Since launching my six-month action plan in January, we’ve been steadily ticking off milestones to make Cairns more liveable, economically secure, and culturally rich.

From community safety to setting the foundations for our future housing needs, the 27 items in this current Action Plan move us closer to a stronger, more vibrant future for Cairns.

I’m especially proud that our Council recently secured an additional $87.5 million in Federal funding for the Cairns Water Security Stage 1 project.

This came on the back of securing additional funding for this project from the State Government in the first 100 days of the current Council, providing massive cost of living relief for our ratepayers.

The first of my six-month action plans provides tangible steps to achieve results on six key pillars:

Key Action Pillars

Liveability: Enhancing urban landscapes and promoting tropical development to ensure a vibrant, high-quality lifestyle for residents.​

Housing: Collaborating with all levels of government and stakeholders to provide a diverse and affordable housing mix, ensuring everyone in Cairns has a place to call home.​

Women in Sport: Positioning Cairns as a premier destination for women’s sports by investing in facilities, programs, and events that support and inspire female athletes.​

Community Safety: Partnering with agencies and the community to implement proactive initiatives that enhance public safety and foster an inclusive environment.​

Strengthen our Economic Base: Fostering sustainable economic growth through innovation, local investment, and job creation.​

Arts, Heritage, and Diversity: Celebrating and preserving Cairns’ rich cultural heritage by embracing artistic expression and diversity to strengthen the city’s creative and inclusive identity.

Key highlights from this six-month action plan include:

• Advocate for High-Performance Centre: Championing the development of a facility to support elite athletes and attract sporting events.​
• Investigate opportunities for free green waste dumping: Investigate the mechanisms with fellow Councillors and Council officers to explore the introduction of free green waste dumping year-round.
  
• Hold Community Safety Roundtable: Convening State Government ministers and key stakeholders to collaborate on solutions for a safer Cairns.​
• Rejuvenate Australia Day Celebrations: Ensuring Council’s Australia Day events are held on January 26 for the first time in many years.​
• Launch campaign for Barlow Park and Showgrounds Precinct Masterplan: As a first step in a broad redevelopment of this key site in the heart of Cairns, lobby for funding to develop a comprehensive masterplan for the future of the Precinct.
• Announce Cairns 150-Year Celebration Advisory Committee: Establishing a panel to plan and oversee events celebrating the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.​
• Launch Women in Sport Action Plan: Driving initiatives to increase opportunities, recognition, and participation for women in sports.​
• Meet with State Ministers Regarding Mt Peter Housing and Trunk Infrastructure Funding: Engaging with government stakeholders to accelerate housing development and affordability.
• Finalise Neighbourhood Pathways Program: Plan and invest to improve pedestrian infrastructure for safer and more connected neighbourhoods.​

This six-month plan is about action, community collaboration, and delivering meaningful outcomes.

Your input is invaluable as we move forward, so please stay engaged, reach out, and follow our progress.

For updates or to get involved, view the six-month action plan here.

Together, we’re building a stronger, thriving Cairns.