Cairns Regional Council plans major facelift for Crystal Cascades swimming hole

An improvement plan for Crystal Cascades will go out for public feedback after Cairns Regional Council this week endorsed a proposal to upgrade facilities at the popular swimming spot.

A Council report noted that given the site’s very high visitation by both tourists and locals it was necessary to upgrade facilities at the location because existing infrastructure was ageing, unwelcoming and no longer able to meet the volume, recreational needs and expectations of visitors.

The improvement plan involves a revised car parking layout to enable faster pick up and drop off for tourist vehicles, faster turnaround of vehicles using the car park, and an expansion of the car parking area to accommodate additional spaces.

Entry signage will also be upgraded to provide a welcoming atmosphere befitting the site, as well as improved toilet amenities including new change rooms and CCTV, and new pathways linking the toilet amenities and the car parking to the entry to improve safety and pedestrian circulation at the site.

The plan also allows for the replacement of shelters, seating, barbeques, bins, and water bubblers, as well as improved landscaping in the car parking and entry areas, and a new boardwalk and deck to enable inclusive access to viewing opportunities of the creek.

The project, in its conceptual form, is estimated to cost $1.54 million, with $1 million allocated to the project under Works for Queensland Round 3.

The plan will be available for public comment in May.

Support for community events 
A variety of events will receive funding and in-kind support from Cairns Regional Council following the approval of funding for UMI Arts for the Big Talk One Fire Indigenous Cultural Festival; Cairns Drag & Pride NQ for the Haus of Drag Extravaganza; the Yorkeys Knob Residents Association for the Festival of the Knob 2019; Playgroup Queensland LTD for Cairns Messy Play May; Muscular Dystrophy Queensland for Cairns Ride, Walk, Roll 2019; and Powerlifting Australia Ltd for the Australian Masters Powerlifting Championships.

The Council has also entered into a funding agreement with Tennis Australia for an annual investment of $30,000 cash and up to $500 in kind to deliver the Cairns International from 2019 to 2021.

Image: The Crystal Cascades swimming hole, courtesy of Cairns Regional Council.