Disability information

Cairns Performing Arts Centre has a hearing loop that uses the Telicoil software. You can find out more about accessibility features, ramps and disabled parking at our arts venues here.

Council provides an Infirm Service to residents who are physically incapable of placing their wheelie bins out for collection and have no able-bodied person living with them. The waste collection contractor will enter the resident's property to collect the bins and return them after servicing.

A written letter from a medical professional (GP, occupational therapist, health care professional or nursing agent) is required for this service. There is no additional cost for the infirm service; it is covered under the annual cleansing charge on the property.

You can download and fill in this form to apply for the service ( PDF, 0.64 MB ). Contact Council on 1300 69 22 47 for more information.

If you come across a damaged footpath or other issue that is a public safety issue and/or restricts accessibility in public places, please report the details including exact location to Council's Customer Service Centre by phoning 1300 69 22 47. Alternatively, you can use our online form to report a problem or request service or download the My Cairns App to report a problem.

Be sure to specify that this is a disability or access issue in the Details box to help us better serve you.

If you hold a blue Queensland accessible parking permit, you can use on-street and off-street accessible parking bays as well as paid parking bays - including  pay-and-display spaces - for an unlimited time, free of charge*. You are exempt from the general time limit in all traffic areas (eg a 3P zone).

We recognise all interstate and international accessible parking permits.Please display your permit where it is easily visible on the car's dashboard.

Skip ahead to our Accessible Parking finder.

Drivers must obey regulations applying to taxi zones, loading zones, bus zones and no stopping zones.

*Free parking is not available at Council's Lake Street Car Park or the Cairns Performing Arts Centre Car Park as these are operated by boom gates.

Disability permit conditions of use

Your permit must:

• be used to park only in the parking spaces stated
• be clearly displayed so the permit number and expiry date are visible from the outside of the vehicle
• be displayed when you (or the eligible person for organisations) are getting in or out of the vehicle
• be displayed in a vehicle up to and including 4.5t gross vehicle mass
• not be damaged, altered or copied.

Where the permit holder is the passenger in the vehicle and the driver drops the permit holder at the entrance to a building (e.g. shopping centre, doctors surgery) the driver is not eligible to then park the vehicle in a disability parking bay.

The permit cannot be used by anyone other than the permit-holder or eligible person. (e.g. A permit cannot be used or displayed to access disability parking by family members, friends or anyone other than the permit-holder.)

Permit conditions must be followed or fines may be issued.

Cairns has the largest Braille and tactile street name program in regional Australia. We have installed over 250 Braille and tactile street name signs located above every pedestrian button throughout the CBD, and at eight schools and major intersections.

The signs provide much needed street name and directional information and way-finding for a person with vision impairment.

The signs also assist every member of the community and tourist to Cairns, as the signs are easily readable and located appropriately.

The Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) enables people with disabilities to gain 24/7 access to a network of public facilities across Australia. People with a disability are able to purchase an MLAK master key which will open all toilets, playgrounds and other facilities which are fitted with this specially designed lock.

In Cairns, the MLAK system is fitted to the Change-Ability change rooms at Woree and Smithfield pools, Lagoon accessible toilet, Behana Gorge access gate and the Liberty Swing at Muddy's Playground on the Esplanade. On-site signage at the facilities provides contact numbers to call for immediate access without an MLAK key.

If you are a local member of the community with disability, a visitor with disability or an organisation or carer of a person with disability you can fill in the application form below or visit Council's Customer Service desk in person to request a key.

Please note that, if you visit customer service, you will need to bring with you one of the following proof of disability documents:

• Mobility parking permit
• Disability card
• Letter from your doctor
• Letter from a disability organisation.

If you fill in the form, you will need to have a copy of one these documents ready to upload.

Apply for a free MLAK key online

When Council hosts an event where a person who is deaf or hard of hearing is known to be attending, we will ensure we have an Auslan interpreter on hand. Please tell us if you require an interpreter prior to attending so we can book an interpreter through Deaf Services Queensland.

Council's Customer Service Centres at Spence Street and Manunda Library have a portable hearing induction device to enable a hearing impaired person to communicate efficiently with customer service team members. Please indicate your requirement to the staff on arrival.

We also have a hearing induction loop installed in our the Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre at Edge Hill.

A beach wheelchair is available for free hire at Palm Cove during patrol hours year-round. Just ask the on-duty lifeguard to issue it to you and fill in the indemnity book.

A beach wheelchair is available for free hire at Ellis Beach (Queensland Life Saver station) from noon on Saturdays and all day Sunday and public holidays during the months of April to November .

Council's Stay Safe: Mobility Guide ( PDF, 2.36 MB ) contains helpful information on how to safely use motorised scooters and wheelchairs including tips on:

• Queensland Transport rules and registration requirements
• Travelling on public transport, trains and taxis
• Crossing roads and railway lines
• Sharing the footpath and avoiding 'footpath rage'
• Emergency breakdown service and battery recharge station

Two full change rooms have been installed at Woree Pool and Smithfield Pools. The rooms incorporate ceiling track hoists (you must have your own sling for hygiene reasons), height-adjustable change beds, shower and toilet with adequate space for two carers should you require them.

Council has prepared cyclone information in different formats to ensure all sections of our community can plan, pack and listen.

People with hearing or vision impairments or complex communication needs can use our accessible and multi-lingual cyclone and emergency information resources.