We recently featured the first five goals on our Cairns 2030 wishlist. What may seem an exercise in navel gazing we actually feel its more like blue-sky thinking. An open mindedness that invites discussion about what might be possible for our great city and region in just 15 years from now.

 True innovation comes from imagining the 'what if' rather than dwelling on the 'how come'.

Before we explore the next five items on the wishlist here is a quick recap of the first five:

01. Convention Centre is extended

02. Another national sporting team


03. Thriving small bar scene and laneway culture


04. Major roads upgrade


05. A third university

And now for the next five;

06. PLANNING STARTED FOR CAIRNS AIRPORT’S SECOND RUNWAY

Our international airport was a visionary move more than 30 years ago, and it’s been a major catalyst for economic growth in our region. With passenger movements reaching record levels over the past 12 months, growth is expected to continue at sky-high rates. While a second runway isn’t expected to be required for decades, the planning and community support for it should be well-entrenched by 2030. 

07. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SECTOR IN CAPE YORK

Economic development in Cape York and the need to create jobs in remote Indigenous communities has been a vexing issue for decades. Government policies may come and go, but one factor that has remained constant is the universal interest in authentic Indigenous experiences and culture. By 2030, better roads and airstrips, safer communities, business support and dedicated government funding and strategies are just some tangible ways to foster Indigenous tourism experiences in the Cape. 

08. GREAT BARRIER REEF IS ALIVE AND WELL

Rumours of the Great Barrier Reef’s demise have been exaggerated in recent times and some of the commentary has unfairly damaged our tourism industry. Nevertheless, the concerns by scientists are real and we must take the threat of everything from climate change and crown-of-thorns starfish to illegal fishing and water quality seriously. We imagine a bright and balanced future for the Reef where tourism activity and sustainable fishing sits comfortably alongside protective measures and global action on anthropogenic climate change. 

The Cairns 2030 wishlist article first appeared in the launch issue of Tropic magazine.

09. MORE RESIDENTIAL LIVING IN THE CAIRNS CBD

The biggest hurdle to creating consistent buzz and atmosphere – not to mention economic activity - in the Cairns CBD is the lack of people living there. Empty nesters, downsizers and millennials will increasingly look to live in our city centre over the next 15 years. By 2030, we hope a development like the Nova towers by Aspial has proven to be the game-changer our CBD has long needed.

10. SECOND HOSPITAL AND HEALTH PRECINCT

The long talked about, never acted on debate about the need for a second, smaller hospital in the southern corridor of Cairns will need to be resolved in coming years. Cairns Hospital is under sustained pressure to cope with current demand and sooner or later authorities need to bite the bullet and start building a second facility. Recently renewed talk of a site near Edmonton is positive. So long as we’re not still talking about it in 2030.

The Cairns 2030 wishlist first appeared in the launch issue of Tropic magazine.