A tale of two resort developments in Cairns.
First up, the axe has fallen on the jinxed Reef Cove Resort at False Cape.
Federal Environment Minister, Mr Burke has revoked Reef Cove Resort Limited’s approval for a mixed use development at False Cape and associated infrastructure, such as sewerage and access roads.
A spokeswoman for Mr Burke said projects given approval under national environment law must adhere to approval conditions to "ensure there are no unacceptable impacts on nationally protected matters".
"The developers failed to fix erosion and sediment problems at the site as required under their approval conditions," the spokeswoman said."
The developers have gone into receivership and liquidation and there is no likelihood that they will undertake reparation measures, nor agree to, or comply with, suggested new conditions."
She said the revocation followed three suspensions of the project over a period of three years."If another development is proposed for the site, it will need to be looked at as a new referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and undergo a new public assessment."
Initially touted as a residential estate for up to 1500 people, a resort and a 150-berth marina 30 years ago, Reef Cove Resort Ltd was given Federal Government approval for a $40 million, 102-lot resort.
However, the controversial project was plagued with engineering and environmental problems, with a construction worker killed onsite in 2007 and Reef Cove Resort Ltd going into receivership in 2009.
CAFNEC, the Environmental Defenders Office of Northern Queensland and Save our Slopes said the revocation was in the "best interests of the Cairns community".
"It means that any new development projects at False Cape will need to undergo renewed federal environmental review before being allowed to proceed," EDO-NQ spokesman Patrick Pearlman said.
The three groups said they remain concerned about False Cape’s future and called on the council and State Government "to take action to secure a long term conservation outcome for the site".
AN eco-friendly resort near one of Cairns' most idyllic swimming holes has been given the green light after strict conditions were imposed on the developers.
Cairns Regional Council yesterday approved plans for Redlynch Eco Villas, which will include 52 self-contained villas on land about 650m from the Crystal Cascades carpark.
The 3.2ha site on Redlynch Intake Rd will include a restaurant, spa, retail space and viewing platforms.
The proposal, from Sunshine Coast-based CPR Group, includes plans to replant 70 per cent of vegetation on the site when construction is complete.
The proposed development was publicly notified from June to August, and two submissions were received from residents who were worried about the resort’s impact on life in the rainforest suburb.
The submissions raised concerns about water pressure in Redlynch, the volume of traffic drawn to the area by the development, access to Freshwater Creek, and noise pollution from the proposed restaurant.
But the area’s councillor, Linda Cooper, said strict conditions were in place, and the amenity of Crystal Cascades would not be affected by the resort. "Like every development, there’s been a mixed reaction to it," Cr Cooper said.
"But heavy conditions will make sure it won’t have a detrimental impact on current people in the area.
"And it won’t impact on Crystal Cascades because the Freshwater Creek is still open and accessible."
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the proposal, which included 50 conditions designed to protect the surrounding environment and neighbouring homes.
Under the conditions, the developers will need to submit a traffic report to prove the proposed villas will not affect commuters in the area. Vegetation clearance permits will need to be sought from the Department of Environment and Resource Management before protected trees or plants are removed.
And any trees near the construction site need to be retained.
