General News
1 December, 2025
Residents not giving up
REDLYNCH Valley resident Janine Hall is appealing the approval of an industrial estate at the Crystal Cascades Horse Park, citing concerns over environmental impacts and compliance with local planning rules.
The horse park, established in 2007 by the current developer Bengali Land, has traditionally operated as a riding school.
The developer claims the facility closed during the COVID-19 pandemic and argues the land is no longer suitable for agricultural use. It has council approval for up to 80 industrial blocks, described as a “trades and services precinct” on the site’s front section.
Environmental concerns include potential impacts on Currunda Creek, which runs through the site and joins Freshwater Creek.
Mrs Hall warned of flood risks and run-off following extreme weather events.
“All it takes is for someone to make a mistake or for there to be … an unexpected rain event, like in 2018,” she said.
“We can easily end up with all manner of material accidentally getting washed into the creek.
“This is a sensitive area, home to endangered frogs, cassowaries and other species. This is also in a catchment where children enjoy fishing and swimming.”
The central argument of the appeal is that the development is not compliant with the Cairns planning scheme.
Mrs Hall said the development did not meet the majority of the 34 assessment benchmarks it was assessed against, contradicting principles of good town planning and state policy.
She also raised concerns about council transparency and public consultation.
Over 300 community submissions opposed the proposal, yet the council approved it.
“We felt as a community very abandoned, very not listened to,” she said.
Potential conflicts of interest have been highlighted, as the landowner and developer previously chaired the Cairns Regional Council Planning and Development Industry Reference Group and has professional links to a firm involved in reporting on the development.
Mrs Hall said an independent town planning expert questioned why the council would approve the development for the benefit of one person.
Mrs Hall said the appeal reflected broader concerns for Redlynch Valley’s future.
“If this appeal fails and that land becomes industrial … then the argument for rural land in the future becomes, well, we’ve got industrial land next to us, so why don’t we just use this for industrial purposes as well,” she said.
The council approved the development by five to four on 12 March.
At the time, developer Pat Flanagan said he respected the concerns of objectors but was confident he had addressed all issues with plans to start work after the appeal process.
