Page 51 - Tropic Magazine Issue 16

INDUSTRY • URBAN AFFAIRS

Leveraging a brighter future

How do we leverage investment Invigorate street life along
within the CBD and bring new, the north-south axis including
scalable solutions to become a Abbott, Lake, Grafton, and
leading open air tropical city? Sheridan Streets, particularly
between the lagoon and Cairns at night for both residents and
Central at about the location of the Reduce the temperature tourists, and during the day for
fig tree in front of the Woolshed. If by planting more trees and workers and tourists
we draw a 400m radius from that increasing the shade
centre point, the main elements of Bring permanent residential Consolidate connectivity to the
this walkable catchment (at the street accommodation into the centre activities that have developed
level) is predominantly retail and peripheral to the CBD such as
restaurants. At the level above, we Rethink parking Munro Martin Parklands and
have two university campuses, several the new Cairns Performing
international language schools, Continue to reinforce the Shield Arts Centre, the wharf area,
tourist accommodation and offices. Street experience that invites the Lagoon and Esplanade and
There is very little residential. people to stroll and encourages Cairns Central
Only three permanent residential them to spend time and money,
apartment blocks are in this or to simply people watch Do some research, collect data
catchment and sadly the library and Reconnect the civic to the then share the information and
art gallery are the only remaining centre, such as the courthouse, work with the community to
community facilities. make informed decisions
post office, police station, and
State Government offices at Listen to the users and the
ALL THE ELEMENTS William McCormack Place business owners
Our CBD has all the elements of a
predominately open air, modern The CBD is for all of us. We need to lift
centre, such as retail, restaurants and our gaze and our goal. What would
tourist facilities. These are the same it take for Cairns to be recognised by
successful features of internationally UNESCO, or receive an international
renowned cities such as Auckland, award for being an engaged city, a smart
Honolulu, Stockholm, and Vienna. city, or a healthy city? Nikki Huddy is from Planz Town
But Cairns isn’t sure of itself. It hasn’t Planning and Sharon Harwood
matured into its potential. Currently, is from Harwood Planning and
the Cairns CBD is a hot, open air Development.
centre and it continues to compete Don’t miss the April-May edition of MORE: Check out the Planz Town
with the air-conditioned convenience Tropic when we delve deeper into Planning page on Facebook for
of shopping centres at Cairns Central, the elements of what does - and posts on contemporary planning
Smithfield, Earlville, Westcourt, doesn’t - work in the Cairns CBD. issues in our region.
Raintrees and Mt Sheridan.

51 • tropicnow.com.au