General News
12 September, 2025
‘The final straw’
PLEAS to Cairns Regional Council to delay fencing works at the Botanic Gardens which are disrupting a café business have fallen on deaf ears.
Botanic Gardens Café owner Kimmy Timms said the works which blocked off car parks in Collins Avenue this week was “the last straw” before her lease expired and was not being renewed at the end of the year.
She said business had dropped dramatically in what should be her peak season.
“This time last week we were full and now it’s far less than half,” Miss Timms said.
She said she asked the council to delay the works which involved taking away the current fence to be refurbished and replaced with temporary fencing.
“These works are completely unnecessary and doubling up on ratepayers’ money,” she said.
“The fence will need to be pulled down when the restaurant is destroyed. This is another act of bullying me and is affecting the tail end of my trading through the busy season.”
“These works started Monday 8 September and, apparently, they will be finished towards the end of October. I can’t afford to miss out on the last of the busy season.
“This temporary fencing is not inviting at all. It went up this morning (Monday) straight after Carnival on Collins (on Sunday).
“There’s nothing wrong with the fence, there is not a feral pig problem … there are no feral pigs, despite what Mayor Amy Eden said on ABC Radio.
“My landline has not stopped all day (on Monday) from people asking if we are closed.
“Why couldn’t they start this work after my lease ends in December?”
According to the gardens’ masterplan review, feedback from the community suggested “the old café is a tired space”.
“The cafe will be removed and replaced with a new garden featuring highlight plantings,” the report said.
Residents also called for “better food and beverage offerings” and the report said “a future coffee/food cart was proposed to expand refreshment options.”
Miss Timms questioned how the council was replacing a 200-seat restaurant with a coffee cart.
“Look, I know my number’s up after 27 years of loyalty, but don’t take the café away from the community.
“This will be the only Botanic Gardens in the world without a café.”
Regular café and gardens visitor Pat Dawson wanted to know why it was so urgent to destroy a strong, secure fence to carry out the works when the restaurant was going to be demolished after the lease is ended in December?
“It smacks of vindictiveness, but why? There is more to this than meets the eye. Maybe the council needs to come clean and really explain what is behind all the secrecy in regard to the closure of the restaurant and replacing the space with plants,” she said.
“I love the gardens, they are very special and to sit in the restaurant surrounded by the plants is a unique experience. But, do we really need more plants there?”
A council spokeswoman said the fence line works were part of routine scheduled maintenance and separate from the masterplan redevelopment.
“The scheduled works include (but not limited to) replacing damaged sections of the fence and reinforcing the remainder. This has been an ongoing project for three years, designed to increase security and aesthetic of the Botanic Gardens,” she said.
“The timing was designed to be in between the conclusion of major events and the oncoming wet season.
“The re-establishment and replanting of the gardens before the wet season is an imperative part of the scope. These works are scheduled to be complete by mid-October.
“Public access to the gardens and the café will not be restricted or affected in any way.
“The iron gates will be removed for refurbishment, with temporary gates installed. Fencing is being replaced and notice has been given of the works to leaseholders, with public signage on display.
“All posts are being hand excavated, no machinery, to keep the tranquillity of the area.”
The spokeswoman said works were being done in two stages: visitor centre to Telstra pit, then Telstra pit to McCormack St.
“The main Collins Ave entrance to the Botanic Garden will remain unchanged.
“Stage 5 of the masterplan (scheduled for 2030) includes an upgrade of Collins Ave pedestrian access, which will also include an additional entrance to the Botanic Gardens through the visitors centre.
“The McCormack St entrance will continue to serve as a secondary entrance.”
