DOUGLASNEWS.NETWORK
The Palms Collection received approval for their Development Application for the Palms Masterplan at a Cairns Regional Council Planning and Environment meeting today.
It has taken more than eighteen months of exhaustive public consultation and scrutiny to achieve the Council approval, with significant conditions placed on the development of the Masterplan.
Mayor Bob Manning spoke in favour of the development, endorsing the Masterplan along with. all but two of the Cairns Regional Councillors,Cr Brett Olds and Cr Rob Pyne.
View the Preliminary Approval for a Material Change of Use Including a Variation Request to Vary the Effect of Cairns plan 2016 for Development Rights in Accordance with The Palms Plan of Development at 4L and 900L Captain Cook Highway, Kewarra Beach – Division 9 here.
The $300+ million Palms Collection development repurposes the Paradise Palms golf course land with a community-focussed design that is marketed as promoting the northern beaches lifestyle, adding value to the economy, creating employment opportunities, enhancing connections with the environment and creating a legacy for the wider community.
Five distinct precincts within the 95 hectare property include a village with shops, bars, restaurants and a purpose-built school, and an $11 million waterpark, tourist accomodation, low density residential development, low-medium density residential development, and open space that accounts for more than a third of the development, incorporating parklands, cycle paths and walking trails.
PPNQ Developments predicts the completed development will contribute $34 million annually to the local economy, with more than 200 jobs created during construction, and 300 ongoing and sustainable long-term jobs upon completion.
The Palms Collection is recognised as an ‘EnviroDevelopment’, following a scientific-based assessment scheme that independently reviews development projects and awards certification to those that achieve outstanding performance across four or more of the provided elements – ecosystems, waste, energy, materials, water and community.
Members of “Save Paradise Palms Golf Course”, consisting largely of residents of the communities surrounding the Course, attended this morning’s Council meeting to express their objection to the proposal based on environmental concerns-a loss of green space, and threats to local wildlife, and fears of de-valued real estate.
Work is expected to commence on site early to mid-2021.
