourist Park is at 169 Louie Piccone Way, Edmonton, and the redevelopment proposes 115 units of 113 cabins (95 new, 18 existing), one caravan site (existing) and one manager’s dwelling/office (existing).
Access will be via Louie Piccone Way.
“CairnsPlan 2016 v3.1 includes the subject site in the medium density residential zone, which seeks to provide for medium density residential uses,” the application says.
“The proposed development aligns with the purpose and overall outcomes of the medium density residential zone and the proposed development is code assessable”.
The application says the proposal “demonstrates compliance with the applicable assessment benchmarks”.
“Accordingly, it is anticipated that the development application will be approved, subject to reasonable and relevant conditions,” it says.
“The site was selected for the proposed redevelopment as the existing character and use as tourist park provides for a suitable transition to longer term accommodation uses, whilst also respecting the character of the area and nearby residential uses.
“The site has excellent connectivity to existing 10 transportation and pedestrian networks and is in close proximity to the Edmonton commercial centre.
“With excellent accessibility and the benefit of existing infrastructure being in place, that can either be utilised or upgraded to support the proposed development, the site provides a unique opportunity to increase the supply of affordable, long-term rental accommodation to residents of the city.”
The application says the new cabins will consist of a mix of high-set and low-set units, the majority in a duplex style.
“The new cabins will provide for active frontages to the community and the existing camp kitchen, laundry and pool will remain, providing recreational uses and amenities for the benefit of residents,” it says.
“Additionally, a central green space, ‘green spines’ between the units and the adjacent vegetated waterway corridor along the western and north-western side of the property will provide opportunities for passive recreation within the property.
“The proposed development represents a well-considered and strategic redevelopment of the site to provide for much needed affordable, long-term rental accommodation in the city.
“The site is ideally located close to transportation and pedestrian networks and close to the nearby Edmonton centre.
“The design delivers modern, functional units that enhance the site’s usability and appeal, while being respectful of the character and amenity of the surrounding area. The proposed works are sensitive to the surrounding context, maintaining adequate setbacks, vegetated buffers and a low-rise built form that integrates comfortably within the broader Edmonton landscape.
“In doing so, the development respects the original layout of the site while introducing quality affordable housing for the Cairns community.”
