Major overhaul of tourist park to create new affordable homes
MELBOURNE: A decades-old inner city caravan park could be turned into a 148-home residential community under plans lodged with Cairns Regional Council.
Planning documents reveal a bid to convert the Cairns Sunland Leisure Park at 49-61 Little Pease St, Manoora into a sprawling relocatable home park.
If approved, the development would see the 3.5ha site overhauled to fit 148 permanent dwellings, shifting the property away from tourist and short-term caravan accommodation.
The developer, AAA01OP Pty Ltd, plans to roll out the project across five stages to allow the existing park to continue operating while the new permanent community takes shape around it.
“The proposed development presents a key opportunity to convert an underutilised caravan park into more permanent residential development… providing housing opportunities that meet the diverse housing needs of Cairns residents,” the development application noted.
“The project will result in diversification of affordable housing product in the region, without unduly impacting the amenity currently enjoyed by surrounding properties.
“The site is located within a well serviced catchment that is capable of supporting increased permanent residential density with day-to-day amenities, employment, recreational facilities and broader transport accessibility.”
First approved for development in the 1970s, Cairns Sunland Leisure Park is located about 4km from the city and pitches itself as a budget-friendly option for visitors to the Far North.
The new masterplan reveals the proposed development will focus on two-bedroom homes, which will make up 133 of the proposed dwellings.
The remainder will include 11 one-bedroom homes, four studios and upgrades to eight existing cabins along the site’s First Avenue.
Future residents will have access to resort-style amenities, including an existing communal swimming pool, barbecue and picnic facilities.
It will also include 16 landscaped “pocket parks” providing 1902sqm of open space scattered throughout the neighbourhood and 164 car parking spaces.
Situated within a medium-density residential zone, the property is just a short walk from Piccone’s Village and Raintrees Shopping Centre, and sits directly across the road from the Pease St Pensioner Park.
Town planners noted the site was close to public transport networks connecting straight to the Cairns CBD.
The new single-storey homes will be elevated on piers to safely manage local flood risks.
The development application is with the council for assessment.