Cairns Regional Council has confirmed $1.1 million in works will begin next month on repairs to Lake Placid, a popular Cairns recreational site that was severely damaged by flooding during Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023.
The site – located on Council-owned land – has historically hosted a takeaway shop, café, and restaurant.
Plans to lease it to Cairns Adventure Group for a new rafting centre, café, and training facility were approved in November 2023, but progress was halted by the cyclone’s impact, the Council said.
With pre-construction tasks now complete – including design, permitting, and demolition planning for the former restaurant – Council is moving ahead with comprehensive restoration.
Key works include:
- Replacement and upgrades to electrical, sewer, and water systems;
- Construction of a new viewing platform;
- Repairs to paths, rock walls, and general landscaping.
Mayor, Amy Eden said the project is about more than infrastructure.
“Lake Placid holds a special place in the hearts of many Cairns locals, and its restoration is a symbol of our community’s resilience after the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Jasper,” she said.
“This project is about more than rebuilding infrastructure – it’s about restoring pride in a place that brings people together.
“Once completed, Lake Placid will be a revitalised hub for outdoor recreation and connection that our city can be proud of.”
Work is expected to be completed by year’s end, weather permitting.
The repairs project is being jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements that the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games are assisting to deliver.
