All recent comments on applications from Cairns Regional Council, QLD

I believe that artificial grass proposed for use each side of the footpath roadside of the property boundary is inappropriate and undesirable.
It is council owned land and plastic , or whatever it is made of breaks down (micro plastics) over time and would be washed out via the storm water drains through a Declared Fish Habitat Area and out to the GBR. Not good!
All other land owner’s responsibility is to maintain the grass and tree verges to keep the aesthetic look of the suburb appealing.
This owner has not maintained the property for many years and it has and still looks like an industrial dump!

This is a significant, healthy Blue Quandong tree(Elaeocarpus grandis)according to the attached arborist report. Stratford is a leafy green suburb, with wide streets and substantial canopy cover, particularly at the base of the adjoining Mt Whitfield Conservation Park. This tree situated in Dalziel St provides excellent shade to this and the neighbouring house with a resultant cooling effect.
In this time of increasing temperatures, the provision of shade and natural cooling by trees is essential to maintaining our health and wellbeing. Heat related illnesses are some of the major causes of death in this country, and without the mitigating effect of our shade trees, like this Blue Quandong, the vulnerability to such illnesses will increase.
It is incumbent upon Cairns Regional Council to do what it can to preserve our shade trees to afford some protection against these rising temperatures.
To remove such a significant shade tree because of a perception of "inconvenience" is short sighted and potentially dangerous for vulnerable residents.
This tree is part of the local ecosytem; it provides shelter and nesting sites to several bird species with the migratory Torres Strait Pigeon taking a particular liking to the blue quandong fruit. If this tree is removed it takes away a vital part of the connectivity between the Mt Whitfield Conservation Park and the riparian foliage of the intermittent streams that course through the suburb and empty into the nearby Barron River.
Too often, are significant shade trees cut down in Cairns because they are "in the way" . We, instead, should be valuing and respecting these trees because of the significant benefits they provide.

The new owner ('Ali will sell it' - Real estate lady) cleared all vegetation but 2 trees, one of them an approximately 30- 35 year old fig tree, home to the Spectacled Flying Fox (in season), the endangered Fig Parrot and a pair of Torresial Imperial Pigeons, who abandoned their nest when "Tree- Surgeons" (pictures taken of Company vehicles on the day) moved in and cut down established trees. We contacted Cairns Council, who were very helpful and were assured that under the "Vegetation Protection Order " this particular tree can not be removed without 'special' permission. We are aware there are issues with some roots, so we sent Council pictures of similar sized and much bigger Fig trees in Palm Cove, Kuranda, and Cairns CBD, adjoining pavements, roads, private locations, without any root issues raised (?), as those magnificent trees simply need protection. The Reference Number we were given by CCC is: 4253394.
We own an adjoining apartment, also many other properties, including 100 acres of pristine Rainforest, and it is our intention to raise awareness of misdoings, on this platform and others.
We also have instructed our solicitors to investigate.
Thank you

M & E

Development on the floodplain (..more fill!!!) diverts water into the already stressed mangroves. Mangroves are our marine nursery, oxygen factory and carbon sink. Jasper flood left us with many hectares of dead mangroves. Time to take development on the floodplain seriously. Regards Rob for the mangroves.

I have lived in Holloways for 24 years and as far as I can remember the permit was active when I arrived. It has been extended numerous times since for storage sheds.
Nothing has happened and the site has degraded into what looks like a rubbish tip. After so much time with no action and many extensions, how can the owner be trusted ?? It continues to accept fill, far more than the 50 cubic meters that I understand to be the limit without a permit. Is there a permit in place?
It is an absolute eyesore and l believe no extension should be granted and a site cleanup order be issued by Cairns Regional Council .

I believe opening up homes especially those that would otherwise sit vacant for months at a time to families for short term holidays is highly beneficial to the Kewarra Beach community. It brings vibrancy to the area and also provides economic benefits to the local businesses. Having visitors enjoying the local area can have a positive impact.
I fully support this application as a close neighbour and user of the beach.

In favour of this application.

Since the closure of Kewarra Beach Resort there has been severely restricted short term accommodation options available for families wishing to visit in Kewarra Beach.

We live close by and can confirm that we are hardly even aware when people are staying at that premises.

We also walk on the public footpath behind the premises and always has been a very quiet residence.

In favour of this application.

Kewarra Beach resort no longer available, reducing accommodation options for the beautiful Kewarra Beach. If Kewarra locals have friends or family wanting to stay close by in same suburb, there are zero options if no short term accommodation homes available.

Short term use accomodation (home rather than 1 or 2 bedroom unit) supports our tourism industry allowing option for the local beaches for when people have larger families and/or friends coming to visit.

Disappointed to see these iconic trees be cut down.
Could we get some feedback on whether it is correct that no-one is willing to de-nut these trees, as it has been done before?
If it is necessary to cut down the trees could the council please stipulate the sizes of the replacement plants.
Suggest a minimum of a 3 metre height as a replacement plant.
The rational for this being - other developments in the area have previously been given approval to cut and replace, but the replacement plants have been approximately 1 metre in height.

At the very least a 80 year old iconic Palm should be replaced with a mature plant.
Not a small early growth variety.

Another application for a building over 4 storeys. Does the four storey limit mean nothing to this Council? We're trying to protect the very heart and culture of Palm Cove.

I don't want to stop development but let's have it in keeping with the rest of the village. And why no public consultation for this development?

I am concerned that there no details for this exemption request… presumably it’s for an exemption for development approval
for transparency’s sake and in an era of supposed open & accountable governance,
I would expect some details for any planned development on this contentious site

Another business in the street meaning more traffic and traffic noise and dogs barking.
The people applying for this permit have no considerations for their neighbours as proven in the past. e.g. waking us four times a night, every night, no exceptions for ten years with their barking dogs, ignoring every request to do some thing about it. Going on holiday and leaving their two dogs all by them selves, barking/hauling day and night. One dog died as a result. then the illegal burning of rubbish filling our house with smoke. etc.
Evergreen Street is still simple road, without side walks for the many pedestrians, speed humps etc. Kids walking to the highway bus stop, old granny walking with her shopping trolley, dog walkers, people exercising, etc. With all the heavy traffic(local businesses) already roaring through this suburb, the last this we need is another flow of traffic visiting a dental clinic. With an average consultation of 15-60 minutes there will many many more cars. Evergreen will become a dangerous road for all pedestrians and cyclists. Please do not allow this to go ahead. When I moved here 23 years ago this area was known for its peace and nature, now it more resembles an industrial estate. Please take the reputation of this nice suburb in consideration. thanks, [name redacted by Planning Alerts admin]

Cairns council sought community feedback a few years ago on subdividing in Aeroglen, Stratford and Freshwater. The majority were against blocks less than 600m2. DAs like this one change the feel of our part of the world.

This application DOESN'T COMPLY with the "CODE ASSESSMENT" requirements in many ways. The only way this application can be accepted is via severe dispensation granted by the Cairns Regional Council.
Under Code Assessment, NOBODY has "right of appeal", that includes you. This is how the State legislation is written and the Council has all the power.
However, if the proposal doesn't comply with the code then it should not be accepted or at least Right of Appeal should be reinstated.
The State legislation as it is written needs to be reviewed as it gives corrupt or complacent councils and developers a free reign with no policing as we have seen happen in other parts of the state (Gold Coast included).
Don't be misled, this proposal is not a high quality development.
The Queensland Government state they will not intervene in the operations of a local authority even though it is state legislation in vouge. This raises the question of WHO is policing the council to confirm the legislation is implemented righteously?

I have resided at one of these properties and the proposal of a multi-story apartment complex is extremely unsuitable for this location, in-part due to the following:

Flooding and storm-water management is a major concern as the blocks already have massive issues with flooding, and there is already a lack of capacity for the area to cope with heavy rains. Due to the proposed blocks being already completely surrounded by developments (dwellings on both sides as well as the back, with the street to the front), any heavy rains turn the proposed building site into a flooded lake. Both the backyards and front yards become inundated with water which remains for days, and the street drainage overflows. Without significant investment and upgrades to the storm-water management of the area and the properties surrounding, building a structure like that proposed would cause rains to completely overwhelm the area as there is nowhere for flood water to go.

The small size of the two properties does not allow for large developments; a very small 3-bedroom single story house already takes up a significant proportion of the block (over 50%). Considering the current zoning requirements of the dwelling (coverage of less than 50%), is re-zoning required? A building of this scale would not fit without overwhelming the site and all neighboring properties. How can the proposed four-story development which would tower directly over neighboring properties within an arms reach, where houses are extremely close-by and back directly to the property, achieve separation from neighboring buildings and frontages (a requirement of current zoning)?

A development of this scale would vastly impact the character and amenity of the area. There are no other developments of this scale on the street or visible surrounding area. The character value of Edge Hill cannot be replaced once it's gone, and we're loosing more and more of it with developments like this. The proposal does not keep with the amenity of adjoining premises, which although just skimming under the 15 m height limit, there are no structures larger than individual dwellings two stories high in the area.

The blocks are located at the end of a small, quiet close. This development would adversely affect the residential character and amenity of the area drastically, including in terms of traffic, noise, lighting and other physical and environmental impacts. This goes against current zoning. The street does not have the capacity for an additional 22-occupant usage, there simply isn't enough space for that many people and vehicles without heavily infringing on every dwelling and family on the street.

We note that the Operational Works states:

Building Envelope Plan (p.4)
5. The applicant/owner must submit an amended Building Envelope Plan incorporating the following notations:
b. Include a notation that identified that lots 4 & 5 must accommodate on-site carparking structured in a way that enables vehicles to enter and exit in a forward direction.

Carparking (p.11)
Any future Dwelling House on Lots 4 & 5 must accommodate vehicle turning movements to enable residents to enter and exit the lot in a forward direction at all times.

With regard to compliance with the requirements for the Building Envelope and Carparking, the proposed minor amendment (Our Ref: 34300-003-01) submitted on the 30/01/2023 by Brazier Motti on behalf of the Applicant (A. J. & I. E. Winton) and published on CRC's portal 01/02/2023 does not appear to demonstrate that the proposed Change Application for a Minor Change:
1. accommodates on-site carparking structured in a way that enables vehicles to enter and exit in a forward direction
2. the future Dwelling House on Lots 4 & 5 accommodates vehicle turning movements to enable residents to enter and exit the lot in a forward direction at all times.

I am unaware if Council has further information which demonstrates otherwise but it would be useful to be assured that the development is safe, sustainable and the conditions of the operational works permit are adhered to.

We, therefore, suggest that further information is sought to ensure the applicant can demonstrate that the proposed changes comply with these conditions.

Thank you so much for your time.

The limited one car parking space for each duplex will result in vehicles parking on Kamerunga road. each 2 bedroom townhouse town has two parking spaces should each duplex also have the same number?

ATT Cairns Regional Council

RE: DA reference number 11694/2022

To whom it may concern,

We have lived at 8 - 10 Herries St for over 53 years. We have seen our quiet, safe street turn into a busy, loud and sometimes unsafe place to live over the many developments that have taken place in the last 20 - 30 years.

There have been many instances of altercations between some residents of nearby unit complexes around our house and further strain to the parking infrastructure will certainly compound this issue.

The coming and going of multiple cars during the proposed drop off and pick up times will cause all sorts of traffic problems and congestion. Leaving the area can already be quite difficult, especially when turning on to Mulgrave Road from either O'Hara St or Kelly St during peak times.

The proposed number of children that the Daycare Centre will cater for means that at least 15 - 20 staff members will need to park their cars too. Looking at the proposed plans, there is only 18 carparks for the Daycare Centre being proposed... Is this just for staff or are they expected to park on our street that is already at capacity?

We are opposed to this development, especially due to the added traffic and parking issues it will cause on Herries Street. The proposed driveway is directly opposite our driveway and due to the abovementioned issues, this will cause us unnecessary added stress.

Regards,

Tom and Helen Puccini

Currently, the view from our house is a rather attractive stand of trees, perhaps they could remain ?
20 or so more vehicles using the Close would be intolerable from noise and pollution, pus collision danger. Most of us reverse out of our drives.
If I am to spend my last years looking out at this supremely ugly building, with it's detriment to the value of my property, will there be any reduction to my rates?
yours sincerely
Tony Tanner

To whom it may concern

Whilst I appreciate that concentrated housing is required in the Cairns region, the application to put 22 flats in Izatt Close is grossly inappropriate. There are hundreds of development sites in the Cairns region where dense housing can be accommodated instead of a small close in Edge Hill.

This is an exclusive sleepy village and a highly desirable investment for residents, not a solution for high density housing. The road is already cluttered with on street parking, making it very difficult to gain access to my parents house.

The artists impression leaves a lot to be desired. Then again I don't think I have seen a single housing development in my 28 years in Cairns that I have found attractive. Developers seem stuck in the 70's with no thought to recreational space or green star ratings. This will be another boiling hot concrete block construction bereft of trees and wildlife.

I strongly object to this application in its current form.

Dear Sirs

I am just writing to express severe concern about a planned development at 7 Izatt Close, Edge Hill.

As I understand it, there is a plan to put a large four storey development with 22 apartments in this very small close.

This development seems completely inappropriate for the location. My in-laws are in their mid 80s and moved to 5 Izatt Close as a quiet place to enjoy peaceful retirement. It is a short, tranquil sleepy street, backing on to the Centenary Lakes, inhabited by other retired people.

The last thing anyone would want is a giant apartment block right on their doorstep.

There is already no parking available on this curved part of the close. While the developers claim to be putting in some ground floor parking, as you know, in reality most residents and visitors will just try to park in the street, resulting in chaos. Once it is finished, the whole ambience of the Izatt Close will be destroyed by continual vehicles attempting to get in and out.

The constant noise and heavy traffic to the site for years during construction in this small close will likely be unbearable.

Essentially this street is just too small for such a large development.

Would you like your grandparents to have to live next door to this?

Thanks you for your consideration and please don't let this development proceed.

Dominic Chaplin

p.s. There is still heaps of empty cane land south of Edmonton to put up apartments.

This would be devastating, more horribly designed houses crammed into tiny blocks. The suburb doesn't need more traffic and it certainly doesn't need any trees cleared for construction. We love our suburb, please don't destroy it.

Just how this was passed as it is in the magazine explosion exclusion zone.

Hello to council and anyone looking here, if there is a community meeting please let us know here thanks, as we dont see anything about it on councils website and have not heard from them?

Hi, can I please have detailed information on the material change of use for Buckley st, Yorkeys Knob, ref 11555/2022. There is a community meeting on this which I can't attend as I'm in hospital and am keen to understand how this establishment will seriously effect the residents of Yorkeys knob and the environment.