Palm Cove News

June 2005



Residents have spoken: unpaced development not on

PEOPLE are showing their concern at the speed of development occuring at Palm Cove, reminding the council that their lifestyles are at risk.
Public meetings on May 26th at Palm Cove and Clifton Beach were arranged by Cr Sno Bonneau and the Council. Over 100 Palm Cove residents attended.
Cr Bonneau opened the meeting at Spice Market Restaurant and introduced council chief executive David Farmer, planning manager Nikki Huddy, manager of city assessment Neil Beck, and infrastructure manager Helius Visser. Another six council officers were in attendance.
Doug Turnbull of Cedar Rd said there had been massive subdivisions, actual and proposed, involving clearing large areas of trees and perhaps including the mountain slopes.
"Most of the remaining open spaces will be developed. Traffic will increase through the residential areas. We face the prospect of a tightly packed suburban sprawl and a badly scarred hillside," he said.
He said he thought most residents were angry about the developments and the severe impact they would have on the amenity of their community including "the imminent degrading of a beautiful and internationally recognized environment."
Several speakers echoed his remarks.
Cr Bonneau said his policy had always been to preserve the amenity of Palm Cove and that he intended to continue that policy.
"The council and I arranged this meeting and one at Clifton Beach in order to get your views," he said.
Council decisions on street closures, traffic arrangements, the environment and rate valuations were also debated.

NO EARLY CLOSURE OF GOLf COURSE

NOVOTEL golf course will stay open for as long as possible, an Indigo executive has said.
Sales Manager David Staffords told the May 28 meeting that the course would not be closed until just before clearing work commenced.
"This should be in the first half of 2006," he said.
Seventy percent of existing vegetation on the property would remain, he said.

Changes in CairnsPlan

SIGNIFICANT changes to zoning regulations as indicated by Cairns Plan are:
Minimum block sizes : Subdivisions can be down to 600sq m for Residential 1 areas and down to 450 sq m for Residential 2 (previously 300). Residential 2 is considered on a performance basis.
Maximum height above sea level, above which development cannot be made, formerly 80 metres, has been deleted. No figure is shown in CairnsPlan. Council has advised that approval of developments on high ground will depend partly on availability of services such as electricity, water, drainage, and roads.
Hillslopes: CairnsPlan states in Section 3.6.1 - The hillslopes, which provide a dramatic backdrop to (Cairns Beaches District), should be retained in their existing state.
CairnsPlan was designed to set standards for the next ten years.

Surf Club building still an item

A NEW club building at Palm Cove is still "on the backburner", according to Brothers Club CEO Mano Gomez.
Mr Gomez said the club was still in the planning stage.
Meanwhile, 350 gram steaks are on offer with salad and chips for $10 on Tuesday nights, with roast beef and vegetables on Sunday nights also for $10.
Chefs Jackie and Victor are in charge.

What name?

INDIGO PROJECTS, who are enlarging Novotel Resort with residential apartments replacing the golf course, want a name for the development.
Tossing around names such as "Verdant" and "Silhouette", development manager Dennis Nichol said he wouldn't mind some community input.
"If someone can come up with an appropriate name, the prize would be a meal for two at Spice Market," he said.
Other well-known local names are Sanctuary, Mango Lagoon, Amphora, Sea Temple, Angsana, Reef House, Clarion, Reef Retreat, Melaleuca, Oasis, Paradise, and Tranquility. The big development in south Palm Cove is called "Argentea". Anyone with a suggestion should call Jerry Dukes 40591610 or write 52 Terebra St.

Letter to Editor

Recently I received photos of our holiday in Palm Cove refreshing my memories of that beautiful place.
Although we stayed only two nights, memories of the very well preserved majestic old stands of melaleuca along the beach in front of new developments will be with me forever.
Their sight, particularly when lit at night, is breathtaking.
I'd like to see young melaleucas planted further down the street at my next stay at Palm Cove.
By the way, why is it called Palm Cove and not Melaleuca Cove?
- Heike Jindra, Vermont South, Vic.

Stuck for a gift?

THAIS ST resident Vesna Dos-Santos has the answer.
Vesna's shop Essential Gifts at Clifton Village Shopping Centre has the latest styles in tablewares, homewares, body bath products, gourmet foods, chocolates, etc.
"We also do hamper gift baskets designed to suit your needs and budget," she said.
Essential Gifts won a Corporate Gift 2004 award for Outstanding Achievement.
Editor : Vesna, an ex-Sydney mother of three, certainly has good taste in giftware. Her wares are surely worth a perusal.

NEW GROUP WANTED

Concerned about development in Palm Cove?
Any residents who might want to get involved in an action group, please call Joy 4055 3806

 

Published by Jerry Dukes
52 Terebra St
Palm Cove 4879 QLD
Ph 4059 1610 Fax 4059 0058
Email : info@palmcovenewsletter.com
On website : http://www.palmcovenewsletter.com