Page 53 - Tropic Magazine Issue 11

Industry
Infrastructure

Under pressure

The future of Cairns is exciting as predictions of
economic growth continue, but the city faces
growing pains in the process.

SPECIAL REPORT
Words Gavin King

THE DEBATE IS RAGING ABOUT BIG AUSTRALIA.
As capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne reach a SCHOOLS
tipping point of livability fueled by housing stress In 2016, the Grattan Institute estimated that
and traffic congestion, a passionate national Queensland needs nearly 200 new schools to keep
discussion is underway about the pros and cons of up with the state’s population growth in 10 years’
growing our population. Renowned demographer time. While most of those are in the booming
Bernard Salt has long believed regional cities like south-east corner, Cairns will also need more
Cairns could help take the stress of the capitals. classrooms and new schools to cope with
“If any state has the capacity to develop a population growth over the next 20 years. Ask any
decentralised network of cities, it’s Queensland parent trying to get their children into of the city’s
and it should do that to deliver job opportunities more popular schools and they’ll tell you just how
and services to the local people,” he told News Corp. difficult it can be. Secondary schools such as Cairns
Here in Cairns, there’s a less heated though no less High are now so popular some parents are selling
vital conversation simmering on social media, in up in the suburbs to move into the catchment area
business circles and at backyard barbecues. such as North Cairns in order to secure a spot for
Most of us live in Cairns to enjoy the enviable their child. In another example of stretched
lifestyle, a magical place to raise our kids, start schools, Edge Hill Primary is already full with
businesses and enjoy the weekends. student numbers capped at just over 1130. “Our
We’re also excited about the prospects of economic enrolment management plan has been in place for
growth over coming years. Extra jobs are already a number of years, we’re at capacity. It’s all we can
being created, with many more to come as projects handle,” principal Paul Campbell told News Corp
like Crystalbrook Collection and Nova City ramp earlier this year. “We are very rigorous in our
up. catchment plan because we have a lot of people
But at the same time, this positive outlook brings wanting to come to this school.”
with it immense challenges to the core reasons we
choose to live in the Tropical North. What should be done
A growing economy means a growing population • Focus on improving public schools in low
as people move north to fill the jobs being socio-economic areas to make them
advertised. more attractive for enrolments
Before they even get here, however, our city is
already experiencing growing pains in
infrastructure and services. So, how would an extra RENTING
30,000 people living here over the next decade
impact our already stretched systems? Bernard Salt With the rental vacancy rate for apartments at such
crisis levels (most recently just 1.3%), you might
expect to see unit blocks rising out of the ground
faster than you can say “return on investment”. But
the business case on apartment developments up
to $5 million just aren’t stacking up due to the costs
imposed by Ergon, the NBN, Cairns Regional
Council and other red tape. With hundreds of
people set to move to Cairns as the economy grows
over the next 12 months, we need to act swiftly to
accommodate them.

What should be done
• Cairns Regional Council could investigate
initiatives used by other councils to help
stimulate construction of mid-size
developments
St Josephs School Parramatta Park