Cairns Regional Council will appeal to the Queensland Government to include Babinda in its Regional Transport Plan for Far North Queensland.
The draft plan, which has been released by the Department of Transport and Main Roads for comment, sets out priorities for the transport system at a regional level over the next 15 years
In a submission to the plan, Council highlights a need for transport options in Babinda in order to improve employment, education and tourism opportunities.
“It was identified in the Economic Development Plan for Babinda that connectivity with Cairns is a high priority,” Mayor Bob Manning said.
“As the Cairns Transit Network area ends at Gordonvale, communities located within the Cairns Local Government Area south of Gordonvale, including Babinda, currently have no access to public transport
“Public transport would increase the community’s access to education and employment opportunities, shops, health services, transport hubs and the airport. It would also encourage tourists and people from other parts of Cairns to visit Babinda, supporting their local economy.”
The submission also requests the inclusion of a bus service between the Cairns CBD and the Cairns Airport the inclusion of updated statistics and population projections.
Submissions close on 1 March and the plan is due to be adopted by the Queensland Government later this year.
