Page 50 - Tropic Magazine Issue 16

INDUSTRY • URBAN AFFAIRS

Defining the

Cairns CBD

SPECIAL REPORT
In the first of a new series on
the Cairns CBD, experienced
local planners Nikki Huddy and
Sharon Harwood delve into
the traditional and modern
versions of our city’s heart.

EVOLVING MORE RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS
A good city knows what it is Cairns has had many versions of our We are also yet to realise the permanent
- and what it isn’t. city centre over the years. It started as residential opportunities of our CBD.
a traditional city, built around Abbott We should not rely on bringing people
Street. This bustling strip contained into the CBD - this highlights or creates
A traditional city centre has a Main government buildings, access to the port problems with cars, parking, public
Street where business evolved. As they facilities, shops, pubs, customs house transport, cyclists, and more. We have
took advantage of passing trade and and various services. Since the 1980’s, to put people there by making space for
easy access by all modes of transport, we have tinkered with some of the really permanent residential development.
including trucks, carts, cars, pedestrians, critical elements that attract and retain This will go a long way towards resolving
cycling, rail, and the port. people in the centre such as the post parking and traffic issues due to on-site
office, council chambers, banks, school, parking and fewer commuting workers,
The modern city centre is characterised and court house. At the same time, air- and put more people into the CBD for
by stand-alone shopping centres, conditioned shopping centres sprung up our small businesses.
dominated by retail and entertainment at Earlville and Smithfield. But the most So, now we are in between being a
with less businesses, community and significant impact on the Cairns CBD traditional and modern city and as a
residential uses. was the development of Cairns Central consequence we have lost our identity,
shopping centre in 1997. along with the purpose and function of
Up until this point, the primary our CBD.
function of the Cairns CBD was as a
freight hub for the region, for mining,
forestry, and agriculture. Our main WALKABLE CATCHMENTS
streets ran north-south along Abbott Urban design in the CBD is based on
Street and then later Lake Street. The either 400 metre (5 minutes walk)
opening of Cairns Central changed the or at the most 800 metre (10 minute
orientation of the CBD to east-west walk) catchments measured from a
along Shields Street. This subtle change centre point. 800 metres is recognised
to the flow of passing traffic has seen as the maximum distance from the
Cairns morph from a traditional centre centre point that a person will walk,
to a modern centre with a focus on irrespective of climate, time of day and
tourism and the businesses it serves. design and attractiveness of the walk.
Our key businesses - including the This is due to the practicalities of time
port office, government services and budgets and human nature.
community spaces - moved to the The current centre point of the Cairns
Lake Street 1930’s
periphery. CBD is on Shields Street, located

50 • Tropic • Issue 16