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Cairns locals push to keep Far North Queensland walking trail away from developers
A popular walking trail with a stunning lookout over Trinity Beach could become lost to urban sprawl
Barron River MP Craig Crawford yesterday met representatives of development company Consolidated Properties, who showed him plans for a twenty six lot subdivision on Earl Hill
He said eleven proposed houses would be on the middle of the hill, with seven built over the walking tracks and six homes along the rock cliff face overlooking the ocean
Roads to service the properties would also be built
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford has called for Earl Hill ... a popular walking area ... to be acquired by the State Government to protect it from development
Mr Crawford called for the State Government to step in and, if necessary, compulsorily acquire the land to stop construction going ahead
“The developers have owned the remainder of Earl Hill ... approximately fifty two ha ... since 2003
They also own the walking tracks which they developed” he said
“I think this type of development is no longer appropriate for the area, perhaps years ago when the area was being considered for housing, but not now, not in 2017
“Suburban areas need parks, gardens and exercise areas and this hill is extremely popular with locals who involve the kids and the pets”
A spokesman from Consolidated Properties confirmed the meeting with Mr Crawford
“It is a prime piece of real estate and we have absolutely every intention to develop it” he said
Mr Crawford was surprised to learn the land was privately owned
“Most people of the Northern Beaches would look up and think either part or all of it is owned by the State Government or council” he said
“In fact, none of it is ... the whole track was built by the developers
They maintain it and are under no obligation whatsoever to keep it open”
Mr Crawford believed the track could rival the Red Arrow at Edge Hill if upgraded
He said he had written to Environment and Heritage Protection Minister Steven Miles requesting he take urgent action to acquire the land for public use and maintain it as a national park or investigate options to hand it over to Cairns Regional Council
“I have had conversations with the Treasurer Curtis Pitt as well as Environment Minister Steven Miles about the options and they are prepared to look at the situation within the next few weeks” Mr Crawford said
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