General News
29 May, 2025
$1.1m fix for Lake Placid
MORE than $1 million to repair the recreational area at Lake Placid, significantly damaged by flooding associated with Tropical Cyclone Jasper, is set to start next month.
The area, on Cairns Regional Council freehold land, has previously been used as a takeaway shop, café and restaurant.
In late November 2023, a lease was awarded to Cairns Adventure Group to operate a rafting centre, café and restaurant, storage and training centre on the site.
But a month later the site was severely damaged by flooding.
The council is ready to forge ahead with repairs, with the finalisation of preconstruction works, including designs, obtaining necessary permits and a demolition plan for the former restaurant building, which was significantly damaged by the flooding.
Critical electrical, sewer and water infrastructure will also be replaced and upgraded.
Installation of a new viewing platform and extensive repairs will be undertaken to reinstate paths, rock walls and other landscaping.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the rebuilding process would restore a sense of pride to the community, which had been devastated by the flooding.
“Lake Placid holds a special place in the hearts of many Cairns locals and its restoration is a symbol of our community’s resilience after the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Jasper,” she said.
“This project is about more than rebuilding infrastructure – it’s about restoring pride in a place that brings people together.
“Once completed, Lake Placid will be a revitalised hub for outdoor recreation and connection that our city can be proud of.”
Division 8 Councillor Rhonda Coghlan said, like the community, she had been frustrated by the delay in remediation works.
“However, after the devastation that followed TC Jasper, (the) council has been working with all levels of government to prioritise essential services and environmental rectifications first, before turning its attention to recreational assets such as Lake Placid now,” she said.
“More than 12 months on, we still have much to do.”
The works are expected to be completed by the end of the year, weather permitting.
Cairns Adventure Group is currently developing new plans to reactivate the site to be considered by the council.
It is their intention to progress shortly after the rectification works.
Group director Roderic Rees said the organisation was proud to move into the next phase of the development at Lake Placid, reinforcing its commitment to eco-tourism, sustainability and community engagement.
“We run daily rafting tours that showcase the breathtaking beauty of the (Barron) gorge to visitors from all over the world,” he said.
“This new facility is a step forward in enhancing the experience for our guests while creating a welcoming space for the local community to relax and enjoy Lake Placid.”
A proposed new rafting centre has been designed to improve the overall customer experience, offering upgraded amenities and a seamless start/finish to the adventure.
The addition of a café will provide a vibrant, friendly space for locals and visitors alike to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings of Lake Placid.
“Our commitment to eco-tourism and a sustainable build is something we, as a company, want to be proud of,” Mr Rees said.
“We’ve worked diligently with CleanCo Queensland and Cairns Regional Council to tackle the enormous infrastructure repair projects in the area.
“While we understand the frustrations caused by the extended timeframes and closures, we want to thank and applaud their efforts that have brought us to this point.”
The council is expecting to start work on reconstruction of Barron Gorge Road shortly.
The road has been closed to the public since December 2023 as a result of significant landslips and washout associated with Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
