PlanningAlerts

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1. We have a Town Plan which sets out heights and limits. Ratepayers paid thousands for this to be implemented. Any development which does not fall within those limits must be rejected. There are at least two applications before Council, one at Clifton and this one at Palm Cove which do not even come close to these planning guidelines. They must be refused unless they fully comply.

2. Dear Council,

   It is by shame that this land was approved as development land some time ago. The council has not left any natural passages of vegetation in this beautiful region which for tourists would be beautiful to be around rainforest and hotels. If development goes ahead the natural vegetation should be respected and limited tree removal should be controlled. This is the last beautiful rainforest parcel left in palm cove and is soon to be lost but a smart council would have zoned a boardwalk or something tourist could enjoy about the tropics instead of cement. This is not the Gold Coast it’s hotter and taking away vegetation constantly is a huge mistake. Tourists love shade,they come for the tropics which is trees and rainforest it’s not rocket science. I believe all new developments in the council have allowed for complete clearing of land and its very reckless.previous developments has to respect the significant trees but now your council allow anything. A treeless hot beach will no longer compete as a tourist destination it will not longer be tropic with cement everywhere it will be a dead end. As a resident there is no issues with Parking expect during really large events such as iron man in which buses should be utilised. Everyday of the week I can find a park anytime no issues on a daily basis. This destination should not extend past the current high limit as it will no align to the other buildings as is a disrespect to all tourists and residents.

3. Apart from the complete eye sore and the degradation to the standards of all the locals this complex will create, has any consideration been given to all the wildlife that inhabit this area at present, in particular the large colony of flying foxes that are a great attraction to tourism

4. Dear Planning Team,
   Whilst I am saddened that we will lose a really special piece of nature in Palm Cove, which has not only been habitat for a rich abundance of wildlife, but also has kept our special village feeling like a village and not just sprawling suburbia, I do understand that that the investor wants to make a return on their investment.

   It would be wonderful if the Council could buy back this piece of land and protect this beautiful piece of nature, but if this can't happen, then please take the following into consideration.

   My understanding is that the developer has asked to develop up to 8 stories because the current 'palm tree' height restriction wasn't in place when the land was purchased.
   I, and I'm sure I speak on behalf of the majority of Palm Cove residents, feel this is a cheap shot and extremely disrespectful of the region that they're developing in. As developers, they're attracted to Palm Cove because it is special and valuable, and I believe it is so because it still feels like a village. The very thing that their development would change once and for all.It's opportunistic and disrespectful to attempt to benefit from the reputation of Palm Cove (which has been built with the cooperation of all developers up until this point), by building structures that completely change and cheapen the very value proposition they intend to capitalise on.
   It would be considered ludicrous to argue that one could drive a car without a seatbelt and baby restraint because one purchased the vehicle before safety restraint regulations were introduced. Likewise, it would be ludicrous to say that one didn't need smoke alarms in a rental because the house was built before smoke alarm regulation was introduced. In the same way, it would make just as little sense if the planning team approved this development beyond four stories because it was purchased before the 4 story height restriction was introduced.
   We desperately need to place value on beauty and livability in our village and our region and open space is critical to maintaining these aspects.Please seriously reconsider this development and by no means approve anything over 4 stories. That would be a slap in the face to all those who have made this beautiful village what it is today.
   Please feel free to contact me at any stage to discuss.
   Dale and Stephanie Edney

5. Mary Mclntyre , disgusted and saddened by the destruction of the beautiful rainforest by the developers at the dead end part of Oliva St .Why have all the trees being removed along the Oliva Rd perimeter ?-senselessly the developer has removed all the trees this week , destroyed ecosystems, wildlife along the perimeter , devalued properties and creating havoc in the once quiet Oliva St .These developers and Cairns Council ( with only $ in their minds )have no regard to people owning properties there .I understand housing development( Stage 1) but not all the trees needed to be removed along the perimeter as stage 2 hasnt being sorted out yet .As a ratepayer like other property our rights should have being listened too .NOW THE IRREPAIRABLE DAMAGE HAS BEING DONE CR OLDS you need to get written assurances that the dead end connection of Oliva St REMAINS A DEADEND to prevent the thorough fare of traffic coming thru in the future .You have stated in previous responses to people that Cedar Rd will be the entance for the housing estate connecting upto Oliva St .Bollards or appropriate fencing should be erected etc at the dead end .after the trucks , builders finish their job stage 1.and any damage to roads repaired .I want written assurance that this is going to happen as does other people living in Oliva St and surrounding areas !!Very upset homeowner. and investor in retaining ECOFRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS.

6. Was an environmental study done before this destruction of habitat. Of course not. Yet if a farmer cuts down a tree a whole world of grief descends on him.
   The council excuse is that permission was granted a long time ago and they can’t change it, but that doesn’t apply when it suits them.
   Beautiful Palm Cove is fast heading towards being the Gold Coast.

7. Cairns City Council - since the trees have already been removed could council consider that replacement trees be part of the approval. Perhaps council has already done so and it is usual for councils to now require beautification through tree planting and other nature based plantings as part of the planning process and approvals

8. This development must be re-looked at. I understand that a number of staff from the planning department have left council. Perhaps some fresh eyes could sort this mess out. Council uses current requirements when it suits them and to say that the Palm tree height restriction was not in when the developer bought the land is ridiculous. Neither were cyclone building requirements! The village like atmosphere of Palm Cove is its charm. Any buildings of 8 stories do not belong here. But apart from this a public forum and information portals need to be set up so residents are informed of developments of this nature and are well advertised.

9. I note that the application from the developer originally included two small parks and that the council in fear of getting less revenue said “no it’s all right you can build an extra couple of houses instead”.
   I also note that a flora study was conducted by someone hired by the developer who took a whole four hours.
   I have not been able find any physical study on the fauna of this area.

10. As a tourist from unsustainably over-populated Sydney, who visits this area every year and stays a week, I will not return if this development goes ahead and more wildlife die. We stay here as it is not over developed like Trinity Beach has become (what an aesthetically unpleasant place that is now and those poor wallabies). Behind where we are staying is a land cleared block, a few native trees remain. We can hear the curlews, who are a real treat for us as the curlews are locally extinct in many parts of NSW due to development. Personally I loathe developers and uncaring councils. I truly hope you can protest enough to have this stopped. It’s sad enough the cassowaries are getting killed up around Kuranda due to the road upgrade.

    The climate is becoming hotter, you need trees more than ever before. Eight stories is sheer greed and madness and will destroy the area and turn it into a heat trap, all that air con pumping out onto baked tar - yuck.

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