Cairns Regional Council has endorsed a bold new framework to transform central Cairns into a more connected, climate-resilient, and community-focused city centre, setting a new benchmark for precinct planning with housing at its core.
Funded by the Australian government’s Housing Support Program, the Cairns City Precincts Urban Regeneration Project outlines a design-led roadmap to help the city accommodate projected population growth while enhancing liveability, housing diversity, and public spaces.
The project delivers detailed masterplans for three key areas — CBD South, the Health Precinct, and the Major Events Precinct — alongside an integrated strategy to connect, activate, green, and cool these precincts.
An implementation roadmap will guide future decisions on infrastructure, planning, and investment.
SMEC, in partnership with design firm Pilot Places, led the concept design report through an iterative, consultative process.
Traditional Owners, local businesses, and community groups played a central role, with on-Country engagement and co-design sessions embedded throughout development.
“Together, we’ve delivered an integrated plan that tackles complex challenges like flooding, housing supply and housing diversity while enhancing what makes Cairns special,” said Désirée Houston Jones, Project Director at SMEC.
“The outcome is a shared vision for a more connected, climate-responsive and liveable city that genuinely reflects its people and place.”
A standout feature of the framework is the introduction of “Cool Green” connectors — shaded, tree-lined walking and cycling corridors that link major destinations while functioning as blue-green infrastructure.
These connectors are designed to reduce heat, increase greenspace, manage stormwater, and support active transport across the inner city.
The framework also pioneers a more flexible approach to housing, moving beyond traditional detached homes or apartments to enable diverse infill typologies such as duplexes, triplexes, and low-rise apartments.
These new housing options are supported by planning levers tested for feasibility in the current market.
“This project shows how regional cities can lead the way in climate-conscious regeneration,” said Caroline Stalker, Principal at Pilot Projects.
“We’ve combined tropical design principles with deep community engagement to shape places that are both resilient and distinctly local.”
Adopted by Council in May, the final roadmap will guide the implementation of the Cairns City Plan and underpin future funding applications for infrastructure and public realm investment.
The plan is expected to play a significant role in delivering the 33,000 additional homes Cairns needs by 2050, without pushing growth onto the urban fringe.
With its integrated, design-led approach, the Cairns City Precincts Urban Regeneration Project sets a new standard for resilient, practical, and community-driven urban transformation.
