CairnsPlan – March 2009
3.16 The Islands District 3.16.1 Description and Intent
The islands which are included within the City are a significant recreational resource for residents and provide a range of attractions for visitors to the City.
The over-riding intent is that any development and use of the islands for recreational or tourist purposes should satisfy the following principles:-
• There must be no adverse effects on the natural qualities and environments of the islands and of the surrounding waters and reefs;
• Development must be subservient to the natural landscape and should not be visible from the coastline or from vessels passing the islands;
• Esplanades, foreshores and other public areas must remain accessible to the public;
• Treatment and disposal of waste water must satisfy contemporary standards.
Double Island, adjacent to Palm Cove, contains existing, small scale tourist accommodation. There is potential for development of additional accommodation and facilities by virtue of the provisions of a lease over part of the Island.
Green Island contains a modern tourist resort and a small scale tourist attraction. A significant part of the Island is National Park. It is not intended that there should be any further significant development on the island.
Fitzroy Island contains older style tourist accommodation, camping facilities and a commercial aquaculture operation. The greater part of the Island is National Park. Redevelopment of the existing tourist accommodation is considered to be acceptable, provided there is an acceptable solution to the key issue of treatment and disposal of waste water. Improvements to the camping area are considered to be desirable. It is not intended that any significant expansion of the aquaculture operation should occur.
It is intended that the smaller islands; Haycock Island, High Island and the Frankland Islands should not be the subject of any development. Use of these islands for nature-based recreation may be appropriate.
3.16.2 Schedule of Special Facilities Approvals
Prior to the Commencement Date, the premises listed in the Schedule of Special Facilities Approvals for the District were approved for particular forms of development.
The development of the premises listed in the Schedule may proceed in accordance with the requirements:-
1. Of the approval (including compliance with the conditions imposed under the listed approval); and
2. Of the codes contained in sections 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8 of this Scheme, that are not inconsistent with the conditions of approval.
3-107 CairnsPlan – March 2009
INDEX LOT NO. PLAN NO. STREET ADDRESS APPROVED USE 1 Lot 636 905403 Unnamed Road Giant clam and marine hatchery facility. FITZROY ISLAND
3.16.3 Schedule of Heritage Sites
CURRENT NAME Green Island Observatory OTHER KNOWN NAME ADDRESS Green Island TITLE DETAILS L100 on plan NR 843614, L1 on plan NR 812612 HISTORY Green Island was part of the territory of the Kungganydja people, and was reputedly a site of male initiations for these people. Before European settlement of the Cairns area, the island was used as part of the beche-de-mer industry, and was the site of racial conflict associated with this industry. The island became a place of leisure for Europeans soon after settlement and was vested as a reserve by the Cairns Town Council in 1906. Since then the island has risen in importance to residents and tourists, with activities such as camping available and being a destination for day trippers with resort style accommodation also available. An underwater observatory was built in the 1950's and provided a means where by people could see the marine life of the reef up close. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Small low coral and reef cay 26 km east of Cairns on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef PHYSICAL INTEGRITY STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The place is significant for its aesthetic qualities (criterion e), and for the associations with Cairns residents and travelling visitors for many years (criterion g). It was also an early tourist development in the Cairns region (criterion a).
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