A bold proposal to tackle the Far North's housing crisis by demolishing a derelict tourism park and building hundreds of affordable homes is gaining momentum in Edmonton.
From Tourist Attraction to Housing Solution
The site in question is the former Tropical Paradise Resort on Walker Road, which has been closed and sitting idle for more than a decade. The Cairns Regional Council is now spearheading a plan to completely redevelop the 9.5-hectare property. The vision is to clear the existing structures and create a new residential estate featuring up to 300 affordable housing lots.
Cairns Mayor Terry James has confirmed the council is actively pursuing this project. The council has submitted an application to the Queensland Government's Housing Investment Fund, seeking financial support to make the vision a reality. "We've put in a submission to try and get some funding to turn that into affordable housing," Cr James stated, highlighting the site's potential to deliver a significant number of dwellings in a well-located area.
Overcoming Obstacles and Community Impact
The push for this development comes as the region grapples with a severe shortage of affordable and available rental properties. However, the project is not without its challenges. The land is currently owned by multiple parties, and the council would likely need to facilitate its acquisition, possibly through compulsory acquisition processes, to consolidate the site for the large-scale development.
Local Division 4 Councillor, Joe Brown, who represents the Edmonton area, is a strong advocate for the plan. He argues that the benefits of providing hundreds of affordable homes far outweigh the preservation of the dilapidated resort. "The social and economic benefits of having 300 families living there in affordable housing, I believe, would far outweigh a tourism facility that has been closed for 10 years," Cr Brown said. He emphasised that the development would inject life into the local community, supporting nearby schools and businesses.
A Critical Step for Cairns's Future
The proposal represents a proactive attempt by local government to directly address a pressing community need. If successful, the transformation of the Tropical Paradise Resort would be one of the largest single affordable housing projects in the Cairns region in recent years.
The council's submission to the state government is a critical first step. The outcome now hinges on whether the Queensland Government sees the same urgent potential in the site and provides the necessary funding and support to turn the ambitious plan into bricks and mortar for hundreds of future residents.
