Page 58 - Tropic Magazine Issue 11

Tropic
Opinion

“Hi peeps, I’ve hurt my back, who should I see?”. Everyone density developments? There are definitely places where 4-6
chimes in with comments providing different responses storey buildings belong, including around the shopping centres
Darren ranging from physio, chiro, osteo, massage, doctor, spinal at Smithfield, Edmonton, Westcourt, Earlville and Pease Street.
Barber specialist, acupuncturist or Emmet therapists, not to mention Why?
Owner all sorts of self-help advice. How on earth does this help this Does Cairns need higher density development? Residential
Three Wolves poor person make an informed choice?
Don’t get me wrong: word of mouth recommendations are accommodation units near shops, schools and bus routes create
fantastic. I just think the recommendations could be a little vibrant places, during and outside business hours. Imagine
what over 200 new residential units would do for the pubs,
Cairns on the rise! more targeted and informed, especially if it comes from cafés and shops of Smithfield. Higher residential density
someone who has had a successful treatment intervention for a
C similar problem. Alternatively, rather than rely on social media, generates retail
airns is booming... well on paper anyway. With the recent
employment and also builds
you could ask your GP.
opening of the aquarium, the progressing works of
Crystalbrook Collection, the possible start of the Nova City Decisions, decisions opportunities for business
towers, an almost finished Hemingway’s Brewery and the employment. In contrast,
soon-to-open Chambers development, there are hundreds of I also believe different things work for different people, and a imagine what 200
millions of dollars being spent in Cairns. But is it being spent in good therapist should offer myriad treatment options based on additional vehicles on the
the right places? what that person needs. For instance, I’m a physiotherapist and road in the Clifton
As a large tourism hub, the majority of Cairns businesses have I can offer massage, joint manipulations, needling, trigger Beach/Palm Cove area
focused their attention on this income stream for decades, but point therapy, exercises, taping and referral for scans or doctors would do for the morning
in the words of Bob Dylan “the times they are a changing”. And if required. Some criteria I recommend using when trying to commute.
while tourism is still a significant player in our financial decide on a health professional for treatment of an injury or Who?
ecosystem, a greater number of small businesses are turning ongoing musculoskeletal complaint would be: So, once higher density
their attention to the • Are they university qualified? developments are built, who
local market. • Are they regulated by a governing body? lives there? All of us! From
Individual operators • Do they have to continue to maintain a registration and people looking to downsize
are going out on a limb complete regular professional development, such as staying up and still live in the same
and investing their life to date with current research? suburb to kids looking to move out of home, a unit is a good
savings to offer Cairns • Can you claim WorkCover, Medicare or private health entry point into the housing market. How good would it be to
locals opportunities insurance with their services? be able to buy a unit within walking distance of the movie
and variety like never • Do they have professional indemnity insurance? theatres at Earlville or Smithfield?
before. With more The other important thing to remember is that there are stand It is time for all of us to sit up, take notice and build an
cafes, restaurants, bars out therapists in all professions. Even if you have tried that informed opinion on how the city should grow before
and shops on offer, our treatment type before, maybe you didn’t find the right therapist development arrives unexpectedly “in your backyard”.
little CBD is starting to shine some light on itself again. for you. Listen to your trusted ‘peeps’ but also consider a visit to
That being said, a shift in perception may be required to ensure us at PhyxMe. Physios are, after all, the number one MORE: planztp.com
money is invested in the right places for the future of our CBD. recommended health professional by Australian GP’s.
A key problem I see as a small business owner is the minimal MORE: phyxmephysiocairns.com.au
amount of affordable high-density living in the Cairns CBD.
Although tourists are spoilt for choice in accommodation, locals
are left with little option but to live in the suburbs. High-density
living is not everyone's cup of tea, but it does allow businesses Nikki
in the vicinity to thrive, with more foot traffic and greater Huddy
customer base potential. It can also help relieve parking issues
as residents have onsite parking, reducing the need to drive Managing Director
their car into the city. Successful in cities all over the world, I PLANZ Town
strongly believe high-density living could work for Cairns and Planning
provide a significant boost to our local economy.
MORE: threewolves.com.au City Growth
W
“ ith cranes on the skyline there is more talk than usual
about Cairns being ‘primed’ for growth.
There are applications for 8-storey residential developments in
Megan Palm Cove and Clifton Beach, where we would expect 3-4 storey
Thomas buildings – which is nothing taller than a palm. Would you be
Owner comfortable with 6-8 storey buildings in your suburb or your
Phyxme street? It is time to start the conversation with Cairns Regional
Physiotherapy Council about leaving a legacy of rationally planned higher
density, that is in the community interest.
Without our voice, our Council is under more pressure to
Healthy choice? surrender to private interests and to permit them to develop in
W concern for the public interest.
“ hen you hurt or injure yourself, how do you know which a way that maximises the developer’s advantage with little or no
health professional to get help from?
I constantly see posts on social media asking for Where?
recommendations. They usually go something along the lines of Are some places better than others when it comes to higher