Palm Cove public housing labelled 'waste'
DEBATE over Palm Cove's public housing plan has reached State Parliament, with the Opposition accusing the Government of "wasting significant money on land that is totally inappropriate for the tenants' needs".
Opposition spokeswoman for housing Rosemary Menkens took aim at Housing Minister Karen Struthers during Question Time yesterday over an 18-unit block planned for a $1.35 million site.
"The prime tourism niche of Palm Cove has none of the associated infrastructure or facilities required for public housing tenants," Ms Menkens told Parliament.
"There are limited employment opportunities in the area. A similar-sized block of land at other sites with the required facilities for these tenants could be acquired for under $200,000."
A residents group is fiercely lobbying against the plan, saying the exclusive resort area is not suitable.
In response, the Department of Communities said the development would be likely to house "low income key workers" employed in seasonal, tourism-driven industries such as hospitality.
Ms Struthers said Ms Menkens was making "outrageous claims about where people ought to be located".
"If they grow up on the northern beaches of Cairns – if they are seniors and they retire, or their life circumstances change and they need public housing, where should they live? Ipswich? Logan? The back of Bourke?"
Campaigners have also disputed the need for more housing for low income workers.
Cairns Premier Realty co-owner Pauline Newman said landlords had been forced to lower their rents to find tenants for affordable apartments that had been sitting empty for weeks.
Division 9 councillor Sno Bonneau said he was unconvinced Palm Cove needed public housing for low-income workers.
- No kids welcome in Cairns' new public housing
- Public housing strife in Cairns
- Bluewater 'NIMBY's disappoint advocates
- Bluewater residents fear public housing
Share this article
Car plunges into ditch as Cairns drenched
TWO women narrowly escaped serious injury when their car plunged into a ditch as rain and thunderstorms trouble motorists throughout the region.
Cairns rain helps bowlers make a splash
NOT even a Far North Queensland deluge could drown the spirits of the Australian lawn bowls team as they trained in Cairns.
Teens accused of robbery with sticks
THREE stick-wielding teenagers have been charged over a hold-up at a Tableland service station.
Horse racing revival in Cairns
CAIRNS will become one of the horse racing capitals of Queensland as part of a massive overhaul of Cannon Park.
