Cairns Transport Study, planning
By 2046, the Cairns local government area is expected to increase by approximately 59,000 residents. In addition to the substantial visitor numbers in the region, this significant residential growth will have an impact on the safety, efficiency and accessibility of the Cairns urban transport network.
Taking a holistic approach to the planning of this expected growth will ensure a sustainable, efficient and accessible transport network in the region.
In partnership with Cairns Regional Council, the Cairns Transport Study project will develop an integrated transport strategy for the city.
The study area includes:
- roads (state-controlled, local roads of regional significance, major arterial and sub-arterials, multi-combination networks)
- active and public transport corridors and networks (principal cycle network routes, public transport stops)
- long distance bus and coach stops
- railway (North Coast Line, Tablelands System Rail, rail freight terminals and rail passenger stations)
- Cairns Port and Cruise Liner Terminal
- Cairns Reef Fleet terminal
- Cairns International Airport.
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Increases capacity
- Improves network efficiency
- Increases traffic flow
- Reduces peak hour congestion
- Improves flood immunity
- Better road access
- Accessibility
- Reduces travel time
- Contributes to economy
- Contributes to regional growth
- Better active transport
Key features
The aim of the project is to develop a strategy for the Cairns transport network that supports sustainable, efficient, equitable and affordable transport outcomes that are consistent with economic, social and environmental goals.
The project will identify a prioritised staging plan for major upgrades or interventions across the network (all modes) over the short (0-5 years), medium (5-15 years) and longer term (15-30 years).
Funding
The Cairns Transport Study is jointly funded by the Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council. The Queensland Government portion of the project is funded under the Transport Systems Planning Program. Investment ID 747059
- Total investment
- $920,000
- Queensland Government
- $830,000
- Local government
- $90,000
Current status
Planning is continuing and will consider the feedback received as part of community engagement conducted in February and March 2024.
We will keep the community informed as planning progresses.
Community engagement
Community engagement took place from February to March 2024 and focussed on gaining insights into the community's views on how they use transport, key issues with the existing transport network and services, and opportunities for a better future transport system.
The department received 920 responses across the engagement tools and activities. This included 330 completed online surveys, 366 interactive map comments, and 21 contributions in relation to the draft transport network objectives.
Summary of the feedback included:
Safety
- a strong focus on improving safety across all modes of transport
- safety improvements at level rail crossings
Public transport
- Increasing public transport service frequency and service coverage
- Improving long distance connections
- More rapid/express services
Bike riding and walking
- Improving facilities to support walking and bike riding, such as more shade, lighting and water stations.
- Extending and improving existing cycleways and shared paths
- Constructing additional footpaths, bike paths and shared paths
- Improving safety, including more pedestrian crossings and kerb ramp slopes
Road Infrastructure
- Adding more lanes to existing high demand roads
- Constructing new connections
- Safety improvements
- Speed limit reviews
- Traffic light signalling and intersection/turning movement improvements
- Flood immunity improvements
The community feedback will be considered in more detail as the planning project progresses.
Detailed design and construction of any identified upgrades are currently unfunded.