Overview

Palm Cove isn’t just another suburb of Cairns.  In 1984 the international airport was opened and the domestic terminal capacity was extended. This triggered exponential growth in investment in the tourism sector in Palm Cove.  International operators like Accor and Ramada chose Palm Cove; not Clifton or Kewarra or Trinity or Holloways or Machans.  They chose Palm Cove.

This was because they recognised that Palm Cove has what it takes to attract and satisfy international and domestic markets looking for a safe, convenient and beautiful natural tropical beach destination.

Along the way, Mulgrave Shire Council (as it was then) revised zoning along the Palm Cove waterfront up to Clifton Beach to support this investment.  At the time, the marketing of resorts and hotels, and Palm Cove itself as a destination, was driven by professional marketing teams.

We no longer have those skills or marketing budgets at Palm Cove.  Those marketing teams have been replaced by individuals who have purchased management rights to properties like Drift, Paradise on the Beach and Novotel for example.  Reef House is now the only significant property fully owned, managed and marketed by a professional team.

The property management focus has changed from delivering a high quality guest experience to real estate marketing.  The Argentea beachfront has been rezoned from resort to residential.  Novotel has been closed for some time.  The golf course was rezoned to residential and half has already been built on with the remainder currently being subdivided.  Cairns Tropical Zoo at Palm Cove moved away.

For those of us who wish to preserve and enhance the visitor experience we need to act now.  Council’s Palm Cove Streetscape and Landscape Master Plan doesn’t recognise the importance of Palm Cove to Cairns tourism.

The Promenade Plan

This Palm Cove Promenade concept, shown in the header image on this page, was developed in 2017 before the Melaleuca forest was cleared and the new units were built in Amphora St.  It builds on Leigh Ratcliffe’s 1992 Palm Cove Strategy Plan to pedestrianise Williams Esplanade.

It sets out to offer up a solution to the increasing traffic and parking issues along the esplanade while at the same time creating a unique marketing profile that intimately engages with who we are as a destination.  Who are we?  We are the start of the Wangetti Trail, the start of the Cairns Airport Ironman, the start of Port Douglas Gran Fondo, kayaking around Double and Scouts, home to Cairns Surf Club and many, many spas and health treatments.  This is who we are.  We are Health and Vitality in the Tropics.

And what better way to demonstrate who we are than with a promenade that prioritises walking, running, cycling and exercise over cars, trucks and buses.  The plan isn’t just about solving the very real traffic and parking problems.  It is a destination marketer’s dream.

Getting Around – Some Shuttle Options

There are many options for providing public transport along the beachfront.  In fact, back in the day, in the late 80’s and early 90’s there were long wheelbase resort buggy type vehicles moving passengers and their luggage along Williams Esplanade. There are also electric and cycle pedicabs some of which operate in Cairns City now.

Then there are what is known in France as Les Petits Trains. An internet search will turn up scores of these little trains.  As you would expect there are now electric versions available.

There are many Petit Trains around the world. BradshawEV in Portugal are major manufacturers of electric versions.

Parking

The best option for parking is on Lot 100 behind Palm Cove Village.  A 2 level car park on part of that site could provide 320 parking spaces.

There are three sites where multi-storey car parking could be built with good access that doesn’t interfere with existing sight lines or overshadow adjoining properties. They are the car park at the Jetty, the Surf Club car park off Cedar Rd and the Drift car park off Veivers Rd.

Also, as the vast majority of Palm Cove residents park their cars in their carports and garages there is ample street parking already available. On market days and special event days, when the esplanade is closed to traffic, hundreds of people easily find street parking within a 5 to 10 minute walk of the waterfront.

The Transition to the Promenade

The most important thing is to accept NOW that there are no other options going forward.  This means that Council needs to pause any activity regarding the Palm Cove Landscape and Streetscape Plan.  This will be a total waste of money.